He gasped. His limbs were screaming out in pain and there was nothing he could do about it. He knew he'd seen too much and it wasn't like he weak attempt at flight was going to work. But not this. God, not this. He wrenched open his eyes to see who had attacked him from behind. The pain was blinding his sight, and he could only think of his family now. He prayed they stayed out of this and weren't hurt as well. He heard himself scream out a shrill sort of noise and his thoughts landed on Harry Potter...And with 1 last ounce of strength, he sent his message across the unaware stretches of miles towards a boy who could help him. A boy who could stop this suffering and make everything alright again. And so, with the strongest smile he could conjure up, he looked up into the eyes of his assassin and forced out," I may die...but he still lives...."
And his screaming was silenced.
Harry jolted up in bed in mid-scream. His shirt was clinging to his drenched back as his hair hung in sweaty, limp clumps against his forehead. His scar seemed to be piercing straight through his head, the pain shooting right out the back. Harry plunged his face into his hands, shaking like mad. What had he just seen? Who was that?
"H-Harry? Are you alright?" a trembling voice asked from across the room.
Harry looked up from tear-soaked palms to see a blurry figure of Neville, also sitting upright in bed. A quick glance around the room said that everyone was like Neville, wide-awake and concerned.
"Y-yeah...just...just a bad dream.." Harry stammered.
He knew they weren't convinced, but obviously too tired to protest against Harry's unshaken stand on being fine, so they laid back down and fell asleep eventually. Harry scooted back against the headboard of his bed and pulled his knees to his chest . That had been much too real to be just a dream. MUCH too real. And the man being tortured was someone he had never seen before. The remembrance of what had happened to him sent cold shivers up Harry's spine. Inevitably, fatigue won out and Harry dozed off in his upright position, not the slightest at ease at the dream of a murder.
//------------
"Yes, I KNOW Hermione, but its not like it matters. The Weird Sisters just can't make it this year, they're booked," Ron commented, clear out of nowhere it seemed to Harry.
The 3 stepped across the main street of Hogsmeade, walking in the direction of the Three Broomsticks. Ron and Hermione were discussing something, Harry had been too preoccupied to catch what it was. Just as they got to the entrance of the pub, Ginny came storming up with Dean Thomas on her heels.
"I don't CARE, Dean! Just...UGH!...Go AWAY!" She shouted behind her pushing herself through the doors.
Dean sighed exasperated, looking at the confused 3," Caught me snogging Lavender Brown..."
Ron's mouth dropped as his ears prickled with red. Harry knew that wasn't a good sign and instinctively grabbed Ron's arm. Just in time too because Harry had no sooner held him ,then Ron leapt at Dean. Dean stumbled back, shocked.
"R-Ron...you...you gotta believe me...It was just a mistake!"
Ron kept jerking and wrenching at Harry's firm grip of him, his face growing steadily redder," I'll kill you, you little git! Let me go, Harry! I'll beat you to a pulp for doing that to Ginny. I SAID let me GO, Harry!"
It took most of his strength to hold back Ron, he WAS a tall boy after all," Get lost, Dean. For both your sake's."
Dean looked thoroughly desperate, but did as Harry instructed and quickly walked away. Ron jerked free of Harry and ran into The Three Broomsticks after Ginny.
Harry sighed and looked at Hermione, also dumbfound.
"Well, then..." She spoke, bafflement at the unexpected drama still in her face. "Ah...lets let them alone for awhile...Want some coffee?"
Harry nodded and walked alongside her towards the other end of Hogsmeade. Upon approaching closer, Harry frowned. He knew where they were headed," Wait...we're not going in there, are we?"
He motioned to the tiny cafe nestled between shops, the same cafe a certain Ravenclaw seeker had taken him to.
"Well, yes...unless you want to chance the Hog's Head again," Hermione answered, pushing the door open.
He sighed, knowing he'd less rather go back into the Hog's Head than double Potions. Following her in, he walked upon a familiar sight of a series of couples wedged into circular tables around the tiny room. Several of them paused their chatting or kissing to glance at the newcomers. Most, to Harry's embarrassment, seemed quite interested to see Hermione Granger and Harry Potter waltz in.
Quickly settling into the back table Hermione picked out, Harry looked up as Madam Puddifoot, the cafe's owner, somehow managed to squeeze her way to them.
"Um, just two coffees, please," Hermione informed her.
"Eh, out of curiosity, by any chance would you happen to have cappuccinos?" Harry asked before she turned.
"Why, yes, of course. Cappuccinos, frappachinos, espressos, mochiatas, and everything in between," replied a rather proud Puddifoot.
Harry smiled, "Well, I'd like a Decaf Mocca Java, please."
Hermione stared at him baffled," Er, same for me as well."
As Madam Puddifoot smiled proudly at the obvious different request than most and left, Hermione turned back to Harry," Since when do you know the difference between coffee and a hole in the wall?"
"Aunt Petunia started taking me with her when she went to London all the time, afraid to leave me alone with Dudley. So, we'd always stop at cafes and such..." Harry replied leaning forward on the table.
Hermione nodded and leaned forward as well," So...Um, Harry...I think we need to talk about a few things."
Harry looked up at her finding her gaze somewhere on the corners of the napkins, "Uh, sure...ok...What?"
Giving a sigh, Hermione started to roll pieces of napkin between her thumb and middle finger, "Well, why don't we start with the fact of your reoccurring dreams?"
Harry forced a lump down his throat having Hermione finally find his eyes with her own.
"And don't give me rubbish that you haven't been having any. Ron told me all about the night before last. So, tell me...what's going on?"
Harry quickly looked down, not really wanting to voice this one. He'd had so many others in the past and it always crept him out when he knew what was happening, who was being killed and what Voldemort was feeling. He knew this was Voldemort related too, his scar kept throbbing weakly, but nonetheless nonstop since the nightmare.
"I can see the wheels in your head turning, Harry. Just voice your thoughts," Hermione said, interrupting his train of thought.
"Well...." Harry started. It wasn't like he'd never confided in her before. Especially alone. But for some reason it just felt weird this time, sitting in a warm cafe full of snogging teenagers and Hermione sitting there looking concerned but SO pretty in that soft, pink sweater and jeans.
Taking a deep breath, Harry explained all about what he remembered in the dream. The man in pain who was so overwhelmingly concerned with his family's well-being. Then, to his surprise, after he'd fished he went on to tell her about what he had said to Snape a week prior after the Occulmency lesson. Hermione herself was both surprised and pleased that Harry spilled so much. But he didn't stop there. It was just a flood gate had opened and his mouth couldn't stop telling her the deepest, darkest desires and secrets of his heart.
His shame for feeling disgusted at his father for treating Snape so horribly; The silent need to feel accepted by his horrid Uncle and Aunt; The constant pang of having never known his parents; The ever growing ache of longing for Sirius; His increasing fear of facing Voldemort again ;and lastly, a secret he thought he'd never utter to any living soul aside from Hedwig, the true contents of the Prophecy.
Upon finishing, Hermione was left flabbergasted. She searched for words that were not there, and when all speech seemed to have fled her, she did the only thing she could think to do. Reaching out, Hermione took Harry's hand in her own tightly, leaned forward and pecked his cheek.
"T-thank you..." was all she could managed to say.
Harry blinked," Thank you?"
Nodding, Hermione smiled soft and warm," Thank you for sharing so much with me...Yo-You just really don't know how much it means to me...I ..I only wish.."
Her voice trailed off as her eyes kept fluttering down to Harry's slightly parted lips then back to his brilliant green eyes that were still shimmering with emotion from his deep monologue. She felt it, starting somewhere in her gut, it spread to every pore of her being. It happened. How could it not?
"Harry, I-"
Without letting her finish, Harry leaned forward and finally kissed the lips he had been longing to since the night he picked her up in London. Hermione's lips felt fantastic. So warm and soft, they gently pushed and pressed against Harry's. Each moment brought more and more tastes, smells and sounds that Harry never imagined he'd enjoy. Her slow breathing puffed softly on his mouth every time they pulled away, sending shivers across his skin. Her hand floated up and wove itself in his hair, pulling him even closer to the kiss. Then she did something that almost drove Harry mad with pleasurable shivers. Her soft, slick tongue slipped its way into Harry's mouth and rubbed playfully against his. The sensation sent a shock straight down his spine. He loved it and couldn't get enough. Her tongue danced with his as they explored each others' mouths, tasting every taste.
He found himself playing with the ends of her hair, liking how it felt like downy feathers trickling over his fingers. Harry wasn't the only one enjoying the feel of hair. Hermione found Harry's to be the thickest and silkiest she'd ever felt. It melted between her fingers and cascaded from her loose grip like a gentle stream of satin. His body emanated heat that she only wanted to become apart of, though she could never close enough. Her bare skin burned where they had been touched by Harry's slow, exploring hands. She never wanted it to stop.
Suddenly, a piercing hot sensation stabbed through Hermione's jeans and onto her thigh making her yelp in pain. Harry jerked away from the kiss and quickly looked down. Both still rattled by their intense kiss, it only took a few seconds to realize it was just coffee. Somewhere along the way Madam Puddifoot had delivered their coffees silently, and 1 of them had accidentally bumped the table spilling the scorching contents onto the table that dribbled onto Hermione.
Harry grabbed some napkins and quickly sopped up the tiny mess, handing Hermione a napkin to dry the little blotch of coffee visible on her jeans.
She sighed and pulled her wand out from her robes, then gave it a wave mumbling a spell. Instantly, the stain was gone though the stinging sensation of a small burn remained.
Once the crisis had been settled, they both came back to Earth and let the realization of what they just did sink in. Harry looked up at Hermione, who in turn stared back at him. Upon glancing down, he caught sight of her mouth. It was even more pink than usual and rather pouty. He couldn't help but smile.
"What?" She asked , letting a smile slowly creep into her features.
"Your mouth...its...well, swollen.." He replied, finding himself blushing.
Hermione blushed as well, though grinning as big as ever," Yours is worse I think."
Harry brought his fingers to his lips finding them a bit bigger than they ought to be and smiled wider," How long did we...kiss?"
Hermione shrugged and looked out the window. A small gasp made Harry's head turn to look what she had gasped at. Even he had let a gasp out. The room had lost most of its customers, only 2 pairs remained and the blue sky outside had already melted into purples, oranges and pinks. Harry quickly looked at the clock that hung over Madam Puddifoot's counter and saw it read 6:15.
"Oh my god..."
Hermione turned back to Harry and let out a bewildered laugh," My goodness...the time just whizzed by, didn't it?"
Harry nodded and stood up. Tossing a few coins onto the table to cover their not-touched coffees, he followed Hermione out of the cafe and onto the much cooler street. A shiver ran across Harry's skin, finding the crisp November evening both refreshing and cold. Hermione looked up at him, a smile still spread across her face then let her gaze drop down to his hand. Reaching out without need of words, Harry weaved his fingers in hers and started down the street back to the main road that lead to Hogwarts. Hermione leaned satisfyingly into his body, finding it much warmer now that they were in contact.
So, Harry, have a date for the ball yet?" Hermione asked playfully, fully enjoying the feel of him so close.
"Ball?" Harry asked in reply, forehead crinkled with confusion.
"Yes, you know, the Christmas ball?" Hermione chuckled looking up at him. But seeing the clear look of puzzlement, Hermione frowned in turn. "You didn't know?"
Shaking his head, Harry added on," But then again, I didn't pay attention to Dumbledore during the Sorting Feast when I guess he gave the usual notices."
Hermione smiled once again and nodded, "Welllll, there's a Christmas ball. See, the Weird Sisters were supposed to play, but they got booked and couldn't make it so, there's this other band playing. Its supposed to be a surprise, but I hear its this Muggle/Wizard band. They play in both worlds. The muggles don't even know they're all wizards."
Harry nodded, finding himself secretly hoping it was The Clash, his favorite band. Granted, they were all muggle and wouldn't be allowed to play anywhere near a wizarding event, he still liked the thought though.
"So...Harry.."
Harry glanced over at Hermione, finding her blushing furiously. He couldn't help but grin, she looked absolutely beautiful when she blushed. "Yes?" He teased.
Hermione let out a chuckle and rolled her eyes," Harry...are you. I mean...will...um...would..."
Harry smirked and took another glance at her," I'd love to go with you, Hermione."
Hermione beamed and kissed him full on the lips. They savored their 2nd kiss for some time before a loud 'AHEM' broke them apart. To their utter embarrassment, Ron and Ginny stood there, gawking.
"Uh, well...er...you see.." Harry stammered.
Ron laughed, the shock fading off his face and pure amusement replacing it," No need to explain, mate. I'm not blind, I can tell for myself that was a kiss."
"A kiss? More like a series of kisses," Ginny corrected, her cheeks still containing pink from her blush at catching them make out.
"Well, er...ok," Hermione said, not sure at all what she should say.
"Oh! I just remembered what we ran up here to tell you once we caught sight of you." Ron said, holding out the Daily Prophet.
Harry took it and didn't have to look far to see what Ron meant by showing it to him. Right on the front page, in huge, black, bold letters " MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE: LOCAL WIZARD MISSING."
Harry swept his eyes frantically over the article as Hermione read aloud the 1st few lines
" Buckman Cherrywood, a wizard living outside of London, was reported missing by his wife when he did not return home from work that night. Mrs. Cherrywood stated that her husband had been acting peculiar since his brief visit to the Dark Forest a few days prior. All the while, he had been making efforts to tell her what had been going on when, to Mrs. Cherrywood's confusion, her husband suddenly shut down. Sources prove Mr. Cherrywood had indeed entered the Dark Forest outside of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on Ministry business to take care of a rogue werewolf terrorizing Britain's countryside. With evidence supporting Mrs. Cherrywood's claims, there is no doubt that Buckman Cherrywood had indeed shifted out of character. Fellow co-workers commented..."
Hermione looked up at the others, not entirely sure what this meant. To her surprise, Ron and Ginny weren't looking shocked as she had expected. Instead, their gaze was fixed on Harry, who in turn was staring horrified at the picture beneath the heading. Hermione frowned and tightened her hand around Harry's arm. "What? What is it?"
Harry tore his eyes off the paper, his mouth dry as he stuttered a reply," This...This was the man in my dream..."
And his screaming was silenced.
Harry jolted up in bed in mid-scream. His shirt was clinging to his drenched back as his hair hung in sweaty, limp clumps against his forehead. His scar seemed to be piercing straight through his head, the pain shooting right out the back. Harry plunged his face into his hands, shaking like mad. What had he just seen? Who was that?
"H-Harry? Are you alright?" a trembling voice asked from across the room.
Harry looked up from tear-soaked palms to see a blurry figure of Neville, also sitting upright in bed. A quick glance around the room said that everyone was like Neville, wide-awake and concerned.
"Y-yeah...just...just a bad dream.." Harry stammered.
He knew they weren't convinced, but obviously too tired to protest against Harry's unshaken stand on being fine, so they laid back down and fell asleep eventually. Harry scooted back against the headboard of his bed and pulled his knees to his chest . That had been much too real to be just a dream. MUCH too real. And the man being tortured was someone he had never seen before. The remembrance of what had happened to him sent cold shivers up Harry's spine. Inevitably, fatigue won out and Harry dozed off in his upright position, not the slightest at ease at the dream of a murder.
//------------
"Yes, I KNOW Hermione, but its not like it matters. The Weird Sisters just can't make it this year, they're booked," Ron commented, clear out of nowhere it seemed to Harry.
The 3 stepped across the main street of Hogsmeade, walking in the direction of the Three Broomsticks. Ron and Hermione were discussing something, Harry had been too preoccupied to catch what it was. Just as they got to the entrance of the pub, Ginny came storming up with Dean Thomas on her heels.
"I don't CARE, Dean! Just...UGH!...Go AWAY!" She shouted behind her pushing herself through the doors.
Dean sighed exasperated, looking at the confused 3," Caught me snogging Lavender Brown..."
Ron's mouth dropped as his ears prickled with red. Harry knew that wasn't a good sign and instinctively grabbed Ron's arm. Just in time too because Harry had no sooner held him ,then Ron leapt at Dean. Dean stumbled back, shocked.
"R-Ron...you...you gotta believe me...It was just a mistake!"
Ron kept jerking and wrenching at Harry's firm grip of him, his face growing steadily redder," I'll kill you, you little git! Let me go, Harry! I'll beat you to a pulp for doing that to Ginny. I SAID let me GO, Harry!"
It took most of his strength to hold back Ron, he WAS a tall boy after all," Get lost, Dean. For both your sake's."
Dean looked thoroughly desperate, but did as Harry instructed and quickly walked away. Ron jerked free of Harry and ran into The Three Broomsticks after Ginny.
Harry sighed and looked at Hermione, also dumbfound.
"Well, then..." She spoke, bafflement at the unexpected drama still in her face. "Ah...lets let them alone for awhile...Want some coffee?"
Harry nodded and walked alongside her towards the other end of Hogsmeade. Upon approaching closer, Harry frowned. He knew where they were headed," Wait...we're not going in there, are we?"
He motioned to the tiny cafe nestled between shops, the same cafe a certain Ravenclaw seeker had taken him to.
"Well, yes...unless you want to chance the Hog's Head again," Hermione answered, pushing the door open.
He sighed, knowing he'd less rather go back into the Hog's Head than double Potions. Following her in, he walked upon a familiar sight of a series of couples wedged into circular tables around the tiny room. Several of them paused their chatting or kissing to glance at the newcomers. Most, to Harry's embarrassment, seemed quite interested to see Hermione Granger and Harry Potter waltz in.
Quickly settling into the back table Hermione picked out, Harry looked up as Madam Puddifoot, the cafe's owner, somehow managed to squeeze her way to them.
"Um, just two coffees, please," Hermione informed her.
"Eh, out of curiosity, by any chance would you happen to have cappuccinos?" Harry asked before she turned.
"Why, yes, of course. Cappuccinos, frappachinos, espressos, mochiatas, and everything in between," replied a rather proud Puddifoot.
Harry smiled, "Well, I'd like a Decaf Mocca Java, please."
Hermione stared at him baffled," Er, same for me as well."
As Madam Puddifoot smiled proudly at the obvious different request than most and left, Hermione turned back to Harry," Since when do you know the difference between coffee and a hole in the wall?"
"Aunt Petunia started taking me with her when she went to London all the time, afraid to leave me alone with Dudley. So, we'd always stop at cafes and such..." Harry replied leaning forward on the table.
Hermione nodded and leaned forward as well," So...Um, Harry...I think we need to talk about a few things."
Harry looked up at her finding her gaze somewhere on the corners of the napkins, "Uh, sure...ok...What?"
Giving a sigh, Hermione started to roll pieces of napkin between her thumb and middle finger, "Well, why don't we start with the fact of your reoccurring dreams?"
Harry forced a lump down his throat having Hermione finally find his eyes with her own.
"And don't give me rubbish that you haven't been having any. Ron told me all about the night before last. So, tell me...what's going on?"
Harry quickly looked down, not really wanting to voice this one. He'd had so many others in the past and it always crept him out when he knew what was happening, who was being killed and what Voldemort was feeling. He knew this was Voldemort related too, his scar kept throbbing weakly, but nonetheless nonstop since the nightmare.
"I can see the wheels in your head turning, Harry. Just voice your thoughts," Hermione said, interrupting his train of thought.
"Well...." Harry started. It wasn't like he'd never confided in her before. Especially alone. But for some reason it just felt weird this time, sitting in a warm cafe full of snogging teenagers and Hermione sitting there looking concerned but SO pretty in that soft, pink sweater and jeans.
Taking a deep breath, Harry explained all about what he remembered in the dream. The man in pain who was so overwhelmingly concerned with his family's well-being. Then, to his surprise, after he'd fished he went on to tell her about what he had said to Snape a week prior after the Occulmency lesson. Hermione herself was both surprised and pleased that Harry spilled so much. But he didn't stop there. It was just a flood gate had opened and his mouth couldn't stop telling her the deepest, darkest desires and secrets of his heart.
His shame for feeling disgusted at his father for treating Snape so horribly; The silent need to feel accepted by his horrid Uncle and Aunt; The constant pang of having never known his parents; The ever growing ache of longing for Sirius; His increasing fear of facing Voldemort again ;and lastly, a secret he thought he'd never utter to any living soul aside from Hedwig, the true contents of the Prophecy.
Upon finishing, Hermione was left flabbergasted. She searched for words that were not there, and when all speech seemed to have fled her, she did the only thing she could think to do. Reaching out, Hermione took Harry's hand in her own tightly, leaned forward and pecked his cheek.
"T-thank you..." was all she could managed to say.
Harry blinked," Thank you?"
Nodding, Hermione smiled soft and warm," Thank you for sharing so much with me...Yo-You just really don't know how much it means to me...I ..I only wish.."
Her voice trailed off as her eyes kept fluttering down to Harry's slightly parted lips then back to his brilliant green eyes that were still shimmering with emotion from his deep monologue. She felt it, starting somewhere in her gut, it spread to every pore of her being. It happened. How could it not?
"Harry, I-"
Without letting her finish, Harry leaned forward and finally kissed the lips he had been longing to since the night he picked her up in London. Hermione's lips felt fantastic. So warm and soft, they gently pushed and pressed against Harry's. Each moment brought more and more tastes, smells and sounds that Harry never imagined he'd enjoy. Her slow breathing puffed softly on his mouth every time they pulled away, sending shivers across his skin. Her hand floated up and wove itself in his hair, pulling him even closer to the kiss. Then she did something that almost drove Harry mad with pleasurable shivers. Her soft, slick tongue slipped its way into Harry's mouth and rubbed playfully against his. The sensation sent a shock straight down his spine. He loved it and couldn't get enough. Her tongue danced with his as they explored each others' mouths, tasting every taste.
He found himself playing with the ends of her hair, liking how it felt like downy feathers trickling over his fingers. Harry wasn't the only one enjoying the feel of hair. Hermione found Harry's to be the thickest and silkiest she'd ever felt. It melted between her fingers and cascaded from her loose grip like a gentle stream of satin. His body emanated heat that she only wanted to become apart of, though she could never close enough. Her bare skin burned where they had been touched by Harry's slow, exploring hands. She never wanted it to stop.
Suddenly, a piercing hot sensation stabbed through Hermione's jeans and onto her thigh making her yelp in pain. Harry jerked away from the kiss and quickly looked down. Both still rattled by their intense kiss, it only took a few seconds to realize it was just coffee. Somewhere along the way Madam Puddifoot had delivered their coffees silently, and 1 of them had accidentally bumped the table spilling the scorching contents onto the table that dribbled onto Hermione.
Harry grabbed some napkins and quickly sopped up the tiny mess, handing Hermione a napkin to dry the little blotch of coffee visible on her jeans.
She sighed and pulled her wand out from her robes, then gave it a wave mumbling a spell. Instantly, the stain was gone though the stinging sensation of a small burn remained.
Once the crisis had been settled, they both came back to Earth and let the realization of what they just did sink in. Harry looked up at Hermione, who in turn stared back at him. Upon glancing down, he caught sight of her mouth. It was even more pink than usual and rather pouty. He couldn't help but smile.
"What?" She asked , letting a smile slowly creep into her features.
"Your mouth...its...well, swollen.." He replied, finding himself blushing.
Hermione blushed as well, though grinning as big as ever," Yours is worse I think."
Harry brought his fingers to his lips finding them a bit bigger than they ought to be and smiled wider," How long did we...kiss?"
Hermione shrugged and looked out the window. A small gasp made Harry's head turn to look what she had gasped at. Even he had let a gasp out. The room had lost most of its customers, only 2 pairs remained and the blue sky outside had already melted into purples, oranges and pinks. Harry quickly looked at the clock that hung over Madam Puddifoot's counter and saw it read 6:15.
"Oh my god..."
Hermione turned back to Harry and let out a bewildered laugh," My goodness...the time just whizzed by, didn't it?"
Harry nodded and stood up. Tossing a few coins onto the table to cover their not-touched coffees, he followed Hermione out of the cafe and onto the much cooler street. A shiver ran across Harry's skin, finding the crisp November evening both refreshing and cold. Hermione looked up at him, a smile still spread across her face then let her gaze drop down to his hand. Reaching out without need of words, Harry weaved his fingers in hers and started down the street back to the main road that lead to Hogwarts. Hermione leaned satisfyingly into his body, finding it much warmer now that they were in contact.
So, Harry, have a date for the ball yet?" Hermione asked playfully, fully enjoying the feel of him so close.
"Ball?" Harry asked in reply, forehead crinkled with confusion.
"Yes, you know, the Christmas ball?" Hermione chuckled looking up at him. But seeing the clear look of puzzlement, Hermione frowned in turn. "You didn't know?"
Shaking his head, Harry added on," But then again, I didn't pay attention to Dumbledore during the Sorting Feast when I guess he gave the usual notices."
Hermione smiled once again and nodded, "Welllll, there's a Christmas ball. See, the Weird Sisters were supposed to play, but they got booked and couldn't make it so, there's this other band playing. Its supposed to be a surprise, but I hear its this Muggle/Wizard band. They play in both worlds. The muggles don't even know they're all wizards."
Harry nodded, finding himself secretly hoping it was The Clash, his favorite band. Granted, they were all muggle and wouldn't be allowed to play anywhere near a wizarding event, he still liked the thought though.
"So...Harry.."
Harry glanced over at Hermione, finding her blushing furiously. He couldn't help but grin, she looked absolutely beautiful when she blushed. "Yes?" He teased.
Hermione let out a chuckle and rolled her eyes," Harry...are you. I mean...will...um...would..."
Harry smirked and took another glance at her," I'd love to go with you, Hermione."
Hermione beamed and kissed him full on the lips. They savored their 2nd kiss for some time before a loud 'AHEM' broke them apart. To their utter embarrassment, Ron and Ginny stood there, gawking.
"Uh, well...er...you see.." Harry stammered.
Ron laughed, the shock fading off his face and pure amusement replacing it," No need to explain, mate. I'm not blind, I can tell for myself that was a kiss."
"A kiss? More like a series of kisses," Ginny corrected, her cheeks still containing pink from her blush at catching them make out.
"Well, er...ok," Hermione said, not sure at all what she should say.
"Oh! I just remembered what we ran up here to tell you once we caught sight of you." Ron said, holding out the Daily Prophet.
Harry took it and didn't have to look far to see what Ron meant by showing it to him. Right on the front page, in huge, black, bold letters " MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE: LOCAL WIZARD MISSING."
Harry swept his eyes frantically over the article as Hermione read aloud the 1st few lines
" Buckman Cherrywood, a wizard living outside of London, was reported missing by his wife when he did not return home from work that night. Mrs. Cherrywood stated that her husband had been acting peculiar since his brief visit to the Dark Forest a few days prior. All the while, he had been making efforts to tell her what had been going on when, to Mrs. Cherrywood's confusion, her husband suddenly shut down. Sources prove Mr. Cherrywood had indeed entered the Dark Forest outside of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on Ministry business to take care of a rogue werewolf terrorizing Britain's countryside. With evidence supporting Mrs. Cherrywood's claims, there is no doubt that Buckman Cherrywood had indeed shifted out of character. Fellow co-workers commented..."
Hermione looked up at the others, not entirely sure what this meant. To her surprise, Ron and Ginny weren't looking shocked as she had expected. Instead, their gaze was fixed on Harry, who in turn was staring horrified at the picture beneath the heading. Hermione frowned and tightened her hand around Harry's arm. "What? What is it?"
Harry tore his eyes off the paper, his mouth dry as he stuttered a reply," This...This was the man in my dream..."