Disclaimer: No I do not own any of the characters, they belong to J.K.
Rowling. I do own Erica, Voula, and brief characters mentioned during the
sorting and other chapters. Oooh! I own the plot too!!!
Hi ppl, here's the next chap. Just so you know. If you receive an update for the fourth chapie ignore it!! All I did was notice that I used weasel instead of ferret when talking to Malfoy the first time. I just had to change it!! Thank you all for the reviews!! It really boosts my esteem to get them!!! ^_^
"__" Speech '__' Thoughts ~__~ Song
Chapter 8
Saturday seemed to come by too soon and everyone was giddy because of the Hogsmeade visit, especially the girls. They couldn't wait to go to Zonko's and all of the other shops. Erica was a bit nervous. She was going to be alone with Harry. 'What makes this so different than walking with him in the hallways?' She still thought about how Harry had acted on Tuesday. He had been acting like a worried husband and she had half expected to hear him say that he could not live without her. Her thoughts were interrupted when Hermione came out of the bathroom wearing a green halter top with a black mini skirt and her hair up in a bun, they were in their bedroom, "Erica? Have you seen my silver earrings? I could have sworn-"
"On your nightstand, Hun."
"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"
"No problem."
"Are you not going to wear something a bit more fancy?" Erica was wearing a pink t-shirt and faded jeans with her hair in a ponytail.
"This is fine, we are just going to Hogsmeade."
"But, don't you want to impress your date?"
"What date? It's just Harry, he said we should go together because we would otherwise both be going alone. We are just friends."
"You mean. You are not going out yet?"
"What do you mean, yet?"
"Well, it's obvious that you two like each other. You're practically together twenty-four seven."
"That's only because you are with Ron and Voula is with Chris."
"No, it's not. I know he likes you. I have been his friend since first year. Trust me, I know whom he likes, even if he didn't say it out loud. Now, you like him too. You are different when you are around him and vice versa. He is actually happy nowadays. He hasn't been happy for a long time. And you, you smile more around him, at least more than you do than without him."
Erica spoke hoping her uncertainty did not show in her voice, "He doesn't like me that way. He only likes me as a friend."
"Well, then change it. You like him, make him like you," Hermione handed her a dark red spaghetti strapped top and a black knee length skirt, "Take a chance." Erica changed into them and added a diamond teardrop necklace that hung just low enough to accent the little bit of cleavage showing. She then put half of her hair up in a ponytail and tied it with a red ribbon. She topped off the outfit with a pair of white sneakers that had red stripes on the sides.
"You are a bad influence Hermione."
"I blame the boys. I was an angel before I met them." They shared a laugh, "Now, let's go get our guys."
*****
The boys were waiting downstairs for the girls. Ron was talking about how long it always took Hermione, "I mean how bloody long does it take to get ready? If they aren't ready in fifteen minutes, I swear, I will go up there and get them."
"But, you know you can't. Remember last year?"
"Yes, I know. So, where are you bringing Erica on your date?"
"For the last time, Ron. It is not a date."
"But you like her! Why not ask her out?"
"She treats me like a brother. I figure she thinks of me as a brother. She would not want to go out with a brother. Then there's the fact that I'm a bit chicken. I don't want to be turned down."
"Man, who would turn you down? You are the Harry Potter. The boy who lived!" Harry had not told his friends about the prophecy, which was part of the reason he was nervous of everything. He did not know if he had time for any commitment.
"That's just it, Ron. I don't want to be the Harry Potter. I just want to be Harry. I don't want to be liked for my name or my scar. I want someone who wants the real me."
"I don't think Erica thinks of you as the Harry Potter, Harry. You should see the looks she gives you. She cares Harry, I know she does, and you care about her. Just take a chance."
"Maybe." his head came up when a shout came from the top of the stairs at the two boys.
"Ron! Harry!" It was Hermione and Erica. Harry's mouth stood open. They were both looking beautiful. Harry was looking at Erica though. She never wore skirts. Why would she wear one to Hogsmeade? She had told him of her detestation for them. Harry noticed his gaping mouth and closed it.
Ron walked over to Hermione and whispered something in her ear, which made her giggle, after a big hug. "We'll see you guys later, come on, Ron."
Erica came down the stairs and walked to Harry, "Hey, you look great." He was wearing a black button up short-sleeved shirt and charcoal gray pants.
"Wow, you look better, much better. Sorry, you look stunning."
Erica blushed, "Thanks, Harry. Should we go? Or are we going to meet people on the way?"
"No, we can go," he smiled and offered his arm to her, "Milady."
She smiled back and accepted it, "Milord". They left through the portrait.
*****
They arrived at Hogsmeade in a very good mood. They had talked the whole way. Deciding they wanted to go into Zonko's joke shop first, because Harry and Ron had were taking the place of the twin this year. They, of course, knew they would never be better at pranks than them, but it was best to keep the legacy going. They bought many fireworks, dungbombs, and all other sorts of things.
"You know, Harry, this is a little childish," Erica voiced trying to hide a smile.
"Oh, well. I'll give em' to Ron." They walked out of the door talking about all of the great jokes you could play on people with the objects in the store.
"So, where are we going to go next?"
"Wherever you want."
"What's that shop over there?" Erica pointed to a shop on their right. It wasn't much but when Harry read the sign he knew right away who owned the shop.
"It can't be. Would they? Gods, it is!" Harry strode into the shop leaving Erica utterly confused. She followed a second later; she was not going to stand out there alone.
"Harry!" she had walked into what looked like another joke shop. Though, this one seemed to have a bit more business and variety of products. "Why are we in /another/ joke shop?" she moaned.
Harry was standing at the counter talking to two red heads; they appeared to be twins and she supposed Harry knew them. They looked a bit familiar to her. 'Lets see. red hair. tall. Oh! How could I be so dense! They must be related to Ron and Ginny.'
Harry turned to her and smiled, "Erica, this is Fred and George Weasley. Known to many people in school as the Weasley twins. I believe you have heard stories of them and the havoc they created in their time at the school."
"I knew they must have been Weasleys. Of course I have heard of them. How ironic that they opened a joke shop and close to school too. Trying to create havoc from beyond the grounds is my guess." One look at the boys told them she was all too right and she laughed.
"Fred, George, meet Erica Kohle, American transfer student."
Fred bolted over the counter and shook her hand, "Couldn't pick a better match for Harry myself." He draped his arm around Harry and Erica's shoulders. They looked like the next thing they would be doing was to break out in song. Erica looked towards Harry, her face was bright pink, he looked at her and his face was just as red.
"We are not dating Fred. She's just a friend."
"Oh, Harry, I'm ashamed with you. Taking advantage of a friend. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Have you learned nothing from us?"
Erica, if even possible, blushed even more. She slid out from under Fred's arm. She was not used to their jokes and thought they might be serious. Her mouth was gaping. "What! How dare you!"
"I was only joking. Sorry. Please, calm down, I meant nothing by it. Joking is my nature. I-"
George slid out from behind the counter, "Just shut up Fred. He truly was joking; it was a very stupid joke though. We have much better ones in the shop. Nice to meet you Erica, I am George." Fred glared at George then broke into laughter. "Oh by the way, Harry, thanks for the money for the shop. It really helped."
"I have told you before, I didn't need it. Please do not thank me again."
Fred and George spoke in unison, "Rightyo. Are you going to buy something then?"
"What have you created now? What about the canary creams?"
"Well, we tried creating turtle truffles, one of our test subjects ended up as slow as a tortoise for a day or two when it wore off. We decided to stop that one," spoke George closely followed by Fred.
"We have Brandy broomsticks! Little chocolate broomsticks that hover for a minute or two and taste like muggle brandy, with none of the alcohol, of course."
"Cactus carrots, bed bugs they come in all sorts, and all sorts of other things. You should really look around. Much better than Zonko's if I do say so myself," voiced George.
"Alright then, want to look Erica?"
"Of course, I want to see what the big deal is about the famed Weasley twins is," she smirked and Harry smiled.
"Awww. we are touched. Thanks guys," said Fred.
They walked around the store for about half an hour and found and bought many things. "This is an amazing shop! How do you do it!" Erica had voiced to the twins. They had replied with an expectedly cocky answer, "That's for us to know, and you to never find out. Maybe someday, young apprentice"
They walked out of the shop, their arms hooked. Walking around Hogsmeade for a while they finally decided to go into a small robe shop because Erica declared that she absolutely needed new dress robes for the upcoming dance. Somehow Harry had picked up robes that complimented hers greatly. Hers were a dark red-violet while his were a dark navy blue. The navy blue looked just fabulous with his bright shining emerald eyes. She was just happy that he did not try any red ones. Somehow she had the idea that he, with his jade green eyes, might look like Christmas and wanted to save that for the Christmas Ball.
Later on they had decided to go to the Hog's Head for some Butterbeer. They saw Ron and Hermione there and would have joined them but the couple was a bit preoccupied so Erica and Harry went to a booth in a dark corner of the pub. Harry went up to the counter and ordered two Butterbeers for them.
Erica was a bit nervous. She knew Harry would not be ready to talk for a while. She needed to talk though. Even if it wasn't about Harry, she wanted to talk to someone about her past. 'No, I don't want to. I need to. I need to talk to Harry about it. Why is it that he's the only one I feel able to talk to about it? Is it only because he's my absolute best friend?' Harry returned a few moments later carrying their drinks. "Thanks." He told her that it was no problem.
They were silent for a while, not knowing what to talk about. Erica broke the silence, "Hey, Harry, if you're not going to talk about what makes you depressed," she paused trying to phrase her random thoughts into words. "Can I. Can I talk to you about why I had been depressed?"
She waited for an answer. She looked up at him. He had a shadow in his normally bright eyes that she knew was from her mentioning what made him sad. He did not want to talk yet, she knew that, but Erica had to talk. It had been too long; she had to let it go. Erica had been lost in her thoughts when he answered so she did not hear him. "Pardon?"
He looked her in the eyes, "Of course, what are friends for?"
She grinned slightly. 'Right friends, that's all you will ever be to him, Erica. Just friends.' She sighed out loud. She needed human contact and laid her head on his shoulder. Feeling him tense she lifted her head and mumbled something about being sorry to him. She was stunned when he pulled her back down and stroked her hair but she went willingly.
"Whenever you are ready, Erica," he could not imagine what had gone so wrong in this perfect girl's life. 'Whatever it is it can not be anywhere near as bad as my life.'
Erica felt tears in her eyes and she closed them tight snuggling closer to Harry. "I guess I should start at the beginning." She talked near an hour to him with him only interrupting a few times to give consolation. She told him of her past, school, friends, everything. Erica told him about how she never actually knew her real parents; she had been adopted when she was barely a year old. Her foster parents did not know that she knew. Erica had found her adoption papers when cleaning the house one day. She had been eleven when she found them and had never told anyone. She loved her current parents but would have liked to meet her true ones. The papers had said they died when their home exploded. Apparently, there had been a gas leak. For some reason, she did not want to believe that extremely muggle reason.
That wasn't all though. She paused in her rant and looked up at him, "my best friend, a bit before I had gotten my letter for the Esgal academy, she was murdered by a pale snake-like man in dark robes," she felt Harry tense when she mentioned 'snake-like.' "My thoughts exactly. All I saw was a blinding green light erupt out of the end of, what I thought at the time, a stick in his hand. It was Voldemort Harry. I did not know it then. I know it now. I knew the moment we shared that dream.
"He killed my best muggle friend, Harry. She was the only person, besides my teachers and parents, who actually truly ever cared for me. He walked up to me and his voice was like a high-pitched hiss. 'You should know better than to associate with muggles little one,' he said to me. Then he raised his wand and I was writhing on the ground before it all went dark and I woke up hours later in my bed. Ever since then Harry, I have held my pain inside. I did not mourn for fear that I would show weakness. I could not show weakness. Any moment the man who had killed her could have come back for me. For a while all I wanted was revenge and to see her just once more. It was my fault that she died. It wasn't her time, Harry." Tears were streaming down the girls face that was now buried in Harry's robes. He was still stroking her hair and he planted a small kiss in the sweet threads. This girl was really much like him. She had felt much the same way as he had for Sirius. He understood now. All he had to do was plan. But, first things were first. She had shared, and so would he.
She listened as he poured his heart out to her. The poor boy had gone through so much pain, so many deaths, and he appeared to be fine. At least he was on the outside. She could not believe that anyone had not seen the mess he was. His emotions were wreaking havoc on his heart. He was a tangled web, and he trusted her to untangle him. She wanted to untangle him. He told of how he felt guilty for Sirius' death and how he tried to blame Snape. He told of how Cedric had died, how he sometimes still dreamed about it and his parents' deaths. They had all died because of him.
"You can not blame yourself for all of that Harry. You have no control over who chooses to be close to you and most of all, you have no control over the dark lord. It is not your fault, Hun."
"I know. That does not help though," he looked Erica in the eyes. "You know you're right. Your eyes are stunning," he said with a small smirk.
Getting the clue that the talk was over and feeling genuinely closer to him she picked up where he left off, "I know, not as stunning as yours though. I have never seen such a handsome green before. They practically sparkle and don't get me started on your body."
Harry blushed, "my body?"
"Yes, your body, very hot. You have a very nice chest, though I have never seen it bare, fit legs and arms. Muscular but yet not too much so and your arse." she left it there, "told you not to get me started." She smiled when he went redder.
"Thanks. Ummm."
"Don't worry, I don't expect anything in return, my friend," she stressed the word a bit, "I was just giving complements where due," she said with a wink.
"And so should I. I love your hair it's so silky and shiny and smells very good, almost edible. Your skin is baby soft. Your eyes are like two pools of beautiful blue ice, I could be stuck if I looked into them too long," she was staring at him with her mouth slightly open, "Your lips look pillow soft. Your body is perfect. You are perfect."
She was stunned. She hadn't been expecting something like that. What had that been about? He looked so serious. She was so confused as she looked up into his eyes. 'I am not perfect. I was joking about my eyes. They are not all that stunning. They are only a plain boring blue.' She felt her eyes closing when Harry started to lean forward. She had thought of this moment for so long. His lips touched hers tentatively at first, as light as a feather, then a bit harder when Erica did not pull away. They parted after what seemed like hours of slow light kisses but was more likely only a few moments. "Harry?"
"I think I'm already stuck, Erica. Will you go on a date with me? I mean, I know you were most likely only humoring me about my body and all that but I don't care. I just want to be with you. I can not stand being friends any longer."
"Either can I Harry. I would very much like to go on a date with you. Though I like to think that maybe this was a date," she smiled at him and he leaned down again to capture her lips in a heartfelt kiss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi guys, thanks for the reviews. Special thanks to Dopey! I wouldn't be doing this without you girl! :p BTW, Esgal and Ricki say hi and want to introduce you to apparently another persona I have dug up this Monday, I don't know how I am going to spell it as it is how my little two year old friend says my name, lol ;) And to thanks to everyone else too. If you have any questions please review and I will answer them to the best of my abilities. If you just want to give my any ideas or speculations as to where this will be going, Review, thank you. If you want to give me any ideas, just review. I think this story is far from being over and I need all of your help that I can get. Reviews are welcome as long as they can be useful to help correct errors. All flames will be thrown in my campfire to burn with the rest of the flames. Nighty!!
~Esgalhothwen~
Hi ppl, here's the next chap. Just so you know. If you receive an update for the fourth chapie ignore it!! All I did was notice that I used weasel instead of ferret when talking to Malfoy the first time. I just had to change it!! Thank you all for the reviews!! It really boosts my esteem to get them!!! ^_^
"__" Speech '__' Thoughts ~__~ Song
Chapter 8
Saturday seemed to come by too soon and everyone was giddy because of the Hogsmeade visit, especially the girls. They couldn't wait to go to Zonko's and all of the other shops. Erica was a bit nervous. She was going to be alone with Harry. 'What makes this so different than walking with him in the hallways?' She still thought about how Harry had acted on Tuesday. He had been acting like a worried husband and she had half expected to hear him say that he could not live without her. Her thoughts were interrupted when Hermione came out of the bathroom wearing a green halter top with a black mini skirt and her hair up in a bun, they were in their bedroom, "Erica? Have you seen my silver earrings? I could have sworn-"
"On your nightstand, Hun."
"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"
"No problem."
"Are you not going to wear something a bit more fancy?" Erica was wearing a pink t-shirt and faded jeans with her hair in a ponytail.
"This is fine, we are just going to Hogsmeade."
"But, don't you want to impress your date?"
"What date? It's just Harry, he said we should go together because we would otherwise both be going alone. We are just friends."
"You mean. You are not going out yet?"
"What do you mean, yet?"
"Well, it's obvious that you two like each other. You're practically together twenty-four seven."
"That's only because you are with Ron and Voula is with Chris."
"No, it's not. I know he likes you. I have been his friend since first year. Trust me, I know whom he likes, even if he didn't say it out loud. Now, you like him too. You are different when you are around him and vice versa. He is actually happy nowadays. He hasn't been happy for a long time. And you, you smile more around him, at least more than you do than without him."
Erica spoke hoping her uncertainty did not show in her voice, "He doesn't like me that way. He only likes me as a friend."
"Well, then change it. You like him, make him like you," Hermione handed her a dark red spaghetti strapped top and a black knee length skirt, "Take a chance." Erica changed into them and added a diamond teardrop necklace that hung just low enough to accent the little bit of cleavage showing. She then put half of her hair up in a ponytail and tied it with a red ribbon. She topped off the outfit with a pair of white sneakers that had red stripes on the sides.
"You are a bad influence Hermione."
"I blame the boys. I was an angel before I met them." They shared a laugh, "Now, let's go get our guys."
*****
The boys were waiting downstairs for the girls. Ron was talking about how long it always took Hermione, "I mean how bloody long does it take to get ready? If they aren't ready in fifteen minutes, I swear, I will go up there and get them."
"But, you know you can't. Remember last year?"
"Yes, I know. So, where are you bringing Erica on your date?"
"For the last time, Ron. It is not a date."
"But you like her! Why not ask her out?"
"She treats me like a brother. I figure she thinks of me as a brother. She would not want to go out with a brother. Then there's the fact that I'm a bit chicken. I don't want to be turned down."
"Man, who would turn you down? You are the Harry Potter. The boy who lived!" Harry had not told his friends about the prophecy, which was part of the reason he was nervous of everything. He did not know if he had time for any commitment.
"That's just it, Ron. I don't want to be the Harry Potter. I just want to be Harry. I don't want to be liked for my name or my scar. I want someone who wants the real me."
"I don't think Erica thinks of you as the Harry Potter, Harry. You should see the looks she gives you. She cares Harry, I know she does, and you care about her. Just take a chance."
"Maybe." his head came up when a shout came from the top of the stairs at the two boys.
"Ron! Harry!" It was Hermione and Erica. Harry's mouth stood open. They were both looking beautiful. Harry was looking at Erica though. She never wore skirts. Why would she wear one to Hogsmeade? She had told him of her detestation for them. Harry noticed his gaping mouth and closed it.
Ron walked over to Hermione and whispered something in her ear, which made her giggle, after a big hug. "We'll see you guys later, come on, Ron."
Erica came down the stairs and walked to Harry, "Hey, you look great." He was wearing a black button up short-sleeved shirt and charcoal gray pants.
"Wow, you look better, much better. Sorry, you look stunning."
Erica blushed, "Thanks, Harry. Should we go? Or are we going to meet people on the way?"
"No, we can go," he smiled and offered his arm to her, "Milady."
She smiled back and accepted it, "Milord". They left through the portrait.
*****
They arrived at Hogsmeade in a very good mood. They had talked the whole way. Deciding they wanted to go into Zonko's joke shop first, because Harry and Ron had were taking the place of the twin this year. They, of course, knew they would never be better at pranks than them, but it was best to keep the legacy going. They bought many fireworks, dungbombs, and all other sorts of things.
"You know, Harry, this is a little childish," Erica voiced trying to hide a smile.
"Oh, well. I'll give em' to Ron." They walked out of the door talking about all of the great jokes you could play on people with the objects in the store.
"So, where are we going to go next?"
"Wherever you want."
"What's that shop over there?" Erica pointed to a shop on their right. It wasn't much but when Harry read the sign he knew right away who owned the shop.
"It can't be. Would they? Gods, it is!" Harry strode into the shop leaving Erica utterly confused. She followed a second later; she was not going to stand out there alone.
"Harry!" she had walked into what looked like another joke shop. Though, this one seemed to have a bit more business and variety of products. "Why are we in /another/ joke shop?" she moaned.
Harry was standing at the counter talking to two red heads; they appeared to be twins and she supposed Harry knew them. They looked a bit familiar to her. 'Lets see. red hair. tall. Oh! How could I be so dense! They must be related to Ron and Ginny.'
Harry turned to her and smiled, "Erica, this is Fred and George Weasley. Known to many people in school as the Weasley twins. I believe you have heard stories of them and the havoc they created in their time at the school."
"I knew they must have been Weasleys. Of course I have heard of them. How ironic that they opened a joke shop and close to school too. Trying to create havoc from beyond the grounds is my guess." One look at the boys told them she was all too right and she laughed.
"Fred, George, meet Erica Kohle, American transfer student."
Fred bolted over the counter and shook her hand, "Couldn't pick a better match for Harry myself." He draped his arm around Harry and Erica's shoulders. They looked like the next thing they would be doing was to break out in song. Erica looked towards Harry, her face was bright pink, he looked at her and his face was just as red.
"We are not dating Fred. She's just a friend."
"Oh, Harry, I'm ashamed with you. Taking advantage of a friend. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Have you learned nothing from us?"
Erica, if even possible, blushed even more. She slid out from under Fred's arm. She was not used to their jokes and thought they might be serious. Her mouth was gaping. "What! How dare you!"
"I was only joking. Sorry. Please, calm down, I meant nothing by it. Joking is my nature. I-"
George slid out from behind the counter, "Just shut up Fred. He truly was joking; it was a very stupid joke though. We have much better ones in the shop. Nice to meet you Erica, I am George." Fred glared at George then broke into laughter. "Oh by the way, Harry, thanks for the money for the shop. It really helped."
"I have told you before, I didn't need it. Please do not thank me again."
Fred and George spoke in unison, "Rightyo. Are you going to buy something then?"
"What have you created now? What about the canary creams?"
"Well, we tried creating turtle truffles, one of our test subjects ended up as slow as a tortoise for a day or two when it wore off. We decided to stop that one," spoke George closely followed by Fred.
"We have Brandy broomsticks! Little chocolate broomsticks that hover for a minute or two and taste like muggle brandy, with none of the alcohol, of course."
"Cactus carrots, bed bugs they come in all sorts, and all sorts of other things. You should really look around. Much better than Zonko's if I do say so myself," voiced George.
"Alright then, want to look Erica?"
"Of course, I want to see what the big deal is about the famed Weasley twins is," she smirked and Harry smiled.
"Awww. we are touched. Thanks guys," said Fred.
They walked around the store for about half an hour and found and bought many things. "This is an amazing shop! How do you do it!" Erica had voiced to the twins. They had replied with an expectedly cocky answer, "That's for us to know, and you to never find out. Maybe someday, young apprentice"
They walked out of the shop, their arms hooked. Walking around Hogsmeade for a while they finally decided to go into a small robe shop because Erica declared that she absolutely needed new dress robes for the upcoming dance. Somehow Harry had picked up robes that complimented hers greatly. Hers were a dark red-violet while his were a dark navy blue. The navy blue looked just fabulous with his bright shining emerald eyes. She was just happy that he did not try any red ones. Somehow she had the idea that he, with his jade green eyes, might look like Christmas and wanted to save that for the Christmas Ball.
Later on they had decided to go to the Hog's Head for some Butterbeer. They saw Ron and Hermione there and would have joined them but the couple was a bit preoccupied so Erica and Harry went to a booth in a dark corner of the pub. Harry went up to the counter and ordered two Butterbeers for them.
Erica was a bit nervous. She knew Harry would not be ready to talk for a while. She needed to talk though. Even if it wasn't about Harry, she wanted to talk to someone about her past. 'No, I don't want to. I need to. I need to talk to Harry about it. Why is it that he's the only one I feel able to talk to about it? Is it only because he's my absolute best friend?' Harry returned a few moments later carrying their drinks. "Thanks." He told her that it was no problem.
They were silent for a while, not knowing what to talk about. Erica broke the silence, "Hey, Harry, if you're not going to talk about what makes you depressed," she paused trying to phrase her random thoughts into words. "Can I. Can I talk to you about why I had been depressed?"
She waited for an answer. She looked up at him. He had a shadow in his normally bright eyes that she knew was from her mentioning what made him sad. He did not want to talk yet, she knew that, but Erica had to talk. It had been too long; she had to let it go. Erica had been lost in her thoughts when he answered so she did not hear him. "Pardon?"
He looked her in the eyes, "Of course, what are friends for?"
She grinned slightly. 'Right friends, that's all you will ever be to him, Erica. Just friends.' She sighed out loud. She needed human contact and laid her head on his shoulder. Feeling him tense she lifted her head and mumbled something about being sorry to him. She was stunned when he pulled her back down and stroked her hair but she went willingly.
"Whenever you are ready, Erica," he could not imagine what had gone so wrong in this perfect girl's life. 'Whatever it is it can not be anywhere near as bad as my life.'
Erica felt tears in her eyes and she closed them tight snuggling closer to Harry. "I guess I should start at the beginning." She talked near an hour to him with him only interrupting a few times to give consolation. She told him of her past, school, friends, everything. Erica told him about how she never actually knew her real parents; she had been adopted when she was barely a year old. Her foster parents did not know that she knew. Erica had found her adoption papers when cleaning the house one day. She had been eleven when she found them and had never told anyone. She loved her current parents but would have liked to meet her true ones. The papers had said they died when their home exploded. Apparently, there had been a gas leak. For some reason, she did not want to believe that extremely muggle reason.
That wasn't all though. She paused in her rant and looked up at him, "my best friend, a bit before I had gotten my letter for the Esgal academy, she was murdered by a pale snake-like man in dark robes," she felt Harry tense when she mentioned 'snake-like.' "My thoughts exactly. All I saw was a blinding green light erupt out of the end of, what I thought at the time, a stick in his hand. It was Voldemort Harry. I did not know it then. I know it now. I knew the moment we shared that dream.
"He killed my best muggle friend, Harry. She was the only person, besides my teachers and parents, who actually truly ever cared for me. He walked up to me and his voice was like a high-pitched hiss. 'You should know better than to associate with muggles little one,' he said to me. Then he raised his wand and I was writhing on the ground before it all went dark and I woke up hours later in my bed. Ever since then Harry, I have held my pain inside. I did not mourn for fear that I would show weakness. I could not show weakness. Any moment the man who had killed her could have come back for me. For a while all I wanted was revenge and to see her just once more. It was my fault that she died. It wasn't her time, Harry." Tears were streaming down the girls face that was now buried in Harry's robes. He was still stroking her hair and he planted a small kiss in the sweet threads. This girl was really much like him. She had felt much the same way as he had for Sirius. He understood now. All he had to do was plan. But, first things were first. She had shared, and so would he.
She listened as he poured his heart out to her. The poor boy had gone through so much pain, so many deaths, and he appeared to be fine. At least he was on the outside. She could not believe that anyone had not seen the mess he was. His emotions were wreaking havoc on his heart. He was a tangled web, and he trusted her to untangle him. She wanted to untangle him. He told of how he felt guilty for Sirius' death and how he tried to blame Snape. He told of how Cedric had died, how he sometimes still dreamed about it and his parents' deaths. They had all died because of him.
"You can not blame yourself for all of that Harry. You have no control over who chooses to be close to you and most of all, you have no control over the dark lord. It is not your fault, Hun."
"I know. That does not help though," he looked Erica in the eyes. "You know you're right. Your eyes are stunning," he said with a small smirk.
Getting the clue that the talk was over and feeling genuinely closer to him she picked up where he left off, "I know, not as stunning as yours though. I have never seen such a handsome green before. They practically sparkle and don't get me started on your body."
Harry blushed, "my body?"
"Yes, your body, very hot. You have a very nice chest, though I have never seen it bare, fit legs and arms. Muscular but yet not too much so and your arse." she left it there, "told you not to get me started." She smiled when he went redder.
"Thanks. Ummm."
"Don't worry, I don't expect anything in return, my friend," she stressed the word a bit, "I was just giving complements where due," she said with a wink.
"And so should I. I love your hair it's so silky and shiny and smells very good, almost edible. Your skin is baby soft. Your eyes are like two pools of beautiful blue ice, I could be stuck if I looked into them too long," she was staring at him with her mouth slightly open, "Your lips look pillow soft. Your body is perfect. You are perfect."
She was stunned. She hadn't been expecting something like that. What had that been about? He looked so serious. She was so confused as she looked up into his eyes. 'I am not perfect. I was joking about my eyes. They are not all that stunning. They are only a plain boring blue.' She felt her eyes closing when Harry started to lean forward. She had thought of this moment for so long. His lips touched hers tentatively at first, as light as a feather, then a bit harder when Erica did not pull away. They parted after what seemed like hours of slow light kisses but was more likely only a few moments. "Harry?"
"I think I'm already stuck, Erica. Will you go on a date with me? I mean, I know you were most likely only humoring me about my body and all that but I don't care. I just want to be with you. I can not stand being friends any longer."
"Either can I Harry. I would very much like to go on a date with you. Though I like to think that maybe this was a date," she smiled at him and he leaned down again to capture her lips in a heartfelt kiss.
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Hi guys, thanks for the reviews. Special thanks to Dopey! I wouldn't be doing this without you girl! :p BTW, Esgal and Ricki say hi and want to introduce you to apparently another persona I have dug up this Monday, I don't know how I am going to spell it as it is how my little two year old friend says my name, lol ;) And to thanks to everyone else too. If you have any questions please review and I will answer them to the best of my abilities. If you just want to give my any ideas or speculations as to where this will be going, Review, thank you. If you want to give me any ideas, just review. I think this story is far from being over and I need all of your help that I can get. Reviews are welcome as long as they can be useful to help correct errors. All flames will be thrown in my campfire to burn with the rest of the flames. Nighty!!
~Esgalhothwen~