Note to readers: I know that things move a little fast in my fic but it has to be that way...you'll see really soon. And the romance will tone down a bit become more like a Harry Potter book really soon. Promise!!
The next morning he awoke to Michele speaking softly into his ear. "Harry, Harry wake up. We fell asleep down here. The Quidditch tryouts start in fifteen minutes, Katie will have your head if you're not there." After Angelina graduated, Katie Bell became the new Quidditch captain.
Harry shot up from the chair. Michele looked rather concerned. She sat down next to him and touched his arm. "Are you OK?" She asked tenderly.
He was breathing very heavily and Michele was looking at him, concern evident in her eyes.
"Yeah I'm fine, I didn't realize it was so late. I have to go get ready." He said in a hurry as he rushed up to the boys' dormitory. He looked back at her when he was on the steps. She was looking back at him; she smiled meekly, and then went to get her broomstick.
Fifteen minutes later he was on the Quidditch Pitch, surrounded by Ron and other members of the team. He saw Michele among four other hopefuls, all of which looked much younger than her.
She was the last to go. Everyone on the team was looking forward to her tryout, Ron had informed them how wonderful she was.
Truth was...by the end of the tryout everyone thought she was wonderful too. She had done fabulously and was picked almost instantly. She had left the pitch looking rather nervous, but Harry gave her a reassuring smile. Then he joined the rest of the team to make a decision.
"I think we should put Michele Charles on the team!" Ron yelled stupidly.
"That's only because she's your girlfriend!" Ginny said laughing. "But she was really good. I think so too."
Harry chimed in. "I think so too!"
Everyone agreed that Michele was the one that should be on the team. Katie wanted to be the one to tell her, since she was captain, but Ron begged her to let him do it. When Katie finally gave in, Ron and Harry rushed to the common room. When they walked in, Michele was waiting for them. She rushed to Ron but was looking at Harry.
"So, did I make it?" She asked anxiously. She was really nervous, he could tell.
"You made it!" Ron shouted. Michele screamed a little bit and Ron scooped her into his arms. He twirled her around for a bit, then put her back down and kissed her. Harry's mouth fell open. He hadn't expected to see Ron kiss her, especially as passionately as he did. When they finally did stop, Michele looked as shocked as Harry had. Ron was hugging her now, but Michele's gaze never left Harry, who realized that his mouth was still open a little to late. Harry couldn't stand to watch anymore and started to walk away. He felt a twang of guilt and turned back.
"Good job, Michele, you earned your spot." Was all that Harry could manage to choke out. But before he could leave again, Michele gave him a quick embrace and whispered, "Thank you." She let him go and walked back to Ron.
"Don't forget we have practice tonight at five!" Harry called after them as he watched them leave.
Harry went to catch up with Hermione. He found her in the same chair he had found Michele in last night. Harry sighed as he sat down.
"How'd Quidditch tryouts go?" Hermione asked without looking up from her book.
"Michele made the team." Harry mumbled. Hermione looked at him and said, "You're not happy?"
"Why would I be?" Harry asked suspiciously. "I mean, she's good but I think she..." Harry trailed of and without thinking said, "Is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"What was that?" Hermione said, fully aware of what he had said.
"Nothing...I didn't say anything. I mean- I was talking about...never mind! You wouldn't understand." Harry finally decided to say. He had the feeling that Hermione didn't believe him. She just shook her head and returned to her book.
Harry had to get away from all thoughts of Michele. But it seemed that everyone he talked to knew about her. But he had no clue what kind of an impact she would have until potions, two weeks from then.
They were making a Dream Enducer potion. Neville, as usual, was not doing well. The potion was supposed to have a light purple smoke coming from it, but Neville's smoke was dark green.
"Mr. Longbottom, can you tell me what you did wrong?" Snape asked slyly.
Neville turned white. Everyone in the class knew that Snape was what Neville feared most.
"Of course you don't know." Snape continued. "Can any one else tell me what he did wrong?"
Michele's hand shot into the air, in a surprising Hermione like fashion. Even more surprising was the fact that, Hermione's hand didn't.
"Very well," Snape started. "Ms. Charles, what happened to this potion?"
"Well it was a mistake anyone could have made, He didn't chop the grasshopper skin fine enough." She said very eloquently.
"That's correct," Snape said, quite astonished. "Ten points to Gyffindor."
The rest of the class was astonished as well. Snape never gave points to Gyffindor. Harry's mouth fell open again, as did Ron's.
"Boy's, you're drooling." Hermione said to them.
After class, Michele seemed to be the center of attention. Everyone seemed to want to talk to her.
"Guys, do you think you can back off for a little while." She asked a group of guys that had surrounded her. As they obliged, Michele went to seek out Harry and Ron. She found them in the Great Hall, eating lunch.
"Can you believe those people?" She asked them, sitting down. "It's like they've never heard anyone answer a question correctly before."
"It's not that," Ron answered stupidly. "They've never seen Snape give house points to anyone except Slytherin, its never happened before. Only for you." He said gazing into her eyes.
Harry saw that she was a little uneasy. She'd been uneasy around him ever since that night when they talked about her father. He had the feeling that she still hadn't told Ron.
Harry didn't see her again that day until Quidditch practice. Ron was so distracted, watching her fly, that Katie made him stay after and practice with Ginny.
"Ron! You've been flying horribly ever since she joined the team, if you don't shape up, you are going to be the one off." Katie had screamed at him only moments before.
Harry was walking back to the school when Michele called his name.
"Why didn't you wait for me?" She asked breathlessly.
"I didn't know you wanted me to." He answered. Harry couldn't have any more feelings for her...she was his best friends girl friend.
"Listen...I'm having some trouble with my Charms homework, could you help me?" She asked him innocently.
"You should ask Hermione...she's the smart one." He answered.
"I'd really like your help, Harry. Please?" She stopped and looked at him.
He finally gave in and said yes.
They were the last ones left in the common room that night. Michele finally opened up to Harry. They were talking and laughing about nothing what-so-ever.
Suddenly the laughter stopped. She turned and looked into his eyes, as if they were searching for something. Then, for the first time, her eyes moved to his scar. She took her index finger and traced the scar on his forehead.
"Does it hurt?" She breathed. Harry felt like he was going to explode.
"Sometimes...but not now." He took her hand into his. She was getting closer and Harry could take it no longer. He loved her and he needed her to know.
Their lips found each other's. At first, the kiss was timid, even friendly. Then, it blossomed, it was deep and passionate. Harry tasted delight and felt like he was floating on air. He moved his hand to the back of her neck; not wanting to ever let her go. Then, just as his hand had moved, she moved hers. He knew that she was enjoying this as much as he was. But then, she wrenched away from him.
"Ron!!" She said suddenly and breathlessly.
"He's not here." Harry replied, taking her hands into his.
"But that's the point. Harry," She said looking away. "He's your best friend and he's my boyfriend. We cant do this."
Harry didn't want to listen to this. She was meant for him...he knew it. He pulled her face back to face him. He dared to say the words he denied a week ago.
"I love you, Michele. Please, please tell me you've felt something. I know you have." Harry searched her face. She hands were trembling.
"I...I...well." She said. Then out of no where kissed Harry again. She pulled away and countered. "There's your answer."
Harry leaned in. He wanted kiss her again but she turned away.
"Harry, not now, not here." There were signs of tears in her eyes but she was serious. "I don't understand why, but you and Ron, I mean...it was my first day here, at a new school. I needed someone to help me, and Ron was there, he seemed nice enough. Harry, if I'd known...if Ron had waited..." She trailed off.
Harry understood and for the first time that night, Harry did think of Ron. He couldn't do this...not to him. But he couldn't ignore his feelings for Michele either.
"I know...and I don't want to hurt him either. I'll think of something."
"No Harry, eventually someone is going to get hurt. I don't think that we should try anything. In fact, I don't think we should see each other...anymore." She was crying by now.
Harry's mouth fell open when she said those words. She couldn't...he couldn't. She started to walk away, he tried to stop her but failed. As Harry watched her walk away, and felt as though his heart had been ripped in two. Why did this need to be so hard?
Harry and Michele went for over two months without so much as a hello. Sometimes Harry caught her staring at him but those moments were fleeting. Ron noticed that she was being different too. She didn't show up at meal times and was becoming increasingly thinner. He had enlisted Hermione for help. There was a Hogsmade trip the following week and Hermione was going to talk to her then.
"So its set then." Ron confirmed that morning. Harry could see tiny bits of doubt in his eyes.
"Yes, for the tenth time." Hermione said. "I'll her you guys are going to meet her in Three Broomsticks, and I'll ask her what's going on, since she wont tell either of you."
Harry knew the plan backwards and forwards. He hoped that Hermione wouldn't fail. Michele wasn't even speaking to Ron now, so he was getting suspicious. Sitting in the Three Broomsticks, Harry prayed everything was going ok.
"So, what's going on with you?" Hermione said, hoping that she wouldn't mess up.
"Nothing, just the same." Michele replied absent-mindedly.
"You don't sound the same. Look, everyone has said it. Something is wrong. Ron knows, Harry knows, and I know." Hermione continued.
"No one knows. No one cares." She countered. Not looking at Hermione.
"Oh stop with the self pity act! You've got everything I've ever wanted! You've gotten respect from teachers! You've even gotten the boy I wanted!! You've even got Ron!!" Hermione said bitterly. Michele gasped as she realized something.
"You love Ron!" She said.
"Of course you prat! How could you not know!" Hermione screeched, then gasped when she realized what she had said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that...what I said...about you."
"It's ok," She laughed. "I've been called worse." Then she gasped. She turned to Hermione and grabbed her. Hermione looked a little scared but didn't move.
"W-What?" Hermione stammered.
"Listen Hermione, I need you to help me with something." She replied, her eyes glimmering with slyness. "You came out here to find out what's wrong with me right?"
"Right," Hermione continued. "But what does me having a crush on Ron have to do with..." She trailed off.
"Hermione...can you keep a secret?" Hermione nodded. "Then I'll tell you. Two months ago, I...well...I kissed Harry. I love him and...well...he loves me too. At least, he used to. We didn't want to hurt Ron so I broke it off. That's why I've been so upset. You can help me...Harry...us." Michele finally decided on.
"But how can I help?" Hermione questioned, unsure.
"This might be a little difficult but...I need you to tell him how you've felt about him." Hermione made a noise somewhere between a gasp and a snort. "I thought you might feel this way. But please, just do it."
Hermione thought about it for a moment then looked back at Michele, sighed and said, "I assume you have a plan?" Michele smiled at her and the proceeded to walk to the Three Broomsticks as she told her what to do.
Back in the restaurant, Ron and Harry waited anxiously. Harry knew what was on Michele's mind...or at least...he thought he did. When Hermione and Michele walked in the door...Michele didn't look depressed. In fact, see looked radiant. She nudged Hermione who spoke.
"Ron, do you mind coming with me? I need to buy Christmas presents." Was she...nervous?
"Why can't you take Harry?" Ron asked rather smugly.
"Because the present is for him." She said quietly. Ron got the message and winked at her. He walked to her and kissed Michele on the top her head then left. Harry felt rather awkward sitting alone with Michele. She came and sat next to him, then kissed him on the cheek. She laughed at Harry who looked rather startled.
"What happened? Are you ok?" Harry asked bewildered.
"I talked to Hermione, she's going to help." She smiled. Harry still wasn't convinced.
"How?" He asked not sure what to say.
"You'll see." Was the only response he got from her.
Hermione was nervous, more nervous than she had ever been. She had done everything Michele had wanted her to do so far, but she didn't know if Michele's plan was going to work. What happened once she was done?
Ron looked good, she thought. His red hair was a little tousled by the breeze that day. His eyes were shinning brightly. Hermione wished she could just be done with it. But Michele had said to wait for the perfect moment.
"So what do you want to get him?" Ron asked turning to her.
That was it...that was the moment Michele told her to wait for. Just as he turned, Hermione (shaking horribly) threw her arms around Ron, and kissed him. She had expected Ron to pull away but he didn't. in fact, he seemed to be enjoying it. When they finally did stop, Ron looked at Hermione with awe.
"Wow! You can really kiss!" He said astonished. She just replied with a smile. She couldn't believe what he had said to her, and what she had done. She felt bad that she had been bitter at Michele for so long because she didn't have enough courage to kiss him.
"What about Michele?" He finally realized. Boy did Michele know Ron, she thought.
"She knows," Hermione said. "She was the one that encouraged me to do it. She said that she could tell that I had a crush on you and you talked about me so often that you wouldn't object to me either."
"Well, I better go back and break it off." He said. "You think she'll have trouble finding someone new?"
"I don't think so." Hermione said. Ron grabbed her around the waist as they walked back. She blushed heavily and realized she owed Michele a HUGE thank you.
When they finally reached the Three Broomsticks, Ron asked Michele to step outside. Harry could see them talking through the window. Ron said something then Michele said something, and Ron laughed. He saw them hug and walk back inside. Instead of sitting next to Michele, he sat next to Hermione and put his arm around her. Then Harry leaned over to Michele, who had settle down beside him.
"What's going on?" He whispered slyly.
Michele turned to him and simply said, "Wait for it."
It was Ron's turn to speak. He turned to Hermione, who blushed, and said, "Umm...me and Hermione...we're going out, as boyfriend and girlfriend."
Michele clapped, Harry gasped and Ron was still staring at Hermione.