Leather and Libraries
AN: Wow I actually kept a promise for once! Shocked you all there! Oh well, half-term is now upon me so that means I have more time! Here are some more replies to your fabby reviews!
Evilevergreen – Just go back into your hole and sleep! Nah, I'm joking I don't quite get what I said now...
Tinkbelle – Yeah, but you have to admit the ending was very corny!
Lisi – Why thank you! Hehehe Posh Fishy Me!
No I'm not insane, I'm just Totally Obsessed.
Okay, that's out of my system – sorry! I think I'll just shut up and get on with the story... Star x
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these wonderful characters or any of the groovy Harry Potter series in general, but I do own some characters and the distinctive plot (yeah right!)
Chapter 8 – Tears of a Broken Heart
"Now I know why men hate to shop with women," Harry grumbled, falling onto the leather couch in the Gryffindor common room.
"Stop moaning and move over," Hermione laughed, squatting him on the leg and dumping her bags on the plush maroon carpet. They had been shopping non-stop for over three hours, causing aching feet and hurt hands. Of course Hermione had been on longer shopping trips with her mother and muggle friends, but with a man constantly jabbering and moaning all the time, it kind of dragged time along.
"So did you get everything?" Harry asked, praying that she had.
"Nope, I still have to buy yours', Ginny's and the girls," Hermione said, counting them by using her fingers.
Harry stared at her in disbelief. "You must be kidding me! My hands are practically hanging off."
She shook her head and laughed. "God your such a whiner! Just like Siri-" Hermione stopped in mid-sentence and mentally scolded herself. "Harry I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to."
He looked up and gave her a shy smile, enough for her to understand it was okay. She returned it but with tears glistening like diamonds in her eyes. They both enveloped in a hug, with Hermione now letting her tears flow freely.
"It's just that; it's so weird," Hermione said, holding Harry tightly. "He's been gone for almost two years but it's more like two days. And when he just fell behind that veil..." She let out a choked sob and Harry pulled her onto his lap, like they had done so many times before.
"It's ok 'Mione," Harry cooed. "He's free now, with no-one to accuse him or make him feel unwanted.
"I know but I could have done something. Stopped Bellatrix or at the most, killed her instead of taking him from us." She drew deep, ragged breaths while they thought of any possibilities to save Sirius and what it would be like if he was there at that very moment. The picture stayed like that for at least five minutes, each of them just enjoying the other's company. It had been this way since the end of year five, when they really began to appreciate each others company and life in general. It seemed funny how losing somebody can bring people closer together.
Hermione wiped her face of all excess tears and blew her nose with a tissue. "Look at me," She laughed sarcastically. "I'm behaving like a little girl with a skinned knee. I just don't know how to get over it like you."
Harry looked down at the floor and said quietly, "That's not true. I keep finding it harder and harder everyday when I realise that he isn't here."
Her heart melted for him. 'Of course he would be the most effected,' Hermione thought to herself. 'Sirius is the closest thing to family he's had in 15 years.
"I'm going to get Bellatrix," Harry stated, that horrible look of revenge and death forming on his face.
"I know, but that isn't the solute-"
"You don't get it though!" Harry stood up in anger. "I want to cause her pain so she knows how I feel! She ought to know what it feels like to have your heart ripped out over and over again, and it's all because of a stupid son-of-a-bitch!" He collapsed to the floor; letting the tears of fury and angst flow out. Hermione walked over to him and did the same to him that he had done to her only 10 minutes ago. She played with is hair and occasionally patted his head.
"Sssh, it's okay. It'll all be over soon and according to Trelawny, you'll grow old and have ten kids." They both laughed slightly at the mad Divination teacher.
"God I wish my life was like yours 'Mione," Harry said, hugging Hermione's waist. "A family, top pupil, a real home – it's a pity I waste it by having bloody Voldemort trying to kill me."
Hermione smiled faintly and stared into the non-existent fire. "Trust me, nothing is as it seems."
"What are you talking about? Your mum and dad are nice enough and don't keep you home when you tell them your latest adventure, which is a miracle. You're nearly every teacher's favourite student and a place to go to whenever you need someone."
"It's not all that stuff; my mind's messed up because of -" She paused, unsure whether to tell him. Harry raised an eyebrow at her, signalling her to tell him.
Suddenly, a group of fifth year boys fell through the portrait, giggling uncontrollably. All of them waded into the common room and sloped onto the floor or a spare chair.
"Great," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. She walked over to a boy and tried to open his eyes. They smelt of repulsive –
"Muggle alcohol," She concluded, smelling his heavy breathing. "Can you get some water please Harry?" He nodded and walked over to the jug by the bottom of the entrance to the dormitories.
"Thanks." She took a glass and opened a boy's mouth so he could drink it. He coughed and spluttered.
"Who the hell are you?!" He said rather rudely.
"Hermione Granger, and if you speak like that to me again I will definitely tell Professor McGonagall," She warned, getting him off the floor and onto the chair he had missed.
"Need any help?" Harry asked, going over to her.
"Ummm yeah. That one looks really out of it." Hermione pointed at a boy who was sprawled over an armchair.
"No problem. Hey, what were you going to say?"
"Oh, nothing important." Hermione smiled and went onto the next boy.
'Dodged that one didn't you,' Hermione thought to herself, thanking God.
AN: Chapter 9 will have some more Draco and Hermione interaction! I miss those two stupid people! Check my bio for updates! And keep up the absolutely splendid reviews! Star x