You are incredibly beautiful

Dumbledore's Confession

Drowsily, Hermione opened her eyes. Where was she? She was seated at a desk in somebody's office; it took her a moment to realise it was Professor Dumbledore's office, and that Dumbledore himself was sitting opposite, patiently awaiting her recovery.

'Glad to see you've joined the living again, Miss Granger,' he said, smiling, while studying her over his half moon glasses.

There was a sudden, sharp pain in Hermione's head, complimented by a pain her gut. Everything came flooding back: Ginny giving her the love potion, being kissed by Malfoy, kissing Harry, the Quidditch match, Krum's travelling wedding service! She remembered fainting, vaguely. And then, remembering more and more, Hermione concluded the current situation: she'd been brought to Dumbledore's office for questioning, before being sentenced to expulsion.

Dumbledore noted the concern in her face. 'It's all right, Hermione. I'm sure you could've done with a nap. Being proposed to by three different suitors is enough to wear anyone out.'

Hermione panicked.

'Professor Dumbledore, I can explain!'

Dumbledore held up his hands. 'No need. Ginny Weasley has informed me of everything. She admitted to bringing an Aphora Bewitching Potion into the school, and how she then passed it on to you for disposal. Though, predictably, you couldn't resist using it for yourself.'

This is it Hermione thought with foreboding. Any minute now…he's going to kick me out! But then, Dumbledore said something she could not have anticipated.

'It happens to the best of us. It happened to me when I was your age.'

Did Hermione just hear that? Apparently, she had, because Dumbledore kept talking.

'Her name was Penny Periwinkle,' he explained, sounding far away. 'She was the most popular girl in the year. And on a very ordinary day, a good friend of mine told me he'd learnt to make an Aphora Bewitching Potion, and from the moment I set eyes on it, I was completely at loss.'

'Did…did you make Penny fall in love with you?' Hermione asked charily, still fearing the worst, and happy to be talking about anything other then her. Dumbledore nodded.

'Eventually. But then, of course, I wanted more girls to love me. I wanted Penny's friend Winifred Wormer, who I never fancied in my sanity, to love me. I wanted my own friend, Minerva McGonagall, to love me...'

'Professor McGonagall!'

'Oh yes,' confessed Dumbledore gravely. 'And she's never quite forgiven me for it either.' An impish twinkle appeared in his eyes. 'I spent a week in Greece as a result, doing whatever I could to help make counter-potion for them all. Beautiful country, fascinating history...but my point, Hermione, is the Aphora Bewitching Potion will always trick the bounder into believing it is they who put other's under a spell, when it is really themselves who have been the most affected. A bounder cannot be held responsible for their actions. A moment's eye contact with the Aphora Bewitching Potion puts a little bit of Aphrodite in us all.'

'So,' Hermione began, daring to be hopeful, 'you're not going to expel me, sir?'

'No,' said Dumbledore, casting her a warm smile. 'I'm not going to expel you.'

And just like that, the unbearable weight Hermione had been carrying was lifted. She could sing! But she figured she better not. Despite her happiness, Hermione couldn't help feeling concerned for Ginny.

'Professor Dumbledore, what about Ginny?'

'She's fine,' Dumbledore assured her, 'and will not be expelled either. I owled Mrs Weasley earlier, updating her on all that's passed, and how Ginny accidentally used her potion on Mr Colin Creevey.'

'Colin Creevey!' Hermione blurted out. Ginny had not told her this, out of embarrassment most likely. Again, Dumbledore nodded.

'Yes, I'm afraid. And Ginny never learnt to bound herself to her mother's potion as you did. So, incidentally, Mr Creevey fell in love with Mrs Weasley. The situation was quite interesting. Mr Creevey hit himself over the head with a chair because Ginny refused to lend him floo powder. He wanted to go the Burrow, you see. I'm happy to report he has since left the hospital, cured and his head entirely lump free.'

So that's how this whole thing got started! Hermione thought with a smirk. Dumbledore continued to divulge.

'Mrs Weasley made her potion when she was just sixteen years old. So you see, even there, after all these years, she was still unable to part with it. Ties with an Aphora Bewitching Potion can be very strong indeed.'

'Why did she make it in the first place?' Hermione inquired curiously, enjoying this little chat with Dumbledore very much now.

'To woe Mr Weasley, of course,' was his answer.

'Oh!' Hermione said with a laugh, but was then alarmed. 'That doesn't mean Mr Weasley's still under the spell, does it?'

This question provoked a hearty chuckle from Dumbledore. 'No, no! Mr Weasley was only infected for a week. Though, that instance was quite remarkable,' he said, digressing. 'The Aphora Bewitching Potion doesn't always force a recipient to love against their will. Rather, in special cases, it makes the recipient realise they've been in love with the bounder already.'

Hermione sat up very straight. 'Realise they've loved you? You mean, the Aphora Bewitching Potion has truth telling powers?'

'In a way, but only if love was true prior to taking the potion. Once Arthur was cured, he was enlightened to the crush he'd had on Molly since fourth year. They haven't been separated since.'

Hermione swore Dumbledore winked at her, though she couldn't be sure.

'As much as I would like to gossip with you for the rest of the day, Miss Granger, I think it time you paid a visit to your fiancée's in the hospital wing.'


Fiancées

Apart from the school giving her a hard time about using a love potion on Krum, Malfoy and Harry, Hermione couldn't be better! She made a stop at her dormitory room to collect her school bag (she was long overdue for a study session in the library later), after which she went to meet Ron outside the hospital wing. Hermione was pleased to find he'd cleaned up since she last saw him, and that he no longer stunk of cow.

'Krum's been sent home,' said Ron, happy to update her on everything since her faint. 'Dumbledore gave the Aphora Bewitching Potion back to mum...oh! And Pansy Parkinson wants you dead. She thinks you're trying to steal Malfoy from her. I'd watch my back if I were you.'

But Hermione couldn't care less about stupid Pansy Parkinson.

'Ron, how's Harry? Have they cured him yet? Have they cured Malfoy?' Hermione suddenly recalled the counter-potion had to be made in Greece!

'Yeah, they're cured,' Ron confirmed. 'Madame Pomfrey gave them some herbal remedy thingy.'

'Herbal remedy?' said Hermione, confused. 'But, I thought the counter-potion…'

'Oh right, that,' said Ron, realising what she meant. 'Well, Madame Pomfrey said the Aphora Bewitching Potion's a really old recipe, and…' Ron cleared his throat and pitched his voice, sounding like woman, ' "there has been much modern advancement in the field of healing love potions. No need for counter-potion, I can cure these patients faster then you can say spattergroit!" '

This news relieved Hermione, but only slightly. Knowledge of a fast acting herbal remedy would've been far more useful earlier.

'Shall we go in then?' Ron suggested, signaling to door. 'Harry's been asking for you.'

She stiffened. 'What! He has? Oh god, what does he remember? What did he say?'

'Nothing, don't go mental! He doesn't remember anything since being on the potion. But he knows he asked you to marry him, only 'cause the rest of the school does.'

'Oh god!' said Hermione again, feeling squeamish. 'How awful for him...' Just what Harry needs, more attention! Ron rolled his eyes at her.

'Hermione, would you relax? Harry doesn't hate you or anything, he really wants to see you, come on!'

Ron led the way into the hospital wing. Hermione stayed determinedly behind his back, until they reached Harry. Harry smiled and asked them sit down. Hermione placed herself awkwardly at the foot of his bed, until Harry said, 'sit here', and Hermione moved to the chair next to him. Ron smirked at her all the while, seemingly entertained at her awkwardness.

'How are you feeling, Harry?' Hermione asked finally.

'All right,' he said, sounding and appearing normal. 'I feel like I've been asleep for a couple of days, though.'

'Harry,' said Hermione, proceeding delicately, 'I just wanted to say I'm really sorry about the potion and everything. I haven't had much control over myself lately. I'm sorry you got caught up in it all.' Harry was not perturbed.

'It's okay, Hermione, don't worry about it. You're not going to be expelled, are you?'

'Of course she isn't,' said Ron elementarily. 'As if they'd expel Hermione Granger from Hogwarts! They wouldn't want to make the rest of us look good.'

Harry laughed at Ron and said 'true', before smiling Hermione's way, who's face suddenly felt very warm. Then, with a note of amusement, Harry said, 'Ah, Hermione…did I really ask you to marry me?'

Ron snickered loudly. 'Yeah mate, but don't worry. You don't have to marry her right away.'

'Exactly,' said Hermione, relaxing and joining in on the joke. 'It would be far nicer to have a wedding in the spring.'

They were all laughing now, until a fourth laugh cut in. Malfoy, lying three beds down on the opposite row, jerked back his bed curtain.

'Ha ha ha!' he laughed sardonically. 'Finding this funny are you, Potter? Your Mudblood girlfriend practically used dark magic on us!'

'Oh, that's fresh!' said Hermione, glaring towards him. She'd never been more pleased to be confronted by Malfoy, considering he was once again, wonderfully vile and calling her a Mudblood. 'As if you'd have any hang ups about using dark magic.'

'Yeah!' said Ron, also glaring at him. 'Get back behind your curtain, Malfoy, or I'll get Madam Pomfrey to go over there and spank you!' But Malfoy resumed his rant.

'I can't believe you're not expelled for this, Granger, it's totally appalling! To think, I almost got married to you!' he spat fatally, throwing her his best disgusted face. 'As far as I'm concerned, you should be shipped to Azkaban!'

'Come on, Malfoy,' said Hermione in a fake sweet voice. 'It wouldn't have been that bad marrying me, surely! We could have made it work.'

Malfoy flinched and narrowed his eyes. 'Yeah, you wish Granger!' he sneered, and drew his bed curtain shut, concealed from sight once more. Needless to say, the others did not miss his company.

'Huffy little git, isn't he?' said Ron.

'God,' said Hermione heavily, 'I still can't believe I put that on a love potion.'

'Tell me about it,' Ron concurred. 'Whatever you do, Hermione, don't go experimenting with love potions any more. You obviously have no self-control. I know I would never !'

But Ron was unable to finish what he was saying - Ginny had entered the hospital wing.

'Ron!' she cried from the door, her eyes lighting up. Ron was ashen faced.

'Oh crap...' he mumbled in a sickly voice. He'd forgotten all about Ginny! Before he could think what to do, she made a run for him.

'Ron, my dearest brother, I LOVE YOU!' she professed, and flung her arms around his waist, squeezing tightly. There was no escape.

'Ginny, geroff! You raving nut, let go of me! I can't…breath!'

'I will not let go!' she settled, squeezing harder. Ron's ribs were in danger of cracking. 'I love you! HUG ME!'

Harry and Hermione were speechless.

'Erm,' said Ron, noticing their open-mouthed expressions. 'I'm just gonna go see Madame Pomfrey about something…urgently!'

Ron excused himself and shot down the hallway to Madame Pomfrey's office, Ginny clawing onto him like a crazed cat.

'What was…' started Harry.

'…that?' finished Hermione.

As neither could explain what had just happened, the topic of conversation soon changed.

'I was…I mean,' said Harry quickly, 'Ron and I were worried about you for a while there. Before I was on the potion, I could tell something was wrong with you.'

'Oh! Yes, I know,' said Hermione, embarrassingly reminded of her past behaviour, including Harry's insistent requests for her to look at him. 'That was just the potion stirring me up.'

'Right, of course,' said Harry with a small nod. 'The potion…'

'Yes,' Hermione affirmed, and stood up. 'Well! I hope you don't mind Harry, but Dumbledore gave me the day off so I could catch up on my work. I need to finish that assignment for Professor McGonagall.'

'What, now?' There was a note of disappointment in his voice. Hermione picked up on it.

'Unless…I don't mind staying longer, if you'd like.'

'No!' he said somewhat abruptly, and then stammered, 'I - I mean, you should definitely go do the assignment. I know it's important to you.'

For a brief, shining moment, Hermione fancied she'd caught a familiar look in Harry's green eyes - a look reminiscent to the one he'd given her while on the potion...

'The Aphora Bewitching Potion doesn't always force a recipient to love against their will. Rather, in special cases, it makes the recipient realise their love for the bounder already.'

Hermione shook these words of Dumbledore's out from her mind. Don't be absurd, Hermione. Harry couldn't have loved you since fourth year! Everything's back to normal now, don't go spoiling it...

Clearing her thoughts, Hermione busied herself with her school bag and prepared to leave.

'You've got your Potions book with you,' Harry stated suddenly. Hermione looked up at him. It was a rather odd thing to say.

'Yes, I was thinking I might study it later. If I get the time.'

'Would you mind if I borrowed it for the night?' he asked. 'I should really catch up on some reading for Snape's next class, and I'm not going to be released 'til tomorrow.'

'Of course you can, Harry!' said Hermione with enthusiasm, realising he wanted to study. 'Take some parchment and a quill, too, it's best to take notes.' She passed this all over to him, including an ink bottle, before strapping her bag over her shoulder. 'Listen, I'll come back and visit you after dinner. If Madame Pomfrey let's me.' Harry smiled at the prospect.

'Okay. Bye, Hermione.'

She almost stopped herself doing it. But she'd done it once before...

'Bye, Harry,' she said, and leant over to kiss him on the cheek. 'Happy reading.'

And she left, but not before paying Malfoy a visit.

'Oh Malfoy?' she called airily, and yanked back his curtain. Malfoy, who'd been napping, practically jumped out of his bed in fright.

'Granger! How dare you invade my privacy this way! I could've been undressing!'

'Settle down, Malfoy, I've already seen you undressed.'

'You...WHAT!' To Hermione's delight, he looked as though he'd swallowed his tongue.

'I just wanted to advise, when you do decide to undress again, that you take a moment to look at the back of your left shoulder.'

It was obvious, from his bewildered expression, that Malfoy hadn't a clue what she was talking about. Pleased to leave him like this, Hermione exited the hospital wing, smiling all the way to the library.


Realisation

Harry held Hermione's Potions book to his chest. He didn't know why he'd asked for it. Silly, really. He had no intention to study. He just saw her rummaging through her bag, spied the book, and a voice in his head whispered you want that. But why? Not knowing what else to do, he spread the book open and idly flipped through it. Then he stopped. There was something written on the corner of a page...

You're so beautiful

Harry stared. That was his handwriting! He wrote this. But when? Love potion he assessed. He read it over a few times, not that there was much to read. And then, without really thinking, Harry picked up the quill and ink bottle left by Hermione, and made a slight adjustment...

You are incredibly beautiful

It was around this time that Malfoy had seen the back of his left shoulder. His scream filled the room.

'AAAHHH! SHE'S ON MY BACK! MADAME POMFREY, HELP!'


FIN

You'd hate me if I left it there, right? That's why there's a sequel! And so will begin the long and complicated journey of putting Harry and Hermione together - properly! If Malfoy will behave :) I'll begin the sequel, Everybody Still Loves Hermione, in a day or two. Thanks again for your support!