~*~I Loved you Once~*~
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters that I use in this story, although I love them very much!!
Particularly a certain potions professor…..
A/N: It's Harry's seventh year at Hogwarts and Hermione's relationship with Ron had been blossoming, and still was, for the past three years. Though, Ron has a secret that not even she knows, is it large enough to destroy their relationship? Hermione gets less than she hopes for, but, comes across something new. Please be kind when you review, constructive criticism because it's my first attempt at a Harry Potter fic.
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"I love you, you know?"
"I know," Hermione giggled. She sat entwined with Ron on the Hogwarts express, ready for their eighth year back at Hogwarts. Ron snickered at her response but, soon let it pass him as he became entranced with her beauty once again.
Across from them, in their compartment, sat Harry, alone and moping. He was lonely and often showed signs of envy for the love that Ron and Hermione shared. Their steamy glances and their gentle kisses. He wanted that, but, how would he get it? Hermione and Ron knew the answer to that. Ever since their fifth year, Hermione and Ron both knew that Ginny was destined to be with Harry, but, unfortunately, Harry denied her access to his heart as it was 'reserved' for another, Cho Chang.
Harry looked blankly out the window and sighed deeply, making sure that Ron and Hermione knew that he was still in their presence. But, they didn't. Harry sighed again, and still, no luck. Annoyed, Harry got up and left them alone, they didn't even notice.
Ron laced his fingers in Hermione's. She smiled and slipped her leg into his hand. Ron pulled her body closer to his and opened her mouth with his tongue, which was quite easy seeing as though she loved it when he kissed her. Hermione gently returned the kiss and made sure to keep him there for as long as he was willing. Ron took his hand off her waist and placed it on her hip. He slowly moved up her side and finally caressing her chest. Hermione giggled into his mouth and pulled away from him.
"Not here, Ron!" Hermione giggled and then put her mouth back to his.
Harry paced up and down the train's cramped hallway until the woman with the trolley came and shooed him back to his compartment. Rather reluctantly, Harry pulled the door to his compartment open and staggered inside. He plopped down on his seat and looked enviously at Hermione and Ron, who were now in an advanced state of foreplay. Harry crossed his arms and forced himself to look out the window and admire the trees that swam by the window by the thousands.
Hermione opened her eyes and spotted Harry, looking glum. She pulled away from Ron, which was difficult because he had just become to play with the lace that hemmed the top of her panties. She straightened her skirt and went next to Harry as Ron sat up, trying to be interested in whatever was going on with Harry but, really wanting more of Hermione.
"Hi, Harry," Hermione said, quite cheerfully. Harry nodded and looked down at the floor. Hermione looked desperately at Ron for an idea but, Ron only shrugged his shoulders. Hermione folded her legs under her and took Harry's hand. "What's wrong? You seem quite upset at something,"
"Yea, Harry, the last time I saw you this upset was when Cho broke up with you last year," Ron looked at his best friend, even more into the subject than he originally wanted to be.
"Nothing," Harry muttered. But, this couldn't get past Hermione, considering how clever she was.
"Harry, I know something is up, Ron and I can tell when something is wrong with you,"
"Honestly! Nothing is wrong!" Harry snapped and stood up furiously. He crossed the compartment and stormed out. He raced towards Neville's compartment.
Hermione looked compassionately, and worryingly, at Ron. Though, at this point, her considered Harry's problem wasn't nearly as important as him wanting to snatch Hermione up in his arms.
"Come here, Hermione,"
"Why?"
"I want to hold you,"
"Ron, I know you do, but, right now, Harry is depressed and as his best friends, we need to be there for him. I am going to find him, are your going to come with me?"
"Alright," Ron heaved out, a little annoyed. Hermione took his hand and led him down the hallway. She peeked inside each compartment with no luck. Finally, she reached the end of the hallway and found Neville, sitting with Harry.
"Neville, can we please have a talk with Harry, alone?"
"Sure," Neville gathered up Trevor and bumbled out of the compartment.
"Harry, you need to talk to us! We are your best friends!" Hermione looked sadly into Harry's eyes, searching for answers. She sat down next to him, letting go of Ron's hand.
"I told you, NOTHING IS WRONG WITH ME!" Harry through up his arms and sat back feeling very cross.
Tears burned Hermione's eyes.
"Alright, Harry, have it your way then. Ron and I will stay out of your way, but, it's hurts when your best friend won't tell you why they are upset." Hermione turned to Ron and grabbed his hand again. He helped her up and, together, they began to walk out.
"I'm jealous," Harry muttered. Hermione turned her red face around.
"What?"
"You heard me! I'm jealous of you,"
"Me?!" Hermione snorted with laughter for a minute in disbelief. "Why are you jealous of me? You're the 'Famous Harry Potter' and I'm just clever Hermione Granger."
"I'm jealous of you and Ron, what you guys have together," Harry said firmly. Ron flushed slightly as Hermione, astounded, sat down by him again.
"Why are you jealous of Ron and I?"
"You guys are in love and now, I just sit back and have to feed upon your stupid kisses and silly words. I'm tired of it! Now, I'm the one left out, it's not the same anymore. We all used to hang out and have fun and go on adventures but, now, it's just about what you two are doing. I've lost my best friends and I don't have that! I want someone!" Harry buried his face in his hands. Hermione put her arm around Harry. She pulled Ron over. He soon got the idea and put his arms around Harry too.
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Four hours later, the Hogwarts Express came to a halt at the school. The rest of their time on the train had been spent joking and playing games with Neville. Hermione and Ron had agreed to do their best to spend more time with Harry. They also agreed to only go after each other when they were alone. Which was more easier for Hermione to agree with than Ron.
Hermione stepped off the train, hand clamped tight in Ron's. Harry led the three up to the carriages that would take them up to the castle, where they were met by Professor McGonagall.
"Welcome, welcome. Step inside, that's right. Straight ahead now, right, hello," She greeted each student as they entered. Hermione, Ron, and Harry held the train in the back. Professor McGonagall smiled at them and patted Harry on the back. "Nice to see you Potter," Hermione led the three into the great hall behind the rest of the students above their first year.
They took their seats at Gryffindor table, beside Neville, Dean, and Seamus. A few clamorous chats and sips of fresh pumpkin juice led right up to the grand entrance of the first years. Before the sorting had begun, Hermione glanced up at the head table to see who their new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher would be. For the past two years, they had had Professor Lupin, but, after complications with being a werewolf, he was once again forced to leave the school.
Hermione skimmed through the teachers. Professor Sprout, Snape, Flitwick, Binns, Vector………She got through all the teachers except for two. The new Defense against the Dark arts and Madame Hooch. Hermione nudged Ron, who had gotten into quite the Quidditch argument with Harry. She pointed towards the staff table and advised him about the missing teachers.
"So, what's the big deal?"
"Well, what happened with Madame Hooch?"
"Probably at the lavatories or something. You worry to much, woman,"
"Probably," Hermione mumbled, but, she inside she didn't accept it. Dumbledore stood up, ready for his big speech, causing Hermione to focus her attention on him.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Now, before we begin the ceremony, I want to make a few notices. Madame Hooch, our flying teacher and quidditch coach, has left the school, apparently she has had complications with her arm. Our new coach and teacher is a former Hogwarts student and quite the quidditch player," Harry almost fell back in astonishment as he saw the new teacher. "I'd like you to meet Oliver Wood!"
The whole hall filled with excited mumbles and cheers. Particularly from the fifth, sixth, and especially seventh year students, Harry among the loudest.
Hermione's heart gave a leap in her chest. She had never seen him in this light before.
"Due to the extravagant desire of the position for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, I want to introduce you to our new professor, although you already know him, Severus Snape," A small wave of claps circled the room. Many did not like him but, most hoped that his change of position would make him slightly more cheerful.
"Our new potions teacher will be, Mr. Potter….."
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Gryffindor prefect, Parvati Patil, led the drained gryffindors to their tower. One by one, they clambered through the portrait.
"Goodnight, Harry," Hermione said. She turned to Ron and gave him a quick kiss.
"Night, Mione,"
"Love you, Ron," Hermione pushed through to her dorms. The plaque on the door read Gryffindor Girls Seventh Years. She went through and changed into a silk nightie. She climbed into bed and closed her eyes. She slipped into a deep sleep and into a dream. Her mind in smiles at the thought of her one and only love, Ron, that she would spend the rest of her life with.