Disclaimer: I don't own HP or any of these characters. That belongs to JKR, Scholastic Books, Warner Brothers, etc.
Chapter Three
Much to her amazement and disbelief, everyone took the news of her relationship with Harry in stride. All of Gryffindor acted as if they had expected it to happen eventually, and the other Houses were almost as bad. Malfoy was especially malicious in his taunts. Unfortunately, he had the sense enough to save the worst ones for Potions class. Both Ron and Harry had sworn revenge, and Hermione got the impression that all the seventh year boys were in on whatever it was that they were planning.
The days went on much as they did before, and Hermione found that the weekend was fast approaching. She didnt know what Harry planned for their visit to Hogsmeade. She was constantly revising her notes, particularly in regards on how to let him down if he should try and be . . . more intimate than she was ready for. Though with all their shows of affection already, they were one of the more passionate couples in the school. Hermione found it hard to think when Harry was touching her. More often than not, she was more concerned with getting closer to him.
As the weekend loomed nearer and nearer, Hermione noticed Ginny and Luna often talking together quietly, which made her wonder what they could be plotting. At least they werent likely to be planning the prank of the century like the Gryffindor boys were. Regrettably, their plans seemed to include her as they always stopped talking whenever she approached them. It was on Thursday afternoon after her Arithmancy class, when they pulled her aside.
"Come here, Hermione. Quick!" Ginny motioned to her from a table off to the side in the library.
Hermione sighed and walked over to them. "This had better be important."
"Oh it is, trust me."
Hermione began to worry. It did sound urgent. She hoped that Ginny hadnt got herself into any trouble. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing's wrong. We need to chat, thats all."
"We do?"
"Yes, we do, stressed Luna. We have to tell you about . . ."
"The birds and the bees," Ginny said.
Hermiones mouth dropped open. She couldnt believe her ears. What had made Ginny or Luna think that she needed them to explain that . . . sort of mechanics to her? "I know about them already, thanks," she said primly.
"Dont tell us were too late." Ginny looked distressed as she said that.
"You're much too late."
"Damn! I knew we should have told you about Wizarding contraception earlier."
"Wizarding contraception?"
"You know, to stop you . . . to prevent unwanted pregnancies," Ginny explained.
"I know that. But how do you know about it?" Hermione asked.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "My mum told me. That was a very painful morning, I tell you."
"And what does your mum know about the subject?"
"I'd think not much," put in Luna.
"I know. Just look at all the Weasleys running around."
"Whatever she knows, it cant be very effective. Maybe I should tell both you and Ginny what I know?" suggested Luna.
"What my mum knows works as she hasn't had a child since me, has she?" Ginny was steaming from her friends' remarks.
"Too little, too late," her friends chorused.
She turned around and stomped her foot with frustration. "You two are being impossible!" she exclaimed. "Besides," Ginny added, "where did you get your information from, Luna? Your dad? My mum has got to know more than him."
"No," said Luna. "Not exactly. Though there was an article in the Quibbler once about it that he handed me. It explained all of that in great detail."
Thankfully, Hermiones imagination shut down then and there. She didn't even want to think about what an article in the Quibbler might have to say on that subject. Quickly, before Luna could go on, Hermione said, "Well, I should remind the two of you that my parents are dentists . . . not the same thing as being a doctor, but they know better than to keep me in the dark about the subject. And Muggle contraception works very well. So unless you know of something that is a hundred percent effective, I don't think we need to be having this conversation, thanks." Mentally, she noted that it would be a very good thing for them not to have this conversation, otherwise, she'd wind up having to explain to Harry why she was so green during dinner. And that would be even worse.
Ginny and Luna exchanged speaking glances. "I didn't know that Muggles had such effective measures, said Ginny with a shrug. But if you're sure you don't want to know . . . ."
"I am positive," said Hermione. And if I ever do want to know, Ill look in a book. Besides, Harry and I are no where near that stage in our relationship . . . well, we wouldnt be anywhere near that stage if we were in a real relationship, instead of this thing thats between us. "I do appreciate the concern though," Hermione said, "but I really must be off. Ive got to start revising more for Ancient Runes. Otherwise, I might as well not even bother taking that N.E.W.T." With that, Hermione rushed off, leaving her friends behind.
That was the end of that subject, and the two of them never tried to broach it with her again. Hermione had to wonder if Ron had said anything to Harry though, for Harry was positively red with embarrassment when she met them in the library. Hermione had asked what was wrong, which led to Harry choking and Ron smirking. That was enough of an answer in itself, although it was likely that the silly boys didn't realize that.
It was during those study sessions that Hermione felt that she did her best work as a girlfriend. She was understanding and patient, and always willing to try explaining things in a new way so Harry could understand them. She was also amenable to study breaks as wellperhaps too amenable, she already had taken to wearing turtlenecks, despite the fact that the weather was getting warmer. But not all of the time she spent with Harry could be spent with helping him study (more's the pity, as she was really good at it), and sooner than she would have thought, the week was over and she was faced with spending Hogsmeade weekend with him.
Of course, when she put it like that, it sounded like some sort of dreadful chore that she didn't want to do, and that was not an accurate comparison. Hermione genuinely liked spending time with Harry. The thing was she could feel herself falling deeper and deeper into this relationship, which wasnt ever supposed to be one, and Hermione knew she was just setting herself up to be hurt once Harry figured out that Hermione wasnt the girl for him. But she couldn't help herself. Her heart wouldn't listen to her brain, the silly thing. Hence, it seemed that she spent the entire day at Hogsmeade literally joined at the hip to Harry --and she had never enjoyed herself more.
When the day was over and they all arrived back at Hogwarts, Hermione and Harry tumbled up the stairs to her room, ostensibly for a study session. If the truth were known, studying couldn't have been further from Hermione's mind, as she held Harry's hand as they climbed the stairs. Arriving at her door, Harry stepped aside to allow her to speak the password, though he knew it as well. Hermione somehow managed to pause her laughter long enough to open the door and then tugged Harry in. He immediately leapt upon her, sending them both flying on to her bed, as he pulled her close for a kiss.
Unfortunately for Hermione, the act of him pushing her on to her bed, dislodged the parchment she was keeping in her pocket, but she was too engrossed in him to even notice. Harry, however, having been a Seeker for all his years at Hogwarts, had noticed and upon ending the kiss, had retrieved the parchment from the floor.
"What's this, Hermione?" he asked, his eyes teasing. "Were you trying to study while I was paying for everything at Zonko's?"
"Harry!" Hermione sat upright on her bed and lunged for the parchment. She couldn't let him read it. "That's personal. Give it back, please."
Harry sighed. "And it seems like I guessed right. Honestly, Hermione, what could you be studying then? It's supposed to be our day off . . . and N.E.W.T.s aren't that close to us yet." He shook his head and turned to the parchment. "Well? Care to confess?"
"I wasn't studying, Harry," said Hermione.
"So you mean to say that you never pulled this out to read?"
Hermione blushed. She had actually, while Harry and Ron had been at the Three Broomsticks about the latest Quidditch news. She opened her mouth to explain that away, but Harry already had his answer. He had seen the look in her eyes.
"In that case, I'm sure you wouldn't mind me taking a look at what fascinated you so on our date," he announced. Before Hermione could do a thing, he unrolled the parchment.
His jaw dropped. And not in a good way. His mouth opened and shut a few times, with no sound coming out. Finally he said, "What is this, Hermione?"
Hermione winced at the tone of his voice, but decided to try her best to convince him it wasnt that bad. "It's a list," she said, looking at her hands. "A list on things I should do to be a good girlfriend."
"Oh. I see." There was an awful moment of silence before he continued. "And being a good girlfriend means having a . . . let's see, what did you call this again? Oh yes. Having an exit strategy."
"I . . . its not like that, Harry."
"It certainly looks like that." Harry looked up at her, his eyes full of anger and pain. "Damn it, Hermione! If you weren't interested, why didn't you just say so? Do you pity me so much that you'd date me for a couple weeks, just because you think I can't handle rejection? I'll have you know that I'm not like that!"
"I know that, Harry. I know." Hermione wrung her hands. This was awful. How did everything go so wrong, so quickly. "And I wasn't going to break up with you. Really I wasn't."
"What's this part then?" Harry stabbed a finger at the parchment. "About gently telling me that you know that it's not working out. Seems like you made plans"-- he spat that word--"to break up with me! From the very start!"
"No, Harry. I . . . okay, I know how it looks. But it's not like that at all. That part . . . that was what I should do when you figure out that I'm not good enough for you, that's all."
"You're not good enough for me?" Harry looked shocked at those words. "You're good enough to be my friend, aren't you? What makes you not good enough to be my girlfriend?"
"It's different. I mean . . . friendship is very important, but love is . . . I don't know how to say this but . . . ."
"You're grasping at straws now. He stood up. "But have it your way. If you think you're not good enough to be my girlfriend, you probably think that you're not good enough to be my friend. I shan't trouble you any more." And just like that, he was gone.
Author's note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last
couple of chapters. I'd love to hear what you think of this
one.