They had decided to shop for her first. She had stopped at a rack full of tank tops. Hermione pulled out a black and blue one with Japanese kanji embroidered all over it. "It's perfect." She then tossed it in the basket. She had also picked out a pair of black hip hugger jeans. Hermione then tossed in a light blue and a red. The store was having a two for one special. They then stopped by the pants section again. Hermione had picked the other pair up when they had passed by it the first time.
"Hermione. These are nice." He had stopped by a pair of leather pants they had on sale. Just because they had money didn't mean that sale items should be discarded.
"Hn. Only thirty dollars, too." With that she tossed them in with the shirts. She decided that was enough of those. They next went to the dress section.
"I don't think I'll really be much be much help here."
"Sure you will! Just tell me if you see anything interesting."
There was a nearby old couple watching then browse the racks.
"It's so nice to see young couple together. Don't you think so, Theodore?"
"If you say so, Nelly. I still think it's strange to see a guy helping his girlfriend pick out dresses. If you ask me."
"I didn't ask you."
"Yes, you did."
"No, I didn't!"
"Well at I still know what we're talking about!"
"Yes I do!"
"What is it?"
"Whether I look better in solids or floral patterns. See I know!"
::sweatdrop:: "..." (1)
They continued bickering not noticing that said couple had turned around and was staring at them as the walked away.
"Strange people," said Harry as he turned back to racks in front of him. When he was just about to give up looking found something that was indeed interesting. "Hermione what about this." He pulled the dress of the racks and held it out to her.
"Harry. It's beautiful." And indeed it was. It was made out of a thin black material and had a Chinese collar. It was trimmed in light blue satin.
She picked up a skirt or two afterwards. Then they left to pick out some things for Harry.
"This shirt would look good on you, Harry." She held out hunter green shirt up to him. "You should get it."
"If you say so." The day had begun to drag on him it was about 5:30 now. "'Mione can we take a break now."
"Not until we finish this store. It won't take that long."
Harry had stopped listening when he spotted a black long sleeved shirt. Beside it was a near identical red one. He picked them both up and put them in the basket.
"Does everything have to be black, Harry?" Hermione asked. She was starting to notice the amount of black, dark, or red, clothes in the basket. Some were dark green, though.
"..." He watched as Hermione pulled a couple of light t-shirts off the rack.
"What will you wear when it gets hot?"
Harry just shrugged and looked around some more.
Hermione got a devious look on her face for a second. She had been wondering what he would look like pierced. Now she had the chance to find out.
"Harry, how do you feel about piercing?"
Harry just stared at her for that one.
They picked out a couple more pairs of pants and jeans for Harry then left the store.
They had stopped for ice cream. Taking a break, just like Hermione had promised they would.
"Please. Harry just two. I'll even get some more." Her parents had taken her to get her ears pierced a couple of years ago.
"No." He was trying to stay firm in his decision, but it was wavering a bit. Hermione had been on about this since they had gotten out the store. She had even mentioned that Draco would probably like it and that had nearly shattered his resolve. Harry was seriously considering it now.
"Please. I'll even pay for it. PLEASE, Harry!"
"You know I don't care about that, Hemione, but fine." Harry muttered. "But just the two." Why was Hermione so insistent on this? "Why, anyway."
"Oh! I just think that you would look good in them."
Lastly they stopped at the piercing place. It was well after six now and they had to get back in home for dinner.
"OUCH!"
"Harry. Don't be such a baby."
"Why don't YOU get up here then," Harry spat. He had been glaring at Hermione ever since they had held the gun up to his ear. Harry had already scared off a couple of attendants.
"I will. Once you're done!" She just smiled brightly as she watched.
"You're very annoying, you know." Hermione scowled at him and continued looking.
When they were both finished and the piercing person gave them cleaning instructions, they went to go pick out earrings.
"Are you still mad at me Harry?"
"Whatever gave you that idea?" He was walking several paces ahead of her.
"Well you haven't spoken to me since we left."
"I'll talk to you when the pain subsides."
"Harry, what about these." She was holding up a pair of thick silver earrings in her hand. They were small hoops, but androgynous in style. (1)
Harry turned around and nodded. She picked up some studs for herself and placed another pair for Harry in the basket. She didn't ask him about them because she knew that he wouldn't completely admit to liking them.
They got several other things and then headed back to the house. This time Staind was played on the CD player.
-,---, -,---, -,---, -,---,
I try to breath
memories overtake me
I try to face them but
the thought is too
much to conceive
I only know that I can change
everything else just stays the same
so now I step out of the darkness
that my life became 'cause
I just needed someone to talk to
you were just too busy with yourself
you were never there for me to
express how I felt
I just stuffed it down
now I'm older and I feel like
I could let some of this anger fade
but it seems the surface
I am scratching
in the bed that I have made
so where were you
when all this I was going through
you never took the time to ask me
just what you could do
-Staind
-,---, -,---, -,---, -,---,
"Well did you have fun?" Hermione's mother was glancing between the two. Harry still wasn't talking to Hermione.
"I did. Harry's just mad that I got him to get his ears pierced."
"No. I'm mad because it still hurts."
"Harry... You've been through many worse things than getting you ear pierced, and you know it."
"I know, but it still hurts."
They had come into the house carrying several bags and Harry glaring at the back of Hermione's, looking as is he were trying to burn a hole in it. Luckily for her, he wasn't that powerful, yet. Then they noticed that he had silver studs in his ears that weren't there before. Also that their daughter looked different, as well.
"I told Harry I would do it to if he would."
"I like your hair sweetie. Now, why don't you two freshen up then we'll eat. Hermione you can use our bathroom, and Harry can use the one in the hall."
"Thank you," he replied before he carried his bags up to his room.
Nothing felt as good as that shower by the time he got in.
They spent the summer doing other things, such as seeing movies and other things. They had done some more shopping, but not nearly as much as that first day, just some things hear and there. They also learned other things about each other, like the fact that Hermione actually did like quidditch. She just liked frustrating Ron by calling the moves by the wrong names and saying it was a waste of time. They also went to see the second Lord of the Rings movie. Harry found it fascinating, though he had to wake Hermione several times (1). Other than when she fell asleep she enjoyed it to. They also bought several CD's. For Harry's birthday she got him a CD player. She knew by now that he would use that more than a book. He had admitted to have used them more for under the uneven post of his bed, then for actually reading.
Also during the summer Harry actually got through his summer homework early this year. She also helped him actually learn what was in his books instead of just memorizing what he needed to know to pass the test.
Finally it was time to meet Ron in Diagon Alley to get their new schoolbooks and get their robes adjusted.
"How long is he going to take? We told him one." Harry was getting a bit impatient.
"Sit down Harry. He still has fifteen minutes."
Harry looked down at the new watch Draco had gotten him for his birthday. It would tell him what time it was when asked the time. Only the wearer could see it. It was a rather nice present. It was a rather expensive present. Hermione was right. It was only 12:47.
Twenty minutes later he finally showed up.
"Hi guys!" They turned around greeted Ronald Weasley. He hadn't changed much, though he had gotten taller. He was now a little bit over six feet. Taller than both Hermione and Harry, who were still under six, although Hermione was about an inch taller than him.
"Hello Ron." They quickly hugged and then Hermione gave him a longer hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"You two sure look different." He said hesitantly. Ron looked over friends taking in the changes. He noted that Harry's ears where pierced and that his girlfriend's hair had changed somehow. He noticed the other changes, as well, such as their clothes. /looks like they went on a shopping spree/ he thought, slightly bitter. /how could they do this to themselves?/ "Very different. And what in Merlin's name are you two wearing?!"
"We decided do a little shopping. That's all."
"Look like more than a little." He was a bit irritated that they would do this to him. He barely noticed that Harry had sped up and that he and Hermione were falling behind. Were they trying to show off that they were both richer then he was, or something?
"Forget about it, Ron. Let just go and get our books like we planned." Hermione walked quicker to catch up with Harry.
"Are you ok, Harry?"
"Yeah. He can just be so irritating sometimes." Harry didn't exactly know what it was that was ticking him off.
"I think I know what you mean." She glanced back at her boyfriend, who looked like he was talking to himself.
Meanwhile, Ron mind was running on overtime. /What exactly was going on here. I leave them for one summer and everything seems to have turned upside down. And why did Harry get those earrings. Some guys can pull them off and still look straight, but he isn't one of them. Man, people will think I'm hanging out with a complete fag. And did Hermione just hug him? Was that a kiss! At least it was only on his cheek. What are they hiding?.../
"Hey guys!"
Hermione and Harry looked back at him. They appeared to have forgotten that he was there. "Sorry Ron." They waited for him to catch up.
The three of them went around to various stores to get their books until it was time to go home. They had agreed that Ron was going to stay with them for the final week of summer vacation.
The trip back to Hermione's was tense to say the least. Hermione or Harry couldn't even hear any music on the ride, because the second one of them put in a CD and the music came on...
"Uhh... turn that racket off! Guys, no offence intended. But neither of you have very good taste in music." Ron then leaned back in his seat and rested his eyes. He had decided that he should sit by his girlfriend. He was tired of the looks going between them.
Hermione lifted her eyes to the rear-view mirror to meet Harry's. He was relaxing in the back seat and he rolled his eyes.
"Ron, you can't talk about taste." She looked at him and ran her fingers through his hair, before retuning her eyes to the road. Uh! Hair gel. She rubbed her hand on her jeans, then put it back on the wheel.
He opened one eye and closed it again, missing what she had done. Though, he had like the feeling of her hand through his hair. "What do you mean by that?"
"Ron, you insist on wearing orange."
"What about it?"
"It clashes. You have red hair. You can't wear orange."
"If you say so." Ron was a bit irritated about being told he had no taste. But then again, he had just told them they didn't. It was strange with things being Harry, Hermione, and Ron, instead of Harry, Ron, and Hermione (2). Maybe things would get back to normal when school was in.
(Later that night)
"What's the answer to this question?" Ron asked from the floor below. There were only three rooms in the house and Harry had been staying in the guest bedroom.
"Can't you do your own homework? I'm kind of trying to read." Harry sighed, and went back to his book. Hermione had gotten him to try a series called Everworld. Pretty decent actually, though it was a bit on the short side.
"Oh, come on Harry. Me and you always do our homework together."
"I did it already. Now be quiet, I'm at the good part." He flipped the page. He wanted to find out if they were going to escape from Hel before he went to bed. (3)
Ron just gaped at his friend. "Y-you did it all. Already! Summer's not even over yet!"
"Yeah well, me and Hermione did it already." Harry was hardly paying attention to a thing Ron said. April had just used Galahad's sword to hack into Hel's side. No! Wrong side. That's the dead side, idiot! You can't hurt something that's already dead! Geez!
"You're becoming just like her! You can't pay attention to me, and your nose is always in a book!" Ron put away his work and pulled the covers up. /That book can't be that bloody interesting!/ he muttered to himself. /He's not even listening!/
"Um, Ron... I'm not your girlfriend. And I'm sure that this is the first book you've seen me read since you got here. It's not even that big, and besides you were doing homework."
Ron was quiet for a while before speaking again. "Fun summer, huh?"
"Yeah." He turned another page.
"You and Hermione-"
"Are just friends, Ron. She's like my sister. Or, well, she would be if I had a sister." Harry replied. He shrugged and put down the book. As glad as he was to see Ron, Harry could see that he wasn't going to get any further, and was a bit annoyed.
/Thank, god. He put that damn book away./ "Oh." He paused for a second. "Harry, what's with the earrings?" Ron said from the floor.
I was wondering when he would get around to asking, Harry laughed to himself. "Hermione talked me into getting them. I'm used to them by now, I guess. Why?"
"It's just that, well, they look sort of, well... nice glasses Harry." /How do I tell him!/
"Ron." Harry threw one of the pillows at him.
"Huh." He grabbed the pillow before it hit him and put under his head.
"Don't change the subject."
"Sort of gay. That's all."
"Would you have a problem with it if I was?" Harry raised and eyebrow. If he had another pillow he would have thrown that one at him too.
"Are you?"
"...Go to sleep, Ron." Harry turned over in the bed with his back towards Ron. He reached over to touch the lamp. Hermione's parents had those neat touch lamps.
After that Ron was left to his own thoughts.
/Of coarse I would care if you were gay! That would be so discussing!/ Ron stopped for a second. /What if he is?/ Ron shook his head, as if to clear the thought. /Of coarse he isn't. He's probably shagging every girl in Hogwarts. Yeah./ Ron let himself drift asleep to his reassuring thoughts.
His eyes flew open. /What if he like's me!/
(A week later on the Hogwarts Express)
Things between them had started out tense, and now it was no better. Ron had made it obvious that he didn't approve of him and Hermione. Though, he was trying to keep quiet about this to some extent.
All of a sudden Harry pulled Hermione out of her seat over to the window.
"Look!" Harry said urgently. His eyes had sparkled a bit.
"What is it?!" Hermione brain had just caught up with the rest of her body. She stared out the window for a second. Then she spotted who he had been looking at. She hadn't known what to expect seeing him again this year. "Oh my god!" He is cute, beautiful, handsome... whatever adjective you wanted to use.
"Guys. What are you looking at?" He was still surprised from Harry grabbing his girlfriend. He remembered after a moment that Harry wasn't interested in her. But what could have grabbed both of their attention? And who out there was worth Hermione's attention!? Her jaw had dropped practically. And she was his! Or at least he thought she was his. They hadn't really done anything more than hug. That kiss in Diagon Alley was pretty much the only one they had shared.
Draco saw them in the window as he passed and saluted at them, with a smile on his face. He then pulled a dark haired boy behind him onto the train. Hermione continued to watch boy until he was out of sight. It took her a second to place his name. Blaise Zabini.
"Harry! Hermione! Hello... I'm still here! Is anybody there?!"
Harry and Hermione seemed to realize that Ron was still sitting behind them.
"Oh! It's was nothing, Ron." Harry blushed and dropped Hermione's hand.
"Yeah. It was nothing." Hermione repeated. /He had nice eyes./ she admitted.
"Then what was out there that had BOTH of you drooling like a couple of dogs!"
"Are you comparing me to a dog, Ronald Weasly!?" Hermione scowled at the redheaded boy.
"No! It was just an expression!"
"Well, it's not a very good one!" Hermione then pulled out a pair of muggle earphones and a book, and then proceeded to ignore Ron for the rest of the ride.
"You need to watch what you say, Ron." Harry said in a slightly cold voice. He had just about had enough of this. Ron would blow up at them for every single miniscule thing.
"I just never know what's going on with you two anymore! First you two are keeping secrets, then you and Hermione start acting so strange after spending the summer together. Holding her hand and hugging on her. If you weren't my best friend I would think that you two were going out behind my back!" Ron screamed before sitting back in his seat and sulked.
"Ron. You are an idiot if you think that Hermione and I are going out. We don't like each other like that! We just understand each other. That's all. She more like a sister to me, as I told you already." He sat down beside Ron and nudged him in the side to get him to look at him.
Ron looked up to scrutinize Hermione in front of him. "I just don't understand what's going on. Last year I thought that I knew everything about you two and now I feel like I'm missing out on a big secret that neither of you will tell me about." He then faced Harry.
"There's nothing wrong or anything. I assure you of that, Ron." He ended the conversation with this and spent the rest of the time staring out the window.
Chapter 1
Chapter 3
