Harry and Hermione: A Coincidental Love

Chapter 8: I Don't Care About Them, I Care About You

A/N: I just realized something. I accidentally put Fred and George in here, even though, well, it is Harry's last year. How about this to some of the people who have noticed this as well: Let's just say Fred and George DRASTICALLY messed up on their NEWTs, hmm? Sorry about the confusion, if any, and for those who didn't notice this, well, yeah. It began to bother me. Oh, well. On to the story, eh? Later, remember to review and continue reading!

Harry's POV

I woke up, not seeing anyone in the Common Room. It still seemed dark, and I had a massive headache. At least this time it was a normal headache, and not one like when my scar was tearing my forehead apart. I rubbed it, and stared as the last few embers of the fire burned out and slowly became only ashes. I leaned against the couch, not wanting to leave it, for my legs felt like jelly. "Harry?" I heard a soft voice call, almost timidly, from behind. I turned around to see Hermione standing there, in a white night gown. I smiled at her and said, "Yes?"

He just smiled lightly, more like smirked actually, and walked over. She sat beside me and asked, "Let me guess… You couldn't sleep either?" I shook my head, and she leaned her head against my chest. "God… I had a nightmare about Ron… And Ginny… And you. I am so glad to see that you are still with me, Harry. I whispered softly into her ear, "You won't ever have to worry about that." "That is what Ron said." "Yes, but I mean it." She smiled, and stretched out against the couch. I heard a soft sigh, and I wrapped my arm around her protectively. I leaned my head against hers. She let out a small sigh, and then, I fell asleep.

I woke up, everyone crowding around the couch Hermione and me slept together in. I yawned, and one arm stretched up. This sudden movement, however, woke Hermione up. She smiled, as she had seen me first, I thought, but then jumped back when she noticed the crowd. "I can't believe you two! What, about a week you lost your "true loves," and you go and sleep together like that. I hope you didn't do… Anything ELSE on that couch," said Angelina. "Hey, shut up! They didn't do anything; Angelina, they are being completely innocent! I can't believe how cynical you can be!" shouted Fred (I think). "And how bitchy you can be," added George. "Uh! I thought you liked me!" shouted Angelina at Fred. "Not anymore. I am finding someone who isn't so… Annoying," started Fred. "Rude," continued George. "And not to mention, such an asshole," ended George. I looked at the twins and smirked, they winked, and walked out.

I looked at Hermione as the crowd began to dwindle, but of course, everyone was whispering. One hint: They weren't talking and Fred, George, or Angelina. Yeah, you could tell they were talking about Hermione and me since they kept glancing at us. I stood up, helping Hermione to her feet, and walked out to get some normal clothes on. I walked out of the room at about the same time Hermione did, and we walked out together, side by side, trying the best we could to ignore the crowd.

Hermione hugged herself once we were out, and I tried to put my arm around her. She shrugged me off, and walked to the side, like she didn't even know me. "Hermione?" I asked, afraid of what I was going to hear. "Do you hear what they are calling me? A SLUT, for Christ's sake! I didn't do anything! I just… God… Harry, I don't think I should see you anymore," she said, all put together, as if she was talking to ten different people at once. I am not sure I caught everything, but I think I got the entire picture. She ran away, crying, holding her head in her hands. I looked at her, trying to catch up, but she was smaller than me, and got through the people who were in the hallway, and seemed to disappear.

I hurried into the Great Hall, as all eyes were on me. They probably think I did something to Hermione… I thought. I opened the doors to the Great Hall, and the once noisy Hall became silent. So silent you could hear a pen drop. Literally. Just then, Neville dropped his quill, and it seemed to echo through the Hall.

I sat down, as he looked around. Most people were looking straight at me and others were just picking at their breakfasts. I reached for the porridge bravely, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. Everyone began to talk again, and Neville whispered to me," Is it true you shagged Hermione on the couch by the fire, then spent the rest of the night there?" "WE DIDN'T SHAG! WE JUST… Ok, we just spent the night together, but it was an honest accident, I mean… Not an accident, but…" I became so flustered my words didn't make sense anymore, even to myself. "Strained night, Harry?" asked Seamus in fake concern. I glared at them, and got up, leaving my porridge unfinished. I had to find Hermione. No doubt she was getting more insults than me… When guys have sex, they are masculine in the eyes of the world, and when girls have sex, they are sluts. And the world, or at least the part of the world that mattered most to me, thought that we had sex.

I ran through the halls, looking desperately for Hermione. It was time finally for classes, and Hermione was nowhere to be found. I decided if she was going anywhere, it would be the classes, and I headed to the Transfiguration classroom. I walked in, and of course, all eyes were on me. "Mr. Potter…" she began. "I know, I'm late, and I have a detention." I finished for her. I couldn't get to it in time, even though this time I knew the halls back and front. "That, and also, I believe I need to talk to you and Hermione in my office." I nodded, prepared for the talk about us supposedly having sex.

I walked into the office, to see a distraught Hermione slumped down in a chair. I smiled at her, but she just looked down, as if she had done something wrong. "Mr. Potter, I know you two did not, in fact, have sex, as the rumors say. I am afraid that there is nothing to do about them. I have already talked to Hermione, but, Ms. Granger, if you don't mind, I would like to speak to Harry alone?" Hermione nodded, and got up. She left the room, back into the room with all the students, who were probably now jeering at her, making her more upset. I cringed at the thought of seeing Hermione cry again just because of them.

"Mr. Potter, may I speak bluntly?" asked Professor McGonagall. "I suppose…" I said, trailing off. "Harry, it is obvious that you love Hermione. True, you did love before, only to have her taken away from you. I am glad you found someone so suitable for yourself soon after. Many people will mourn their entire lives for one love. To be honest, chances for love and romance are all around. Look at Cho Chang. It has been almost three years now, and she is still mourning Cedric. If she keeps this up, she will never love again, her heart will turn to stone. Protect and love Hermione, Harry. She needs you right now, no matter how much she pushes you away. Right now, you two are the only ones—besides Fred and George Weasly, I might add—that each other have. Harry, don't let your possibly only chance for love get away so quickly." She seemed really into this topic, and I was amazed. I never saw this side of McGonagall. She seemed as if she had made the same mistake Cho did, even if it was so long ago… We walked out of the room, back out to where all the students kept watching me. They were studying me, judging me, and trying to figure out what really happened.

Hermione's POV

I sat down, leaning my head against my arm. My cheeks were tear stained from crying, and I was tired. Not tired physically… I had just had the best night's sleep I had ever had in my entire life last night! But, I was tired emotionally. It felt like Ron had played with my emotions by promising to be there forever, and Harry had said the same thing. Draco had tried to rape me, which also upset me. But Harry protected me from that. People started messing with me about stuff I was innocent to. But Harry had tried to protect me from that. Ron had just recently died, along with Ginny. But Harry had helped me with that. "Duh." I whispered to myself, finally realizing that Harry cared for me—deeper than that of a best friend. He loved me, he truly did. I had just pushed him away for so long, it seemed as if I really believed I cared for him the way I had been acting.

I sighed, but I still was conscious of everyone whispering about me. Harry walked through the door, and he looked deep in thought. I kept eye contact away from him, so as I could try to concentrate on my schoolwork.

After Transfiguration, we went to Potions, and then we had lunch. Harry sat next to me, and said," You know, I don't care about what they say." "How can you not?" I asked. "Because, their opinions don't matter. I don't care about them, Hermione, I care about you," he said. I smiled at him, the first genuine smile I had smiled for a while, and hugged him tightly. He hugged back and whispered into my ear," I love you. I don't care what they say about it." "I love you, too."

A/N: Alright. I have maybe one, or two more chapters to go before I start a new series. Well, review, and maybe I'll update really fast. XD Bye!