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Chapter 12

A Date and A Happy Moment Shattered

Hermione and Gilderoy had finally managed to stumble into Gilderoy's room. With their clothes half off they lay together kissing passionately on the bed. Gilderoy pushed Hermione's shirt off her shoulders and pulled it down over her arms. Still kissing her deeply he began to unzip the side of her skirt. Hermione put her hand over his, halting his movements.

"I think maybe we should stop now," she breathed.

"Let me make love to you," Gilderoy whispered in her ear sending a shiver through her body.

"Yeess," she whispered back "But not now, I want everything to be perfect",

"You're perfect," he said continuing to unzip her skirt.

Hermione once again held onto his hand.

"I wanted to ask you," she began "I want us to go out together. On a date for dinner together, and then later...," she left her sentence unfinished but her meaning was clear.

Gilderoy moved his hand away from her side and gently brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. He laughed softly.

"You're right, this isn't the time. It's just that you are so beautiful and I want to be with you so much," he said looking deeply into her eyes so that she felt almost breathless at the desire and longing she saw in his gaze.

In response she put her arms around him and pulled him close, relishing the smooth firmness of his body against hers. She never felt so safe and warm as when she was pressed close to Gilderoy she thought.

Harry sat at a table in the corner of the Gryffindor common room. It was approaching one in the morning but he didn't feel the least bit tired. After seeing Hermione and Gilderoy together he had stumbled back to his room, barely aware of his surroundings.

Sitting on his bed unbidden tears had began to coarse down his cheeks. Wiping them angrily away with his fists he whispered

"No, no, no, no."

This negative seemed to be the only words he was capable of uttering, and the sound of it filled him with both despair and anger. Oh Hermione why? It was as though someone had taken his heart and clasped it in a tight grip and was squeezing for all they were worth.

"You ok Harry?" Ron's voice asked.

Harry frantically wiped at his face and turned around. Ron was standing over by the door looking concernedly in Harry's direction.

"Hermione and Gilderoy..." Harry started to say, but it felt too painful to speak it out aloud.

"What?" Ron asked "What's happened?"

"I saw them...together," Harry said in a low voice.

Ron grinned and walked over to where Harry was sitting.

"That's great then isn't it, you'll win the bet and everything will be..." he trailed off when he saw Harry's face properly.

"Harry, what? Are you sure you're ok?"

"That lousy, scheming, arrogant ahhhgggrr. He's just taking advantage of her, she doesn't realize, he's just using her for his own no good, self centered pleasure," Harry said through clenched teeth.

Ron shook his head sympathetically.

"Harry....I don't know how to say this....but as your best friend...." Ron started.

"What?" said Harry looking up and frowning at Ron's tone of voice.

"Isn't it about time you admitted your feelings for her mate?" Ron asked gently.

"What in the hell are you talking about?" Harry asked angrily pushing Ron's hand off his shoulder. "There's nothing between Hermione and me. She's a good friend and that's it!" Oh is she? Well then why do you feel this way Harry?

Ron held up his hands in protest.

"Ok, ok Harry," he said getting up and backing away. "I'll..er...just leave you to get over her...um...it, then," he said quickly making his way to the door.

I'm not going to let Lockhart get away with this Harry decided. Hermione needs to be told what he's really up to – for her own good.

With that thought Harry had sat waiting in the common room for Hermione to return that evening.

Hermione kissed Gilderoy one more time and slipped out his door, looking anxiously down the corridor to make sure no one was in sight. It was nearly one o'clock and despite being in seventh year she would be in trouble if anyone caught her out so late. And explanations of what she was doing were definitely not what she wanted right now. Walking slowly back to the common room, Hermione felt bathed in a warm glow. Her and Gilderoy were having dinner together tomorrow night in Hogsmeade and then after that they were spending the night together....She felt a little thrill of anticipation run through her. Things were all falling into place, in two days the bet would be over, Lavender could shut up and hopefully Gildeory would never find out. Harry's going to be so pleased she thought happily as she climbed through the portrait hole into the common room.

Harry heard the fat lady's portrait swing open and stood up. Hermione clambered through into the room and saw Harry over in the corner.

"Harry?" she said uncertainly "What are you doing here up so late and alone? Anyway," she said walking towards him "I've got really great news, I'm going on a date with Gilderoy in tomorrow...." She stopped when she saw his expression.

"Gilderoy is it now?" he asked in a quiet voice that didn't conceal the anger lying just beneath.

"Um I meant...er...Professor Lockhart,"

"Hermione I saw you. With..with him," Harry spat out unable to contain the disgust in his voice.

"Harry, I...um...I don't," Hermione began and then trailed off not knowing what to say. Something had gone very wrong but she couldn't figure out what exactly it was.

Harry walked up close to her and placed his hands on he shoulders.

"Hermione, he's just using you," he said looking forcefully at her with his vivid green eyes.

Hermione pushed Harry's hands off and stepped back. He had never touched her like that before and the look in his eyes had been so intense. It was almost scary the way he was acting....

"Harry I love him," she said suddently feeling the need to let him know.

Harry's eyes seemed to suddenly deepen to a darker green. He shook his head vehemently.

"Hermione you don't know what you're saying. He's...he's put some spell on you or something".

"Don't be silly," Hermione said laughing nervously. "There's nothing to worry about, Gilderoy and I really care about each other, it's ok. We're even going on a date and that means the bet will be over and you'll have won".

"Hermione I'm sorry," Harry said as though he hadn't heard her. "But I'm going to have to tell McGonagall what he's done to you. He needs to be got rid of, teachers aren't allowed to act this way". he finished definitely.

Hermione felt herself go cold. It was as though Harry had gone crazy all of a sudden. But have you seen the way he looks at you? Why is he really so upset?

"Harry, don't be silly everything's fine," she began in what she hoped was a placatory voice, while her insides were heaving. If Harry went to McGonagall...

"Hermione this is for your own good," he said decisively. "Remember when you told McGonagall about my firebolt to protect me?"

Hermione nodded mutely.

"Well I'm going to do the same for you now. I know it doesn't seem like it but you'll thank me later."

"I'll see you in the morning Hermione," he added and turned away.

"Harry wait!" she called her heart beating furiously.

"Please, please don't tell McGonagall! At least give me until tomorrow night to call things off with Lockhart".

"I'll think about it," Harry said walking out of the room.

Hermione collapsed into an armchair. Tears welled in her eyes and started to spill down her cheeks. Why is this happening when everything was so perfect? Why can't I be allowed some happiness for once.... And Harry.... I know he thinks he's helping me, if only he could see the truth...Sobbing quietly to herself for what seemed like years she eventually fell into an uneasy sleep without even being aware of it.

Harry tossed and turned in his bed. He kept seeing the anguish on Hermione's face when he had told her he was going to tell McGonagall and it had hurt him deep inside. It's for the best though he told himself. Hermione doesn't realize what Lockhart's doing. She needs someone who truly loves her for herself. Someone like you? Harry pushed that thought away as quickly as it surfaced. It was ridiculous. Why don't you just admit it? Tell her how you feel?

"Because she would never like me like," that he mumbled to himself as he finally dropped into a fitful sleep......