Chapter Eight
Denial?

Author's Note: To Martablack2- It's alternate universe kinda... Do I get eleven out of ten now? Lol. Thank you soooooo much for all the reviews! I LOVE THEM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUUUUUCH! Lol. Okay here it finally is! Chapter eight! Hope y'all like it!

I can't do that, Hermione said to Lavendar and Luna, standing right next to her front door.

Yes you can, they both said.

NO I can't!YES YOU CAN! they shouted.

Shut up, Lavendar said.

Just shut up! Herms, I saw him yesterday, he's got his foot halfway out the door and he's gonna run. All you have to do is add the feather that's about to break the camel's back!You say that like it's so easy! Hermione turned to her.

It is, she stopped short. Wait, just wait a minute! Hermione asked, looking slightly confused.

You do like him! You are falling for him! I was right! Woo hoo! she shot her fists over her head in victory.

Hermione was, of course, completely caught off guard, No! What are you talking about?

Lavendar turned to Luna, I called that one!I'm not falling for him! I've come this far already, why would I start liking him?You're lying through your teeth! Luna added.

Hermione laughed, I am not!You know Hermione, you can back out of the bet, it's only fifty quid, it doesn't mean anything, she informed her.

Hermione groaned, I don't like him! It's not about the fifty quid it's to prove to you, you're a beautiful person and you lost what's-his-face because you made dating mistakes and not because you have something wrong with you.

Silence.

Then: That is the saddest effin' thing I have ever heard! Lavendar told her. You like him, and you're going to go over there right now and be the normal Hermione, not the Hermione on seventeen different drugs.No, I'm not backing down!

What the hell are you saying! a little squeaky voice in the back of her head shouted.

Luna said. Then go over there right now and be annoying, she demanded.

Fine, I will! so she picked up the large tote Sacagawea was resting in and walked out the door.

You think she'll lose him? Lavendar asked.

Not a chance.
...

As Hermione drove to Harry's flat with Sacagawea sleeping in the passenger's seat, she began to think.

Should I call him before I go over there? she asked herself but soon a little voice sounding a lot like Lavendar's popped into her head. You do like him! You are falling for him! I was right! Woo hoo!'

She shook her head and drove faster down the road.

Lavendar's words played over and over in her mind, like a broken record, spinning out of control.

She tried to distract herself with other things, nice weather, beautiful blue skies, nice bright green trees... Like his eyes.

She groaned loudly as she stopped at a red light, this was absurd, completely ridiculous, absolutely ludicrous.

Is it? Is it really as crazy as you're making it out to be?

Yes.

Riiiight, you're just too embarrassed to admit that you're starting to really like him.

NO! That's not it. Why would I be embarrassed to admit that? He's not ugly, he's actually pretty attractive, and he's sweet, caring, thoughtful-

BEEEEEEEEEEEP!

Hermione was snapped out of the conversation she was having with her conscience when the car horn behind her beeped shrilly and she found the light had turned green.

In a split second she realized she was grinning stupidly, about Harry nonetheless.

Oh for God's sake! and she slammed her foot against the pedal.
...

Harry woke up, he rubbed his eyes groggily, and yawned. It was late in the afternoon and he was happier than ever to be sleeping in. He remembered how he wouldn't be seeing Hermione that day and smiled inspite of himself.

Not long after he heard the doorbell ring, little did he know Hermione was standing on the other side of it, fidgeting nervously.

He reluctantly pulled himself out of bed and headed for the front door, in the groggy haze of dreamland, forgot he was only in boxers.

(Author's Note: Wink wink)

He didn't even check to see who was behind the door, only opened it and was greeted by a sharp intake of breath by Hermione.

Harry's face was blank, he wasn't expecting to see her for at least two days.

he asked, running a hand anxiously through his hair.

said Hermione, restraining herself from lunging at him.

Were you expecting someone else? he smiled jokingly.

she said quickly. It's just-Wait, what are you doing here? The therapist said we needed to take a break from each other, he reminded her.

Great, Hermione thought, time to put on the act.

Hermione placed a pout on her lips, I missed you.

He sighed softly and scratched the back of his head.

You're not mad are you, Boo-Boo? she asked, looking completely hurt.

That's it, Harry thought. He was strong, he was smart, he could get her to stop acting like a nutter long enough to convince tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum that she loved him.

No, not at all, he gulped. I missed you too.

Hermione's ears perked a little,

He nodded.

Aw, Harry! she whimpered and placed the tote in which Sacagawea was standing shakily on the ground.

He smiled politely.

I give up, she thought. That smile was too cute and it definitely broke the camel's back...

She latched herself onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck and jamming her lips against his. He resisted slightly at first but as her fingers entangled themselves in his hair he encircled his arms around her waist and kissed back.

You do like him! You are falling for him! I was right! Woo hoo!

Hermione pulled away slightly as Lavendar's words crossed her mind again, but Harry pulled her back in, his lips dancing against her. He placed a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her closer to him if possible.

You do like him! You are falling for him! I was right! Woo hoo!

Hermione thought for a second, she wasn't going to win the bet this way, she wasn't going to prove that Luna was a beautiful person, and she wasn't going prove to Lavendar that she didn't like Harry.

Sod it.

But before she could get deeper into the kiss someone cleared their throat from behind them. Hermione reluctantly pulled away as Harry slowly let go, they both looked at the open doorway and saw Ron and Neville.

Did we interrupt something? Ron asked, grinning.

Uh, no- Harry began.

Ya know if you're gonna get it on you could at least close the door, added Neville.

What do you two want? Harry asked impatiently.

said Ron, he looked at Harry standing there clad in his boxers.

But we know what you want, Neville put in, and he and Ron began to laugh.

You two are so immature, Harry scoffed, pushing them out the door, and locking it behind them.

I guess you want some privacy then! Ron shouted through the door.

Neville snorted, That was a good one, they soon heard their fading footsteps and Harry turned back to Hermione.

Her heart was beating wildly and her breathing was ragged.

Relax, just calm down, he's not even that hot. She laughed a little, I'm bloody mad.

What's so funny? he asked, a grin tugging at his lips.

She was silent for a minute, I need to lose him, I can't keep doing this, I don't love him!

She frowned.

What's wrong? he asked, as she lowered herself onto the couch.

She was silent as he kneeled in front of her.

She shook her head.

he put a hand on her knee. What is it?

Hermione looked at his hand, then looked up at him.

she whispered.

She clasped a hand on the back of Harry's neck, covered his lips with hers, and pulled herself down against him so they were both kneeling. She wrapped both arms tightly around his neck as he slowly ran his fingers down her back.

They clumsily stood up, and with their lips still locked they stumbled into Harry's bedroom.

In a twist of legs and arms they fell onto Harry's bed.

So many thoughts were running through Hermione's mind she couldn't keep track, as Harry lay on top of her, his lips searching hungrily.

As Harry's lips moved to graze the side of her neck Hermione took a deep breath and thought clearly, I don't like him, I don't like him, she told herself.

Why are you denying it?

Because... Because... Because!

Nice answer.

I've come this far through this bet why would I turn around now?

Because you're starting to actually like him.

No I'm not!

Harry was about to move his lips to hers again but instead she put her hands on his shoulders and held him back.

What's the matter? he asked breathlessly.

she stuttered, looking into his eyes.

As she looked into his expectant eyes she kept telling herself, I'm not falling for him, I'm gonna lose him, Luna and Lavendar have no idea what they're talking about.

he asked again.

I, I have to go, and she pushed him off of her, scrambling out of the room.

As she headed for the door he called, Hermione, wait!No, I need to- I-I'll see you later, she fumbled for the doorknob and finally got it open.

Hermione, I- but before he could say anything she shut the door swiftly, leaving Sacagawea to stare at him.
...

Hermione walked down the street, getting as far away from Harry's flat as she could.

I don't love him, she muttered under her breath.

She didn't like him, he didn't mean anything to her, he was just some guy she found in a bar that she had to lose, that was it.

You like him, you're just too blind to see it.

No, I'm not. That is why I'm going to be even more annoying from now on.

You're just denying your own feelings.

Hermione sighed with determination, she would just have to be more annoying.

No sweat.

Author's Note: I know this chapter was short and slightly pointless, sorry. Hope you liked it all the same, the next chapter will be longer and it should be up soon. Thanks for reading! Love always, pottersweetie.