Chapter Fourteen
When A Man Loves A Woman

Author's Note: This chapter will probably be a bit short... Sorry, it is the last chapter though. Lyrics in this chapter belong to Percy Sledge. Hope you like it!

She stared at the clock, it was exactly 4:36 and she hadn't slept a wink all night.

Truth be told she hadn't stopped thinking about Harry since leaving Lavendar's flat, and she was still thinking about him at 4:30 in the morning.

Her thoughts wrestled each other as she tossed and turned. Maybe he actually did like her, after all he did smile when she told him she loved him...

No Hermione don't be stupid, he just stayed with you for the bet... He never actually liked you...

She held back a sob, she felt she had done enough crying that day.

Finally when she thought she was about to rip her hair out she heard a distant voice and she was sure she had lost her mind.

When a man loves a woman... Can't keep his mind on nothin' else! He'd trade the world for a good thing he's found!

Hermione recognized the voice as a familar song but wear it was coming from she didn't know.

If she is bad, he can't see it, she can do no wrong! Turn his back on his best friend if he puts her down, the singing continued, at first she thought it was coming from her radio alarm clock, it did tend to turn on in the middle of the night at random.

She lifted her head off the pillow to listen more carefully.

When a man loves a woman, spend his very last dime! she knotted her eyebrows. Trying to hold on to what he needs! He'd give up all his comforts and sleep out in the rain, if she said that's the way it ought to be!

She thought it might be coming from one of the apartments next to her but then she got up and walked into her living room, it grew louder.

When a man loves a woman, I give you everything I've got, trying to hold on to your precious love, baby please don't treat me bad!What the- Hermione asked herself as she heard it growing louder in her entrance hall.

When a man loves a woman deep down in his soul, she can bring such misery if she is playing him a for a fool, he's the last one to know, loving eyes can never see!

Hermione unlocked her front door and opened it, revealing Harry standing there belting out the familar song as her neighbors came out and complained.

Yes when a man- Hermione ran up to him and covered his mouth with her hands.

Harry what the hell are you doing! she hissed, dragging him into her apartment, and uncovering his mouth.

And as soon as she did he covered her lips with his.

When Hermione realized what was happening she pulled back quickly and snapped, What do you think you're doing!Hermione I had to see you, I need to be with you!Why so you can win your bet? she shouted.

No, I threw the bet... At first when you were acting weird I stayed with you for the bet but then even though I couldn't admit it to myself, let alone you, I knew I was in love with you and I still am, he hesitated. And all though you may hate me and you probably don't believe me I still love you and I'll wait for you forever if I have to, he was breathless.

Hermione just stared at him, expressionless.

He looked at her with large hopeful eyes, then ran into the hallway and came back with a small potted tree.

I bought you another lemon tree, he put it down. Just please give me another chance.You love me even though I acted like a nutcase, embarrassed you in front of a bunch of people, made you do things against your will, and put you through hell with my family and you still feel that way. he didn't hesitate.

She shook her head, I don't believe it, as she spoke his shoulders fell but he didn't turn to leave.

After everything? After I admitted to my bet, told you I loved you, informed you that I never want to see you again because of your bet, you still had the nerve to come back to my flat, tell me you love me and you'll wait for me forever? she asked disbelievingly.

He didn't flinch, his eyes didn't falter from hers, and he answered,

Her voice was growing shaky as they stood there in the dark, You expect me to just wrap my arms around you, tell you how much I love you, and snog you senseless?

He was beginning to worry she would turn him down, but he kept firm and replied, If you want to.And after I acted in that way for two weeks with you you still love me? she questioned.

Acted in what way? he asked.

She was now in tears, You know, like a complete nutter.I didn't notice, he said, almost in a whisper.

She let a sob escape her lips.

He walked closer to her, took her hands in his and softly said, I'm not expecting you to do anything for me, I don't even deserve you talking to me-But I had a bet too-It doesn't matter, he replied. The point is I don't expect anything from you. I just want you to listen.

She stayed silent and watched him with full, watery eyes.

True, I had the bet and when I saw how weird you were acting I stayed with you just because I wanted to win it, and I thought you were so amazing when I first met you that you'd be like that again. And even after you still stayed a little... Odd, I didn't care, I had fallen in love with you; And although I kept telling myself I was staying with you for the bet I was really in love.

A tear dribbled out of her eye.

I'm not saying you have to forgive me, you have every right to hate me, but... I'm sorry, he offered.

Hermione was quiet for a minute. After all she had done to him he was still taking the blame for everything... Maybe it wasn't all for the bet-

No I can't, she pulled away. I love you too much, I don't want to get hurt again! she shouted.

Harry paused, slightly taken aback, then whispered, I would never hurt you.How do I know this isn't another part of your bet? she spat.

Harry felt numb, fear was ripping through him like a current; What if she didn't even give him a second chance? What if she could never see that he truly, deeply loved her?

he said, tears threatening to choke his voice. I love you... I'm sorry, he cut himself off, in fear he would start bawling... What had she done to him?

Right at that moment Hermione felt a stab at her heart, she trusted him, she believed him, the bet was over and he was sorry.

Oh Harry, she quickly ran up to him and rapped her arms around his neck. I love you, she whispered, hugging him tightly. I'm so sorry!Don't be, he stroked her hair.

I was such an idiot, I could've been honest from the beginning-

He cut her off, It doesn't matter now.I love you so much, she said, wishing she had said it earlier.

I love you too, he answered. Nutter or not, he joked.

She pulled away from him and looked at him accusingly, smiling all the same.

I think this is the part where you snog me senseless, he said hopefully.

She laughed, I thought that was optional? she teased.

Well if you don't-

But he couldn't finish because Hermione had kissed him firmly on the lips.

... If you think about it, neither of them really lost anything... They had actually gained somethig...

But that's a different story.

The End

Author's Note: Well that's all folks! Thanks for reading and reviewing! I love you guys soooo much! And that different story'? Yeah... Now I have to write a sequel! Winks Lol. Watch out for it, I'll probably have it up sometime this week/weekend. Thanks for reading! Love always, pottersweetie