A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the third chapter! Enjoy this one too!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters mentioned, they all belong to JK Rowling. \
craziweirdo- your name is really cute! thanks alot! i will keep updating if you keep reviewing! hope you enjoy this chappie. -shoots you a love arrow
londonmalfoy- thanks for your review. yeah, draco's a naughty boy in this fic! (: lots of love! -shoots you a love arrow
bookwormj- aww! you make me blush! thanks ALOT. im glad you liked it! heres the update! (: hugs hugs hugs. -shoots you a love arrow!
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ElizabethV- haha! i HATED those burst outs! I can't wait till Draco and Hermione talk too.. but haha. that will be probably in end chapter 5 or the whole of chapter 6! but it WILL HAPPEN. i promise! -cross my heart. (: thanks for your lengthy review! -shoots you a BIG arrow of thanks:
Chapter Four
Resolving Differences
Hermione rolled over onto her side, her hair fell in her face, the sun shined right through the window in the cramped room. Hermione groaned slightly, and turned to bury her face in her pillow and tried to get back to sleep, but to no avail. Grumbling incoherently about the bright sunshine that shone into her room, Hermione sat up and stretched, still yawning and swung her legs off the bed and pulled her bathrobe on, tying it messily while she slipped on her comfortable 'bunny' shoes.
She was just about to open the door to go to the bathroom when she couldn't open the door. Grunting and heaving, she continued trying to open the door but only to burn her hand on the knob. Suddenly a light bulb flashed in her brain.
I locked it.
Hermione swore, and blew angrily at her smarting hand before grabbing her wand and undoing all those nasty locking spells she placed on the door. Last night's events flooded her mind as she remembered Harry and Terry's anger towards her, and the fight she had with Harry. Locking the door to prevent anyone from coming in. No one even bothered to knock on her door, thought Hermione.
Feeling like her entire day was thrown out of the window, Hermione suddenly felt full of fatigued and wanted to crawl back into bed, unwilling to face the penetrating gazes from those emerald green eyes.
Fustrated, Hermione ran a hand through her hair, still contemplating between her choices: going back to bed and hiding or facing the music by being the true Gryffindor she was. As much as the first option sounded like heaven to her, Hermione, being Hermione, chose the latter option, and heaved a sigh before she thrust open her door determinely and walked quickly into the bathroom and locked the door, before immersing herself in a hot shower.
After her shower she brushed her teeth and dried her hair with a simple spell before tying it up hastily. Hermione then got dressed in a pair of snug jeans and a baby tee before she went downstairs to breakfast.
As she thundered down the steps and into the kitchen, she found herself face to face with Harry, Ron, and Terry Boot, all were eating their breakfasts and paused to see Hermione rush in.
Hermione managed a weak smile and settled at the end of the table, grabbing some toast and scooping eggs onto her plate, all the while staring firmly at the willow-patterned plate. The tension in the room was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Hermione fiddled with her food, not really eating. When she finally did look up, she saw a pair of blue eyes glaring at her; Terry Boot.
Freaking jackass.
Hermione swore inwardly, but managed to control her anger and continued eating in silence, Ron was shooting her sympathetic looks, but Hermione didn't feel any more comforted. She cast a glance at Harry, but his eyes too, were firmly set on his plate.
Terry finally finished eating, and with a parting glare at Hermione, he left the kitchen. Hermione could not help but heave a sigh of relief as she watched Terry's retreating form leave the kitchen.
One day I'm going to settle this with you Terry Boot. thought Hermione, feeling more comfortable. Ron even managed to start a conversation.
"So, 'Mione, did you sleep well?" he asked casually, shoving scrambled eggs into his mouth as he spoke.
Hermione nodded, smiling cheerily. "Like a baby. Where's Mr and Mrs Weasley? And the rest?"
"Mm, the others are somewhere else, doing "adult" stuff," Ron made a face,"but Mum is upstairs with Tonks.." Ron trailed off, and cast Harry a suspecting look, but Harry only continued eating silently.
"Oh, I see." said Hermione softly, she was worried about Harry, was he still angry at her? "Er, any idea what we're going to do today?" she asked in a mock cheery voice, trying to lift the tension.
"Dunno, mate, what do ya wanna do?" Ron jabbed Harry.
Harry glared sullenly at Ron before replying. "Kill Malfoy." he said coldly.
Ron grimaced and shot Hermione a warning look; Hermione's mouth was open and she was about to counter his statement, but with Ron's look, she set her mouth in a firm line and didn't say anything.
Harry seemed surprised, and looked her in the eyes for the first time. "Aren't you going to visit Draco?" Harry asked, his voice as cold as ever.
"Aw, Harry, c'mon-" Ron started, but Harry cut him off deftly with a glare.
Hermione bit her lip. Harry was being completely nonsensical and obviously picking a fight. Anger bubbled within the feisty Griffyndor and before she could help it, words started to tumble out of her mouth.
"No, I'm not. I was planning to spend time with you and Ron, but maybe we don't need to spend any time together." replied Hermione, using a scathing tone to speak to Harry.
Harry fixed his eyes on her, his gaze unwavering. "Maybe with Draco around we'll never need to spend anytime together."
"What's wrong with you Harry? Why do you keep dragging Malfoy into this? I didn't do anything wrong!" said Hermione angrily, her voice rising by the minute.
"Oh yes you did. You defended him!" thundered Harry, his emerald eyes glazed.
Ron placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Hey, chill."
Harry merely shrugged the hand away and continued. "Hermione you shielded that man, and blocked me from killing him! Why!"
"Because its not right to kill someone when they're so seroiusly injured! I would have thought you knew that Harry! You never take advantage of a person's injuries and just finish him off! Its not ethical!"
"Keeping that monster alive is not ethical!" snarled Harry, throwing his fork down in anger.
"It may not be ethical to YOU, but I don't necessarily share in that belief!" countered Hermione.
"You just like him don't you? Like that pretty face he has! He's a MONSTER Hermione! Stop being shallow by shielding him!" yelled Harry. As soon as the words came out from his mouth, Ron groaned and cursed softly.
Hermione felt tears brim in her eyes, she couldn't belief Harry was talking to her like that. Of all things he had to be jealous, JEALOUS of a near dying man. Jealous of the only man Hermione hated. It hurt her deeply when Harry said she was shallow. She was anything but shallow.
Harry saw the look on Hermione's face, suddenly he felt washed with guilt. Why did he have to be so hotheaded!
Shit, Harry you asshole! Look what you did! Now she's never going to talk to you again! thought Harry, swearing inwardly and cursing Malfoy for his pitiful existence.
"I never..Never liked Malfoy Harry Potter. I never did. I loathed him, but clearly you can't see anything in your deranged state. Me, shallow? Open your eyes and look at the world around you and maybe you'll understand where I come from. You disappoint me," Hermione said softly and her chocolate eyes filled with tears, fixed her gaze on Harry and cast him a sad look that made his heart pang with sadness before she dropped her cutlery and darted quickly upstairs where she locked herself in her room, muttered the same old locking spells and fell onto her bed.
"Mate, that was WAY overboard." said Ron shakily, glancing at his best friend, who sank back into his chair after his heated outburst.
Harry nodded, "I know."
"Why are you so pissed at her anyway? She's right you know." muttered Ron, scraping up the remainder of his food.
Harry swivelled to look at his best friend. "What?"
Ron swallowed, and looked at Harry, "I said, she's right about not killing people when they're hurt already." said Ron seriously, "And whats up with the whole 'shallow' thing? Dude, she likes YOU, not Malfoy. She hates Malfoy."
Harry sighed, "I know, I went out of line."
"Out? Harry, you were miles out of line!"
Harry groaned, "I know that Ron! Stop making me feel guilty."
"Go apologise. Like, now." said Ron.
Harry paused, and stared at his feet, he felt like he had a hole in his stomach with butterflies flying in and out of it. His mouth went dry and his chewed on his lip; a trait he had no doubt learned from Hermione. Casting his pride aside to apologise seemed like a task that was too difficult to do, but yet if he didn't apologise, he knew Hermione probably forget whatever chemistry and feelings they developed over this chaotic times and probably not talk to him. Or worse; revert back to treating him like a normal friend. Harry didn't want that. He loved Hermione, thats it. Love made him say all those silly things, Love made him feel all those funny things, Love made him feel jealous of a dying Malfoy, whom Hermione barely spoke 3 sentences to her entire life. Harry knew if he didn't go mend the situation and apologise, Hermione would never ever forget about this earlier episode, and would rear her stubborness and ignore Harry for eternity.
Ron, seeing his best friend mulling over his options, clucked disapprovingly, startling a dazed Harry.
"Ron, you sound like your mother!" joked Harry feebily, though he felt as if a huge stoned weighed upon his heart.
Ron shook his head. "Harry, go apologise. Chuck your man pride and apologise!"
Harry grimaced. "I guess I really should, huh?"
Ron nodded vigourously. "You don't get away so easily by calling Hermione a 'shallow' person and shuffing her in the 'Lavender Brown' category! She would have killed you if not for the fact she's crazy over you."
Harry couldn't help but smile at Ron's bluntness. The redhead, seeing his best friend's smile, grinned and nudged him to go after Hermione, who was currently hidden in her room.
"But mate, I'd get my hand scalded on that door of hers!" said Harry, remembering the various spells Hermione used to lock herself in.
Ron shrugged, "Beats not having her talk to you for life!"
"Have to agree with you on that. So, you're fine cleaning up?" Harry dragged on, shuffling his feet a little, a sudden wave of nervousness fell on his shoulders.
Ron nodded and sighed pitifully. "Good luck Harry!"
Harry smiled, and then quickly left the dining room and ran up to the third floor, and arrived outside Hermione's room.
He could hear muffled sobs coming from her room. Immediately he felt totally guilty all over again. Her last words replayed in his mind continously, reminding him of his utter foolishness this morning. He was about to reach for the knob, when he remembered all those nasty spells Hermione usually cast on doors to keep them lock. Keeping that in mind, Harry pulled out his wand from his pocket, and muttered the counter spells for the locks. A white light shone from the door and then it was locked no more.
Harry knocked once, and knocked twice, but Hermione chose not to answer.
"Hermione! Its..Its Harry. I know you're inside. Please let me in." called Harry.
"Go away!" came the muffled reply.
Harry sighed, "Herms, we need to talk ok?"
"No, we don't." argued Hermione, "Go away!"
Harry groaned in fustration and knocked loudly again, "I know I was a prat just now, and I'm sorry alright? We really need to talk Hermione!"
A silence fell over the third floor, no response came from Hermione, she probably was considering thought Harry. And he stepped away from her door, just standing there and praying that she would open her door.
"Come in," said Hermione softly, and a grin came to Harry's face. 'Thank God she's not THAT angry', thought Harry, opening the door slightly and first poking his raven haired head in.
"Er, I can come in?" he asked tentatively, and Hermione, whose back was facing him, nodded. "Thanks." Harry shut the door behind him quickly, and stood near her bed, hovering about uncertainly.
There was an awkward silence between the two, before Hermione broke the silence. "You said we needed to talk?"
"Oh yeah, we do. Um, mind facing me?"
Hermione swivelled around to face Harry, her eyes were slightly red(probably from crying) and she was chewing on her lip as usual. She moved to sit by the window pane, staring down at her feet.
Harry moved closer and sat by her feet, his back against the wall, facing the door.
"Well..Herms, I'm sorry for what I said today, and er, what I said yesterday. About you being shallow? That was really stupid of me." said Harry quietly, fiddling with his wand.
Hermione didn't reply, and instead stared outside her window, looking at the calm blue sky.
Harry looked up expectantly, and saw Hermione in a daze, and he sighed. "I..I know I was really,really, REALLY stupid to say those stuff about you, and about Malfoy," admitted Harry grudgingly, "but you got to understand something."
"Understand what?" asked Hermione, her voice was soft and quivered slightly as she spoke.
Harry stood up and sat next to her this time, and he grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "I'm scared of losing you, Herms. I can't bear to lose anything else." said Harry sadly, his emerald eyes downcast.
Hermione looked at the Boy Who Lived, now turned into such a handsome man; bright green eyes, messy but adorable black hair, built and tall. Now this man in front of her is telling her he can't live without her. Harry's eyes were looking down, and he didn't bring his head up, but Hermione smiled softly. Harry was such a sweetheart. He really was. To come up and apologise, she knew it was hard, since the one thing she loved most about Harry was his pride and his integrity. Now to bent his head down and say he was sorry to her, it was just too sweet.
Hermione gently removed her hands from Harry's, and instead flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Harry's arms went around her waist, and held her tightly.
"I'm so sorry Hermione, it was stupid to get angry like that." he mummered into her hair, holding her snug against him.
Hermione smiled and sighed contentedly. "Its okay Harry."
Harry smiled widely and pulled away, holding Hermione and arm's length, his eyes searching her face for a definite answer. "So you're not angry?"
Hermione laughed, and poked him hard in the chest. "No, but if you EVER do something like that again, I'll never talk to you again." said Hermione, but she didn't get to finish for Harry had engulfed her in a bone crushing hug.
As they were hugging, the pair heard a loud knock on the door and Ron's yell.
"OY! LOVEBIRDS! DUMBLEDORE WANTS US DOWNSTAIRS, NOW!" yelled Ron, even though he was just outside the door.
Harry and Hermione broke apart, startled by the yell and Harry flung open the door only to find a cheeky Ron, smiling mischeiviously at the two, arms folded and feet tapping. Harry punched him plafully on the shoulder, causing the freckled redhead to run downstairs with Harry and Hermione in hot pursuit. The Golden Trio ran down the stairs, bumping into Tonks and Remus(what were the two of them doing together anyway?), and rushing into the living room before flopping onto the couch, effectively monopolizing it.
The Weasley twins, Fred and George, were just sitting peacefully by the armchair talking to Anthony Goldstein when they heard AND saw the trio rush into the living room, laughing maniacally. Shaking his head, George tutted disapprovingly. "Childish behaviour! Really! Seventeen year olds!" he said, mimicking Mrs. Weasley's voice, only causing the trio to laugh even harder.
"God! George! You really sound like Mum!" Ron choked out, holding his sides as Hermione tickled him mercilessly. "Herm! Stop!"
Hermione did stop, and sat there, completely tired, in between Harry and Ron. Harry too, had his head flopped on Hermione's shoulder, whilst Ron did the same on her other shoulder.
"Well kids, any idea what we're doing here?" asked Fred, getting up from his squashy armchair.
Three blank faces shot back at Fred. "Okay. No idea." muttered Fred darkly. "Least you could do was respond!"
Anthony chuckled. "Dumbledore wants to speak to us Fred, thats why we at the other house were brought over."
"Clever, Goldstein, clever. But talk about what?"
This time it was Anthony's turn to shrug. "No idea."
Just as Anthony finished talking, the group of adult Order members, followed in shortly by a rather surly looking Terry Boot, entered the living room and settled down, Hermione was quick to avoid Terry's glares and focused her eyes on Dumbledore instead.
The elderly wizard stood up in the middle of the room and held his hands up to silence the Order. Mrs. Weasley was present, but Tonks was probably treating Malfoy, thought Hermione, and perked up to listen.
"Alright, thank you for all squeezing in here to listen to this old man." spoke Dumbledore, kindly, smiling at them. "Of course you know we have a DeathEater on our hands now. A sickly one yes, but still a DeathEater and Voldermort's rumoured heir in fact. Draco Malfoy. Now, what shall we do with him?"
AHHH! it ends here! thanks for all the awesome reviews you guys, love ya all. (: anyhoo this chapter you see a little Harry/Hermione action. well, its not gonna last, DUH. because naughty ol' Draco has some tricks up his sleeve to seperate everyone's favourite duo. so next chapter, the Order decides Draco's fate, while the 'unconcious' flaxen hair hottie decides to start playing some mind games. OOH well. see ya soon and take care!
--lovecupid.