Chapter Twelve – Lying in the spot light

Harry and Ron were sitting in the kitchen clutching several pieces of toast. Hermione and Ginny were still in their room. The two boys were starting to get worried about Hermione. She had been taking this theory too far.

Hermione and Ginny were still lying in bed. The weather was pleasantly warm and the girls found themselves with their sheets rolled down to their waist. Hermione had her hand running through her hair. This was a rare treat. She was usually up by now, and then she would be straight back into her work. But she had let herself have a little break, because she had decided that the potion she had made would only need a couple more hours, and then it would be ready. She hoped it would work, with the information from Merlin's diary, also her own input of knowledge and guesswork, she thought she had cracked it.

An owl tapped on the window, keeping his balance steady with his wings. Hermione groaned, slowly sitting up and lifting the latch. The owl flew in and made a beeline towards Hermione. Sticking his foot out, Hermione untied the newspaper from him and grabbed a few knuts that were on her trunk. Sitting up so she had her back leaning against the wall Hermione unrolled the newspaper. Ginny peered at Hermione.

'Anything interesting?'

'Dunno yet, I'm just about to have a look. How are you today?' Hermione began to say before her eyes widen in shock at the front page. Her mouth began gapping, speechless. Her eyes changed direction and what they were greeted with shocked Hermione even more than the heading.

Harry had just finished putting the last bite of his toast into his mouth, when he heard a scream echo through out the house. The boys glanced at each other before leaping up and racing up the stairs.

When they reached the girls bedroom, Ginny was already trying to comfort Hermione. Hermione was shaking slightly.

Ginny looked up to see the boys in the doorway with their wands poised. She rolled her eyes, typical for them to think that everything had something to do with magic she thought. Thinking on the top of her head she gave a final pat to Hermione's back before standing up walking towards Ron. Grabbing Ron's hand she dragged him out the room, and shut the door.

Harry stared as Ron and Ginny left him there in the room with Hermione. He walked towards to her and sat down on her bed. Pulling her onto his lap and gently forced her head to rest on his shoulder.

'What's wrong?' he said and kissed her forehead. Hermione instead on answering pulled the newspaper towards Harry and left it in his lap. Harry using his free hand lifted it up, and looked on in shock as the whole front page showed Harry and Hermione's relationship.

HARRY POTTER'S NOT SO SECRET LOVE

Harry potter who has always been famous among wizards and witches, for his weakening of you-know-who 15 years ago this Halloween seems to have been put under a spell by one of his best friends. With the rise of he who must not be named he is preparing to fully defeat this monster. But recently it seems there is another distraction in his life now. Hermione granger who some may remember is a close friend of Harry. But it now seems that she has become something more of a friend. Several years ago we ran the article of Harry Potter's secret heartache, which they denied. But it now seems that we were correct all along. This plain boring girl has stolen the heart that so many of us love. The complications that this relationship that might cause of course run much darker. If this girl distracts Harry from defeating you-know-who, then it could of course have massive complications for the magical and muggle world. Is this girl so stone hearted that she willing to sacrifice everyone's life for the infatuation we all hold.

Harry's blood was boiling, but erupted when he saw the multiple pictures of Hermione and him in some rather intimate positions.

He threw the newspaper into the corner of the room and lifted Hermione's chin so he could look into her eyes. Tears were threatening to overcome her eyelids, so Harry kissed each eye. He could taste the saltiness, from the leaking tears.

'Hermione, it's just the media. They make a big deal out of everything. They know nothing about our relationship. This doesn't change the way I feel for you.' Harry said, 'I hope it doesn't change your feelings for me.'

Hermione cupped his cheek, and leaned her forehead on his, 'of course it doesn't change how I feel. But it calls me plain boring girl, and that I've stolen your heart, from everyone.'

'You are anything but plain and boring, you're beautiful, generous, kind. You always think of others. And I don't care if you've stolen my heart, because you're the only person who is ever going to have it. Not anyone else.' Harry said fiercely.

'This is so annoying because this was supposed to be a happy day, I think I might have cracked the whole switching worlds thing with my potion. And where on earth did they get these pictures?' Hermione said.

'Well you know reporters, they are sneaky, and will do anything for the best story. Don't worry it will all be old news by tomorrow.' Harry said.

'Harry. You are never old news.'

'I'm sorry you had to be on the receiving end of all this stupid stuff.'

'Hey, this isn't your fault, you never asked for them to invade your personal life. I just never really realised what it felt like, until they put that piece in.' Hermione said while stroking Harry's hair.

'So do you want to tell me why this was going to be a happy day?' Harry asked, remembering Hermione mentioning it before.

Hermione started to fidget in Harry's lap, and was suddenly very interested in his buttons. 'Well I think the potion might be ready. From the information I've gained I don't think there's really any difference when we perform it, but it has a few more hours to simmer.'

'Well if you don't have anything else to do in those few hours, I was wondering if you wanted to come to Grimmauld place with me, I don't know if I can go alone, not yet.' Hermione smiled, and placed a soft and lingering kiss on his check.

'Of course, I would love to come with you. Just let me get dressed first.' Hermione said.

'You not still upset about the whole newspaper thing?' Harry asked wondering about her sudden attitude change.

'Nope, because you can't be perfect, can you. This is you flaw. You attract a lot of media, but I wouldn't want to change you any other way. Now I'll meet you downstairs.' Hermione said and gently pushed Harry outside the door.

Once Hermione had picked out some comfy jeans and a long t-shirt, and padded downstairs in her sandals.

'Ron and Ginny have gone into Diagon Alley, so it's just us two.' Harry said and they entered the fireplace.

When they flooed into the fireplace in the sitting room of Grimmauld place, they were greeted with the site of a run down room.

Hermione gasped in shock at how far it had deteriorated. The sofas had been moth eaten, dust lay in inches, and the curtains blocked out the rays of sunlight, making the room appear old, and smelling very musty.

'Oh my Gosh, what on Earth happened here?' Hermione said, glancing around until her eyes landed on Harry.

Harry looked at her, and shrugged his shoulders. 'No idea, I supposed Sirius was never very into cleaning.'

Hermione walked through the room. Running her finger through the amount of dust that was on the table. Harry walked past her and started walking up the stairs. Hermione stayed downstairs, but started to walk towards the kitchen as she saw some of the dust was disturbed in the direction of the kitchen.

Harry was on the second landing and was just looking through some of the rooms, to see how much work he would have to do, but suddenly turned around and leapt downstairs when he heard Hermione start screaming. From the pitch of her scream he could tell that she was afraid. When he was half way down, Hermione suddenly stopped screaming.

'HERMIONE' Harry shouted. When he heard no response, he put on a spurt of speed and threw himself into the kitchen with his wand in his hand. He was greeted with the site that the kitchen had been totally destroyed. Plates, tables, chairs were lying splinted around the room. Harry felt his heart skip several beats when he saw Hermione lying still, with her back towards him on one of the work surfaces.