Mistake?
Chapter 1: Just a kissSighing, Hermione leaned into her fiance's embrace. "Do you have to leave?"
"Yes...I'm sorry." John answered. "But, I promise I'll call every night."
"I'll be expecting it." Hermione said, pulling away from him and smiling brightly.
"I won't forget." He said, leaning down and placing a kiss on her forehead.
"You know, we haven't spent a night a part in over seven months." Hermione explained. "Ever since you proposed."
"I know and I'm going to miss you terribly." John said. "But, I'll only be gone for two weeks."
"It'll seem like an eternity."
"Come on Hermione...it's not that long. Soon I'll be back and I promise, we'll set the date for our wedding."
"Really?" Hermione asked excitedly. "In that case, hurry up and leave, so you can get back to me."
John laughed and placed another kiss on her forehead. "I better be getting to the airport anyway. My plane leaves in half an hour."
"Ok...I'll miss you." Hermione said, squeezing him in another hug.
"I'll miss you, too." John said. "But, I have to go."
He pulled away from her and walked to the door, opening it. He picked up his suitcases and turned to look at her before leaving. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Then he was gone. Hermione sighed and dropped down onto the couch. "This is going to be the longest two weeks of my life."
With thoughts of John in her head, she got up and went to the kitchen. She began cleaning up their dinner dishes and putting them in the sink. She did love John. He was so wonderful. Even though he was a muggle, he didn't care about her being a witch. He thought it was fascinating. His liking for magic, reminded Hermione of Mr. Weasley's obsession with muggles...it was uncanny. That's one reason she had liked him so much when she met him three years ago...he was so exciting. He asked her out the day they met and she accepted. After two and a half years of dating, he proposed, she accepted again and they moved in together. Now, they were where they are now, still living together, but they had yet to put a date to their wedding. Hermione had bugged him countless times about it, he always said they would sit down one day and do it, but that day hadn't come yet. Hermione was getting impatient...now she started reminding him everyday. She couldn't help it...she couldn't wait to be Mrs. Hermione Briar. It kind of had a ring to it. But then again, at one point, so did...Mrs. Hermione Potter. But that was a long time ago...Harry never knew about that. And he never will, Hermione thought. She shook her head, to get Harry out of her thoughts and continued with the dishes.
Hermione's first week alone lasted so long, she thought it would never end. Being an Auror didn't help either. There was too much paperwork involved, in her opinion. That was all she did that week, went to work in her cubical at the Ministry, doing paper work that had been piling up on her desk over the past few days. It was the most boring thing in the world to her. Sometimes, she would find the time to go to lunch with Ron and Harry. (Who were also Aurors.) They would spend an hour at a local café, just talking...mostly about work, but it was better than burying herself in work for an extra hour.
Finally, the week ended, and Friday loomed. Hermione was home that evening alone, waiting for John's daily call, when there was a knock at the door. She wasn't at all surprised to see Harry, Ron, Luna, Ginny and Draco all smiling brightly at her. They told her they might stop by...but not all at once...
"Hi!" Hermione greeted them cheerfully. She moved aside, so they could come in. As they entered, they each greeted her.
"Hey, Hermione." Ginny said, giving her a quick hug.
"Hi, Gin."
"Hermione." Draco said, giving a nod of his head.
"Draco." Hermione said, smiling just as brightly as he. He had become much nicer since he started dating Ginny, Hermione preferred him this way...Ginny was good for him.
Next, Ron and Luna walked in together. They each gave her a hug, Ron giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and then they joined Ginny and Draco in the living room. Harry was last. Hermione's stomach did a flip- flop...why, she didn't know. It was the same feeling she had gotten when she first met John. But she tried to ignore it as Harry walked in with his usual boyish, lopsided grin. He gave her a warm hug and kiss on the cheek, that she returned gratefully.
"Doing ok?" He asked.
"Yes." Hermione replied. "That's only the third time you've asked me that today, Harry. The answer isn't going to change." She said smiling.
"Just checking." Harry said. He closed the door, before going to join the rest, followed close by Hermione.
"So..." Hermione began. "Why are you all here?"
"To pick you up." Ron said.
"Pick me up?"
"Yes." Said Ginny. "We're all going to that new restaurant on Seventh Street...and you're coming with us."
"I am, am I?" Hermione raised her eyebrows at them all. "I can't though."
"Why not?" Asked Draco.
"I'm expecting a call from John." She answered simply.
"Come on Hermione." Harry said, putting his arm around her. "It won't be the same without you."
She looked at all of their eager faces, and couldn't say no. Besides, it had been a long time since she went out with just her friends. But John...
"But what about John?" Hermione said, looking at Harry.
"I'm sure he'll understand." Ginny said. "He'll probably just call back tomorrow anyway."
Hermione thought for a moment. She looked at Harry, who was sending her a warm smile.
"Oh...I suppose..." She finally said. "Let me change."
It didn't take long for Hermione to get changed and ready to go. They were gone by seven and at the restaurant by seven-fifteen. They were seated at a big booth. Ron and Luna sat next to each other, Draco and Ginny were side by side as usual, and Harry made to sit next to Hermione as always.
After what seemed like hours of mindless chat and talk about work, Ginny and Draco went out onto the dance floor, soon followed by Ron and Luna. This left Harry and Hermione alone at the table.
"We might as well." Harry said, standing up and extending his hand for Hermione's.
Reluctantly, Hermione took his hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. It was a slow song—imaging that—couples all around them were dancing, holding each other, obviously in love. Harry took Hermione's arms, wrapped them around his neck and then placed his hands on her waist. Sighing, Hermione rested her cheek on Harry's shoulder, as they moved to the music. Her eyes were closed and she let the music draw her in.
"How sweet..."Ginny chirped.
Draco looked in the direction Ginny was motioning, to see Harry and Hermione dancing slowly—obviously in another world—to the music.
"Sweet?" He asked, looking back at Ginny.
"Yes. Isn't it obvious how much their in love?"
"Draco furrowed his brows. "I don't know where you've been, but you know that Hermione's engaged to another man, right?"
"Of course, but...It's Harry and Hermione. Everyone knows that deep down, they love each other...they just won't admit it."
"Really?" Draco asked, unconvinced.
"Yeah..." Ginny said. "Hermione may love someone else, but she'll always have a place in her heart, just for Harry."
Draco looked back at the two. He could see it now, what Ginny meant. They did look in love...and both of them were oblivious to the other's feelings. In a way, Draco always saw Hermione and Harry together. When they were at Hogwarts, everyone expected the two to date, but they never did. That was probably the reason...because it was expected.
He turned back to Ginny again. "I guess you're right."
"Of course I am." Ginny said smiling up at him brightly.
Smiling back, Draco leaned down and kissed her. "I love you, so much." He said when he pulled back.
"I love you, too." Ginny said, resting her cheek on his chest and closing her eyes. They continued to sway with the music, getting lost in each other.
"Look at Harry and Hermione." Luna urged.
Ron looked in the direction of his two friends and smiled. They look so happy, he thought
"It's a shame..." Luna spoke again.
"What is?"
"That they never revealed their feelings for one another." She explained.
"What feelings?" Ron asked. "Hermione doesn't have feelings for Harry."
"Of course she does." When Ron gave her a quizzical look, she went on. "Look at Hermione's face again and tell me she doesn't love Harry."
Again, Ron looked at his friend. There is was—as plain as day—in Hermione's dazed expression. Why hadn't he noticed it before? He knew Harry loved Hermione, but Hermione...love Harry? That's a big accusation.
"But...she loves John." Ron said, looking back at Luna."
"Maybe..." Luna said dreamily. "But that doesn't mean she doesn't love Harry."
As the song ended, Draco, Ginny, Ron and Luna drifted back to the table. Harry and Hermione kept dancing into the next song.
"I told you, Draco." Ginny said as she and him sat down.
"Told him what?" Asked Ron.
Draco gestured with his thumb, over his shoulder. "Potter and Granger."
"Oh...you too, Ginny. You and Luna should get together sometimes." Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"We do." Said Luna. "And we've talked on this subject often."
"Very often." Ginny said, looking over her shoulder at Harry and Hermione. "It's sweet...but...sad."
"Sad?" Ron and Draco said in Unison.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Well, you both know we think their in love..." They nodded in response and Ginny continued, "It's sad, because Hermione thinks she's in love with John."
"She is in love with John." Ron said. "Haven't you noticed how giddy she is over him?"
"I know..." Ginny said exasperatedly. "But, even if she does love John, she isn't in love with him."
"So...she's in love with Harry?" Draco asked his eyebrows raised.
"Exactly." Luna answered.
"Uh oh..." Ron said, his eyes wide. He was looking in Harry and Hermione's direction. "That's not good."
The other three turned to look, when they saw what Ron say, their eyes widened also. Standing in the middle of the dance floor, was Harry and Hermione...kissing."
"That's not good at all." Ginny said, turning to look at Draco, worry etched on her face.
Hermione finally looked up into Harry's eyes. She had tried to avoid his gaze, but she knew she couldn't forever. Then, she found herself unable to look away. It was like his deep, emerald eyes were drawing her in...deeper and deeper. Then, before she could stop herself, she leaned up and kissed him. They stopped dancing when their lips touched. It was like the world around them had stooped. Hermione's lips caressed Harry's and he didn't hold back, he returned the kiss. He didn't care that they were standing in the middle of a restaurant, or that everyone was looking at them. All he cared about was that Hermione's lips didn't leave his. But...they did. She pulled away from him and looked in his eyes, before resting her cheek on his shoulder again.
Harry looked over at his friends, they were all staring, open mouthed and wide eyed. He just looked away again, setting his gaze to the top of Hermione's head.
When the song ended, Harry and Hermione went back to their friends. They sat in silence for a few minutes, no one dared mention the kiss. Then, Hermione stood.
"I should be going." She said.
"So soon?" Ron asked.
"Yeah...I need to get some sleep." She said, chancing a glance at Harry. He was looking at his hands.
There were groans and protests all around the table.
"I'm sorry." Hermione said. "I really need to be going."
"Alright..." Ron sighed. "I'll see you out then."
"Thanks." She said quietly. "I guess I'll see you all later."
"Tomorrow." Said Ginny. "We're inviting ourselves to your place. We'll be there around six." She finished smiling.
Hermione laughed lightly. "That'll be great. See you tomorrow." She then followed Ron out the door.
Harry stared at his hands nervously. He knew what was about to happen. And sure enough...as soon as Ron and Hermione were out of earshot, the questions started.
"What were you thinking?" Ginny asked, kicking his shin under the table.
"Ouch..." Harry scowled at her. "What do you mean?"
Luna, Ginny and Draco all glared.
"You know damn well what, Potter." Draco said.
"Yeah." Said Luna. "What'd you go and kiss her for?"
"I...me?" Harry shrieked. "She kissed me!"
"She...kissed you?" Ginny asked, her eyebrows raised.
"That's what I said." Harry said, running a hand through his hair.
Luna stared. "Oh...but...what about...John?"
"My thoughts exactly." Harry said, turning to look at Ginny. "She...does still love him...I know that. Doesn't she?"
Ginny glanced nervously at Luna and Draco, then back to Harry. "Well...yeah, she does. But..."
"But what?" Harry asked looking at them all. "Well?"
Ginny sighed. "Fine...we think Hermione...she might, well...have feelings for you."
"Feelings?" Harry asked, this cheered him up a bit. "What kind of feelings...what did she tell you?"
"She didn't tell us anything, Harry. We just kind of...figured it out on our own." Luna explained.
Harry looked at the two girls quizzically.
"These two..." Draco said, motioning to the girls. "Presume that Hermione loves you."
"What gives you that idea?" Harry asked. "She loves John..."
Ginny sighed again. "I'm not explaining this again. Luna...please, tell him."
"Oh...well, me and Ginny were talking one day. We know Hermione loves John...but, she's not in love with him." Luna explained. "We think she's in love with you."
Harry looked surprised...overwhelmed actually. They all looked at him, waiting for him to say something. He never did. He got up, threw some money down on the table and left at a run.
Harry fled from the restaurant, ignoring the warnings from waiters and waitresses. He ran out the door, smack into Ron.
"Where is she?" Harry asked.
"Uhh...at home." Ron said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Which, it should have been, seeing as how she said she was going home.
"Right..." Harry said. "Bye." He then closed his eyes, concentrating on Hermione's flat and he Disapparated, leaving a bewildered Ron.
He popped into Hermione's living room. She wasn't in there, so he automatically headed upstairs for her bedroom. He knocked lightly on the door. "Hermione, are you in there?"
He didn't hear anything, so he thought about going to check the rest of the house, but then the door opened.
"Hermione..." Harry whispered. Why he whispered, he wasn't sure.
"Harry...you shouldn't be here." She said, turning and walking to the window in her room.
"We need to talk." He said, approaching her from behind.
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Yes, Hermione...there is." He put his hands on her arms and turned her to face him. Her eyes were rimmed red, with tears.
"Harry, I don't want to talk to you."
"Please, Hermione. I just want you to answer me one thing..."
"Hmmm..." Was all she could get out. But it was enough for him.
"Why did you kiss me?" He asked, making sure to look into her eyes.
She didn't answer right away, but when she did, her voice was barely above a whisper. "Because I wanted to..."
Harry didn't know what to do, or say, or think. He did the only thing that sounded reasonable. He pulled her into his arms and held her close. "Why?" He asked.
She didn't answer, but pulled away from him, shaking her head. "No...leave me alone. Get out of my house!"
"Hermione...I need to know." Harry pleaded.
"There's nothing to know, Harry." Hermione said. "It was just a kiss."
Harry looked at her face, he knew she was lying.
"Please, Harry...go." Hermione whispered.
"Hermione..." Harry said, "You really want me to just leave. Just like that?"
"Yes..."
"Fine." Harry then strode out of her room, down the stairs, slamming the door on his way out of the house.
I can't believe I just did that. I made the person I love walk out on me...he'll hate me now. Hermione collapsed onto her bed crying. She fell asleep soon after, tears still falling quietly.