Shadow
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs entirely to J.K.Rowling; I do not claim to own them in any way so leave me alone.
Summary:Hermione's getting married and Harry's in love with her. How will he show her how he loves her before it's time for her to walk down the aisle to a life with her Muggle fiancée?
A/N: New summary, I think this one's a bit better…and shh…once you read this…don't tell me it's sort of like one of my other ones…LoL. Anyways, thanks to:
Jackie – I think I mentioned that it was more than one chapter…LoL
Eilidh –You better hurry up and write it fast…LoL. I want to read it!!
For reviewing…and on that note, please read and review!
--Chapter 1--What is He Going to do?
"Harry, it's Hermione, I have something very important to tell you and Ron! If you can, meet us at the Three Broomsticks at 3 o'clock, I'll get Alana to watch the store. Umm...OK, bye, see you then," Hermione's voice said on Harry's answering machine when Harry decided to not to answer it.
"Why didn't you answer it?" asked the gorgeous beauty that was lying on Harry's exposed chest in his bed.
"Hmm...my lovely Alana, I didn't answer because I'm in the company of you," Harry said, kissing Alana's forehead.
"Well it's 10 o'clock now, what do you wanna do for the remaining hours that we have before you scurry off to them?" she asked, getting out of bed and throwing one of Harry's shirts on.
"Hmm...I don't know...I really should go into the ministry to see if I have any files that need taken care of," Harry replied, sitting on his bed and hugging Alana's waist.
"OK, you'll do that, and I'll go to the store and see if Hermione needs any help what-so-ever."
"And remember, don't tell her we're seeing each other, she'd probably fire you on the spot," said Harry, throwing on a plain grey shirt over his head.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I don't understand why though. You guys aren't anything, just friends, right?" asked Alana, running a brush through her hair. "And besides, we're going to have to tell them sooner or later you know."
"Of course...hey, I'll ask Hermione if she can just close the book-shop down for the afternoon so you can come too because I want you there."
"OK, hopefully she'll agree."
"Yeah, of course she will. But Alana, my dear, I must go to the office briefly, I'll see you later," Harry said, kissing Alana's lips.
He walked out of his bedroom and let Alana change. Harry couldn't possibly wonder what Hermione had to tell him and Ron. But anything Hermione had to tell him was a blessing, because he hadn't seen her for the last seven months. The only person he really saw in those last several months was Alana, he substitute love for Hermione. Plus, he was always gone on missions for the ministry, looking for the lingering Death Eaters that were still around and hadn't been caught yet after the defeat of Voldemort three years ago. Alana just stuck around because she was, and Harry couldn't shake the feeling off him for how he saw her, absolutely in love with him. Normally Harry only saw a girl once or twice or if they were lucky, three times again after they shagged, but Harry felt something deep for Alana. It wasn't necessarily like the feelings he had for Hermione, but hey, if he couldn't get the girl of his dreams because she only saw him as a best friend, then a guy has to move on and find some one else and forget about those nagging feelings of that other some one, right?
Wrong.
Harry knew he could never have Hermione as his lover, because she was the 'forbidden' woman between him and Ron after Harry's break-up with her, but he could never, and he meant never, forget the feelings he held for the woman that he had held for over a decade, no matter how hard he tried. No matter how hard he tried, Hermione's face, her smile, her eyes, always showed up whenever he shagged a woman.
Except for when he was with Alana.
Alana, now that as another woman Harry couldn't shake from his mind. The way her auburn hair glimmered in the sunlight whenever they were playing around on the grass of his backyard, and the way her cinnamon eyes sparkled when she saw him - it made Harry's heart melt.
But then again, when he saw Hermione, which wasn't that much now a days, his heart was taken away from him and given directly to her. That had been happening since they were sixteen years old, when they were still a bunch of stupid teenagers going to school. And now, they were mindless twenty-seven years old and the feeling was still there.
Only on Harry's end though. He figured Hermione's end of the love had disappeared once they broke up. Oh yeah, the break up.
That caused a major heart break for Harry. But then again, it was Harry's fault that Hermione had broken up their relationship six years ago when Harry had entered the ministry to become an Auror. They had been going out for about four years when Harry was accepted to begin out on field work, and he believed he had it all - a perfect girlfriend that he was soon going to propose to, a great job, great friends, and an awesome substitute family that was the Weasleys - but then, Hermione broke it all up because Harry was becoming too distant and they should have just stayed being friends. About three months after that, Hermione found a new guy, but she soon found him cheating on her, in her own apartment. Naturally, Hermione had to turn to Harry for support, but he declined from it because he knew that she was just using him. Their friendship was on rocky waters after that for the next seven years.
What is it that you have to tell me, Hermione? thought Harry as he left his house, walking down the street a bit before Disapparating.
"Oh Harry, I'm glad you're here. We haven't seen you forever," Hermione said, hugging Harry when he joined Ron and Hermione at their table in the Three Broomsticks.
"Yeah, well, I've been busy," Harry replied, sinking into the hug, but Hermione soon let go and sat back down. She gestured for Harry to do the same, so he sat next to Ron. "Hey, I asked Alana if she could close the store for the afternoon and join us, I hope you don't mind."
Hermione looked at Ron and frowned. She looked like she was going to argue but Alana came into the pub and sat near Harry. She smiled at them.
"So, 'Mione, what was it that you had to tell us?" asked Ron, sensing the tension between the two females.
"Hmm...what?" asked Hermione, looking at Harry. "Oh yeah, guess what, I'm getting married in a month!"
Harry felt his jaw drop, but he knew he hadn't moved. He could sense that Alana and Ron were congratulating Hermione, but he couldn't bring himself to do it, he just couldn't!
"Harry, Harry, are you alright?" asked Alana, slapping Harry's cheek lightly, trying to knock him out of his trance.
"What?" he asked. They were all looking at him. "Oh, congratulations Hermione, I'm really happy for you." He said that in a very dull tone, but Hermione obviously didn't notice.
Hermione smiled at him broadly. Alana grabbed Harry's hand from under the table and smiled at him. He shrugged in return.
"Alana and me have something to announce something then too, if we're announcing things," Harry said. "We've been dating for the past seven months!"
Alana smiled at the shock on Hermione's face. Ron looked please.
"Wow, my two best mates are both in happy relationships! I feel great, we need to celebrate! I'll get some Butterbeer, or Fire Whiskey, whichever you all want." he said, standing.
"Wait Ron, what about you and Alex?" asked Hermione, pulling her friend back down.
"Well, she didn't want me to say anything to you two until she got back from visiting her parents, but what the hell? We're all saying something which needs to be celebrated, so I'll tell you, but you have to act surprised when she tells you. She's pregnant!" exclaimed Ron, referring to his wife of four years.
"Congrats mate," Harry said, wrapping an arm around of Alana's shoulder, causing Hermione to glare at him.
"I'm happy for you guys! It's about time too," Hermione said.
"Yeah it is, but I'll get drinks now," Ron said, leaving the table so Harry was left with two women he loved, one which was engaged to another man that Harry didn't know that Hermione had been seeing.
Harry sighed, he felt lost within himself. How could Hermione be getting married? I haven't even met the guy! thought Harry, stroking his chin. He sighed again, his arm falling of Alana's shoulder and landing on the table. Not knowing what to say to Alana or Hermione, he just slid back into his chair, feeling outraged by Hermione's announcement. Of course he was excited for his other best friend and his wife's upcoming baby, but he couldn't get over the fact that Hermione was getting married to another man. But he could see why she would be, they hadn't gone out on a date-date for about seven years so he could see how she wanted to move on.
Ron set down a Fire Whiskey in front of Harry and waved his hand in front of his face. "Hello, Harry? Anyone home up there? Has he been like this for long?"
"Yeah, we tried to get him to snap out of it, but he wouldn't answer us," Hermione replied to Ron, taking the Butterbeer from him.
Harry snapped out of his trance, grabbed the Fire Whiskey and took a long swig from it. "Sorry 'bout that, I was thinking."
"Well don't be trying to hard," Ron laughed, Hermione swatting his arm lightly.
"So Hermione, when can I meet this guy that you're marrying?"
"Well, we're going to be holding a party type thing so everyone can meet him," Hermione said. "But he's Muggle, so you can't say anything about magic or Hogwarts to him until I tell him that I'm a witch."
Harry spit out the gulp of Fire Whiskey all over the table. A Muggle? How could Hermione Granger be marrying a Muggle? How could my Hermione be marrying a Muggle? he thought, wiping his mouth off with his shirt. Alana cleaned up the table with a quick wave of her wand.
"So you and Wes are getting married?" asked Alana.
"Yes, he asked me a week go. I was going to tell you all then, but Harry wasn't home yet," Hermione replied.
"He's the nice ol' bloke that's an accountant, right?" asked Ron.
"Yes," Hermione said.
"Well, I know you two will be happy then," Ron said, lifting his bottle of Fire Whiskey before drinking it.
Harry just sat in silence, looking at his Fire Whiskey; everyone else knew the guy but Harry. He didn't know what he'd say if he opened his mouth. But since Hermione was looking at him expectantly, he decided he should ask a question about the stupid git. "So does he make you happy?"
"Of course Harry! If he didn't, I wouldn't be marrying him silly," Hermione laughed.
Harry sighed, how he loved her laugh! It wasn't that special or anything, Harry just loved it because he loved her. "Well then I'm happy for you," Harry said, sulking slightly, but nobody noticed.
Hermione smiled at him.
Alana looked at Harry and rubbed his arm slightly, she knew how Harry was feeling. Once, about two years ago, when she was twenty-two, she was desperately in love with this guy and they had gone on a few dates, but a month later, he announced to her that he was getting married. She never forgave herself for not telling him, so if Harry has to tell Hermione anything, she'd step aside, even if it meant she'd lose Harry.
"Umm...I got to go now. Congrats, Hermione, Ron. Let me know when you're going to throw that party, I'll make sure to help out with everything," Harry said, getting up. He kissed the side of Alana's head. "I'll see you later at home."
"Why do you have to go now Harry?" asked Hermione, also standing up from her seat.
Harry didn't answer. What was he supposed to say? 'I'm going because I'm going to throw myself off the roof of my house because you just told me you're going to marry a Muggle.' No, it was best not to answer.
"He has to go in to the ministry for a bit to see if he has to do anything and whatnot," Alana said, covering Harry as she watched the conflict on Harry's face.
"OK...well, we'll talk to you later Harry," Hermione said, sitting back down, tears brimming her eyes. She didn't want Harry to go yet, she wanted him to stay and talk. They hadn't seen each other for seven months! And when they see each other again, it's for twenty minutes, not even!
"See you later mate," Ron said, waving his friend away.
"See you," Harry said before going out of the Three Broomsticks.
Once he was outside, Harry Disapparated to his street. He walked on the sidewalk, looking at his shoes, as he made his way to his home that was just slightly smaller than a mansion. He would've Apparated into his house, but he had a spell surrounding his house so Death Eaters couldn't just pop into his house and kill him while he was sleeping.
When he entered his house, Harry walked glumly up his stairs to his attic where he held his work-out equipment. He looked around, everything was covered in dust and for a good reason - he hadn't been up there for a year. Taking off his shirt, Harry put on his gloves and started to hit his punching bag. Normally Harry didn't like to come up here, but he was angry and depressed, and what was a better way for him to vent that anger than to beat up a bag that couldn't hit you back?
He stood there hitting the bag hard and getting sweaty in the process before some one started knocking on the attic door. Harry wiped his brow, and opened it. Alana was standing in the door way.
"Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you'd stay with Hermione and Ron for a bit longer," Harry said, kissing Alana's lips and hugging her.
"Eww...you're all sweaty get off me," Alana laughed, pushing Harry away. "I left because I could tell they wanted me gone."
"Aw, poor Alana, come here, let Harry give you a big hug!" laughed Harry as well, pulling Alana into a tight hug.
"Icky, Harry! Stop it! You're sweaty and I don't like it," Alana said, getting out of Harry's grasp. "I thought I'd just come over to see how you were because I know you must be hurting before I went to go meet up with my sister for a quick shopping spree."
"Oh, I'm alright, I'll live. Besides, why should I be hurting? My best friend is getting married to some git I haven't met, my other one's wife is pregnant, and I have a great girlfriend, life's perfect!" lied Harry, turning his back on Alana.
"Come on Harry, I know you better than that. I know you're hurting because you still love Hermione. She might not know, Ron might not know it, but I know it because I know you, and right now, I think I might know you better than any one else. And because I know this information that you would never admit to me so I wouldn't be hurt, I want you to tell Hermione before it's too late and she's already on her way down the aisle. You can't deny the fact that I'm right."
Harry turned back to Alana. "You are right, and God, I'm sorry, because I love you as well and I don't want to hurt you. I'm just so confused, honey."
Alana hugged Harry, ignoring the sweat. "I know you do darling, but what I want you to do, and I don't care when, just as long as it's before Hermione's wedding, is to tell her how you feel. If you don't, you'll regret it forever. And hell, I might regret telling you this information later, but I don't care right now. Just as long as you're happy, I'll be happy, and I'm willing to take the chance of losing you for your happiness. Besides, even if you didn't love me, I'd consider us 'friends with privileges'," she said, smiling up at him before letting go. "Now, I really have to go, I love you."
"I love you too sweetheart; I'll see you when you come back. And, I'll take your advice," Harry said, walking with Alana down the stairs to the front door and ignoring the friends comment.
She smiled at him once more before walking out of the house and down the street.
Harry closed the door and leaned against it. He didn't know what he should do. Obviously Alana was right, but he didn't want to lose her, then again, he didn't want to lose Hermione either. Because he knew that if Hermione married, they wouldn't have the same relationship they had worked so hard to obtain again. And Harry knew it would be different because after Ron's marriage to Alexandra, their friendship hadn't been the same because Ron was tied down, and Harry was an eligible bachelor. But if Hermione didn't marry and she wanted Harry, Harry figured he loose Alana, even though Harry figured she'd still be his best friend because she was right on another fact, she did know him better than Hermione or Ron.
He just didn't know what to do!
A/N: Hmm...tell me what you think...I'm just doing this one because I have writer's block with my other two stories I have on the go. So, if I get at least 4 good reviews, I shall continue, don't get 4 good ones, I shall stop, simple as that. :D