Shadow

Disclaimer:I only own Alana Jones, nobody else.

A/N: Thanks to

Jackie - I couldn't wait to post this...plus I've this idea on the back-burner for like two weeks...I had written the first two, but I couldn't decide if I should actually post it. LoL.

Eilidh - Tringles rule :D

stargoddess127 - alright, here you go. LoL.

and

Amanda - (from chapter 1) Grr...I hate school...I went back like yesterday...grr. LoL.

for reviewing. :D

--Chapter 2--Will Harry Tell Hermione?

Over the next few days, Harry stayed holed up in his house, walking around it aimlessly thinking over what Alana had said to him only days before.

"…tell her how you feel. If you don't, you'll regret it forever…" is what she had said to him, and was constantly telling him still.

Harry didn't know if Alana was trying to break up with him by telling him to tell Hermione he loved her still, or if Alana was just trying to be his friend, because God knew that Ron would never give Harry that same advice, and if it wasn't Hermione he loved, he knew she'd probably say the same thing. It was probably a girl thing, Harry figured.

"Harry, it's only three weeks to the wedding, and we have to go to that party tonight to meet the man who's going to be marrying Hermione," Alana said, wrapping her slender arms around Harry's neck. "You have to tell her!"

"Jeez Alana, are you trying to break up with me gently? Because honestly girl, you keep telling me to tell Hermione how I feel. What if I don't want to tell Hermione because I want to forget about these damn feelings and be with you, and only you?" Harry asked back.

Alana looked at Harry skeptically. "Harry, I know you like no one else knows you, and in knowing this, I know that you want Hermione to know, even if you'll be rejected. And no, I'm not trying to break up with you. I love you Harry, more than any guy I know, and it's because of this love that I want you to tell Hermione! Why can't you get that through your gorgeous head?"

"I love you too Alana, but you do realize, that if you loved another guy who was getting married and we were going out, I'd probably tell you to suck it up and be happy for the guy, not telling you to tell the guy!"

"Ah, but you see, that's the difference between us, Harry. And you see, I do love another guy, but he's married, he got married about two years ago, and I never got to say those three damned words. I regret it now, that's why I'm pushing you because I don't want to be your fall-back girl. But, hey, if Hermione doesn't return the feelings, and you don't love her anymore, I will still be here for you, and hell, I'll try to forget about Josh – the guy I loved – OK? And then we can discus our future…"

"Alana…"

"Harry, if Hermione does go ahead and get married, you're going to have to move on and why not with me? We love each other, right?"

"God yes Alana. And alright, let's make a deal right now, if Hermione slaps me and tells me she doesn't love me, and then we shall get married. But, if Hermione loves me, we contact this Josh guy and tell him you love him, OK?" asked Harry, resting his forehead on Alana's.

"Harry…I couldn't do that!"

"Alana, come on, what if he has a sham marriage? Besides, I couldn't be happy knowing my best friend wasn't."

Alana looked at him and smiled sadly.

"Yes, that's right, I said it, you're my best friend. Better than Ron or Hermione at the moment," Harry said.

"I'm just everyone's best friend…hmm…its 1 o'clock, my shift is about to start, maybe you can talk to Hermione when she gets off…" Alana started.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever 'love you," Harry said, kissing her lips briefly.

"I love you too Harry, see you at the party tonight," Alana said, before leaving Harry to dwell in his thoughts.

Harry rolled his neck and looked out the window. It was raining out. Great, it just made Harry think of his and Hermione's first kiss at Hogwarts – it was pouring out, with lightning and thunder, the works. He stood up and went to the phone. Picking it up, Harry sighed. The phone rang so many times before the machine went on.

"Hey, you've reached Hermione's cell phone. I must not have it turned on if I haven't answered, so leave a message after the beep. Beep,"was what greeted Harry.

"Hi Hermione, it's Harry, we need to talk. I know you might be busy about tonight's party, but it's important. Give me a call when you can, you know the number," Harry said before hanging up.

He paced his living room, looking at the blue carpeted floor all the while. Harry was so preoccupied with what he was going to tell Hermione, that he jumped slightly when the phone rang. Naturally, Harry picked it up without looking at the Caller I.D.

"Hello, Harry speaking," he said into the receiver.

"Hi Harry, it's Hermione, I just got your message," Hermione's voice came from the other end. "What's so important?"

"Umm…I want to tell you in person. Have you had lunch yet?" he asked.

"No, but I'm busy, like you said, for the party where you get to meet Wes," Hermione said fast, sounding to Harry like she was speed walking.

"Come on Hermione, you have to have lunch sometime today, why don't you let me buy it for you?"

The line was silent for a moment before she answered. "Oh alright, but if it's any more than an hour and a half, then I'm screwed. Where shall we meet?"

"How about that new place in Hogsmeade – I don't know the name."

"OK, I know the one you're talking about. See you in five minutes, no more. Bye," Hermione said, before hanging up.

Harry hung up as well. He grabbed a jacket from the front hall closet and went outside to the rain. Not wasting anytime, Harry ran off his property and Disapparated.

---

"So Harry, what was so important that it couldn't wait until tonight?" asked Hermione, looking over her menu when they got together at the restaurant a few minutes later and they were seated at a table.

"Well…" Harry started before the waiter showed up.

"Are you ready to order, Mr. Potter?" the waiter asked.

Harry looked at Hermione.

"I'll have the Caesar salad please, and a glass of water," Hermione said, giving the waiter her menu.

"And I'll have the…Beef Dip with a Butterbeer," Harry said, also giving his menu to the waiter before he took off.

"So, Harry?" asked Hermione, getting back on target of the subject on hand.

"I wanted to say that…" Harry started again before Hermione interrupted him.

"Wow, look at how hard it's raining out," Hermione said, looking out the window.

"Yeah, doesn't it remind you of something?" asked Harry, hoping Hermione would catch on what he was trying to tell her.

"Yes, it reminds me of the night Wes proposed to me. We also shared our first kiss in the rain, that's why he proposed there as well."

Harry's face fell. She was talking about him, the guy that she would be marrying, the guy Harry was going to meet later that night.

"Harry, are you alright? What's wrong? You look like you don't like my answer," Hermione said, pulling Harry out of his slump.

"Oh no, your answer seems great. The rain makes me think about the first time me and Alana shagged. It was in my room, the blinds were open, and thunder was crackling," Harry replied, hoping to throw Hermione off.

She scowled at him. "Let's not talk about Alana, please."

"Oh and why not? You were talking about how you and Wes first kissed in the rain, well I was telling you about what I remembered from the rain."

Hermione sighed, and gritted her teeth. "But me and Wes are getting married, you and Alana are just, well, shagging. I bet you guys don't even have a meaningful relationship."

The waiter came back and set their food in front of them. Harry waited until he left to reply.

"It was more meaningful than our relationship," he growled, not meaning it, he just wanted to get back at Hermione.

Hermione looked shocked and hurt. She started to pick up her purse. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand. Snatching it back, Hermione glared at Harry.

"What?" she snapped. "I want to leave, let me go."

"I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean it," Harry said, letting go of Hermione's hand and looking down.

Hermione dropped her purse back to the floor. "Then why did you say it?"

"Because you're trying to tell me that I'm only using Alana for sex, but I'm not. And plus you keep talking about Wes and your marriage and stuff."

"Harry, what was it that you wanted to tell me?"

Harry laughed. "You really want to know? You don't look like you want to know, you look like you want to bite my head off."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry slightly. "Just tell me, will you?"

"Did you know that I was going to propose to you?"

Hermione's jaw dropped, and she let her fork that she was holding fall to her plate. "What, when?"

"The night you broke up with me, how convenient, eh?" he laughed again.

"Oh my...how come you never told me this before? And besides, I thought you went on another one of those stupid missions for like five months after we broke up."

"I did, but that was because I couldn't look at you for like eight months. And plus, you weren't getting married seven years ago."

"Why are you telling me this now, though?" she asked, looking into Harry's green eyes.

"Well, I figured we should get some things off our chests before I meet the very lucky guy who's going to be marrying you. Because you know how me and Ron are now that he's married..."

"Yeah, that's true. It's the same with me and Ron..."

"So you see what I'm saying," Harry said. Hermione nodded. "Do you have anything you want to say?" He asked that because he was hoping Hermione would confess her undying love for Harry before he had to say anything.

"Um, no, not really. Except that I can't wait for you to meet Wes tonight!" she smiled.

Harry mentally groaned. He was hoping for something more.

"What about you Harry?" she asked sweetly, eating some of her salad.

Harry couldn't do it. Hermione looked too happy whenever she mentioned Wes' name. "I have nothing to say either...except, do you think it would be a good idea for me to be marrying Alana?"

A/N: Gosh darn it, I couldn't wait for 4 stinkin' reviews, I don't really care anymore. Threes close enough. LoL. But please, if you read this, review so I can be happy :D LoL.