Thank you guys,
S.K.
Ending It
Weeks later, the first Hogsmeade weekend came around. Finally Harry and Hermione felt they could be themselves. No longer under the watchful eye of other faculty members, they could just be kids and be around their friends.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed out early that Saturday morning. Before they could fully traverse the courtyard, Wendell Nesbitt ran to the three of them. "Ron!" He said stopping in front of them.
"Yes?" Ron said looking at the young student.
"Luna, was going to give you this but was called by professor Flitwick." He said handing Ron a piece of parchment.
"Thank you Wendell," Ron said taking the note.
"Oh I'd do anything for Luna, she's so lovely, and brilliant."
"Thank you Wendell." Harry said knowing that the kid could talk for ages.
"Oh Professor, don't you think that she is Brilliant." Wendell asked both Harry and Hermione.
"Absolutely." Hermione Answered. "If you will excuse us Wendell, we have an appointment in Hogsmeade that we must meet." Hermione said and they all continued on their way to tie Village.
Once they were out of Wendell's earshot, Harry muttered, "What a horrid little prat."
"Harry!" Hermione said shocked, "You shouldn't talk about the students like that."
"I am entitled to my opinion," Harry said with a shrug, "I won't tell him as much, he is rather brilliant himself."
"He's got a maddening crush on Luna." Ron said unfolding the note and smiling at her erratic handwriting.
"He's not the only one, " Harry said, "She has grown quite nicely."
Ron falls back and begins to read the note. It read:
Ronald,
I can't let this trip to Hogsmeade go by without spending some of it with you. I know you will be spending time with your friends, but I was wondering if you would at least have lunch with me.
I don't know what's wrong with me, but all i have wanted to do all night is kiss you. The one time we did kiss was spectacular, I know I should probably apologise. I mean you have a girlfriend and all, but I can't wait to kiss you again.
All my love,
Luna
With a soft smile, Ron red the note two more times. He had been getting so much from Luna. The realisation that his friends might really belong together was like a crushing boulder upon his chest. So Ron gave his burden of heart, to Luna, and she happily listened to him.
Ron tore a piece of parchment from the note, and scribbled S'later on it then folded it and tapped it with his wand converting it into a paper pigeon and let it fly towards Luna.
Harry and Hermione took the opportunity to confer privately. "Harry, We are staying at Hogsmeade tonight right?" Hermione asked in a low whisper, "The things I want to do to you this weekend..."
"No Hermione," Harry said blushing, "I can't function like this anymore." He signaled at Ron's reading form ahead of them.
"I'm going to talk to him," Hermione said looking over to Ron, who was putting his note away in his back pocket. "Right now." She walked up to him and slid the note out of his pocket.
"Hey, give it here." He said as he tried half heatedly to take it away from her. He truly wanted her to be as hurt as he had been.
Hermione read the note and was slack jawed. "You kissed her? How long have you two been doing this?"
"Oh you're one to talk." Ron defended himself, trying to keep the pain and relief to take over his being. He was glad that they were having it out now. "How long have you been getting on with Harry behind my back?"
"How do you know?" Hermione said in a whisper.
"It's bloody obvious!" He screamed, "I know the way you two act, and it has changed to something more." Now the tears came. "Frankly Harry, I expected better from you. You were my best friend."
"Were?" Harry said not really surprised, but angry with himself for allowing his libido get the better of him.
"Yes were, because if you could betray me like this, I don't know if I could trust you with anything else."
"No, Ron... Wait." Hermione said stepping in between them both, "It's just that you and Ginny were hurt, and Harry was hurting for all of these things and... Ron I needed to make him feel better. Every thing just kind of happened, and we really didn't want to hurt you."
"Well, so much for that." Ron said, "Listen, I need to think for a bit, so I'll just meet Luna in the village. You go on without me."
"Mate... I wanted to tell you loads of times." Harry started.
"I don't really care." Ron said walking off, "Just leave me alone."
Harry and Hermione stood there watching as their best friend walked into the village. Harry faltered and sat on a near by rock and he started to cry. Hermione was already in tears, having received a dose of her own medicine was harsh, but she would do it all over again if it meant that she would feel the warmth of Harry's embrace again.
Harry stood up from the rock and came to her. He held her tightly for the first time in public. He kissed her forehead and rocked her. Both of them relieved for the end of their deception and destroyed not to have their friend at their side. "We should go eat something." Harry burred softly into her ear. She nodded and they headed hand in hand to The Three Broomsticks.
They sat at a corner booth side by side. Hermione lay her head on Harry's shoulder. He held her there as they ate in silence. "I love you." Hermione said in a hardly audible whisper.
Harry turned his head. He didn't know what he wanted to say. He really liked Hermione, and loved being with her in that way, but she had just cost him his best friend. He didn't know what he felt for her just then. So he kissed her. It was soft and sweet, not their usual hungry kiss.
Once they parted, they heard someone clear their throat near by. "Mister Potter, Miss Granger, may I have a word please." Headmistress McGonagall said standing on the other side of the table.
"Of course." Harry said turning crimson as he removed his arms from around Hermione.
"I need to know, your plans for the Order of the Phoenix. I want to know what it is that Hogwarts can do to help on your mission."
"Ah..." Harry said pondering how much he should disclose. "There is a matter of Sirius Black."
"Go on." Professor McGonagall states.
"Last year, Draco Molfoy, let the Death Eaters into Hogwars using the vanishing cabinets." Harry said then took a sip of his butter beer.
"The room of Requirement holds one, and the other is in a ware-wolf village, or in transition to be in the Order's custody," Hermione continued the story.
"We are planning to put the cabinet outside of the school behind the veil, and get Sirius back." Harry said excitedly.
"There are criminals behind that Veil Mr. Potter." Said McGonagall.
"There are some details we still need to work out professor. We will have a meeting with the Order once the cabinet has been secured." Harry assured the older woman.
"Very well," said the headmistress, "I'm off to the school, Oh and I trust the two of you will keep your relationship discrete. You are now teachers and have command over impressionable minds. Though I cannot tell you to stop seeing each other, I can advice you to maintain your decorum around the students."
"Yes Ma'am," both Harry and Hermione said and sat a little further apart.
"Enjoy your time off," She said then took a look at their affected expressions, "Oh for Merlin's sake, relax."
Professor Mcgonagall left the duo a bit stunned and not feeling much like being with each other. "I'm going to go find Ginny." Hermione whispered remembering that Harry had not responded to what she had said.
"All right," Harry said watching her leave. Her slender shoulders sagged, her gaze was down to her feet. His heart sank and whispered, "See you later."
He placed his head down on the table, this had been a bad day already and it was only half over. "I should hate you, you know." A voice said above his head.
"Yeah you should." Harry said looking up at his best friend who was standing there with a butter beer in his hand. Harry signalled for Ron to sit.
"Why did you cross the line Harry?" Ron asked taking a seat.
"Because, She was the only person that I know that has no preconceived notions about me," Harry answered, "Ginny knew who I was before I knew her. She loved me because I was Harry Potter, not because she knows who I am. I met Hermione, the first day she met me, and even though she might have read about me in a book, she really had no idea who I really was…" Harry's voice faltered at the realisation, "and I love her."
"Oh good, I was afraid it might be some stupid reason." Ron said in fake relief, "I loved her Harry, at least I thought so."
"You don't love her anymore?" Harry asked taking a sip of his butter beer.
"I care for her, and I wanted her, I mean really wanted her." Ron took a sip of his own.
They sat there silently for a few minutes. "She is pretty." Harry murmured
"Yeh." Ron responded and they sat silent for a few more minutes. "Luna is super sexy." Ron murmured. Harry smirked, looking up at his friend. "So you love her Harry?"
Harry nodded, "I wasn't sure before, but now that I think about it, I wouldn't do this to you for anything less."
"Okay." Ron said, "Just tell her I'm sorry."
"What?" Harry asked watching as his friend gets up from his seat.
"I didn't mean to be so harsh with her, I just wanted her to hurt like I did." Ron said finishing off his bottle of butter beer. "I've got to go, Ginny wants to have a meeting with the Quidditch team."
"Chess Later Ron?" Harry asked, he had not played Wizard's chess with Ron in ages. He had been feeling to guilty to have the tête-à-tête match with him.
"Absolutely." Ron shot back as he headed for the door.