The Rain

Meager Words

Chapter Two: You're What! And Truth or Dare

Hermione

"The rain… It's a lot like love. Some people run to take shelter from it, afraid it will soak them. Others don't know what to do except put up a shield when they know its coming. Still there are others-though they are very few-who let it soak them, overtake them, wash over them. They don't mind; they welcome it with open arms. To them…it's brighter than sunshine."

-- The coolest person ever (Faerie Dreaming)

A/N: Firstly of all, thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! -huggles- I love feedback. It really helps me keep going. Secondly of all, I want to apologize for the long wait! I daresay I didn't have too much time what with all of the holiday festivities and all. This chapter took me a while to write because I didn't really know how to convey the emotion. But I tried. I did try. )

Disclaimer (since I forgot in the previous chapter): JK Rowling Owns Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, etc. I'm just a lowly fanfic writer. I'm not making any money, so don't sue me plzthx. )

Chapter Two: You're What! And Truth or Dare

Hermione

"I'm engaged, Harry."

"You're WHAT?" He shouted. She didn't think she'd get this reaction. She hoped he'd be proud of her. Glad for her.

"…Engaged," She replied softly.

Harry sighed dejectedly and looked up at her, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "How..?"

"I… I don't know. It was just… the summer… and he was there--we saw each other again, Harry. Really saw each other. It was the first time since fourth year, and I fell. Hard. Harry, he's just so perfect. The way he says Herm-own-ninny instead of Hermione. The way he holds me when I'm sad. The way he… Oh Harry! I love him so much, you just don't even know. It was after the Quidditch World Cup that he proposed. What could have I said but yes, Harry? I need someone. I do. I'm not just this perfect piece of composure all of the time! I'm more than just a snotty bookworm, you know! And even if you don't see it, Viktor does! He loves me for me, Harry. And if you can't be happy for me, then I don't know what I'm going to do!" She broke down sobbing onto the bed. Why can't he just be happy for me?

" 'Mione, Please…" He pleaded. She wouldn't have any of his pleading. She loved Viktor with all her heart..at least she believed she did. He was what she needed and the last thing she wanted to do was to leave him.

"Please what, Harry? Please Leave Viktor? Please leave a man whom I've cared for since fourth year? Please break my own heart--that of your best friend? I won't have any of your 'Please, this. Please, that.' I'm nearly grown and I'll do for myself what my heart will choose for itself!" She sobbed, "Please, Harry. Please don't make this hard on yourself."

He sighed. "I--"

"Don't speak, Harry. I loved you. I did. I'll admit you'd had my heart since the first time we met on the train. There was something between us Harry. Something special, and I could feel it. I don't know if you did too, but it was there, Harry. There was me and you, and no names were involved. It was a boy and a girl who had a connection. There was no Harry James Potter or Hermione Jane Granger, Harry. There was us, and Merlin only knows I wish you'd have figured that out sooner. I waited for you. I waited so long for you, Harry. And now, when I finally decide that maybe I don't have a chance with you and have a wonderful fiancé, you object, Harry? It's not your place, after all these years. It's just not your place."

"Hermione, I--" Harry said softly, "I--I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." This phrase Harry repeated over and over while he clutched Hermione. "I'm just..oh. Why are we crying? We're so young Hermione. So young, and I don't want you to give your life away so soon. Here, look at me. Do you truly love him?" Harry asked and wiped his eyes.

"Yes. With all of my heart."

"Then marry him Hermione. I want you to be happy."

Really? "You do? I can? Oh thank you Harry!" She hugged him again. I didn't mean to make him cry. Merlin, what is this going to do to us? Especially Ronald, whose had a crush on me since I can remember! I don't want to think of his reaction if Harry of all people took it this bad.

"Now I have to tell Ronald." She said.

"Oh..yeah. Well. I'll be there for you. Emotional Support you know." He replied and smiled halfheartedly.

"Thanks." She smiled.

It was still pouring when the pair looked out the window an hour later. I love the rain. It's so calming--peaceful. Hermione got up off of the bed and walked towards the window. "Don't you just love the rain, Harry?"

"Not particularly, no. It can be so depressing so much of the time," He replied. Well, fine. Be a little bubble-buster. Hermione got an idea.

"Do you want to play a game, Harry?"

"Not particularly." He answered. Still bitter?

"Oh Harry. It's not going to kill you to play a damn game!" For Merlin's sake!

"Fine."

"Good then. I may be engaged," at this Harry slumped, "but I'm definitely not too old to play truth or dare." She said with a devious smile. What am I getting myself into? "Do you want to go get Ginny, Ronald, and the Twins to play as well?"

Dumbfounded, Harry replied, "Err… sure." While he was scampering all over the Burrow looking for the Weasley children, Hermione sat down on the bed and sighed.

What have I done? Saying yes was such a big mistake. I just wish I could take it all back. Never have gone to France. Never have gone to see that Quidditch game. Never have fallen for Viktor again in the first place! But I do love him so much. Had I never seen him in that market, I don't know where I'd be now, or what I'd be doing.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of many people scrambling up the stairs and down the hallway to her room. She stood up, brushed off her dress, and put on a smile.

Fred and George were the first to walk in the room with a mischievous grin on their face (Merlin only knows what they're up too…), followed by Ginny, Ron, and Harry.

"So shall we start this thing?" Hermione asks.

"What thing, exactly?" This was Ron. "Harry only told us all to come upstairs for a game."

"Oh! Well… We're playing Truth or Dare… don't you remember that game, Ronald?"

"Of course..err..yeah."

"Well for those who have never heard of Truth or Dare, it's a muggle game where you ask someone 'Truth or Dare?' and they pick. If they choose Truth, they must answer a question honestly; if they pick Dare, they must do a dare chosen by the person who dared them… make any sense? Sound good?" Hermione explained. There were murmurs of consent from the Weasley's and Harry. "Good then. Let's begin! I think we should sit in a circle, yes?"

They formed a circle on the floor of Hermione's bedroom and the game began.

Hermione did Eenie Meenie Miney Mo to figure out who would be the first to go. Fred was the lucky wizard. Ron (the truth/dareee) looked frightened and sighed.

"Dare."

Fred handed him a candy out of his pocket. "I dare you to eat this," He dared pushing the toffee towards a very wary looking Ronald Weasley.

After eating the toffee and turning into a weasel (so original) for a minute or so, Ron asked Ginny.

"Truth or Dare?"

"Dare." She replied.

"Fine. I dare you to… kiss Harry full on the lips." Ron didn't think this through too thoroughly though. He turned away disgusted when Ginny didn't even fight, and kissed a very surprised/disguted looking Harry on the mouth.

Ginny turned to Harry, "Truth or Dare."

"Erm… Truth."

"Fine then. I guess... Is there someone you desperately care about enough to break up with me for them?" Ohmygod.

He looked caught. Like a dear in the headlights. Shocked. Well is he going to answer?

"Yes."

"Who?" Ginny looked on the verge of tears. Poor Girl.

"You can only ask me one question. One truth." The group looked disappointed. Tears ran silently down Ginny's cheeks. It was Harry's turn. "Truth or Dare, Hermione?"

"Truth."

"Is there someone you desperately care about enough to call off your engagement to Viktor for them?" Harry asked using Ginny's words. STUPID HARRY! STUPIDSTUPIDSTUPIDSTUPID!

"I beg your pardon?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about thankyouverymuch." He shot at her, his face hard as stone.

"Oh. Well yes then." she sputtered.

"I'm engaged."