Name: Chamber of Destinies
Author: Sweet-calmness
Genre: Romance/Action/Angst
Disclaimer: I own the plot, nothing more
Chapter 7
Days have passed by, and the ball came with uproar and insanity unmatched by any other balls from the history of Hogwarts. It was 7:30pm, and couples are all making their way towards the great hall. The Gryffindor common room was almost empty, except for one – Harry.
Harry sat by the fireplace, fidgeting nervously. He was never like this before, not by a long run. Comparing to his date with Cho in fifth year, or the Yule ball during fourth year, this would be pretty much hell.
Of course I have a reason…
Or as Ron put it, I'm going to "pop the second biggest question of my life".
Staring into the fire, he saw Sirius. His blue eyes crinkled with laughter, with life. What would he say in this situation? How Harry missed him!
Save her.
"What!" Harry swirled around. No one was there, but he could swear he just heard a voice. Sirius's voice.
The forbidden forest.
There it was again, coming from behind him. Maybe he's getting delusional. All the nerves are turning him into a wreck.
The prophecy.
Harry froze. He did not dare turn around. Who could it be? He hasn't told the prophecy to anyone, not anyone! Who could have known? Something behind him blew a wisp of wind. It was trying to tell him something…
Help her….
Please help her…
Harry…
He could not take it any more.
"What!"
He was greeted by the stunned face of Hermione. Whether it was the fact that he just mistook her as a ghost, or the breathtaking goddess figure she is, he was rendered speechless. If he was to faint, now was the best time.
But instead, he merely jumped out of his skin when Ron and Luna came into the common room, both grinning mysteriously for some unknown (and probably extremely inappropriate) reason.
When Ron saw them, his happy face instantly turned crimson.
"Err...Harry, bloody hell! What are you doing here still? The ball started ages ago!"
"Umm, we're going there right now!" Harry quickly said, turning two shades of scarlet as well. Gently taking Hermione's hand, he mocked a gentlemanly bow and spoke in the lowest voice he could manage.
"May we, milady?"
Hermione's face broke out into a dazzling smile, and Harry's heart instantly melted.
As they passed Ron, the head girl hesitantly whispered into Ron's ears.
"Have a good snog."
The great hall was magnificently decorated. The ceiling was cloud-filled darkness, brightened by many flickering disco balls.
I didn't know they have disco balls in the wizarding world.
"May I have this dance?" Harry asked. Hermione was surprised. She had always thought he hated dancing.
Almost as if reading her mind, Harry grinned.
"I don't mind. I'm dancing with you."
Hermione flushed, and she felt a surge of warmth inside her.
They danced all night long. Slow, fast, no matter what song, they never left each other's side.
It was five minutes before midnight. The pair decided to take a break. Harry had led her outside to the many balconies.
This is the big moment Potter, don't you dare mess it up!
"Umm…Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"I…erm…I…umm….I want….errr….achoo!"
"Harry, you okay?"
"Yeah, just got a bit of a sneeze, I'm fine."
"Do you want to go inside, we'll get some butterbeer!"
"No wait!"
Hermione turned back questioningly. "What is it Harry?"
One…
Two…
Three…
Now!
"I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND ANYMORE!" Harry finally blurted out. He then realized what he just said, and saw the shock immerging onto Hermione's face.
Shock turned to anger, then to sadness as Harry watched Hermione dissolve in tears.
Oh you stupid prat! That wasn't what you were supposed to say!
"What I meant was-"He quickly explained himself. "That I was, you, me…I mean- us, to be more than friends."
Now it was her turn to freeze. Her tears stopped, and her face turned from misery to disbelief.
One part of her was still confused, but yet another part was jumping with joy. The last part was…
SLAP!
"Harry you git!"
Okay, she usually don't go around slapping her best friend. But due to the recently discovered fact that she had slapped her cousin in third year, slapping her best friend won't be much of a difference.
"Owww….what is that fo-"
Harry stopped talking, and the pain from his cheek has disappeared.
Hermione was kissing him, not on the cheek, not on the forehead, but squarely on the mouth.
Everything else faded away. It was just him and her, alone in the world.
But Harry realized. That was perfect. Just him and her, together.
The next day at the Great hall, everyone was extremely happy. Apparently the Orient Ball has been a huge success, and endless chatter about the event has almost bored Hermione to tears. Despite how it is the day Harry asked her out, she could not help but feel self-absorbed when she think about it.
After the kiss, both Harry and Hermione went back to the great hall to be greeted by the ecstatic group of people (namely Ron, Ginny, Luna and Neville). Hermione really wanted to go to Draco to tell him the good news, but surely it's better to keep their relationship (oh god it sound like they were dating) a secret. Ron would have a fit if he found out.
She thought seriously about telling Ginny though. She has a right to know. During the festivity she glimpsed the red head with a certain blond, chattering quietly at the shadowy places. Ron will definitely have a fit about that one.
That's not the only problems that Hermione has got. She is sure that Harry and Ron suspect of her leaving the Head's quarters during the middle of the nights countless time. And she is even surer that they would notice Draco following her a few minutes later.
She hates the way she has to keep secrets from Harry. But what could he do? Protect her? No. She can protect herself just fine, she is sure of that now. And what if Voldemort finds out? He is connected to Harry after all. Voldemort can use Harry to get to her, or herself to get to Harry; it is a win-win situation.
But dim-wit Ronald Weasley just doesn't seem to get the words "don't ask me questions". Even before yesterday, he's been snooping around, asking her questions that she could not answer. Except now that she is going with Harry, he's becoming as twice as nosy- ranging from going through her things, bugging her during classes and laying the guilt trap ("How would Harry feel if he found out that you're keeping secrets from him?")
Harry came over and set himself beside her. Just happy to be with her boyfriend, Hermione sighed happily. This is what life is all about, being with Harry.
"Hey Hermione, can I ask you something?" Harry said out of the blue.
"Yeah sure."
"Umm…is there something that you should tell me…or umm… want to tell me?"
"Like what?" No way no way no way no way…
"Oh I don't know? Just anything that you would like to get off your chest. We're going out, so you can tell me anything, you do that right?"
Oh how sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet…………………
"Nah, it's ok."
Hermione was reading by the fire of the Chamber. A knock came from the doors, and she turned to see Draco, who is looking quite excited.
Hermione decided to help him work on his animagus form. After all, if he was to help her, he needed some way to sneak around without being seen.
Or maybe it's the fact that if he ever needs a good snog session with Ginny…well, it's not like he'll ever admit it openly to her, she did almost got done for when she suggested the reason…
Hermione smiled. They have really become quite close.
She looked down at her blouse. Clasped with Everlasting, was something else. A Bemoir.
Harry had given it to her after they had shared their first kiss. It was like a mini-tape recorder, and has the power to record one single memory inside. They still haven't recorded anything yet, for Hermione wanted to keep it for a very special moment.
Everything is so absolutely perfect right now. She has a great boyfriend, wonderful friends, a great school and a great cousin. Everything is perfect.
They worked on their animagus form. Draco's form is, well, who could've guessed? A large and golden predator, a cheetah.
Well, I guess there is a cat in everyone…
The two played around for a bit, and then started developing tactics and strategies for the upcoming battle. As much as anyone wants to deny it, and how peaceful it seems, they know that Voldemort is planning something big. There hasn't been an attack for almost 3 months, and that is extremely unlike him.
Hermione and Draco finished up on their workout and exited the chamber. Walking side by side, they made their way towards the Head's room. It really is good that it is the middle of the night; no body is there, thankfully…It would really be strange to see a Gryffindor and a Slytherin walking together without at least trying to curse each other's clothe off.
As they got to the portrait hall, thinking that the place is clear, Hermione kissed Draco on the cheek goodnight.
But…
"FUCK HERMIONE! MALFOY!" Someone screamed before them. Guess who?
"Harry! Ron! What are you doing out at this time!"
"We could ask you about the same thing. What are you doing here at the middle of the night, kissing HIM!" Ron screamed, pointing at Draco dangerously with his wand.
"You don't understand, that's not what we're doing, well I mean, there's a reason for it. Harry, you don't believe him do you?"
Harry's face was cold and unreadable. You can't tell what he was thinking. Hermione gulped. He wouldn't think….
"HERMIONE, HOW COULD YOU! DON'T YOU KNOW THAT MALFOY IS A DEATHEATER! WOULD YOU JUST BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS FOR THAT GIT?" Ron was now screaming his voice out.
"Please, Ron, Harry, I can explain. You've got to believe me, I'm not going-"
"AND TO HURT HARRY LIKE THAT! I THOUGHT YOU LOVE HIM! WHAT A BUNCH OF BULLSWALLOP! YOU'RE JUST AS BAD AS PETER!"
"-I promise I would never do anything like that. And I do love him-"
"IF YOU LOVE HIM THEN YOU WOULDN'T BE WITH THIS BASTARD RIGHT NOW!"
Hermione know that there was no way that Ron would shut up at this point, so she got out her wand.
"Silencio!"
Ron's mouth kept on moving, but no words came out. Hermione took this time to try to explain.
But what she saw when she met Harry's eyes was the coldest glare she's ever seen him place.
Hermione shuddered with fear and anger. She would give anything to dig a hole and disappear.
How could they think that I am going out with Draco? He's my cousin for Merlin's sake!
However, the look that Harry gave her, the look of hurt, of betrayal, of hate. It broke her heart.
"Harry don't believe him. I would never-"
"Get out of my sight."
"What?"
"I SAID, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Harry screamed.
Hermione back way, and into Draco. Her cousin encircled his arms protectively around her. The other two boys took it the wrong way.
"You…"
"You…"
"YOU…"
Something inside Hermione snapped. No…
It was dark, and there was no moonlight, but Hermione's eyes still turned.
To its sapphire blue.
Harry and Ron gasped, and they started backing away.
"What have they done to you Hermione?"
Harry whispered, and gave her one last look before turning and walking away, followed by a very unsettled Ron.
"Get out of my life Hermione."
Author's message: Hahaha, I redid this chapter, hopefully its better then the last one! Forgive me my loyal readers. Now go on and read the other two chapters. Don't forget to review 3