A/N: Okay, yeah, I know it's short. But I promised you more H/HR interaction didn't I? Really more of a green-eyed Harry. Well, then there you go! Please be a pal and give a gal a review!
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Chapter Six: Evening Talks
The Quidditch stadium was packed with people that night as Puddlemere United and the Chudley Cannons prepared to battle it out. Mrs. Granger and Harry were already in their seats when the commentator began to announce tonight's lineup. Just a few rows in front of them, Mrs. Granger spotted Ron playfully scooping Hermione into her seat.
"Harry!" she cried out in surprise, "Look!"
Harry also noticed that Lavender was not with them. Without a word, he turned his attention back onto the pitch, but every so often, would find himself glancing over at them. He tried very hard to ignore that funny feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Meanwhile, with all the excitement and Ron cheering next to her, even Hermione was on the edge of her seat. She held her breath with anticipation as the seekers from the two teams raced head to head to grab the elusive snitch. At last, it was Gavin Gudgeon of the Chudley Cannons who emerged victorious. Ron, Hermione and everyone around them erupted into cheers. All except for a certain raven-haired boy, sitting a few rows back, slouching down in his seat with a sulking expression plastered across his face.
"JUST A MOMENT EVERYONE," the commentator announced, "I'M TRYING TO GET A FEW WORDS WITH OUR STAR SEEKER TONIGHT." He marched to the center of the pitch where Gavin Gudgeon had just dismounted his broom. "HERE HE IS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! HERE HE IS RIGHT NOW!" The commentator proceeded to cast the Sonorous charm on him.
"HELLO," Gudgeon exclaimed happily with his teammates gathered around him, "I AIN'T HURT NONE. IT WAS A GREAT MATCH AND THE BEST MAN WON! GOODBYE!"
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Ron and Hermione went for a late supper that same evening at a restaurant in Diagon Alley. No sooner they were seated, all the patrons broke out in applause. They looked around and realized what the commotion was about. Near the entrance stood Gavin Gudgeon, surrounded by scads of reporters.
"There he is everyone," the maitre'd announced, "He's going to speak to you! Here he is."
At that moment, Ron took out his wallet, "Two to one he says it."
"That couldn't happen!" Hermione replied skeptically.
He placed three knuts on the table, "There it is," he said confidently.
"HELLO," Gudgeon addressed the patrons, "I AIN'T HURT NONE. IT WAS A GREAT MATCH AND THE BEST MAN WON! GOODBYE!"
Hermione turned back to Ron who grinned at her triumphantly. She chucked as she reached into her purse.
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After dinner, the two friends, having such a marvelous time, were not ready to go home just yet. Hermione suggested they go out for drinks at the Leaky Cauldron. When they arrived, the pub was nearly empty except for the old gentleman at the bar; sitting on the same stool Hermione was sitting in on the night of Ron's wedding. She tapped the man on the shoulder, "I beg your pardon."
The man spun around, "Yes Miss?"
"Would you do me a favor?" she asked.
"If I could," he answered tentatively.
"Would you mind moving down a seat?" Hermione requested politely.
The man surveyed the empty stools around him before giving her a strange look. He then glanced over at Ron.
"I'm just as mystified as you," Ron told him cheerfully, "So I guess it's alright."
The man shrugged his shoulders and scooted over to the next stool. Hermione propped herself up on the recently vacated seat with Ron next to her. A few moments later, Tom appeared and started wiping down the counter for them.
"Hello Tom," Hermione greeted with a smile.
Tom stopped wiping and looked up at her.
"You don't remember me," she said, "but do I remember you!"
"Well, your face is familiar Miss," he examined her intently until it finally came to him, "Oh I get it," he remembered, "You're the young lady who was here with Mr. Potter."
Ron turned his head, "Who?"
"Harry Potter, the photographer on my paper," she replied, "The fellow my mother was with tonight at the match.
"Oh, Potter!" he said, now recognizing the name, "The Quidditch expert."
"Yeah," Hermione nodded, slightly smirking, "He lost his shirt today at the match, and am I glad."
"Why?" Ron asked, "Don't you like him?
"Oh, he thinks he knows it all," she said, looking down at the counter.
A feeling of fatigue suddenly overcame Hermione. So after their drink, Ron offered to walk her home. They strolled casually along the sidewalk, arm in arm, to Hermione's flat, which was only a few blocks away. They merrily broke out into song, and by the time they had reached the front steps of the building, they were singing very loudly.
"SHUT UP!" one of the neighbors yelled from an upstairs window, "I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!"
The two friends looked at each other and giggled.
"Uh oh," Ron said, resting his elbow on hand rail, "Can you imagine going to sleep in this time of the morning?" He gave a slight bow, "Goodbye my pretty one."
"You're not coming in?" she asked.
"I'm going to walk out on you," he declared dramatically, "And if it hasn't been one of the most fun time I've had, don't ever give it to me anymore, otherwise I can't take it," he told her sincerely. He took her hand and kissed it. "Good night," he said.
"Good night," Hermione replied. With a pop, Ron disappeared. She climbed up the front steps and made her way into her flat.
She entered to find Harry Potter sleeping on her couch. "Harry!" she called out, a little surprised. Harry opened one eye and found Hermione standing over him. He quickly straightened up, putting his feet back on the floor. He glanced suspiciously over at the door before giving her eye contact.
"Yeah," he grunted.
"How did you get in here?" she inquired.
"The landlady let me in," he replied, a little groggy, "I told her I was your brother."
"Why?" Hermione asked, a slight smirk forming on her lips.
Harry looked down at his shoes, "Oh I just came up to talk about the match," he muttered unconvincingly, "What did you think? Lovely match wasn't it?" he said sarcastically, "Or didn't you notice?"
She shook her head, "I didn't notice."
"Yeah, you didn't notice much at the restaurant did you?" he said, unable to hide his accusatory tone, "Except for Mr. Wonald Weasley," he spat out the name.
Hermione observed him amusingly and grinned, "Well, well, well."
"Well, well, well what?" Harry repeated defensively.
"You must be surprised," she told him.
"About what?" he asked innocently.
"To find me alone," she answered.
"Of course not," Harry muttered as he stood up and headed towards the door, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Oh I see," Hermione said slyly after him, "You just came around and waited a few hours to say goodnight. That's sweet, Harry."
He spun around and faced her. "Yeah, you turned out pretty sweet yourself when it comes to that," he remarked sardonically, with a scowl on his face, "Yeah, you were going to the party to show him how free you were. Well, you SURE showed him tonight!"
Hermione grinned "I just love you in the role of big brother," she replied facetiously, "It suits you perfectly."
He plastered a fake smile on his face, "Well, good night," he opened the door and stepped out into the hall.
"Good night," she said, leaning against the open door, "and thank you for coming around."
"Oh sure, okay" he replied nonchalantly, facing her, "Glad to give you a laugh anytime," he shrugged, "What's the difference?"
"It makes a lot of difference," Hermione told him sincerely, "And I'm not kidding now Harry. I'm glad you came around."
He took a step in and leaned against the doorway, "Why?" he asked curiously
"When I came in, I wasn't at all thinking about why this evening was so lovely. I-" she paused a moment to think, "What I'm trying to say is," she explained, her tone even more serious, "that your being here made me realize that Ron is much better than you expect him to be. I'm very gratefully Harry."
Harry frowned, shaking his head in disbelief, "Are you trying to tell me you're slipping on the same old banana peel?"
"Maybe I am," she said boldly.
The two of them stared at each other for a few moments before Harry broke the silence. "Would you like to tell your mother that?" he challenged, "I know she'll love our little talk," he said sarcastically.
"Yes," Hermione agreed, "Let's have lunch tomorrow. We'll talk then."
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Stayed tuned for the next chapter!