Okay...here is the ninth chapter. Sorry it took a while to update, I've been busy, busy, busy. Thanks to all of those who have reviewed thus far! Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Do you think that Harry in his room, Ginny?" Hermione wanted to be able to talk to Harry where there was plenty of privacy.
"I would think so. Oh wait. I think he mentioned going out to the quidditch pitch to help Ron with a new move or something. But if we hurry, we might be able to catch him before he goes."
"Let's get a move on then." And with that they all started walking faster towards their destination.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry was in his room talking to Seamus about how infuriating Ginny can be and then about how great a chaser she is. Seamus was about to leave Harry talking to himself when he heard a few sets of feet making their way up the stairs. He nearly fainted when he saw Ginny come in, soon followed by not only Hermione but also Draco. He was about to ask what was going on when Ginny gave him a unique look that said "Get out now, or else." Seamus had been given that look before, so he sauntered out before any words were said.
Harry was still going on when he turned around from changing his shirt into an old quidditch jersey. He was talking about Ginny when he saw her, giving him an apprehending look. He stopped mid-sentence when he spotted Ginny standing next to Hermione who was standing next to none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Remember that one game when Ginny… Oh, hey Gin. Wait, what's going on? What is the ferret doing here? Hermione, what is going on?" Harry was more confused than he sounded, and more angry than he appeared. His face was a little flushed at being caught complimenting his girlfriend in her presence, and his body had yet to fully react to his enemy being in the same room.
"Harry, me, Hermione and Draco need to talk to you. So if you would please just sit down and be quiet so that Hermione can say what she needs to say." Ginny had Harry wrapped around her little finger as of late so he immediately sat down without question, though he did it with a look of slight disgust.
Hermione then stepped forward and took a deep breath before she started to talk. "Harry, what I'm about to tell you will probably be a great surprise. I know you probably won't like it, but what is is. Harry, I'm in love with Draco. He and I have been together for a while now, keeping it secret, but it's too hard Harry. Pretending to hate each other, listening to you and Ron go off on him, and then being together only when we are alone; it's killing us to keep our relationship from you. You're one of my best friends and I need you to be there for me. I don't know what I would do if we were to stop being friends." Hermione started to cry just thinking of losing Harry as a friend. Both Draco and Ginny stepped forward to comfort her. Draco held Hermione in a loving embrace while Ginny rubbed her back, supporting her.
Harry was in disbelief. Is he seeing what he thinks he is seeing? Did he hear what he just thought he heard? To him, there was no bloody way his best friend was in love with the person he most hated in the school. He must be hallucinating. It has happened before, after taking a bludger to the head during practice, he once swore he saw Snape ballroom dancing with Professor Trelawney in the middle of the quidditch field.
But this situation seemed too real. There was his girlfriend, comforting his best friend of at least six years who was being held by someone he considered an enemy. Though the situation was more like a nightmare, he knew that when the reality of the moment hit him, it would be like a punch in the gut.
And then it hit him. Hermione was in a relationship with Draco Malfoy and Ginny knew about it. He felt so betrayed. His best friend was with a person who hated him, and his girlfriend knew about it, and appeared to support it.
Harry stood up, finally looking how he felt--angry and betrayed. "What the bloody hell is going on here! Ginny, don't you dare tell me that you knew about this bullshit and didn't tell me. We aren't supposed to keep anything from each other. And the same with you, Hermione! What kind of friend goes out with someone who is practically the enemy and then keeps it a secret? I mean, honestly, Draco-bloody-Malfoy! You might as well be sleeping with a Death Eater! I can't believe you would do this to me. And Ron. Merlin Hermione, what is wrong with you?"
Ginny immediately stepped towards Harry with a defensive stance. "Harry! Don't you dare yell at Hermione, or me for that matter! And I did not keep this from you. I only found out earlier today, so there is no betrayal here. I can't believe you would even question me. You know I would never keep anything from you, and your doubt really hurts me Harry, it hurts."
Harry was starting to regret his words. Not only was Ginny infuriated, but Hermione was now sobbing. Draco couldn't stand seeing her this hurt, so he turned her to Ginny who held her and then he stepped towards Harry so that they were nearly face to face. He whispered harshly, "Potter, now listen to me and listen to me closely. If you ever raise your voice to Hermione ever again, you will regret it."
Draco then stepped back and spoke with a tone audible to the others. "Now Harry, I love Hermione, and you can deal with that later, but right now, you need to understand that Hermione needs you. You are her best friend, regardless of what a prat you can be. And even though I could go on without your approval, lack of it would devastate Hermione, and I won't let that happen. And like she already said, our relationship is, and you should just let it be."
Harry was pissed off that Malfoy was telling him what to do, but he realized at the same time that Draco was right. Harry looked over at Hermione and Ginny and knew he had hurt both of them. The two most important women in his life and he hurt both of them within just minutes. Harry backed away from Draco looking a little ashamed. And even though he wanted to beat Draco at that moment, he overcame what could be called a need to preserve his dignity and he moved over to Hermione and Ginny. "Hermione, I'm really sorry. I know that you aren't trying to betray our friendship. And if you love that…I mean Draco, then that is your choice and I'll support you."
Then, turning to Ginny, who had a heartbroken look on her face, Harry then said, "Ginny, I love you. I never meant to hurt you. I'm so, so sorry." And with that Ginny let
Hermione go and passionately kissed Harry who looked as if he were going to cry at the thought of hurting Ginny in any way.
Draco took that moment to go to Hermione. Her face was tear-streaked but happy. She was beyond glad that Harry seemed to accept her relationship with Draco. Draco lifted both of his hands to Hermione's face and gently wiped away her tears. She looked up at him with and made eye contact. They both loved looking into each others' eyes. For them, it was like seeing the other half of themselves and when together they made a whole. Draco held her gaze for while before smiling and moving in for a kiss. He kept his eyes open long enough to see her close hers in anticipation. And before she felt deprived of the touch of his lips, she felt them on her own.
So there was Harry, kissing Ginny with the passion of a love nearly lost. And there was Draco, kissing Hermione so tenderly that nothing but love could be sensed.
But to Ron, whose steps were not heard, Draco kissing Hermione looked like a forceful, painful action so he pulled out his wand to do what he thought was necessary.
---------------------------------------------------------
Hope that wasn't too much of a cliff hanger. Lucky for you I actually figured out what is going to happen next before I posted this chapter. Thanks for the read and please review and let me know what you think about anything and if there are any typos and whatnot.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Thanks again and please REVIEW!
