Secrets, by Come to bed
Chapter 5
Hermione stood stock still in the doorway to Harry's room, her eyes glassy as if she were about to cry. Harry felt as if he had missed a step going down the stairs – how could he have forgotten to lock the door?
Harry sat on the ground, naked, erection in hand. In his other hand was a ghastly picture of Dolores Umbridge that Harry had obviously magicked to be dancing in the nude. The picture Dolores gasped at the sight of Hermione of them and fled out of the picture.
Harry grabbed his bed hangings in an attempt to cover himself up. "Wait," he said quickly as Hermione burst into tears and turned towards the door. "Please – I can explain!"
Hermione ignored him, and with a final sob, slammed the door behind her.
Harry groaned and clapped a hand to his forehead, throwing himself down on his four-poster and listening to Hermione running down the stairs. He had tried to stop his habit – he really had! He had stowed away that picture in his suitcase, just in case he was tempted. But when he had been packing for the Christmas vacation at the burrow, he had seen that picture, and he just couldn't help himself.
When the word got out that Umbridge was coming back, he had been furious. He, at the time, had a hatred of Dolores Umbridge burning inside of him, but he had felt a flicker of something else…something in the pit of his stomach, similar to what he used to feel whenever he saw Cho. He started to recall that moment briefly…
"Umbridge is coming back?"
Harry jolted to reality unpleasantly as Ron stared at the head table disbelievingly. He quickly looked up and saw that the stout little frumpy witch was indeed sitting at the head table as if she owned it. He felt a sudden burst of hatred as she looked up and straight into his eyes. How could they let her back in…? He glared right back at her, and she smirked, not breaking their gaze. He could see loathing burning in her eyes, but there was something else there, something that was not there before…but what was it?
Hermione looked outraged. "They can't do that!" she shrieked in indignation. "And after all that happened last year!"
Ron was staring at Hermione, a funny look on his face. "Ron?" said Harry uncertainly. "You okay, mate?"
Ron jumped as though jerking out of a daze. "Yeah," he said unconvincingly. "Yeah, I'm good."
"When's our first class with her," Hermione snapped, grabbing her course paper with such force that Harry was surprised that it didn't rip in half. She scanned it briefly before letting out a groan. "We've got her tomorrow afternoon!"
Harry sighed and looked down at his knees, his messy black hair falling in his eyes. He had to apologize to Hermione. He had to make it up to Ron. And he had to tell Dolores how he felt about her.
Harry stood up determinedly, reaching for his robes. It had to be now. It could not wait.
A:N/Hey guys, sorry about the wait, but I've been really busy. I have a HUGE speech project for the University due soon, and I just finished a series of rigorous tests. Plus, James and I have been very busy….just kidding. I won't enlighten you on our love life. It would be flame city!
Love,
Charlie