So here is chapter two!
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Just this fanfiction.
HERMIONE
That night Hermione was more miserable than ever. She had tried to distract herself by reading and watching her favorite series but still couldn't get out of her head what Ginny, her best friend, had told her.
"They're probably having sex right now in some fancy hotel" she thought while seating in one of the benches of the lonely park that had become her favorite spot since she found it.
Hermione started eating the ice cream pint she got out the house. She was filled with a multitude of sensations. Hurt by Ginny, for the redhead knew she was in love with Draco and yet she was somewhere having sex with him, and at the same time Hermione felt tremendously envy, because she wanted to be the one who was in Draco's arms, melting in his arms. The tears soon rolled down her face and she didn't even bother to wipe them away. "What's the point? I'm all alone here", she said out loud.
"Well… you're not completely alone", a male voice surprised her and she turned to find who had said that.
A tall, dark haired guy sat in the bench beside her. Hermione looked at him alarmed, but he smiled at her. "Well, he doesn't seem like a homeless person or a psychopath" she thought.
He reached out his hand to her, "I'm Harry by the way". Hermione took it after a few seconds.
"Hermione", she replied.
He smiled again, "Hermione. First time hearing that name".
She shrugged, "My dad choose it".
"So… Hermione, what are you doing here, alone, and so far away from your dorm?"
She asked perceptively, "How could you know if I'm far from my dorm?"
"You're using a sorority pin. And sorority's houses are at the other side of campus"
Hermione looked down at the little pink pin that was buttoned over her black T-shirt, but said nothing. "Mmm are you going to tell me why were you crying?" Harry turned to her.
She looked away and muttered, "I wasn't crying".
He insisted, "You can trust me you know?"
Hermione laughed at his comment, "I don't even know you".
"Precisely", he smirked, "No matter what you said to me, you won't have to deal with my reactions, comments or indiscretions"
She bit her bottom lip while considering his proposal. It could be nice to be able to vent her sorrows with someone, especially if that someone was a stranger she would never see again, but still... "Thanks but, I'll pass", she sighed.
He nodded, "Ok, If that's your choice", Harry put his hands on the bench and looked up at the night sky
Hermione used the opportunity to get a better look at him. He was quite handsome, with his emerald green eyes and a very nice smile. Usually she felt self-conscious around guys like him, but there was something about Harry that made her feel comfortable. Hermione tried to decipher the expression the boy had. "I think I'm not the only one with a lot on my mind tonight", she commented as she brought a spoonful of ice cream to her mouth.
He turned to look at her, curious, but in the end he smiled and nodded.
"Are you going to tell me what's on your mind?" She asked using the same words that he previously used.
He answered after a brief moment of hesitation, "Let's say that…Today I did things that I thought I would never do. I acted like someone I am not, someone I wouldn't like to be", Harry grimaced.
She opened her eyes, impressed by the bitter tone in Harry's voice, "Sounds complicated". He nodded. "But is not the end of the world", she continued, "If you're not happy with your actions just make sure to never act like that again. Don't be so upset and don't let one action define you".
"Yeah you're probably right", he said after a minute, "I won't let the foolishness I did define me"
He smiled at her. "Just out of curiosity, you didn't rob a bank; hurt someone or something like that, right?" Hermione asked.
Harry laughed at his comment and Hermione instantly relaxed, "You are very funny, you know? I like you Hermione"
"Herms", she corrected automatically.
He looked at her, "What?"
"My friends call me Herms", she explained.
He nodded, "Ah, I see. So are we friends now?"
Hermione shrugged but smiled. "But I think I'll call you Mione", Harry said as he took a lock of Hermione's hair on his finger, "Yes, Mione works just fine".
She recoiled at his action, and then stood up, "I have to go", she said, clearing her throat.
He also stood up, "Do you want me to give you a ride?"
She gave him a tiny smile, "Thank you but no, I would like to walk a little longer"
"As you wish", and then he pointed to the ice cream pint, "Hey, can I have that?"
She gave it to him, "Sure", and then added, "Well mmm goodbye…"
Harry just smiled and started walking in the opposite direction. When Hermione lost sight of him she continued on her way as well.
It took her about half an hour to get to the house. She was really quiet, trying not to wake the other girls and went to her room. Once there, she was surprised to find Ginny fast asleep in her bed. She believed it would take the redhead many more hours to arrive.
Hermione sat on her bed and observed her friend, who at that precise moment stirred in her dreams, and whose face was exposed to the moonbeam that entered through the window. "She is so beautiful", she thought. Her perfect snowy skin, small nose, hazel eyes, straight and copper hair, thin lips and that angelic smile that she sometimes had.
Another tear escaped down her cheek as she imagined Draco and Ginny together. Hermione wiped it quickly and stood up to put on her pajamas. "Tomorrow will be a new day Hermione. Tomorrow everything will be forgotten" she said to herself as she lay down on her bed and hugged her pillow tightly.
A few hours later Hermione woke up to the constant sound of Ginny's heels echoing throughout the room. She sat up in bed, rubbed her eyes hard, and looked at her roommate.
"Hello sleepyhead", Ginny smiled as she looked doubtfully at her wardrobe, "What do you think I should use today?"
The girl showed her a strapless blue blouse and a green tank top, both very pretty, "The green one", Hermione replied as she stood up and tied her hair in a bun.
"Then that's the winner", she smiled and put it on, "Did you sleep well? Your eyes are totally swollen Hermione", Ginny approached her vanity table and then placed an eye concealer in Hermione's hands while clucking her tongue, "Where were you yesterday by the way?"
The brunette left the eye concealer on her nightstand, "I went for a walk"
Ginny looked at her curious, but then she smiled, "Mmm. I had a very good night, by the way", she stretched out the word "very" and her eyes shone mischievously.
Hermione turned her back and making her bed, "I'm glad Gin. I'll go take a bath", she said taking her towels and toiletry and leaving the room
When she closed the door Hermione inhaled a large breath of air to calm down and then headed to the bathroom.
She took her time in the shower hoping not to find Ginny when she returned, since she didn't feel like talking to her this morning, and hearing her hints about what had happened yesterday. But when she finally returned to their room, she had to hurry up to avoid being late for her first class. She put on denim pants, a black chiffon blouse and grabbed her bag, running like a madwoman out of the house.
Hermione managed to get there just before Professor McGonagall closed the door. The old woman narrowed her eyes at her with disapproval; she apologized and entered the classroom. She looked around for an empty seat, but the place was packed. After a second inspection, she found an empty seat at the top of the room. She hurried over there and sat with a sigh of relief.
"Hey you!" Hermione turned to the voice and met Harry's smile, "So we meet again"
She couldn't help but smile at the coincidence, "Harry", she said in greeting, nodding her head.
"Apparently we will be more than two strangers who met on a bench"
She smiled, "Apparently. So this is the part where I feel relieved because I didn't spill my secrets last night", Hermione looked at him smugly and he laughed
"And when Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger decide to remain silent, we can start the class", Professor McGonagall's powerful voice pulled them out of their bubble.
They both shifted uncomfortably in their seats, "Sorry Professor McGonagall, it won't happen again", Harry muttered. The woman gave them one last angry look, and then turned to the blackboard.
When she couldn't see them, Harry turned to Hermione and it was his turn to smirk. Hermione cocked her head and focused on listening to the teacher.
The three hours of class almost flew by and by the time they were over, Hermione was starving.
Harry walked next to her outside the classroom, "So, can I buy you a cup of coffee?"
Hermione thought about it for a moment and finally accepted, "Please. I'm starving"
They went to the nearest cafeteria and sat at one of the tables on the terrace, because the day was really cool and warm. Hermione ordered two chocolate donuts and an ice cold drink. Harry ordered an iced tea. "What is your major?" He asked when the waitress brought their order.
"Creative writing", she answered biting her donut, "Yours?"
Harry drank his tea before answerind, "Politics"
They continued talking for a long time about different topics and Hermione felt more and more comfortable and calm next to him. "Mione, I have to ask you this", he leaned on the table, setting aside his second cup of iced tea.
She looked at him alarmed, "What is it?"
"Is just that…" He clucked his tongue, "The more I speak to you, the more you seem to be a focused and smart woman, so I don't understand why you are in a sorority.
Hermione expected anything but that couldn't help but laugh heartily, "You definitely have something against the Greek system"
He answered frankly, "I find it elitist, racist and a waste of time and money".
She hit her heart as if he had offended her, "Ouch".
"No, but seriously Hermione", he looked at her again, "Why are you in a sorority? I hope you don't take my words the wrong way but… you don't seem like the kind of girl that would be a member of a sorority".
"You're right, I'm not really"; she accepted and for the first time that comment, which she had heard so many times, didn't feel hurtful, "Sometimes I also wonder that but I think it's because I don't want to feel alone"
He scrutinized her with his green gaze and she sighed, "I'm not exactly the friendliest or funniest person on campus", she smiled sadly, "The idea of a sorority, of having girls always supporting you and being there for you, I suppose it seduced me too much".
"And then you discovered that they are frivolous, only think in buying clothes, looking good and parties and boys".
She rolled her eyes but smiled, "Most of the time, yes, they are", she accepted, "But they're also great girls, I have witnessed how much they can help you, and we do philanthropy, you know?"
"Still, I believe you're too good for that place", he added and she blushed, not sure what to answer.
But she didn't have to think of an answer, for a voice behind her interrupted her. "Hermione? Harry?" Ginny approached them walking very coolly despite her five inches heels, "Do you know each other?" She looked at them confused and suspicious.
Hermione was as confused as her redhead friend, "Ginny, do you know Harry?"
Ginny lifted an eyebrow at her and Hermione opened her mouth in an expression of astonishment when suddenly remembered. Harry Potter. Of course, he was the third part of the threesome. Hermione turned to him, but he was stiff and looking a bit nervous. Ginny demanded to know, "Well, do you know each other?"
Harry answered with a crooked smile, "Mione is my classmate".
"Oh ok", Ginny turned fully to him and smiled broadly at Harry, "So… Hermione, I was looking for you. I need you to help me choose the dress for the homecoming party", she smiled again, "I want to look extra lovely that day"
Harry looked at Hermione sarcastically but said nothing. "I can't go with you right now Ginny", the brunette said, "I have another class in a few minutes and I can't skipped on the first day"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Whatever. Harry since you're not in the Greek system you probably don't know about our Homecoming party. It will be one of the major events of the semester and only the members of the best fraternities will attend", she smiled at him, "Would you like to go as my date? Party is this Saturday".
"Thanks but I already have plans for the weekend", Harry replied.
Ginny narrowed her eyes, confused at being rejected. Hermione intervened, "Gin, maybe I can go with you to see dresses in the afternoon".
"Well then, would you like to walk with me to my next class?" Ginny asked Harry, ignoring Hermione's suggestion
"Actually our class is almost starting", he pointed to Hermione, "So we better get going. I'll see you later Ginny, bye".
He stood up and took Hermione by the arm; she had no choice but to stand as well.
Ginny remained seated, "Yeah I guess"
Hermione grabbed her purse and walked with Harry in the opposite direction, "I'll see you in the house, Gin"
When they lost sight of the cafeteria he released her and stopped, "I wasn't aware that your and Ginny know each other", he said.
"We're best friends, and also roommates".
Harry sighed, "I assume you know what happened between Ginny and I last night?"
Hermione nodded, "Were you talking about that in the park? When you said you had made a mistake", she asked.
This time Harry nodded, "I hope you don't have a wrong idea about me. I'm not a fuck boy", he was nervous again
Hermione gently shook her head, "I don't think you are one. You haven't offended Ginny. Actually I didn't agree with her decision, but she's an adult. You're both adults and you can manage all aspects of your lives".
"Thank you", he smiled, seemed more relaxed, "But I meant what I said last night. I agreed to participate without giving my decision too many thoughts and now I'm upset. I just carried away and didn't consider about everything that may later imply".
"You mean for your future political career"
"Even my private life here, in campus", he sighed again, "I've been Draco's friend for years and I really appreciate his friendship, but we're very different persons. And your friend Ginny, she is… well let's just say she's not my favorite person in the world".
Hermione was saddened by that last comment, especially since she knew that Ginny seemed genuinely interested in Harry, "But, maybe, if you gave her a chance, you would realize that Ginny is really a great person"
He snorted, "You mean under makeup and French manicure?" Hermione gave him a hard look, "Fine, sorry, that was a bit harsh".
"You better go to class", she said at the end.
"See you later?"He asked again smiling.
She agreed. They exchanged cellphone numbers and after saying goodbye, each one went in a different direction.
A/N: So, what you think? Leave a comment if you liked it. Comments are food for the author's soul ;)