A/N: I know that the previous chapter was really sad and bittersweet. I do hope this chapter makes you smile though. HAHA!
Harry's song is On Bended Knee originally sang by Boyz II Men. I imagine his performance to be similar with Kris Lawrence's version though so if you want to get a better feel of the moment, look it up on Spotify or Youtube. The sweeter version from Kris Lawrence is how I imagine Harry's singing voice.
Bold and italicized letters are song lyrics.
Let me know what you think...
As always, I highly appreciate the follows, faves, and reviews.
While this story has been getting mixed feels - love and hate - the emotion I receive from your reviews makes me proud that at least my writing has affected you.
My Cheating Heart
By: tweety-src-clt9
Chapter Eleven: Hitting Two Birds with One Stone
Hermione Granger laid awake in her bed at the guest room of the Malfoy residence feeling guilty and sad. Now that she was all alone, she could no longer hide her emotions from the stoic mask that she always wears in front of other people, including her dear friends. When Harry performed at homecoming to fulfill the fourth item on the list of challenges, she pretended to act nonchalant and unaffected. Deep inside though, she was greatly bothered. The way his eyes never strained away from her face and his voice were pleading. I should not let Harry affect me like this! We've been down this road before. I broke his trust. He broke my heart. We should just end things to avoid causing each other more pain…
She tried to close her eyes to go sleep since she was tired and the homecoming ended late. Every time she closes her eyes though, all she could see was his pleading and sad emerald green orbs. She could see so much guilt in his eyes.
She then remembered the song that Luna made her sing in front of everyone. She was caught off-guard when her name was called. It was supposed to be Harry who is bound to sing tonight, damn it! Due to her friends' intervention though, she was forced to sing one of her then-favorite songs when she was still bitter about Harry. But since she was all over her bitterness, she just sang from her heart as a gesture of letting go. Being a music lover, she can't just put on a bad performance. She didn't even see Harry in the many faces of the crowd since she was closing her eyes most of the time. Merlin! Harry must have felt so bad hearing me sing! And then Luna just had to make it worse by calling him in as the next performer…
"Why are my friends so vindictive?", she sighed. She could still picture what happened during Harry's performance…
"Hi! Er, I'm not a singer but ah, well, I promised someone that I will do whatever she wants me to do, so, I volunteered to sing here tonight. Also, before you think that I really can sing, I just found a spell that would magically enhance my voice. But I do play guitar so, well, I hope you like it", Harry awkwardly explained as he got on stage with a guitar on his hand. The crowd clapped in support since it was very clear that he was so nervous about doing this.
"This song is for the best thing I ever had", he addressed the crowd as his eyes roamed around looking for a particular face. When he found her, his emerald green orbs were just fixated on her face. He started strumming the guitar as music filled the room.
Darling I, I can't explain
Where did we lose our way
Girl, it's driving me insane
And I know I just need one more chance
To prove my love to you
If you come back to me
I'll guarantee
That I'll never let you go
Can we go back to the days our love was strong
Can you tell me how a perfect love goes wrong
Can somebody tell me how to get things back
The way they used to be
Oh, god, give me a reason
I'm down on bended knee
I'll never walk again
Until you come back to me
I'm down on bended knee
So many nights I dream of you
Holding my pillow tight
I know that I don't need to be alone
When I open up my eyes to face reality
Every moment without you
It seems like eternity
I'm begging you
Begging you
Come back to me
Can we go back to the days our love was strong
Can you tell me how a perfect love goes wrong
Can somebody tell me how to get things back
The way they used to be
Oh, god, give me a reason
I'm down on bended knee
I'll never walk again
Until you come back to me
I'm down on bended knee
"Hermione, I'm sorry. Please forgive me for all the wrong I've done. Please come back home to me. I know you put all your trust in me. I'm sorry I let you down. Please forgive me", Harry uttered the part of the song she knew was meant to be spoken. Since she's heard this song on muggle radio before, she knew that there would be an instrumental solo while a line was spoken. She was shocked however that he altered the line by calling out her name. She could hear the pleading in his voice as well as the sincerity. She tried to avoid his eyes, but she can't look away…
I'm gonna swallow my pride
Say I'm sorry
Stop pointing fingers
The blame is on me
I want a new life
And I want it with you
If you feel the same
Don't ever let it go
You gotta believe in the spirit of love
It'll heal all things
It won't hurt anymore
No, I don't believe our love's terminal
I'm down on my knees
Begging you, please
Come home
Can we go back to the days our love was strong
Can you tell me how a perfect love goes wrong
Can somebody tell me how to get things back
The way they used to be
Oh, god, give me a reason
I'm down on bended
Down on bended knee
Wanna build a new life
Just you and me
Gonna make you my wife
Raise a family
Give me a reason
I'm down, down, down, down, down
I'll never walk again
Until you come back to me
I'm down on bended knees
When Harry finished singing, the crowd was stunned silent just like after her performance. Harry gave her one sad smile before he left the stage…
"God, when will all this pain end", she whispered as she closed her eyes tightly. Even in her dreams, Harry's pleading voice followed her…
Harry Potter apparated to the front yard of the Malfoy residence ten minutes before seven in the morning. After his performance at last night's homecoming, he immediately left Hogwarts. In the silence of his lonely penthouse suite, he decided to just speed things up in completing the checklist. Since he now understands that Hermione will never love him again, it's better to just expedite his completion of the tasks. That way, at least she could feel his sincerity in asking for forgiveness. So, with that motivation in mind, he sent a Patronus message to Fleur and Luna to meet him at the Malfoy residence tomorrow since he is now ready to complete Item 5 on the checklist.
Now here he was, knocking on the Malfoy's front door. Draco Malfoy himself opened the door and they exchanged curt nods.
"You're early, Potter", the blonde man grunted.
"Might as well get this over with. Here, take my wand as agreed", he handed over his phoenix feather wand.
"You're serious about this?", Malfoy asked.
"Of course", he said with determination.
"Longbottom and I will go easy on you. It's the women you have to be worried about", Malfoy said awkwardly.
"Go ahead. Hit me with your best shot. I don't care anymore. It doesn't matter anyway", he said sadly.
"Er, Potter, I just wanted to say that I don't hate you. It's just well, Hermione is my friend. And you did screw it up."
"I know, okay? So just hit me already!", he muttered.
"Let's go outside. The rest will be here soon", Draco Malfoy gestured for him to follow.
At exactly seven in the morning, Luna, Neville, and Fleur arrived. Astoria Malfoy escorted their guests to their back garden. When Harry saw all of Hermione's five friends, he sighed. Might as well get this over with… Maybe it will help lessen the guilt I'm feeling as well…
Hermione woke up feeling tired and uneasy. Something just does not feel right. She slowly got out of bed and stretched. After relieving herself and brushing her teeth, she went down the stairs to look for the elder Malfoys. She knew that Scorpius is still asleep by this time. When she got down, she glanced at the grandfather clock and saw that it was quarter to eight in the morning. Since she could hear some noise from the back garden, she headed to that direction. What she saw made her gasp!
"What the hell is going on here?!", she lividly demanded. Kneeling on the center of the grass was a beaten Harry Potter surrounded by Fleur and Luna. Draco and Astoria were sitting with Neville near the pool.
"Hermione!", Luna and Fleur exclaimed. Her healer instincts kicking in, she immediately ran to the beaten man to check on him.
"Harry! Harry! Are you alright?", she held his face in between her hands to inspect the damage and to make sure he would not lose consciousness. Harry had two black eyes, a split lip, and she could see some bruises on his arms.
"I'm sorry, Hermione", he whispered before fainting. She gently cradled him onto her lap and her wand that's concealed on the invisible holster immediately jumped to her hand. She summoned her emergency kit from the guest bedroom and after a minute, it flew towards her and she immediately caught it.
"Luna! Fleur! You have some explaining to do when I get back here! I have to heal him first! I can't believe you would do this to him!", she angrily yelled.
"Hermione, here is Potter's wand", she didn't notice Draco walk towards her since she was so busy casting diagnostic charms on Harry. She glared at the blonde man as she took the wand and placed it inside her emergency kit.
"You better have valid reasons as to why you did this to him without telling me. Or else!", she threatened all her friends before she levitated a fainted Harry from the grass. She stood up, had a firm grip on the beaten man's forearm and disapparated.
"I told you to go easy on Potter, Fleur, Luna!", Draco Malfoy glared at the two blonde women.
"I'm disappointed in you, love. How can you beat Harry like that?", Neville said sadly at his wife.
"Well since you and Draco just gave him one punch each and while Astoria here just gave him one stinging hex to the crotch, Fleur and I had to do something", Luna replied shamefully.
"But why did you have to make him suffer all those falls from the levicorpus spell after you canceled it? Harry could seriously get hurt!", Neville glared at his wife and Fleur.
"We had to see how Hermione will react, alright?", Luna said with exasperation, shame, and guilt.
"But why?", Astoria asked.
"We have to see if she still cares for him in some way", Fleur answered.
"But I thought you were helping Hermione secure that divorce from Lord Potter?", Astoria was confused. As she glanced at the two men, they were also as bewildered as her.
"I saw a change in Hermione's expressions when Harry sang to her last night. I had to confirm something", Luna said in a small voice.
"What do you mean?", Draco inquired.
"She may have pretended to be unaffected by Harry's song but I can tell. She feels bad about having to sing that harsh song before his performance. And based on her reactions to seeing him hurt, it is obvious. She still cares for him", Luna explained.
"You're crazy Luna. She's reacting like any healer is when there is an injured patient", Draco insisted.
"No! Luna is right. I can feel something shift in 'ermione!", Fleur backed Luna's claim.
"So, you think she's still in love with him?", Astoria asked.
"Well no. But 'ermione still clearly cares for 'arry!", Fleur exclaimed.
"Don't tell me you're trying to bring them back together?", Neville was astounded.
"If they will be happier together, then we will help them get back together", Luna stated.
"No! This has gone far enough. Potter has proven that he's willing to do anything to secure Hermione's forgiveness. I say that we all give it up and leave them be. I believe he's accomplished convincing us that he deserves to be forgiven. So that means he already completed items 7 and 5 on the list!", Draco insisted.
"I agree with Malfoy. Luna, Fleur I suggest you leave Harry and Hermione alone. Come to think of it, your meddling caused all problems in their friendship. You coerced Hermione to trick Harry into marrying her and she suffered for it. You caused Harry to lose trust in the one person he trusted among all others. I demand that you let them be! No more interventions from you two", Neville Longbottom firmly demanded from his wife and Fleur Delacour-Weasley.
"But they need our help", Luna insisted and Fleur nodded.
"I refuse to be part of any more schemes. Just leave them alone", Neville glared and the two women gulped.
"If you want to keep Hermione's friendship, Fleur, Luna, I suggest you follow Neville's advice. I believe that you have gone too far this time", Astoria said in a gentle voice.
"Fine", the two scheming blondes acquiesced.
"I hope Potter will heal soon or Hermione will come after all of us", Draco sighed.
"I mean it, Luna. Leave Harry and Hermione alone", Neville glared at his wife who meekly nodded.
"You too, Fleur", Neville reminded the other blonde woman.
"Oui, Neville", Fleur agreed.
"Let's all head inside for some breakfast or tea, whatever you prefer. We can wait for Hermione in the living room", Astoria led everyone to enter the house.
"Potter does love her, right? I mean the most powerful wizard in Britain, or maybe even the world, surrendered his wand to me, his childhood nemesis, and let two women beat him up without fighting back", Draco remarked as they were seated on the couches while sipping tea.
"That's true. He didn't even use wandless magic to fight back or even to just defend himself a little", Neville stated.
"'arry does wandless magic?", Fleur was shocked.
"Yes. He's developed excellent wandless magic ever since he defeated Voldemort", Neville informed them.
"But how do you know that?", his wife asked.
"I still am friends with Harry, but I kept it a secret from you, love. In as much as I know how much he hurt Hermione; I can see him hurting too. Losing yours and Fleur's friendship was just another icing on the cake to all the guilt and shame he's carrying ever since she left him", Neville sighed.
"We made a big mistake", Luna sniffed as a tear fell down her cheek.
"Oui! We hurt our friends because of our schemes", Fleur started to cry as well.
"Let's just hope all will work out in the end", Astoria said sadly. They continued to sip their tea in silence while wondering what could be happening to the estranged couple now...
When Hermione arrived with Harry in tow, she quickly conjured a stretcher for him to rest on. She looked around the large suite to find where his bedroom was. As soon as she found the right door, she carefully levitated the still unconscious man from the stretcher to the king-sized bed.
"Hermione, don't leave me", she heard him mutter.
"Harry, are you alright? Can you sit up?", she whispered. When no sound and movement came, she deduced that he must be delirious since he seemed to have caught a fever from all the physical pain his body endured. She healed the two black-eyes as well as the split lip. Since he was now shivering, she vanished his shirt to check if he received major bruises on his upper torso as well.
"Oh, Harry!", she whispered as she saw that he had a nasty cut on his right hip that was bandaged. He's still suffering from injuries at work but he submitted himself to fulfill Item 5 on that stupid list! Why did he have to be so stubborn?
"Hermione, I'm sorry", he muttered again and she sighed.
"I'm sorry too, Harry", she whispered as she leaned in to kiss him on the forehead. Remembering the result from the diagnostic test, she vanished his trousers and checked for other injuries. She quickly healed the bruises on his legs and thighs from the nasty falls he was subjected to by her friends. Merlin! I'm so going to hex those people when I get back. This is supposed to be my quiet day off from work but now I have to make sure Harry is all better.
She picked up some pain-relieving and pepper-up potions from her emergency kit and gently placed them on his nightstand. All the bruises are healed. I'll just have to check his bandaged wound since I'm sure it's from a different curse. The only thing left to do is to heal the series of stinging hexes and pain inflicted on his crotch.
"This is so embarrassing", she sighed as she cast a numbing charm on his crotch. She pointed her wand to Harry and cast a nonverbal enervate to wake him up. As soon as the spell hit, the man slowly opened his eyes.
"Hermione?", he groaned in pain.
"Yes, Harry. It's me. I need you to sit up, please. You have potions to take", she said in her signature gentle healer's voice.
"Why am I here?", he whispered as he slowly sat up on the bed.
"I apparated you here after you passed out", she replied as she handed him the first vial of pain-relief potion.
"What is that?", he whined.
"Drink!", she demanded and he begrudgingly relented.
"Argh!", he groaned in disgust after taking the potion.
"Here's your second potion", this time she handed him a vial of pepper-up potion.
"Do I have to?", he pouted.
"Drink! It's just pepper-up", she said sternly and he obeyed.
"Thanks, Hermione", he smiled but she didn't return it.
"Harry Potter! What possessed you into agreeing to that stupid condition of getting yourself beat up when you still have a bandaged wound on your hip!", she said angrily.
"It's not that bad", he muttered.
"Not that bad? You have a fever. You collapsed awhile ago. You had two black eyes, a split lip, bruises all over your legs, thighs, and arms, and not to mention you have groin injuries that I still have to heal!", she ranted angrily. Instead of getting scared at her outburst, he just had a fond smile on his face as he sat on his bed looking at her pacing on the floor.
"You still care", he said with disbelief and joy.
"Of course, I care! I can't have another patient die on me. Besides, you were my friend and I never wanted you to get hurt", she sniffed.
"Hermione, I'm sorry", he whispered.
"No, it's not your fault. It's my friends' fault for doing that to you. Granted that I wasn't told about this, is your fault, but still! God! Why did you even let them do that to you? Are you stupid?", she wiped angry tears away.
"I said I'll do anything. And it was on the list anyway", he shrugged.
"So, if the list says you stab yourself on the gut, you'll do it?", she said sarcastically.
"Yes. If that's what it takes to earn your forgiveness, then I would", he said sincerely.
"Just forget that damned list! Just don't do anything rash that can hurt yourself!", she hissed.
"Hermione -"
"Lie back down. I still have to redress your hip wound and check your groin injuries", she insisted.
"Groin injuries?", he yelped.
"Yes! So, if you want children in your future, take your boxers off so that I can properly heal you", she glared at him.
"Er, but I don't feel anything down there", he muttered while his cheeks blushed.
"Numbing charm. But it won't hold too long. So, if you want to save your crown jewels, then just do as your told!", she insisted.
"But then I'll be naked", he muttered.
"So?", she crossed her arms in exasperation.
"I've never been with a woman for more than ten years. My body will react to you seeing me naked. It's embarrassing", he admitted.
"Fine! Do you want me to stun you when I go check?", she rolled her eyes.
"Why can't I get a male healer?", he whined.
"Alright! I'll call Draco here", she started to walk away.
"Alright! Alright! Just stun me before you go check. I'll remove my boxers under the covers and then you can stun me", he acquiesced.
"I can't understand why you're being such a baby about this! It's not like I'll jump you or something. And you're not a virgin teenager either so, argh, whatever! Just tell me when you're ready", she said with exasperation.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Er, you can stun me already", he muttered as she turned around to face him. When he nodded, she pointed her wand to his chest.
"Stupefy!", and with that Harry Potter was out. She gently lowered the covers as she inspected the damage done to his groin. I'll hex Luna and Fleur severely for this, she thought angrily as she examined the only piece of manhood she'd ever been acquainted with that belonged to her idiot of a husband.
A/N: Bet you didn't see that one coming did you?