A/N: I know I haven't updated in a while. I've been bothered with other ideas you see. Thoughts of funny and fluffy stories have been going on in my head lately. Besides, I still have a long way to go for All Because of You. Furthermore, I can't come up with a great first date chapter for Seven Years of Loving and Loathing. So for followers of both stories, I hope you'll be patient.
Anyway, I recently wrote a fluffy one-shot, it's rather funny as well, so if you're up for some laughs, please do check out How The Press Brought Harmony.
For readers of The Potter Bride, I have already decided to make it a solid 20 chapter piece (not including the restricted scenes). I already have ideas in my head, I just need the will to start writing them. For now, though, my mind is plagued with funny pieces since I've been writing lots of angst and drama lately.
Well, still, I would like to thank the solid readers of My Cheating Heart. This is a really hard piece to write (almost as hard as ABOY) since I have to make Harry and Hermione's characters flawed in this. I understand some of you hate this story's version of Harry and Hermione, but to those who are still reading, and enduring the slow-burn love story for our OTP, I appreciate the patience and support.
I'm trying this new technique to keep my creative juices flowing by using an app that generate random words I can use for my stories. Well, the first run had very interesting results: please, orgy, occasion, pest, talk, definition, birthday, knit, attitude, orange. It's very hard to use it for MCH, along with my other on-going stories. Although, I can see a one-shot from this set. So we'll see. HAHA.
Lastly, to the very loyal readers, who have been with me since my first fic, Blind No More, and has read all of my stories here in FFN, thank you so much.
Enough said. On with the story.
As always, your reviews, faves, and follows are highly appreciated. ENJOY!
My Cheating Heart
By: tweety-src-clt9
Chapter Sixteen: Harry's Warning
Harry was severely stressed out and worried for Hermione that due to nerves and slight panic, he sent a Patronus message to Neville, Fleur, and Draco about her accident. As he paced back and forth outside the emergency room she was brought in, all he could think about was the fear that crept within him. Head injuries in bathrooms usually cause death for muggles. Granted that Hermione was a witch and magical healing works differently, but still. What if she suffers from brain damage? Or what if her memories will be gone? Since he was so scared about the possibility of Hermione not recovering from the incident unscathed, he didn't notice the person who called out his attention.
"Harry!", the voice said again. His pacing though still did not cease.
"Harry dear, what are you doing here?", this time the Weasley matriarch touched his forearm to attract his attention. Finally, his pacing came to a halt. He looked at the wee old woman and nearly yelped in surprise.
"Mrs. Weasley!", he gasped.
"I'm sorry for startling you dear but, I was walking along the hallway and saw you pacing", Mrs. Weasley explained.
"What are you doing here, Mrs. Weasley?", he said in a formal voice. The only Weasleys who he remained cordial with were Fred, Ron, and Bill. Arthur Weasley merely followed his wife's maneuvers so the man just ignores him. Charlie, he rarely sees so it doesn't matter. And well, Percy is still a bit stuck-up and a self-important snotty git.
"I was early here at St. Mungo's to talk to Hermione and apologize. However, after our quick talk, a healer bursts into Hermione's office saying that they need someone to operate on Ginny. She had been attacked from a poisonous letter, most likely retaliation from the article about your revelation", the old woman informed him.
"Hermione operated on Ginny?", he was surprised. No wonder Hermione had an accident. He can't imagine what it must be like for her, to cure the woman who was one of the main reasons she suffered so much a long time ago.
"Yes, Hermione spent around three hours healing Ginny", came the reply.
"Well, you must be very lucky since Hermione was here to heal her then", his voice was cold and unfeeling.
"Harry, for what it's worth, on behalf of – ", whatever apologies she was about to say was interrupted.
"Don't try to apologize, Mrs. Weasley. I don't bloody care! Hermione is in the emergency room and all I can think about is her right now!", he snapped. The stress of all that's happened is finally getting the better of him. After all, it is so damn irritating to hear that Hermione spent long hours curing Ginny only to find herself exhausted by the end of the day, which had an impact on her reflexes, hence, the accident. Shit! The irony of it all! I am about to lose Hermione again, this time, it could be for good, if she doesn't survive this, and it's still because of Ginny bloody Weasley! I would give up on having any Weasley in my life if only I could spend the rest of my days with Hermione by my side… If only I met Hermione on the train first, maybe, things would have turned out better… And then it hit him. Mrs. Weasley had five children off at Hogwarts before Ron's first year. That would mean that she can't forget where the barrier to Platform 9 and ¾ is… Was it just setup all along?
"But Harry, dear, we all were unaware – ", Mrs. Weasley tried again but he only shook his head.
"Mrs. Weasley, did you ever hand out Weasley sweaters to Hermione or any of your children's friends during Christmas?", he needed confirmation of his suspicions.
"Well no. I only knit sweaters for my children. And you, dear", she admitted. Her eyes were filled with confusion and surprise to his most unexpected question. With that answer, he knew. He took a deep breath to calm himself. He only had one more question left to ask.
"Tell me, Mrs. Weasley. And don't you dare lie to me! Is my meeting you and your family at Platform 9 and ¾ during my first year all a setup? And if so, why? Who ordered you? Don't lie to me. This is very important!", his voice was firm and demanding.
"I, well, Dumbledore wanted you to be close to a light family. He said you needed a friend. I reckon my Ronald would be good for you. Then, of course, Ginny used to fancy you very much at a young age, so I never expected she would – ", she was babbling now but Harry didn't care. Merlin! I am the world's biggest idiot! Of course, it was all a setup. That way, Dumbledore always keeps tabs on me, and I would be close with a family he highly approves of. And I thought the Weasleys did care about me! I always put them first. At the expense of Hermione, and everyone else. How could my life be one big lie all along?
"Thank you for your honesty, Mrs. Weasley", he managed to say.
"I don't understand Harry, dear – ", she walked closer to him and tried to touch his forearm but he roughly pulled away.
"Mrs. Weasley, ever since I met your family, I have always done my best to put all your interests first. I loved your family like my own. All this time, you have been manipulating me!", he hissed.
"No, Harry, no one else in the family knows about this. It's just an innocent favor from Dumbledore that is all", she rebutted.
"Mrs. Weasley, because of my fucking loyalty to Ron and the rest of your family, I threw away the single person who has always been the light of my life!", his magic was flaring now so he took a deep breath.
"I don't understand", she stammered.
"When Hermione was suffering from Ron's harsh comments especially during our first year, I turned a blind eye since I resolved myself to be first and foremost, loyal to him. My first friend. Did you know that the first time I laid eyes on Hermione, she immediately helped me by fixing my glasses? But I resolved myself to keep my distance from her because Ron didn't like her. Then that Halloween night came, she spent the rest of the day crying inside a bathroom due to Ron's jealousy, and the troll attacked her. During our second year, when she was petrified, I visited her every day. Sometimes, I even spend the entire night under the cloak in the hospital wing. She is very special to me, Mrs. Weasley, but time and time again, I had to pretend otherwise because I had to put Ron first. As we grew up together, I always put Ron first. Not just Ron, but all the Weasleys over her. Maybe the four older Weasley brothers and Mr. Weasley I can exclude from bad behavior towards Hermione. But you, Ron, and Ginny! You in a way, manipulated me to ignore and turn a blind eye on the best thing that's ever happened to my life! You cost me my best friend! My wife! And by Ginny's coercion, my child!", his voice was cold. Hard. Filled with self-loathing and grief.
"But Harry, I cared for Hermi – "
"Just shut up, Mrs. Weasley! You only started to care for Hermione since you wanted the Brightest Witch of the Age for Ron. Or maybe, you wanted to keep an eye on her since she is Ginny's greatest competition!", he interrupted.
"Harry, I'm sorry – "
"No, Mrs. Weasley. Your sorry is useless. It could never bring me back my best friend ever again. Can you even imagine the guilt I feel every time I see myself in the mirror? For what I have done to her? Can you imagine how hard it is for Hermione to come back here after all the pain? Only to be compelled to do everything in her power to heal Ginny's child? And yesterday, to heal the very woman I was supposedly claimed to have loved instead of her? The woman I claim to love very much as I insulted and ridiculed her during our marriage? Can you imagine how much hurt and pain Hermione suffered?", his voice was hollow.
"Harry, I – "
"Can you imagine how much I hate myself for being the stupidest jerk on the face of the planet for blinding myself to not see the most amazing woman who has been there all along because I was manipulated by my loyalty to your family?", he could now feel tears falling.
"Hermione will forgive you – "
"You don't see Hermione's eyes every time she looks at me, Mrs. Weasley. She doesn't hate me. But every time I see her, I can only see the pain I caused her. I can only see that the sparkle in her eyes is now gone. The sparkle I took away from her. I can only see the woman I am madly in love with, pretend to put a brave face on and interact with me, even if she wants to run for the hills. So, don't you dare say that Hermione will forgive me and everything will be alright! Because the Hermione I once knew is dead. I killed her. Now, all that's left is a shadow of the woman she once was. And it's all my fault! Because I was so damn stupid!", he sobbed.
"Harry – "
"Just go away, Mrs. Weasley and – ", suddenly the door to the emergency room opens.
"Lord Potter – "
"Is Hermione okay? Can I see her? Does she need anything? She's going to live, right? She's – ", he attacked the healer with a series of questions.
"Lord Potter, if you would please calm down –", the female healer said in a stern voice.
"Healer Watson, how is Hermione?" Draco Malfoy's voice interrupted. All of those present outside this corner by the emergency room turned towards Malfoy's deep voice. Draco was accompanied by Neville, Fleur, Rosier, and Irie.
"Alright! Will everyone here please settle down!", the female healer yelled and everyone quieted down. The women took a seat on the bench across the emergency room while the men remained standing - all of them anxious for any news regarding Hermione's condition.
Of course, Kei Irie saw the old woman with them so he had to comment.
"Excuse me, but aren't you the mother of that bitch that caused our chief so much pain?", Irie said with scorn. I have to keep an eye on this man. Damn obvious that he feels so much more for Hermione, Harry thought with a frown.
"While I am aware how much my daughter hurt Hermione, I do not appreciate you calling her a bitch!", Mrs. Weasley hissed.
"Just go away, Mrs. Weasley. You are not needed here", Harry intervened.
"Lastly, don't you dare address our chief by her first name. You and your family all lost that right!", Rosier snapped.
"Leave, Molly", Fleur glared at her mother-in-law.
"No! I need to know if Hermione – ", Mrs. Weasley insisted but Healer Watson snapped.
"Only family and friends of the patient are allowed to stay. If you are neither, then you have no business here", the female healer was angry now.
"Bu, but – "
"In the name of Hermione Jean Granger, who is a protectorate of the House of Malfoy here in Britain, I demand you to leave at once!", Draco Malfoy sneered which gave everyone a glimpse of the cold-hearted ferret he once was.
"The House of Potter acknowledges that the Lady of the House does not consider any of the Weasleys, except Fleur, her friends. As her liege Lord, I command you to leave my lady alone! Or else", Harry seconded.
Molly Weasley was shocked. Harry may be the Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, but he's never used his title (and the political power he wields) except during Wizengamot sessions. For Harry to invoke the words of official warning against the womb of his magical house, everyone present understood how serious he is. Pureblood law no matter how patriarchal, always aims to protect the lady of the house since it is upon her womb that the future of the house is built, hence, Molly perfectly understands the message. All Weasleys should leave Hermione Gra – no, Hermione Potter alone.
"As you command, my Lord", Molly stammered and bowed, before quickly running away.
"Potter? You do know that you just issued an official warning to the Weasleys from going near your, er, well, Lady Potter, right?", Draco Malfoy asked. Harry's eyes roamed and he saw the surprise in the eyes of everyone present.
"Yes. I am perfectly aware of that fact, Malfoy", he replied.
"Harry, what if the rest of their family will see it as an insult? And they go after you?", Neville asked with worry.
"Then let them. I just want the Weasleys, except Fleur, out of Hermione's way. I know she has a lot of bad memories because of them, Molly and Ginny most especially. Besides, I know how stubborn Mrs. Weasley is. If I didn't threaten her, she would keep on pushing Hermione", he explained.
"Well, I guess you have a point", Neville agreed.
"The House of Potter gives thanks to the House of Malfoy for their help in protecting the lady of the house", Harry acknowledged and Draco nodded.
"Ahem!", Healer Watson cleared her throat. Finally, all eyes are now on her.
"Now that I finally got all of your attention, here's the diagnosis. Chief Healer Granger is fine. We're able to heal her head injury since Lord Potter brought her in immediately. However, she is magically and physically exhausted. Most probably from the operation, she conducted yesterday and all her long hours of hard work for diagnostics and research for the epidemic. She will most likely be asleep for three days. When she wakes up, only then can you bring her home. She'll be resting at home for one more week after waking up. She is not allowed to do any magic, but, since this is Hermione Granger, we can let her do some research work. But only that!", the healer informed everyone.
"I volunteer to be the chief's caretaker once she wakes up", Irie declared.
"No bloody way!", Harry denied. I would never have this Japanese rogue go anywhere near my Hermione!
"Lord Potter, Healer Irie is the right person for the job since he is, after all, a healer!", Healer Watson agreed.
"No! We can find someone else", he insisted.
"Potter stop being a brat. Astoria and I cannot do it since we have jobs to do. My cousin Evangeline is busy now with preventive measures. Since Irie is the pathologist, and his main task is mostly done, and he's just assisting the rest, then he is the best person to stay with Hermione. Maybe they can even exchange ideas and finally crack the missing piece of the puzzle to be able to find the cure for the epidemic", Draco Malfoy explained.
"But, but, I could take care of her", he argued.
"You're an auror, Potter. Not a healer. Besides, aren't you busy with that case on finding the culprits that caused the epidemic in the first place?", Malfoy rolled his eyes.
"Fine", Harry said grumpily.
"I'll take care of chief, Healer Watson. Send me all her diagnostic test results, potion requirements, and meal plans", Irie addressed the woman.
"I'm warning you, Irie! You better take care of Hermione. Or else", he threatened. And you better keep your filthy hands away from my wife!
"Of course, I will! I love the Chief!", Irie hissed.
"What?", Harry exclaimed angrily but Draco and Neville restrained him. That's it! This git is going down! How could he claim to be in love with my wife?
"Come along, Potter. No need to get jealous", Draco and Neville dragged him away from the Japanese healer. The last thing he heard was Fleur and Healer Watson's laughter along with that annoying flirt of a prat saying, "What a jealous git!"
Meanwhile, in the land of dreams, Hermione was happy to be spending time with her cute and talkative daughter as little Viola Lily babbles on and on about 'Mister Death's plans'...