Hi.. This chapter is a bit longer than I expected.I know some will be confused with whether this fanfic is based on H/Hr or H/Ginny. grins The thing of it is, I'm not even so sure myself..LOL! Nah, Of course i know. But I guess you guys have to stick around to find out. Pardon me on my grammar. Was typing this story out while watching the Asian Idol shows at the same time 2 nights before. X) Im not sure what they call it, but this fanfict is not based on the exact events in the HP series. So,pls expect the unexpected.Ok i shall quit rambling and let you get on with the reading. As usual, thanks for reading. Im still surprised there's quite a number of people willing to read my story.. X)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. Duh. It's all hers: JK Rowling
Chapter 3:
The next day was quite an eventful day for Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors. The crowded common room was quite a sight, baggages here and there,last minute checks being done and of course, the sight of parting couples,each with their own rendition of silent goodbyes much to the dismayed Harry. Even Ron managed to join in the "festivities" by making out with a girl by the fireplace. Harry shook his head at the sight of his best friend. Ron was of course no flirt like all the cool and pretty boys in Hogwarts. Hey, I'm cool. A voice inside him uttered. Nah, I aint pretty. And a girl wants a boy who's always by her side. Not battling some evil monster and thinking about saving the world. Talk about serious issues. He gave a rueful sigh. Both Harry and Ron had trouble even asking a member of the opposite sex out in the past. But ever since Ron discovered the "joy" of making out and kissing his ex-girlfriend Lavender Brown, his ego was inflated to gigantic proportions especially with the help of a certain book. A book that was supposed to teach boys the dos and don't of dating and how to attract witches to them like moths to a flame. Yeah, too bad he didn't have enough common sense to see the perfect angel that's already waiting for him right in front of him.
WHY AM I SUDDENLY THINKING ABOUT HERMIONE IN THAT WAY??????!!! He screamed silently. Blame it on the dream.Blame it on the dreams... oooh..Those passionate dreams ..Ok stop it Harry. This is freaky...
Harry turned to see Hermione sulking in the corner, her eyes fixated upon the couple and by the looks of it, she was pretty pissed. Very pissed. In fact, one hand was in her pocket and Harry knew that she was holding onto her wand, fingers probably itching to curse the girl into oblivion. His heart gave an unexpected ache. Again, he felt like kicking himself. It wasn't his business and right to feel this way for Hermione. But his heart wasn't lying. There was something going on in him that ignites nowadays whenever he saw Hermione. In fact as her eyes finally tore away from Ron and found Harry, she gave a big smile and motioned him to come over to where he was seated. He went over and sat himself between Hermione and Neville who was grumbling about a misplaced package for his grandmother.
"Hey Harry,looks like Ron's busy tongue-ing it out with someone to even bother about us," Hermione muttered sadly as she played around with her wand,making colourful sparks in the air as she waves them about.
" Well,that girl probably set a murderous mistletoe upon him," Harry replied carefully,not wanting to hurt Hermione's feelings.
" I mean,I don't really care about who he wants to snog but must he really do it in public, I mean, it's disgusting, revolting and it's urgh! He has no heart. Doesn't he think about what others feel about such a display of affection. I mean, I don't like it," she said with a stubborn frown.
Harry grinned. Again, that innocence and stubbornness. But Harry knew better. Maybe he should go ahead and figure things out.
"But that's what people in love do right? I mean that's what you do when you want to show that they like someone. I mean, Ron, as insensitive as I think you should know, well, he's still a lad. A growing boy. You know,his hormones are probably at a higher priority. But, seriously 'Mione, I mean,you should know.. You and Krum..." Harry said, not really looking at Hermione's eyes, afraid that he might show something more than he intended to.
"Oh." Hermione went red. There was something in her face that made Harry want to question her further.
"Huh?Oh???Oh as in, Oh yes I understand.Or oh as in Oh-oh?" Harry inquired looking at Hermione's face.
"Well, erm.. Krum and..We didn't really... I mean, the kiss... It was never like.. "
"WHAT?You mean, you never kissed him??! But I thought, you know.. Ginny said.." Harry's eyes widened. Now this was news.
"SHHHH... Okok!This is clearly not the place to discuss this matter. Come on, let's head off outside to get out from this.. urgh.." Hermione said as she pulled Harry out of the common room before giving one last look at the couple,disgust and fury in her eyes.
Once they were outside in the freezing courtyard, Hermione continued. She was clearly still embarrassed and was reluctant to continue talking about the matter but under Harry's questioning gaze,she finally gave in.
"Alright!!!! I was probably exaggerating to our dear Ginny! I mean, what was I suppose to do! Me being her best friend and all. She and her conquests. Well, I had nothing ok. All he did was kiss me here." Hermione said, pointing to her reddening cheeks much to Harry's amusement.
" I didn't think... I don't want.. You know,to go further because I knew it wasn't serious at all. Just a .. you know.. Fun distraction and I didn't want to kiss..erm.. someone who's not really someone I'm interested in.Yes. I know.I lied. I led him on. I'm not angel. Happy now?" She said, as she stuck out her chin and folded her arms and stared Harry down,daring him to say something.
But you are. You are an angel.
" So you really like him,huh?" Harry managed to forge a teasing front even though he knew a part of him was feeling... surprisingly,less than perfect.
"Erm..,"Hermione was quiet for a moment,her face as red as it could ever be. " I dunnoe.. I.. I just think.. He's.. I think he's ok.. Ok, I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you Harry James Potter!" Hermione stopped,now playfully shoving him off. She scooped a pile of snow from the ground and immediately formed a snowball aiming it at Harry who was caught off guard. The snowball smashed right onto his chest. Hermione laughed, pointing at Harry's shocked reaction before throwing yet another one at him before he could react.
"Oh no, you didn't just do that.. Haha! THIS IS WAR!!!"
"Oh really. Best of luck then!" Hermione pointed out, her snow dome ready with a huge pile of snowballs ready for battle within mere seconds with just a wave of her wand while Harry stood pathetically, with a snowball in his hands!
"Hey,no fair. No magic. Fair muggle play."
"You snooze, you lose Potter!"
Their laughter and screams,hitting each other with multiple snowballs, continued til Harry decided that he better hang his white flag before they both froze to death.
'Ok fine,'Mione. I give up!!!"Harry laughed, as yet another snowball hit his back. He lay on the ground, clearly exhausted, his arms wide , and started making snow angels. Hermione laid next to him doing the same thing.
"I bet my angel's much prettier than yours, Harry."
"Must you be the best in everything Hermione?" Harry laughed as both of them flapped their arms in the layers of snow.
"Well,you should know me very well Harry. We have been friends for what, six years now..."
"Yea, and only now, did I know you really like him."
Hermione turned to Harry's side and Harry gave a reluctant grin as she placed a hand on Harry's chest. " I didn't even say who I was referring to,Miss Granger. So, iIguess it's our dear Ron huh?" Hermione blushed before giving a tiny nod.
"Yea, I must be crazy to fall for him but yea, I really do like him. He's just too.. too busy to notice." She closed her eyes, looking greatly relieved to be able to talk about it to Harry. She laid her head closer to Harry's shoulders.
Harry was about to say that Ron did notice Hermione and a part of him wanted to mention how affected Ron was when Hermione went out with Krum ,but the feel of Hermione lying close to him was enough to distract him.
" No one could ever not notice you. You are special." He said softly as he stroked her hair slowly.
Hermione smiled at Harry, her soft pink lips glistening in the morning sun. "You're being too nice,Harry. No wonder a lot of girls fall for you."
He sighed.
"Come on, we better go. I wanna say goodbye to Seamus and the rest." Hermione jumped up and pulled Harry up. " Race ya to the common room!"
Harry watched as Hermione ran her way to the common room. He knew something was going on.This is surreal. He could swear that now a part of him was missing right then.
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Ronald Weasly watched his best friend Harry Potter playing with his lunch, a strange look upon his face. Should I even ask? That guy needs a break. Sigh. Being the best friend of someone as popular as Harry did have its advantages. Being recognised, being able to be there in the midst of the action, not that he enjoyed all of it but what's life without a few dragons every now and then. But he knew, no one can ever truly know what are Harry's feeling or what he's thinking about. Looking carefully at his friend, he knew there was absolutely something up with him. Something different. Harry wasn't the kind to keep his problems or any kind of secrets regarding You-Know-Who from his best friends. In fact, Hermione and Ron were the source of comfort and answers for him. For answers, it was more of Hermione than him but still, they were too close to keep secrets from each other.
"Hey mate,whats'up? You look really pre-occupied. Dumbledore set up another task for you this time?"
Harry took his time answering Ron's question, pushing his carrots and peas to one side of the plate, a blank look on his face. He looked at Ron's concerned face.
"Nah,just thinking about something." Just thinking about a certain girl "By the way, how's your mum and dad? Reached Romania already?" Ron's parents, his twin brothers were all away for Christmas to see Ron's brother Charlie who has been studying dragons there for a couple of years already. Recently, he was quarantined for dragon pox and his folks were flying there to keep him company for Christmas. Fred and George were there to do market research and of course source out for new ingredients for their prank shop. So, the rest of the Weasley kids were staying in Hogwarts which was a great relief for Harry since he has been banned from returning home to the Dursleys every single Christmas.
" Yea. Mum and dad are fine as usual. Well mate, you know, you can always turn to us if you need any help. Where's 'Mione by the way? Didn't see her coming down for lunch earlier on." Ron said,as he munched on his chicken wing greedily.
Harry didn't answer. He so wanted to ask Ron that single question that is on his mind. He knew it was a risk but there was this feeling in him that urged him to do so and he knew he will not have a single clear thought running through his mind if he didn't ask Ron and judging by all the talks he had Dumbledore lately about Horcruxes and such, a clear mind is definitely an important thing to be having especially if you're the one destined to kill of Voldemort,Harry thought miserably.
" Mind if I ask you something...Something..ah..important.." The sudden change of tone in Harry's voice made Ron look up from his mountain of food on his plate. Ron gave a nod as he drank his pumpkin juice, the question in his eyes was well, unquestionable.
"Do you.. I mean... How do you feel...I mean... Haha.." Harry laughed nervously as he avoided looking at Ron at the same time.
"What? "
"How... ahem.. do you feel about...how can i say this..." Harry said uncomfortably, as he continued staring at his peas and carrots.
"Yea????"
"What do you think if I... Ahhhh...I mean.. How do you feel about..."
His tongue felt as if it was glued to the roof of his mouth and he so desperately want to ask it but this was Ron he was talking to, his best friend,his loyal supporter, his only source of...
" SPIT IT OUT MATE! How do i feel about????About what???" Ron was getting irritated and this caused Harry to blurt out a line he didn't expect.
"GIRLS." Damn. Damn.Damn. Damn. I can't say it. I can't say it.ARGH!And that's the best I could do?
"Huh?????" Ron's reaction to Harry's question was predictable. He looked so confused and shocked at the same time that Harry was sure, if it was him looking at the both of them from a third person's perspective it would be quite a sight.
"Errr.. Yeah.. Girls... You know... Girls..." Harry blurted out. Damn, this wasn't good. He felt like an idiot.A big fat idiot.
" Girls? What do you mean? How I feel about them?" Ron repeated, clearly confused on how to approach the question.
Harry wanted to run and knock his head on the walls a million times for coming up with such a stupid question and he knew there was no escaping it now. It wasn't the moment to ask and at that time, he felt like the biggest chicken shit ever .
"Ye...Yeah.. Yeah.. Girls." Harry said reluctantly.
"Girls. Err, yea, I like girls who are fine... Well, one that wouldn't call me Won-won of course. Veelas are gorgeous like duh.. But.. Why... OH MY GOD." Ron stopped short, his eyes widening so wide, Harry swore, his eyeballs could probably fall off at that very moment. The amount of shock on Ron's face was more than Harry could handle as he tried to comprehend what was going on.
"Wait Harry, let me get this straight...You're asking me this because..."
Damn.Damn. Damn. Maybe Ron was smarter than he thought. Maybe he knew about him and his deepest secret about...
" You're gay."
It took a while for Harry to really take in Ron's one liner. The combination was just too much.Ron's face. Harry's frantically beating heart that was going out of control for the moment for the fear of Ron finally knowing. And that answer. It was all too much for Harry... He was speechless for a few seconds...
" So it's true then.GOSH! Why didn't you tell me this earlier... I mean I'm your best friend.So is that the real reason why you broke up with Cho. I mean I thought...," Ron rambled on and he finally stopped when Harry gave Ron's shoulder a shake before saying..
"RON,shut up... Listen...I.AM.NOT.GAY!" The seriousness of Ron's face made him laughed; a huge relief was felt by Harry. So he didn't know. Im saved!
"But??? Why... Hey! Which straight guy in the right mind would ask that kind of question? I mean, gosh Harry.. " Ron said, irritated.
"Hahaha!! Well, I'm not ok.. I just wanted.. I just wanted to ask for some advice on girls.." Harry said,carefully choosing his words these time.
"Sheesh..And I thought.Damn. Don't ever do that to me again." Ron said, clearly mortified with the experience.
" Well, it's good to know that you readily believed that I'm one though" Harry said sarcastically.
Ron gave a laugh this time and continued his meal, before pointing out to Harry with his fork.
"Just so you know, I had the perfect candidate on my mind for ya if you're still intent on finding the perfect .. ahem.. "girl" for ya.." Ron said, a twinkle in his eyes.
"Oh yeah.. Who?"
"Lockhart of course," Ron chuckled and he ducked before Harry could finally find some use for his carrots and peas on his plate.
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Hermione was in her room, laying on her stomach as she chewed on the end of the pencil, thinking of what to write next in her tiny secret book of hers. It was just a simple blue notebook, the kind of cheap notebook you can get from a Muggle bookstore but to Hermione, it was something that was special to her. A book that kept her inner most thoughts and dreams. No, it wasn't your typical school girl/girl- next- door kind of diary. No poems, no drawings of hearts on the corners of the pages. Just simple writings of how Hermione truly felt and wanted to express that wasn't mushy and lovey-dovey. Yup. That was what she was. A logical and practical person,Hermione said to herself.
Her thoughts went immediately to a certain redhead. A certain redhead that has been invading her dreams all these while.Yes,she knew he was the one for her. How can you be so sure? Because my name's Hermione Granger and I am never wrong because as someone once said, I am an insufferable know-it-all, she muttered to herself. Giving a small groan, she turned her body and stared up the ceiling of her dorm room. Now that most of the girls had gone home for the holidays, it was just Ginny and her. She looked around unsurprised to see that Ginny was still not back from her date with Dean. An unlikely couple,she thought to herself. Yeah, and that's make the two of us she thought miserably as an image of Ron crossed her mind.
Why the hell am I so into him,she often wondered silently to herself. He was insensitive unlike Harry. He wasn't that good looking as Harry and the other boys she knew in her year too.In fact, he was just this average looking lad who unfortunately has somehow managed to sneak his way past through Hermione's heart. The keeper of the keys to her heart. She snorted at herself. Hermione Granger?Mushy? Oh hell, the world's gonna end. She closed her book and waved her wand and the room was instantly in darkness. Attempting to clear her thoughts before going to sleep, she discovered it was hard to do so.
The sound of the creaking hinges of her room distracted her from her thoughts. Someone was attempting to enter the room as quietly as possible and sucked at doing so as she heard a crash at the corner of the room. She grinned. Typical Ginny. Back from the night of making out with Dean probably.
"Hey Gin...Back so late..." She whispered suddenly much to Ginny's surprise and shock. She was sure her roommate was asleep.
"Ahh! Oh God, you scared me,'Mione...Yeah. Dean, err. He was intent on making me stay longer if you know what i mean."
Hermione could almost see Ginny winking back at her cheekily in the darkness. Ginny. Her only close female companion besides the boys. A fresh perspective on the workings of the female mind that was so much different than hers, she immediately knew Ginny was the best friend she was looking for all these while. As smart as she was, she knew nothing beats gossiping and just talking about stuff and fads such as fashion to take her mind off other matters. She sighed.
"Ginny,can I ask you something?"
"Yea, sure 'Mione.Anything.SO shoot."
" What does it feels to be in love?"
Ginny gave a laugh. Typical Hermione.Asking her to explain stuff that can't be demonstrated as clearly as water through books and such.
"Well, it's complicated really. I mean, I don't really think I'm the right person for you to be asking this question. With Dean..and the flings before him.. I mean, to me.. I don't think it's the real love we are suppose to be looking out for. Anyway, there's no real gauge of what real love is. You just... You just feel right with the person. You don't feel different whenever you are with the person. You know he knows what you're thinking without you even saying it. I think real love means that you somehow found that missing piece in yourself that makes you feel complete."
Hermione kept silent, listening to Ginny's words. The missing piece.
" So I guess when you're with the person you are really in love with, you are a whole complete being. Like one. 2 souls in one. Which explains...the need for sex???Right Gin?"
"Hahahahahahh! You are really thinking about it huh 'Mione?" Ginny said cheekily and she grinned.
"No! I mean... I don't really know. Just curious I guess..."
"Are you sure our international Quidditch player, Mr Viktor Krum didn't do anything naughty to you?Didn't he make you feel hot? haha!"
"Oh real funny Gin. Bringing up old news when it isn't necessary. We are just friends. It's not like that. It was never like that."
"Ya right. Just friends. You and Harry are friends. You and Dean are friends. Yet, I bet there's never this feeling of wanting to kiss any of them like you did when you're with Krum right?" Ginny said as she waved her wand to light up the darkness in order to see Hermione's reaction to her question.
It was true. She never did, Hermione wanted to admit. With Krum and Dean that is. With Harry... Hmmmm..That was a whole other matter about that..And she knew it was weird to be thinking about that now since she has let go of her very first crush for so long now. She blushed. No one ever did knew.
"Awww.And the lady blushes."Ginny said in a playful dramatic tone, playfully throwing a pillow at Hermione.
Laughing along with Ginny, she threw back her own pillow at her BFF. She knew it was time to admit it now. Afterall, what has she got to hide from her best girl friend anyway?Anyway, she was now with Dean and she bet it didn't even mattered to her at all.
"Ginny..Promise you won't kill me for what I'm telling you now ok.It's long overdue but I guess it's too small of a matter to mention anyway,"Hermione said as she played with the loose threads of her nightgown,avoiding Ginny's gaze.
"Oh really? Let me be the judge of that yeah 'Mione. So spill."
"You ready for this shocker?"
"Of course.Duh. I've known you for like ages Hermione.The most shocking news you can probably tell me is that you ain't a virgin anymore,'Mione."
"GINNY!!! What are talking about. Of course I am still one!"
"Duh. At the rate you and Ron are going, I'll be surprised that it'll ever happen."Ginny grinned at the wide-mouthed Hermione who was utterly mortified and embarrassed at her comment. Ginny giggled before attempting to soften Hermione who now seemed reluctant to tell her the news as she showed her sulky look.
"Alright.Alright! I won't tease you about Ron again. Ever again. I swear. Now, come on. Tell me. NOW! This is killing me! I mean how surprising and bad it could be..It's not as if you have a secret love affair with Snape or crush with Harry Potter or something.
The sudden change in Hermione's face was so instantaneous;even Ginny was shocked beyond belief.
"You mean.. you and Harry...Or Ewww SNAPE???!"
"NO! Of course not that ugly git..It's erm..."
"Harry???? Our Harry???"
Hermione gave a guilty nod,mouthing a sorry to the shocked Ginny.
"But when?How?Why? And now only you tell me?!"
" Hey, chill Ginny.. It's a long story, I guess..."
"And there I was... Really into Harry when my best friend was also into him at the same time. Is it? Thank God you didn't tell me 'Mione.We will probably transfigure each other to Hippogriff's droppings or something."
Hermione grinned. She explained that it was a feeling that started unexpectedly at the end of her 1st year,during the break from Hogwarts. She revealed that Harry was the 1st ever boy she ever cared about in that way, the 1st boy who made her want to write letters all day long to, the 1st boy to make her feel so in awe of due to his 2nd defeat of Voldemort that year and well, it was enough to make any little girl giddy with excitement.
"So we had the same interests even though we didn't officially knew each other then." A strange reminiscent look was upon Ginny's face.
"Yea,I supposed. But I guess, it kinda fades away, little by little without me actually knowing it though. When we became such great friends, ever since then, I've placed Harry on my "untouchable" shelf of boys."
" A weird expression for you to use considering the fact that your shelf of boys only included my probably dusty-by-now brother and a Quidditch player who didn't even make much of a move on you. He's probably gay, trying to act straight!"
"Hey! He's nice ok..."
"Yeah, but tell me... This thing with Harry.Gosh.. I didn't know! Think of all the times we could have talked about.Dreaming about kissing him..."
"Haha. Oh Ginny.. You are insatiable. You must really like kissing huh?"
"Duh... Anyway, tell me.. Don't you ever dream of kissing Harry?" Ginny asked, a curious glint in her eyes.
Hermione looked up at the million stars outside the window,thinking deeply. Yes, she actually did. More than a couple of times actually. In fact, as she remembered now, Harry was once again the 1st boy she wanted to kiss. She gave a giggle. The full impact of her delirious mini self last time was all coming back.It was all so long ago.
"Yea, I did... I really did think he was gonna be my first kiss. "
" Aww..too bad... Krum already beat him to it.." Ginny said before yawning widely. " All these talk is making me sleepy..."
Hermione gave a fake laugh that was passable as a genuine one as she remembered her conversation with Harry that afternoon.
"So we're cool then huh,Ginny?" Hermione said as she took her wand to dimmed the lights in the rooms.
A silence followed. For a moment, Hermione thought that Ginny has fallen asleep but then a soft voice of her BFF whispered back.
"Yeah. We're cool. It's not as if..." Ginny yawned again.
"Yea?"
"Not as if.. you still like him now eh... Coz..."
"Coz what?"
This time, Ginny's snores answered her. Hermione herself was getting super sleepy and without any further thought, she surrendered herself to the sleep that beckoned.
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Unknown to Hermione and Ginny, a few metres away from their room, a boy was still awake.Staring at the falling snow outside his window as he laid on his side, body towards his frosty windows. He was afraid to sleep. A lot was on his mind lately. Horcruxes to find and destroy. Thinking about his parents. And also, about the one single girl that had confused the hell out of him. He slowly got up and sat up straight in his bed. He couldn't sleep. He didn't want to have those dreams. It scared the hell out of him because he knew it could lead to something even much more serious than he had ever thought. It wasn't possible.How could he fall for Hermione after all these years???
He took out an old piece of parchment and a quill that was in his side drawer and before he knew it, he was writing. Letting the words flow out of him. A tune that he didn't know was lying within him all these while.
It's like a quarter to three and I just can't sleep
'Cause I'm thinking of you
And all those times we cried
Did we really try?
Now I'm dreaming in blue
I'll wait for love
I'll wait for you
I'll wait for love
I'll wait, will you?
When times are hard, I'll think of you
I'll wait for love...
Harry looked down upon his penned writings and stared at the words,unable to comprehend what's happening to him. Her image once again crossed his mind and he sighed. It was no use fighting it.
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NExt chapter will be much more interesting. I promise. A lot of action and finally some interaction between H/HR and Surprise! between H/Ginny too.. Well well well, Ron will have a lot to deal in the next chapter.. And hey, Christmas is coming up real soon too.. SO yikes! I better finish up this story fast...
Heheheheh!! Thanks for reading! Pls review!