CHAPTER 16: Compatibility, Compromise, Love
A/N: This is a bit of change of pace. I wanted to establish a few things with this chapter. I'm not going to say what, I'll see if any of you get them. This is one of the most fun chapters I wrote. I hope you enjoy it. Without further ado...
1998
February 21
Exterior, Quidditch Stadium, Hogwarts – Night
The dark clouds casted a dreary and gloomy shadow over the oval stadium. There was no sign of the moon in the sky, nor of any of the countless stars and even if one used a telescope they still wouldn't be able to spot them for they hid behind a dense mist of grey.
A thunderous roar followed by a lightning strike lit up the stadium. The light remained less than five seconds but for that small brief period of time it did portray a staggering image as it illuminated the stadium in a translucent glow.
Just before the darkness returned, a movement behind the goal post closer to the mountains came into view. It was so quick that one would simply dismiss it as nothing but trickery on the eyes if it wasn't for the loud swooshing sound.
Harry tightened his hold on the broom and twisted his hands slightly as he leaned forward until his chest was parallel with the stick. He bolted straight through the middle hoop before taking a steep dive towards the ground.
He gritted his teeth as the wind slapped against his cheeks. His eyes remained focused and open the entire time for they were protected by goggles with a leather strap.
He was rapidly approaching the ground but did not slow down, in fact he seemed to have gather more momentum.
"C'mon!" he growled.
At this rate he would hit the ground in less than five seconds.
"C'mon!"
Four seconds.
"C'mon!"
Three seconds.
"C'mon!"
Two seconds. The distance reduced to 3 meters.
"C'MON!"
One second.
"AAAH!"
He jerked back and pulled on the handle with all his might. The tip of the broom narrowly missed the ground with a few inches to spare as it levelled parallel above the surface. His hands weren't so lucky as they scraped the dewy grass, as did the back end of the broom, which thumped into the ground, breaking half of the twigs.
The broom started swaying violently from left to right and Harry lost his left grip off the handle. The twigs hit the ground once more before the broom started tipping forward.
"Fuck!"
Harry leapt off just before the tip thrusted into the ground and cartwheeled twenty feet in the air before landing, broken in half.
His shoulder took the brunt of the impact before he rolled a few times because of the momentum. He sighed when he stopped and laid his forehead against the wet grass. Just then it started raining.
"Great" he muttered.
"Need a hand" came a deep voice from above him.
He lifted his head and squinted up. There was a crack in the goggle above his right eye but his glasses remained intact.
He stared into the glinting eyes of his grandfather who had a small smirk on his face before dropping his gaze to his outstretched hand.
He sat on his knees before grabbing it.
Dumbledore hauled him up.
"I thought you weren't allowed to apparate unless you were in Hogsmeade." he said, removing the goggles.
"You're not. No one can apparate in or out on Hogwarts grounds"
Harry handed him the goggles as he dusted himself off.
"Unless it's you, ofcourse" he muttered with a hint of sarcasm.
Dumbledore's smirk widened as they started walking. "Being me has certain perks"
"Really!" Harry exclaimed before rolling his eyes.
Dumbledore let out a small chuckle as Harry stopped and picked up the broken broom.
"May I ask the reason behind the certain inspiration to end your life"
"Two sides to a coin." Harry began as they headed for the gate. "What may seem like suicide to you is one of the best thrills in life to me"
"Hmm" Dumbledore hummed. "You have a point there"
Harry chewed the inside of his lip and ran a hand through his hair as he let out a tired sigh.
Dumbledore glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
"There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity."
Harry halted and faced him, an angry expression taking over his face. "What's your point" he growled.
Dumbledore appeared completely in calm by his aggressive tone. "No point. Just a piece of advice from a grandfather to his grandson who likes to live on the edge."
"So, what if I do! Huh!" he spat. "Do I have to take your permission for that as well."
"Harry" Dumbledore's eyes turned soft. "You don't ever have to ask my permission for anything. I trust you-"
"Yeah right" scoffed Harry. "Keep telling yourself that. Not you, or mum, or dad, no one fuckin trusts me. I can always feel one of your eyes always on me, to see what I'm up to. It fucking makes me sick! To the point that I have thoughts in my mind...thoughts that shouldn't be in my head..." He took deep breaths as his nostrils flared.
"Harry-"
"NO!" He backed away a couple of steps. "Why can't you understand that I need space...you're supposed to be the smart one...so why can't you get it that I feel claustrophobic every time I see you...or mum...or dad...because I know what you all think when you look at me...you're afraid that one of these days I'm going to lose it...that I'm going to go after him...alone...and fuck this entire thing up!" He paused, glaring at him. "I know what you're all going to say...that this is bigger than just me...that I have to think about others...that there is an entire world resting their hopes on me...that I have to wait till it's the right time...BUT I DON'T FUCKING CARE!...HE KILLED MY BROTHER...THE ONLY ONE WHO UNDERSTOOD ME...THE ONLY PERSON I COULD TALK TO...HE KILLED HIM...AND NOW I HAVE NO ONE TO TALK TO...TO TELL ME THAT IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY"
"Harry, son, it is going to be okay"
"NO!" he yelled. "It's not" Tears gathered behind his eyes but he kept them at bay. "Nothing's ever going to be okay, you understand me...nothing!"
He furiously chucked the two broken wooden pieces high in the air before storming off.
Dumbledore sighed and tilted his head up.
Interior, First Floor, Hogwarts – Night
The tapping sound of his shoes echoed in the empty hallway as he swiftly moved forward. He made a left turn at the intersection and nearly collided with someone. He sidestepped to his right just before the collision and continued ahead on his path without stopping or looking at the person.
"Hey!" shouted Rowan. "Watch where you're going!" he shook his head and turned back round. "Fuckin dickhead" he had only taken two steps before he found himself pinned against the wall with a forearm pressing against his throat.
"Say that" breathed Harry, as he glared down at him. "One. More. Time" He accentuated each word with a push.
Clicking and grating noises escaped Rowan's lips as he haplessly tried to remove Harry's arm. His efforts were highly unsuccessful. His face had taken a deep red colour and his eyes were getting shiny.
"AACK!" He began kicking Harry in the shin and even that had no effect.
Finally, when it looked that he was about to faint as his hands and legs had become immobile, did Harry let go.
He took a step back as Rowan doubled over and started a violent coughing streak.
He kept watching him with disgust and repulsion in his features when a sharp gasp made him turn his head to the left and his eyes landed on Hermione's shocked face standing at the intersection just a few feet away from them.
Her eyes, which had been focused on Rowan the moment Harry looked at her, shifted up at him and locked with his own.
They kept staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity but in reality, was only a handful of seconds.
"Get away from him, Hermione!" Rowan got up, emitting a groan of pain. "He's a fucking psycho!" He walked over to his friend and tugged on her forearm. He looked at Harry with a look of pure contempt. "You're done for, Potter! Get ready for cleaning the dungeons for the remainder of the year"
Harry turned his gaze towards him and a strong emotion flashed through his eyes. His jaw clenched before a glob of spit left his lips and landed right between Rowan's feet.
"Go and make that happen, you spineless bitch!" he scoffed, before turning round and walking away.
Both seventh years' gaze followed him, their expressions however, couldn't have been more different, one had rage burning behind his eyes and the other had curiosity mixed in with worry morphed across her face.
"C'mon Hermione"
Hermione gave a start and turned towards her friend. He grabbed her hand and started pulling her in the other direction.
"Oh!" He stopped when she pulled her hand away. "Actually, I have to go that way" she pointed behind her. "I was in the middle of completing my rounds"
"Don't worry about it" he said offhandedly and went to grab her hand again but she took a step back. He looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.
"No, Rowan." she said softly but firmly. "I can't afford to be complacent, not when everyone's sleeping with one eye open...not in times like these. We have to be extra vigilant"
He looked at her oddly for a moment before nodding his head.
"Just be careful"
She smiled and nodded. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, don't worry I had it under control." She raised both eyebrows as he continued. "The bastard just caught me off guard." He sneered. "Likes to attack from the back" he growled. "Next time it'll be a different story" he whispered, and by the glaze that had fallen over his eyes it appeared that he said that last part to himself and didn't realize there was someone else beside him.
Hermione's faze stricken at his words and she lightly touched his shoulder. "Rowan"
He blinked and looked at her. "Hmm" he frowned.
"Nothing, you just went into a zone back then"
He stared at her for a brief moment before his lips curled upwards. "Oh, don't worry about it" he chuckled. "You know I tend to get lost in my own thoughts sometimes"
"Yeah" she smiled.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow" he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Good night"
"Good night" she gave him a peck on his cheek in return.
"Be alert!" he said mock-sternly.
"Always" she giggled.
"And don't do anything I wouldn't do"
She rolled her eyes but the smile remained on her face. "That line has no meaning on me because I can't even comprehend half the shit you get up to"
"It's my duty to keep reminding you because I don't want you to lose your innocence" he started walking backwards.
She chortled. "Please, I lost my innocence a long time ago"
"I know" he winked.
"One of the fruits of being your friend. You corrupt everyone around you"
"I finally turned you too even though you took the longest"
"You didn't turn me" she paused, before shrugging her shoulder. "It was at my own account"
"Of course, my mistake. No one can tell Hermione Granger to do anything she doesn't want to"
She snapped her fingers and winked. "Right on point" she laughed. "Alright, now get out of here before I start taking off points"
"Yes maam" he gave her a salute. She shook her head, smiling wryly before turning round.
"Oh, and Hermione"
She looked over her shoulder.
"Stay away from that monster"
Her smile dropped a little as she nodded "Yeah" she whispered.
With a parting wave, Rowan strolled away.
Hermione made her way through the corridors, stopping every once a while to look inside a broom cupboard or check inside a classroom.
She stopped at an intersection that led to three different directions and pondered with a slight furrow in her brow.
She looked to her left and took half a step before retracting her footing. Then, slowly, almost hesitantly, she looked to her right and before she even realized it, her feet were carrying her along.
She didn't stop when she reached the bottom of the staircase, in fact she almost ran all the way to the top, as if in fear that if she didn't reach it in time then she would miss it, exactly what or who, not even she knew for she seemed to be in a stupor.
She took a moment to catch her breath when she reached the landing and panted for several moments before walking the small distance to the iron wrought gate and pushing it open.
The moment she stepped through her head automatically turned right and landed on him leaning against the railing in the furthest corner, as if she knew that's where he would be.
He didn't turn around when the gate closed with a clunk, as if he knew who was behind him.
Fiddling with the sleeve of her right arm she walked parallel to the wall and stopped when she reached the railing.
She squinted her eyes when a harsh gush of wind made the side of her bushy curls slap across her face. She took out a hairband from the pocket of her skirt and tied her hair in a loose bun.
A small frown stretched over her mouth before she sniffed the air. Turning her head to the only other person in the tower, she found the reason behind her frown in the form of a cigar stuck between his lips, and it was no ordinary cigar either but a Davidoff. He took a long puff and she saw the smoke come out of his nostrils as well as his mouth.
Her eyebrows rose when they landed on the cigar, now fully visible as he held it between his middle finger and forefinger. It was five inches long with a 52 mm ring gauge. It had a dark brown colour with a light sheen to it.
He brought it back to his lips and took another puff.
"I hope that's not a regular habit or those will kill you" she spoke over the wind.
He didn't react in anyway and simply continued to enjoy his roll of tobacco.
"That's easily 500 points, you know. Maybe more depending on who caught you" she moved slowly towards him with one hand scraping across the railing.
"Now's not a good time, love"
Hermione's nose wrinkled in irritation. "Don't call me that"
"Then I suggest you keep your distance from me. Like you did after that incident in The Three Broomsticks" he turned to her. "Don't forget, it was you who came to the tower a week ago. You, who has been greeting me with a nod every day since then whenever we cross paths"
She stopped walking. "None of that warrants a pet name which only a loved one or someone you're in a relationship with should call you and not someone who, as you put it, you share nothing except a small nod in greeting"
He shrugged his shoulder. "Fair enough" he took a drag. "But" he sighed. "I'm not one to follow the rules"
A hint of a smile stretched over her lips. "That I'm aware of"
"So" he starting moving towards her. "Is this how it's going to be?"
"What" she looked like she wanted to move back but for the moment kept her ground.
"Us" he motioned between them. "Only conversing when we're here" he did a rolling motion of his finger, addressing the space around them. "And not even a simple 'Hi' when we're not alone" he finished the last part in a whisper as he stopped before her.
She looked up at him as her throat bobbed.
"What are you afraid of" he whispered.
"I'm not afraid of anything" she whispered back.
"That's a lie. Don't lie. I can see it in your eyes"
"What" she breathed.
"The struggle...you're trying to fight it when you already know that you've lost"
"Stop it"
"You know I'm right"
"Stop" she took a step back.
"You can't fight it forever"
"Stop!" she took another step back.
"It'll save both of us time if you just accept your heart's wish"
"Stop!"
"Listen to what it's trying to tell you, Hermione"
"Stop!"
She turned on her heels and stormed out of the tower and down the stairs.
She dashed through the hallways, down the moving staircases and finally stopped when she reached the portrait of Godric Gryffindor.
"Crime and Punishment"
The door opened and she rushed inside. She dashed across the common room that had one sofa and a couple of chairs facing each other before the fireplace and clambered up the staircase. She twisted the knob of the door at the top of the staircase and stepped into another living area, this one much smaller.
There were two doors on opposite end facing each other. She ran over to the one on the left and barged through it.
"What the-"
Cormac, who had been sleeping under the covers on his back, woke up with a start at the sound and immediately fetched for his wand under the pillow and pointed in the direction of the door.
"Hermione..." he trailed off, staring confusedly at his girlfriend who was in the middle of locking the door.
She turned around and dashed over to the bed and jumped on it, shoved him on to his back, straddled him and pinned him under her weight.
"Baby, Umph! -"
She sealed his lips with an aggressive kiss, demanding entrance with a forceful prodding of her tongue. He obediently parted his lips and a second later they were battling for dominance. He didn't even stand a chance as she canted her head slightly and skillfully pushed his tongue inside his mouth before attaching her lips to it and fervently sucking on it in a vigorous up and down motion of her head.
He moaned when she trailed her lips down his chin and neck and started nibbling on his Adam's apple.
"Fuck babe!" he hissed.
She pulled away and shot him a sly wink before grabbing the hem of his white t-shirt and pulling it up. He sat up and helped her pull it over his head. She pushed him back down and went back to torturing him with her wicked mouth.
She latched her lips onto his flat nipple and gave it a light nip with her sharp teeth.
"Fuck!" he groaned, and then let out a soft sigh when she soothed the pain with gentle swipes of her tongue.
She trailed down his stomach with a long stripe of her tongue before stopping at his naval. She dipped her tongue in wiggled it, emanating a low chuckle from him.
"Hey!" he squirmed and gently pushed her head away.
She smirked and sat up right. His eyes glazed over when she brought a finger to her mouth and wrapped her lips around it. A few seconds later she pulled it out, a trail of saliva attaching the tip of her finger to her bottom lip, and slowly brought it over his naval before swirling it around the rim.
His pupils dilated and his gaze darkened.
"Like that" she whispered.
He nodded his head.
"Here" she brought her other hand towards him and held her pointer finger over his lips. "You do it"
He grabbed her hand and pulled it closer to his mouth before sticking his tongue out and swirling it around her finger.
He smacked his lips and raised an eyebrow.
"Your finger is salty...sweaty" His lips quirked upwards. "Just what had you been up to Ms. Granger?"
She shot him a flirtatious smile. "I couldn't wait to fuck my boyfriend's brain out so I ran the entire way"
His lips curved into a full-grown smile before he flipped her over and rolled on top of her.
She gave a slight squeal of laughter which quickly turned into a moan as he started laving attention all over her body.
Long after, Hermione lay on her side with Cormac's arm wrapped around her bare shoulders. The bed sheet was pooled at their waists.
Her features portrayed peace and calm but, if one were to pay close attention, particularly at her brown orbs, something seemed amiss for they didn't match up with the emotions of her face. There indeed seemed to be a battle going on, of what sort, only she knew.
February 22
Exterior, Quidditch Stadium, Hogwarts – Morning
Harry was leaning against the wooden post that supported the stand the staff were seated at. He was dressed in Gryffindor quidditch robes. He took a drag before throwing the blunt to the ground. He leaned his head against the structure and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Hey"
He turned his head towards the voice as Draco jogged over to him. "Look" the blonde-haired boy started. "I tried...but he said that it's a really important game and he wants to go for experience and you have no experience" Disappointment was etched in his words as he gave Harry an apologetic smile. "Look, hopefully we'll win this game and then we'll have a prominent lead in the leaderboard and then I can convince him to rest Joshua for the next game and give you your opening game"
Harry looked over his shoulder at Cormac who was watching them with a small frown. He turned his gaze back to Draco and shot him a smile. "It's all good" he winked, clapping him on the back. "You stuck to your word, that's all that matters"
"Look, everyone knows you're the best seeker in Hogwarts let alone Gryffindor. I mean the way you move in the air" he shook his head in amazement. "I've never seen anyone pull of stunts like you, nor as confident. It's like you were born to fly"
Harry scoffed.
"Hopefully, next time" Draco finished.
"Yeah"
Harry patted him one more time before walking away. He lifted his gaze up and saw the stands filled with a sea of people. The noise was already reaching deafening levels and the game was still a few minutes from start as the players did their practice drills.
He passed a couple of his team members, one of which was Rowan, shooting a smug smile his way, and walked towards the tunnel.
"Hey Potter!" Harry stopped and turned around.
"Where do you think you're going?" Cormac asked. By now, the entire team was looking at him.
Harry chewed the inside of his lip before opening his mouth. "Well, first I'm going to get this off" he pointed at his jersey. "Then I was thinking of taking a big dump. Then I was thinking of going to Hog's head for a pint. Then – well you know what, that's all I've planned up to now. I'm not one of those who thinks far into the future you see." He shrugged his shoulder. "I just do"
A few members of the team started chuckling, including Draco and Ron.
"Funny!" glared Corman.
"Thanks, it's all natural. Believe it or not I don't write any of this shit up. It just comes to me"
"Too bad you won't be going anywhere. Sorry to spoil your plans but not starting the game doesn't mean you can just pack your bags and leave. You're still part of the team and that means you'll sit and watch the game like the rest of the reserves and if you're lucky, which it seems you are since you're still alive after all the crazy shit the papers write about you, then you may even get to play" he finished with a sneer.
Harry stared at him for a moment. It was hard to discern what he was thinking since there wasn't any emotion in his stare.
"Sorry, not interested" he turned on his heel and started heading towards the entrance to the tunnel.
Cormac scoffed, not believing what he just heard. "Wait what?" he looked at his team members who were equally perplexed by Harry's response.
He looked back at him and his face hardened.
"If you take one more step, you're out!"
Harry continued walking.
"This isn't a joke, Potter!"
He was now only a few paces from the entrance.
Draco ran over to him and stopped him just before he could step inside.
"Hey, think this through mate" He looked behind him at Cormac who was watching Harry with a nasty look. "I know Cormac and he's not joking"
Harry turned his head towards him. "Good, I'd be disappointed if he was. Nothing pathetic than false threats."
Draco sighed as he watched him walk away.
Interior, Hog's Head, Hogsmeade – Afternoon
Harry was seated at the back in a corner booth. He looked around the place, which at this time of the day was empty except a few old wizards.
They were chatting with an old man behind the bar who was in the middle of pouring a large mug of dark amber liquid. He had long white hair and an equally long beard to match.
Harry tilted his head back and closed his eyes.
A few minutes passed by before he was awakened by a thump on the table. He opened his eyes and saw a mug filled with bubbling amber liquid placed before him.
He glanced up and saw the old man staring at him with a knowing smirk. A tray filled with three massively large chicken sandwiches and a side tray of potato chips was levitating beside him.
"Who is she?" he sat down opposite him as the tray gently lowered itself onto the table.
Harry immediately picked up a sandwich and lifted the top bread. "Who is who" he asked distractedly as he inspected the contents of the sandwich. Seeming satisfied, he put the bread back on top before taking a large bite.
"The girl in your dreams"
Harry started coughing. He reached for the mug and drowned half the beverage in one gulp.
The old man's smile turned smug as he leaned back in his seat.
"I rest my case. Now, who is she. Must be someone special because I've never seen you like this before"
"Like what" Harry shoved a potato chip in his mouth.
The old man placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward. "In love" he whispered.
Harry, who was in the middle of taking another bite of his sandwich, stopped and looked up at him. He put the sandwich down and let out a long sigh.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Plain as a day"
"Fuck, I thought I was doing a good job at hiding it"
"Anyone who can't see is a fool"
Harry's lips quirked upwards. "So, you're saying the rest of the world is made of fools"
"I've been saying it for as long as I can remember. You're the only other person I've been able to convince"
"Never said I was convinced"
"Ah, Ah" he wagged his finger. "I know what you're doing and it's not going to work. Remember, I'm the one who taught you these tricks. Now, who is she"
Harry inhaled a long breath and exhaled it slowly.
"She is beautiful" he said with admiration lacing his words.
A warm smile stretched the old man's lips as he folded his hands together. "How beautiful"
Harry shifted his gaze towards the table before answering. "The most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Her smile...it's so affectionate, you just want to smile with her. Her eyes, brown with little bit of golden around the edge...are probably the feature I love most. They are so expressive, so emotive...there's nothing subtle about her gaze...her eyes tell you what she's thinking, what she's feeling, is she happy, is she sad, is she troubled, is she angry...everything.
Her lips...so soft, plump, inviting..." he gave a small chuckle. "Sometimes I spent the entire class thinking about them. What it would be like to kiss her. Her hair...so pretty...soft, bushy, unruly"
A small frown came over his face.
"Sometimes, she ties them up...I don't like that. When we get together, I'm going to tell her to not do that. I like them flowing freely...swaying and bouncing with her every movement.
Her nose...not big, not small...just perfect...like everything else.
Her voice, ahh" he closed his eyes for a moment before opening them. "So soft, so melodic...I can hear her talk all day...even when she's angry...it's still music to my ears.
She's so smart...no one can match her intellectual.
Her calves...so smooth. Fuck, every time I see her calves, I get a hard on-"
"Okay, I think I've heard enough"
Harry blinked his eyes and looked up at him. "What?" he asked dazedly.
"Too much information, son"
"Information - what -"
The old man chuckled. "Forget about it" he clapped his hands. "So, none of what you told me has anything to do with who she is as a person. Everything is about her physical attributes or about her intellect." He lifted his hand when Harry was about to cut him off. "I'm not saying that doesn't matter, of course it does. Physical attraction is very important, those lie who say it's not. In fact, the very first thing you notice about somebody is their physical beauty and if they rock your boat. If they do then you start thinking beyond that. But" he paused. "It is not the most important. In fact, it doesn't even come close to the three most important things in a relationship."
He lifted a finger. "Compatibility"
He lifted a second finger. "Compromise"
He lifted a third finger "Love"
He leaned back and popped a chip in his mouth and made a pleasurable sound. He sucked the residue of his finger before looking back at Harry who was now staring at him with rapt attention.
"Now...love" he sighed. "Some say it's the most powerful thing in the world." He scoffed. "My brother certainly thinks so"
"You don't" Harry interrupted him.
He stuck his chin up and contemplated. "Mmm...I do...in a way" he popped another chip and munched it languorously. "I believe love is the purest, most innocent force in our world, I just think that we, and by we I mean people in general, make it complicated. That being said, I don't believe that when it comes to relationships that love is the primary factor, you know what I mean, I don't think that a relationship can survive on love alone. It will wither away after a while, leaving resentment in its wake. To me it's the third most important factor.
I believe the second most important factor is compromise. If there is love and the two individuals have the understanding and the strength to compromise for the other's sake, then that relationship will prolong.
And the most important factor is compatibility. If you're compatible with each other, then either you won't have to compromise or if you have to it won't feel like you're sacrificing your soul. That relationship will thrive, but those are the lucky ones...they are, as people would say, made for each other."
A light frown had formed between Harry's eyebrows, something about the old wizard's words didn't seem to sit right with him.
"I don't have the strength to compromise" he said after a while, staring at his hands that were folded on the table. His sandwich lay no long forgotten but the old man was making quick work of the chips. "And we're not compatible." He sighed. "She's very different from me." A hollow chuckle escaped his lips. "Or maybe I'm the one who's different...the odd one out...and she's just like everyone...normal. From what I know and have observed, our interests don't match, I'm not sure but I would highly doubt if her family life is a fucked up as mine." He chewed the inside of his lip and ran a hand through his hair. "She seems...happy. I mean she gets stressed whenever there is a test or because of an assignment but...I'd highly doubt if they keep her up all night or if she does get some sleep then to only wake up because of a nightmare so horrible you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy. Actually, I would...i definitely would wish it on my enemy"
"So, you were just banking on love, huh?"
Harry looked up at him and with a slight curve to his lips nodded his head. "I was banking on love"
"Does she know?"
"She knows I'm after her." He chuckled. "I most definitely haven't been subtle about it"
"Hmm" He stroked his beard before giving Harry an appraising look. "Is she just the next in line of your many conquests, another notch on your bed"
Harry's eyes narrowed into slits. "No" he growled.
The old wizard raised an eyebrow. "This is you we're talking about"
"I know"
"You, who once fooled me to get you a portkey to America because, what was it you said...ahh! That's right, you wished to visit your cousin Dudley because you wanted to get closer to your mother's side of the family. Ha! What a bark of nonsense that turned out to be." he shook his head. "Still can't believe you thought that would've worked."
"Hey, the plan was good, it was the execution that let me down"
"Execution of what. Booking a room in the most expensive hotel in the world with your parent's money or not being discreet enough in bringing five girls back to your room from some seedy underground club"
"I don't blame the paparazzi; they were doing their job but" he gritted his teeth in vexation and clenched his fist. "Still can't believe Griphook told on me when I made him promise not to"
"That was your first mistake. Goblins only care about one thing and that is their job and their self-interest. He couldn't give two shits about a promise he made to a sixteen-year-old"
Harry smirked. "Yeah, but I sure made a right fool of you, didn't I"
"True, but tell me again, how did that turn out for you? Oh, I remember, Thirty-seven minutes of your mother shouting at you and me laughing my arse off the entire time"
Harry shrugged his shoulder. "It was worth it"
"Five girls, I sure hope so" the old wizard chortled.
They fell into a comfortable silence as Harry twiddled with his thumbs.
"So" the old wizard began after a while. "You say this girl is different"
Harry didn't reply straight away. Several beats passed by before he spoke, his voice just above a whisper and a little gravely. "She is...but so am I" He let out a breath and scratched under his chin. "I'm not sixteen anymore. I'm not the same guy from nearly two years ago."
"Do I need to bring up the reason how you ended up at Hogwarts"
Harry shot him an annoyed look. "That's an entirely different thing. Are you saying that I should stop having sex!"
"No, but you were doing much more than that and you know it." He leaned forward. "You were playing with their heart's Harry, stringing them along – I mean for goodness sake's Harry, you cajoled a woman to cheat on her husband"
"It was her choice. She could've said no"
"I'm not defending her. That woman is paying a heavy penance for her mistake. You know Albus told me that she only gets to see her children once a week and her husband – ex-husband is trying to make it once every fortnight. But you were in the wrong too, son. Adultery is the worst thing to happen in a relationship and I pray with all my heart that it never happens to you"
"As if" he scoffed. "Look" he continued when the old wizard was about to open his mouth with a retort. "I know I'm an asshole and that I only ever saw girls with one thing in mind. How to get under their skirts"
"Must you be so crass. I'm your granduncle, for crying out loud"
"Shut up and listen. As I was saying, I'm a vile human being, in every sense. But then I saw her and it was like...like a switch flipped inside my head and I was rewired or something because the moment I laid my eyes on her...I felt this warm feeling inside my head...like-like I wanted to protect her and kill anyone who so much as looked at her in the wrong way." He paused and looked into his eyes. "Unlike before, sex never crossed my mind. Surely that has to mean for something, right. I mean it has to because that feeling didn't go away. In fact, it's getting stronger every time I see her and-"
"Aberforth!" a woman in her fifties with curly red hair shouted from behind the bar. They both turned their heads in her direction. "I'm going to the market for grocery shopping. We're low on meat and milk. Do you want anything?"
"No, thank you Dinah. All set on my end"
"Alright then. I'll see you in a bit"
"Take care"
Aberforth turned back to Harry and let out a long sigh. "Alright, you're definitely in love. The bug's caught you."
Harry took a large bite of his now cold sandwich and nodded his head.
"Have you told her?"
Harry answered with a nod.
"So, I presume she didn't reciprocate your feelings or we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"She has a boyfriend" he said before taking a bite.
"Blimey" Aberforth tilted his head back. "What is with you going after woman who are already in a relationship. Can't you begin a relationship in the conventional way"
"Mmm" Harry shook his head. "There'll be no relationship till she's single. I've just laid it all out on my front. Now, it's up to her."
"And what about her boyfriend. Hasn't she told him?"
"He knows but I'm not worried about him."
"Well, you should" Aberforth gritted. "What if he decided that the best way to deal with you is physically"
"He can try" Harry chortled.
"What if he brings in his friends. Hmm, and from what Albus has told me, you still haven't made any"
Harry swallowed the last bit and chugged the remaining beverage in one gulp. He put the mug down with a thump and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "He can bring as many friends as he wants, the result will be the same. Only difference will be that instead of a few broken bones, there will be many and frankly I don't have much issue with that. Not one bit"
Aberforth sighed and shook his head. "You're hopeless."
2017
Interior, Gringotts, Diagon Alley – Afternoon
"Alright, thanks John" Hermione tried to hide the disappointment in her face with a customary smile. She was speaking with John Ritkins through her halfway mirror.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Pot – Miss Granger, sorry" John smiled sheepishly. "If I hear anything you'll be the first to know, I promise. I'm sure we'll find him sooner rather than later"
"I wish I had your confidence and self-belief" Hermione sighed, looking around the sitting area. Her eyes narrowed slightly when they landed on a woman who just entered the room with a little girl in tow.
It was Katharine and Lyla.
"John, I'll call you tomorrow. I have to go. Bye" she switched off the phone and put it inside her pocket and walked over to them.
"Excuse me"
Katharine turned round and her eyes turned wide.
"Hermione Granger" she exclaimed in a whisper.
Hermione shot Lyla a warm smile before shifting her gaze back to Katharine, a steely look in her eye. "Funny how things work. I've been looking for you for the past six months and now, you finally show up when I wasn't." Her eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched. "I think we need to have a nice long chat."
Katharine turned her eyes down and gave her a meek nod.
A/N: You know the drill. I'll catch you on the flip side.