Chapter Eight: "All These Things That I've Done"

A/N: I'm really starting to like this story a lot. I used to like I Promise a lot better, but I can tell this one is picking up a bit. Hopefully you guys think that as well. 3 So please, read, enjoy, and review.

Hermione's eyes widened slightly, and she pulled away after a few moments. She was breathing heavily, and was looking around to see if anyone had noticed. To her horror, Ron was staring at Harry and her in disbelief and rage. The second Hermione looked at him, he turned his back on them and continued to dance with Luna.

Hermione turned back to Harry. He was refusing to look at her. He seemed to be looking everywhere except for at her. Hermione sighed.

"Harry?" she asked softly.

He still wasn't looking at her. "You know, maybe, if you want… we should just forget that it happened."

Hermione touched her lips softly. They were still tingling slightly. She smiled slightly. That was an amazing kiss.

"Why would I want to forget it?" Hermione asked quietly, "That was one great kiss."

Harry gave her a half smile. "What about Ron? He looked like he was ready to murder me. You must know he has liked you since forever."

Hermione shrugged, showing no expression. "I suspected it, but I wasn't exactly sure of it. He never really did get around to making a move on me." She looked to her side to see Ron still glaring at the two of them. She sighed deeply, giving Harry an apologetic look.

"I think I should go calm him down," she told him regretfully. "He looks like he's going to explode with anger."

Harry didn't want to let Hermione go, but knew she had the best intentions. Harry sighed and then nodded. Hermione kissed his cheek lightly and then hurried off. Harry left the dance floor and sat down, watching Hermione talk to Ron.

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When Hermione had reached Ron, he was shaking with rage. She stopped right in front of him, not knowing what to say. He stared back at her, glaring. He too didn't say anything.

"Ron…" Hermione muttered apologetically. Ron scoffed, still not saying anything. He looked even angrier, if that was possible.

Luna Lovegood came up from behind Ron, and touched his shoulder gently. He flinched, ignoring her.

"How could you hurt me like this?" Ron spat at Hermione. "You practically cheated on me. You knew I liked you, and I thought… I thought you liked me as well. I thought Harry was being a good friend by taking you to the dance, but no. He wanted you to himself, and now he's got you."

Hermione's eyes flashed. "I cheated on you, Ronald? How could I have cheated on you when we aren't even going out?"

Luna tapped Ron in hopes of comforting him, but Ron shook her off. He turned around and faced Luna. "Look Luna, why don't you just stay out of this?" He glared at her.

Looking deeply hurt, Luna turned around and headed towards the food. Ron turned back towards Hermione, looking slightly guilty for yelling at Luna like that. After all, she had just tried to help.

Ron opened his mouth to answer Hermione's last retort, but couldn't think of anything to say. She was right. They weren't going out, so it wasn't like she was obligated to him. He shouldn't be mad at Hermione. Instead, he should be angry with Harry… and Ginny. For a moment, Ron had forgotten about Ginny and Malfoy. He felt more hot anger shoot throughout his body. If their family found out about this…

Ron looked back at Hermione. She bit her lip, looking very remorseful. "Ronald…" she murmured, "I'm sorry, but I do like Harry."

Ron didn't answer. He just shook his head, and then turned around to find Luna. Sighing, Hermione turned around, looking for Harry. She spotted him… talking to Ginny.

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"Ginny," Harry sighed, "I don't understand you. There are so many guys in Hogwarts, and you happened to pick Malfoy?"

"Draco," Ginny corrected automatically, not realizing what she was doing. She bit her lip and looked away from Harry. "Harry, you don't understand. He's not what you think he is."

"He's exactly the opposite of me," Harry told her flatly. "You went out with me, and now you're going out with someone who's an exact opposite of me."

Ginny still refused to look at Harry. She couldn't explain her feelings for Draco. He just intrigued her. She had never known anyone like her. It was something about not knowing what exactly he was going to do next that made her excited. She hadn't felt this way about anyone else. Not Harry, not Dean, not Michael… nobody.

"It's just, he's-" Harry broke off midsentence, realizing that Hermione was staring at them. It looked like she was trying to stay very calm. Harry dashed off, not even saying goodbye to Ginny.

"Hermione!" Harry hollered, hurrying to reach her. When she saw Harry heading over towards her, she turned around and started walking very quickly in the opposite direction. "Honestly, Hermione, you know nothing was going on. Don't get all jealous over nothing."

That seemed to anger Hermione even more. "I'm…not…jealous," she hissed.

"Hermione, you know Ginny and I are over. She has feelings for Malfoy, and I have feelings for you." Harry looked tired and worn out, yet sincere at the same time. Hermione's expression softened slightly.

"Well… I suppose," she said dubiously. She still didn't sound thoroughly convinced. "Oh, alright. I guess I was just being paranoid." She looked like she had relaxed a bit, however.

Harry looked into her eyes, but she looked away from him. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyelashes were fluttering madly. Harry touched her chin softly and tilted it up.

"Hey," he murmured, bring his lips close to hers. Hermione gave him a half smile.

"Hi," she muttered before Harry sealed the distance between their lips. They kissed for a few heavenly moments before Hermione moved away from him.

"I…I don't feel comfortable doing this," Hermione confessed. Her glance flickered towards Ron. Harry held back a groan. He didn't want to be annoyed with Hermione. That would just drive her away.

"The truth is," Hermione continued, "I need some time, Harry. You understand, don't you?"

Harry forced a smile. "Of course. Just… hurry it up a bit, will you? You know I'm impatient."

Hermione gave him another half smile. "Honestly, you're not impatient. You're perfect. It's me who is messing everything up for us."

Harry kissed her cheek and then gestured her off. She blushed slightly, and touched the spot where Harry had kissed her. Then, realizing what she was doing, blushed an even darker scarlet before hurrying out of the Great Hall.

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Harry headed back to the Gryffindor common room shortly after Hermione. He thought there was no point in staying at the dance when there was nobody to enjoy it with. Ron had stalked off a few minutes after Hermione had left along with Ginny, so Harry was left with nobody.

Harry wasn't really in the mood to dance, anyhow. He just wanted to talk to Ron and sort everything out with his best mate. Everything was happening so fast, and Harry couldn't even believe he had kissed Hermione. However, no girl, not even Hermione, was worth giving up his best friend.

"Are you just going to stand out here or are you going to tell me the password?" the Fat Lady snapped.

"Oh…sorry. Lemon drops," Harry told the Fat Lady. He hadn't even realized her had reached the Gryffindor common room. He had been too wrapped up in his own thoughts.

The Fat Lady moved aside so Harry could crawl through the portrait hole. Harry absentmindedly crawled through until something caught his eye.

Jealousy surged through Harry as he spotted Ron and Hermione sitting on the couch, talking quietly. Hermione was smiling slightly, and Ron looked a whole lot better than he had at the dance. To make matters worse, Hermione pulled Ron close into a hug. Harry cleared his throat, clenching his fists. Hermione broke away from Ron to find a envious Harry staring back at the two of them.

A/N: ooooh is harry gonna blow? maybe maybe not. we'll find out how everyone reacts in the next chapter ! until then, you can show me how much you love me by ... REVIEWING xP