Love, Lies, and a Secret.
Disclaimer: I don´t own Harry Potter
Thanks to Anne Pendragon !
Chapter 06: Something isn´t right
Hermione woke up, but remained with her eyes closed. She had had a strange dream the night before. She simply had dreamed that Harry had entered her bedroom, stepped in her bed and slept with her!
'Merlin, that was an odd dream,' she thought to herself, a small smile playing on the curve of her lips. Truth be told, even if Harry was her best friend, the thought of having him sleeping with her was…nice. He was the most handsome guy (sorry, Ron!) she knew. There was no way to deny that! ' 'Damn you Katie Bell for seeing his cute bum al natural,' she giggled mentally.
Hermione sighed, shaking her head. She knew she had to open her eyes, get off the bed…But then she suddenly became aware of a strange feeling- sensation- coming behind her neck: a breath. She also became aware of a little weight on her waist.
Hermione opened her eyes, her heart beating very fast. She was totally awake now.
'What the hell is going on here? '
The young witch slowly turned around and saw…Harry.
Harry. He was sleeping peacefully, his glasses still on. He had an arm around her waist and when she moved, he, instinctively, brought her closer to him.
"Harry!" Hermione cried.
The dark haired wizard began to stir, slowly opening his eyes. "What…?" He seemed a little lost. "HERMIONE! What are you doing in my bed?"
"Harry, you are in my bed!" she hissed, trying hard to not giggle at his (cute!) confused expression.
"Oh," he said. He started to remember... The pub...Ron…the dancing…her bedroom. "Oh!" He blushed deep red, as he noticed where his hand was. He quickly let go of her.
"Er…I am sorry?"
"Harry…my dear friend…can you please explain what are doing in my bed?"
"Er, well, you see…" he was beginning to explain- or try, at least- when some voices could be heard coming from outside the bedroom. There were two people. Shouting.
"She is my bloody girlfriend, Bones!" They heard Ron's angry voice.
"Oww! So now she is your girlfriend!" Susan shouted back. "It wasn't what looked like yesterday, Weasley. You're such a hypocrite!"
"Mind on your own business, Susan!" he hissed. "Now, let go off my way. I want to speak to my girlfriend."
"And I already said…no! She is sleeping. You will not enter her room!"
Harry and Hermione exchanged worried glances.
"Harry, go under my bed. I can deal with Ron," she hissed in a rushed tone. "I'll try to get him out of the flat. Then…you can go."
"I could Disapparate," he said, without thinking.
"Have you forgotten that you can't Apparate or Disapparate here? You were the one who insisted to put the Anti-Aparatation wards."
He kicked himself. "Er…"
She simply shook her head. "Go...go, under my bed!"
When Harry was finally hidden, Hermione took a deep breath and went towards the bedroom door. "Do you want to speak with me, Ronald?" she asked coolly, after opening it.
"Yes, yes," he said entering the room and sitting on the edge of her bed. Susan looked at Hermione quizzically, like she wanted to ask something, but instead, she only said, "I will be in my room if you need me."
"Thanks, Su," Hermione said and Susan left.
"Hermione," Harry heard Ron saying. Ron's voice seemed a little unsure. "I-I want to…" Harry could swear that Ron was running his hand through his hair.
"What, Ron?" Hermione spat. "Do you want to say sorry? Do you want to apologize for being a totally ass?"
"Er, yeah…I'm really sorry, Herms."
"You know Ron, you need to stop with this jealousy towards Harry. I mean, it's ridiculous. Harry and I are friends. Only friends, nothing more." Harry didn't know why but those words brought a not so nice sensation to his chest. "But," she continued, "what really hurt me was seeing you with Lavender Brown. Lavender, of all people! You didn't want to dance with me but you danced with her. Her, Ron! Do you have any idea how I felt?"
"Er…jealous?" Ron asked, almost…hopefully.
"No, Ron!" she cried angrily. "I felt humiliated!"
"I-I just wanted to make you feel jealous," he tried to explain his actions. "You know, like you did in our sixth year. The Slug Party, remember? You went with McLaggen to make me jealous."
Hermione gave a sarcastic yet sad laugh. "First, Ron, I was seventeen for Merlin's Sake! And second, I didn't invite Cormac to make you jealous."
"What! But I thought-" Ron exclaimed surprised. Harry was surprised as well. He had always thought…
"I asked McLaggen to hurt you…like you had hurt me. That year…the only thing you did, besides snogging Lavender, was to complain about how ridiculous Slug Club was. You never-never-said an appreciative word towards me!"
"But-"
"Have you ever realized it how important it was to me to be part of that?"
"But it was only a club…"
"I am Muggleborn, Ron!" Hermione cried. "A Muggleborn! Slughorn invited me because of myself! Myself! Not because of a famous name, a relative in the Ministry or whatever! No, he invited me because he thought I was good! And you never congratulated me! You could only be angry because you didn't take part of that!"
The room was filled with silence. Harry shifted uncomfortable under the bed. He was feeling terrible. He hadnever congratulated Hermione for taking part of the Slug Club.
He had never thought about that- about how that was important to her…
"I'm sorry," Ron finally said, breaking the silence. "I'm really sorry for…everything."
"That's okay, Ron," Hermione said. "I just don't want to fight anymore." Harry couldn't believe on what he was hearing. She was going to forgive him? Like that?! After all he had done?!
"Hermione…"
"Ron…"
Then Harry died and went strictly to hell…
What he heard next…nearly broke his heart, even if he didn't understand exactly why. He heard …kisses. Ron and Hermione were…snogging.
'I should…I must be happy for them,' he thought fiercely.
"Ron…stop!" Harry heard Hermione saying after some time. She was having a little difficult in breathing.
The answer was…silence.
"Ron, stop!" she cried this time. "I don't want to go further." Harry felt an urge to hurt Ron. If he tried to do anything against her will…argh!
"Sorry," Ron apologized, but he didn't sound sorry at all.
"Ron, what about we take breakfast together? I know a place nearby. I can take a quick shower and-"
"Er, sorry, Hermione, but I already promised the guys from work that I would be playing Quidditch with them today."
"Oh." Merlin, Ron, you're an idiot! "Okay, so let me take you to the door," Hermione said in a small voice. "I don't want you to be late." Harry felt she was standing up from the bed.
"Right," Ron said awkwardly, standing up as well.
In silence, the couple left the bedroom.
Harry sighed, relieved.
He waited a few minutes before left his hidden spot. He wanted to make sure that no one (meaning Ron!) entered the room and saw him.
However, the bedroom's door suddenly opened and Susan Bones came in. He was on his all-fours. Ridiculous…
He froze. "You can leave now, Harry," she said like it was the most normal thing in the world to have Harry Potter –on his knees!- on her friend's bedroom floor. "Weasley had already left." Harry stood up, still looking surprised at her.
"I saw you entering her bedroom last night. So, don't look so surprise."
"Oh, I swear, Susan, nothing happened…"
"I know," she smiled at him. "She would never cheat on that idiot."
"Ron is my friend, Susan."
"Yes, I know, but this doesn't make him less idiot. It's not that I dislike him. No, he is a great guy but he is also a terrible boyfriend." Harry nodded. He knew she was right.
"It's always the same thing, Harry."
"What do you mean? Are you talking about him and Lavender?"
"No," she replied quickly, "this was the first time. That I know. I'm talking about the other nights. Nights with only them, without you and Ginny…"
"What about the other nights?"
"He always left her alone…he always left her alone and went to talk with his friends from the Ministry. Seamus and I always tried to cheer her up but….oh well, you know it isn't the same thing." She took a deep breath. "He doesn't deserve her, Harry."
Harry sighed, shaking his head, but didn't comment. Instead, he asked where Hermione was.
"Taking a shower," was Susan's answer. "She said you could go."
"But I wanted to talk to her. Explain…"
"She knows…she knows. But she really needs to stay alone right now, Harry. I'm sure you can understand."
Harry only nodded.
000000
Harry and Ron´s apartment
Harry's bathroom
Eyes closed, Harry let the water fell over his body. He really needed that. He needed to sense-to feel- the water washing his problems away.
Everything seemed so strange, so difficult. He didn't know what to think, what to say, how to react. Why, suddenly, Hermione and Ron's relationship sounded so wrong…so painful? Why didn't he have the slightest desire to see his own girlfriend?
Harry sighed, closing the shower. He wanted to leave the apartment before Ron's arrival. He didn't fancy the idea of seeing his friend right now.
He thought he could go, maybe, to Grimmauld Place, and ask Remus and Tonks to lunch with him.
Yeah, that was a nice idea.
Hermione and Susan's flat
Hermione's bedroom
"So, Hermione, how are you feeling?" Susan asked kindly. "Please be honest."
"I don't know," Hermione sobbed." I really don't know. I don't even know why I am crying!"
"Hermione, what Ron dis-"
"No, Susan, that's exactly the problem. I am not crying because of Ron. To be honest, I don't give a shit about Ron right now!" Susan looked at her, her eyebrows kneeling in question. "And that's the problem! I know I should be crying because of him but…I'm not saying that he didn't hurt me because he did but-"
"You don't know if your feelings for him are the same as before."
Hermione nodded, looking down at her hands.
"This isn't all?" It wasn't really a question. Hermione only shook her head.
"That's okay-"
"No! How can it be okay!" Hermione cried, looking up at Susan. "Do you know what I wanted to do last night when I was dancing? I wanted to kiss Harry! God, I wanted to kiss Harry more than anything!" She broke down, crying despairingly.
Without saying a word, Susan took Hermione into her arms and let her cry against her shoulder.
A Restaurant
"Now, Harry, can you please tell us what's going on?" Remus asked.
"Er, nothing. I just want to lunch with you two," Harry replied, trying to sound innocent. "I thought it wouldn't be a problem."
"Oh, don't give me that, Harry! You're look too much like your father to fool me!"
Harry sighed, looking between Remus and Tonks. "I slept with Hermione."
Tonks choked her drink. Remus gasped. "W-What did you say?" he managed to ask.
Harry looked quizzically at them; then, the realization came to him. "No!" he said quickly. "It was nothing like that." And he told them everything.
"…and then I left," Harry finished his story, and looked in expectation at them. To his surprise, they...laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked indignantly. "It was terrible!"
"We know…we know. I'm sorry," Remus apologize, sobering. "But, tell me Harry, what was really terrible; you, under her bed or Ron and Hermione snogging?"
Harry looked surprised at Remus. "I don't know," he finally said, looking down at his plate.
Remus and Tonks exchanged glances.
"Harry," the werewolf said, "what do you feel about Ginny?"
"She's my girlfriend."
"I know, Harry. What I asked was what you feel about her."
"Er…I like her."
"You like her? Harry, when are you going to propose her? I mean, I'm sure she's waiting for big question."
Harry ran a hand through his messy hair. What the hell Remus was playing at?
"I still need to finish my Auror training, you know that Remus."
"Sure, of course. Your Auror training…right. So, it will be next year, right?"
"N-Next year?"
"Yeah, next year. Next year you will ask her. Next year your Auror training will be finished. So, there won't be a problem, right?"
"Er, right."
Remus shook his head. "Maybe, Harry, it's time for you to be honest with Ginny and…yourself."
Harry tried to say something but Remus cut him off. "But, now, let's eat. I'm starving."
And they all eat in silence.
At Night
Sports Department Party
"So, Ginny, are you enjoying the party?" Luna asked.
"Yes," Ginny replied, her eyes wandering around the saloon. "It would be nicer if Harry could be here with me. But ..oh well."
Luna gave her a half smile. The blonde girl looked like she wanted to say something, but didn't.
They continued to talk. Small talk.
"Won, won." Ron heard a very familiar voice behind him. He turned around and saw Lavender. She looked stunning, wearing a pink strapless dress. "Fancy a drink with me?"
He knew that he should say no, but she was too hot to her own good. "Sure, I would love to."
"When Skeeter finished with Meaghan McCormack, you talk with her," Luna instructed Ginny, "but don't forget-"
"…don't ask her personal questions," Ginny finished for Luna. "I know, after all, our readers want to know about Quidditch not about her love life."
Luna smiled at her friend. She was about to say something else when they heard someone snickering behind them. The two friends turned around, and had an unpleasant surprise.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Looney and Weaselete."
"Malfoy," Ginny groaned. "What are doing here?"
"Wow, wow!" He held up his hands in false surrender. "I was invited, you know…I am a Hogwarts' teacher now," he said meekly.
"It's beyond me why McGonagall hired you."
My darling Weaselete, I am- how people say- a war hero! Order of Merlin- second class, but, of course, I deserved the first class."
"Only Harry and Hermione received the first class," Ginny said angrily.
"Yeah…speaking of which, where's Potty and Granger? Shagging somewhere?"
"They're working."
"Oh, so it's how they call it these days?" Malfoy muttered, his eyes flashing mischievously. He then leaned towards Ginny and grabbed her face with hands, kissing her hard on the lips. Luna watched with mild interest.
"What the hell-" Ginny cried, pulling away from him.
"You are pretty good for a Weasley, Red," he said with a sly smile and then walked away.
Knockturn Alley
Outside a club
"Damnit!" Harry cried angrily, hands on his knees. "We lost him."
"No, we don't," Tonks said. "He entered the club."
Harry looked confused at her. "But I didn't see anything."
Tonks smiled appreciatively, a hand on his shoulder. "Observance, training and experience, my dear Harry. With time you'll manage to do it."
"Okay, let's enter," he said walking towards the club's entrance. However, Tonks stopped him.
"What Tonks?"
"Before we enter…umm…you know this is dark place, right? The scum of our world frequents it, however-" She paused.
"However-what, Tonks?" Harry was impatient.
"No everyone who frequents this place is dark. Some people come here to meet their…er…love affairs, if you understand what I mean."
"Oh, right. So, here is also a place for lovers. But why are you telling me this?"
"It's just that…maybe …you will see someone you know…oh, well, that's it."
"Okay, Tonks, I got your point. But to tell you the truth, I don't give a damn for the others love's life. Now, can we go?"
Tonks nodded and they entered the club.
The party
"So Meaghan, what are the chances for the next match?" Ginny asked the famous keeper.
"Well, Ginny…" Meaghan began to respond when Ginny's attention was interrupted by a shocking scene: her brother Ron and Lavender Brown were snogging in a corner.
"Lav, we need to stop," Ron moaned against her mouth. "Someone might see us."
"Let's go to somewhere else," she said taking his hand. Neither of them noticed Ginny.
"…and that's it," Meaghan McCormack finished what she was saying. Ginny blinked, shaking her head and tried to focus her attention back to the keeper.
"Thank you, Meaghan, for the interview. Good luck with the last match," she said, shaking Meaghan's hand.
"You're welcome, Ginny. It was my pleasure." Meaghan smiled. "Now, if you excuse me, I will go back to the party."
Ginny nodded. "Sure, thanks again."
When Meaghan had finally gone, Ginny looked again at the corner where Ron and Lavender were. However, the couple wasn't there anymore.
"Damnit, I need to find Luna."
The club
"So, Harry, did you see him?" Tonks asked, almost shouting into Harry's ear. The place was crowded and nearly had no space to walk. "Harry?"
Harry didn't respond; he had his eyes fixed in something behind Tonks. He looked angry. Furious. Curious, Tonks turned around and saw a couple near the bar's balcony. They were talking with the bartender. The young man was behind the girl, holding her waist. They looked…intimate.
"Shit," was all what she said.
"I don't fucking believe in it," Harry shouted angrily.
"Harry, you're on duty. We have a mission."
"Fuck the mission!" he cried and walked towards the couple.
"Double shit. Kingsley will kill me."
The Party
Ginny found Luna talking animatedly with a guy she didn't know. The redhead girl came near her and whispered into the blonde's ear, "I need to talk with you right now. It's urgent!"
Luna was about to say that she was busy, but the look on Ginny's face told her that really was something serious. She excused herself and went to talk with Ginny.
"What happened, Ginny?"
"Ron. Ron happened. Did you see him?"
"No. Why?"
"The bastard was snogging Lavender Brown!"
The dreamy look left Luna's eyes. "What?"
"You know when I went to the branch to interview McCormack?" Luna nodded. "So, I was interviewing her when I saw them. I can't believe it! The bastard! I couldn't be looking at them all the time. So, when McCormack left…I looked again but they had already gone! However, I don't believe they saw me."
"So you don't know where they are now?"
Before Ginny could say anything, a very familiar snobbish voice spoke behind them, "Weasel already left the party." They turned around and saw Draco. He smirked. "He must be fucking Brown by now."
Harry put a hand on the young man's shoulder. The man startled, and he and the girl turned around. They froze.
"H-Harry?" the girl sputtered, her voice trembling.
"Experimenting a new spell? Terry…" Harry paused and then looked straightly into the girl's eyes. "…Hermione."
Potter Residence, London
December 1979
"So, James, how was the Ministry today?" Lily asked, pretending to be casual.
"Busy, as always," James replied between bits, not looking at his wife. He hated to have to lie to Lily, but he couldn't tell her that he didn't have gone to work that day…that, instead, he had gone to visit Mary and Hermione.
Lily took a deep breath. She couldn't take anymore. She was tired of so many lies, so much pretending. She was standing up from the dinner table when she felt a strong pain on her lower stomach. She grabbed her belly with her both hands and cried in pain, "Argh!"
James rapidly stood up from his seat and ran towards his wife, concern all over his face.
"Lily? Hon, are you are alright?" he asked worried, helping her to seat down. However, she pushed him away.
"Take your hands off me!" she cried angrily.
He stared at her.
"I'm so tired of you, James! Of all your lies!" she shouted, trying to forget the pain, angry tears falling down from her eyes. "I can't take it anymore!"
"Lily, I don't know-"
"James? Lily?" a voice interrupted James. He looked at the fireplace and saw Sirius' head. "James, my friend, I want-" Sirius was saying when he noticed that something was not right. "Is everything okay?"
"Not now, Sirius," James said seriously. Sirius nodded in understanding. He was about to leave when Lily called his name.
"Yes, Lil?"
"May I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Did you see James in the Ministry today?"
Sirius froze, and then looked nervously at James.
"Sirius, did you?" she insisted.
"Er…"
James sighed, closing his eyes. Lily lifted herself from the chair, looked at James and slapped him right on his face.
"You bastard!"
"Lily, it isn't-"
"I don't need to hear any-" Suddenly, the pain became stronger and, before she knew, everything went black.
TBC
AN: So, that´s it...chapter 06, tell me what you think!