A/N: Firstly, I want to thank kenshinlover2002 and lorelover for reviewing. This next chapter is now up and it's longer... I hope it's enjoyed. R&R please.
Also, I'm changing it up a bit. Before I said no war and no Voldemort, but now I'm changing that. Just as a safety net for future references I may or may not make.
Disclaimer: I own no rights to Harry Potter or characters any characters invented by J.K. Rowling.
Ch. 3 – Fighting It
"HARRY!" shouted Hermione. Harry had avoided her all throughout their free period and was now hurrying through the portrait hole to lunch. Hermione was still calling to him when the portrait hole creaked shut. She returned to her chair in the common room looking thoroughly put out.
"Well, I never!" she huffed as she sat down. 'What have I done to make him act like that?' she thought to herself. Hermione was trying to get over being hurt so she could figure out what was happening. 'Maybe Ron knows something…' She turned in her chair toward Ronald. "Ron," she began. He looked up at her from the fire in the hearth. "Do you know what's bothering Harry? He's been acting very strangely today."
"No… he does seem a bit off. I thought maybe you two had a row or something." Ron said turning to the portrait hole. "Come on, Hermione. We'll miss lunch."
"Grr…" Hermione growled. "I wish I knew what the problem was." She tugged at a strand of her big bushy man as she exited the common room to the grand staircase. Why was Harry avoiding her?She was still hurting a bit. A bit more than she should considering she was used to Harry's mood swings. 'Well, I know why I feel this way, but why now? It's no use. I guess I should stop trying to avoid it.' She squared her shoulders and said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I like Harry Potter."
"You and a million others, dear…" said an old woman standing in a portrait on the fifth floor. This did nothing to ease Hermione's thoughts. If anything, it made her more self-conscious. 'Oh, she's right. I haven't got a chance. Harry only wants to be my friend. He's got no reason to be interested in me like that. Especially with all those other prettier girls chasing after him.' she thought. Hermione noticed she was still standing on the fifth floor landing. She shook her head a little to clear it.
"She's right, you know," said another old woman in a portrait level with Hermione's eyes. "Time, though, is fickle and it will reveal what it wants…" the old lady finished with a smirk.
"Huh?" Hermione asked. Surely the portrait didn't mean what she thought it meant. 'No, of course not, don't be silly…' she reprimanded herself.
"You heard…" the old lady's portrait said, "Off to lunch, now.
Hermione finally caught up to Ron and Harry in the Great Hall. They were talking very quietly about something. As Hermione neared the table, Harry looked at her. In that one look Hermione saw a world of emotion, though she couldn't figure out what it was. Harry's stare was intense and there was a fire that burned emerald green. Of that, she could be sure. Hermione was having trouble trying to tear her eyes away. Her eyes began to water in that telltale way and Harry blushed deep having noticed. He did not do well with crying girls. Hermione finally tore her gaze off Harry and squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to stop the tears she knew were coming. She finally opened her eyes and, much to her dismay, Harry was nowhere to be seen. She looked questioningly at Ron, who simply said, "Dormitories."
Hermione tore out of the Great Hall and back up the grand staircase. Clutching painfully at a stitch in her side, she panted out the password. The portrait swung open and she ascended the stairs to the head's tower. Hermione saw Harry sitting in their common room, on the small armchair by the fireplace.
"H-Harry?" she said softly. She stepped cautiously to the chair. Harry made no attempt to move. He didn't make an attempt to speak either. "Harry?" she said more pleadingly. Harry's eyes shot to her face. In his eyes Hermione could see surprise. Harry was surprised. He was surprised by the amount of desperation he could hear in Hermione's voice, however softly she'd spoken. At that, Harry stood up and crossed over to her and pulled her silently by the hand to the couch. Hermione sat and look Harry in the eye. "Harry, ple—" she began but she was cut off.
"Hermione, listen." Harry said, quickly, building up the nerve to continue. "I'm fine. And no," he raised his voice a little, as Hermione showed every intention of interrupting. "I'm not mad at you for anything." Harry paused and Hermione saw fit to interject.
"Oh Harry, I'm glad you're not mad, but something is troubling you," She said, "That much I can tell."
Harry looked as if he wanted to say something but thought better of it. 'I can't tell her. It'd just mess everything up. He resolved not to tell her. "Mione," he said, calling her by the nickname he'd used countless times. "I know you're worried, but there's really nothing wrong with me. I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Talk to me, Harry. You know you can tell me anything." Hermione responded. She was relieved that Harry wasn't in any kind of trouble, but she wanted to know what made her friend avoid her.
"I know, Mione. But there are some things I can't talk to you about." He said. He regretted telling her that, as he looked into her eyes and saw hurt there. "Please understand, Hermione. I really am fine. Please just let me face my own demons?"
Hermione was near tears, her eyes already watering again. She knew she was being silly, but she couldn't help it. She wanted to know what had been bothering her friend. Her tears started to spill down her cheeks. Harry leant over and enveloped her in a hug, all the while making gentle shushing noises.
"Hermione don't cry, please. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry…I'm so sorry. But I cant…" Harry rocked her gently and rubbed her back like a mother would an ailing child.
Hermione cried more and her body shook. All the while she could hear Harry mumbling "sorry… I'm so sorry" over and over. She wanted very much for that hug to be different. She wanted it to be the hug a boyfriend would give his girlfriend. The Harry was giving her was more like that a person would give to a friend they were concerned about. 'Why? Why does it have to be this way? Oh, I wish I could tell him…' Her tears had stopped and she was just beginning to enjoy the closeness. 'He smells so good… clean… and something else.' Harry continued to rock her. 'I love you Harry.' She thought.
"Hermione?" Harry whispered. He noticed Hermione wasn't shaking or sobbing anymore. "Are you all right? Are you awake?"
His voice was so gentle, Hermione almost cried again. "I-I'm okay." She said. "And I understand, Harry, really. It's okay." Hermione felt Harry give a sigh of relief. He gave her one last squeeze and unwrapped his arms from around her.
Harry looked into his friend's eyes again and brushed the remaining tears off her face. "Thank you, Hermione."
Several weeks went by and things were normal. Well… almost normal. Both Harry and Hermione were being a bit friendlier toward each other. They'd even begun blushing whenever they came in contact. Once, Hermione had handed a book to Harry and her cheeks turned scarlet as their fingers brushed against each other. Harry noticed at once and, it would seem, he attempted to outdo her as the warmth and color rushed to his own face.
It was already quidditch season and Harry had been scheduling practices whenever he could. It was his last year at Hogwarts, and he was determined, as Gryffindor captain to lead the team to victory and the house cup. Hermione was into her books even more than usual. It was N.E.W.T. year, after all. Ron was busy with quidditch as well.
Soon came the time for a visit to Hogsmeade. Harry passed up the opportunity. With all the practices he'd been having, he barely had time to study and had fallen behind. Hermione didn't go either. She had told Harry she'd stay behind and help him with his work.
"We've got to study Ronald," Hermione said as Ron pestered her about not going. "And don't think you won't be staying next time either, your marks are horrendous!" With a horrified look Ron hurried out of the Gryffindor common room and off to Hogsmeade mumbling something about Hermione being "nutters".
"I do wish I could go…" Harry said wistfully, making his way over to their favorite table. "I could be having a butter beer at The Three Broomsticks, about now." He finished with a sigh and turned his attention to his scrolls.
"Serves you right, Harry Potter." Hermione said reproachfully. "How could let yourself fall behind so far?"
"What?! You know I've had quidditch practices!" Harry said, his anger starting to flare.
"Which you scheduled…" Hermione responded coolly. "Oh, Harry, come on!" She said, noticing the determinedly calm expression on Harry's face. "I'm only teasing. Let's get to work."
"You're infuriating! Do you know that?" Harry said as he playfully punched her arm. Hermione tried to dodge it and was unsuccessful.
"Ouch!" she rubbed her arm and scooted away from Harry. He grabbed her around the middle and pulled her back.
"It didn't hurt... and where do you think you're going?" Harry held Hermione for a moment and the closeness was getting to the both of them. He let her go and turned back to his scrolls. Hermione made some sort of coughing noise.
"Maybe we should get back to work." She turned her attention to Arithmancy for the Uniquely Advanced Witch, and reached across the table for a quill. Her fingers brushed against something soft and almost fluffy and she subconsciously began to stroke it. She didn't know what it was for her eyes were glued to the pages of her book, but she had a feeling it wasn't Crookshanks. It was only after she'd heard her name did she look up.
"H-Hermione?" Harry's voice was a sort of half-moan half whisper. "What are you doing?" Hermione's eyes shot to her hand and snapped it back so quickly that she knocked over a bottle of ink.
"Oh no!" She grabbed her wand and cleaned up the mess with a quick swish. Hermione turned back to her book and tried to read but it was no use. She held the book closely to her face to hide her blushing.
"Hermione?" Harry said. "Are you okay?" Harry was puzzled. 'Why was Hermione stroking my hair?' Not that he minded. It was a rather pleasurable experience for him. But why did she do it. 'She probably just thought I was Crookshanks…' He resolved. Hermione still hadn't answered him.
"Hermione? Are you okay?" He repeated. Hermione ignored him for a moment and then, very slowly, put the book down.
"O-Of c-course, I'm okay." She stammered. "Why wouldn't I be?" Hermione tried her best to put on an air of nonchalance but failed, miserably. The color in her cheeks and the way she was fidgeting slightly, would have clearly given her away.
"Care to explain why you were stroking my hair, then?" Hermione jumped a little. Harry didn't know why he said it. He supposed he was hoping for a certain type of answer. One he knew she was not likely to give.
"I-I thought you were C-Crookshanks." Hermione lied. She fought to control her nerves. She looked at Harry and could swear she disappointment in his eyes but it was so brief, she figured she was imagining it. 'Pull yourself together!' She scolded herself. 'It won't take long for Harry to figure you out if you don't control yourself.' Hermione excused herself and ran to the bathroom where she splashed cold water on her face to cool the heat that lingered.
Harry couldn't help feeling disappointed. He watched as Hermione sprang through the door. 'Oh, I knew it!' he thought. 'Why did I let myself get my hopes up? Harry took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose to ease the tension.
Hermione came back in and resumed her place at the table. She done the best she could to get rid of the color in her cheeks but she was still very warm. She began to take off her outer robes.
Harry had picked up his glasses and put them on. His were closed but as heard Hermione shuffling about the table he opened and was going to say something to her. All thoughts of speech flew quickly out of Harry's head, as his eyes shot to Hermione's fingers that were undoing the clasps on her robes.
Harry ogled her for a minute. Hermione was unaware of Harry's staring as she was still trying to read Arithmancy for the Uniquely Advanced Witch as she disrobed. Harry's eyes were glued to Hermione's frame. 'Wow. I never knew she looked like that…' Those emerald orbs grazed over her slim figure. Her button-down shirt was form fitting and contoured at her hips where it met her skirt. Harry's eye floated back up and landed on two certain roundish objects. His eyes widened in astonishment. 'I never knew they looked like that either.'
Hermione had taken off her robe completely and was now thoroughly engrossed in her Arithmancy book. The tension that Harry felt had returned only this time Harry noticed that the front of his pants had gotten too tight. 'Oh no!' Harry began to panic. 'Not here, and most certainly, not now!' A half-whimper, half-moan escaped his lips as he made to get up.
This caught Hermione's attention. "Harry, are you al—" her question was lost to the wind as Harry dashed out of the common room.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that. Please review (I ain't to proud to beg). Chapter 4 will be up very soon. I'm still not quite sure where I'm going with this but I should have it figure out by the end of Ch. 4.