CHAPTER 17 – Slightly Delayed Realization
Author's Note: Thank you for those who reviewed my last chapter and I'm proud to say that I have my creative juices all flowing and ready to get typing. So far, I'm getting all geared up for the ending and it's really coming on close. I hope my readers won't shot off somewhere else because this chapter will reveal a whole lot about feelings, thoughts and memories. Please review after! Thanks!
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"Are you ready?" Ron asked Harry as he saw him walk down the steps of the staircase.
"Yeah. I'm still a bit groggy but I'll be fine. I have a really bad case of the cold feet right about now," Harry answered, sitting down next to him on the couch.
"Well, don't be too nervous. It's not yet your wedding day for you to get nervous that much. You just have to remain calm. This is what's good about having Cedric tag along. You don't have to worry if you run out of ideas or topics o talk about with her; Cedric can fill that up for you."
"Yeah, you're right. What time is it?"
"It's a quarter to eight."
"I should probably get going."
As Harry stood up, he heard footsteps from the stairs to the Girls' Dormitories. He looked back and saw Hermione coming down from it. Her hair was half tied and she was wearing a turtleneck sweatshirt, faded blue jeans and a jacket. She looked at Harry and Ron and smiled at them.
"Good morning, you two," Hermione said.
"Morning," they both answered back.
"Are you ready to go now, Harry?" Hermione asked, looking straight at Harry.
"Yeah, I was just about to leave. What about you?" he asked.
"I have to be honest, I'm really not yet in the mood to go to this date, but I have no other choice now, do I? Any minute now, Oliver is going to come down from that staircase and we are going to be on our way to pick up Cho, and soon, the date will finally begin."
"Same goes for me. I'm getting cold feet. I mean, what do you do to entertain a member of the royal family?"
"You give her loads of jewelry," Ron said, half meaning, half joking it.
"You don't need to do that," a voice said from behind them.
The Trio looked back and saw Oliver Wood approaching them. Harry slightly twitched, knowing not why he did. Hermione looked at him and smiled as he greeted them a good morning.
"Harriotte's not a lover of jewelry," he said, following his earlier statement.
"That's not exactly what I meant," Ron said in a small voice.
"Harriotte would be fine with whatever you are to do. She's not really that picky," Oliver continued.
"Oliver, she's your fiancé. How come you don't seem bothered about this situation? After all, you are responsible for getting all of use in this mess," Hermione said.
"I trust Fred and George would not put her in any jeopardy."
"That's it?"
"Well, what else do you desire me to say?"
"Like you worry about her or something!"
"Hermione, Harriotte is a big girl. She can take care of her self. She does not need me to look after her 24/7. Besides, I have a lot of things that I have to worry about other than her."
"Is that why you have been avoiding her? Because you're busy with work or something that nobody even knows?"
"That is out of the question. Look, Harriotte can take care of herself better than anyone can do for her. She knows herself more than me or her brother or who else there is. Now, Harry, I suggest you get going now. I am sure Hilton is going to be there to see if you are on time, and don't forget about Fred as well."
"Oh, yeah. Uhm, I'll see you guys in a bit. Bye, 'Mione, Ron and Oliver."
"I'll go with you. I have nothing else to do anyway,' Ron said, standing up and following him out of the Hole.
"Shall we?" Oliver asked, turning towards Hermione as the door of the Hole closed.
Hermione gave him a look. Oliver smiled brightly at her, as if he had nothing to hide. Hermione just sighed and walked beside Oliver out of the Hole. They both walked towards the Ravenclaw Common Room to pick up Cho. It was almost time for their breakfast, as scheduled by George.
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"Harry, you're just in time," Cedric said as Harry came towards him in front of Harriotte door.
"Hey, Cedric. You seem early," Harry said.
"I was afraid of what her brother would do to me if I was even a second late."
"You nervous?"
"A little, no, a whole lot. You?"
"A lot like hell."
"I can't argue with that."
"We have the same thing in mind. By the way, what's with the flowers?"
"Why? Didn't you bring anything for Harriotte?"
"Nobody said anything about a gift."
"Harry, it's a common thing to bring something for a girl when you're going on a date. You better hurry and whip something out."
"What? You can't make something out of nothing. Wait, I could try transfiguring that plastic apple into something decent."
Harry flicked his wand towards the plastic fruit in front of him, and soon, it transfigured into a bouquet of lilies. Harry took it in his arms and gave it a little shake just to make sure it is in good condition. He smiled when it stayed that way and looked back at Cedric. Cedric gave him a thumbs-up and nodded, signaling that he was going to knock on the door at that moment.
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Oliver smiled at both Cho and Hermione as he assisted them towards their respective chairs at the Pitch. It was already time for lunch. It seemed that time was flowing so fast that day. Oliver couldn't believe that they had already undergone trying to make Hermione ride a broom. That was the surprise in stored for them when they arrived at the Pitch. Oliver was partly delighted at having learned that they only needed to fly.
"He's probably with Fred as of this moment. They're probably planning out the details for later," Oliver told the two girls, continuing their conversation as to where George was.
"Those two just don't run out of ideas," Hermione commented.
"I think it's rather amazing how they can come up with thing such as this. It just goes to show how creative they can get," Cho said.
"You're too nice, Cho. You're just too nice," Hermione told her.
"Wherever he may be, I'm sure he will show his face to us sooner or later. Right now, we just have to indulge ourselves with the lunch that they had prepared for us," Oliver stated.
"I wonder what Harry and the rest are doing," Hermione said.
"Do you think they're already taking lunch like us?" Cho asked, taking a bite of her food.
"They must be. It's written in their schedule."
"Yeah, you're probably right. I wonder if they're enjoying the day."
Oliver kept mum the whole time Hermione and Cho discussed about Harry, Harriotte and Cedric's date together. He kept on twitching at the sound of Harriotte's name ever so often that they mentioned it. He tried to look sideways to hide his actions. But that didn't go unnoticed by both Hermione and Cho.
"Is something wrong Oliver?" Hermione finally asked, eying him from the corner of her eyes.
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Of course there is nothing," Oliver said, shaken away from his thoughts.
"Are you sure?" this time it was Cho who asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure, girls. There's nothing wrong. Now, what were we talking about again?"
Oliver diverted their attention to a discussion of what were they supposed to do after lunch. Hermione was not distracted that easily from what he had done, and she suspected that Cho wasn't too. She watched as Cho gave Oliver a weird look before nodding at what he had said. Something is really up with Oliver. He's acting like a total wacko. He's avoiding conversations about Harriotte. He doesn't even want to discuss about their date.
"Hermione, are you okay?" she heard Cho ask her.
"Uhm, yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about something. What were you saying?" Hermione said, making them forget about what had just occurred.
This day just keeps on getting weirder and weirder. I don't know what's going to happen next. I wonder what Harry's up to now.
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"I am afraid I am not so certain if I am able to engage in such a sport," Lady Harriotte told Harry and Cedric as they walk in front of three broomsticks aligned in the middle of the Pitch.
"That's okay, Harriotte. We can help you. It's really not that hard," Cedric said, reaching for his own broom, wondering how in the world Fred and George got a hold of it.
"Where the heck is Fred anyway?" Harry asked, looking around the Pitch for any sign of Fred Weasley.
"He's probably around here somewhere, or he's just with George. Don't mind it. He'll show his face soon," Cedric said.
It was already afternoon and Harry and the rest were preparing for their Quidditch Lessons. It was not like Oliver's class, it was more practical. They just needed to play a little game of Quidditch with Lady Harriotte and soon, the date will finally be over.
"Are you ready, Harriotte?" Harry asked, looking at her.
"Harry, Cedric, I really do not think that I can do something such as this. I think I will have to pass this, rather interesting, activity," she said, looking at them with a worried look.
"It's nothing, really. It's not going to take that long, Harriotte. Before you know it, we'll be off at the Astronomy Tower by then," Harry said.
"No, really. I wish to pass in this activity. Please," Harriotte insisted.
"It's just Quidditch. You don't have to be-Wait!" Cedric exclaimed all of a sudden.
Both Harriotte and Harry shot a look at Cedric. They were both startled at his sudden exclamation. Harry thought, for a moment, that the day had gotten over him and he was starting to act crazy, but dropped the thought immediately. Harriotte gave him a close look but stepped back a step from him, as if afraid to get near him.
"You don't know how to play this game, do you?" Cedric finally spoke out.
"Cedric, that's impossible. Harriotte would've played this before. After all, she is eng-" Harry was cut-off by the look on Cedric's face.
"You haven't, have you?" Cedric asked her.
"No," Harriotte answered plainly.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"There is no particular reason."
"Everything has a reason, Harriotte," Cedric stated.
"Harriotte?" Harry called out.
"I just, being honest to myself and to you, do not fancy Quidditch," Harriotte finally said.
"But it's the sport that Oliver loves and practically worships," Harry said.
"That does not, in any form, state that I must desire it too. Oliver and I share similarities but that does not mean that we can not have differences too."
"Don't you think that's a bit selfish considering Oliver has always supported you in everything?" Cedric asked.
"I am also supportive of him and his love for this game. I just can not get myself to enjoy such a sport."
"What if Oliver finds out that you hate his favorite sport, don't you think that would upset him?" Harry asked.
"Are you two just trying to persuade me to participate in this fixture?"
"You catch on quick," Cedric said.
"Fine. I shall take part in this Quidditch thing, but you have to promise me that I will not, in any way, fall off my broomstick."
"Why?" they both asked.
"I can not fly. I mean, I do not know how to fly in a broomstick."
"You don't?!" they exclaimed louder than when Cedric earlier did so.
"Yes, why does that come as a shock to you?"
"Doesn't your school require you to take flying lessons during your first year?" Harry asked.
"Well, I am slightly embarrassed to admit this, but, since our family is very powerful, I have been given the privilege to skip flying lessons for the very reason that I am afraid to fly."
"You're scared of flying? You're afraid of heights," Cedric said.
"Yes, yes, I am, Cedric. It is not that embarrassing actually. I just do not admit it much."
"Well, since we are already placed in such a situation, I think this is the right time for you to learn how to fly. Plus, we'll put in a bonus and teach you how to play Quidditch."
"Are you seriously saying that I still engage in this sport you call 'Quidditch'?"
"Come on, Harriotte. It will be fun! We promise, we won't let you fall off your broom!"
"Yeah, Harriotte. You just need to trust us," Harry said.
"If you say so," Harriotte said, ending what was a debate before.
"They left her a Firebolt," Harry said.
"A Firebolt's too strong for her. Don't they have a Cleansweep? Or a Comet would do," Cedric stated.
"We don't have any of those. All we have are two Firebolts and your Nimbus 2001."
"Well, she could do with my Nimbus then. Or would she rather with the Firebolt? Harriotte? What do you say?"
"I suppose I would rather have the Nimbus 2001. I have seen Oliver ride a Firebolt before. I do not believe that I am able to perform such a thing using that powerful of a broomstick,' Harriotte said in a nervous tone.
"Well, I'll take the Firebolt then. Here you go, Harriotte," Cedric said.
As Cedric handed over her Nimbus 2001 to Harriotte, she took it with her two hands and held it tightly. Cedric and Harry then mounted their brooms and waited for Harriotte to do so as well. Harriotte stared at the broom in her grasp as if it was the first time that she has seen such a contraption.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"How exactly am I to mount this thing?" Harriotte asked.
Cedric looked at Harry with a blank look. For a second there Harry thought that he was just waiting for his reply to Harriotte, until Cedric's eyes turned into worry, and possibly, surprise too. This is going to be a long afternoon.
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Hermione was walking away from Hagrid's Hut with Oliver and Cho. They had just gone from it and found out what they were to do. They were now heading for a far away ground from Hagrid's place to set off with the fireworks that Fred and George had planned for them to do. Hermione was glad that the day was almost over. She was starting to feel exhausted. She glanced at Cho who was walking beside her. Is she thinking about Cedric right now?
"I think this will be a good spot for the fireworks display. I'm just going to set it up. You girls stay here and relax," Oliver said, walking away from them and setting up the tubes needed for the fireworks.
Hermione looked around the dark surroundings and found a couple of chopped wood nearby. She walked towards it and took out her wand. She flicked it over the chopped wood and transfigured it into three chairs. She levitated each one of them to where Cho was standing. Cho smiled at her and thanked her. They both sat down and silence fell upon them.
Cho kept her gaze over to where Oliver was setting up the equipment. She didn't know what to do at that moment. She just kept silent the whole time, not knowing what to say to Hermione. Hermione, meanwhile, was thinking the same thing, yet she wanted to actually ask something to Cho. It's just a question. It won't hurt, right?
"Hey, Cho?" Hermione finally spoke out, breaking the uneasy silence between them.
"Yeah?" Cho asked, looking over at her.
"So, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. You?"
"I'm alright, I guess. Well, this is my first time to be in this kind of situation, but I think I'm coping up well."
"I know. I feel the same way. But what bothers me is the fact that I'm in this charade. I kept thinking, the night of the Ball, why I was involved in this date. I didn't do anything to any of the Weasley twins. I can't recall having a regular conversation with them either."
"Well, that's just Fred and George. You don't have to think about it too much because you'd only end up wasting your time. But hey, it's really not so bad. Plus, Oliver's been really nice."
"Yeah, and he's kind of sweet too."
"Yeah, he is. So, how are you and Cedric?"
"Me and Cedric? Well, we're just fine actually. It didn't take long for us to cope up with everything. We just let everything flow the way it should."
"That's good to hear. I'm glad Cedric's doing fine."
"What about you and Harry?"
"Me and Harry? What are you talking about?"
"Aren't you dating Harry?"
"No, I'm not. I mean, why would you think that?"
"I'm sorry. I just assumed, since you were together at the Ball, that you two are together now."
"We aren't. That's actually quite disturbing."
"Why would it be disturbing? It's perfectly normal, Hermione."
"It's not! That would not be normal! That would be-be-"
"Hermione! Calm down. It's not a big deal."
"Yes, yes, it is!"
"What are you girls arguing about?" At that moment, Oliver was approaching them.
"It's nothing, really, Professor Wood," Cho told him as he sat down in-between them.
"Oliver, Cho. Just call me Oliver. Didn't I say I didn't want to look too old? But off with that! What were you girls talking about anyway, that's gotten Hermione all jumbled up?" asked Oliver, looking at both his sides.
"I am not jumbled up!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Woah, Hermione. Chill just for a second there, okay? What exactly is happening here?" Oliver asked, trying to get hold of the situation.
"I just asked Hermione if everything's fine between her and Harry, because I assumed that they were already together," answered Cho.
"Oh, yeah. You two are together now? Finally!" said Oliver.
"We are not together, Professor Wood! Why can't you understand that?!" exclaimed Hermione even more.
"Calm down, Hermione. Okay, so you two are not together. Let's just forget about it, alright?" Oliver said.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to go overboard."
"It's not your fault, Cho. I just, it's kind of new to me actually. I mean, how can I say this?"
"No offense, Hermione, but I just want to know. Are you and Harry already together?" This time, it was Oliver who asked.
"No, Oliver. Harry and I are not together. I don't think we ever will be," Hermione answered, her voice slowly breaking.
"Does that upset you?" Oliver asked bluntly.
"Professor!" Cho cried out.
"It's okay, Cho. I can answer that," Hermione interrupted.
"And what is your answer?" Oliver asked.
"Yes, Professor, I am quite upset about that…that…that fact."
Cho kept silent and watched as Hermione lowered her head. She looked at her with sad eyes but she didn't know what to say at that moment. She didn't want to upset her.
"Do you love Harry, Hermione?" Oliver asked candidly, causing shooting looks from both the girls.
"I beg your pardon?" Hermione asked.
"Do you love Harry?" Oliver repeated his question. "It's only a matter of whether you love him or not. I mean, you are his friend, right?"
"Oh, yes, yes, I do love Harry. Of course, Oliver. That is not even considered a question," Hermione replied, relief pouring down on her.
"Are you in love with him then?" Oliver directly asked.
"I think that's enough, Oliver. You're not in any position to ask that," Cho interrupted.
"Ms. Chang, I am not crossing any borders here. I am asking her these questions as a friend who is quite a nosy one. She has the very option to decline answering my question."
"It's no bother, Cho. I'll answer it," Hermione said, cutting the impending argument between her two companions.
There was a short silence among the three. Oliver kept his cool and looked straight at Hermione. Cho was looking at her with soft eyes, not wanting her to feel offended at any cost.
"I was asking myself the same questions just a few nights ago. You could probably say that I was sorting out my feelings. Then, after getting myself almost killed by my bloody thoughts, I finally came to a definite conclusion," Hermione said, pausing just a few seconds.
"Yes, Oliver, I am in love with Harry."
Cho was half shocked, half relieved at Hermione's sudden confession. She knew, even before, that Hermione had feelings for Harry. She just needed to sort it out herself. Cho smiled at her and Hermione saw from Cho the friend that she needed at that time. Hermione smiled at her and looked back at Oliver who kept silent. He was staring up at the sky and Hermione and Cho both looked up at what he was staring and saw a meteor shower happening in front of their eyes. Both girls stared in great awe and smiled at themselves.
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"It is a very beautiful sight," Harriotte said as they saw the meteor shower begin in front of them.
"Yes, yes, it is," Cedric said, staring up at the sight before them.
"Do you think this is just what Fred and George wanted us to do here at the Astronomy Tower- for us to conjure a meteor shower?" Harriotte asked.
"I'm not sure. If this is what they wanted us to do here then that would be un-Fred and un-George like of them," Cedric answered.
"What do you mean by that statement?"
"You don't know them the way we do, Harriotte. This whole date thing is probably just the batter of the cake Fred and George are trying to bake, and we are like the layers of that specific cake."
"Well, this comes as a surprise to me, but that does not matter anymore. Whatever they are planning to execute further then I shall happily obliged in doing so. I have already placed myself under their web and I do not believe that I may leave under any circumstances anymore."
"You're just too nice, Harriotte. All too nice."
"Thank you."
Harriotte smiled at Cedric but she immediately looked towards her right. Harry had been quiet the whole time they conjured the meteor shower. Harriotte watched as he kept his gaze on the stars and sighed to himself. I wonder what he is thinking about as of this moment.
"Harry?" Harriotte began.
Harry, shaken away from his pensive, quickly shot a gaze to his left. He didn't know if he was to be happy or be nervous as of the moment. He was looking directly into Harriotte's eyes, her face only inches apart from him. I shouldn't have moved closer.
Catching his thoughts once again, Harry looked away from her and composed himself. He sighed a little before looking back at her and smiling. He gave Cedric, who was looking at him with a weird expression, a nervous smile as if he was hiding something from the both of them.
"Uhm, yeah, Harriotte, what is it?" Harry asked, his voice slowly forming.
"You seem rather silent this part of the evening. Is something the matter? Harriotte asked.
"No, it's nothing! I'm completely fine!"
"You're acting is lousier than your Potion's exam results," Cedric sated.
"I am not acting."
"I can not tell if you really are upset over something or you are just disturbed at the moment," Harriotte spoke out.
"Look, Harriotte, I'm fine. There's nothing to it," Harry said, looking at her eyes.
"You do not look so fine to me," she said.
"I…"
"It is alright if you do not wish to tell me. I understand," Harriotte said, smiling at him, indicating the end of their conversation.
Harry looked at her with sad eyes. He didn't know if he had offended her or something. He didn't want any of that. He was just, well, thinking about stuff. Alright, he was busy thinking about Hermione…and Harriotte. I don't know what to tell her, or how to tell her. And now, I'm starting to think about Cho too! This is getting ridiculous. Ahh! Just out with it!
"Harriotte, I…" Harry began, his voice trailing behind.
"Yes, Harry?" Harriotte asked, smiling sweetly at him, without a hint of anger or annoyance.
"Okay, I'll tell you guys what I was busily thinking about," Harry said, relaxing a little bit.
"Harry, it is alright. You need not tell us if you are uncomfortable with it," Harriotte assured.
"No, it's okay, really. I think I'll feel much better if I do this."
"Alright, if that is what you so desires."
"Okay. You see, I have been thinking lately, about everything in my life and about the people in my life. And you know, I just get these things inside my head like a sudden realization about all of this."
"Are you pertaining to Hermione?"
"How did you know?"
"I just had a wild guess. Do continue."
"Well, since you already know about it, yes, I have been thinking about Hermione… but not just her."
"Is it Cho?" Cedric suddenly asked.
"Miss Chang?" Harriotte asked, looking at him, surprise filling in her tone.
"Yes, Cho, exactly," Cedric told her.
"What does Miss Chang have to do with this?"
"She and I were involved together before, it was during Cedric's demise," Harry said, his voice lowering.
"Oh, I see."
"It's not just them, unfortunately," Harry said.
"I'm guessing it's Harriotte," Cedric declared.
"Me? How can it possibly be me?" Harriotte asked, her voice filled with shock.
"You know, you could be a good apprentice to Professor Trelawney, Cedric," Harry commented.
"It was just a wild guess too."
"Well, you're good at it."
"Wait. What exactly is going on?" Lady Harriotte interrupted.
"Okay, Harry, tell her," Cedric said, closing their conversation.
"What is there to tell?" Harriotte asked, looking at the both of them.
"I'm just confused right now, okay? I think, I don't know, Harriotte, but…" Harry trailed off.
"But?" Harriotte asked, eager to hear what he had to say.
"I think I lo-"
"Stop right there!" Harriotte suddenly exclaimed.
"H-Hariotte?" Cedric asked, shocked at Harriotte's sudden outburst.
"Are you a-alright?" Harry asked, afraid to look at her straight in the eye.
"Harry, you do not, okay?" Harriotte cleared out.
"I-I do not what, Harriotte?" he asked, wondering exactly what she meant.
"You do not love me," she said, smiling at him. "What I mean is, you are not in love with me."
Harry stared deep into Harriotte's eyes. He searched it for any sign of hurt, anger, pity, maybe even love. Harriotte looked at Harry with warm eyes that were so inviting and calming. He couldn't help but smile.
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"What about you? Do you love Harriotte?" Hermione suddenly asked Oliver.
Cho gasped a little and turned her gaze over to Oliver who was calmly sitting in-between the two of them. Oliver glanced at Hermione before looking back up at the sky. The meteor shower was still at its process, Oliver then knew. This was conjured and not of natural phenomenon. Harriotte.
"Let me get this straight, you are asking me if I love my very own fiancé?" Oliver asked in a commanding tone.
"Yes," Hermione said firmly.
"Is that even a question?" Oliver asked, in a sarcastic manner.
"As of this moment, your love for her is questionable. Actually, scratch that, your love for each other is questionable, that's the right phrase," Hermione stated, her voice unfading.
"Our love for each other?"
"Yes, don't you agree with me too, Cho?"
"Oh, y-yes, I do," Cho answered, startled at Hermione's sudden question.
"See?"
"What are you girls talking about?" Oliver asked, trying to get a clear view of the conversation at hand.
"Oliver, have you not actually figured it out yet?" Hermione asked.
"I haven't, so tell me what this is all about."
"Why have you not been spending time with Lady Harriotte as often as you did before?" Cho cleared out for him.
"I…"
"What, Oliver? What is the reason?" Hermione asked.
"It's none of your concern."
"We are making it our concern. After you have bombarded me with those questions, I think I deserve a little something here. Besides, Harriotte's our friend too, you know. We worry about what is happening with her."
"It is not that important, okay?"
"If it's not so important then why can you not tell us?"
"Because it is none of your business!"
Hermione and Cho looked stunned at Oliver's sudden disposition. They looked at each other before turning back to Oliver. They watched as their Quidditch History professor sharply drew his breath in and release it back out. They both became even more curious now as to what really is going on between Harriotte and Oliver.
"Okay, I'm sorry if I suddenly reacted like a vicious lion out from his cage. This is just a different thing for me. I'm not one to talk about my relationships, especially when that relationship is with Harriotte," Oliver said, finally calming down.
"I think we've both had our fair share of outbursts tonight. We're just waiting until Cho gets into it and we're all even," Hermione said, trying to lighten the mood.
"You're absolutely correct," Oliver laughed.
"So, what's really the deal, Oliver?" Hermione asked.
"Okay, I'll tell you guys. Honestly, there's nothing wrong between me and Harriotte."
"Then why have you not visited her for weeks now?" Cho asked.
"It's because I was busy."
"Busy with what? Don't tell us you're busy with work because you were able to balance that before," Hermione said.
"No, it's not about work."
"Then what is it?"
"I was busy preparing for my proposal."
"Proposal?" Hermione and Cho both said.
"Yeah. I was planning to formally propose to Harriotte on the night of the Ball, but this happened."
"Oh, my," Hermione and Cho said.
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"What made you say that, Harriotte?" Cedric asked, getting himself involved in the conversation.
"I just know that he does not feel that way," Harriotte said.
"How? How did you…?" Harry asked, giving Harriotte a somewhat adorably confused look.
"Harry, and Cedric too, feelings can be very confusing. Sometimes it can be very annoying too, for the very reason that it does not fit the pieces of every single question you are asking yourself. There is nothing wrong in having to feel a sudden liking for someone-there really is nothing. But you have to put into mind that you need to sort out everything before you make conclusion. Infatuation and real love are completely different aspects. They are poles apart and the only thing that is connecting them together is a fine line in-between."
"But love is…?" Harry asked.
"I have no certain definition of love, Harry. I do no believe there is a certain definition of such a thing. Love is universal. Everyone has their own definition of it. I have my own and I am quite sure you have your own as well."
Harry and Cedric remained silent. Harriotte looked away from the both of them and gazed up at the sky. The meteor shower was about to end. She knew that somehow, if Oliver was just watching, he would know that she was the one who conjured that meteor shower. Do you even think about me, Oliver?
Cedric stared at Harriotte's face and thought to himself. Does she know if I feel that same feeling towards her? Does she even know that I think I might love her as much as Harry thought he did?
Harriotte looked at Cedric, as if reading his thoughts. Cedric drew back a little. He was partly shocked at the sudden sight of her eyes looking directly at his. Harriotte smiled and patted him on the head.
"No, you do not too, Cedric," Harriotte said, clearly reading his thoughts.
"I think you're more of Professor Trelawney's apprentice than I am," Cedric joked.
Harriotte smiled at his comment. Cedric simply gave her a grin and looked up at the stars. It was almost nine-thirty in the evening. They were nearing their deadline and they were still uncertain if that was what Fred and George had wanted them to do up at the Astronomy Tower.
"If you don't mind me asking, how certain are you that we do not feel this specific 'love' for you?" Harry suddenly spoke out, causing both Cedric and Harriotte to look at him.
"Let me ask you something, Harry," Harriotte said.
"What is it?"
"Do you love me?" Harriotte asked bluntly.
Harry stopped short of his words. He felt his insides suddenly do flip flops. It was as if his stomach was all tied up in knots that cannot be untangled anymore. Why is it so hard for me to answer "yes" if I know I feel something like this?
"I rest my case, Mr. Potter," Harriotte said, half smiling.
"Wait, I haven't given my answer."
"The look on your face is enough for me to know what you are thinking."
"How are you able to do that? How can you read our minds?" Cedric spoke out.
"Cedric, I can not read minds. I was simply indicating the change in your facial features. I am not a psychic."
"Simply putting this, you just observed our change in attitude and features and that's how you make your comments?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
"That's all?"
"Yes, but if you do not believe me then answer my question: Do you love me?"
"I-I do!"
"Are you sure with your answer?"
"Y-yeah."
"Oh, really? Why, thank you. Well, my next question is: Are you in love with me?"
Harry suddenly recalled the conversation she had with Harriotte a few months ago. There is a fine line between love and being in love, Harry. You can say that you love someone, but you cannot just say that you are in love with them that casually.
"Am I not?" Harry suddenly asked, his head looking away from Hariotte.
Harriotte looked at him, her eyes filled with wonder and a twinge of sadness. Cedrc, meanwhile, sighed and looked away from Harriotte. I don't wanna hear this. I just don't understand things anymore.
"Do you really?" Harriotte asked, her voice bore a sign of sadness.
"If I don't then why do I feel this way?"
"Harry, you are confused. There is nothing wrong with such a thing."
"But I am not confused! I think I really love you!"
"As I too," Cedric suddenly spoke out.
Harriotte and Harry suddenly looked at him. Both of them brandishing shocked expressions in their faces. Harry was more shocked. He didn't know if he heard it correctly or if it was just a joke from Cedric.
"W-What?" Harry asked, his voice breaking out of utter shock.
"I think I love her," Cedric said.
"You two, please, listen to me carefully. You do not love me the way you think you do. So, please, stop this before this gets out of hand," Harriotte said, getting in the middle of their conversation.
"Why do you not believe us, Harriotte? Why do you have to deny the fact that we really love you?" Cedric asked, as if demanding something from her.
"Cedric, you may love me and that is most definitely sweet of you, but you are not in love with me. This is all just confusing the two of you."
"How does it end up being confusing?" Harry asked.
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"You were planning to propose?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, I was. I had everything planned out. I just didn't expect that this date would occur at the same moment I was planning to propose. I got everything all fixed. I had the time, the date, the spur-of-the-moment proposal, and most especially, the ring," Oliver stated, his eyes glued on the night sky.
"B-but, even so, you could've continued on with the proposal," Cho said.
"No, I couldn't have. I won't have the chance. I don't have the right."
"What do you mean you don't have the right?" Hermione asked.
"The Duke has spoken. It's like the word of the King or Queen. Once he has spoken, there is nothing that can stand in his way. No one is entitled to go against his word. No one would dare do so, anyhow."
"But Harriotte is your fiancé! That doesn't make any sense!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Her father is my master!"
"Her father is no one's master! He is just a person, a human being just like any one of us!"
"He is the duke of my country!"
"He's also mine, but that doesn't mean that he controls everything in our lives. Oliver, get a grip!"
"Hermione, if I don't follow his orders, I won't be able to be with Harriotte anymore. No matter what people say, Harriotte is still under her parents' control. She is still living with them. And knowing Harriotte, she will never ever disregard her father's orders."
"You really love her, don't you, Oliver?" Cho suddenly said.
Hermione glanced at Cho and looked back at Oliver. He sighed and looked at the two of them, moving his chair so that it was positioned just a few centimeters behind the both of them.
"I do so very much."
Hermione and Cho both smiled at him. Oliver sighed and smiled at them. I don't know if this strong of a feeling is even legal in this world.
"Then why are you afraid at her father?" Hermione asked.
"For all the years that I have known Harriotte, one thing that she will never ever do is to disobey the most powerful person in her life: Duke Edward Henson, her father. No matter what others say, Harriotte, and her brother Hilton, will always be the most obedient people under Edward Henson's command. Even I do not have a say in on anything. And this proposal, I tried to go against the flow of His Majesty's orders by deciding to propose formally to Harriotte, but then again, he managed to get the first hand of the situation. I guess destiny is also against it."
"You believe that there really is no fighting her father?" Cho asked.
"I know that there is no fighting Uncle. That's why I'm here and she's at Warsdworth. It was an order. He said I needed to train more here at Hogwarts to be able to measure up as Harriotte's future husband. That's why I tried out for the Quidditch team. I wanted, at least if I didn't measure up in magical abilities, to be able to show something good to her father."
"You're really working hard to please father," Hermione said.
"Yeah, I try."
"It shouldn't be that way, you know," Cho suddenly said.
"What are you talking about?" Oliver asked.
"Yeah, what's that about, Cho?" Hermione supplemented.
"If you really love Harriotte, you shouldn't be going all out in pleasing her father, rather, you should be trying to please her all the best you can. After all, she is the one you are crazy in love with and not her father," Cho stated, her words full of substance.
Hermione looked at her and then back to Oliver. She watched as he drew his breath in and released it. Oliver remained silent and tried to let the words of Cho sink inside of his head. No wonder she is from Ravenclaw.
"You are absolutely correct, Miss Chang. I owe you big time! You've made me realize the biggest mistake I have been making for the past sixteen years of my life. Thank you!" Oliver suddenly exclaimed, standing up so abruptly as if he had found the cure for an incurable disease.
"Oliver, calm down. You're acting like a mad person!" Hermione said.
"This is refreshing! Come on, girls, let's start the fireworks!" Oliver exclaimed, running towards the equipment he had set up.
Hermione and Cho stared at his retreating back and looked at each other. After a few seconds of having blank looks painted in their faces, Cho and Hermione suddenly laughed. They had never seen Oliver in such a happy state. It was as if he regained childhood.
"He is really one interesting professor," Cho said, in between laughs.
"Yes, he really is. He always manages to enjoy the simple things even though he's already been deprived of something he really wants," Hermione said.
"Do you think he will ever propose to Lady Harriotte?"
"I think so. After seeing him this way I think he will do it."
"Harriotte's really lucky to have a guy like Oliver love her that much."
"I don't think it's just Oliver."
"Are you talking about Harry?"
"How were you able to tell?" Hermione asked, looking slightly shocked at Cho's sudden comment.
"I just noticed, I don't know. It's probably a girl thing."
"Well, whatever it is, you're right. I do think that Harry is, also, in love with her."
"How so?"
"He just, you know, has this certain bond with her. He worries about her too much. We've actually been arguing-"
"You were arguing about it?"
"Yeah, I know it's silly. But, I don't know. It's just that I get so pissed by the idea. Don't get me wrong, I have no anger towards Harriotte. I'm just bothered, very bothered, by the fact that he is so attached to her. Even this date bothers me."
"But Cedric is with them. You don't have to worry about that."
"I don't know, Cho. Have you ever had that feeling that you've always had that certain something right under your nose and when you start to want it, need it, it just suddenly begins to slip from your grasp and soon it has disappeared right before your eyes?"
"I felt it when I lost Cedric. I never really had the time to spend with him because he was busy training for the Triwizard Tournament. I thought that after the tournament, that would be the appropriate time for us to bond and get to know more about each other. But I was a fool to delay that. Maybe that's the reason why I turned all my feelings to Harry. I got it all bottled up inside that I just wanted to release it, that's when I found Harry beside me."
"That's exactly what I'm feeling right now. It's like, I've known Harry for so long yet only now do I realize these feelings of mine, when I'm about to lose, or already lost, him to the most beautiful girl in everyone's eyes."
"You won't lose him, Hermione. Harry will still be there for you. He will always be."
"Yeah, I know. But there comes a time when you have to part with old things once something new comes into your life. And now is Harry's turn to it."
"Hermione…"
"Never mind what I said. Going back to what you had mentioned earlier, I just wanted to ask why you suddenly became distant towards Harry."
"Distant? Oh, no, I would never do such a thing. I guess you could say that I have been busy with Cedric for the past couple of months, but that's only normal, right? Considering that he has been gone for a year and I just wanted to make up for the lost time. But I have never thought that I was being distant to Harry. I try, as much as I can, that when I see him, I greet him. Am I not?"
"You are saying that you're not avoiding Harry?"
"No, not at all. Why?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing in particular. I just wanted to ask. So, uhm, how's Cedric?"
"He's doing fine. He's glad he can continue to play Quidditch now. He really missed the sport."
"That's no surprise. So, is he planning to make up for the lost year he had?"
"Yeah, he actually had a meeting with his parents and the Headmaster regarding it. I think he will have another year here just to refill his temporary memory loss."
"I see. That's good to hear."
"Hermione, can I tell you something?"
"Oh, what is it?"
"I hope you wouldn't take this as offensive but in this time, I think you should do what your heart tells you to, before it's too late. Even if Voldemort's already been defeated, there is no assurance of our lives being put to full safety. So, just grab this chance while you still have it. Make the most out of this year, Hermione. I know it will do you good."
Hermione absorbed every single word that Cho had said. Do what your heart tell you to do. Make the most out of this year. Grab the chance while you still have it. She then gave Cho a bright smile.
"Thanks, Cho."
Cho smiled at her and looked back at Oliver who was then calling for them. Hermione and Cho laughed a little before finally standing up and walking towards the excited Oliver Wood. The fireworks display was about to begin.
I'll put everything aside first. This feeling can not be wasted anymore than it already has.
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"Love is a strong word, Harry. It is very complicated. There is no possible way to explain it," Harriotte stated, looking at the both of them with serious eyes.
"Then make it uncomplicated," Harry said, as if he's ordering her to do so.
"I can not do that. Look, you two, okay, if you say you love me then I shall acknowledge it wholeheartedly. Thank you. But did you even think about it?"
"Yes," both of them answered.
"Did you consult your head?"
"Yes."
"Did you consult your heart?"
Silence fell inside the room as Harry and Cedric closed their mouths after they heard what Harriotte had said. Consult my heart.
"You have to take this situation seriously. Love is a powerful thing. In situations such as this, you do not just consult your mind, you consult your heart. And when you do, you listen to it. Listen to what your heart is telling you because your heart is you all the way. Your heart knows you more than you know yourself. Sometimes, the heart can be very confusing, but when you try to really listen to it, you will understand."
"Listen to my heart," Harry repeated.
"My heart knows best," Cedric followed.
"Do not be afraid, Harry and Cedric. Take your time and you will know what your heart is really telling you. And if it really is telling you that you are in love with me, then I will fully accept that. I just do not know if I will be able to reciprocate the feelings you may have for me. Do you get me now, Harry? And you, Cedric, we will talk about this later."
"You're really devoted to Oliver," Harry said.
"Sometimes I really envy the two of you for being so much in love," Cedric said.
"No, no we are not."
"Huh? What was that, Harriotte?" Harry asked.
"Harriotte?"
"I… I am not in love with Oliver."