DON'T PRETEND YOU LOVE ME
CHAPTER 11
BACK TO THE BURROW
A couple of hours later, the students were now waking up on a fresh Monday. Harry was walking in circles beating himself about the new feeling he had recently realized.
"This can-NOT be happening." he said to himself. "Hermione's your best friend. You're not supposed to feel this way about her. She's your best friend and just a best friend. Just a friend, just a friend, just a friend, just a friend, just a friend."
Suddenly, he heard Hermione's voice "Hello, Harry. You're unusually early today." she greeted.
"Hermione! I... good morning," said a Harry surprised. "How about you? What are you doing this early in the morning?" asked Harry.
"I always wake up this early. I like to go to the library early everyday. It's so much quite and nobody would disturb me." said Hermione.
She narrowed her eyes as she recollected on what she just said, realizing that it was a bit unusual.
"I'm not crazy." she immediately spoke.
"Oh, of course not. Well you go on ahead, I'll see you later at breakfast." said Harry.
"Okay, see you later" said Hermione before going to the portrait hole.
"Look Harry, it's your girlfriend." His mind teased.
Harry then shook his head and continued to argue with himself. "Knock that off! You're not really in love with her. It's just a little crush that's it, just a little crush, just a crush, just a crush, just a crush."
Then suddenly, the portrait hole opened again and Hermione came rushing back inside.
"I forgot to return this book," said Hermione who grabbed the book that was lying on the common room table. "Don't forget to wear your locket when you go out, Harry." After that, she ran out again.
"I love you so much that I can't live without you." said Harry's mind sighing. "Damn it!"
At breakfast, Harry and Hermione were eating at the Gryffindor table. Though Hermione didn't notice it, there was tension there. If you look at Harry's face, oh yeah, tension alright. They were halfway at their plates when Ron spoke after reading his letter brought by Pigwidgeon.
"Good news you two, Mum is inviting you to spent the holidays at our house." said Ron.
"That's great, isn't that great Harry?" said Hermione
But Harry didn't speak, instead of looking at Hermione and saying yes, he stared at his own plate and gave her a thumbs up.
"Mate, are you alright?" asked Ron only to be answered by another thumbs up.
"Good morning you guys." greeted Neville.
Ron glared at him, he suddenly stood up and smiled maliciously "Neville, would you like to spend the rest of the holidays at my place?" he asked.
"Err..."
"C'mon, I just want to know you a little bit better." said Ron
"Ron, we've been in the same House for almost seven years." said Neville.
Ron glared at him again but got his composure quickly. "Don't you want to know the rest of the family?" asked Ron.
"Well... Okay, I'll write my parents, I'm sure they'd say yes." said Neville.
(A\N In this story, Neville's parents have been cured when Harry defeated Voldemort)
When Neville left them, Ron sat back down to his seat stabbing the steak on his plate while muttering something that sounded like — 'Going to take away my baby sister hah, I'll show you.'
"Hey guys! Ron, guess who I'll be bringing to the Burrow?" said Ginny who appeared behind him.
"Oh I don't know… your boyfriend perhaps." said Ron sarcastically.
"No you jerk, I invited Luna Lovegood." said Ginny
"Oh good, because I invited him already." said Ron smiling.
"What!" screamed Ginny.
"I said... I invited him." said Ron still grinning.
"What did you do that for?" asked Ginny.
"I just want him to suffer that's all." said Ron
(A/N Geez Ron, did you and Draco exchanged personalities, because you're starting to sound like him)
Ginny turned red "You're not going to get away with this." said Ginny in gritted teeth.
"Oh I believe I have, baby sister." said Ron.
(A/N Now you're starting to sound like a Death Eater)
Ginny left, almost leaving dents on the hundred year old pavement as stomped away. When everyone finished their breakfast, Dumbledore stood up and made an announcement.
"As you all know that some of you will be spending their holidays at home, I am here to announce you the oncoming Lunar Ball that will happen two weeks from now after the Quidditch finals." said Dumbledore. "All of the students are required to wear Muggle clothes as costumes, since our Muggle Studies Teacher Professor Smith has suggested that it would be a good thing to have a Ball different from our previous gatherings."
All the females started giggling and chatting with one another (Except Hermione of course). All the boys on the other half were scanning the Great Hall for an excellent date for the Ball, Harry and Ron groaned.
"Oh great, not another one." said Harry surly.
"Remember what happened the last time?" asked Ron.
"Don't remind me." said Harry.
"Quite messy wasn't it?" said Ron.
"I told you not to remind me." said Harry.
"So, who are you guys going to take?" asked Seamus.
Harry and Ron exchanged looks. Ron looked towards the Ravenclaw table and watched Padma Patil having a conversation with Luna Lovegood and Anthony Goldstein.
"That's a little bit too close Goldstein." said Ron in his mind while Harry turned to his left and watched Hermione read and book not paying attention to Parvati and Lavender's giggles.
"So? Who are you going to take you two?" asked Seamus once more.
Harry and Ron heaved a sigh.
"Don't know," said the two in unison.
After a noisy Breakfast, Harry and Ron left the Great Hall and walked to the Gryffindor tower. When they approached the Fat Lady's portrait, they saw the man that they would never thought of going to the Gryffindor tower. Draco Malfoy.
"Took you two long enough." said Draco.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" asked Ron who's glaring at him.
"Oh nothing, I just want to tell you that I would be going to your house this Christmas." said Draco
"What!" shouted Ron.
"Your going to the Burrow?" asked Harry.
"Burrow-House-Cave, whatever you call it." said Draco.
"Why?" asked Ron aghast.
"Hey, watch your tongue. You think you own the place." said Draco.
"Judging by the fact that my parents own it, I'd say yes, I do own it!" snarled Ron.
"Easy Weasley. You might have a sudden heart attack." said Draco ignoring Ron's reply. 'Though it'd be fun to see you have one." he muttered.
"I heard that." snarled Ron.
"Heard what?" asked Draco innocently.
"That!"
"I don't know what you're talking about." said Draco.
"You said it would be fun if I had a heart attack. You were looking at me when you said it." said Ron.
"Wow, quite a fan of the dramatics there. And you wonder why we're not friends." said Draco.
"Ron doesn't wonder that." said Harry.
"Wonder what?" asked Draco.
"That!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." said Draco.
"You said that Ron wonders why you're not friends. Tell him he's wrong Ron." said Harry elbowing Ron.
"What? Uh-err… yeah, I don't think about that stuff." said an unconvincing ginger head.
"So you'll pick me up at nine, then?" said Draco now finding his nails of sudden interest.
"Forget it Malfoy, you're not going." said Ron.
"Sure, so who will help me with my luggage later?" asked Draco ignoring Ron once more.
"Didn't you hear me? I said you're not coming." said Ron.
"Okay, fine. I can lift them by myself, I'll just probably just use a hovering charm on them." said Draco.
"You're not coming Malfoy! Whatever you do I'm never gonna let you go to my House! If you go there, I'm going to go insane! You hear me? Insane." yelled Ron.
Suddenly the Portrait Hole opened and Ron's sister came out grinning maliciously.
"Hey Draco, wanna spent the holidays at my place?" she asked
Draco looked at her then turned to Ron with a big smirk "Yeah, why not." said Draco.
Ginny glanced at Ron and gave him an annoying smile, while Ron was busy looking for words to throw at Draco. Draco gave him an insulting curtsy before leaving.
"Why would you do that?" Ron snapped at Ginny.
"Because I can." said Ginny.
"You're not going to get away with this." said Ron.
"Oh, I believe I have, big brother. I believe I have." she replied.
"Well this is certainly going to be an interesting holidays" said Harry putting his hand on his best friend's shoulder.
"Interesting? Try revolting" said Ron.
The students bound for home for the holidays gathered at the courtyard for inspection that Afternoon. The three were in line checking their bags for things they might have forgotten. Hermione nagged them over and over as she told them to pack early. She bent down over Ron as she argued with him with a list she made.
Harry meanwhile kept himself from being bored by gazing at the scuffle of students gossiping and goofing around. But then he saw Waynard, Hermione uncle in the distance sipping coffee as he watched them.
"Well if you packed it when I told you to, then we wouldn't be here won't we." Hermione nagged Ron.
"It's just that stupid shirt, Hermione." Ron argued.
"You want to hurt you mother's feelings? Go ahead, let her see you not wearing in." she said.
Ron glared at her for a few seconds.
"I hate you." He told her as he retreated to his bag and resumed his search for his mother's Christmas gift for him last year.
"I can't believe Malfoy's going to the Burrow," said Ron to Harry wanting to change the subject, while checking his rucksack.
"Let's just hope that he doesn't try something funny." said Harry.
"He pees himself everytime he talks to Luna. Funny would be an understatement." said Ron.
"Yeah, you know, I still can't help on wondering why he's acting like that." said Harry. "All I know is he started to go gaga when Luna asked me about Ravenclaw's extra practice."
"Now that you said it, I remember Luna drinking a glass of firewhiskey at our table Harry?" said Hermione.
"It differs with every generation in the Malfoy family. His father's a gender-confused homicidal maniac and Draco's a crazy exhibitionist." said Ron, Harry chuckled.
"And I don't think that any Gryffindor would have enough sense not to bring one of those since Michael Creevey's... Err ... accident." said Hermione.
Harry nodded at her while Ron's face turned into a look of disgust.
"That stain at the common room carpet will be the mark of his stupidity forever." said Ron.
"Damn! Hey Weasley, be a good little Gryffindor and carry my things for me." came Draco's voice.
The three turned around and saw him struggling with luggages and trunks twice the size of him.
"Go to hell Malfoy." said Ron.
"Potter! You're a real goodie two shoes, wanna help?" said Draco.
"I- am-not-a-goodie-two-shoes!" snapped Harry.
"How about you Mud... Granger" said Draco bitterly.
Hermione rolled her eyes; she took her wand and pointed it at Draco's burden.
"LOCOMOTOR MORTIS" said Hermione
Draco's trunks and luggages slowly floated "I thought of doing that, I just forgot" said Draco.
"What do you have inside those? Did you packed every single object in your Dorm?" asked Harry.
Draco gave a sarcastic laugh "Ha-ha-ha Potter, I never knew you were such a comic." said Draco.
"Why do you want to stay at the Burrow for Malfoy?" asked Hermione.
"Hey guys! Have you been long?" came Luna's voice.
"Angel!" said Draco almost yelling; he quickly dashed towards Luna.
"Well that answers my question." said Hermione sounding a bit irritated.
"I forgot Ginny invited her." said Harry.
"Oh no." said Ron staring at something.
"I thought you lot already left me already." said Parvati who just came along with Ginny.
"What are you doing here?" asked Ron.
"Whatever do you mean Ron?" asked Parvati.
"You're not coming with us aren't you?" asked Ron.
"Ron, you make it sound like it's a bad thing" said Parvati playfully.
Ron glared at Ginny who just smiled back at him.
"Here I am" said Neville who was panting from the long run at the courtyard.
"Neville! My best-est best pal. How's life treating you? Boy, I sure can't wait to introduce you to the family." said Ron out loud.
"Here my dear beloved angel, let me take care of that for you." said Draco to Luna as he tended to her bags.
"LOCOMOTOR MORTIS" said Draco. Luna's trunks slowly lifted in the air.
"Here's the Knight Bus, let's go." said Hermione.
All eight of them got their things inside the bus then boarding themselves.
After the longest three hours of Harry's life, the Knight Bus stopped in front of the Burrow. One by one they got off lifting (magically assisted) their trunks and stretched their legs.
"For the last time Luna, There is no man in the moon!" said Hermione, Luna just yawned.
"Don't you yell at her Granger." said Draco snapped from behind her.
"Stay out of it Malfoy." said Hermione giving Draco the look of death.
Draco tried to speak but he just turned to his trunks when he saw the fire on Hemione's eyes.
"Thank god, I thought they'd never shut up. They've been like that ever since we hopped inside the Knight Bus." said Harry.
"We'll be off now, Harry." said the conductor.
"See yah, Stan." said Harry then the knight bus that Harry and the others boarded vanished in a blink of an eye.
"C'mon Hermione, let's go inside." said Ginny.
All of them went inside the House where they were met by Mrs. Weasley. She gave them each hugs and kisses as they came in.
"(Tsup) Hello Neville (Tsup) ah, you must be Luna, Ginny has told me a lot of things about you (Tsup) Hello Harry dear, you and Ron go take your trunks upstairs, we'll have Lunch in thirty minutes (Tsup) hang on, who are you" she asked after kissing Draco
"Draco Malfoy." said Draco acidly.
Mrs. Weasley chuckled slightly "Why that sounded like a Death Eater's name." said Mrs. Weasley.
Draco laughed as well "Yeah, isn't that funny, and you know what's more hilarious than that? I'm his son ha ha ha."
Mrs. Weasley stopped laughing and looked nervous. "Why don't you go with Harry and Ron upstairs." said Mrs. Weasley.
"Hey nobody orders..."
"Draco, would you help me get my things upstairs?" asked Luna.
"I'm coming my dove," said Draco before running to her ...Err aid.
"I better get some more chairs, we haven't got this much company before." said Mrs. Weasley.
"I'll help." said Parvati who clearly wants to make a good impression.
"Thank you dear, you're name is Parvati isn't?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes, I'm a good friend of Ron's." said Parvati.
"Mum, where's Dad?" asked Ginny.
"He's still at work dear, he might be coming home before Dinner." said Mrs. Weasley.
"Is anyone else coming?" asked Ginny.
"Fred and George will be dropping by later" said Mrs. Weasley.
"How about Percy and the others?" asked Ginny.
"Percy is spending the Holidays with Penelope, Charlie has that new dragon from China to look after while Bill is stuck in work at Gringgots." said Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh well, I guess that means there's more food to go around." said Ginny.
"Mrs. Weasley would you like us to help with the Christmas tree?" asked Hermione.
"Sure dear, go on ahead," said Mrs. Weasley.
"I'll help." said Luna.
"I'll get the decors." said Ginny.
"And I'll help set up the table" said Parvati (A/N Suck up)
After an interesting Lunch, all of them went around the house to past the time; Hermione went with Luna, Parvati and Ginny who showed Luna and Parvati around the house, Draco on the other half was so upset because the girls wouldn't let him come so he decided to go out to the nearest pond and throw rocks, Neville was busy admiring the Weasley's clock which showed all nine of the Weasley's faces, he looked at them and saw Mr. Weasley work, Mrs. Weasley home, Bill travel, Charlie travel, Percy work, Fred work, George work, Ron and Ginny home, while Harry and Ron were outside talking.
"Harry, Harry, what's wrong with you? Is something the matter?" asked Ron.
"What, oh, sorry" said Harry staring some place who looks like he was just pulled out of a great dream.
"What are you gawking at anyway?" asked Ron then turning to the direction where Harry was staring.
Ron saw the four girls walking and giggling by the flowerbed, he saw Hermione smiling right at them so he waved in return, Ron turned around to Harry only to see him waving like nervous lunatic so he grabbed his hand before the other girls see him.
"Harry what's going on with you?" asked Ron.
"Me? The-there's nothing wrong with me, what are you talking about?" lied Harry.
"You're not fooling anyone with that stupid smile on your face" said Ron.
"What stupid smile?" said Harry with his stupid smile Ron was telling him about.
"C'mon Harry, I'm your friend" said Ron.
Harry paused to think about what his best friend had said and he decided that what worst thing could happen.
"Ron I-"started Harry before someone had interfered.
"-Have a big crushy-washy on Granger." said Draco.
Harry and Ron turned to see who it was.
"Malfoy!" Harry snarled at him
"Aren't you old enough not to be eavesdropping on someone?" said Ron.
"Well I could have gone to a bar and get drunk. Problem is we're in the middle of nowhere, aren't we genius?" said Draco
"Gee Harry, don't you just wish that all eavesdroppers would just drop dead." said Ron to Harry.
"Oh, well since you feel that way-"Draco walked towards the clusters of huge rocks near them and pulled someone out.
"Neville!" said Harry and Ron and the same time.
"Hey there guys." said a very red Neville.
"What the heck are you doing behind those rocks?" said Ron.
"Well Weasley, I'm going to go ahead and guest that he was either eavesdropping or pleasuring himself… or maybe both." said Draco
"I was just wondering around looking for you two and then I heard Draco's voice." said Neville quickly while Draco just gave him the good old fashioned eye roll.
"I'm shocked, Longbottom. Here I was thinking that you could never lie to your friends, much less public masturbating." said Draco.
"I'm not lying Malfoy,! And I wasn't touching myself. Go get some Veritaserum if you want!" said Neville defending himself.
"Well if you want, I could just use the Cruciatus curse on you. If you were lying then good for me but if you were not lying... well let's just say it's still good for me." said Draco maliciously.
"Leave him alone, Malfoy." said Harry who stepped between the two.
"Or what Potter? Going to bash my face in again? I gotta tell you, you have a knack for sucker punches." said Draco.
"No, I plan on doing more than just smashing your face in." said Harry.
"Was that a threat Potter? Bravo Potter, bravo, you keep surprising me every minute." said Draco. "First, the thing with you and Granger, and now you want to kick my ass. Well, by all means, Potter bring it, you and those two morons behind you. I love a handicap match. There are more people to hurt."
"Harry, no," said Ron in gritted teeth.
"He's just trying something." said Neville.
"C'mon Potter." said Draco spreading his hands "I'm right here, no wands if you like."
"Fine by me." said Harry in gritted teeth. "Ron, hold my wand." said Harry handing his wand to Ron while Draco threw his wand on the ground. "Behind those rocks then" said Harry pointing at the clusters of rocks Neville was hiding before.
"Doesn't really matter where we do this, Potter" said Draco with an evil smile on his face while walking towards the back of the rocks.
"Stop talking, let's do this the Muggle way." said Harry
The two lunged at each other, Harry punched Draco's ribs but he retaliated back with an uppercut causing Harry to get dazed. Draco takes advantage of it by knocking him down the ground and pummeling him.
"Harry!" said Ron taking step forward
"No, Ron" said Neville. "We probably shouldn't interfere." Ron clenched his fist.
Harry now was being pummeled by Draco but he found an opening and hit Draco hard in the face causing him to get off him. Harry got a bloody lip because of the beating he took but that didn't stop him from attacking Draco.
Hours has passed, the sun was setting but Harry and Draco were still busy rendering each other senseless. Ron just came back from the Burrow for a snack.
"For Merlin's sake, aren't they done yet?" asked Ron to a very bored looking Neville.
"Nope." said Neville "Call me crazy but I they're bonding."
"Call me crazy because I think you're right." said Ron. "Hey Harry! Were going to have Dinner at twenty! Mum's not going to like it if you go inside the House looking like that!" shouted Ron but Harry didn't answer.
"Wanna go inside and let these two regret this later?" asked Ron.
"Sure." said Neville. He and Ron went inside and left Harry and Draco alone.
Harry and Draco were panting, their clothes were torn and their faces were bruised all over.
"So tell me Draco, you were the one who (dodges a punch) put that firewhiskey at our table when you first-uff (kicked in the ribs) fell rock bottom (hits Draco in the face) over Luna" said Harry.
"You don't have to-uff (punched in the stomach) ask. You know what the (hits Harry in the chest) answer is. You're the one who's got the hotties on his best friend (dodges a punch) I mean we bad guys have enough decency you know." said Draco
"Decency? You were one of the people who made my life a living hell." said Harry.
"Take it from the bloke with the hero complex." said Draco.
"You're just jealous because you don't anybody who gives a damn about you."
"I don't need anybody worrying about me. That's my job. I've got that covered. I don't need friends."
"Everybody needs somebody, Draco. Even you."
"Oh yeah? Well your glasses make you look like a child molester."
"Says the man who wears women's make up-that's right! We all know." said Harry.
"Men have the right to look attractive too you know. Oh I forgot, you don't even bother keeping that untidy hair of yours in shape." said Draco.
"In case anybody hasn't ask, I'm not as vain as you." said Harry.
Draco stopped and started laughing.
"What? What's the matter?" asked Harry.
"Were acting like idiots you know." said Draco.
Harry put down his guard down as well and chuckled. "I guess you're right."
Then suddenly Draco and Harry struck each other in the face. They both fell hard down the ground and laughed their lungs out.
"You're pretty good, Malfoy" said Harry looking up the sky.
"You're not so bad yourself, Potter." said Draco looking up the sky also.
"So, are we okay?" asked Harry.
"Yeah I guess, but it doesn't mean I have to be all nice and stuff." said Draco.
"It wouldn't be the same if you weren't." said Harry.
They raised their fist in the air and tapped each other's knuckles.
CRAZZZY FAN: I appreciate the caps lol. Thanks for reading, just finishing with the other chapters. Don't worry, there's more Harry Hermione moment to pop out.
M: It took me a while to find out that you're from Norway. When I translated it to English through the net, this is what I got "Love story! Please update soon. Did Chapter 10!" thanks for taking the time to review. Pls wait for the next chapters.
Hedwig466: I will not admit or deny that everyone else remembers the dream. All I can say is the confirmation is in the sequel. They I wanted to show it is everyone in Harry's dream is as clueless as he was. If they immediately knew, the effect I wanted won't work. And to clear one thing up, Harry and Hermione only wears the lockets at day or when they know they're going to encounter Waynard.