DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, AND I AM NOT MAKING ANY MONEY.
Chapter 6
Harry had finally managed to get up. As he slid out of his bed he noticed that Hermione's was empty. Evidently she was still on her watch. Harry wasn't sure if he was happy about this. He didn't really want her being cold, as well as wet if it had rained, but he knew he couldn't go and see Hermione if he wanted her to know that he was still annoyed with her.
Deciding not to go out to see Hermione and shaking his head, Harry got out of his bed and collected his clothes from the chair near the entrance of the tent. This was where Hermione now left them, seeing as how it was much easier than having to go through her bag every time he needed to get dressed.
He walked passed Ron's bed on his way to the bathroom, and wasn't surprised to find that the redhead was still asleep. Harry wanted to shout at Ron. He wanted to tell him that the girl he apparently loved was sitting outside, probably waiting for some comfort. But he resisted and continued to the bathroom.
Harry desperately wanted to go out and be with Hermione. After he had dressed, he went over to the sink and washed his face.
'If only she wasn't so bloody nice. Then she wouldn't care about Ron and right now I'd be outside with her, my arm around her shoulder, whilst she snuggles into my chest.'
He raised his head and looked at himself in the mirror, water dripping off his fringe. The person that looked back at him with the same startling emerald eyes was so much different to the one Harry remembered.
He hadn't always looked this worn out. The trip that he had undertaken was certainly taking its toll on him.
'But no, there will be none of that, not if it hurts Ron's fucking feelings,'he thought viciously.
Harry's fist connected with the mirror. The shattered shards of glass fell into the sink with a tinkle, like rain drops on a window. His breathing was heavy and uneven. He didn't want to hate Ron, he'd been his best friend for nearly seven years now. But now that he was seeing Hermione in a totally different light than before, Harry couldn't accept that Ron loved her.
'There is nothing about him that says he loves her. He doesn't treat her well enough, he doesn't go and find her when she's upset. He just lets her sit there, crying and distraught. That doesn't tell me he loves her, that tells me he doesn't care,'Harry thought.
He let go of the sink that he was threatening to rip from the wall and pulled out his wand. Quickly repairing the broken mirror, he left the bathroom in search of some breakfast.
He found some bread and had toast for breakfast. As he was sitting at the table, buttering his toast, someone entered the tent. Hermione walked quickly between the beds, passed Harry in the kitchen and straight towards the bathroom.
The only thing that registered in Harry's mind were the tears that were running down Hermione's face.
He jumped up as she passed him and hurried after her. Just as she was shutting the door to the bathroom he held out his hand, stopping Hermione's action.
'Go away, Harry,' she called to him.
His hand still firmly planted on the door, Harry said, 'No, Hermione. What's wrong?'
He heard her sniff behind the door. 'Nothing is wrong. Leave me alone!' Hermione cried.
'Hermione! Please, let me see you.'
She said nothing, and then Hermione slowly pulled the door open. Harry was reminded of when she had accidentally transformed herself into a cat in their second year. Hermione had been reluctant to open the door then as well.
As soon as he saw her, Harry's face fell. Looking at her properly he could see that she had been crying for a long time, probably all night. Her eyes were red and there were faint vertical lines trailing down her beautiful face.
'Hermione, why are you crying?' Harry asked. He saw her eyes dart to Ron's bed, and then back to Harry. It was obvious to him that Hermione was scared that Ron was going to wake up.
Harry touched her cheek lightly, his thumb gently rubbing her warm skin. He saw her visibly relax, her shoulders slumped slightly and her mouth was no longer the tight, thin line it had been moments before.
She reached up and place her hand on his. She waited a moment, then dropped it and took his free one. Hermione pulled Harry into the bathroom and shut the door behind them. He sat on the stool, waiting for Hermione to talk.
She was standing still, getting her breathing under control and stopping her tears.
'Harry, I'm sorry,' Hermione said finally.
'For what?'
'Everything, for not being with you, for not wanting to hurt Ron, for not realising that you liked me too. I want to be with you, I really do, but I just can't, not with Ron here, not whilst he thinks that we're a couple.'
'But you're not, are you?' Harry needed the confirmation.
'No, Harry, I don't love him. I love you and I can't tell you enough. I just wish that this was easier-'
And Hermione's tears returned. She shook as her sobs took over her body and she doubled over. Harry jumped up, wrapping his arms around Hermione, bringing her close to him and carefully lowered them both to the floor. Now she was curled up in his lap, her face buried in his chest. He could feel her tears seeping through his shirt, onto his chest.
Harry slowly and delicately rubbed Hermione's back, being patient and allowing her to get all the emotions she had been feeling recently off her chest.
She had seemingly stopped crying and looked up to Harry, and was about to speak when she lost control. A fresh set of sobs racked Hermione and she lowered her head back to Harry's chest.
There was nothing Harry could do. He didn't really know what he could say to her that would calm her down.
'It's okay, Hermione, at least you're crying into my chest. If it was Ron's I doubt you'd even get your back rubbed. I'm sorry I don't know how to make you better,'thought Harry.
Harry happily noted after a few more minutes it appeared that Hermione's sobs had receded slightly, allowing her to speak.
'I- I- I'm, so- sorry H- Har- Harry,' she said through the tears.
'It's okay, Hermione,' Harry cooed, still rubbing her back. 'I wish I had something better than that. Maybe, "Would you like a kiss?", no, that's a stupid idea,'Harry thought.
Hermione managed to regain control and keep it after five more minutes. She once again looked up at him, giving Harry a watery smile.
Harry thought she still looked beautiful, even through the streaks on her face and her hair sticking to her cheeks. He gave her the smile that she loved so much. He noticed her lips regaining their usual red colour. Harry's breathing quickened, his lungs expanding rapidly. He moved his head closer to hers. Harry's eyes flicked to Hermione's lips. As he was just about to place a kiss on her, she moved away, and got up from his lap.
'No, Harry,' said Hermione, walking away, her back to him.
Harry was shocked.
'Here she is telling me she loves me and then when I go to kiss her she says no? What the hell Hermione?'
'Do you love me or not, Hermione?' Harry was hurt by the way she was acting.
'Yes, I do. But we can't do this. Harry please, you have to understand,' Hermione pleaded.
Harry got up from the floor. He was trying to control his anger at her; there was a distinct possibility that things might start flying around the room if his magic got out of control. He didn't want to scream and shout at her, but if that was the only way to make her listen then he would be forced to do it. He knew why Hermione was doing this and acting in that way, but he needed to make her understand that he had feelings too and they weren't easy for him to ignore.
'Hermione, this is stupid! It's the same as last night! You say you love me, but we can't be together! And then you do the same thing again today? You're ridiculous and you're going to have to make up your mind. It's me, or it's Ron,' Harry shouted.
'Harry, it would just be better if we ignored our feelings,' Hermione said desperately.
'But that's just it, Hermione. You don't seem able to control your feelings. You keep saying you love me, and then you get angry that I try to kiss you? You're acting like a hypocrite,' said Harry.
'Please, Harry-'
'No Hermione. I need to make you understand that not everyone is able to disconnect themselves with the world and hide in a book! I can't pretend that I don't love you, so please see it from my side and accept that I'm going to love you no matter what and you're going to have to live with it!' Harry shouted.
Hermione looked hurt, and she drew her arms around her middle. It didn't take Harry long to realise what he had said that had offended her.
'Hermione, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it,' Harry walked over to her and put a hand on her arm, 'but I've got to make you understand. I can't do this,' he finished quietly.
Hermione glared at him and then, her face softening and her arms loosening around her. She whispered, 'It's okay, Harry.'
She pulled him into a hug, and rested her head on Harry's shoulder. Harry felt as though everything that had just been said, shouted and vented was being accepted by each of them during the hug, and when they broke apart Hermione was smiling again.
They moved towards the door, Harry reached it first and pulled it open. He stepped out of the room and nearly walked straight into Ron. Harry was startled, noticing that Ron's eyes were narrowed and were darting between Harry and Hermione.
No one moved for a few seconds. It was Ron who broke the silence.
'What's going on?'
'Nothings going on, Ron, Hermione and I were just-' But it seemed that Ron had noticed Hermione's tear stained face and red eyes. He then jumped to conclusions.
'What do you mean nothings going on? Of course there fucking is! Hermione's crying and her eyes are all red! What did you do to her?' Ron shouted, rounding on Harry.
He held his hands up in defence. 'I didn't do anything Ron,' he said.
'Oh really! Well I don't fucking believe you!' Ron's ears were turning the trademark Weasley red. 'What the fuck did you do to, Hermione? Did you hit her? Or maybe you went a bit further, did you rape her? Because if you did, I'll kill you Harry!'
Harry and Hermione's eyes both widened at Ron's outburst.
'I've seen the way you look at her. Ever since I got back, I've seen you staring at her, you've got this hungry look in your eyes. It's like you're just waiting for the best time to rip off her clothes and fuck her!
'Er, Ron-' Harry tried to speak but he was cut off by the furious idiot standing before them.
'No, Harry, don't try to deny it. And if you're going to try anything funny, you're going to have to get through me first. I love Hermione and I won't let you hurt her,' Ron stated.
'Ron, stop being a fucking idiot. You've got it all wrong, totally wrong. I've not raped Hermione, nor was I even thinking about doing it. She's my best friend, I'd never do that to her, or anyone else. And I don't know what you're talking about not letting me hurt her, because as far as I'm concerned, you've done a fair bit of damage to Hermione, and that is much, much more than anything I've ever done to her,' Harry said, trying to remain calm. Amid Ron's accusations of rape, this was harder than usual to accomplish.
Hermione could only stand in stunned silence.
'But Harry, I've never hurt, Hermione. I've never even laid a finger on her,' Ron argued.
'I'm not talking about physically, Ron. I'm talking emotionally. You've hurt Hermione so many times, it's hard to even count them all. In our third year, you didn't speak to Hermione for nearly the whole year because of Crookshanks, and the Firebolt, which incidentally was none of your concern considering it was my broomstick. You would always make fun of Hermione because of her love for books, which isn't fair at all, especially because if you,' Harry looked at Hermione then back to Ron, 'hadn't loved learning so much, you Ron, would have never passed any of your end of year exams! When Hermione took someone else to the Yule Ball, you had a fucking tantrum and destroyed your Krum figure! All because you were to thick to realise that Hermione would have been a perfect date!'
Ron was looking scared now, as Harry's words permeated his skull and hopefully set into his brain for at least a few minutes. He backed up as Harry walked around him and into the more open space of the tent living area; where the beds were located.
'And more to the point I would never, ever, hurt Hermione, and do you know why?' Harry's voice shook with anticipation at what he was about to do. He glanced at Hermione, who, being Hermione, had realised what words were about to leave Harry's mouth. Ron followed him in a desperate bid to appear more confident than he felt.
'Because I love her. I love her so much and probably love her a damn sight more than you ever did,' Ron looked, if possible, even more angry than before, but Harry didn't let him get a word out. He shouted, 'I'm sorry! But I can't ignore the feelings I have for Hermione. You left us Ron, you left us out here in the wilderness, after promising that you'd come and help me find these fucking Horcruxes. Hermione was captured by the Death Eaters and taken to Malfoy Manor. She nearly died Ron! And where were you? In a god forsaken pub? I had to go there alone, and save Hermione's life!'
Harry stopped shouting and spun around, his chest rising and falling heavily, his hands in the air. Ron stood still, shocked by Harry's confession. He had heard the pain in his voice and realised that Harry really did love Hermione.
'But that's okay, Hermione loves me. And anyway, I'm sure I love her more than Harry, whatever he says. I've loved her longer, so I love her more,' thought Ron.
When Harry didn't hear Ron speak, he spun back around to face him. Hermione was hovering just behind him.
As the two boys had managed to manoeuvre themselves around the tent and were currently facing each other, showdown style, Hermione thought the best option would be to stand between them, just in case either of them kicked off. She rushed forward passed Ron and positioned herself in the middle of the impending explosion.
Then for the second time in her life, Ron was asking her the most painful question in the world.
'So Hermione, me or Harry?'
A/N: Okay, i'm sorry this chapter is shorter than the others. The old poll is now closed, with an overwhelming majority to continuing the story until Harry and Hermione have a child. I'm now doing a new poll on the children. And thanks to my beta NightSerenade for her great work!
This is posted a few hours earlier, because I want to go to bed. You've read the chapter, now leave a review, please?