TITLE: Experience 9
RATING: R
Author: Angeldevotee AKA Snarky
PAIRING: DM/HG, HP/HG
SUMMARY: Love triangle between Harry/Draco/ Hermione. Virginal Hermione decides to let Malfoy seduce her and enlists Harry's help!
DISCLAIMER: Only the plot is mine. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco and the rest all belong to JKR. Sniffle
Ron found Ginny sitting on Harry's bed. She was staring at the wall, seemingly oblivious to everything around her. She was clutching a handful of tissues in her right hand and her eyes were red-rimmed.
"Gin?" Ron asked tentatively. "Are you all right?"
Ginny dazedly turned her head at the sound of his voice. It took a moment for her eyes to focus on him. "No, I'm definitely not all right," she said hoarsely.
She was starting to scare him. He'd never seen her act this way. "What is it? What's wrong?" Ron asked, sitting down beside her.
"Harry. He-"
"You heard he was hurt, didn't you?" Ron interjected. "It's not that bad. He just has some bumps and bruises. It's nothing to wor-"
"I saw him," Ginny got out. "I went to the hospital wing when I heard."
"Then what?" Ron asked, mystified by her behavior.
"He's sleeping with Hermione," she spat.
"Ginny, we've talked about this before," Ron said with a sigh. "They're close but they're only friends. Just like Harry and I are friends."
"Oh really?" Ginny said sarcastically, throwing his arm off of her shoulders. "So he's had sex with you in the greenhouse too?" Her pain was rapidly being replaced with anger.
"Harry and I. . .what?" Ron said, frowning. "Er, no. We've never had. . .are you telling me you saw the two of them?"
"Oh, I saw it all right." She reached behind him and plucked the dream bead from Harry's dream catcher. "Lie down and take a nap, Ron. You can see it too," Ginny said furiously.
"No, thanks," Ron said, staring at the bead with disgusted curiosity. He shook his head. "Ginny, is this all over a dream? I hate to say it, but that's natural. Most guys have sex dreams about other girls. It doesn't mean anything."
"You didn't see them in the infirmary, Ron!" Ginny cried. "He couldn't take his eyes off of her. Harry was more interested in her than me. Not to mention the way he acted around Malfoy."
"Now, I know Harry doesn't have a thing for Malfoy," Ron said seriously. "I mean. . . sure, they scowl at each other and fight a lot. Some people say its unresolved sexual tension, but I think-"
"Ron!" Ginny screeched, exasperated with him. "I wasn't implying that they had some sort of homosexual. . .whatever. The point is, that he was jealous of Malfoy!"
"Oh, you mean, because Hermione. . .ugh. . .has a crush on Malfoy." Ron screwed up his face.
"Yes!" Ginny said, rolling her eyes.
"That still doesn't mean that there's anything going on between Harry and Hermione. Harry's probably just worried about her. Maybe-" Ron broke off as snippets of his two best friends' very friendly conversation at breakfast and the fight Harry'd had with Malfoy came into sharp focus. Throw in their unusual behavior lately. . .and there was only one possible explanation. "He's cheating on you," he whispered.
"Exactly," Ginny said, the fight going out of her. She buried her head in her hands."What am I going to do, Ron?"
"You're going to let me handle it," Ron said fiercely.
Ginny gave a half-hearted smile at his brotherly tone. "Ron, I'm an adult. I don't need my big brother swooping in to save me."
"This time, you do need my help because I'm involved too. Harry's my best friend." Ron could barely get the words out.
Ginny, nodded. Suddenly, she was very tired. Ironically, all she wanted to do was sleep because she simply couldn't think about this anymore tonight. "Fine, talk to him, then - just talk to him," Ginny emphasized. She could see the fury in his eyes and she knew from experience that her brothers took exception with anyone who hurt her. They considered it their personal responsibility to right the wrong. . . and that usually included using their fists.
"Don't you dare worry about him, Ginny. Harry doesn't deserve it right now." He sighed, running a hand through his flaming hair. "Come on. . .let's get you back to your room." Ron helped Ginny to her feet and escorted her down the hall.
Harry couldn't find Ginny anywhere. He'd gone to her room, the library, the Common Room, the Hall, and even the girl's bathroom. In desperation, he'd actually checked the Chamber
of Secrets. Logically, he knew Ginny couldn't get in without speaking parseltongue but. . .stranger things had happened at Hogwarts. All he'd found were a tattered basilisk skin and broken statues. Harry finally decided to go to his room and regroup.
When he opened the door to his dorm room, he was greeted by a fist. Ron's fist to be exact. Harry blearily looked up from the floor to find Ron standing over him with a grim expression on his familiar face.
"How could you?" Ron said, his voice dripping with contempt.
Harry had never been so ashamed. His eyes slid from Ron's so he wouldn't have to see the disappointment in them. "Whatever you want to say, say it. I deserve every word." He staggered to his feet and faced his best friend.
"Ginny trusted you, Harry! She loved you!"
"I know," Harry whispered.
"And how do you repay her? By fooling around with Hermione behind her back. . .that's how!"
"Leave Hermione out of this, it's all my fault," Harry insisted. And it was the truth. Hermione had responded to his physical advances but he'd been the one who pressed the issue.
"You're right about that!" Ron flung himself down his desk chair. He knew Harry's reputation with the girls in this school. Ron knew she was inexperienced and probably flattered by his attention.
"You ruined it all, Harry," Ron said bitterly. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. You were going to be with Ginny. I thought you might end up marrying her someday," he added wistfully. "Then, you'd be my brother."
Harry's had to blink away tears. That had been his dream, too. He could have had it all : Ron would have been his brother-in-law, Percy would have been his older brother, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would have been like his parents, and Ginny would have been his loving wife.
"I know this sounds stupid, " Ron said, rubbing at his eyes furiously. "I thought Hermione and I might get back together one of these days. You know, In the future - after we both did some growing up. I'm with Parvati now but neither of us are serious." Ron sighed. "We could have all been related - been together for the rest of our lives." Frankly, Ron was jealous that Hermione had returned Harry's interest in her. He'd begun to think that she was the one girl at Hogwarts immune to Harry's charm. It made his dream even more impossible. How could he possibly measure up to Harry in Hermione's eyes?
"Ron, I'm sorry. I didn't-"
"Don't apologize, Harry. You couldn't possibly make up for it," Ron gritted out.
"What do you want me to do?" Harry whispered brokenly.
"For now, I want you to leave." Ron refused to look at him.
Harry took in a shuddering breath. "All right." He slowly walked to the door, reluctance in every step. He desperately wanted to fix this. Harry needed to make it right. . . but he wasn't sure everything between Ron and himself would ever be right again. Harry paused at the door. "You must hate me."
Ron looked him in the eye. "No, Harry, I don't hate you. But, for the very first time, I don't like you."
Hermione found herself on Malfoy's decadent bed once more. Draco was busily looking over the refrigerator contents. "We could have some fresh fruit." He pulled open the freezer (cooled by charms) to find a couple of frozen chicken breasts. "Or some chicken and I think there's some rice in the cupboard." He pulled a packet of long grain rice from the shelves and a tin of mushrooms as well. "This isn't much but I suppose it'll do."
"You cook?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"No, but we do," Draco corrected. "There's no such thing as a free lunch."
"Or dinner, apparently," Hermione said, standing up. She joined Draco at the counter. He was staring at the stove with a perplexed expression. "You don't know how to work the stove, do you?"
"Of course I do!" he said defensively. Then, he shrugged. "Well, I've seen the house-elves use one."
With an exaggerated movement, Hermione tapped her wand on a burner, and the Wizard stove ignited. She dusted off her hands and looked at him expectantly. "I'll help with the rest but I want some champagne first."
"Only one glass," Draco said, wagging his finger. "Or you're going to turn into a lush," he teased.
"I didn't have that much," Hermione denied, grabbing up the package of rice.
Draco retrieved the chicken from the freezer and murmured a thawing charm. He then retrieved a bottle of champagne and two glasses. "I seem to recall carrying you out of here because you couldn't walk."
Hermione enjoyed their easy banter. When he wasn't being a total prat, he was actually fun to talk to. "I think you wanted to carry me so you could touch me inappropriately," she teased, using a prim voice.
Draco rose one eyebrow. "If I remember right, you were the one who felt me up." Draco popped the lid off of the champagne.
"Your hair. . .not the other parts!"
He handed her a glass of the bubbly liquid. "If I hadn't stopped you that night, who knows what else you would have touched?" Draco said with mock dismay. "You girls are all the same," he said, shaking his head. "You only want one thing from me."
She bit her lip to keep from laughing. "You're right about that," Hermione shot back. "But in my case, its champagne." She toasted him before she took a sip.
Draco began chopping up the chicken. "And you're in denial." Draco looked at her speculatively, hoping to catch her off guard. "So, what is going on between you and Potter?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Hermione said, setting a kettle of water on the stove.
"Too bad. I do." He quirked an eyebrow at her. "I already now that he's been hitting on you with all the subtlety of Gilderoy Lockhart, but what about you? Are you interested in him?" Draco asked, with a deceptively calm inflection to his voice. Not that he was in love with Granger but he didn't like to share especially with Boy Who Lived to Piss Him Off.
Hermione bit her lip. "I don't know."
Draco relaxed a bit. It seemed as if her emotions were muddled when it came to Scarhead. Well, he'd just make sure to confuse her even more. "Fair enough."
"Harry's going to be really angry with you," Hermione said uncomfortably. She wasn't sure she could handle the two of them. She didn't want a repeat of today's fistfight.
Draco's lips curved into a smile. "I know."
"Promise me you'll steer clear of him until he cools down," Hermione pleaded. "There's no reason to-"
"Oh, there's every reason to," Draco contradicted. "But, I wouldn't worry too much about Scarhead. He's probably having some very mediocre make-up sex with She Weasel as we speak."
Hermione knew for a fact that they hadn't slept together and she hadn't missed the sparks shooting from Ginny's eyes either. And she very much doubted that sex with Harry would be mediocre if his kisses were anything to go on.
A half an hour later, Draco and Hermione sat on transfigured chairs at the counter. Preparing a meal with him had been frighteningly domestic but also enjoyable. They'd both cleaned their plates with gusto. Malfoy kept commenting on the food, especially the chicken he had prepared. It was the first meal he'd ever made for himself and he was very proud. Hermione had assured him several times that it was the best chicken she'd ever eaten. So what if it was a little white lie (she preferred the roasted chicken her grandmother made)? The smile he'd given her after she'd said that it had been truly worth it.
Draco stood up and lazily stretched, resembling a large predatory cat. "I think we should lie down, don't you?" He didn't wait for an answer though. Instead, he sauntered over to the bed, threw off his robes, and lay down on his side, tucking an elbow beneath his head.
Hermione's breath caught. Whenever he looked at her like that, her stomach did these little flip-flops. "I guess," she murmured.
"Well, last time we did it standing up. I thought we could do with a change," Draco said, openly leering at her.
"But we didn't. Do 'it', I mean." Hermione said as she meandered over to the bed. She sat down on the edge of the bed and folded her hands on her lap.
"See? You're just interested in one thing. . or my thing to be more accurate," Draco teased, coaxing a smile from her. "Why are you still so far away?"
The champagne had relaxed her a bit but she was still nervous. Maybe it was because he looked like he was going to leap on her. "I can move closer, I guess," she said, scooting towards him. Now, she was seated next to his knees.
Draco laid a hand on the small of her back. "So tense," he whispered. "I'll have to loosen you up a bit." Draco grinned as he moved behind her.
Hermione gasped as he sat down right behind her, his legs around hers - only his feet touched the floor. Her bottom was nestled between his thighs and his warm breath teased her cheek. "And you thought that would relax me?" she asked incredulously.
"No, but this will," Draco said as he brought his hands to her shoulders and began rubbing the stiff muscles. "Ever had a massage?"
"Mmmm . . .no," Hermione muttered, closing her eyes.
Draco chuckled at her reaction even as his body tightened. "To do this properly, you'd have to be nude."
Hermione laughed as she remembered a similar comment he'd made about the mind-blowing five-fold kiss they'd performed on each other. "You're always trying to get me to take my clothes off."
"No, Hermione, I'm always offering to take them off for you. Speaking of. . ." Draco paused, bringing his hands to the top button on her robes. "Can I undo this?"
Hermione bit her lip in indecision before she nodded.
Draco deftly unbuttoned the robe, even though she was facing away from him. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him how he'd acquired this unusual talent when it occurred to her that he'd probably gained a great deal of experience removing robes. He finally unfastened it and pulled it from her body, holding it so she could remove her arms from the sleeves. "There, isn't that better?"
Hermione grinned. "For you or for me?"
"Both, actually." She could literally hear the smile in his voice.
"Now, how about that annoying little vest?" Draco prompted.
She thought about the way his hands had felt on her skin last night and the reverent expression in his eyes when looked at her. "Okay," Hermione agreed.
Draco skillfully undid the buttons on her vest and helped her slide it off as well. "And the tie?"
"I can undo that," Hermione offered, bringing her hands to her throat but his hands captured hers.
"I said, I would be the one to undress you," Draco said softly. He wanted to relish the experience of baring her beautiful body to his eyes alone. Hermione dropped her hands and he loosened and slipped the tie over her head. Draco cleared his throat. "Can you stand up?"
Hermione stood on shaky knees and turned to face him.
Draco slowly put each button through its hole. Slowly, the pale line of her throat, the creamy swell of her breasts, and the flat plane of her stomach was revealed. He pushed the sides of the shirt from her shoulders and it sailed to the floor. "Beautiful," Draco pronounced, laying his hand possessively on her stomach. His bedazzled eyes slid to her mouth. "Kiss me?"
Hermione ducked her head slightly and pressed her lips to his. His lips were soft and supple and parted to encourage her to explore within. Hermione touched her tongue to his and he entreated it to dance with his.
Draco groaned and his arms snaked around her midriff to pull her closer. "I can't get enough of you," he muttered against her mouth. He flicked open the catches on her bras and it sprang open. Draco pressed a lingering kiss to her mouth before he bent to lavish a pert nipple with an adoring kiss.
Hermione's breath hissed out as he sucked her nipple into his heated mouth. He drew it on expertly, knowing exactly the right amount of pressure that would be pleasurable. She threaded her hands into the silky strands of his hair as he suckled her. Hermione's knees were threatening to buckle and he gently eased her to the bed beneath him, not breaking contact with her breast. When he'd finally paid adequate homage to the left breast, he worshiped the right. Hermione moaned beneath him and her legs parted to wrap around his hips but Draco seized the opportunity.
He tugged her skirt down her legs and tossed it over his shoulder. Then, he turned his attention to the pale pink panties she wore. They were damp and clung to her sex like a second skin. Hermione shivered at the raw hunger in his eyes. He brought his hands to the waistband and relentlessly pulled them down her legs. Draco smiled as they came off in his hands. She watched him deliberately stuff them in his pocket. . . a souvenir perhaps? It should have made her furious. She should have given him a lecture. Instead she smiled, absurdly pleased that he wanted a reminder of her. And then he situated himself between her thighs.
"Easy," Draco murmured as he bent his mouth to the secret heart of her. He'd been dying to do this. She quaked under his ministrations but he patiently guided her with his ardent lips and his talented fingers. A part of her wondered at how eagerly he drank from her but she unable to think clearly anymore when he lapped at just the right spot. Hermione shouted his name and she moved against his face more urgently. Then, Draco blew against that exact spot . . . and that's how Hermione Granger experienced the first orgasm of her life.
Draco was lost in her. He'd never experienced anything so intimate with another girl. Of course, he performed this act before but it had never moved him before. She was ineffably beautiful as she quivered in his arms and gasped his name. Draco was completely undone by her. Under normal circumstances, he would expect reciprocity. But what if he lost interest in her as soon as he orgasmed as he'd done so many times before? For some reason, Draco wasn't ready to risk it. As unbelievable as it sounded, he was having too much fun with her. . .and not just the physical aspect of their relationship. He never knew a girl could be interesting to talk to. Draco loved teasing Hermione. He even enjoyed debating with her, mainly because she was so firm in her opinions and defended them so fiercely. Draco pressed a kiss to her belly and got up to go to the bathroom. Hopefully, he could coax his erection down after he cleansed his face.
Hermione felt as if she'd just been blown apart but in the most pleasant way. She had no idea that oral sex was so incredible or that she was capable of feeling that much pleasure. Hermione thought she might have even passed out for a moment or two. She smiled as she saw Draco come back to bed. "Draco I. . .that was. . .incredible."
Draco chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "Glad you liked it." He slipped into bed beside her and pulled her against his chest.
Hermione placed her hand on his belt buckle. "Well, I hope you like it too."
"I'd love it but," Draco said, intercepting her hand and bringing it to his mouth for a kiss. "Not right now. This night is about you."
Hermione glanced up at him and her lips curved into a smile. "Thank you."
Draco waggled his eyebrows. "Anytime."
She giggled.
An hour later, Draco paused before Hermione's door. They'd walked from the third floor together, holding hands and whispering to each other. Draco leaned down. "One more kiss and I'd better go."
"Can we meet tomorrow?"
"Eager little thing, aren't you?" Draco teased.
"No more than you," Hermione countered, standing up on tiptoe to kiss his mouth.
The girl in the portrait hmmphed. "You're both out past curfew! And its improper for students to kiss in the hallways!"
Draco reluctantly pulled his mouth from Hermione's. "Didn't I give you enough of a death threat last time?" he said with exasperation.
Her eyes widened as she took a good look at him. "Oh, it's you. . .er, carry on then." She quickly rushed behind the tree.
Hermione laughed. "Goodnight, Draco."
"Goodnight, Hermione," he said softly. Draco didn't take his eyes off of her until she disappeared behind the portrait. He walked back to the dorm whistling.
Hermione found Harry Potter sprawled on her bed. His glasses were slightly askew and he was clutching her pillow. He must have fallen asleep while waiting for her to make an appearance. His long legs went over the end of the bed and she paused by his feet, nudging them with her knee. "Harry!" she said halfheartedly. She knew she should be angry to find him here in her bed but she was chock full of good will and a bit tired.
He continued to sleep.
"Harry?" Hermione tried again. "Get up, I want to go to bed."
Evidently, Harry was dead to the world.
She flopped down on the mattress beside him and shook him.
Harry mumbled something unintelligible and rolled over on his side.
Hermione touched a finger to his nose and tickled it. "Harry? Haaaarrrryyyy. . .wake up!"
Unbeknownst to Hermione, Harry had been awake since she walked in the room but he was hoping she'd give up and let him stay the night here. He couldn't face Ron and he was afraid Hermione would be furious with him too.
Hermione gave up. She laid down beside him, with her back to his front and shut her eyes.
Harry waited until she fell asleep and then gathered her up in his arms, burying his face in her fragrant hair. She may have fooled around with Malfoy earlier in the evening but she was sleeping with him tonight.
Behind them, on the wall, hung Hermione's dream catcher and one pearly bead began to glow as it filled with a dream's essence.
The next morning, Ginny Weasley stood outside Hermione's door. She'd made up her mind that she and Harry's real problem was named Hermione Granger. Their relationship had been fine until that bushy-haired know-it-all had ruined it all. Ginny was going to confront Hermione and warn her off Harry. "Let me in!" Ginny snapped.
"Password?" the portrait girl asked.
Ginny's face contorted. "Just let me in. She's trying to steal my boyfriend!"
"Really?" the girl said craftily, thinking she'd teach Miss Granger a lesson. "Come on in." The door swung open.
Taking a deep breath, Ginny entered the room to find Harry and Hermione lying on her bed in an intimate embrace. They were spooning each other and Harry had his arm wrapped around the other girl's waist. Hermione's clothes were rumpled and it looked like some of the buttons were fastened wrong on her shirt.
"I knew it!" Ginny screeched. "I knew you two were sneaking around behind my back!"
Harry came awake instantly and bolted out of the bed. With dawning horror, he quickly glanced back and forth from the bed where Hermione was rubbing her eyes to Ginny who watched them with an incensed expression. "Ginny, I know this looks bad but it isn't what you think!" As soon as the words left his mouth, he wished he could take them back. It was exactly what a guilty person would say.
"How thick do you think I am? I found you in bed together and you're trying to deny it?" she said incredulously .
Harry opened his mouth to speak.
"Don't!" She managed to grit out, backing away from him. "I don't want to hear any more excuses or lies from you."
Hermione observed the scene with wide eyes. She felt like an intruder even though they were all in her room. "Ginny?" she said as gently as possible. "I know this looks really bad but I promise that nothing happened between Harry and me last night." She tucked a piece of hair behind her hair, and wrapped her arms around herself self-consciously. "I actually spent most of the night with Draco. Harry and I just slept in the same bed. Nothing happened."
Ginny narrowed her eyes at Hermione. "I don't remember asking for your version of events you. . .you. . .slut!"
Hermione gasped.
Harry gaped at his girlfriend. "Ginny! I know you're upset with me and you have every right to be, but you shouldn't-"
"Don't you dare tell me what I should and shouldn't do," Ginny said coldly. She turned her attention to Hermione. "What else would I call a girl who seduces her best friend while she's sleeping with another guy?"
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. Although, she certainly wasn't promiscuous, there was a small grain of truth in Ginny's statement. She had been flirting with Harry while she was with Draco. Hermione hastily swiped at her eyes. "I know you're angry but there's no need to resort to name calling," she said as judiciously as possible.
Seeing the fury in Ginny's eyes, Harry intervened. "Can we go somewhere and talk?"
Ginny glared at Hermione for a moment before nodding stiffly and exiting the room.
Harry turned to Hermione. "I'm sorry about that. The person she's really mad at is me."
"I got the distinct impression that she blames me," Hermione disagreed. "But, we can talk about that later. You'd better go."
"Hermione, about what she said. . .you're not a-"
She sighed. "I know that but you need to convince her of it. Good luck - you'll need it."
"Thanks, Hermione." He crossed to the door and paused to look back at her. "Are we okay now?"
Hermione smiled and crooked a finger at him. Harry obediently walked over to her and she kicked him in the shin. "Now we are. Don't ever reveal one of my secrets again."
Yes, Malfoy was definitely a bad influence on her. Harry hopped to the door, grimacing in pain. "Right then."
Harry found Ginny seated in an empty classroom. She was at the professor's desk which was on a platform. "You're late," she said without preamble. "Had to give your friend a 'good morning' kiss, eh?"
"No, she wished me good luck," Harry said honestly as he limped to a student desk student desks.
She didn't allow herself to ask about his injury. "I'm touched," Ginny said sarcastically as she touched a hand to her chest. "What did you want to say to me?" she prompted. "I don't have all day."
"Right," Harry said and took a deep breath. "I want to clear the air between us, Ginny. I owe you the truth."
She crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine, tell me what happened."
"You were right about Hermione and me being more than friends."
"Yeah, I figured that part out, Potter," Ginny snapped.
"But we haven't slept together. Ever,"Harry continued, ignoring the sarcasm.
"You expect me to believe that you and that slut have never shag-"
"Hermione is not a slut," Harry stressed. "Please don't call her that."
"I'll call her whatever I damn well please!" Ginny stood up and rounded the desk. "It's still all about her, isn't? Harry, do you have any idea how badly you hurt me? Do you know what it's like to put your trust in someone and have them betray you?"
"I'm sorry I hurt you," Harry said, his eyes filled with compassion and guilt. "I never meant to."
Ginny softened the slightest bit. "I know that, Harry." He wasn't capable of deliberately hurting someone. "But why her and why now? That's what I don't understand."
"I don't know," Harry answered. "I've never thought of her that way before. The first night we were back, she told me that she was interested in Malfoy and then she started talking about. . .things."
"What things?" Ginny said carefully.
"You know," Harry shrugged, a blush creeping up his neck. "About sex."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Figures. Harry, she tried to seduce you!"
"No, it wasn't like that," Harry denied, standing up. "I just started noticing that she was a girl and then I kissed her a few times."
"A few," Ginny parroted, clenching her jaw.
"Yes, but it's over now," Harry said softly. It was obvious that Hermione was with Malfoy now. Harry was sure that Ginny wasn't "the one" anymore but she was a good girlfriend and he certainly didn't want to be alone. Especially when Hermione was running around with that prat.
"You bet it's over," Ginny declared hotly. "You're never going to see her again."
"What?" Harry cried.
"You heard me. I don't want you around her ever again!"
"Ginny, I can't do that. She's one of my best friends! I've known her for years."
"Its her or me!" Ginny blustered.
"Don't do this," Harry pleaded. "I promise that nothing will happen with Hermione while I'm with you but I won't-"
Ginny gasped. "I-I can't believe you're doing this to me. Harry, I love you. I've been in love with you since I was eleven years old." She clutched at his shirt desperately. "You're all I've ever known. You're my hero," she choked back a sob. "My knight in shining armor. Remember the Chamber of Secrets? I thought Riddle was going to kill me but you saved me. You came charging in there with only your wits and your wand. When I woke up and saw you standing over me, I knew we were meant for each other." She took in a shuddering breath. "Harry, I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Tears openly ran down Harry's face. He realized that it was wrong to string her along when he didn't completely return her feelings. "I had no idea that you were so serious about me. Oh, Ginny," he broke off to pull her against his chest. "I'm sorry for hurting you so deeply. " He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "It makes this much harder. I hope you can forgive me someday."
"What?" Ginny asked dazedly.
Harry pulled back and took her hands in his own. "I don't feel the same way about you Ginny. You're an amazing person." Harry gave her a bittersweet smile. "You're smart and funny - not to mention beautiful. And you deserve a guy who can appreciate you. . .but it's not me."
"What. . what are you saying to me?" Ginny said, backing away from him.
"I can't be with you anymore, Ginny. I can't lead you on when I don't return your feelings."
"No," Ginny breathed, wrapping her arms tightly around her body. "This can't be happening. I-"
"I'm sorry, Ginny. Let me get Parvati for you," Harry said compassionately. "I never meant to do this to you." He quit the room and went down the hall in search of her friend.
Ginny got a hold of herself and scrubbed her tears away with the back of her hand. She was through with tears and being helpless. "You didn't, Harry. This is all her fault and she's going to pay," she vowed.
A/N: Hermione's dream catcher picked up only her dream b/c she made it and imbued it with magic. Shush now, I'm the author and I may manipulate as I please. wicked evil grin. Ginny will begin a campaign against Hermione that's going to get ugly. Harry will get a dream bead that will rock his socks and Malfoy and Hermione are going to get closer. :)