A/N - I'm back! - Well, back on this site, that is. And now I'm in the process of uploading all of my stories. As soon as I saw this prompt, naturally I thought Harry/Hermione. Written for the Hump Madness Competition 2012.

Prompt: Regret

Title: Mistakes Made

Rating: M

Word Count: 499

Warnings/Notes: None

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He's surrounded by loud music and happy laughter, yet he chooses the seat furthest from all those around him because of the company.

She waits until he's seated before she stands up to leave. He panics, his hand immediately reaching out to her only to catch the train of her dress through his fingers. "Wait." He sounds breathless and hurt, even though he has no right to be.

"Harry…" She says his name the way he remembers, a silent plea that he ignores.

Her smile is small and strained as she raises her hand and brushes his fingers with hers, a gentle nudge for him to let her go. Reluctantly, he does as she bids, letting her fingers entangle amongst his while her eyes look on him in sadness.

She bends down slowly and places a soft kiss against his temple, the slight pressure of her lips causing his eyes to close and inhale her scent as if she were a memory, if only for a moment before his gaze meets hers once again.

"Congratulations, Harry," she whispers against his hair, the slight dip in her voice causing his heart to ache.

"Thank you, Hermione," he says to be polite, or so he thinks as he moves his head a little to the side, bringing his face closer to hers. Her eyes are wide and her breath is warm against his lips. She is so close now, so so close that he gently bumps his nose against hers, closes his eyes and exhales. They have been like this once before, two friends in a lonely tent before his lips had met hers. It was a flurry of hot breaths and low moans as skin met skin, her nails raking his back and his fingers bruising her hip. The memory of her touch sends a low thrum through him and all he can think about is the moment she parted her thighs and he entered her for the first time, her wet warmth surrounding him completely. He wants to relive that moment so much it hurts.

She puts her other arm around him, embracing him in a hug that he has wanted for so long. "It's…" She falters. "It's your wedding day, Harry."

His grip tightens. "I know."

Her lips part above his, as if she was to say something more, the light brush of her upper lip against his causing their breaths to mingle. All he can think about is what he wants; how easy it is to kiss her, how much he needs to kiss her. "I made a mistake, Hermione." His voice is rough and his throat hurts when he says the words. He thought it would be easier.

She pulls away, her fingers trailing away from his and her glance falls briefly on the ring on her left hand. "We both did." She leaves him then, a sad smile playing on her lips just as his wife calls him for a dance.

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