Unconscious Confessions

Relationship Uncertainty

~ The Next Morning ~

'Bugger you, Hermione,' Harry thought as he sat groggily up on the soft couch.

As comfortable as the sofa now was, a decent night's sleep had still eluded him as his mind worked most of night to furiously decipher the thoughts that he had picked up from his best mate. Then when he finally did fall into a steady sleep, all he could dream about was Hermione's round soft bum and the gentle sway of her hips… Harry groaned. He wasn't even going to go into what those swaying hips and round bum were doing in his dream. Merlin, he hadn't had a dream as vivid as that since he was a teenager. Rubbing his eyes Harry lightly shook his head and threw off the heavy covers. What he needed was a shower… a nice, long, cold shower.

Slipping from the warmth that the plush cushions provided, Harry stood and quickly padded over to the restroom, throwing a glance to the guestroom as he dashed across the hallway. Opening he bathroom door he slipped in, shut it softly behind him and relaxed against it, closing his eyes he allowed his head to fall back.

'Good I made it without seeing her,' he thought.

Giving a small relived smile, he pushed away from the entrance –then froze. There sitting in his tub, surrounded by a plethora of bubbles was a mortified looking Hermione. Harry opened and closed his mouth a few times before he could finally form somewhat coherent words.

"I –I, er, I'm sorry –I didn't see, I mean know that you… well…" he trailed off giving her a nervous wince.

She frowned for a moment, before - to his complete surprise - she began to chuckle. "That's okay Harry, I was just sitting in here wool gathering anyway. I couldn't seem to get to sleep for more than a few minutes at a time so I thought a nice relaxing bubble bath would help."

"Oh… well, uh… did it?" He asked looking at his reflection in the mirror as opposed to the enticing witch lounging in his tub.

"No, not really," she responded in a mirthful tone.

He threw her an annoyed look, "What's so funny?"

She gave a dainty shrug, "Nothing."

When he frowned once more she smiled, 'I wonder what he would do if I just stood up right now…'

Harry's breath hitched in his throat as images of her soap covered, flat stomach came rushing back to him. He gave her a distressed look.

"You're not going to do anything rash are you?"

She frowned, "What are you talking about, Harry?"

"Nothing just…" He trailed off as he noticed that the bubbles that were covering her chest were almost gone. Even through the remaining bubbles littering the surface prevented him from seeing down into the water he could still see the swell of her round breasts peaking from the top of the warm liquid. 'This is not helping the reason I came in here in the first place.'

"Bloody freakin' hell," he whispered harshly before abruptly turning away. "I should, er, you know."

"Of course," she replied somberly, however Harry knew that no matter how concerned his mate sounded for his state, if he read her mind right now all he would hear would be laughter.

------------------------

"I'm all done," Hermione called five minutes later as she entered the living room.

Harry looked away from the flames and turned his gaze to her, Hermione was running her fingers through her still damp hair and watching him curiously. She was wearing a pair of oversized sweat pants and a large green jumper that had the sleeves rolled up to accommodate her shorter arms. Both articles of clothing were his, since Ginny had gone to bed peeved last night and Hermione hadn't wanted to ask her to borrow anything.

'She looks good in my clothes,' he thought fleetingly as he stood.

"That style suits you," Harry joked as he approached her; to his amusement she blushed.

"Gee thanks…" she muttered giving him an irritated look.

"Does that mean you don't fancy the glorious ensemble that I provided you with?" he teased with a grin.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Of course I like the clothes."

'They smell like you…'

"After all beggars can't be choosers," she finished aloud.

Harry gave her a piercing look and then shook his head. Okay, he really needed to turn this thing off, because those little side-thoughts of hers were driving him completely mental. Turning his head away he closed his eyes and concentrated like he had last night at the restaurant.

"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione inquired in a worry laced tone.

"Fine," he answered taking one last relaxing breath and then looking at her.

'No you're not.'

"Are you sure?" she voiced still sounding anxious.

Harry's eyes widened, 'Shite!' he could still hear her!

Turning away quickly, he made his way back over to the couch and sat down. Placing his hands over his ears, he closed his eyes, concentrated and took deep breaths like Mulderon had taught him.

"Harry?" he felt the couch shift as Hermione took a seat next to him. "Harry, are you okay?"

Her fingers lightly caressed his back and her breath tickled his neck as she whispered her fretful question near his covered ear.

"Fine, I just need a moment, yeah?" Harry replied, keeping his eyes closed and continuing his focusing exercises.

She sat quietly, allowing him his moment without any further questions though her left hand was still rubbing his back in a soothing back and forth motion that was wreaking havoc on his concentration and causing an exercise that usually took two minutes to take ten.

"Harry?" His head shot up to see a frowning Ginny watching them from the doorway. "What's wrong?"

As she stared at him worriedly, he stared back at her, sighing in relief when none of her thoughts invaded his mind.

"I'm fine, just a little headache –it passed quickly enough," he answered giving a small smile.

"A fleeting headache?" Hermione questioned from his right, "That doesn't sound normal, Harry, have you had them before?"

He gave a light shrug. "Not really, I'm sure it's nothing," he stated, turning to her and offering a smile.

'Nothing my arse, what aren't you telling us?' her mind said in an annoyed tone.

"Harry, are you sure?" she pressed.

"I…" he looked at Ginny, who was also watching him and heard nothing.

"You what?" the brunette prompted.

"I'm just tired, but I'll be okay. What about you? What are your plans today?" He finished quickly.

'This isn't over,' she murmured mentally.

Aloud she offered a small sigh, "What do you think my plans are? I have to go to the house and pack."

"What?!" Ginny exclaimed. "Why would you need to pack? I thought you guys had just had a small row!"

Hermione shook her had and looked at the younger woman, "Actually it was more like hundreds of "small rows" and I'm tired of them. I'm sure that Ron is too."

"Aren't you even going to ask him before you assume how he feels?!" Ginny demanded. "My brother loves you Hermione –you know this would have never happened if you had gone home last night and talked to him!"

"I didn't want to talk to him! Just like I don't want to have this discussion with you!"

"Well I-"

"Ginny," Harry interjected, "maybe you-"

Her furious gaze flew to him, 'Bugger off Harry!'

"-uh… never mind," he finished –perhaps he should stay out of this one. As comfortable as the couch now was, he didn't fancy making it his permanent sleeping quarters.

"Look it was my decision to sleep here last night and-"

"And it's your decision to break things off with my brother so don't act like it's mutual!"

"What's the big bloody deal anyway! What happens in my and Ron's relationship is happening in my and Ron's relationship! So damn it, bugger off Ginny!" The other woman stared at her in shock. "You don't think I've gone over this?! Do you really think I just decided to end a six year relationship overnight?!" Hermione continued advancing on the other woman her voice filled with rage. "Ron's not some bloody martyr you know! He's not some innocent babe that I'm sending out to slaughter and I'll have you know he's probably been waiting for the day that I would break up with him just so that he can be with-" she paused taking a deep shuddering breath and turning away. "What is it with you guys? I mean really –is arguing some type of Weasley trait because you and your brother both seem overly keen on the concept," Hermione finished sounding drained and running her fingers through her semi-dry hair.

"I –I'm sorry Hermione," Ginny responded in an apologetic tone. "I didn't realize that – you, well my broth- I was being a git."

Harry stood and placed a hand lightly on the brunette's shoulder, she threw him an appreciative smile.

"Look I really should go, I have a lot of packing to do," Hermione said with a forlorn sigh.

"Do you need any help?" Harry asked; she shook her head. "Where are you going?"

She gave a shrug, "I guess the only place I can go. Home, with my mum and dad, at least until I find a flat of my own."

He rubbed her shoulder, "Well, remember our guest room is always open if you ever need a break from them."

Dan and Ella Granger were great people, but sometimes both parents tended to forget that Hermione wasn't a little girl anymore. This lapse in memory usually resulted in rucks about when and where Hermione could go out, for how long and whether or not she did in fact need their permission.

Hermione gave him a smile, "Thanks Harry."

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" Harry asked again.

'Oh how I wish you would.'

"No –no, I should probably do this by myself," she answered.

"Besides she still needs to talk to Ron," Ginny cut in, "you should just stay here Harry we'll visit Hermione at her mum and dad's later."

He threw Ginny a quick look before looking back at his Hermione, "I just think it would be better if I were there, that way I can help Hermione pack while she talks to Ron… then –I don't know, maybe I can stick around for a bit and talk to him too…"

"I guess that would be alright," Hermione said hesitantly.

'Thank you,' she sighed mentally.

"Good," Harry responded offering a small smile "just let me take a quick shower and we'll be off. –You don't mind do you Gin?" he questioned turning to his girlfriend.

"Of course not… if Hermione thinks it'll help," Ginny answered with a small smile.

'Not that it would matter if I did mind, you'd go anyway because she wanted you to.'

Harry frowned, "Gin, this is okay with you, isn't it?"

The redheaded woman gave a light shrug. "Of course, I'll see you when you get back," she got on her toes and gave him a peck on the cheek before pivoting and walking out of the room.

Harry shook his head, 'How could she say everything's fine when she's upset? Why doesn't she just tell me that she's not alright with this?'

"Harry," Hermione said from just behind him, he turned and faced her, "perhaps you should stay," she stated, chewing nervously on her bottom lip.

"Is that what you want?" He questioned, making sure to maintain eye contact.

'No.'

"No," she said aloud.

He gave a lopsided smile, "Well then I guess I better hit the showers –wait here I'll be back in a few minutes."

When she gave a smile and a nod, he turned and hurried to the restroom.

~Twenty Minutes Later~

When they arrived in Hermione and Ron's flat with a soft 'pop' Harry took a moment to look around. He hadn't been over much since Ginny had gotten back from France because now if he wanted to hang with his mates then the four of them would usually meet up at a pub, a restaurant or on rare occasions a club. Everything looked the same as the last time he'd been there. The flames danced in the fireplace as merrily as always, the couch still had the one crooked pillow that Hermione had sewn when her mum had been trying to teach her how to do homemaking the "old fashioned way" –aka- the muggle way. The chipped plate was even still in the china cabinet from Hermione and Ron's huge row several weeks ago, when she had hurled it at his head. Harry shook his head; they never did find that missing piece.

"Hermione! There you are!" Ron exclaimed, rushing from the bedroom. "I was worried when you didn't com- Harry…." He looked at his mate and then gave Hermione a confused look, "Er… what's going on? What's Harry doing here?"

The brunette sighed, "He's here to help me out with something."

"With what?" Ron asked glancing briefly at his dark-haired best mate before looking at his girlfriend once more.

Hermione chewed on her bottom lip for a second before answering, "With my things."

"What? What do you mean he's here to help you with your things- what things?!"

Hermione hesitated and then turned and looked at Harry, "Could you give us a few minutes please?"

The dark haired man nodded.

"Thanks."

'Please don't leave,' she thought.

"I'm not going anywhere," he responded aloud.

Her eyes widened in surprise before she gave him a small smile, Harry returned the action before walking towards the bedroom. As he passed Ron, he and his best mate briefly looked at one another.

'Bastard,' Ron uttered mentally, while physically frowning at the other man.

'Prat,' Harry thought in return, giving the redhead an equally dirty look.

A moment later the dark-haired man entered the bedroom and closed the door behind himself.

"What am I supposed to do now?" he muttered, surveying the room.

Should he start packing her stuff? After all, that was what he was here for… but what if she changed her mind? He'd seem like a total git if she walked in to tell him that she was going to work things out with Ron and all of her stuff was already in a box. Harry rolled his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed. How in Merlin's beard did he manage to always get himself into stuff like this? He frowned slightly as Ginny's earlier thoughts came back to him.

'…, you'd go anyway because she wanted you to.'

Is that why he's stuck here in this extremely uncomfortable position, horded away like he was nine years old and still living with the Dursley's? Because Hermione had wanted him to come? He gave a sigh and shook his head lightly; of course it was.

'But I'd do the same for any of my friends,' his brain justified, '-not just Hermione. I rarely say no to anyone –in fact Ginny's always complaining about what a push over I can be.'

He gave a small nod at this contention before frowning as he realized that Hermione was in fact the one person that he had never said 'no' to.

'That's just because she hardly ever asks for anything, so if she does come to me I know it's serious,' he rationalized.

'True, but even if it wasn't you'd still do it…' his brain continued. 'Face it, Ginny was right. If Hermione wants you to do something, then you will… you'll do anything for her.'

Harry groaned and then buried his fingers in his hair; he did not want to think about this. He threw and irritated look at the door; weren't they freakin' done already?

"Oh please Ronald, don't treat me like I'm some twit off the street!" Hermione yelled a moment later as if on cue.

"I'm not!"

"Then stop lying to me!"

"I'm not lying to you, I'm telling you the truth! There is nothing between Luna Lovegood and I! Please, you have to believe me!"

"No Ronald, that's where you're wrong –I don't."

A moment later the door opened and a flushed looking Hermione entered, she gave Harry a heated look. "Are you done packing?"

"Er…" he blushed and looked around, "in a sec."

Using his wand, Harry conjured a medium sized box and said a small spell to make the item bottomless. Then with a flourish of his hand all of Hermione's items flew into the box, shrinking to a manageable size along the way. Despite her foul mood, Hermione gave him an admiring look.

"I knew I kept you around for a reason," she commented giving a subtle shake of the head. "That would have taken me at least an hour to do and that's with magic. Thanks Harry."

He blushed and shrugged "It was no problem, really."

'I wish more people were as modest as you are,' she thought giving him a soft smile.

"Well let's go, we can get my items from the other rooms later," she said turning and walking back out of the door.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked following her, with the box following him. "It'll only take me a second."

Hermione threw him an amused look, "I'm sure it will… but I really need to get out of here."

She glanced at Ron, who was watching the exchange with a somber expression.

"Then do that, I'll finish up for you," when she opened her mouth to reply Harry cut her off. "I need to talk to Ron anyway –here," he levitated the box in front of her. "I'll bring the other one to your mum and dad's after I've finished."

Hermione opened her mouth and then closed it, coming forward she placed a light kiss on his cheek. "Thanks Harry…" she gave a wry grin, "seems like I've been saying that a lot lately, yeah?" she finished giving a shake of the head and turning to look at Ron.

"Bye Ron," she said giving the other man a soft smile and a light peck on the lips. "I'm going to miss you… I hope… well, I hope one day –we can at least be friends again."

Hermione took a few steps away from Ron before turning, grabbing the package out of the air and disappearing with a soft 'pop'. Both men looked at the spot that the brown-haired witch had just vacated for a moment before looking at one another.

"What the hell are you doing Harry?" Ron demanded taking several steps forward. "Coming into my bloody flat and helping my girlfriend pack to leave me! What the fuck is that about?!"

"What it's about is me coming to one of my best mates house and helping that best mate pack to leave a situation she's no longer happy in." Harry retorted, calmly.

Ron fumed, "What the hell do you know about it?!"

"A lot more than you think."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Luna, Ron."

The redhead gave a frustrated growl and glared at his best mate, "What the bloody hell is it with everyone and Luna?! I'm only going to say this one more fucking time –there is nothing between Luna and I!"

"I think there is," Harry replied calmly, feeding off of the nervous emotions that he received from his mate and doing his damndest to maintain eye contact.

"What do you mean?" Ron quizzed in a restrained tone.

"I mean her giving you that Quidditch jersey as some random gift, taking walks in the park with her, having dinner with her –talking to Luna about your issues with Hermione and all the while wishing that you were with her instead," Harry answered in a confident voice, repeating the images and thoughts that he had read from his mate.

Ron's mouth opened and closed wordlessly, "How?" he squeaked a moment later.

Harry ignored the question, instead choosing to pose one of his own. "Are you going to give it a go?"

Ron shook his head to clear his thoughts and then looked at Harry once more, "What?"

"A relationship with Luna," the other man replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

"I…" the redhead sighed and sat back down on the couch. "I don't know… I mean Hermione-"

"-isn't your girlfriend anymore," Harry interrupted, taking a seat in the chair across from Ron. "So now what are you going to do?"

Ron gave him a confused look "Try to work things out? I mean, I should try right?"

Harry frowned, "I don't know –should you?"

When the other man continued to look like he was at a total loss, Harry sighed and tried again.

"Ron," the redhead looked at him. "Who do you want to be with?"

'Luna,' Ron's mind whispered.

"I don't know," he said aloud looking away once more.

"Yes you do." Harry returned, standing from the chair and conjuring another box. With another wave of the hand he placed all of Hermione's things into the container in front of him. "And until you're ready to admit it, you'll continue to hurt them both," then with a loud 'pop' he was gone.

A.N. That's it for this chappy. What do you think? Please Review and let me know! Ja ne!