Hi Everyone,
Welcome to Chapter 03 of my Fanfiction, A New Beginning. I would like to thank all of those for the positive feedback. I really appreciate it. I hope you will enjoy the following chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
As always a big thank you to JK Rowling for creating a wonderful world of characters.
Chapter 03
When I walk into Ginny's bedroom with a towel wrapped around my head after a refreshing shower, all the lights are off. It's deliberate on her part and I scowl. She knows it takes ages to dry my hair when the lights are on and now it is going to take far longer than I anticipated...and I don't have my wand with me either so I can't even cast Lumos to give me some light.
Somehow I find my way to my bed and I slowly ease onto it. It just doesn't seem fair that she is pissed off with me, but my logic says it is justified. To her, I'm just a girl who stole her 'boyfriend' even though she wasn't 'actually' together with Harry. She only liked to think so.
I sigh in frustration when I realise I forgot to grab my hairbrush from the vanity. Now I have to re-negotiate my way through the dark to retrieve it. As I ponder this and how to brush my hair without a mirror, I suppose I could use the bathroom...if it were not currently occupied by Ron... Everyone knows he likes to take long showers and I don't want to wait.
I cannot seem to shake off the way his eyes roamed my body when I found him leaning casually against the wall awaiting his turn. It freaked me out mainly because of the light pink camisole and cotton pants I am using as my pajamas. They hug my figure and show off my small breasts and the way his eyes roamed freaked me out. If it were Harry, I wouldn't mind, but with Ron, it made me very uncomfortable and I couldn't wait to disappear into the sanctuary of Ginny's bedroom, even if it was and certainly is unwelcome.
Pushing that unpleasant thought aside, I find my way to the vanity and I blindly feel around for my brush. I hope it is here, otherwise Ginny is going to get more than she bargained for. I swear she's watching me, no doubt with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.
"You know," I say out loud, "Some people are so immature. You told me to grow up, but in all honesty it is you who needs to grow up." Feeling a bit better about my observation, I climb onto the bed, with my brush firmly in hand and I start brushing the knots out of my bushy hair.
I try to think of pleasant things, but Bellatrix's evil face is starting to dominate my thoughts. And being in the dark, does nothing to my tightly wound nerves. I was okay a minute ago, but the fear is clawing its way back into my thoughts and every fibre of my being. Feelings of panic are returning with a vengeance and to distract myself, I furiously pull the brush through my hair while I think of something, anything to keep my thoughts and feelings of fear and panic aside. Nothing comes to mind, so I turn my thoughts to Harry and the kiss we shared earlier today. My cheeks grow hot when I recall the way his mouth felt and tasted on mine. I recall the silkiness of his hair between my fingertips and the welcome weight of his body on mine.
"How did you do it, Hermione? How did you attract his attention?"
I pause, mid-brush and give Ginny's form a sidelong glance. So, after all this, she is still awake and I cannot ignore the unexpected flare of annoyance while I regard her. She's awake and I am sitting in the dark, like a fool, brushing my hair by the dim light provided by the moon.
"I mean, you told me to play the field, which I did-"
"Too well, Ginny. You went too far and you know it."
I continue brushing my hair as if she hasn't spoken, and I hear the rustling of her sheet as she sits up, but I keep my eyes firmly on the wall opposite me.
"Or was playing the field, the reason to get your claws into him?" she asks. I suppress my sigh and I turn towards her. Her face is in shadow, which is just as well because I don't want to see her face.
"I never got my claws into him, as you so aptly described. It was not something we planned. We've always been good friends," I pause. If I don't bite my tongue, I am going to admit my feelings for him and I don't want that. I want him to be the first to know my true nature of feelings...which brings me back to what he wanted to say to me earlier before we were interrupted.
"It's not fair. For years, you've known how I feel about him, yet-"
"Yet what, Ginny? Instead of beating around the bush, why don't you just spit it out?" I snap as I am well and truly annoyed with her. First she expects me to brush my hair in the dark and second, she has the audacity to lay the guilt trip on me. How can it be my fault for falling in love with my best friend? It's not as I went out of my way to hurt her. It's not my fault, we have always shared a connection. He has always been there for me. What is wrong with falling in love with my best friend?
"How did I not see it?" she whispers softly.
I hesitate. "I…I don't know. Like I said it was not something we planned, therefore," I pause and decide I've said enough. Turning my back on her, I place the towel at the foot of the bed and I set my brush aside. My hair is not completely dry and to have it cut and styled short sounds more and more appealing. It's going to be an unmanageable mess in the morning.
"Goodnight, Ginny," I murmur as I pull the sheet right up to my neck. I hope I'll be able to sleep tonight, but the fear is clawing at my chest again and once again, I turn my thoughts to Harry in the attic above us. It would be so easy to sneak up to his room and I want to do that, but I restrain myself. Sometimes others cannot fight my battles for me and now is one of those times. I am going to have a very long night.
I bolt upright, with my hands clutching tightly to my sheet, and with my mouth open in a silent scream. I wildly cast about trying to remember where I am and I start panicking when I don't recognise where I am. It feels as if I am trapped in a horrible nightmare, with Bellatrix torturing me with the Cruciatus Curse. The pain of it courses through my body, bringing tears to my eyes. Everywhere I turn I see her evil face and coal black eyes as she hovers over me taking sadistic delight it torturing me to the brink of madness. I feel as if I am going mad and I don't know how to control the suffocating fear and rising bile threatening to choke the life out of me.
A light is turned on and I recoil back against my pillows as I don't know what to expect. I close my eyes so that I can regain my bearings, but her face flashes through my mind and I force my eyes open so that I cannot see her, yet the imprint of her face lingers, threatening to force me over the edge.
"Hermione?"
His voice…His soft and soothing voice is like a balm to my fragile soul. His hand on my shoulder is warm and comforting as he gently turns me towards him. My vision slowly clears as does the swirling fog in my head allowing me to slowly regain my senses.
"Hermione?"
I am unable to speak while I focus on his beautiful warm green eyes and his tousled jet black hair. I am amazed at the clarity of his features. He pushes his glasses back onto his nose and he offers me a soft smile and it's just too much. I fling my arms around him and cling to him for dear life. He says absolutely nothing to me as he gently lifts me into his arms.
"Harry-" ventures Ginny. "My Mum-"
"What, Ginny? Does not approve? I couldn't care less about that, not when she needs me," he says softly.
"Why her and not me?" she asks, barely hiding the pain in her voice.
He lets out a patient sigh as if he is well and truly exasperated with her. "Now is not the time to discuss this, Ginny. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to take care of her."
"When will be the time, if not now?" she asks.
"Ginny," he sighs. "Not now. Please excuse me."
He walks out before she can reply. All I hear is the bang of her bedroom door as she slams it shut. Being as quiet as he possibly can, he climbs the stairs, and dodges the one we know will squeak if he steps on it. By the time we step onto the landing, the tears are streaming down my cheeks and my wrist is throbbing madly as if someone has repeatedly stabbed a sharp object into the flesh.
"Just relax," he says in that same soothing voice that eases my fears and calms my rapidly beating heart. It is in this moment I become aware of the warmth and strength of his arms and I blush in spite of it all. As I regard him from beneath my lashes, his mouth turns up into a knowing smile as if he is aware of the effect he has on me. Heat rushes to my cheeks and I start squirming in his arms. He pauses by his bedroom door and asks, "Would you like me to put you down?"
Swallowing hard, I shake my head as I don't think I'd be able to stand on my own two feet even if I tried. Smirking at me, as if he knows what's going through my head, he gently eases me back onto my feet. My legs feel as if they want to give in and I quickly reach for his arm to keep my balance. I don't need to make a bigger fool of myself by tripping in front of him.
"I...You are so mean. You didn't even give me a chance to reply, Harry."
He smiles sheepishly at me and I can't help grinning at him. My earlier fears seemingly have disappeared. In fact, I realise, they disappeared as soon as he touched me.
"Are you disappointed?"
His expression is classic. He is being coy and brave all at once and I love it, yet as he stares intently at me, I can't help feeling shy. It's like we've crossed an invisible line without realising it.
"Are you?" I smirk as I feel around for the doorknob.
He folds his arms and studies me for a moment... "Well, it depends."
The door clicks open. "On what?" I can't resist asking as I step into the room. Feeling extremely courageous, I grab his hand and pull him towards me. I slip my arms around his neck as he quietly closes the door behind him. He grins at me as if he has achieved something great..and I gracefully move away from him.
"Herm-" he protests as he tries drawing me towards him. Waggling my finger at him, I shake my head. Turning my back on him, I deliberately sashay towards his comfortable-looking bed and I sit down. I give his room a cursory glance. I become aware of his sandalwood scent wafting up from the bedding and it tantalises my senses. His room is about the same size as Ginny's, except his clothes are strewn all over the place. He has always been untidy and it makes me smile. I pat the spot next to me and he saunters towards me. I just see his chest hair peeking through his grey vest. As he approaches, I take in his well-developed chest and arms. I roam my eyes to his legs and I suck in air. His thighs are also well-developed. Forcing my eyes upwards, I linger too long on the bulge beneath his black jocks. My cheeks and ears grow hot and my breasts stand at attention. I cross my arms so that he does not see what he does to me, however he drops in front of me and uncrosses my arms. I feel so exposed and vulnerable under his intense scrutiny and it doesn't help matters that I'm wearing a camisole...with no bra beneath it. As I watch, he reaches up and lightly touches me.
"Harry, please...I-"
"Hermione," he whispers as his hands cup my face and pull me towards him. I utter a surprised gasp as he lightly presses his lips to mine in a tender kiss. I clench my hands into tight fists as he coaxes my mouth to open and they do. As he darts his tongue into my mouth, a soft sigh escapes me and my hands relax enough for me to press them against his chest. It would seem I want to push him away, but I don't. My hands move upwards and curl around his shoulders as he slips his hand around to the small of my back. Without realising it and without breaking our kiss, we move further onto the bed. As he lays me down, my hair fans out behind me and he stifles a sigh.
"You are beautiful," he murmurs as I gently pluck his glasses from his face. I set them aside on the bedside table.
"That's better. Now I do see you," I whisper as I draw him in for another kiss. This time, he moans softly as I gently explore his mouth. I love the way he feels. I love the way his body feels on top of mine. My hands drift from his hair to his back and they drift southwards until the hem of his vest. His expression is dark and alluring as I tug it upwards. I want it off as I want to feel his skin against mine.
"Hermione," he whispers as he reluctantly breaks our kiss. "Wait."
I pause, not quite understanding what the problem is until he sits back on his legs. As I watch his face, I burn with shame.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to feel you," I whisper.
"I know, and so you shall, on condition that if you start feeling uncomfortable, you are to tell me... We are both young. We've been to hell and back again...several times and I don't want you to feel I'm taking advantage of you..."
"You won't be taking advantage of me. How can you say that when I...when I..." I look away trying to decide the best way to approach this.
He grabs my hand and presses it over his heart. "When you what, Hermione?"
"I'm in love with you," I blurt out before losing my nerve. "And being this close to you, is too much."
He regards me for a moment and laughs, "Hermione, I'm way past the in-love-with-you part."
"What is that supposed to mean?" I ask, a bit surprised by his honesty.
"Hermione," he laughs as he stretches out next to me, "Come here."
Still feeling confused as I don't know what he meant. I snuggle into his side and I lie on his chest. He tucks his arm around me and plants a soft kiss on my forehead.
"You still haven't answered my question," I point out as I settle next to him.
He turns off the light, pulls the sheet over us and whispers, "All in good time... Now go to sleep."
Closing my eyes, I mumble, "I hope I do sleep."
"You will. Now go to sleep before I prepare a sleeping draught for you."
"No thank you," I giggle. "You aren't the best potion master around."
"Mmm," he says thoughtfully. "I was the best according to Professor Slughorn."
Grabbing a pillow I sit up and laugh, "He was misled, Harry. You and that book. What happened to it anyway?" I ask, avoiding his eyes.
"I tossed it into the Room of Requirement. It was probably burnt along with the rest of the stuff when we..." He looks away and sighs, "I don't want to think about the last few days just yet."
"Then we won't. We should try to get some sleep otherwise Mrs Weasley will be all over us tomorrow," I say in trying to lighten the mood. He can be broody at the best and worst of times, but he has reason to feel like that.
"She's going to be all over us anyway when we walk out of here in the morning."
I shrug my shoulders. "I don't care. Let them think what they want. It's not as if we answer to them."
"We may think that, but she still regards us as kids. I don't feel like a kid, Hermione. I feel like an old man. After fighting for seven years... I feel as if I've lost out on what being a kid is all about...and it sucks."
"Harry," I sigh as I lie next to him, "You think too much."
He laughs softly as he playfully nudges my ribs, "I can't imagine who taught me to think so much."
"Harry!"
He rolls onto his side, "It's the truth."
"Go away," I mutter, "Before I hurt you."
He kisses my cheek. "I love you too."
I gaze at him while his words sink in, "You do?" I whisper.
"Yeah, I do. Now go to sleep before we both do something we regret."
Giggling, I can't resist asking, "Such as?"
"Hermione," he sighs.
"I want to know. You can't say something like that and them expect me to forget about it."
He let's out an exaggerated sigh. I also imagine him rolling his eyes and it makes me smile.
"Well," he says, reaching for my hand, "It might involve something like this." As the words leave his lips, he plants a featherlight kiss in the centre of my palm and I shiver. He smiles, "Or something like this," he continues as he trails kisses along my knuckles, to the inner side of my wrist where his kiss lingers.
"Okay. I get it," I yawn. "What about a real kiss?"
He looks up, grinning, "You mean like this?" he asks as presses his lips on mine. His name is on the tip of my tongue when he darts into my mouth. He cups my face between his hands as he deepens our kiss and my fingers tangle in his hair further mussing it up and the though makes me smile.
He returns my smile as he breaks our kiss, "Mmm...That is enough for now."
I stifle my disappointment when he moves away to lie next to me and I rest my head on his chest directly over his heart. I close my eyes and lapse into thoughtful silence and I realise I have no idea how he knew I needed him.
"Harry?" I venture.
"Yeah?"
"How did you know I needed you?"
He opens his eyes and regards me, "I can't explain why I felt compelled to go to you... It's almost as, somewhere deep down... I just knew. Now go to sleep, Ms Hermione Jean Granger."
"As you wish," I giggle. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," he whispers, and it's not long until we both drift off to sleep.