AN at the bottom.
Chapter 5
He didn't want to go out on this night, but the pleading look in her face persuaded him like an enchantment had been put upon him. "It'll be fun" she said. "Lots of cool people for you to meet" she claimed. Four hours into their night out, he was bored out of his mind.
Hermione had the most eclectic group of work friends, he supposed it was a somewhat natural by-product of being a mediwitch at St. Mungo's. Today, he'd been dragged to a karaoke bar, where she was meeting them for their monthly night out. She had convinced him to come for the first time since she'd been working there; he had always had some "important Auror business" to take care of, but this time she had seen through him and went directly to his boss, asking for him to have the Friday off, because he deserved some rest. His boss had come to him immediately after her visit, a knowing smile on his face, telling him not to come on Friday and to tune his pipes. He thanked him for the day off, wrote off the rest as a joke and went home - only when she made her invitation-slash-demand did he realize he'd been ambushed.
The night started okay, a couple of pints, everybody on the table choosing songs as he kept to himself, watching Hermione. The best friends relationship they had was great, but lately he had been dreaming of more. The thought of losing her, however, kept him quiet about his feelings, confused if what he sometimes saw were signs of her interest or just wishful thinking on his part. To add insult to injury, while he sat on one side of Hermione, occasionally exchanging some looks and some words, the other seat next to her was occupied by Alain, the french usurper of attention. He was actually a really nice guy, but his intentions towards her were clear as day, and jealousy made him petty and mean.
He was lost in his thoughts, drowning out the wailing from the stage, when a hand entered his field of vision.
"You there Harry?" Hermione was looking at him expectantly, her cheeks pink and her eyes bright. She had a low tolerance to alcohol and they'd been there awhile, but as long as she was smiling, he wouldn't worry. Had she asked him anything?
"Sorry, Mione, I was lost in thought. Would you mind repeating the question?"
"I was asking if you were going to regale us with your singing prowess. And before you deny it, don't forget I live with you mister," she said, narrowing her eyes and pointing a finger at him, "I hear you in the shower."
The NO was almost out of his tongue, but this was an opportunity to get the feelings out of his chest. If it went wrong, he could always chalk it up as a joke and go back to the way things were. The way Alain's arm was going to the back of her chair made him even more decided to do it.
"Sure I will." Her answering smile was like a phoenix's song to his heart. "I'll just go talk to the band."
Harry climbed onto the empty stage, exchanging some words with the band's members. They knew the song he had chosen to sing, and as he headed to the microphone, he took a deep breath and looked straight into her eyes. "Here goes nothing", he whispered, and began singing.
"All I know is that, you're so, nice..."
AN1: If you're wondering, the song is Kate Nash's Nicest Thing, which I L-O-V-E, check it out :) feedback is always welcome!