Ch 8: Yellow Ribbon

By:

YearofDragons

author's note: Why hellOoOoo lovelies it certainly has been a while hasn't it. No need for sob stories you obviously are happy to see me ;) enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or it's franchise … but you knew that already

xxxxxxxxxxxx

"Hermione would you stop fussing," the leggy red hair was getting dizzy following her brunette friend pacing back and forth. "It's nearly time are you about ready to go?"

The anxiety was growing by the minute, it's incredible the amount of fizzy pop she's gobbled. Oh her mum was going to be so disappointed with her if she knew just exactly how much of the sugary drink Hermione succumbed to.

"I'm ready, I'm ready! I just…" well Hermione really didn't know what exactly. She just had this gut feeling inside her that something was amiss and it was making her feel extremely uneasy. Hermione didn't survive a war, one that she was quiet active at that, without ever having her gut feeling correct once or twice. And tonight, her gut was definitely telling her something bad was going to happen.

"Hermione, lets go!" Ginny has had enough and she yanked her friend who certainly looked like she was ready.

Before Hermione even knew, Ginny apparated them both to the outskirts of the Burrow.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

It was dazzling. The Burrow was glowing and it seems as if faeries was floating everywhere, as Ginny and Hermione got closer, Hermione saw that indeed fairies were buzzing around. The sun was just setting and a nice soft hue of orange was bordering the ground. It was warm out but not sticky, the weather was perfect. There were lights crisscrossing covering the length of the yard, just floating above the picnic tables. Flowers littered the tables and Hermione can see the the tables were already set.

The other guests have started to arrive, faint pop was heard in every direction.

This was it, Hermione needed to brace herself, but then why is she feeling so uneasy.

"Hermione! Ginny! Over here!" Luna was waiving her hand to get both girls attention.

"Hi Luna," Hermione gave Luna a warm hug, "Has Harry come yet?"

"Oh he's over there with Blaise." Luna pointed to the far end of the yard where an exasperated Harry seems to be having a passionate conversation with Blaise.

"What exactly are those two talking about?" Ginny was curious what Blaise and Harry needed to talk about. True, the two have became cordial, dare to say somewhat of friends, but they have never been the lets-talk-in-the-corner-secretly type.

Ginny was just about to walk over when the two boys finally started to walk back.

"Oh Hermione you've finally made it." Harry bee lines towards Hermione right away giving her a warm hug. "Ginny," Harry gives Ginny a hug as well.

"What were you two whispering together about," Ginny instantly locks eyes with her husband. Just when Blaise was about to lie, no doubt about it, Ginny didn't forget she married a Slytherin, Ron came out with Molly.

"Hermione! Harry! Ginny! Luna! Hey guys they're here we can start!"

"Yes, Blaise, I noticed, Ron didn't call your name," Ginny gave her husband a quick peck before walking towards the tables.

Everyone started to sit around the table and conversation was flowing from left and right. As Hermione started to settle in she tries to forget the unsettling feeling that was weighing her down more than her pasta.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

The night was turning out fantastic, everyone was getting their fill. Plenty of elf wine, butterbeer, and for the twins, firewhiskey was flowing around. Harry was starting to truly enjoy himself when he felt the strong tug on his elbow. Harry turned around to find Blaise nodding towards the shed. Ugghhh Harry was really just starting to enjoy himself.

"Blaise mate let's give it a rest."

"Harry you know I can't, have you thought about my proposal."

"It's not going to work Blaise, she's not going to go for it. It's a ridiculous plan, not to mention bold as brass, Hermione would never agree to it."

Blaise could tell that he just needed to talk to boy wonder a little bit more to tire him into complying. Blaise was after all the Slytherinist of them all!

"Harry hear me out, hear him out. After that you never have to do anything. You really want to do that to her, she's also your best friend mate. Can you really deny her the chance mate?"

"Blaise I agree with you, but Ron is also my best friend mate. I can't do that to him as well. Hermione wouldn't do that to him as well…"

Hermione had seen Blaise casually come next to Harry and the two walk off the dance floor. She's also been watching for a while and her ears were straining to make out what they were talking about. It occurred to her that it's impossible she couldn't hear even a tiny bit of the conversation. Oh sure there was music but it wasn't blasting, and Hermione's hearing is usually impeccable. Which only meant one thing, those two didn't want anyone hearing what they were talking about. Hermione made her way towards them and could barely read Harry's lips when she knew for a fact her name was said.

"Harry I wouldn't do what?"

"Oh Hermione, how long have you been there?"

"Harry if your asking if I heard anything, you and I both know well I haven't. You and Blaise have cleverly put up a silencing charm. But since I'm not blind I also know that you've just said my name at least three times already, so i'm clearly the topic of the conversation. So stop shaking your head and tell me what I wouldn't do."

Blaise knew it was his cue to exit. He gave Harry one last pleading look, "Think about it Harry, midnight, 1 hr, that's all I could do." Blaise looked at Hermione and gave her a hug. "Hermione do what makes you happy," Blaise whispered in her ear before leaving.

"Harry what was that all about?" Hermione was truly perplexed at the strings of event that just took place. More so, her gut feeling was coming back in full force.

"Hermione can we go somewhere and talk for a minute." Harry led Hermione towards the quidditch pitch and sat her down the big oak tree.

"Harry your unsettling me, what is this all about." Hermione configured a blanket big enough for both of them to sit down comfortably.

"Hermione, I want you to know that I love you and that I would never judge you. For your decisions then and definitely for your decisions now. If it's truly what you want and what would make you happy, just know that I would never judge you. You know that right?"

"Harry James Potter I don't know what exactly is going on but I'm not liking it one bit. Spill it, your making my nerves jumpy." Hermione was getting real uncomfortable, Harry has always been like a brother to him and the last time he sat her down like this; Harry had then informed him that he was going on a crazy solo expedition to try and find Horcruxes himself, without a plan at that! "Harry I know you love me and I love you so what is it you're trying to tell me?"

"It's about Malfoy."

"Malfoy?" Hermione was taken aback, she knew she would be having this talk with Harry but she didn't think it would be tonight of all nights.

"Hermione, I saw him the other night, when the boys and I were out at the pubs. He was a bit sloshed himself, actually he ran into Ron first."

"Ron? How come he never said anything to me?"

"I heard him say something, Malfoy I mean, and at first I thought I must have heard wrong. But then I talked to Blaise and it was definitely not wrong, not to mention Luna mentioned something to me the other night."

At this point Hermione's head was spinning, is she hearing this correctly. Ron and Malfoy ran into each other the other night while out drinking. The same night she thought she saw him. Harry himself talked to Malfoy and now Blaise is coming to Harry for a confirmation. And Luna. Oh what did Luna tell Harry.

"Harry, what exactly are you saying?…" Hermione had a feeling, but she would be damned if she was going to say it out loud.

"Malfoy he was pretty sloshed, but as Blaise was carrying him off I heard him tell Blaise how much he still loves you." The whole time Harry couldn't look Hermione in the eyes, he had focused on the little weed flower just in front of him. As soon as he said his piece, Harry turned around to face Hermione and her face said it all. It was all the confirmation Harry needed.

"Blimey Hermione, you love him too don't you?"

"Harry you don't understand…" At this point Hermione could feel the tightening on her chest. She was trying to take shallow breaths as she tried to focus on Harry.

"Hermione you don't need to tell me if your not ready you know." Harry scooted closer to his friend and put an arm around her shaking body at this point.

Hermione buried her face in the nook of Harry's neck, "I don't know how this could be happening Harry? I don't know what I'm supposed to do? How do I tell Ron? How can I tell Ron?"

"Hermione, slow down, breath. I'm sure he'll understand, he loves you, you know."

This didn't make Hermione feel any better, in fact it made everything worst. Her sobs were getting stronger and louder and she didn't know what else to do but cry. Harry just held Hermione and let her. He knew eventually she would talk, but right now she just needed to cry and Harry can sit here and just be that. A shoulder to cry on.

After a few minutes Hermione has finally subsided into soft sobs. She wiped her eyes and lifted her head.

"Ask Harry, ask me anything you want. I should have told you sooner, been more honest, then maybe we wouldn't be in this situation. And I'm sorry about that. So go ahead ask me anything you want."

"How long have you felt that way about Malfoy?"

"For a long time, Harry. He was actually the first friend I've ever made in Hogwarts can you believe that."

"Blimey Hermione that long!"

"Well no, I didn't fancy myself in love with him Harry if that's what you mean. I met him you see when McGonagall took me to Diagon Alley and I was getting my stuff for school. It was in Flourish and Botts, many don't know but Malfoy loved to read as much as I did. It was an escape for him, you should have seen him when I first introduced him to Muggle literature. I thought I would die from amusement!"

"Wow I never knew, I mean the way you two were at school. It's as if you two had hated each other!"

"Well he was fine being my friend as long as no one saw, and boy was he good at seeking me out when no one was around. At first it was to apologize for that Pansy business and well it just kind of blossomed from there really."

"When did you fancy yourself in love with Malfoy, Hermione?"

Hermione looked up at the sky and breathed in the cool crisp air. The moon was hanging low so there was plenty of light. She closed her eyes and tried to remember the day she knew she loved Malfoy.

"It was fourth year, around the Yule Ball."

"But I thought you was with Viktor Krum!"

"I was, and that's how I also knew that I really would have rather been in Malfoy's arm."

"Malfoy really?"

"He wasn't all bad Harry, really! He was really good at pretending that's what he was. Malfoy would always carry himself around everyone else and then he would be his true self when we were alone."

"What about…"

"I'm not saying he's perfect. Malfoy did a lot of things that he shouldn't have. I'm not making excuses for him, but you need to understand Harry that he was also having a hard time and unlike you, he had no one. Instead he had Voldemort and his sick mind games."

They sat in silence for a minute just letting everything sink in. True to his word Harry had nothing bad to say to Hermione, just support.

"Hermione if you could see him again, would you want to?" Harry took Hermione's hand and steered her to face him. "If you could, what would you say?"

Hermione stared into her friends emerald eyes, she's always loved his eyes. The color of green, understanding, and calm.

"I would tell him I'm sorry. For not believing in him enough to save him from his situation. For believing that he could have gotten himself out if he truly wanted. For thinking that if he loved me enough he would fight for me. For being selfish and wanting him to choose me instead of his mother. I would tell him I'm sorry for asking him to prove his love when I myself wasn't willing to prove my love for him." Harry was looking at Hermione and he can feel the pain that's been weighing his friend down. He didn't know the turmoil he's friend was going through, and apparently he was also unaware of the turmoil he's school rival was going through.

"Hermione, if you could see him again, would you?" Harry waited, even though he knew what his friend would say. He just wanted Hermione to say it out loud, so in a way she can admit it to herself as well.

"I would," Hermione kissed Harry in the cheeks and stood up. She looked up to the moon longingly as if there was a higher being listening and hoped they would grant her this longing. "And I would tell him I love him."

Harry stood up as well and placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"Midnight, he'll be here under this tree to wait for you. He'll only have an hour, but he'll wait every minute of it if he has to."

Hermione watched Harry mesmerized as he tied a yellow ribbon around the oak tree.

"This is what Blaise talked to me earlier, he wanted me to pass along the message."

"Harry…"

"Hermione! Harry! I've been looking for you two for quiet some time now! What are you two doing here?" Ron comes jogging towards the two friends. Hermione is rooted as she waits for Ron to come next to her. Harry broke the ice first.

"Ron! Hey i was just having a chat with Hermione is all."

"Well ok, come on mum is having the toast now before everyone gets sloshed and starts leaving." Ron puts an arm around Hermione, "You ok love, your face seems puffy."

"Oy mate you don't tell you fiancé that! Come on then."

The trio made their way back to the Burrow where the music can be heard and merriment was to be had. Ron gave Hermione a loving squeeze and Hermione looked up to Ron's face. There was a tug at her heart, but even still, she couldn't help but wonder.

Hermione looked back, and there swaying gently with the night breeze was the yellow ribbon Harry had tied.

"Midnight," Hermione makes a mental note, "see you in two hours, Draco."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

author's note: ahhhhhhh I hope you loved it! I know I have been neglecting you, I will try to post sooner to make it up. Please leave reviews that way I feel loved. Also if you leave me a review I will post sooner cuz then I'll think ppl are reading my stuff. LOL.

XOXO

Till next time! Next chapter will be a doozy! Hermione x Draco in the same scene finally?! I don't know I guess you'll just have to wait! (cue evil laugh)