Chapter 1 - More than friends
It was a bright sunny day during mid-July, and Harry Potter and his friend Ronald Wealsey were taking a walk around the Burrow. They were ordered to do a Gnome cleanout by Mrs. Weasley for the third time this month, which, as usual, annoyed Harry and Ron, but Harry didn't speak of it as it was Mr. and Mrs. Weasley who brought him in and treated him like one of their own. Harry was talking to Ron and didn't spend much time actually degnoming their garden. When all of a sudden Ron spoke something out of topic. "Harry? I realised you and Ginny aren't dating anymore. What in the bloody hell was all of that snogging in 6th year for? If you were using her just know I will hurt you." Ron gestured his hand towards his pocket. "Ron, chill out!" Harry said as quickly as he could to prevent Ron's spells from coming at him, even though they weren't as powerful as his nor Hermione's. "Me and Ginny broke up at the same time because we no longer had feelings for each other. After the war, I didn't really want to date anyone, and neither did she. So I am not using her, and it was just a silly school crush." Ron didn't really like the term "silly school crush" as it was a bit offensive to Ginny, but he didn't want to speak of it as it could anger Harry. "Lets head back home, and I'm sorry for putting you on the spot like that." Ron said. Harry nodded, and they both made their way back to the Burrow. "Harry, Ron, is that you?" Harry could easily recognise that voice. It was none other than his best friend Hermione. "Yeah. We aren't exactly done degnoming the garden, but it will do. Its like, what? Our third time this month!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione ran down the stairs and gave Harry a hug before kissing Ron on the cheek. "If you actually did your work, it wouldn't take that long!" Hermione replied. Harry had an odd feeling seeing Hermione kissing Ron on the cheek. It was like he was being left out. Like no one wanted him. Before he could deepen his train of thought, Mrs. Weasley said, "Good, you're here; lunch is ready." Harry was grateful for this, as his stomach was very clearly telling him and others that he needed food. As he, Ron, and Hermione made their way to the dining table, Harry couldn't believe that the table could fit the Weasley family, himself, and Hermione. The table was always crowded, but not this time, as they most likely used an extension charm. Today's meal was chicken soup and salad. Harry helped himself to both and sat next to Hermione. However, Hermione didn't even pay any attention to him at all and instead to Ron. She was holding hands with him while they shared a plate. Which was very kind of Ron, as he always ate for two on his own. Harry again felt secluded, alone, and sad. He also felt another feeling. Was it jealousy, Harry asked himself? He then thought of Hermione and realised he liked her more than a friend. A best friend. Harry shrugged off the jealousy as he didn't want to ruin Hermione and Ron's relationship. They seemed happy, and Ron wanted to give up his food for her. It was more than enough to tell Harry that they were in love. And there was no stopping that. At least Harry had someone else to love. His godson, Teddy Lupin. He would in fact love him the same way his own godfather, Sirius, had. Even though he was unalived.
Harry woke up to the sound of the door creaking. He couldn't tell who it was other than it was a female. He reached for his wand and gave it a wave and muttered, Accio Glasses, to only see it was Hermione. His heart sank. He knew why she came; it wasn't for him. It was for her boyfriend, Ron. Harry knew Hermione still liked him as a best friend, but he still hated seeing Hermione and Ron together. It just didn't feel right. He wanted to see Hermione with a newer, better person. He had no clue who that person was, but it would not even compare to Ron. He knew Ron would mistreat her, force her, and even yell at her. What he tried to deny was that he even knew if Ron suffered a drinking problem that it would lead to abuse. His heart sank again. To have the feeling he can't be there to protect Hermione when she would be abused made him tear up. Obviously, Hermione noticed this and asked. "Harry, are you okay? You look like you're about to cry!" Harry shrugged and said, "Yeah, I'm just tired; nothing to worry about." He knew that his lie wouldn't be bought from Hermione, and she could tell but didn't ask again because she knew Harry wouldn't budge. After being best friends with him for 7 years straight without an argument, she could read Harry like a book, right? Hermione thought. However, before she could think more, Ron pulled her towards him and cuddled with her. This made Harry almost vomit, so instead of having to bear with this, he went downstairs to get a seat on a couch and looked at the Weasley family clock. It was pointing to 7:34; why was Hermione awake? Why was Hermione with Ron so early? Is she so in love with Ron that she needs to get up earl-
Before Harry could finish that thought, he accidentally dozed off with his glass plopping onto his chest. Seconds later, his surroundings started shifting, and he was at Hermione's wedding. She was marrying Ron. Harry tried to scream, to object, to protect Hermione. He couldn't move or make a sound. He was stuck there as his two best friends started sharing their first kiss as a newlywed couple. Shards pierced Harry's stomach. He did not feel good. He again tried to scream to make a difference. He couldn't move; it was too late. Harry saw that Ron started talking, staring into Harry's emerald eyes. "As a newlywed couple, I would like to point things out before this wedding goes farther into the night. I just wanted to tell Harry that he was the worst friend anyone could've asked for. He was rude and allowed other people to die for him. Without him, my brother Fred would've stayed alive. He made this happen. He deserves to die to be in his place!" Everyone's eyes were staring at Harry; he couldn't do anything about it again. Hermione continued for him, "He's the chosen one. It's okay for people to kill themselves for him; everyone will forget about them at some point, right? Well wrong; you don't understand our trauma. I forced my parents to forget me. To forget all the memories we shared together as a family." "Harry, Harry, Harry." He could hear a familiar voice coming from his head. "HARRY! HARRY!" it continued, and so did Hermione. "You will always be in our shadow, the boy who made everyone die. No one wants to be with you. A lonely, friendless man." Tears began falling from Harry's eyes. They all took their wants and, in a united team, screamed "Avada Kedavra!" Before Harry could react, he collapsed to the floor. His soul coming out of his body. The body that ended a war. A body that suffered so much trauma Harry would've ended his life earlier if it wasn't for Hermione. "HARRY! HARRY!" Harry's eyes shot up; he could move again. "HARRY! Don't you dare scare me like that ag-" Harry jumped to Hermione and wrapped his arms around her so hard her bones could be crushed. "It's just a dream." He muttered. After a long 10 seconds, "You can let go of me now." Hermione said in a breathless voice. "Sorry!" Harry said, releasing her from the pain. "What on Merlin's beard was that all about Harry?" Harry fumbled with his reply and finally came up with, "I was at yours and Ron's wedding. I couldn't move and talk; I was just there while everyone stared at me, and you guys kept saying it was all my fault, Fred's death, everyone's death; you guys called me useless, lonely, and annoying. You guys even kill-" It was now Hermione's turn to return the hug. She shot straight at Harry with tears coming out of both her and his eyes. "I'm sorry that happened; you probably feel lonely that me and Ron are together and you have no one to talk to. I'm so sorry, Harry." She bawled into his shoulders, barely creating a sentence. Harry could feel the cold tears but didn't care as he was also creating a waterfall onto her shoulder. "It's not your fault, Hermione; I don't feel left out; I just feel sad. It's probably from the war; you don't have to do anything about it." They let go of their hug and realised Ron just came in and was staring at them. "Oh, sorry, Ron." Harry realised what he and Hermione were doing—what couples usually would do—and he immediately felt bad. "I'm not here for that; I don't care. You guys have been friends, best friends, for like several years. I'm just here to tell you guys breakfast is ready." Ron replied and headed off to the kitchen. Harry and Hermione followed while Hermine wiped away Harry's tears, still clutching each other's hands hard.
