DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER
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Chapter 1 - Harry's Proposal
"I just don't understand why we can't get our own place," Hermione muttered, glaring at the stack of lease renewal papers on the kitchen counter. She absolutely loathed the idea of her and Ron signing up for another year sharing a flat with Harry. "You know I can't stand being around that arrogant prat anymore…"
"C'mon, Hermione," Ron frowned. "I know you don't like how he's been acting, but Harry is still our best friend, and it's just not realistic for us to try and afford our own place right now.
Hermione huffed and snatched the pen from Ron's hand, quickly signing her own name on the damn dotted line. "There!" she said, slamming the pen on the counter.
"It's just for one more year," Ron promised as he signed his own name. "We should have enough saved up by then to move out on our own. Your internship will be over and I'm sure a team'll pick me up. We just have to make this small sacrifice for our future, and besides, I'm sure Harry is just going through a phase right now, he'll be back to normal soon."
"I seriously doubt that," Hermione said through her frown. But Ron's logic was sound, and she couldn't deny it was the sensible choice. She had moved in with the two men only a month prior, and she and Ron were barely earning enough to afford the shared living space they currently had. An additional year of hardship would end with her finally being an actual employee at the Ministry and not just an intern, at which point she could start her career and be stable enough to gain more independence.
"Thanks, love. I know it's not ideal, but I really think this is for the best."
"Yeah, yeah... But we should really establish some new rules around here. I'm getting sick and tired of Harry bringing random slags home and disturbing our peace." Hermione took the opportunity to try and gain a little more control in the household. Harry treated the place like he owned it, and Ron always turned a blind eye. It was one of several reasons why Hermione despised living with the person Harry had become after the war.
"That's fair... I'll talk to him," Ron agreed hesitantly. He didn't enjoy the thought of confronting Harry about his habits and secretly wished his Hermione was a little more easygoing.
Girls had always thrown themselves at Harry at Hogwarts, and now that they were adults and Harry was a war hero, the number of witches willing to get in bed with his best friend had only grown. Ron was actually proud of Harry for finally getting his head out of his arse and actually using his reputation to his advantage. Ron had done it himself a few times during their Hogwarts years, but he was with Hermione now, so Harry had to hit the pubs by himself.
Just then, the apartment door swung open, and Harry strolled in with his new confident gait and cocky smile. "Hey, roomies!" His eyes fell to the freshly-inked lease agreement. "Oooh, so we made up our minds, did we?"
Harry shuffled in between his best friends and picked up the pen to seal the deal. Hermione had to stop herself from ripping up the papers on the spot.
"Yup. One more year together," Ron answered, grinning.
"Well this calls for a drink, doesn't it?" Harry announced rhetorically, trading glances with each of them as he added his name to the many pages. Ron grabbed a bottle of firewhisky and some glasses and poured the three of them a shot.
After filling in the last blank, and slamming the pen down, Harry raised his glass. "To another fun year!" The golden trio drank their shots, one more reluctantly than the others, and Harry continued speaking. "I mean, I could afford this place on my own, but it's way more fun having you guys around! Plus we all save a ton of galleons this way."
Hermione visibly grimaced. Harry's newfound arrogance never failed to disgust her. "Before you get too carried away, I think we should discuss some things," she said.
Both men turned to her, Ron looking nervous. "I think you should treat Ron and I with a little more respect. We live here too, and it's not fair that you're constantly coming home really late with different women, not giving us a heads up, and then being... unreasonably loud all night."
Harry remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly letting her words sink in. Hermione had the brief thought that perhaps she had finally gotten through to him, until he spoke.
"Jealous much?" He said sarcastically, laughing. She crossed her arms, fuming, and he added, "C'mon... I'm just fucking with ya, Hermione. I get it. I'll be better about that. I promise."
Harry extended his hand towards her, and she rolled her eyes but shook his hand anyway. Before releasing her from his firm grip, he murmured under his breath, "I'd rather take your sexy ass to bed any night of the week..."
Hermione recoiled, her expression twisted in disgust. "You're a fucking asshole!" She raised her eyebrows at Ron, suggesting he had better defend her in some way.
"I'm sure he's just kidding around..." Ron muttered.
"Of course, I'm joking!" Harry laughed. "I would never try to steal you from Ron here," he said condescendingly, wrapping a muscled arm around his smaller friend and jostling him around. "If you were single though—"
Hermione's icy glare interrupted him.
"I'm just saying you're a catch, okay?" Harry raised his hands in surrender. "Merlin, learn to take a compliment!"
"I'd prefer if you never complimented me again! I don't want any of that from you," she explained sternly. His crude comments highlighted another major reason Hermione disliked the person her best friend had become.
Harry was always giving her suggestive looks and making inappropriate remarks about her appearance. She felt as if he regarded her as nothing more than a sexual object now. Whenever she brought it up to her boyfriend, he would minimize it, making excuses that Harry was playing around and that it was just his sense of humor.
"Alright, sheesh. Sorry..." Harry apologized with a hint of sarcasm, which made the apology worthless to Hermione.
The trio spent the rest of the night in relative peace, sipping drinks and discussing their days at work. Hermione felt a mild sense of relief that she had at least confronted her unwanted roommate and finally spoken up for herself.
Still, she knew that there was a long year ahead of her.
Anyway, shameless Pa-atreon plug. I've got one, go by the same username on there, support me if you want, or if you would like to read the chapters ahead of time, but don't feel pressured, I'll be uploading all my stuff outside it regardless, and not keeping it all behind a paywall or anything like that.
Thanks for reading!
