ALTERATIONS
The Ministry of Magic was bustling with activity, as always. Officials came and went in the midst of the constant hustle and bustle, with parchments and folders in hand, immersed in their own concerns. The atmosphere was filled with the hum of hurried conversations and footsteps echoing in the marble hallways.
The hustle and bustle was also present on the magic regulation floor, where the proper use of magic based on different situations and environments was supervised and regulated.
Harry left through one of the side offices, his mind immersed in his own thoughts. His steps were firm but automated, as if he were following a familiar pattern. The expression on his face was serious, reflecting the responsibilities and concerns that accompanied him as Head of the Auror Office.
Meanwhile, Hermione emerged from an office on the opposite side, her bag clutched to her side. Her mind was occupied with the tasks ahead, and her gaze was focused on the path in front of her. Despite her busy schedule as Head of the Magical Creatures department, a spark of determination shone in her eyes.
It was at that moment, when fate seemed capricious, that their paths crossed. Harry and Hermione met in the hallway at the lift was. Their eyes met for an instant that seemed to extend in time. At that moment, everything around them became blurry, as if they were the only two in the world.
Thoughts and emotions raced through their minds. Harry was surprised by the intensity of Hermione's gaze, seemed to contain a million unspoken words. His heart pounded in his chest, and his cheeks flushed with an uncomfortable blush.
For her part, Hermione felt as if time had stopped. Harry's presence in front of her was overwhelming, and her heart seemed to beat in her throat. The tension between them was noticeable.
This time, instead of the intense gaze they had shared previously, there was now a mix of surprise and nervousness. Neither of them expected to bump into the other at that moment. Although their lips moved in an attempt to speak, the words seemed to evaporate before they could be uttered.
Harry, with his hands stuffed into his trouser pockets, tried to muster up the courage to say something, but his cheeks flushed into a shy blush. Hermione, for her part, felt her heart pounding against her chest, as her eyes drifted to the floor.
Finally, Hermione broke the silence.
"Harry, we need to talk," she murmured, her voice shaky but firm, as if she was determined to face the situation.
Harry looked up in an instant and met Hermione's eyes. It was a brief but intense encounter, as if all the unexpressed emotions between them manifested themselves in that moment. However, the eye contact lasted barely a blink before they both looked away, unable to sustain the intensity of the moment.
Then, Harry nodded slowly, his expression a mix of uncertainty and resignation. Before he could say anything, the nearby elevator doors opened, as if fate was guiding them. Without saying a word, they both entered automatically, as if the small space of the elevator offered a momentary respite from the tension that surrounded them.
The small space of the elevator seemed to shrink even more in the presence of the tension between them. They looked at their own feet, avoiding meeting each other's gaze, as the elevator slowly ascended toward its destination.
Silence filled the air, leaving only the soft hum of the elevator for company. Every second that passed increased the discomfort, as if they were two opposite poles that rejected each other.
This time, it was Harry who broke the silence.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," he began, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I didn't know Sarah would react that way."
Hermione sighed, feeling that her words were insufficient to express the complexity of her feelings. "It's not your fault, Harry. You don't have to apologize for Sarah's actions."
However, his words barely broke the surface of the tension building between them.
The ground floor of the Ministry of Magic was bustling with activity, as always. People from all over were rushing back and forth, the sound of their conversations filling the air. In the midst of that chaos, a diverse group of friends gathered, each of them with serious and determined expressions on their faces.
Ron, with his signature red hair and focused expression, entered the atrium followed closely by Draco, who carried an unflappable demeanor despite the frenetic atmosphere. Roxanne walked beside him, a look of determination in her eyes, ready for any challenge that presented itself. Neville next to her, his demeanor calm but his eyes full of determination.
James and Lilly followed them with determined steps. Despite their young age, they carried a burden of responsibility on their shoulders, aware of the importance of the mission they had undertaken. Their gazes were intense and full of courage as they advanced alongside the adults.
The group stopped in a corner of the atrium, a place where they could watch the constant flow of people while staying relatively apart. The friends exchanged knowing glances, sharing the importance of what they were about to do. Each of them knew that they were involved in a plan that should take the correct course of history and bring together their friends, Harry and Hermione. Letting them realize how in love they were.
Ron crossed his arms over his chest, looking around with a thoughtful expression. Draco remained at his side; his gaze analytical as he assessed the environment. Roxanne approached Neville, placing her hand on his arm in a gesture of silent support.
Neville, his expression calm but determined, turned to James and Lilly. He gave them an encouraging smile, acknowledging the importance of their role in all of this. The two young siblings nodded in response, sharing Neville's confidence.
The elevator doors opened, revealing the interior illuminated by a dim light. However, Harry and Hermione remained motionless, as if trapped in a moment suspended in time. Around them, the constant flow of people continued, oblivious to the tension emanating from the small cabin.
When the elevator rang, it was Roxanne who alerted the others to see the scene in front of them.
As Harry and Hermione stood there, staring at the elevator floor, the others exchanged meaningful glances as they watched Harry and Hermione inside the elevator, trapped in quite noticeable tension.
Ron frowned, his expression a mix of worry and sadness. His eyes moved between Harry and Hermione, and he could see in their gestures and glances that something had changed drastically between them.
Draco, normally unflappable, had a thoughtful look on his face as he watched the scene carefully.
Neville pursed his lips, his eyes on Harry and Hermione with a mix of understanding and concern.
They had all witnessed the argument at dinner and knew that there was an unresolved conflict that was affecting their friends. Roxanne, standing close to Neville, looked at him with a gesture of silent support, sharing his concern about the situation.
As time seemed to stop at that moment, the friends exchanged meaningful glances. Despite the distance, they could feel the depth of tension between Harry and Hermione.
Meanwhile, James and Lilly watched the scene, their hearts beating uneasily. Seeing their parents inside the elevator without even being able to look at each other or speak to each other filled them with a mixture of sadness and frustration. For them, who had grown up seeing the love and closeness between Harry and Hermione, this image was completely disconcerting.
James, his dark eyes fixed on the scene before him, bit his lip, trying to understand how they had gotten to this point. Lilly, beside him, felt a lump in her throat. Seeing her parents so distant, when she knew how deeply they loved each other, was painful.
They felt a mix of frustration and sadness as they watched their parents in the elevator. They had accidentally traveled back in time to reunite them, but seeing them so distant and not communicating was overwhelming.
James clenched his fist tightly, feeling the helplessness of the situation. His dark eyes filled with determination; he was determined to do everything he could to change the course of things.
The siblings shared the same anguish. Seeing their parents in the midst of a tension they didn't recognize from their time was heartbreaking. Lilly bit her lip, fighting back tears as she looked at her parents, whom she loved dearly.
Ron, Neville, Draco and Roxanne shared worried glances as they watched James and Lilly. They knew that they were witnessing a painful scene between their parents, and their desire to help them only increased. It was evident that the tension between Harry and Hermione was having a profound impact on everyone present.
James and Lilly shared a silent look, exchanging worry and sadness. They knew that their mission to reunite their parents had become even more difficult.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Harry gathered the courage to break the silence. Without looking at Hermione directly, his voice came out in a barely audible whisper.
"Please go ahead," he said softly, gesturing toward the elevator exit.
Hermione felt a lump in her throat as she looked up and gave him a sideways glance. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and in that eye contact, they were able to perceive the weight of the unspoken words between them. Harry couldn't look her in the eyes, and Hermione looked away too, her heart pounding in her chest.
Finally, with a slow, cautious movement, Hermione took Harry's sign and exited the elevator. The doors closed behind her, leaving Harry alone inside.
With heavy hearts, everyone watched as the elevator doors closed, separating Harry and Hermione. It was evident that there was much work to be done to restore what had been lost between them.
Within the confines of the elevator, Harry squeezed his eyes shut, letting his thoughts swirl in his mind. He knew that things between him and Hermione couldn't continue like this, that there was something that needed to be addressed.
The silence, the built-up tension, and the distance that seemed to have come between him and Hermione occupied his thoughts. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the frustration wash over him.
He wondered how it was possible that something as natural as his relationship with Hermione had become so complex. He remembered how they used to communicate without words, how a look or a gesture was enough to understand each other. Now, every attempt at communication seemed to hit an invisible barrier.
In his mind, he relived the moments he shared with Hermione, the laughter, the adventures, the moments of comfort and support. It had been so easy to love her, so natural, that he had never thought they could reach this point of disconnection. He sighed deeply, feeling a lump in his throat.
"Damn!" he murmured softly, letting out his frustration and desperation "I wish I could tell you once and for all how much I love you, Hermione" His words echoed in the small space of the elevator, as if he were finally releasing a thought that had been stuck in his mind and in his heart for a long time.
As he spoke those words, a feeling of relief washed over him. It was a thought he had kept silent, afraid of what it might mean, but now he said it out loud, if only to himself.
He needed to talk to Hermione, he needed to confess his feelings and deal with the tension between them. He was determined to do whatever it took to win back what they had lost.
For her part, Hermione left the elevator with a hurried step, her gaze fixed on the floor as she fought back the tears that threatened to escape. The sense of anguish that came over her seemed suffocating, and she couldn't help but feel that the world around her had become a little darker.
Walking through the corridors of the Ministry, Hermione forced herself to maintain her composure, but tears began to slide down her cheeks, leaving a wet trail in their wake. The frustration and pain she had been holding inside finally found an outlet, and the tears were a reflection of the confusion and sadness she felt at that moment.
She wondered how they had gotten to this point. How the beautiful, fluid communication she used to share with Harry had become so elusive. She remembered the times when a look or a smile was enough to understand each other, and now they seemed to be trapped in an awkward silence.
"How is it possible?" she murmured to herself, her voice barely a whisper in the air. The question had no easy answer, and her heart tightened in her chest as she continued walking. The distance between them seemed like an unbridgeable chasm at that moment, and she didn't know how they could ever go back to what they used to be.
Her thoughts turned to Harry, and a feeling of longing washed over her.
"I wish I could tell you how much I love you, Harry," she whispered softly, as if the words were a secret, she shared with herself. Tears continued to slide down her cheeks, but her steps did not stop. Although the situation between them was complex, she was not willing to give up without a fight.
Finally, she reached her office and closed the door behind her. She allowed herself a moment to take a deep breath, dry her tears, and then with determination in her eyes, she sat down at her desk and began to work.
After witnessing the tense scene between Harry and Hermione in the elevator, Ron, Draco, Neville and Roxanne exchanged glances, knowing that they needed to find a place where they could talk privately about their plans to help James and Lilly reunite their parents.
Ron took the lead and looked around, searching for a solution. His eyes landed on a door that seemed to lead to a less traveled corridor. He approached the door and opened it, revealing an empty hallway with several doors running along it. A small sign indicated the different offices that were in that corridor.
"I think this place could work," Ron suggested, pointing down the hallway. "It's less crowded and we could find an empty office to talk without interruptions."
"Good idea, Weasley" Besides, here in this corridor there are many individual offices that we could use. " Draco nodded in agreement.
The group moved down the hallway, looking at the signs on the doors as they searched for an empty office. Finally, they came to a door marked "Archives Office" and realized it was unoccupied.
Roxanne, who worked nearby, remembered that most of the employees were at a conference that day, which explained why many of the offices were empty.
"This one seems to be free," Roxanne commented, opening the door to reveal a small but functional office. "And with the conference going on, it's unlikely anyone will come here."
The group nodded in approval and entered the office. Once inside, they closed the door behind them and looked at each other. Neville spoke up, his expression serious but determined.
"We have to come up with a good plan to help James and Lilly carry out their mission" said Neville "We know that the tension between Harry and Hermione is stronger than we imagined, and we need a solid plan to bring them together. Malfoy's plan to get them drunk is still on, but it would be during the engagement party.
Ron nodded and understood the seriousness of the situation.
"Guys, I think we could ask the twins for help. If anyone can come up with a creative and amazing plan, it's them."
James and Lilly nodded, sharing the same opinion. Ron pulled out his wand and sent a patronus to his brothers, explaining the situation and asking for their help. Shortly after, they received a response and the twins, Fred and George, appeared in the office with their typical mischievous smiles.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! So, the Potter Grangers need our help to solve a little love problem," Fred joked.
"Who better than us to create a plan worthy of master pranksters?" George added with a laugh.
The group shared a laugh, but soon became serious and explained the situation in detail. After listening carefully, Fred and George took a moment to think and then presented their new plan.
"Well, we heard everything you told us!" Fred began, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We have a foolproof plan to bring our dear friends Harry and Hermione together.
"We call it the " Confetti Surprise Plan," and it works like this" George continued "we are going to create a special confetti that, at first, will look like a realistic fireball. When we launch it, everyone will think they are in danger and will dive to the ground."
Ron, Draco and Neville looked at each other, intrigued by the idea. They knew that the Weasley twins were masters of mischief.
"But here's the clever twist. When that confetti explodes, instead of fire, it will fill the entire room with brightly colored confetti. It will be like a celebratory rain!" Fred exclaimed with emotion.
George continued to explain the logistical details and signals to make sure the surprise effect worked perfectly.
"The key here is that, in the midst of the confusion, Harry will have to protect Hermione. You know, like a good protective Auror" Fred winked.
Everyone nodded, beginning to understand the strategy. The twins continued with the details of the plan, discussing how they could make sure Harry and Hermione were in the perfect position when everything happened.
Finally, with the plan detailed and agreed upon, Fred and George were satisfied.
Meanwhile, the next few days passed in an awkward and elusive silence. Casual crossings in the hallways became deliberate avoidances. Harry and Hermione were struggling to find a way to communicate, but every time they tried to speak, their words seemed to get stuck in their throats.
Days later, as part of the plan, Luna walked through the corridors of the Ministry of Magic with her characteristic calm and dreamy air. She wore her blonde hair down, with a serene expression on her face as she headed towards the Auror Department. She had a clear goal in mind and was determined to achieve it.
She arrived at the area where the department was located, and her eyes fell on the desk of the secretary who was attending to an older man who was asking a question. Luna waited patiently, her gaze wandering over the details of the place as she let her mind wander.
The secretary finally looked up and met Luna's calm blue eyes.
"Oh, hello, Luna Lovegood! How can I help you today?" the secretary asked with a kind smile.
"Hello, I would like to pay a brief visit to Harry Potter. Could you announce my arrival?" Luna said, returning the smile and approaching the desk.
The secretary nodded and began to write on her notebook.
"Of course, let me see if it's available right now."
Luna tilted her head slightly to the side, her dreamy expression not gone.
"You can take a seat and wait in the room just at the end of the hallway."
Luna nodded gratefully and headed towards the waiting room, which was decorated with comfortable chairs and magical paintings that changed scenes. She sat in one of the chairs and waited patiently, deep in thought as she watched the moving images on the paintings.
She knew her conversation with Harry was important, and she had mentally prepared herself for what she had to say. She hoped her words could nudge him in the right direction, although she knew the final decision was in Harry's hands.
Luna arrived at Harry's office, her smile radiant and her eyes full of curiosity.
"Hello, Harry, how are you?" he greeted with his characteristic warmth and sincerity.
Harry looked up surprised by Luna's visit.
"Oh, hello Luna. I'm fine, I guess. Thank you for asking," he responded with a faint smile.
Luna's next question took him by surprise. After the awkward scene at Neville's house, he didn't expect anyone to care about how things were with Sarah.
"Well, with Sarah... nothing is going well lately" he confessed, feeling how the tension of their relationship was reflected in his words.
"I understand. You two have had problems? Besides what happened at Neville and Roxanne's dinner?" Luna nodded understandingly.
Harry sighed, running a hand through his messy hair.
"Yes, we have argued a lot lately. We seem to fight about anything. I just don't feel good in the relationship, you know."
Luna's sly smile did not go unnoticed by Harry as she spoke. The question that followed left him speechless for a moment.
"Why don't you feel good with her? Is there anyone else?" Luna asked with a mischievous spark in her eyes.
Harry's heart beat faster, wondering how Luna could be so insightful.
"How was it possible that his Ravenclaw friend always knew more things than she appears to know?" Harry thought, confused by Luna's ability to read between the lines.
"There's always been someone else and always the same one," Harry admitted, his tone somewhat embarrassed as he avoided Luna's gaze.
Harry's response seemed to increase Luna's curiosity rather than satiate it.
"So, why don't you talk to Sarah, break up with her and be with that someone else?" Luna asked with her usual innocence, as if she were suggesting something as simple as choosing a dessert in the great hall.
Luna's words made Harry feel vulnerable and exposed. How could he explain what he felt?
"I can't. She doesn't feel the same, I think," he admitted with a sigh, letting out her deepest thoughts to her trusted friend.
"Sometimes, things are not as simple as they seem Harry. Maybe you should consider talking to her about how you feel. You never know what can happen if you don't try," she advised with her characteristic wisdom and looked at him with compassion.
"I can't. She's too good for me. I... don't deserve her," he admitted with a mixture of resignation and self-criticism. He sighed in frustration.
Harry's response brought a look of determination to Luna's face.
"You're Harry Potter! You are amazing too!" he exclaimed, trying to cheer him up "I think you should tell her. You'll never know if you don't try," Luna added with a reassuring smile.
Harry ran his hands over his face, feeling the tension inside him.
"That's another point in her favor. She is the only woman who sees beyond the fame of the Boy Who Lived, she is the only one who sees me as just Harry" he confessed sincerely, his emotions coming to the surface "She is incredible, amazing, wonderful, brilliant, beautiful! She is ...! It's Hermione!" he exclaimed, letting out everything he felt "If I tell her and she doesn't feel the same, I could lose her friendship" he added, his voice shaking slightly as he admitted his greatest fear.
Luna's smile flashed knowingly, as if she knew something Harry hadn't considered.
"I think you should talk to her," she said sweetly, conveying her confidence in the situation.
Harry felt vulnerable in that moment, his emotions bared in front of his friend Luna.
"Luna, thank you very much for listening to me and for your advice. But I ask you please, don't tell anyone about this. Especially not Hermione" Harry asked, looking into Luna's serene eyes with a sincere expression.
Luna nodded understandingly, her gaze soft and reassuring.
"Don't worry, Harry. Your secret is safe with me. I understand how important this is to you, and I respect your decision."
Harry offered her a grateful smile, feeling great relief knowing that he could trust Luna with his deepest thoughts.
"Thank you, Luna."
Luna returned the smile with her characteristic tenderness.
"I will always be here for you, Harry. You can count on me at any time."
Hours later, in the quiet office of the Auror Department, Harry was immersed in reading some reports when he heard a soft knock on the door. He looked up and found his friend Ron peeking in with a smile.
"Ready for lunch, Harry?" Ron asked enthusiastically.
"Yes, I definitely need a break. Come on," Harry nodded, putting the reports aside.
………………………………………….
Under the intense light of the midday sun, Harry and Ron walked together through the streets near the Ministry of Magic.
Ron glanced at his friend out of the corner of his eye, noticing the thoughtful expression on his face. Finally, he decided to break the silence.
"Are you going to tell Hermione how you feel, Harry?"
Ron's question took Harry by surprise, and he sighed tiredly.
"It can't be! You too? Why do you think...?" Harry shook his head in disbelief, as if he couldn't understand why everyone around him seemed to be into the business of his feelings.
Ron gave a soft laugh, a smirk on his lips.
"Oh, please, Harry. You are my best friend, do you think I haven't noticed the way you look at her, take care of her and how you act when she goes out with a man?"
Harry felt trapped, his cheeks heating up with embarrassment. He looked down at the ground as he walked, unable to deny what his friend was saying.
"It's just... I don't want to ruin our friendship. And I'm sure she doesn't feel the same way about me."
"I understand Harry, I really do. But I'll also tell you this, you'll never know if you don't try. Hermione is smart, understanding, and, well, I can't imagine anyone better for you. If you have feelings for her, it's time you face it," Ron said, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder empathetically.
Harry sighed deeply, grateful for his friend's perspective.
"I don't know, Ron. It scares me. If she doesn't feel the same way, it could change our entire dynamic. Today we had an awkward moment, thanks to the scene Sarah made yesterday with Jane. I don't want to lose her."
"Harry, if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that what you two have is special. Sometimes taking that risk is the only way to find out if it's worth it." Ron gave him a knowing look.
Harry smiled gratefully, but before he could say anything else, Ron became more serious.
"And speaking of relationships, Harry, I have to be honest with you. I think it's time for you to break up with Sarah. Nobody can stand her, not even you. And after what happened at Neville and Roxanne's dinner, it's obvious that your relationship with Sarah isn't going to work. You don't love her, Harry. You're not in love with her. You're in love with Hermione."
Harry was surprised by Ron's frankness.
"Ron, I..."
Ron interrupted him with a wave of his hand.
"Don't take this the wrong way, mate. I just want you to be happy. And we all know that you are going through a difficult time. If you need help, we are here to support you."
"Thank you, Ron. Really" Harry looked at his friend, feeling a lump in his throat.
Harry and Ron returned to the ministry after their lunch, ready to resume their responsibilities. However, in the atrium, Cormac McLaggen was surrounded by his colleagues and seemed to be bragging about something with an arrogant smile on his face.
"I'm going to ask Granger to go out with me again and this time she'll have to accept, and I'm going to take her to bed," McLaggen said petulantly, enunciating each word with confidence.
Just then, Harry walked past them and heard McLaggen's offensive words. Anger flared inside him, his face tensed and his fists clenched involuntarily. How dare he talk about Hermione in such a derogatory and arrogant way?
"What did you say, McLaggen?" Harry asked, his voice ringing with suppressed fury. His eyes were locked on the brunette, his expression dark and menacing.
McLaggen, far from showing remorse, made a mocking face and raised an eyebrow.
"Potter, don't you find my plan to conquer Granger interesting?" he provoked with a cynical smile.
Harry's blood boiled, but he knew he couldn't let his anger get the best of him. He gritted his teeth, trying to stay calm.
"You have no right to talk about her that way, McLaggen. She is not an object for you to brag about conquering."
McLaggen's colleagues watched the tension in the air, some with curiosity and others with discomfort; but McLaggen seemed to enjoy the situation, his arrogant attitude not diminishing in the slightest.
"Relax, Potter. It's not like you own Granger. If she decides she wants to have some fun, who am I to say no?" McLaggen responded, his smile defiant.
Harry's anger was still bubbling beneath the surface, but he knew there was nothing to be gained by confronting McLaggen right now. He looked at Ron, who was looking at him with concern, and then at McLaggen.
"Stay away from Hermione. And if you have any respect for her, try to speak of her with dignity and consideration," Harry said with a coldness that cut the air.
"What? Are you still upset because in sixth year she didn't agree with you when she didn't make it clear that she wanted nothing to do with me? Are you jealous, Potter?" Cormac asked, his voice full of provocation as he sought to goad Harry.
It was only a couple of seconds that it took Harry to react, his frustration and anger reaching a critical point. Without a second thought, he grabbed the lapels of McLaggen's collar, lifting him off the ground and pressing him against the wall.
"Wasn't it enough for you that she rejected you hundreds of times in front of us?" Harry asked in a cold, hard voice, looking directly into McLaggen's eyes. Behind him, Ron had his wand raised towards Cormac, ready to intervene if the situation got out of control.
Cormac seemed to sway in Harry's grasp, but before he could respond, a familiar figure appeared around the corner.
Hermione stopped dead, her face showing a mix of worry and annoyance as she witnessed the scene before her. Without hesitation, she quickly approached the group, knowing that she had to intervene before things got worse.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed firmly, her voice ringing with authority. "Put him down now!"
"You see, Potter? Even Granger defends me against you. Or are you just jealous because you never found out who that someone else Hermione likes is?" Cormac added with a smug smile, savoring his small victory when he saw Harry's reaction.
Cormac's provocation achieved its objective, and Harry felt his anger rise. Before he could say anything, Hermione intervened again.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed again, her voice firm but with a hint of alarm at the same time. She then turned to McLaggen with an annoyed expression.
Harry noticed the look Hermione and Ron exchanged before she turned her attention to Cormac. That exchange of glances made him think that there was something he didn't know and that the three of them seemed to know.
"And you shut up. Have you not managed to understand that I have never wanted and do not want anything with you?" Hermione added with a sharp tone, making her position clear and trying to divert attention from what Cormac had mentioned.
Harry felt a knot in his stomach as he looked at Hermione, noticing the firmness in her voice and gaze. There was clearly something else he didn't know, and that only left him even more confused and upset.
Ron, for his part, watched the scene with a mixture of annoyance and concern. If Cormac continued to provoke Harry, the situation could quickly get out of control.
"Harry..." Hermione whispered this time and looked at Harry.
Hermione's voice seemed to have an immediate effect on Harry. His eyes met hers, and though his grip remained firm, he gradually lowered McLaggen to the ground, releasing him with a rough gesture.
Ron lowered his wand as well, watching the scene carefully as Cormac straightened and adjusted his clothing, his expression showing a mix of surprise and anger.
Hermione let out a frustrated sigh, shaking her head. She wasn't going to stay silent when McLaggen had been about to reveal her feelings to Harry.
"I don't have time for your nonsense, McLaggen. If you have a problem with me, tell me in an adult way. And if not, then I suggest you continue with your business," she said with a coldness that surprised everyone.
Cormac seemed momentarily taken aback by Hermione's response, but quickly regained his smug demeanor.
"As you wish, Granger. But you should consider my proposals, we could have some fun," he replied with an arrogant smile before turning around and walking away.
Hermione watched as McLaggen left, her expression still upset. Then she turned to Harry and Ron, motioning for them to follow her to her office, and both friends accompanied her in silence. The atmosphere was charged with tension, and none of the three seemed willing to break the awkward silence.
When they reached Hermione's office, she turned to them, breaking the silence before they could speak or sit down.
"Ron, Neville and Draco were looking for you. It seems there was something urgent they needed to discuss with you," Hermione reported, bringing a hand to her forehead with a tired gesture.
The redhead nodded and left the office without saying a word, leaving Harry and Hermione alone. The atmosphere in the room seemed heavy, as if the conflict with Cormac had left a mark on the atmosphere. And in that moment the tension that had previously been created between Harry and Hermione, when they couldn't even speak to each other, disappeared for a few minutes.
"What was that, Harry?! Do you want to get in trouble?!" Hermione asked, her tone of voice altered with concern.
Harry sighed, feeling anger still pulsing in his veins.
"I couldn't let him get away with saying those things about you, Hermione! I couldn't stay silent!"
Hermione looked at Harry with a mixture of gratitude and annoyance. Although she was upset at the way Cormac had provoked the situation, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of desire at the way Harry had defended her.
"You didn't listen to everything that idiot said about you! He mentioned he was going to get you into bed! I couldn't just ignore it!" Harry continued, his voice rising slightly.
Hermione felt a lump in her throat as she heard Harry's words. She knew he defended her passionately. She tried to hide her feelings, keeping a serious expression.
"Harry, I understand that you were upset, but facing it that way doesn't help anything. It only makes things worse," Hermione said, trying to reason with him.
Harry looked at Hermione, his green eyes shining with a mix of emotions. There was something else in his gaze, something Hermione couldn't fully decipher at the moment.
"You're right," Harry murmured, his voice softer now. "But I can't stand it when someone talks about you like that. You're my best friend. It makes me mad."
Hermione looked down for a moment, and bit her lower lip, feeling her heart pounding. She couldn't deny that Harry's words affected her deeply, but she also had to be cautious. She couldn't let him discover the truth behind her feelings.
"It's nice and I appreciate that you defend me, but by now you should know that Cormac's words are not worth it. Besides, you know me and you know that I'm not going to let anyone touch me without my consent," Hermione answered in a calmer tone, trying to defuse the situation.
"Fine. I'm sorry" Harry gave up, but he couldn't help but remember another point that intrigued him "Just one more thing. Did you tell Cormac and not me who that someone else was? Because he seemed to know it and he wanted to make it clear to my face," Harry added, raising an eyebrow inquiringly.
"Harry... I didn't tell Cormac, he figured it out," she admitted, feeling increasingly frustrated by the situation.
"Does Ron know?" Harry asked, feeling a pinch of disappointment when he saw that Hermione nodded slightly.
"I understand that Ron is our best friend, but you told him and you didn't tell me. You don't trust me?" Harry asked with a tone of disappointment in his voice.
Hermione felt trapped in her own lie, but she couldn't let Harry find out the truth. She couldn't risk losing his friendship by revealing her true feelings.
"Of course, I trust you, Harry. I didn't tell you because I know you're more protective than Ron and that you would possibly react like you did with McLaggen, and I can't risk that," Hermione improvised, trying to give a reasonable explanation.
Harry nodded slightly, but inside he felt a pang of sadness. He knew there was something more behind Hermione's words, but he couldn't force her to reveal it if she wasn't ready.
"Fine," Harry said, his voice sounding disappointed. He put his hands in his pants pockets and turned around to head towards the door. Now he knew that Hermione's someone else was not him.
Hermione watched Harry walk away, feeling a lump in her throat. She wanted to tell him the truth, she wanted to scream that the "someone else" she mentioned was him, but her fears kept her silent. When she finally worked up the courage to try and stop him, the door had already slammed shut.
The brunette fell into her chair, feeling tears begin to emerge. Not only had she missed the opportunity to reveal her feelings, but she had also hurt Harry by doing so. Tension and confusion built in her chest, threatening to overwhelm her.
In the silence of her office, Hermione let the tears flow, allowing herself to feel the full weight of her unspoken emotions. She knew she had to find a way to fix things, but the road seemed increasingly difficult to navigate.