How did we get to here? by Gwendalynn Shaw

Rating: R
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 29/12/2003
Last Updated: 05/01/2004
Status: Paused

Harry is invited to a party at the home of some muggle mates where he meets someone from his
past, and gets dared to do something that could change his life for ever, but how will she
react?




1. Depression equals a secret stash of FIREWHISKEY
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Disclaimer: All Harry Potter and related indicia are property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.
In short, I own NOTHING! Unless you include the plot, that's mine. I wonder where my tiny
little mind thinks up these things?

***~*Chapter 1*~* Depression equals a secret stash of Firewhiskey**

One thought keeps running through my head, repeating itself over and over, it's giving me a
headache. Oi, I need some Tylenol. Tylenol…what the hell, I'm a wizard for Christ's sake; I
*do* have a wand and *can* work magic with it.

No pun intended…*wink* *wink*

Okay, enough already you're saying. What the hell's bothering me you ask?

It's that one thought…

Which is…?

What the *hell* am I doing here?!

Where is here you ask? Well, I somehow got talked, or dared if you will, into doing something
really embarrassing… Damn my muggle mates, they shall pay for this. I suppose I should start from
the beginning right? Right? Oi, you people are hopeless. Ok, not really but… damn it, I'm
rambling again… Okay on with it then!

My muggle mates decided to have this wild party tonight. Does that really surprise anyone? I
mean come on, you get 4 guys, all college age, who live in a house that they're buying
(strange, I know) and you expect them to behave? Ha, like that'd happen…

Anyway, they, (Mike Armillion, Dan Mychalsen, Alex Lirison, and Brian Selujyck) my good friends,
have decided to have a party, or as they put it, a par-TAAY! Good God I should have seen the signs…
So they invited me to this party, and against my better judgment I agreed to go, or come, or…oh
bollocks!

So I come to the party and as I pull up in the drive I already hear the music blaring. Anyone
for bets on how long before the police arrive? Anyone?! Grrr… you people know me far too well.
Yeah, okay, so they're muggles, I still didn't want to get any of them hauled off by the
law for disruption of the peace, or noise pollution, or some such thing, so what do I do but put up
a Silencing Charm.

Like a good little wizard, I never leave my wand at home, no matter what… too many Death Eaters
left. Bloody bastards. Okay, so yeah, now that there's the Silencing Charm at least the
neighbours will be able to sleep, and won't call the police. I've performed my civic duty
for the day…er…night…er, oh shush.

So I go and knock on the door… And I knock… And I knock some more… Gits, won't even answer
the bloody door… oh, wait, there's a door bell… He, he, he, God do I feel stupid. So I rang the
door bell and Mike answered the door.

Yup, he's smashed… Drunker than a loon and it's not even ten yet. Odds are they've
been drinking since…noon? Yup, that sounds about right. Ruddy good thing none of them know about my
secret stash of…dun, dun, dun…FIREWHISKEY! Wow, does that shit knock you for a loop. I only drink
it when I'm depressed, which is…erm…once a week. Okay, okay, twice a week. Saturday and Sunday
is all I swear! Okay, so sometimes Friday nights as well. You shall get me to attest to no more!
Ha, ha, ha, I used a BIG word!

Attest is not a BIG word you say? Well, it IS to me, so…so…bugger you! HA!

Wait…now you want to know why I get depressed? God, you're a tough crowd. Well, you'll
just have to wait. That comes in to play later in the narrative.

So Mike let me in to the house, he promptly disappeared with some chick that looked to be as
smashed as he. Bet he regrets that in the morning, better yet, bet *she* regrets that in the
morning! Ha, I crack myself up. Please note my sarcasm. Wow, I really do have a dry sense of
humour…

I make my way through the crowd that's forming in the parlour, I firmly resolve that I will
have one drink and without delay leave for home. Wow, I'm a prick.

I make my way to the bar that the four have in the used-to-be-a-formal women's-parlour. I
order an Irish Crème on the rocks from Brian, who actually seems to be nearly sober, must be
because he's in charge of the bar and needs to be able to think clearly so he doesn't
`accidentally' poison one of Alex's ex girlfriends, all of whom seem to be present at the
moment. Oooo, I wonder if there'll be a `Bitch-Fight' that'd be a show, let me tell
you. All these airhead blonds with over sized, and over priced, if you catch my drift, chests going
at each other. Wonder how many would loose an eye?

Okay, enough of that. I take my drink and meander my way to the pool room that's full
of…brunettes? What do they like have a different room for different hair colours? Oh well, what
ever floats their boats I guess.

I look around and decide that I really must leave soon, I'm starting to sink again, into
depression that is. Okay, you wanted to know why I got so depressed. Well, it's because of…

*her…*

And she's standing right in front of me…shit.

(A/N: Anyway, Chapter 2 will be up in the morning!!! Enjoy!)



2. White Barn Truth or Dare and my stupid Conscience
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Disclaimer: All Harry Potter and related indicia belong to J.K Rowling and Warner Bros. I own
nothing!!! You hear me? NOTHING! MWHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

***~*Chapter 2*~* White Barn Truth or Dare and my stupid Conscience**

And she's standing right in front of me…shit.

Uh-oh, okay, just turn around and pretend you don't know her…yeah, that's it, you
don't know her…

“Harry?! Is that you?”

Okay, so I can't escape her. I should have known. I mean, come on, I couldn't get away
from her before, why should now be any different? Okay, so why do I want to turn away from her, yet
I pine for her every waking moment? Okay, so maybe every waking moment is a bit much, but it's
at least every other waking moment.

I turn back around, time to face my past, imagine…me, the bloody Boy-Who-Lived, afraid, of a
girl…of my best friend of what…going on 13 years. Hmm…13, my lucky number.

“Hello `Mione.”

“Oh Harry, it *is* you!” she cries as she lunges. Next thing I know I'm being squeezed,
right around the middle, hard, but not too hard mind you, my `Mione would never hurt me. Okay, I
take that back, she's got a grip like a vice and she apparently missed me terribly, or at least
that's what she keeps mumbling into my shirt as she squeezes.

Oh shit, oh hell! She's crying!!! What do I do? *Quit acting like a ninny first off you
dolt and hug her back and then she'll let go* *and stop her blubbering**. Duh.*
God I hate my conscience. Is everyone's so, so…rude? *No dumb ass, you just need a tough
conscience than most!*

Okay, so I listen to that bloody voice again. I mean, it has kept me out of a lot of trouble.
Alright, alright, not kept me out of the trouble…just, helped me out of the trouble that I got my
self in to.

*Saved your ass, you great bloody prat!*

URGH!!! I hate my conscience. I think I'll go cry now. Crying, wait, I feel tears, where are
they coming from? Oh, that's right I'm holding `Mione. Wait, I'm *holding* `Mione!
My `Mione! Oh there is a God!

“How have you been `Mione?” I asked her as she pulled away.

“Oh wonderful! I've been ever so busy, with my job at the Ministry and what not. But enough
about me, how have you been?” She looks up and gives me a watery smile while gently wiping her
eyes, so as to not disturb her cosmetics application products.

*Make-up you toerag!*

Oh, how I hate that voice! Too bad it makes perfect sense.

Most of the time…

Somewhere off in the distance I here a voice calling my `Mione. Wait, I know that voice…

Ginny?!

“Ginny, what are you doing here?”

“Harry? Oh my God! How are you?”

*gasp* another bone crushing embrace. I think when I awake in the morning I shall have a total
of 4 broken and 3 sprained ribs.

*Quit over-reacting, Drama Queen!*

Hey, I am NOT a Drama Queen! I happen to be of the male gender, thank you very much.

*Could've fooled me.*

Git…

*Oooo, nice come back.*

“I'm fine Gin. How are you?”

“Simply marvelous Darling, how else would I be? I mean, it's me!” Ginny returned.

“Quite right deary.” Ginny and I always had this little thing where the two of us would
playfully refer to each other with endearments. I don't know why, but that's just how it
always was, well, was after she got over her silly crush on me.

“Anyway, you didn't answer my question. Actually neither of you did. What are you doing
here?”

“We should be asking you the same,” `Mione said back.

“True, I should tell you why I'm here. But as I'm a perfect gentleman, Ladies
first.”

“Oh, you horrid man, if you must know, I'm here because I'm dating Dan. And I made
Hermione tag along because I was sick of her sitting home all alone, every weekend. It's
sickening if you ask me. 24 and sitting home like an old maid. Well, I'm quite determined to
make sure she has fun tonight. And since you're here, you're going to help.” Ginny finished
with a wide grin. Something was turning in that little brain of hers. I could tell. And I
wasn't quite sure if I wanted to know.

“Wonderful. Now I have a reason to actually stay, other than to watch the guys get smashed,
again.”

“Wait, you know the guys?”

“Of course. They're mates of mine from University. I'm a year older though. Thank God.”
I finished with a slight chuckle. I looked from Ginny to `Mione. God, she's beautiful…

“Hey, anyone up for White Barn Truth or Dare?”

Shit, Alex has had too much to drink, and now we're stuck playing the most erotic game on
earth, with a partner. Shit…Ginny left `Mione with me, that means…*gulp* things are going to
change. Or we have to pay the…

*Consequences…*

I'm dead meat!

*No shit Sherlock.*

Damn that voice to hell!

(A/N: I'll try and put another chapter up tomorrow. I just got my Driver's Permit, after
wait over a year. And now I'm going to go driving! But I'll be back! Do not fear!)



3. The Rules of the Game
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Disclaimer: All Harry Potter and related indicia are property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. I
own nothing, nada, zilch, zero, zip,…ok, you get the idea.

**~*~The Rules of the Game~*~**

Oh good God! I'm going to die! I'm going to be hexed to hell! I'm going to be in
deep shit with Ron! I'm going to be the laughing stock of the party, even though they are
drunk! I'm going to be ruined! I'm going to lose her! I'm HYPERVENTILATING!!!

“Harry, are you okay? You're breathing really quickly,” Hermione looked at me with concern
clearly evident in her eyes.

“I…erm…I'm fine. It's all right. Erm…I really don't think you want to play this
game. I've watched it played a few times before, and erm…I really don't think you'd be
very happy with what could happen.”

“What could be so bad about it? It's a mere game of truth or dare. It's not that bad.
And if you're my partner we'll get through it alright. It can't be that bad.”

“Erm…`Mione, have you actually ever played White Barn Truth or Dare?”

“Well, no, but I'm willing to learn. Why are you so afraid Harry? It's not like
anything'll matter in the morning. Now, come on, use that Gryffindor bravery I know is in you
and play with me.”

I looked at her funny. I must have looked like a deer caught in the headlights. I could not
believe that Hermione, my dear, sweet, innocent `Mione would jump blindly into a game like
this.

*All the more fun for you.*

Shut up, I am not a prick thank you very much!

*Oh, but you are. You're a big**,* *fat, scared, walking WANK!*

“Fine, we'll play but don't say I didn't warn you.”

“Fine,” `Mione looped her arm through mine and we went to take a seat on one of the love-seats
that the boys had moved in to a circle for the game.

“Welcome everyone,” slurred Alex, “to another wonderful addition of Alex's White Barn Truth
or Dare!”

The room quieted as Alex launched into a narrative about how to play the game.

“White Barn Truth or Dare consists of the following, 1) It consists solely of Dares, and there
are absolutely NO truths! 2) you must have a partner, 3) you can either do the Dare or suffer the
CONSEQUENCES, which I might add are not pretty!, 4) once you're in the circle you can't
leave until your dare is over and you Dare another pair, and 5) ALL dares are sexually oriented!
Enjoy!!!”

I felt `Mione tense next to me.

Oh, hell, what am I doing here?!

*Playing a game, dolt!*

(A/N: Sorry it took so long. I've been so bust the past few days, with getting ready to head
back to school and what not. I'll try and write more tonight, if I can. Ick, it's back to
school, back to rehearsal, back to work, back to the hell I call my life… Oh well, I have HP and
Ewan to help me through it all. Sad, no? Well, I'm off, gotta go practise the flute, saw my
orchestra conductor yesterday, think of a Satanic Santa Clause, and well, I better practise.
Toodles!)



