Harry Potter H&Hr Fluff Collection

Author's Note 1: This is the finale of the first set of fluffs in the collection. Season 2 of the fluff collection will probably begin as soon as the Finale is done. There are two parts and I hope by the end of it, you'll all feel good inside.

READ: Btw, PLEASE REVIEW! Not that I'm demanding it… I just want something new to read when I check the Internet. PLEASE REVIEW! I'd much appreciate it, thanks!

Enjoy!

P.S.

A useless but interesting bit… “The Prophecy” is how I think Book 6 will go when Harry makes a big decision about the Prophecy and of course the outcome on how his dearest friends will react to it… You'll be pretty surprise how it will happen.

Season 1 Finale

XVII

The Prophecy I

It has been two weeks since Harry arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It has also been the worst weeks of his life. Never in his entire life that he would feel so left out and different from his friends… It was painful to think it that way. He felt like an outcast.

As if it was playing in his head like a recorder, the words of the prophecy played in his mind haunting him. It was like a ghost telling you that you'll die anytime soon.

Aside from the prophecy haunting him, he also had problems. One was when he had dreams about his dead godfather Sirius which didn't bother him anymore since Lupin gave him a very serious talk back in the dining room in Grimmauld Place. Harry knew that his friends were waiting outside of the door trying to listen what he and Lupin talked about since the moment he left he found Ron, Hermione, Fred, George and Ginny lingering outside telling him that they just arrived.

Of course, Harry didn't tell Lupin about the Prophecy and felt a lot better after the talk. The subject on Sirius' death didn't bother him anymore. He found himself making small talk with Ron about everyday life but didn't want to engage with long conversations. Harry would just not talk that much anymore. It was a thing that he's been doing ever since he talked with Lupin.

His dreams about Sirius' death were just hovering in his mind but what bothered him the most that his friends were very, very worried about him. He kept finding himself locked up in a cupboard somewhere around Grimmauld Place while his friends were out looking for him. They tried talking to him about his problem. Harry couldn't blame them about intrusion since they were expecting that Lupin's talk would make him less paranoid but they didn't know that the prophecy was still in Harry's mind right now.

Though it was still bothering him, Harry knew that someday he must tell his friends about the prophecy. It worried him on how will they react to it… That's what he hated. He didn't want them to think that he will be either a murderer or be murdered which would make him even feel left out that he is having this big decision while the others weren't.

Harry tried to recall the last time they tried to talk to him… It was only yesterday that Ron and Hermione cornered him in the common room last night.

“Harry,” Hermione said cautiously “I know you aren't keen on talking right now but would you at least tell us what has been bothering you? What happened? Didn't Lupin's talk do you any good?”

Harry looked up from his seat and saw both of his two best friends looking anxiously at him.

“It did” was the only thing that came out of Harry's mouth.

Hermione and Ron exchanged looks.

“So - so why are you still - er - you know - miserable?” Ron asked

Harry looked at the fireplace. Why was he feeling so miserable? Getting over Sirius was one of the hardest things he has ever done so why be miserable? The prophecy could be flawed but why is he assuming that it isn't? What if it was Neville who was the chosen one? Harry didn't want to think that. Dumbledore already confirmed that it was he, Harry, is the chosen one to defeat Voldemort.

“Please, Harry” Hermione said sitting beside him on the couch he was sitting on “Talk to us”

Harry looked at Hermione. He knew in an instant that Hermione cared for him the most than any other person he knew aside from Mrs. Weasley. Would she and Ron understand about the prophecy? Harry was already thinking about what they will say which made him feel bad again.

“Harry?” Ron asked

Harry was silent for a moment and shook his head.

“There is nothing wrong… I'm just tired, that's all. I'm fine”

“No you're not” Ron shot back “You barely eat what mum cooks, you have shadows under your eyes, you hardly talk to any of us and Hermione noticed you don't pay attention in classes”

“What's the point?” Harry spoke feeling a bit affronted by Ron's sudden statement.

“Harry the point is that we want to know why are you so… lost” Hermione spoke taking his hand and stroking it soothingly “We want to help, Harry… We've known you for five years and we know when something is wrong. We want to be a part of it”

Harry pulled his hand from Hermione's and stood up.

“You don't know how painful it is to be a part of it…” Harry said perplexedly walking towards the dormitory stairs.

“Harry, please!” Hermione cried “We want to help!”

Harry turned to see Hermione on her feet with tears streaming down her face. While Ron looked on anxiously, hoping that Harry would tell them what's going on with him.

“Harry, Ron and I will always be with you no matter what” Hermione said quietly sniffing while she fought back a sob “Don't leave us in the dark!”

“Well,” Harry said shaking a bit “Now you know what it feels like being in the dark.”

And with that he left leaving Ron and Hermione disappointed.

Ever since then, Harry hasn't spoken to them. He wished he hadn't said those last words to them last night. It made him feel like an outcast again since he saw the two this morning in breakfast talking amongst themselves.

Harry looked at his watch to see he was protracted in this deserted classroom for almost two hours now. Dinner must've ended, Harry thought. He wasn't hungry. He seems to lose his appetite back in June. Fighting the urge to just spend the rest of the night in here, Harry stood up and went for the common room hoping that he wouldn't be interrogated by his friends again.

Fortunately, Ron and Hermione didn't talk to him about his problem that night. They were only doing schoolwork when he walked in and both of them completely ignored him. There was a time Harry wished they could at least try talking to them so he knew if they cared for him. With that in place, Harry just went up to the dormitory and prayed that tomorrow will be a better day than today.

- - -

The next day came and it was as miserable as yesterday. Harry didn't even ate his chocolate pudding during breakfast, He didn't want to talk with Ron and Hermione and the worst thing happened in Transfiguration before lunch.

“Potter?”

Harry woke from his reverie and saw McGonagall sternly looking at him.

“Yes?” Harry replied dully

“Can you tell me anything about today's lesson?”

Harry stood up from his seat and tried to think what McGonagall was talking about but nothing came out. His recent miseries have made him so distracted that he almost forgot that he was still studying. Since he didn't know anything, Harry just spoke quietly.

“I do not know, ma'am”

McGonagall made a brisk nod and told Harry to sit. Feeling a bit humiliated, Harry turned to see Ron and Hermione acting as if nothing has happened. After class, Harry was about to go to the Great Hall for lunch when someone called from behind.

“Potter?” it was McGonagall “May I have a word with you?”

Harry turned on his heel and went to McGonagall's desk. Harry knew what was coming. She was going to sermon him about his attitude a while ago.

“Potter,” McGonagall spoke “I've been noticing a lot of uncooperativeness from you recently. If you really want to become an Auror then why fail in class? Professor Flitwick has told me that you got a `Poor' on your practical test last week. Remember that I promised you that I will help you to become an Auror but your lack of cooperation makes me think otherwise. So answer me this: Is there anything bothering you? Anything at all?”

Harry looked at McGonagall. For the first time in his life, Harry look at her as if she was someone who cared for him a lot. Almost like a grandmother.

“You can tell me. It might help you boosting your grades up”

Harry pondered whether to tell McGonagall about his recent problem. Would be appropriate? She is the Deputy Headmistress of the school and it would feel like talking to Dumbledore… Dumbledore… Would she tell him if Harry let out what he was feeling? It was worth the risk. He needed to talk to someone who could understand.

“Well?” she asked sternly

Harry took a deep breath and said

“I've been having weird thoughts lately that it makes me very distracted…”

“Potter, I know about the death of your godfather and that -”

“No, it's not about Sirius” Harry cut her off “It's - It's about something else… something very serious”

Taking a moment of silence, Harry sighed.

“There is something I want to say to my friends but I can't tell since I'm afraid that they would - er - think of me differently… like some freak or something.”

McGonagall nodded thoughtfully.

“I see… Look Potter, if you want to keep your grades up you have to get over this. Tell them whatever you have to say. I'm pretty sure that they'll understand.”

“But what if they don't?” said Harry “What if they don't speak to me ever again?”

“Potter,” McGonagall shook her head slowly “I've known Ms. Granger for five years and it is the truth that she is an understanding person and that she always keeps her promises and Mr. Weasley is as faithful as anyone I've known. If you talk to them, try to tell them to promise that they won't react the way you fear they would.”

Harry didn't question how McGonagall knew he was referring to Ron and Hermione so all he did was nod.

“Now go for your lunch. I've got paper work to do” she said as she waved her wand making a quill write down on parchment papers checking them while she did her own set of parchment papers.

Harry muttered a “Thank you” and left the classroom feeling different than when he came in the room an hour ago.

- - -

Harry wasn't ready to tell them yet but McGonagall was right. He has to get over his problems in order to put his grades up. He felt guilty that he wasn't that cooperative with McGonagall in his studies to become an Auror. Sulking over a prophecy that is yet to happen in a long a time is almost pointless.

It has been three days since McGonagall talked to him and it was already Saturday. He was already feeling confident that Harry thought it would be a good idea to corner them in the common room while everyone was at breakfast so they can have a lot of privacy.

“Ron? Hermione?” Harry called them from behind while everyone was pouring out of the common room.

Ron and Hermione stopped on their tracks and turned to him.

“Yes?” Ron and Hermione said in unison.

“May I speak with you?” Harry halfheartedly said

Ron and Hermione exchanged looks and Harry noticed Hermione pursing her lips anxiously.

“Of course you can, Harry.” Hermione said “You can tell us anything”

“Yeah, we were worried about you” Ron spoke “So - er -what it is you want to talk about?”

Then before Harry could open his mouth he realized how risky this would be. How will they take it? Will they be afraid of his safety? Will they desert him? Will they feel awkward with his situation that one of them or both of them will not talk to him?

“You know what?” Harry looked at the ground not looking at them “Never mind… it's just stupid -”

“Harry,” Hermione walked towards him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder “Don't hold it in… I know how much you want to tell. I can feel it”

Harry looked up as Hermione held his cheek. She looked at him while her brown eyes were anxiously looking at his brilliant green ones.

“Please, Harry? Don't deny the fact that we care for you as much as we known you. You can talk to us”

Harry held Hermione's hand which was still holding his cheek. He took her hand while looking at her and nodded.

“Oh, Harry” Hermione said quietly pulling him in a hug making him feel for the first time in a long time comfortable and cared for.

Ron pulled Hermione away as Harry was already feeling taut as she was hugging too tight.

“Before I tell you anything, I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, you'll always be here for me, okay?” Harry said

Ron and Hermione nodded.

“Okay…” Harry sighed.

It was now or never.

Harry told them everything… every single detail on how he felt and how he reacted towards his environment. They listened to everything he said while Hermione would nudge Ron on the ribs if he interrupted. Harry was feeling every invisible weight in his body disappear as he rambled on. He thought everything went uphill when he started to tell them about the prophecy…

“There is one thing you should know” Harry bit his lower lip “Do you still remember the prophecy about me and Voldemort? The one that broke last June before we could even see what was inside it?”

Ron and Hermione nodded.

“Well…” Harry took a deep breath “After our fiasco back at the Department of Mysteries Dumbledore told me what was inside it… he was the one who heard it from Professor Trelawney sixteen years ago in the Hog's Head.”

Then Harry told them about everything Dumbledore told him two months ago. From Dumbledore's plan on how to keep Harry safe from the terrible truth that he's been hiding all along and finally, he told Ron and Hermione what the prophecy said. After talking, there was dead silence. Harry prayed in his mind that nothing bad would happen next.

After a very long silent moment, Ron spoke.

“What - what did it mean?”

“It meant that a boy will be born with the power to destroy Voldemort. That boy is me. I was born on the end of the seventh month… though there is another one who did too who qualifies the things that was said in the prophecy”

“Who?” Hermione asked

“Neville,”

“Neville?” Ron and Hermione said in unison

“Yes… but Voldemort chose me, not Neville so nothing will change in the prophecy. I wish it did but no. He gave me this damn scar to mark me”

“But it could've been a mistake!” Ron cried “Are you sure you heard it right?”

Harry nodded.

“How could I forget something so true and so horrible?”

“But,” Hermione spoke “the prophecy said that… `neither can live'…”

“… while the other survives,” said Harry

“But then…” Hermione was breathing fast and deep “Then that means… that either you or Voldemort has to kill each other while the other one is alive?”

“Till the end” Harry assured her.

Hermione held her chest while she breathed fast. Harry feared she was freaking out.

“But it can't be true?” Hermione spoke her voice was shaking and rising “Can't it? It must be a mistake! Remember that Divination is an imprecise branch of magic -”

“It wasn't a mistake, Hermione” said Harry “It was true -”

“BUT WHAT IF IT WAS A MISTAKE!” Hermione cried “It can't be you, it just can't… It might be Neville -”

“Hermione,” Harry cautiously said “Dumbledore already confirmed that Neville isn't the chosen one… I am. Voldemort chose no one but me -”

Hermione was already in tears.

“Oh my god… I - I can't believe what I'm hearing… Harry, you can't be the chosen one! What if you get killed? I - don't - it just that - OH, HARRY!”

Harry looked down on the floor as Hermione turned and walked towards a corner sobbing. Harry didn't expect this. Hermione was always the understanding one, why doesn't she at least care that he needs his friend's support?

“Hermione,” said Ron “Don't take this too hard”

Hermione turned biting her lower lip while she was fighting of sobs and tears.

“Too hard? It is too hard, Ron! Even if the prophecy is true we have no idea if Harry is capable of defeating the most powerful dark wizard of our time! If that means losing Harry then I don't want to believe it!”

Harry closed his eyes. He was a bit angry and very concerned about Hermione's reaction. He knew how she felt… how it felt to know that someone you cared for is in a situation that involves death.

“At least be supportive” Ron pleaded

“I am supportive!” she cried “I am just worried what Voldemort might do to you!” she looked at Harry with her bloodshot eyes.

“Hermione,” said Harry “I dunno what will I do right now but I will do anything to defeat him… I can't escape that no matter what. It will happen, Hermione. Whether you like it or not I must fight with him… even when I'm not strong enough.

Hermione sniffed and covered her face with her hands. Harry looked down sad on what he was seeing. Hermione was just crying at the corner while Ron looked like he was touched by an electric wire.

“You know,” said Hermione “I can't even look at you right now” she was referring to Harry.

Hermione walked up the girl's dormitory and when they heard the slam of the door above, Harry looked at Ron.

“Don't worry, mate” he said “I'm shocked and sad as you are but I believe you can defeat You-Know-Who. Hermione is just taking this rather too hard… she cares a lot about you, you know?”

Harry looked at the dormitory stairs and wished he could go up and talk to her but due to the restriction of males going up the girl's dormitories, that can't happen.

“C'mon, Harry” said Ron “Let's go…”

- - -

Harry felt very worried about Hermione's behavior last weekend. He somehow wished he could undo what he did back then. He felt so stupid doing it… but what baffles him most was the way Hermione took the news. It was almost… unHermione.

Hermione didn't talk with Harry for the next few days. Ron would tell Harry that she wouldn't want to talk about him or the prophecy. Harry was glad Ron was with him. It made Harry even gladder that Ron believed in him.

Hermione's silent treatment brought Harry to think that he should at least talk to her. Make her see things the way he does or probably solve why Hermione is like this. She is always reasonable and rational in situations like this. Harry wanted to know… he had a plan.

On the day before Halloween, Harry left a note in Hermione's bag telling her that he wants to talk to her in the Astronomy Tower at eight o'clock. Ron didn't know this since Harry was concerned that Ron might tell Hermione in advance.

That night, Harry took his Invisibility Cloak and left the common room for the Astronomy Tower hoping that Hermione would come. He hasn't seen her since breakfast. Harry went up the Grand Staircase pondering what will happen… Will she understand? Hermione's intentions were now a top priority to Harry. The prophecy wasn't in his mind anymore despite that the circumstance is related to it.

His feet dragged along to the top floor and he found himself on the foot of the staircase which leads to Astronomy Tower. Harry climbs to the top of it and pushed the door open to see Hermione already there waiting for him.

“Hermione?”

Hermione looked at him. She looked dead serious.

“I saw this in my bag” she took out the note he wrote earlier.

Harry tried to force a smile but refrained from doing so.

“Hermione,” Harry started “I'm concerned about you and your behavior for the past few days… I know the prophecy is hard to believe but it will happen… No matter what might come.”

“I know, Harry” she was fiddling with her hands “I'm sorry I had to shout like that… I was just… sad and shocked knowing that you have this big decision to make.” She took out a handkerchief and blew her nose.

“Please, don't cry” Harry pleaded “After dating Cho, I realized that crying women make me uncomfortable.”

“Sorry,” Hermione apologized, wiping away tears.

There was a long silence…

“So…” Harry broke the ice “Why were you acting like that anyway?”

Hermione didn't meet Harry's eyes.

“I - I already told you… I'm just shocked that you - you are in danger of being killed.”

“That's not what you said,” Harry assured her “You said that you were sad and shocked because of how big this is”

“Oh,” Hermione replied weakly wiping her nose fighting back more tears.

“Can you tell me truthfully what you are feeling?” said Harry

Hermione took a deep breath which became a soft hiccup.

“Okay… Well, the reason why I freaked out was that I - I don't want to lose you. Really, I don't. I tried to not believe it. I convinced myself how imprecise Divination is but no… just like you said: It's inevitable… I just can't believe that you are in danger of being killed and I'm always wondering if you are scared as much as I am…”

Harry allowed her to make a small sob.

“I'm sorry,” she said inaudibly “you have to see me like this”

“It's okay… You have every right.” said Harry placing a placate hand on her shoulder which made her shiver.

After for a few minutes, Harry placed his hand down and looked at his best friend looking at the ground.

“Actually,” Hermione said “there is also another reason…” she gave Harry a very significant look

“What reason?”

Then in an instant, Harry felt a bit taken aback when Hermione's cheeks turn a faint shade of red. She bit her lower lip and looked around nervously. Harry has never seen Hermione this nervous before. She continued rocking on the balls of feet and with another deep breath…

“I think… I'm - er - seeing you in a way that I shouldn't” she gulped as she bit her lower lip.

Harry urged her to go on.

“I think,” she continued “I'm in love with you…” then her face exploded with redness as she looked down.

The words took a long time to register in Harry's mind. Then it hit him. He looked at her blushing face and now realized why Hermione was so heartrending.

“Oh,” Harry said in realization.

“That is why I'm like this Harry” Hermione said taking her courage up “You are the chosen one… You have to defeat Voldemort whether you like it or not” then she took a deep breath “I loved you ever since we became friends Harry… you were like my brother till last year when I realized how hard it is for you to cope with things…” she was walking closer to Harry “You weren't… happy. It made me sad to see my friend that way… and now with this I'm not sure if you'll survive Voldemort” she sniffed moving closer to Harry “If you die then I'll never forgive myself for not telling you how I feel”

Harry was already aware that Hermione was close to him and without jerking his head away from her, Hermione pressed her lips against his. Harry's eyes widened like dishes to see what was happening. Hermione is kissing him!

Hermione held Harry's cheek and after the very brief kiss, Hermione pulled away as she looked at Harry with tears already streaming down her face. She wasn't blushing anymore.

“I just want you to be happy.” She said very weakly fighting the urge to cry.

Then without a word, Hermione left the tower leaving Harry shocked than ever hearing the sound of the wind and the distant crying of Hermione as she went down the Astronomy Tower.

To be continued...

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