Harry Potter H&Hr Fluff Collection

Season 1 Finale:

XVIII

The Prophecy II

“You are the chosen one… You have to defeat Voldemort whether you like it or not. 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… 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. If you die then I'll never forgive myself for not telling you how I feel… I just want you to be happy…”

These words swirled in Harry's mind as he walked back to the common room like a zombie. This was so unexpected, he thought. Hermione, of all people, would be in love with him. The thought of it made him numb from the head toes the toes. Her feelings for him sparked lots of realizations that he was so blind of.

Was that why Hermione looked at him weird when he had his first kiss with Cho? She did sound interrogating when he told them. He then remembered Hermione failing to tell him to make a good excuse to Cho during his date when was going to get an interview with Rita Skeeter the very same day… did she fail to mention this in purpose? She did give him advice on his relationship with Cho but didn't work out so well. Where they intended to be bad advice? So Hermione can let Harry do stupid things in front of Cho so they can both breakup just to let Hermione swoop in on the fray? The idea was a bit appalling but it almost made sense.

How about before fifth year? Did Hermione leave any hints of her liking him? Well, there were times when she would grab his arm and hug him instantly. Was she taking advantage? Harry nearly stumbled at a jagged flagged stone on the floor which brought his senses back realizing that he was already on the top landing of the Grand Staircase. If he climbs down right now, he can avoid the consequences of letting the staircase move and bringing him to another place.

Back into his thoughts… Harry started thinking about Hermione again. Why? Why her? Harry always looked at her like a sister, nothing more. She saw her at the Yule Ball and she was indeed very pretty but he didn't feel it… or did he? Harry was already in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady and muttered the password (“snowflake”) which leads him into the common room half hoping that Hermione wasn't in there.

Fortunately, she wasn't except for a group of third years, a couple of first years, Ron and Ginny. Before Harry walked towards them he realized that he was about share an experience that would make things uncomfortable. He knew very well that Ron had a major crush on Hermione and he was not sure if Ron got over it. What if he told them? Ron would not talk to him reiterating painful memories from his fourth year.

Harry made a good recovery doing a backing away quickly and walking up towards the dormitory. He wasn't keen into doing, as Dudley told Harry ones about teenage girls when he was boasting about having a girlfriend, “kiss and tell”.

He pulled the hangings of his four-poster and lay on his back wondering where on earth is Hermione now and what was she thinking as he is here doing the same… she was probably at her dormitory crying her eyes out after what she did, Harry thought. Harry lifted his hands and touched his lips, the spot where Hermione kissed him. His head went to Hermione. Was she expecting him to kiss back or return, what she thinks, feelings to her? Did she cry out disappointment? Harry rolled on his bed and felt an uncomfortable lurch in his stomach. He remembered that Hermione would be tutoring him and Ron about Advance Transfiguration as McGonagall told she would do. The thought of him, Ron and Hermione being in the library and being tutored by a girl who kissed him last night would seem very, very weird.

“I just want to make you happy”

For the first time since he heard the prophecy, these words now haunted Harry in a way as if he would never be happy again. A small prickle in the back of his neck made him realize he was a bit cold and was about grab his Invisibility Cloak on the foot of the bed where he left it since Crookshanks pooped on his sheets three days ago. He realized it wasn't there and forgot about it when he heard footsteps coming outside. The door opened and Harry saw through the small opening of the hangings to see Ron entering the dorm looking a bit worried.

“Harry?” he called. Harry ignored him.

“Harry? Hermione told me to check on you. Are you okay?”

Harry's stomach made another uncomfortable lurch. Hermione told Ron to check if he was okay? Why doesn't she just climb up and do that herself? The sound of the door slamming signaled Ron's departure. Harry looked up at the air wishing that he didn't tell the prophecy to Ron and Hermione. Doing it made a whole mess in his friendship with Hermione… why did he have to spill? Yesterday, he had one big problem to worry about and now he seems to have a million of problems but it really was two. Harry sighed deeply, removed his glasses, places them on the end table beside him and fell asleep.

- - -

Harry woke up from the cold that was crawling on his skin. He opened his eyes to see the dormitory deserted and his Invisibility Cloak on the foot of his bed. Harry swung his legs out of bed and rubbed his eyes. Today, while everyone went on the scheduled Hogsmeade trip, he would be tutored by the one who is in love with him… shoud he go?

Feeling dread in his gut, Harry dressed up and grabbed his Transfiguration things and went down on the common room.

“Hello?” Harry called on the deserted common room. Harry checked his watch to see it was already half past eight. He was late for the tutoring. Harry climbed out of the portrait hole and rushed for the library. He held a stitch on his side as he entered the library.

“Excuse me?” Harry asked Madam Pince, the strict librarian “Er - did Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley came here?”

Saying Hermione's name was also uncomfortable to Harry.

“I'm sorry, Potter” said the librarian “But I haven't seen them in a while. If I do I will call your attention immediately.”

With worry and hurt in his feelings, Harry left the library with his Advance Transfiguration clutched under his arm wondering where they could be. The thought of Hermione and Ron studying together and leaving him out of it hurt him like a curse on the chest. Was Hermione already leaving him in the dark because of what she did last night? Does she want anything to do with him now that she admitted she loved him more than anything right now? Harry scratched his head out of frustration as he made his way for the Transfiguration classroom thinking that was the most obvious place to go.

Like the library, they weren't there and this made Harry almost feel worse than before. They always worked in the library and Hermione said if not there then go the Transfiguration classroom but if they are not here then where should he go next?

Harry ran towards the nearest deserted classroom but found no one there. The next place was the library again just incase he was there too early but they weren't there. Harry gave up and decided to go back to the common room guessing that they were there while he acted like an idiot looking for them. He returned to the common room to see it crowded by first and second years. They must've come back from breakfast. Harry did nothing but ignores the eyes of some curious first years and climbed back to his dormitory.

Harry came down from the dormitory an hour later after procrastinating his time on why wasn't Ron and Hermione available at the time he was supposed to be with them. There was still no sign of them and it started to tick him off. Where were they?

He got his answer some time around twilight when the students from Hogsmeade returned. Surprisingly, among the crowd was Ron.

“Harry!” called Ron as he approached towards Harry “Where were you? Hermione said that you would be at Hogsmeade”

“What?” Harry asked puzzlingly

“Remember? She said you didn't come to tutoring because you were busy or something and decided to tutor in another area then you we would meet us at Three Broomsticks afterwards and then you weren't there, what gives? Hermione reckoned you were late but you didn't come all day”

Harry shook his head dumbstruck.

“What do you mean? Are you I wasn't going to tutoring because I was busy and you tutored in another place?”

“Yes,” said Ron

“And that I would meet you two in the Three Broomsticks and that I didn't meet you?”

“Mmhmm,”

“And Hermione said all of this?”

“Yup, when you weren't at Three Broomsticks she said that you probably didn't want to come after all promising that you would -”

“What!?” Harry said loudly making some Gryffindors look at him surprisingly “She said that?” he hissed.

“Er - yeah - are you okay, Harry?” Ron asked cautiously

Harry stared into space feeling like someone slapped him in the face. Why was Hermione cutting him off? Why the hell did she lie to Ron making him think Harry was a no-show? He acted like a poor idiot running around the castle unknown that they were tutoring in another place that Hermione failed to mention to him. Sure, it would be awkward studying with her after last night's events but why is she cutting him off from her? The thought of her doing this made Harry shake with anger and the very thought that Hermione would even dare to lie and make Ron think Harry broke his promise made him even so mad.

“Where's Hermione?” Harry spat

Ron looked a bit taken aback but answered.

“She - she went to the Room of Requirement. That's where we studied. She went there to get something.”

Without saying a word, Harry dashed out of the common room and walked towards the Room of Requirement which was only nearby considering that the common room was on the same floor and only a few walks apart.

Harry saw the familiar door to the room and noticed it stood ajar. He saw movements through the gap and caught a glimpse of bushy brown hair waving inside. Without hesitating, Harry banged the door open which made Hermione jump and look at him with uttermost horror.

“I got a bone to pick with you” Harry spat at her

“Wha - what?” she stuttered

“Ron just told me that you reckoned I won't be on today's tutoring. What? Failed to mention it to me? He also said that you were studying in another venue forcing me to look like an idiot walking around the school holding a heavy damn book asking questions about where you two were! Did you even care to mention it to me or left me a note or pass the message to Ron so he can tell me?”

“Harry,” Hermione breathed “Look - ”

“WHY ARE YOU CUTTING ME OFF? What? Because after that stupid kiss you are so freaked out about me? And you were afraid about how I would react so you plan to get rid of me? I have feelings to you know. You tell me yours and now I tell you mine but it looks like you aren't allowing that, are you? You think you'll tell me then you'll leave me having more problems in my life?”

“Harry, please -”

Harry cuts her off.

“What does it take for me to let you know how I feel about this thing and to know that I damn care? What, what? Do - do, do I have to save your life from a troll? Protect you from a giant that was about to hurt you? Allow you to hold my arm a billion times? Hug me for comfort? Stopping someone from hurting you from Killing Curses? Feel very, very worried when I thought you were dead? Make you feel welcome? Let you kiss me and me accepting it? - oh wait a minute - I DID ALL THOSE DAMN THINGS, HERMIONE!!”

There was a slight pause.

“Harry, please… listen to me -”

“No,” Harry cut her off again, raising a hand “You know what? Save it. I just decided that maybe the feelings you admitted last night didn't mean anything. Maybe the feelings that I might develop for you are fake...” he paused then “Thanks a lot, Hermione. Be happy when your best friend dies”

“Harry, wait -!”
Harry ignored her and left the room feeling angrier than before and a bit guilty for shouting at the person who has never shouted at him.

- - -

It was a bad night for Harry. He didn't go down for dinner feeling the uncomfortable lurch in his stomach again. He yelling at someone so supportive of him throughout the years was as worst killing life itself. Harry turned on his bed and wiped his eyes imagining the sad and hurt face of Hermione in the Room of Requirement when he left. Harry was angry but his compassion and guilt took over him and made him feel pity for her. He knew that it would be a long time till he ever talked to her again. She was in love with him, after all.

The door opened behind him making him jump to see it was Ron looking at him with concern.

“Harry? Can I speak with you?”

Harry shrugged a bit which Ron took as a yes.

“Erm - it's about Hermione.” Said Ron sitting on his bed

Harry felt a bit of a belly flop on his stomach.

“What - what about Hermione?”

“I saw her crying at the library before dinner. I thought of finding her there since she wasn't at the Room of Requirement… did something happen to her?”

“Why would you think that?” said Harry

“Well, she said the most unusual thing. I was comforting her, then I asked her what was wrong then she said `Nothing was wrong' but I knew there was… Do you have any clue?”

Harry shook his head.

“Hmmm,” Ron continued “Do you think she's still bothered about the prophecy?”

“Why would she? She probably got over it in time. Was she normal back in tutoring this morning?” Harry lied

“Yeah, kinda but nothing odd was there…” Ron replied “Anyway, I asked her again what was really wrong then she kind of got irritated on me and said `I'm fine, my knickers are just too tight!'” he was shaking amusingly “I was like, what in bloody hell? I left her to find you - you know - just incase you might know something… do you?”

Harry gulped and his heart beat a bit faster

“No,”

Ron sighed.

“Well, after what she said it made me want to ask you this Harry” he stood up and moved to Harry and looked at him in the eye “Alright, tell me the whole truth Harry”

Harry was already biting his lower lip having the gut feeling that Ron will break him that he would tell what he did to her a while ago.

“Tell me, Harry… Were you or were you not in a wedgie spree?”

And for the first time ever in Harry's life, Harry realized how dense Ron can be in solving problems. It almost made him laugh. Of course, Harry said “No” telling him he didn't pull a wedgie on Hermione or anyone, rather. After a bit of chit chat, Ron left leaving Harry to his business.

Harry thought it was all over with Ron when he came back in again.

“Ron, I told you I didn't -”

Harry turned to see Hermione looking at him with so much determination and fury in her eyes.

“Oh,” said Harry “It's you”

Hermione slammed the door behind her. She looked very angry and sad.

“Do you think I don't care about you?” she hissed, shaking in anger while tears were welling up in her chocolate brown eyes. “Do you even know how hard it is to know that you are likely going to die?” she sniffed “Well, news flash, Harry! It is hard! How can I live without you? Oh how would feel to wake up everyday knowing that someone you cared for is gone from your life?”

She took a deep breath and continued.

“Voldemort will come out and try to kill you eventually! I believe you can defeat him but how can I be sure that a hundred percent that you will be back from Voldemort safely? I was trying to avoid you because I wasn't ready to face the fact that someone I fell in love with would likely die in the hands of someone evil that hell itself spat him back out.”

Harry didn't answer back.

“So if you think I ignored you and abandoned to you because you don't mean as much to me as everybody else, you're wrong. It's because you mean more to me!” she pointed and poked his chest very hard.

“Hermione!” Harry finally spoke

“What?” she spat.

Harry walks over to her and kisses her on the lips. Ebbing all the anger, the hate and the sadness away. They pulled back while Harry didn't look at her for a moment. There was a very long pause between the two of then all of a sudden, Harry felt Hermione's hands grabbing his cheeks and made him turn to her. Then slowly, Hermione pulled him to kiss her. Harry returned the kiss and after a long minute of kissing, they broke apart and Hermione looked at down with teary eyes.

“I'm so sorry, Harry” Hermione said quietly, sobbing “I didn't mean to hurt you”

Harry held her hands and smiled.

“I'm sorry for shouting at you a while ago”

Hermione smiled and hugged him while she rested on his chest. Harry looked at her and halfheartedly wrapped his hand around her making her feel comfortable. Harry then felt a sudden change in mood. As if everything from his problems; the prophecy, Sirius, Voldemort, studies, and the like disappeared from his mind… It was a pleasant feeling… a very pleasant feeling.

And they stayed that way… in a world where there was no war, no prophecies that decided their fate, no Slytherins that would insult you, no teacher that would bully you just for the sake of it, no nothing… they just hugged while distant music of jazz started playing around them.

After the longest pause ever… Hermione muttered.

“I love you,”

Harry smirked.

“I know,”

THE END

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Author's Note: Well, there goes Season 1. I hope you all like it. Season 2 will start two weeks from now and hopefully, you would enjoy that too. See ya at next season!

~ goldenhearted

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