Harry sat in the Quidditch prep room, dressing in his uniform. The team was shouting random things at each other, pumping themselves up for the big game which would be starting in only a matter of minutes. Harry still sat there on the bench, pulling on his dark leather gloves in total silence as he flexed his fingers to fit perfectly around his gloves. The room was beginning to feel crowded, with all the chattering team mates. He kept to himself for most of the time in the room until he found himself repeating the words Ron had said to him earlier that morning.
It was a strange way to start off a Quidditch game day. Harry got out of bed and showered quickly, not wanting to be late for breakfast, again. The head boy and girl dorms remained quiet, even on Hermione's end. Harry gathered his things off his bed and quickly shoved on his shoes. A quick look over his room, and he shut the door behind him as he made his way quietly down to their common room. It was deserted, as expected. Harry tiptoed across the stone floor saw that Hermione was making her way down her set of stairs. Harry stood at the bottom, trying not to look like he was waiting for her. He turned away slowly and started walking.
Hermione passed him, ruffling her hair and tightening her robe stiffly, "Morning Harry," she whispered as naturally as she could.
Harry turned around and looked at her, "Morning," he answered back in and obligated tone
Hermione continued to make her way across the common room. Harry turned and watched her leave through the portrait hole. Ron came in and smiled at Hermione as she made her way out.
"Harry, you're awake," Ron said excitingly.
"Yeah I've been awake a while. You ready for the big day? We'll be spending nearly all of it on the pitch you know."
Ron bit his bottom lip and strode closer to Harry in a demanding way.
"Harry we need to talk. I'm going to say this because I'm your best friend and I think it's time you heard it," he said, sitting himself in an oversized chair.
Harry made a confused face and stood there for a minute. Seeing that Ron was serious, Harry sat on a sofa angled toward the chair Ron was in. Harry leaned with his elbows on his knees and stared at him.
"Harry, we need to discuss the Hermione issue. I think it's time you swallowed your pride and made up with her. She's your friend too and she's hurting…"
Ron's voice faded from Harry's mind as he was interrupted by his team mates shuffling out of the room. Harry jumped back to his senses and got up from the bench he was sitting on.
"Hermione, you can do this. We've gone over it a million times and we all think you're ready," Ginny said soothingly as Hermione paced about her room. Lavender and Parvati sat on her bed with Ginny, their heads turning with each directional change Hermione made in her steps. She stopped and looked at them.
"I don't know if I can do it," she said finally, the feeling of intimidation running through her at full speed.
"Hermione, you have to settle this sometime," Lavender said. Parvati and Ginny nodded and stood up to give her a hug for encouragement.
Hermione took a deep breath and confidently threw her robe on. "You're right. I can't keep doing this. I can't just leave here knowing I could have done something."
The girls squealed with delight and followed her as Hermione walked with confidence out of her room and into the Hogwarts corridors. Hermione's pace quickened and she broke out in a run.
"Faster Hermione! You want to get in there before the game starts," Ginny called from behind her as she grew farther and farther away. Hermione turned her head around with a smile on her face as she kept running.
"Save me a seat and I'll tell you how it goes!"
Hermione ran and ran with all her might and burst through the oak doors.
In the prep room, Harry quickly located his things and grabbed his broom. When he approached the back door that led out onto the pitch, there was a light knocking noise on the main door, followed by the creaking sound of it opening. Harry stopped and put his things down to go see what was going on.
"Come on guys! I told you I would be ou-" Harry started as he made his way through the rows of lockers.
His heart rate sped up at seeing the last person he would ever expect. Hermione. He suddenly lost feeling in the tips of his fingers and forgot how to move his feet. He just stood there staring at her as she hesitantly moved closer. Harry stumbled back out of surprise and still just looked at her with a blank expression on his face. She stopped and looked at the ground, playing with her fingers. Then she finally looked up.
"Harry, I'm sorry," she said sweetly and meaning every word. Harry's eyes wandered to hers as he stood there in shock. Hermione looked shaken up by the whole situation but slowly stepped closer.
The door swung open again and someone stepped through. It was professor Mcgonagall.
"Mr. Potter, we need you to go-" she stopped as she rounded the corner and saw Harry and Hermione standing there with strange looks on their faces. "You have fifteen minutes. Be out there by then." Harry nodded and she left.
Hermione turned her head back to face Harry, still feeling awkward that she was even within breathing distance of him.
"Harry, just let me say something before I…get to the point where I just can't do this."
Harry nodded slowly, keeping his mouth shut to allow her to continue.
"I don't know why you insist on avoiding me, but that hurts. It hurts me badly. I don't want to give up on you, but I'm giving this one last shot, hoping you'll change your mind and want to still be my friend. We don't have much time left."
She walked over to the bench Harry had been sitting on and had a seat. Harry turned to face her as she slowly settled herself down. He folded his arms uncomfortably and watched her with much interest. The way she brushed her hair out of her eyes and blinked with her fluttering lashes, made him automatically feel like the fool he had been. Then she looked up into his eyes, with a deep pleading look in hers.
"Harry please. Can't we just put this past us?"
"Hermione," he began.
Hearing her own name coming out of his mouth made her melt inside. She wanted so much just to run into his arms and hug him, never letting him go.
"Look, I want to get past this too, but I'm afraid of putting you in that danger again. And it's not just that. There's something else."
Hermione forced a fake smile and stood up quickly, walking hesitantly to the door and opening it. She turned around slowly, looking at Harry standing all by himself in the big room. She tried to smile and started to push her way out, afraid of what might happen if she stayed. Harry inched closer to her and sped up as the door shut all the way.
"Hermione wait." He called out in a loud voice. Harry slammed himself against the door and opened it quickly, deciding to go after her. She was running at top speed, already half way to the stands and it was too late. Harry walked back into the prep room slowly and picked up his broom.
He opened the back door that led onto the pitch with the rest of his team, slamming the door hard behind him and stalking off to sit by Ron, who had a strange look on his face at hearing the slamming door.