A/N: Ahem, my newest story, hope you enjoy it but I don't think I'll be updating anytime sooner because I have school starting and you all know what that means, homework and more of it. {} denotes Harry's thoughts. () Hermione's thoughts.
Summary : Ever had someone you cared about but as a friend? or not? When were you torn between love and friendship? As Harry and Hermione join in holy matrimony just to avoid other relationships, they find themselves in one.
Disclaimer : This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Key Words : Sins , horror, forest , mansion.
Rating : Pg-13
Spoilers : Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets , Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone, Harry Potter and The Prisoner Of Azkaban , Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire.
Pairings : Harry / Hermione , Ron / OC , Ginny/ Draco, Harry/ Estella and Hermione/ Christian.
Prologue
***
Harry walked inside his two room apartment, scanning the living room for Hermione , he peeked in both his room and Hermione's but she wasn't there. Suddenly, out of no where, Hermione walked out tear strickened, with a box of Kleenex in one hand and a teddy bear in the other. Harry immediately took her in his embrace and led her towards the couch. -
"What happened?"
"He (sob) …. wants me to stop…."
"Stop what?"
"from seeing you"
"What?" while scrunching his brow.
"He said that there was more between us , something more , it's like we're in love or something" sobbing hysterically.
"Ridiculous"
"I know, but I couldn't live my life without you, you're my best friend, god , how could he even think that?'
"I don't know"
She once again , pulled Harry into a hug, he rocked her back and forth , rubbing her back rigidly while his thumb wiped away Hermione'e tears.
"I dumped him"
Harry pulled back.
"Pardon"
"I left him"
"Why?"
"Harry, if he cant accept that you're my best friend and I love you , I cant accept him"
"But Hermione ……. his perfect for you"
"But I care for you more"
A heart felt smile came along his perfect shaped lips, he found himself in another nestle with Hermione , with her head on his chest and his hand caressing her curls. He pulled her closer to him, wanting to feel more of her warmth, " I love you" he whispered, but heavy breathing from her deep slumber indicated that she didn't even hear a word he said. So, they fell asleep in each other's sweet embrace, enjoying just being there for each other.
***
He felt like the devil wanted to stick a pitch fork inside his brain, a psychopath sticking forks on his head or it could just Hedwig trying to wake him up. The throbbing stopped, Harry's eyes shot open and he felt something bump on his shoulder. He looked down and saw Hedwig on the floor with a letter attached to his leg, Harry laughed -
"You ok there buddy?"
Hedwig hooted petered.
"Let's see what you got there" while opening a dark red envelope. Suddenly , it screamed :-
"WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT? I WAS WORRIED SICK! HONESTLY, HARRY POTTER, IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER I'D THINK YOU WERE WITH THAT SLUT, HER……." he closed the letter, not wanting to hear more.
"Harry" Hermione breathed, he looked at her and silenced her with a finger on her lips.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head off , I'll tell her the truth and everything will be fine"
"I hope, I cant bare for you to lose another lover because of me"
"Those girls were mad , they kept accusing me of loving you"
Hermione smiled. "Those girls were madly sane , Harry. You would come home early just to keep me company and you actually told them!. I understand those girls and I cant help but apologize."
"You don't have to apologize, they're selfish prats"
She turned away. "I remember that day, you were with her intimately , kissing , touching , both of you practically half naked but when I walked in with a tea red face and sobbing like hell , you actually stopped in front of her to console me. She looked at us with that face, I mean , I still remember those features, completely dismayed , I'm sorry , Harry , I'm sorry for everything"
"Please don't , Hermione , please stop apologizing , what was done has been done . I love you, more than a sister can love a brother , more than a mother could her sons , I love you, you're my everything, they don't understand and remember, I'd rather lose a million girl friends, rather than lose you" while touching her bare arm.
She couldn't look at him at that moment, knowing that he had suffered so many heart breaks because of her, knowing that she had suffered so many ominous moments because of him , knowing that they love each other more than life itself. He touched her nape, making her squint at his collision , his hands traveled towards the small of her back , she gasped silently, both his hands spread across her waist and pulled Hermione towards himself. Bringing his rosy lips towards her neck, her sensitive area, he kissed it affectionately, Hermione giggled "Harry!". He grinned and began to kiss it even more, small kisses trailing across her bare neck , she let out a high pitched scream.
As the jubilant pair enjoyed being with each other, they didn't notice the doorknob turning, a female voice sounded , Hermions and Harry turned to look with his arms still around her. He looked up and immediately let go off Hermione , her features changed drastically , from that broad smile to an apologetic look. She looked at Harry and mouthed "sorry" , while walking to her own room.
He watched as she walked away reluctantly, he turned his gaze towards the perturbed girl standing in front of him. She glared at him which persevered into a tight slap across his face, he looked up at her without even breathing a word.-
"How dare you!"
"There was nothing going on" he said phlegmatically.
"Don't play games with me, Harry. I know what's going on and if you were to say that we're just friends, I don't love her or she means nothing to me I would understand but you never said anything like that"
"That's just it! She means the world to me, she's my best friend!"
"Harry, I admire your honesty but in the process your hurting a lot of people"
"You all don't understand"
"I do understand , you love her, she means the world to you but I cant help but feel you love her more than me"
"That's because I do, god damn it , Callista , I've known her practically all my life and I've only been dating you for 3 months"
At this revolution, tears began to stream from Callista's eyes , she covered her mouth with her bare hand and ran out of the room. Harry groaned and started for her.
"Callista!" he screamed. With only a few inches in between the two, Harry reached out and grabbed her elbow, pulling her to a halt. Her whole face was red and warm with a nose to match, both of them were breathing heavily . :-
"Callista" he managed to say.
"What?'
"I'm sorry, please don't go"
"What are you sorry for anyway?'
He didn't reply.
"See, you don't bloody well know what you did wrong. I'll tell you. This was what you did wrong with the other girls, you put her first, before your life, before your lovers. You put her first"
Again, censorship filled the air.
"Potter, you really are screwed" she walked away.
He sighed.
***
Harry walked back to his apartment, wanting to talk to his best friend but as he arrived , his best friend was leaving. With a black robe , white shirt and khaki pants with her brown curls held up , it was obvious she didn't try hard.
{not this one too}
He coughed faintly, trying to get Hermione's attention, she jumped , he smirked . Although his tone was serious and cool but Hermione could detect a cinch of pain :-
"Where you going?'
"I-I …… needed to go to the library " she stuttered.
"Oh" he riposte. and walked inside .
"Mr. Potter, you make life so hard at times" she muttered.
She was about to turn on her heel when Harry's head probed out the door. :-
"Dinner at Fidelle's later?"
"I'm not sure, I need to do a lot of research "
He pleaded with her.
"We'll see" and she walked off .
***
She walked with an umbrella leaned against her right shoulder, covering her whole body , she looked at the serene rain drops hitting the cold hard ground. Her gawk moved from the faculty buildings to plants. Suddenly her Sihircakap rang, (a/n : a cell phone for witches) she looked at the LCD screen and smiled -
"Harry" while answering the phone.
"Hermione"
"Where are you?" he asked
"At College, enjoying the rain"
"How pneumonic"
Hermione suddenly stepped in a puddle and it splashed across her black robe .
"AAHHH!!"
"What's wrong?" Harry dropped his quill.
"My robe's wet!"
"God, Herm, I thought it was something important"
"My robe is important!"
"Right….."
"Potter! If you just called me be a prat , I'm hanging up"
"NO! don't, I wanted to ask you about dinner"
"You don't give up very easily , do you Mr. Potter?
"Not particularly , Ms. Granger"
"Like I said , I have to do a lot of research"
"Please, Hermi"
"We'll see"
"HERM!"
"But I'm too lazy to play Barbie doll today"
"Let's play Kenya then"
Hermione laughed.
"You don't have to dress up, Herm, it's Fidelle's , they've seen you hammered , blown, high and soaked"
"Don't remind me"
"Please come with me"
"Oh ,fine. Meet me there at 8 pm sharp"
Harry smiled.
***
Harry studied his watch, 8:21 pm , {where is she} , he shifted in his seat , moved his gaze towards the door. No sign of Hermione. He looked down and when he looked up, there she was. Sweat filled her temples , mascara running down her eyelids but as he watched her, to know that she was rushing for him, no one could have looked more beautiful. She headed towards Harry , taking a seat opposite him, she noticed Harry's gawk:-
"What?"
"Nothing" he realized what he was doing.
"It's my make up , isn't it?" while pulling out a pocket mirror.
Harry was about to protest until she shrieked silently .
"Oh, my god! I look horrible. Why didn't you tell me? I'm surprised you didn't run away screaming"
Harry sighed while taking his hands in hers.
"You look gorgeous"
She suddenly stopped talking and smiled at her best friend but she quickly retorted :-
"Only in your eyes . I'm going to the ladies' room"
He sighed as she walked off. Harry gaped at her outfit, a cream dress with a black scarf wrapped tightly around her neck.
{And I thought she didn't want to play Barbie}
**
Hermione had been gone for two minutes and girls had already approached Harry. He smiled charmingly at each one of them , muttering "Hermione, where are you" under his breath. Thumping his feet sternly against the carpet while trying to avoid flirting with another aficionado of his , he excused himself and headed towards the ladies room. He quickly studied the surroundings and pushed himself inside.
"Harry?" Hermione asked while looking at his reflection.
"Yeah"
"What are you doing here?"
"I had to come in, the girls kept zooming in on me. It was such an enigma to ever get here"
"What about the little boy's room?"
"What about male fans?"
"Better off"
"Only for you"
A group of girls started to bang on the door. Harry gulped.
"HERMI!"
"Fine, let's go." while smacking her lips.
They exited the room together while Harry held Hermione's hand tightly . A female hand started to crawl up his pants and he flinched . Hermione noticed. She looked at the brunette "Sorry, ladies , his mine". she said icily.
(Aloof. uncaring. ice princess)
**
The both were seated , enjoying their dinner , laughing , talking , barely touching each other's arms. :-
"I mean seriously, when that girl started to touch me , I was anything but aroused."
Hermione threw her head back in laughed while her curly hair fell below her lips, Harry noticed this.
"You do know how to solve all this" she giggled.
"How?"
"Get married"