Love's Emotions-- by sunshinebelle
Chapter Two: Beautiful Horizon
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AN: Thank you all so much for the warm and sweet replies. I completely totally appreciate it! It was crazy! I posted it around 9, and came back at 11 expecting to have like one review but I had 9! And this morning I expected to have like 11, and I had like 20!!!!!! You have no idea how nice it is. Thanks so much. Im not exactly sure whether im going to make this story extremely long or not.. I would by the amount of reviews I have, but I dont know how long of a life this story has. I suppose we'll see, right? Anyways, keep reviewing. Thanks again for the kind words.
Love ya guys! xoxo ~Amanda
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters blahblahblah. You know the drill.
"And I know things can't last forever but there are lessons you'll never learn. Oh just the scent of you makes me hurt, so how's it you that makes me better.. Why can't you hold me and never let go? When you touch me, it is me that you own. Pretty baby, oh the place that you hold in my heart. Would you break it apart again.." --'Pretty Baby' --written and sung by Vanessa Carlton.
Love's Emotions chapter 2: Beautiful Horizon
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Hermione bit her lip carefully as she followed Ron out of the compartment's door, and down the steps into the light. She needn't shield her eyes, for the time was early evening and the sun was starting to set, slowly against the horizon. Everything was softened by the golden-orange sun, and somehow it made Hermione so much more peacful and thoughtful-- if that was even possible.
She felt Harry's presence as he stepped down behind her onto the dirt road.
"Ahem." he cleared his throat. Hermione jumped, and her face flushed scarlett yet again.
"Oh!" she said quickly, stepping out of the way. "Sorry."
"What are you doing?" he asked, his face wearing an expression of sincere concern.
"Just thinking." she said thoughtfully, glancing at the skyline yet again.
"Again?" he asked, shuffling his feet slightly. When she glanced up at him to see his expression, he was smiling, seemingly trying to hold in his laughter.
"What?" she asked. Quickly, his face turned serious again.
"Nothing." Harry shrugged. "Nothing at all." he trudged up ahead to catch up with Ron and clapped his friend on the back.
Hermione stared after him, frozen in thought for a second. Sighing deeply, she awoke from her trance, and slowly followed the boys to a carriage, where they got in, waving at Hermione to follow them. She did, climbing quickly into the carriage with help of Harry's hand.
His warm, soft hand. She shuddered at his touch.
~~~
"Cool sorting ceremony." Ron noted, as his teeth ripped through a piece of chicken he was nibbling at.
"Yeah." Harry agreed with a grin, as he buttered a piece of bread. "It was hillarious when that kid who was sorted into Gryffindor tripped on his robes. Poor kid. I remember how difficult it was to be so akward at that age.. it isn't easy." he smiled sideways at Hermione who shrugged.
"Yeah." continued Ron with his mouth full. "I always look forward to the sorting ceremonies."
Harry glanced over at Hermione, noticing she wasn't saying anything, or eating anything for that matter, picking at her potatoes with a fork, her eyes dull and emotionless.
"What do you think?" he asked her.
"Hmm?" she looked up slowly, making eye contact.
"About the sorting ceremony-- you like it?" he asked her, after exchanging a look with Ron.
"Er.. not really. I've never found them very interesting to tell you the truth." Hermione got up from her bench. "I'm going to bed." she announced.
"What?" Harry asked. "Dumbledore hasn't even made his speach yet. You never miss that."
"Well I'm tired." she glared irritably at Harry. "I'll see you two later. Don't get into any trouble now." she sighed, and walked towards the large oak doors, leading out of the Great hall.
"What's gotten into her?" Ron asked, confusably.
"I've no idea." Harry shook his head. "Something's going on with her.. we have to find out what it is." he said thoughtfully.
~~~
Hermione awoke to the sound of giggling girls. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, and looked across the room to see Pavarti, Lavender, and two other Gryffindor girls named Amber and Sabrina.
They were talking about boys or makeup or something trivial like that. Hermione laid her head back on her soft pillow again, trying with much difficulty to fall back asleep.
She slowly opened one eyelid, watching Lavender giggle over Pavarti's tale of a guy named 'Dan' while spreading on lipgloss. Had these girls ever experienced love before? Real, heartwrenching, insides flipping, butterfly-in-stomach love? Or even a desire of something similar like Hermione? Or had they only experienced simple infatuations? Superficial crushes that lasted for a week before going away.. They only liked someone if he was good looking, or a hero, or popular.. or rich.
All of which they soon got tired of. Each week a new 'future husband'
Since Hermione figured she was turning into one of them, was that the case with Hermione?
Did she only like him because he was good looking? She did imagine his face whenever she dreamt. Or the fact that he was a hero.. no. She had never cared for something so trivial..popular? Harry? He wasn't exactly Mr. Popularity although he did get spoken of quite frequently.. or at least more then he'd like to be. Rich? Yes, she supposed he was rich, but it was never really evident. He didn't go around flashing his money everywhere, did he?
No. She loved.. er, liked Harry because he was sweet, caring, intelligent, thoughtful, brave, helpful, loyal, trustworthy, beautiful.. so beautiful. Such a wonderful person.
A thought came across Hermione's mind.. Pavarti and Lavender had little crushes on Harry.. she had suspected this for a while. It wasn't surprising since he encompassed many of the traits that they 'treasured.'
But did Pavarti and Lavender dream of Harry every night as they fell asleep? Did they feel sick whenever he glanced at them? Did his scent make them hurt? Did they feel like holding him every time they saw him? Did his smile melted their insides?
That's how Hermione felt. Was this some small little crush? How could something that felt so important and emotional.. so heartwrenching and painful be something so small and trivial? It couldn't be.. but could she love Harry? Could he love her? Could they be meant for each other? No.. Hermione didn't believe in fate, true love, or destiny. She believed in people making their own choices..that's what shaped their future. Not fate. But.. when the time came to deciding whether or not to tell Harry about her feelings, would she make the right one?
Lord.. she needed to stop thinking of this.
~~~
Two hours later, and Hermione was still awake. For some reason Harry's head kept swirling around in her brain, driving her insane. Insane with love and thoughtfulness and descisions.. and desire. Oh a great deal of desire. To kiss him.. hold him, run her fingers through his hair..
A glass of water.
Thats what she needed. Hermione decided, and walked slowly down the creaky stairs, willing them silently not to make any sound.
She got to the bottom of the stairs, and slowly creeped towards the water pitcher by the window.
She poured a glass of water, and slowly took a sip.
"Hey." said a voice behind her. She almost spit out her water.
"What?!" she gasped, turning around quickly. His grin was almost menacing. "What are you doing up this late, Harry?" Hermione asked him. "You almost scared me half to death." she placed a hand over her heart, gasping for air.
"Sorry." he laid a hand on her shoulder, and her skin shuddered at his touch. His warmth. Oh how she longed to feel his arms wrapped around her. He smelt.. like something she couldn't quite put her finger on. But it was amazing. He was amazing.
"You okay?" he asked her.
She nodded slowly, getting out of his grasp, and trying to get as far away from him as possible without looking obvious. He followed her, and she ended up sitting on the window seat right by the window. He sat besides her. "So." she said, her voice hoarse. She cleared her throat. "What-- what are you doing here?" she asked.
He smiled that half-grin that drove her insane. "I could ask you the same thing, you know. I couldn't sleep. How about you?"
"Me neither," she shrugged with a sheepish smile.
"That's not surprising." he ran a hand through his hair, causing her shudder involuntarily. "You did go to bed freakishly early."
Hermione nodded. "I was tired." she stated, hopefully he'd back off and not ask too many questions.
"Okay." he said, playing with the fabric of his pants.
She watched him, in awe of how amazing he was..
How idiotic did she sound? Calling him amazing, when he wasn't even doing anything.. yet somehow it felt like he was doing something. Something oddly Harry.. as crazy as that might seem.
He looked up, and noticing Hermione was staring at him, and Hermione quickly looked away, blushing slightly. After a minute or so of silence, she got the nerve to look back at him.
He was still watching her carefully. She caught eye contact with him, and this time she kept it.
His green eyes were penetrating her. They were so beautiful. He was beautiful.
"Hermione." he said softly, smiling at her.
"Hmm?" she asked, still entranced with him.
"Time for bed." he announced getting up. "You going to be okay?" he asked.
She nodded, still in a trance like state.
"Well.. okay. Night then." his voice odly stiff, for some reason Hermione couldn't understand. He walked over to the boy's dormitory, looking one last time at her face, and then dissapearing around the corner. Hermione still sat, in a trance thinking about life, purpose and love.
~~~
Hopefully that was ok.
Anyways let me know what you think, and I'll post more soon! Thanks a lot!
xoxoxox ~Amanda