Harry Potter and the Galator
Chapter 5
Sharing
"It's too bad your parents were already there at the leaky cauldron," commented Ron.
"It's okay. At least I was able to buy some under garments," she answered blushing as she snuck a glance towards Harry.
"You can borrow one of my shirts to sleep in," Harry offered without a second thought. Ron was relieved. He didn't feel like lending him his hand me down clothes. Although his dad was in a better position, the Weasleys weren't materialistic. Mrs. Weasley only bought them what they needed when they needed it. The only thing they didn't have that rule on was on the food.
"Thanks," she answered shyly. She'd wanted to borrow Ginny's clothes instead, but was delighted to wear Harry's. Ginny was much skinnier and taller than Hermione. Hermione now has become a bit more voluptuous in all the necessary feminine places.
"It's no problem," he told her. "Ron, we should have stayed and helped clean up at the shop."
"Mum, wanted us to go home, for some reason," Ron told them. "Dad will be coming soon. She said Ginny, Bill, Percy, Fred, George, Charlie and she could handle it."
"If you ask me," Hermione added. "I think they just wanted Harry in a safer place before it got too dark." She never ceases to amaze Harry at how keen her reasoning always was.
"You might be right," Ron said. "I suppose that's why Dad is coming home soon and why we couldn't really stay at the Leaky Cauldron tonight." Harry had never felt so much like being a part of the family until that moment. Even being in Hogwarts did not compare to the selfless love and compassion he's felt being with the Weasleys. They really do think of him as family.
"Well, we'd better get upstairs and put our stuff away," Harry suggested. Just as Hermione stepped onto the stairs, she missed the first step.
"Ouch!" she yelped as she landed on her side.
"Hermione!" Harry and Ron screamed.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked already by her side.
"I think so."
"Can you get up?" asked Ron. She tried and flinched when she tried to stand on her right foot. "I think you might have sprained your ankle."
"Let me look," Harry offered.
"No, it's fine. Probably need to…" she was cut off as Harry scooped her up and carried her towards the couch. Hermione was suddenly feeling shy, but elated at the same time. She felt so safe in Harry's arms as if she belonged there. "Harry," she tried to protest. "Put me down. I can walk to the couch myself."
He didn't listen to her. He hadn't noticed how over protective he was of her at times. Ron and he became that way since their fifth year especially since they've noticed there were many guys flocking around Hermione, but Ron laid off a little when he'd started dating Lavender. Harry on the other hand became more so especially after he saw her again for the first time today.
"Don't waste your breath," Ron told her. "You know Harry." Harry turned to glare at him. He set her down gently on the couch and proceeded to remove her sandals.
"What are you doing now?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, you'll like this," Ron told her excitedly.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ssh. Harry has to concentrate," Ron told her as Harry placed both his hands around her ankles and concentrated on healing Hermione. As Harry concentrated, Hermione felt a warm feeling in her ankles and felt the pain lifting away slowly.
"Wow! I don't feel the pain anymore. And look it's not even swollen anymore. How'd you do that Harry?"
"Hold on," he told them.
"What's the matter Harry?" asked Ron. After a couple of minutes, he answered them and didn't realize he was still holding on to Hermione's ankles.
"That made me a little drained then when I healed your cut and my own."
"That's curios," Ron answered.
"What?" Hermione asked getting frustrated. "Are you two going to tell me what's going on!"
"Sorry, I wanted to write you about it, but I thought I'd wait to tell you in person. See, I sort of came across some healing powers accidentally."
"That's great Harry!" she gave him a hug.
"You can let go of her ankles now," Ron added.
"Er.. sorry," he blushed.
"Anyway, Harry wrote Sirius and he said that only a handful of witches and wizards possess the power of healing without using potions or spells."
"Yeah, he thought you might be able to help with the research and I'd have to tell Dumbledore about it when we get to school."
"Well, from what you've told me. It seems that the bigger the cut or injury, the more power it takes and energy it drains out of you."
"So, does that mean you'll help us with the research?" asked Ron.
"Of course. You know I can't resist a chance to read up and learn about something new," she smiled at them cheekily. Harry caught his breath. Never has Hermione's smile affect him so much until now. It always warmed him, but now it made his heart practically stop beating and his breathing stop.
"Ron, Harry, Hermione, are you lot okay?" Mr. Weasley called out from the kitchen.
"In the living room, dad."
"Yes, Harry just did the most incredible…" Ron and Harry were both shaking their heads to signal Hermione not to say another word.
"What did you say Hermione?" asked Mr. Weasley apparently not hearing what Hermione was about to say.
"I take it no one else knows," she whispered to them and they nodded. "Oh, I was just asking when Mrs. Weasley and Ginny are coming home."
"Oh, they'll be finishing up a little. Molly said just leave your clothes out so that they can get laundered when she gets back. Ginny said go ahead and make yourself comfortable in her room."
"We were just on our way up." They stood up and started to walk up the stairs. "Good night dad."
"Good night uncle Arthur," Harry told him as he held out his hands for Hermione so that she will not do a repeat performance of her fall.
"Good night, Ron. Harry. Hermione."
"Good night Mr. Weasley," added Hermione.
The three worked their way up to Ron's room after stopping to drop off Hermione's things in Ginny's room. They sat on Ron's bed. His room hasn't changed much. His wall was still plastered with Chuddley Cannon posters.
"So what else haven't you written to me?" Harry thought about it for a second. He couldn't tell her or Ron for that matter about his really crazy dreams about his best friend. "Well?" she asked.
"Other than the Dursleys actually buying me clothes because I've outgrown Duddley's clothes lengthwise and he's still outgrown me widthwise, that's about it. I've already written you about the extra chores I've received because of them, I just forgot to tell you why." He smiled. Her heart leapt.
"And you?" she asked Ron. "Anything you haven't told me that you can." She knew better than to expect to know everything from her best friends, as she is sure they don't expect her to tell them everything, like girl stuff.
"Nope. All the other things related to Lavender and I are between us, although knowing you girls you probably tell each other some things anyway."
"And what is that supposed to mean, that only girls do it? I bet you tell Harry here about stuff that you don't tell me or that supposed be about you and Lavender." Ron looked at Harry and all Harry did was give him a cheeky grin.
"I think I'll go get you that shirt now," Harry escaped from being caught in the middle of one of their little discussions.
"Chicken," Hermione told him. He gave her a 'Who me?' innocent look and continued towards his trunk. The two of them continued to discuss their point of views about how girls and boys are similar or in Ron's case different. Harry took his time although he'd already grabbed a shirt for Hermione to use.
"Excuse me. Do you need shorts?" he asked her. He doesn't know why he asked, its not like his shorts would fit her curves properly.
"No thanks, Harry." She blushed. "The shirt will do."
"Ron" called Mr. Weasley ceasing fire to the Ron and Hermione discussion.
"I better go see what Dad wants," he told them. The two nodded. "Be right back."
"So," Harry started as he handed her his favorite shirt. He'd chosen it unconsciously of course. "What do you girls talk about when us men aren't around?" he stressed the word men. She took the shirt and set it on Ron's nightstand.
"Well, if I told you then that would be breaking the girls only rule, wouldn't it," she answered wisely.
"I suppose, but I could always find out the hard way," he told her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"What are you thinking of doing Harry?" she asked nervously.
"You know healing isn't the only thing these hands can do." He held up his hands and started to wriggle them playfully.
"Harry Potter! If you're thinking of tickling me, I will hex you!"
"Uh-uh. No magic allowed out of school remember?" Darn. He got her there.
"Well, you have to catch me first," she said as she darted out towards the door. Harry with his quick reflexes caught her and grabbed her around the waist before she reached the door.
"Put me down Harry!" she screamed starting to feel a little nervous. She started wriggling and had the most unexpected effect on Harry.
"Okay, if you promise not to run."
"As long as you don't tickle me."
"Promise" he said and turned her around to face him but left his hand around her waist. "But you did leave something out in your California story that I am sure you will be telling Lavender and Ginny when you have your little girl talk." This made Hermione curious. He has grown to know her very well; it's too bad that he can't see how much her feelings for him have changed over the past years.
"And what do you think I'd be telling Lavender and Ginny that I wouldn't tell you and Ron?" she asked with a mischievous grin.
"Well, for one thing," Harry started. "You left out some parts about Francois." Harry didn't know why it was so important for him to know about her relationship with a guy he never even met. Harry seeing the surprise look on Hermione's face just told him there was something she kept out of the story.
Sometimes he can read her almost as good as reading an open book. She wore her emotions on her sleeves. But there are still some things he couldn't quite put his finger on.
"Okay out with it or else," he warned with a chuckle.
"Oh, no you don't. You promised you wouldn't tickle me."
"Yes, but if you lie I'd know and you'd feel miserable."
"Ugh! You're good with that guilt trip trick too."
"Well, out with it then."
"Oh all right. We dated for a little while," she said matter of factly. It felt like a stab through Harry's heart. He never expected to react that way, but he was a little jealous. Hell, he was a lot jealous. Who was he kidding?
"And?" he asked pushing for more details.
"Well, he's French. It was a learning experience." She started to feel uncomfortable and couldn't stop herself from spilling her guts out to Harry of all people, the only man who truly mattered to her, but can't tell him.
"Really? So what did you learn?"
"Oh, a lot about the art of kissing" she told him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Their head came closer and closer. Hermione swallowed and licked her lips. It was as if Harry was being drawn to her lips magnetically.
A/N: Thank you for those of you who have taken your time and submitted a review for every page. Truly appreciate it. Words of encouragement and your reactions to the story are what keeps me writing.