Chapter 25 - At Last
Hedwig softly touched down in Harry's desk as soon as Dan and Emma closed the door behind them with a click. She was staring at the door, as if it were to say something, and sighed. She had hung on to every word that was spoken in the room, thinking about how frustrated and confused Harry must feel about everything that was said, and like him, she was just as confused. Hedwig turned to Harry to say some words of comfort, thinking she would find him helpless and perturbed. Instead, she was astonished to see Harry's expression.
He was looking blankly at a spot in the upper right corner of his desk, his brow furrowed, and his lips pursed, evidently thinking about something.
"Thinking about that potion?" guessed Hedwig.
"Huh?" said Harry blankly, like he had just noticed Hedwig was there. "Yes - actually I am…"
He scratched the back of his head furiously like he always did when something irritating bothered him.
"I don't get it," said Harry irritably. "There's something bizarre about that potion and Dan and Emma aren't telling me why."
"And all they said was to just talk to Hermione and tell her you love her," Hedwig finished for him.
"And that doesn't help me at all," growled Harry impatiently.
"Well maybe there's a reason," suggested Hedwig calmly, "that they're not saying anything."
"And what would that reason be?" said Harry, glaring at Hedwig.
"I'm just suggesting things Harry!" she said, looking alarmed. "I don't know anything more than you do."
"This sucks!" said Harry angrily, throwing his hands in the air, and slumping into his chair. "I was the only one without a date for the Ball, they play songs that put images in my head, and I didn't even get a dance with Hermione!"
Harry got up just as quickly as he sat down, pacing back and forth behind his desk for several moments, racking his brain with theories about the mysterious mystery of the Memory Potion, suggesting to Hedwig that it could be possibly dangerous. Hedwig watched him intently, still trying to sooth him with words and saying that it must not be dangerous otherwise Dan would have told him straight away.
"I still don't get what the heck is going on!" shouted Harry defiantly, clutching his hands into fists. "This is so stupid! Stupid, stupid, stup - WHO IS IT NOW!"
There was a knock on his door. Hedwig flew back to the top of the wardrobe, awaiting another possible conversation between humans.
"Come in!" bellowed Harry in an impolite and impatient way.
"Harry?" said a soft familiar voice as the door squeaked open.
"Oh! Hi Hermione," said Harry, gathering himself and looking at her. His voice had a formality to it, more mature. She was still dressed in her very light pink dress robes and her cheeks flushed in a way one might look had they been running.
"I heard you shouting," said Hermione apprehensively, staring back at Harry. Her eyes searched the room as if to find who he was shouting at. "Are you all right?"
"Fine," said Harry, sitting in the chair behind his desk, though Hermione didn't look quite convinced.
"What happened to you?" she asked Harry, eyeing him in his casual outfit of pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. "Ernie and I just sat down from dancing and you weren't sitting at our table - I thought you had just stepped out for a moment but you never returned! - I became worried about you and hurried up to your room…"
"How'd you know I was up in my room?" interrupted Harry, smiling slightly.
"I didn't," said Hermione timidly. "I guessed."
"Not only are you brilliant witch Hermione," said Harry complimentarily, picking up Secrets of Potions: Made Easy, "but you're a great guesser too."
Hermione smiled nervously as she ran her fingers in the lower ends of her hair, trying not to look too pleased with herself.
"Too bad you're not brilliant enough to see that I'm in love with you," said Harry in an undertone, pretending to read Secrets of Potions: Made Easy.
"Huh?"
"Nothing," said Harry casually.
"What happened to you Harry?" asked Hermione again, stepping completely into his room and sitting in the chair that Emma had been in. "Why did you leave?"
"You know that bad headache I had before?" said Harry, impressed with how quickly and natural his excuse came out, as Hermione nodded. "Well, it was really killing me and I headed for the hospital wing and told Madam Pomfrey about my head throbbing. She gave a potion to relieve it and said to say in bed for the rest of the night."
He felt guilty having to lie to Hermione like that, but it spared him the pitying Hermione would probably give him if he told her he left because he felt left out and was the only one to attend the Valentines Day Ball dateless.
"And why aren't you in bed then?" said Hermione with raised eyebrows.
"I don't need to," said Harry simply, relieved that he wasn't lying.
Hermione still looked bothered.
"But if Madam Pomfrey said -"
"The dancing only stopped now?" said Harry with a grimace, trying to change the subject. He looked at a wall in the direction of the Great Hall as if he had x-ray vision. "But," -There was still faint music coming from the Great Hall - "I can still hear music…"
"The Ball isn't over," corrected Hermione, shaking her head. "Ernie and I took a break from dancing…"
"You should head back down then," suggested Harry sadly, still looking at the same spot on the wall. He could feel his heart tugging in his chest; he did not want her to leave.
"I'm sure he can stand me being away from him for a little while," said Hermione, crossing her legs at the knees and settling herself more comfortablely in the chair. "He knows I'm up here to check on you - You don't mind the company for a little while more do you?" she asked hopefully.
"Not at all," said Harry, with a satisfaction that Hermione was with him rather than someone else. "The Ball is over for me though," he said simply. There was a far way look in his eyes as though something was occupying mind. " And I really wanted to…"
He paused before going on, catching himself of what he was about to say; He really wanted to dance with Hermione.
"Wanted to what?" she asked curiously.
"Well - I was… I was kind of hoping that - I would get to - to dance… that's all," said Harry in the most relaxed voice he could muster, avoiding eyes. He found it could be said with little difficulty at all, probably because he was so used to hinting to Hermione all the time. He could feel her trying to catch his gaze, then added in a whisper, "With you, actually…"
"Me?" Hermione said softly, giving him an astonished sort of look, and blushing. "You wanted to dance with… with me?"
"Would you dance with me Hermione?" asked Harry seriously, slightly frowning, looking into her eyes, his voice a little high pitched than usual.
"Actually - I've… been saving a dance for you Harry," admitted Hermione, smiling in a sheepishly cute way that he loved. "I was just… waiting for you to ask…"
Harry, who found himself smiling now, and who had felt his heart swell with joy knowing that Hermione was actually saving a dance for him, found his fingernails very interesting at the moment. "But it's too late for that now… I'm not even dressed -"
"Says who?" said Hermione softly, getting up from her chair, walking around Harry's desk, and tugging him up by the arm. "It's not late."
"Hermione? What -?" said Harry uneasily, as she dragged him hand in hand onto a big circular rug right in the center of the room between the desk and the door. Hermione produced a wand from the inside of her dress robes and with a flick of her wrist, the room illuminated with a voice.
"Thank you," came Malia's voice, one of the singers of Wizandwitch, over the ravishing applause. Hermione smiled with a pleased sort of look and stowed her wand away.
"Impressive," grinned Harry faintly, looking around at the upper part of the room, like Hermione did, as if he were to find speakers. Though many floors away, it sounded like he and Hermione were in the middle of Great Hall, the applause and Malia's voice loud and clear.
"This next song is dedicated to you ladies out there," came Malia's voice passionately, as the applause dimmed, "who came with your date tonight just as friends… and you wonder… why your heart is beating so quickly… and to you guys out there… a message that the girls may be telling you…"
"Dance with me?" said Hermione earnestly, smiling up at Harry, just as a soft, yet mild introduction music filled the room.
Harry blinked and nodded sincerely, feeling his insides fill with butterflies. He stepped closer to Hermione and put one hand on her waist, preparing to hold her other hand with his free one. Instead, she pressed her hands to his chest and snaked her hands up to his collarbone, over his shoulders, and around his neck, hugging him around his upper back; she was so close to him that she rest the side her head on the upper part of his shoulder.
Harry swallowed looking down at the side of Hermione's head, slightly nervous at her take in action of how close and comfortable she made herself with him. How should he hold her now? The usual formal way of dancing, which was what Harry was planning on doing, didn't seem to fit when Hermione was holding him with both arms around his neck.
He cautiously snaked both hands around her waist, anticipating a squirm of uncomfortableness or a retort. Hermione didn't object to anything; she seemed to sigh in content when Harry interlocked his fingers behind her lower back. They already began to sway to the beginning introduction to the song before Malia started singing.
I could lose, my heart tonight,
If you, don't turn and walk away.
Cuz the way I feel I might, lose control,
And let you stay.
Cuz I could, take you in arms,
And never, let go.
Harry breathed in deep the scent that was Hermione; it engulfed his sinuses and intoxicated him so much he felt light-headed. This time, the song seemed to be in the eyes of a girl, who apparently loved some guy.
Harry closed his eyes lazily and once again, however, the words to the song were so powerful, his mind clicked and images popped into his head. He had an image of himself holding Hermione somewhere outside, who was gazing intently at him, their bodies touching, a look of longing on her face, and Harry staring avidly back at her. He shifted, but Hermione shifted back, pulling him closer to her.
Harry smiled.
I could fall, in love, with you.
I could fall, in love, with you.
Harry's image vanished and it blurred into another image of him dragging Hermione around somewhere in Hogsmeade. Hermione, looking jovial and having a great time, though there was a slight pained yet happy look to her eyes, that said, 'I wish he was my boyfriend… He's so perfect…'
Harry looked as though he was having the best time of his life, just spending time with one of his best friends, however didn't take notice of Hermione's eyes, which hid a daring secret.
Harry instinctively tightened his grip around Hermione as they danced and swayed slowly to the beautiful song. Did Hermione notice? What would she say? He become conscious about what he had done and became worried, but as Hermione tightened her grip around him in response, that moment passed quickly.
I can only wonder how,
Touching you, would make me feel.
But if I take that chance right now,
Tomorrow, will you want me, still.
Harry sighed nervously and tried to find some way to hold Hermione stronger without her noticing.
Hermione shifted her arms that were wrapped around Harry and dragged them down so that her elbows were bent and sandwiched between their bodies. Her hands, however, cupped the sides of Harry's neck just under his jaw.
His eyes went wide with surprise as he looked down at her. Her eyes were closed, her head back slightly, and her lips slightly parted as she caressed the side of his face with her soft hands, as if she were trying to guess what was in front of her by feeling it.
So I should, keep this to myself,
And never, let you know…
I could fall, in love, with you.
I could fall, in love, with you.
She let her head bobble forward and their foreheads consequently touched. Harry was pretty sure Hermione knew very well what she was doing; she was breathing deep and panting softly to herself, her fingers sometimes just trailing his skin and other times her palms on full contact around his jawbone, her eyes still closed.
Harry's mind raced. What was it that she was trying to do? Whatever it was, he let her continue because her hands on his face felt too good for him to protest.
And I know it's not right,
And I guess I should try,
To do what I should do,
But I could fall in love, fall in love, with you…
I could fall, in love, with you…
Harry couldn't explain it. Perhaps it was when Hermione pressed her body more firmly against him. Maybe it was when Hermione shifted her face in such a way so that their noses were now touching. Or maybe because they were magically connected by the mind… but somehow… strangely… the song felt…different. It didn't feel like a song was being sung to the both of them and they were dancing to it, but… it felt more like… Hermione was talking to him… through the song…
So I should, keep this to myself,
And never, let you know,
I could fall, in love, with you…
"No…" whispered Harry gently, he too closing his eyes like Hermione, their foreheads still touching. "Don't keep it to yourself…"
Transfixed at how daring he had said those words, unsure what had brought him to say them. Though aware what he had just said, it was of course, assuming that Hermione was "talking to him through the song." But what if she wasn't? She probably think him mental now that he had just said, "No, don't keep it to yourself," out of the blue.
"I'm scared Harry…" Hermione whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm scared to tell you…"
"Tell me what…?" breathed Harry. His mind became suddenly odd and clear. As far as he was concerned, it was just him and Hermione; nothing else mattered now that she was in his arms while they talked freely. They were still swaying to the song, their bodies close together, their foreheads touching, their eyes still closed and never wavering, but Hermione didn't answer him; she just shook her head side to side a fraction of an inch and bit her bottom lip.
"Is it wrong to like me?" sighed Harry softly with dejection.
"No… it's not…" sighed Hermione delicately shaking her head slightly. She gripped the sides of his neck and pressed her forehead into his more firmly. Though his eyes were closed, Harry could feel her warm breath near his lips.
I could fall, in love, with you…
I could fall in love, I could fall in love, with you…
"Could you?" sighed Harry tenderly, as if it was Hermione that had said this instead of the song.
"I could do more than that…" breathed Hermione soothingly, not opening her eyes. "I could… I could be your…"
But Harry didn't hear what Hermione could be. Though his eyes were still closed, he knew that she was much to close…
I could fall… fall in love… with you…
I could fall… in love… with… you…
A/N:
To all of you that read my stories…
Thank you very much! You are the ones that keep me going with my writings.
To those that give me constructive criticism…
Thank you too! Sometimes I need a good kick in the !@#$%.
To those that hate this story…
I'm sorry that it's not going your way, but if you really hate it so much, don't read it.
To those that wonder why this story is so damn long…
You know something? I'm just as surprised to see how long this fic came to be. This story came to me in a dream one night. Since the dream only lasted as long as I slept, it seemed like I could get it all in, but turns out, it's a lot longer than I thought it would be when you have to put it into words.
To all of you in general…
This story somehow seems rushed and garbled in some places. I have it all in my head, the trouble is that I have a very hard time putting it into words for other people to see and understand (I want to make sure that all of you see it in every detail that I see it).
I'm leaving for Vegas on July 2nd and I'll be there for about two weeks, which will get in the way of my updates…