Abundant Skies
Chapter Two: Three Weekend Deal
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Hermione met up with Harry and Ron at breakfast, Harry flashed her a smile as she sat down. She smiled back at him, her stomach doing silly little cartwheels. She grabbed an apple, and poured herself some pumpkin juice.
"Plans for today, Hermione?" Ron asked, taking a bite of his waffle. He looked over at her, when she didn't respond.
"Don't tell me you're going to go to the library again," he said, his mouth full. Hermione took a bite of her apple, crunching loudly. She looked at him, as she swallowed down the juicy remains.
"I might stop by," she said.
"Honestly Hermione! I could swear you would just bloody die if you didn't go to the library every single day," Ron said. Hermione scowled at him, apple in her hand.
" Just because I like to spend time studying and reading, doesn't mean-"
"It's not healthy, Hermione!" He said to her. "You're addicted to reading and that's not a good sign!"
" I am not addicted!" She said.
"Yeah, right," he muttered. He turned to Harry. "Tell me, Harry, how many times has she bailed out on us to go to the library?"
Harry looked at Hermione, not being able to hide his grin. He never took his eyes off her, as he replied to Ron.
"After twenty, I lost count."
Hermione gaped at Harry. "Harry! You know that's not true!"
"Don't even, Hermione," Ron said to her. She glared at Ron, her eyes narrowing into slits, and Harry couldn't help but think that was quite cute.
Hermione set her jaw. "I AM NOT ADDICTED."
"Would you like to prove it?" Ron sneered at her.
"How?"
"You're to join me and Harry while we go out and fly, outside. For the this weekend and next three weekends."
"What?" She said. "Three weekends?! I've got stuff to do!"
"Like what? You've already done all your homework for the next month!"
Hermione grimaced. Harry smiled at her, silently urging her to agree. He really did think she spent too much time in the library.
"Come on, Hermione," Harry said to her. "You need a break. I'll teach you how to fly?" He asked. "For free?"
Now Hermione knew she could not say no to Harry. It wasn't fair. He had an advantage and he was using it against her.
She couldn't help but break into a grin. She laughed lightly, and a triumphant smile spread across Harry's face.
"I'm fine safe on the ground, and not dangling in midair on a broom stick, thank you," she said to him.
Harry chuckled lightly, and she could feel her heart stop, his laughter ringing in her ears. She watched him, his lips curved into a big smile, his emerald eyes sparkling. She smiled to herself, thinking that it was no wonder she had fallen for him. If only he would fall for her too.
She took another bite of her apple, looking down at the table. Somehow, thinking about him seemed to sadden her, because she was just reminded that one day he was going to meet another girl, who looked like a model compared to her, and she would be sad and alone. Again. She wanted Harry to be happy, of course, but if only he could be happy with her.
She had gotten her fair share of dates, of course. Well, actually, she had her fair share of boys asking her out. She never went out with them; she had wanted to, of course, but she didn't want to give them false hope when she knew she loved Harry. But she did think about saying yes, once. It was to a Ravenclaw who was really quite handsome, polite and smart. She had thought of saying yes, and perhaps having such a wonderful time at their date that she would fall madly in love with him and forget about Harry. But of course, that was just wishful thinking. And well.. Viktor Krum was another story that she preferred to not think about.
And she guessed she was pretty much screwed about dating. She had quite a feeling that it was going to be a while before she went out with a boy. Especially when all her heart longed for was the raven-haired, green-eyed boy sitting one person from her.
She sighed and finally took one last bite of her apple, before discarding it to her empty plate. She never really had an appetite when it came to breakfast; her mind was always scrawling with too many thoughts at one time. And the fact that they were all about Harry didn't help either.
She crossed her arms on her chest and sat back, staring into space. She couldn't hear the people around her talking, laughing around her.. She was pretty much gone, really.
Harry looked over at Hermione, and felt his stomach fill with a glowing, warm light that spread through him. He found it hard to swallow, and put down his spoon. He watched her, just staring into oblivion, silent and serene. She looked so calm, graceful.. Her eyes seemed dark, but were glimmering like the stars in a dark midnight sky. She didn't move, didn't blink, she seemed frozen, like a mannequin. But he felt a certain aura from her.. A warm, deep, feeling that seemed to cover him every time he thought about her.. Saw her. He felt himself fall into a trance, just looking at her. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was.
Ron turned to Harry, and halted when he saw where he was staring. He looked beside him, where his gaze was directed, and felt a grin spread across his face.
"Mate," Ron said to Harry, in a low voice so that Hermione couldn't hear. Harry snapped out of his trance, and turned to Ron.
"You don't want to make it seem so obvious," he said, grinning widely.
Harry was confused. "What?"
Ron's eyes darted to Hermione, who was still oblivious of everything happening around her. "You know, Hermione.."
Harry turned bright red. "Oh.. No.. I'm not.. No.. I don't.." He said, flustered, and embarrassed to be caught. It was a good thing Hermione wasn't listening. Ron laughed, cheekily.
"Don't worry. I won't say a word."
"No, I don't like her. In that way," Harry said to him, hushed and quickly. "She's my friend, and I care about her, and.. I don't.. I don't feel that way about her." Ron still had that grin on his face, and Harry figured he wasn't going to listen to him anyway.
"Sure, keep telling yourself that, Harry," Ron chuckled. He turned to him. "You know, you don't have to lie to me, I know she's changed.. I mean.. Look at her-"
"I get it," Harry snapped. "But there's nothing happening."
"I see you staring. Constantly. If you're going to do that, then you should be a bit more sly. Hermione's a smart girl, you know. She's sure to find out if your eyes are glued on her all the time.. The drooling doesn't throw her off either."
"Shut up," Harry said. Ron just laughed again. Harry hated to get caught by his best friend.. But he'd rather have himself tell him, not to have him find out, or catch him. He knew he would be the object of his ridicule whenever the subject was brought up. Harry turned to Hermione, and stood up. He looked at Ron.
"I think we should head out already," he said, his eyes darting over to Hermione. She was still staring into space. Ron nodded, and stood up also.
"I'll go get the brooms, I'll meet you two there." Ron winked at Harry before passing him, and Harry rolled his eyes. Harry put his hand on Hermione's shoulder, and she jumped, her trance broken.
"Sorry," Harry said, smiling.
"It's alright," she said. "Is it time to go already?"
Harry nodded. Hermione looked behind Harry, his fingers burning pleasantly on her shoulder, her warmth seeping into his skin..
"Where's Ron?" She asked.
"He went off to get the brooms," Harry said, lifting his hand off her shoulder, but missed the warmth he had just held in his hand. His hand felt cold, her warmth disappearing quickly. Hermione stood up, brushed off her jeans, and followed Harry out.
The walked to the quidditch field seemed rather long, and quiet, actually, as she heard their rhythmic footsteps echo off the walls, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. Harry looked at her, before speaking.
"Hermione.. Is everything aright?" Hermione looked at him, confused.
"What do you mean, Harry?" She asked, her voice quiet. Harry loved the way her voice filled his ears, even if she spoke so softly, especially to him. He didn't know what it was; he just loved the way her voice sounded so gentle, like the wind whispering its secrets into your ear..
"It's just that.. Well, you seem a bit off lately. I see you staring.. Constantly." Hermione felt a blush spread across her face, and smile faintly.
"Oh. That," she said. "I just.. Get lost in my own thoughts sometimes, you know? Too lost." A silence greeted them, but Harry spoke again. Her heart pounded hard at the sound of his voice; it was low and serious, quiet..
"What do you think about?" He asked her, silently hoping he would be one of the things that seemed to occupy her mind frequently. Hermione looked at him, quickly, before answering.
"Oh, just schoolwork, and my parents.. Usually that." Harry felt a slight disappointment, but set his face so he couldn't show it. He was unusually good at that.
"Oh," he said. Hermione looked at him, and his expression seemed serious, but blank. She couldn't read him. She sighed; she didn't appreciate lying to him, she didn't. But what was she supposed to say? `Oh and I've been thinking about you every single minute of everyday and oh by the way I love you Harry'? She couldn't do that. That was humiliation at its worst.
"What about you Harry?" She asked. "Deep in thought about anything lately?"
Harry smiled faintly, trying to imagine her face if he were to say, `you.' Because of course, that was the truth. It had been the truth since last summer.
"Not really," he said, as they turned. They headed out the doors, both silent, and headed for the quidditch field. Hermione kept sneaking glances at him, and marveled at how handsome he was.
The sunbeams embedded twinkles in his deep emerald eyes, his hair still tousled and messy, but he seemed so dreamlike. She quickly turned away, when he turned to her and caught her staring. She flushed a deep red, as Ron came into view. Harry smiled faintly.
Finally they met up with him, and he grinned at Harry madly.
"How was it?"
"How was what?" Hermione asked. Ron cast a look at Harry, then shrugged. He turned to her.
"Are you planning to take Harry up on those flying lessons?" He asked her. She looked around, her brown eyes shining.
"Not today," she said, and headed out towards the bleachers. Harry watched her retreating back. She walked with such grace, and her shiny, wavy long hair ran past her shoulders, down her back..
Ron turned to him. "Disappointed?"
"What?" Harry said, turning his gaze towards his red haired friend.
"I know you wanted to have her up on that broom with you," Ron sniggered.
"Shut up," Harry said to him. "We're just friends."
"Oh quit lying, Harry," Ron said. "It's useless. I could read you like a book."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Amazing. Assuming you've actually read a book."
Ron glared at him, and handed Harry his broom. Harry stared up into the sky, squinting. The sky was blue and clear.. He was sure they were going to be here a while. He looked back at Ron, who was grinning.
"Time to show off your skills, lover boy," he said, getting in position on his broom.
"Just shut up and let's go," Harry said, and took off.
Hermione watched the two boys, flying fast and sometimes gracefully in the blue sky. Mostly she had her eye on Harry, but who could tell? She grinned to herself, as she knew she would definitely take his offer to teach her to fly, even if she was scared to death by heights.
If she would be close to him, then she didn't mind.