Chapter 3 - The Eye of the Storm
Hermione began to run once she was sure Harry couldn't see her. Ginny saw her and asked her what was wrong but couldn't get her to stop. Hermione just kept running until she got to Hagrid's.
To Hermione's surprise, Hagrid was already home. He hadn't even begun to prepare the lesson this morning. She knocked on the door, looking back over her shoulder to see if anyone could see her. Hagrid bellowed, "Who is it?"
"Hagrid, it's Hermione. Can I talk to you?" She was choking back the tears.
Hagrid had heard that sound before. Hermione had cried when Malfoy called her a mudblood. Hagrid opened the door and said, "Don't yer tell me 'at Malfoy's been at it again."
Hermione shook her head and just hugged Hagrid. Hagrid didn't know what to say or do. Hermione was normally so strong-willed and unflappable. He knew something must be terribly wrong if Hermione was so upset.
"Hermione, sweetheart, talk to me. What's the matter? Is everyone okay?" Hagrid looked worried.
In a rush, Hermione let loose with all of her feelings for Harry and how he had been asking questions so he could talk to other girls and that she didn't know whether to hate him or love him. She could not stop talking about how much he meant to her.
Now Hagrid had a real problem. Harry had come to his hut just two nights before with the other side of the story. He had confessed that he was losing his mind because he could think of nothing else but Hermione. He was getting in trouble in Snape's class because he daydreamed of Hermione and he didn't know how to tell his best friend he loved her. To top it all off, Hagrid knew why Harry had been talking to Luna and had promised Harry he wouldn't say anything to anyone. Hagrid was amused with both Hermione and Harry. He was amused that every living creature that had ever seen the two of them together knew what they didn't. They were head-over-heels in love with each other.
Hagrid spent the remaining half-hour before class listening and reassuring Hermione. He told her that she was too young to be worried so much about a boy, even if it was her best friend Harry. He realized he'd miscalculated right away and corrected it as soon as Hermione stopped reading him the riot act.
"Hermione, all I meant was that boys are stupid about things at this age and taking it personally is silly. You are a beautiful, intelligent young lady. And, Mr. Potter had better wake up from a couple of his daydreams to realize it, if yer ask me." Hagrid realized that it was better to leave the rest of that thought unspoken, because of his promise to Harry. Harry seemed as heart-broken as Hermione but had only hinted at the kind of emotion Hermione demonstrated. Hagrid continued, "You know, Harry once told me that he didn't think he'd know what love felt like if it came. He said that Cho had been nothing more than a crush, because she flirted with him too. He said he wished he had some way of telling what true love was." Hagrid knew he had approached the truth as close as he could without betraying Harry's trust.
"Hagrid, I know Harry is sometimes angry at the way his life has gone-- the loneliness he has had to live with. I wish I could see Harry laugh with me that way…you know…like he was laughing with Luna today. I know what I saw," she said.
"Ah, here come yer classmates, you can go out back and come around when you feel like it. I'll tell 'em you were helping me this morning."
"Thanks, Hagrid." She sighed and went out back pretending to do something besides wipe her eyes and nose.
No one questioned Hagrid's explanation, not even Harry. But Harry was puzzled that Hermione hadn't looked at him at all after she joined the class about half-way through. Harry had been awfully insensitive with his comment about how Hermione looked, but he didn't realize that she wanted to feel as special as it appeared he made Luna feel. Harry was sad, because the one thing that made him the happiest was how Hermione's smile and dark brown eyes made the world go away. She glowed and he loved to bask in it. Today he felt like hurricane warnings had been issued.
Hermione wouldn't look at Harry all day. She didn't know if she was angry, but she knew she didn't know what to say. So she didn't want to invite any conversation until she knew she wouldn't get emotional in front of Harry.
Meanwhile, Hagrid decided that he had better talk to Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. They were in the Dumbledore's office discussing his Hagrid's favorite kids in the school. He told them both about the conversations with Harry and Hermione. Hagrid was not sure how to handle the emotional baggage that had been packed and left on his doorstep.
"Albus, do you think we should be meddling in Harry's and Hermione's love life? They will eventually figure it out. I have no doubt of that," reasoned Professor McGonagall.
"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, could I add something please?" Hagrid wanted to agree with Professor McGonagall, but he was afraid they didn't understand the torment in Hermione's voice and the confusion in Harry's.
"Certainly, Hagrid," replied a thoughtful Professor Dumbledore.
"You both know that I adore those two like they were me own. But there was an urgency that kind of made this meeting important. I think Harry doesn't know how to approach someone emotionally. He has the courage of a lion, 'at one 'as, when it comes to deadly peril. But I think he is more afraid of losing a huge part of his life if she doesn't feel the same. And, I fer one, think Harry can't afford to be daydreaming about a girl who loves him already when he is still in danger from You-Know-Who."
Professor McGonagall nodded and looked at Dumbledore. She said, "Albus weren't we talking about putting together a committee to plan another Yule Ball? Why not ask Mr. Potter and Miss Granger to do it?"
Professor Dumbledore's face drew into a wide smile and he raised an eyebrow saying, "A brilliant idea, Minerva. Hagrid, I think it best that Minerva ask them, but I think you should be in on it. Minerva will keep you informed of their progress. I think they will jump at the chance to work together. What do you think, Hagrid?"
"Sir, I think it's a great idea," said Hagrid. He grinned a little, because he hand known that Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall would do anything for Harry. He flashed to the memory of leaving the little basket on the doorstep that night. They had beamed like proud grandparents when they looked at his little face. They had never said anything to Hagrid, but he was sure leaving Harry with the Dursley's had been one of the hardest things either of them had ever done. He also knew that they didn't want Harry to know that he was too much more than a very famous student.
Later in the day, Professor McGonagall called Harry and Hermione into her office after Transfiguration class. She told them to be seated and began. "Harry, Hermione. The Headmaster and I have a request for the two of you. We will be having another Yule Ball this year and we propose that you two assist us with the planning.
It would involve working together very closely and may take extra hours in addition to your studies. Since you two seem to get on rather well, we thought that you two would be a perfect fit. I have a list of the basic requirements and you may add others or change them as you see fit--with the Headmaster's and my approval, of course. Is this something you could do together?"
There was a very long pause at the end of that question. Hermione still hadn't spoken to Harry since breakfast. They glanced at each other. Harry was wearing that incredibly happy boyish grin that Hermione loved. She replied to the question rather coolly, "Professor, you know how busy my academic schedule is and how important it is that I do well. Will this take much time?"
Harry's heart sank, but he tried as hard as he could to keep the smile genuine. He looked at Hermione and back at Professor McGonagall for some clue. Then he said, "Hermione, I think we could do this together without it taking to much time away from our studies. It would be great to have something to talk about besides Potions, Transfiguration and that dingbat Trelawney. Oops, sorry Professor, no offense intended to you, ma'am. Come on Hermione."
"Mr. Potter, you had better be a little more cautious with your words in the future. You will tempt me not to give you the honor of my trust. Miss Granger, what do you say?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"I don't know, Professor. May I give you an answer tomorrow after Transfiguration?" asked Hermione. She paused with what appeared to Harry to be a little sniffle and asked, "it would just be Harry and I though, right? No one else from the other houses will be involved?"
"Of course, Miss Granger, it would be your project, yours and Mr. Potter's. And, my dear Hermione, if you have questions or concerns between now and tomorrow, please feel free to see me with them," she interjected. She could see Hermione's determination not to show emotion at the moment.
They rose to leave and Harry said to Hermione. "Why do you have to think about it? Are you angry at me? I thought you'd love to do this together."
"Harry, give it a rest, okay? I said I'd think about it. If I decide not too, maybe there is someone else who you'd love to 'do it with'."
Harry's jaw dropped and he could only say, "But…but…" His worst nightmare had come true. He stood and watched the girl he loved walk away without a smile or even a good-bye. He looked at Professor McGonagall who appeared to be disinterested. His head was spinning almost as much as it did when he found out he would be facing the dragon at the Tri-Wizard Tournament. The difference, he realized, was that then he could count on Hermione for relief. He was alone this time and he felt terrible.