Everybody Knows

Classic Cowboy

Rating: PG13
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 22/03/2004
Last Updated: 27/12/2004
Status: in_progress

Ron and Hermione have been going out most of their sixth year at Hogwarts, and they are the only ones who don't realize just how deep it cuts Harry to see them together. They're about to be let in on the secret by the most unlikely source

Chapters

1. Chapter 1

2. And Now, Everybody Knows

3. IMPORTANT AUTHOR NOTE

4. Hermione's Paradox

1. Chapter 1

EVERYBODY KNOWS

---

Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter or any related characters or the song Nobody Knows But Me by Kevin Sharp

---

I pretend that I'm glad you went away
these four walls close in more every day
And I'm dyin' inside and nobody knows it
But me
Like a clown I put on a show
painted real, even though nobody knows
And I'm cryin' inside and nobody knows it
But me

Why didn't I say the things I needed to say
How could I let my angel get away
Now my world is just a tumblin' down
I can say it so clearly but you're nowhere around
The nights are lonely, the days are so sad
And I just keep thinkin' about the love that we had
And I'm missin' you and nobody knows it but me

-Kevin Sharp ‘Nobody Knows It But Me’

---

(Harry Potter’s POV)

You know, over the summer, I didn’t think anything would really get my mind over what happened last year, with my godfather’s passing. A part of me is happy it did. But, as I sit here at my potions class table absentmindedly twirling my stirring stick in my fingers, I have to ask: Of all the things in the world, why this?

I look to my left and see two empty seats, this is the first class of the day, so it really doesn’t surprise me the rabbits are pushing the limit … as usual. “Five. Four. Three. Two.” I begin the count down. As the last second counts down, the door swings open, and in runs my ‘best friends’ Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

“Are we terribly late, Harry?” Hermione asks me as she sits down between Ron’s seat and mine. She is hardly paying attention while she’s adjusting her skirt and quickly finishing buttoning up her blouse under her robe.

“No, you’ve two minutes to spare, Hermione,” I say, forcing a smile, then signal to Ron to wipe the pink lipstick off his lips.

Since when has Hermione worn lipstick and make up? I figure it was about the same time her and Ron hit it off.

I let out a deep sigh and turn to see Neville to my right watching me sympathetically. I quickly look away and spot Luna and Cho across the room looking at me with deep pity in their eyes. Am I that obvious? Bloody hell, has the whole world seen through me? I look back to my left to see that Hermione and Ron have begun ‘sneaking’ a few extra kisses in. Meaning: she’s all but crawled in his lap. Here comes the nausea again …

I look around at the Ravenclaw and Gryffindors in the oval potions chamber, and every single one of them either looking at me like I was a little boy whose puppy just died or staring at Hermione like she has committed a grand sin, that is mostly Cho and a few Ravenclaws. Ok, twenty-two out of twenty-four people know I am currently living through hell. I really need to work on that poker face.

I sigh again, at least we don’t have potions with Slytherin this year, if only Ron hadn’t confessed his undying love with our own mutual friend and apparent mutual crush this year quite possibly would be perfect. But no, as always SOMETHING has to blow up in my face every year.

I mean, I’m happy for them being happy, but why Hermione, Ron? I mentally question, Luna is a nice girl in her own strange psychotic way, and she likes you. Why Hermione? I might as well admit it. After all, my so-called secret power in which Voldemort fears so much is supposed to be love. Professor Dumbledore, the old fart who happened to point this out to me too late like everything else, seen it. Professor McGonagall saw it. Ninety nine percent of the school population saw it. And in a twenty-twenty hindsight, I guess I saw it too. I love Hermione Ann Granger. Whole bloody lot of good it does me now.

“Fifty points from Gryffindor each of you, Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley,” I hear Professor Snape say, walking into the room.

“That isn’t fair!” Hermione gasps standing up while Ron just gawks. True enough they weren’t doing anything, they had both stopped their demonstration on the proper way to dislodge something from another’s mouth with one’s tongue moments ago, and I too wonder exactly what he’s doing.

“I saw you running into the room earlier,” Snape said snidely, looking down his nose at my bushy haired angel, “And also you and your … boyfriend both quite possible need a pair of glasses as badly as your friend Mr. Potter.”

Snape glances down at me with softness in his cold eyes. Oh simply marvelous! Now I’m getting sympathy from Professor Severus Snape. Would the ground just swallow me up and end my pathetic life this minute. Please, Voldemort if you want to kill me so badly, here I am, put me out of my misery!

“Fifteen points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter,” Snape hisses, “Perhaps you’ll pay attention to the class now, or shall I take away more points?”

So much for sympathy…

---

Three classes down, and finally lunch. As I walk out of McGonagall’s class I look over to Ron and Hermione, “I am so ready for some food, I feel like I could eat a hippogriff whole!” I say stretching my arms over my head.

“Sorry, Harry, Ron and I have to go check on a few things in the hat production in the commons room,” Hermione says to me almost believably. “I want to make sure the first years who are working on the hats are making them to proper specifications.”

I almost believe her: if not for that one day I followed them to see if I could help, only to see them take a side trip to a small broom closet. I bet my inheritance that the only ‘proper specifications’ they’re going to check is their tongue wrestling skills before Ron devastates his own breath for a few hours from lunch.

“Ok, I’ll save your seats,” I force another smile, while mentally imagining myself knocking the excited expression off Ron’s face with a right cross. “Bye, guys,” I say turning to find they’re both gone. I sigh and turn to leave when I come face to face with big blue and slightly disturbing eyes of Luna Lovegood less then a few inches from my own.

“L-Luna!” I shriek, stepping back in shock.

“You know, what would it hurt if you just told her how you feel?” Luna asks flat out, not blinking at all. How the hell does she do that anyway?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I state, walking past her, only to sigh when I realize she’s right beside me.

“I believe you do know exactly what I am talking about, Harry,” Luna said knowingly. “Whatever the outcome, I do so wish you would just get this out in the open and end the bloody drama.”

“I’ll think about it …” I finally surrender as we walk into the grand hall and I receive yet another reason to follow Luna’s advice.

The entire hall is so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and every single eye was on me. At first this really freaked me out, but I’ve finally started to get used to it after two months. So I just walk to the three empty seats at the Gryffindor table, took a seat, and ate in the extremely silent dining hall.

Just when I think the day can’t get any worse, a voice calls from behind me. “Potter?”

“What do you want, Malfoy?” I ask irritatedly, glancing back at the blond Slytherin who is looking at me with a weak smile. Wait … Malfoy is smiling at me. It’s officially Doomsday …

“Hey, Potter, I was just going to tell you that I caught Pansy and Blaise making eyes at you earlier this week,” Draco says uncharacteristically kindly, “I know first hand they are amazing shaggers, so if you ever want help getting over the Mud-err Granger I’m sure they’ll be more then happy to help.”

That’s it, no more! I can’t take anymore. I just start slamming my forehead on the table repeatedly. I really didn’t need to hear that at all, now I have the image of Ferret boy shagging Pansy and Blaise and even at the same time stuck in my head. Merlin, help me.

“Harry!” I hear Hermione’s voice gasp as I felt two gentle hands pull me back up, and stroke my forehead. I glance over and my eyes get locked in a pair of worry filled chocolate.

“Harry, are you alright?” Hermione gasps worriedly, stroking my forehead and scar, “Is your scar burning? Did you get a vision? Is it V-Voldemort?”

“No, just frustrated over a quiz in my class, that’s all,” I lie. Last couple months I’ve gotten pretty good at lying to Ron and Hermione’s faces. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not though.

“Oh, do you need any help?” Hermione asks sitting down beside me, then I notice Ron sitting down on the other side of her, looking at me just as worriedly. “Ron and I were planning on going to Hogsmeade for the night err tonight, but I can stay and help you study if you’d like?”

“No, you guys go and have fun,” I smile weakly, pushing away my tray; my hunger suddenly vanished when I heard Hermione’s plans for the night. “I think I’ll go take a nap in my dorm for the rest of lunch, see you guys next class.” I then stand up and make a quick exit, praying my glasses hid the tears in my eyes.

---

(Normal POV)

“I’m worried about Harry, Ron,” Hermione said as she and her boyfriend walked hand in hand through the streets of Hogsmeade.

“I’m sure he’s fine, Luv,” Ron smiled, but frowned as he looked over his shoulder.

“What’s the matter, Ron?” Hermione asked following his gaze.

“Keep walking,” Ron whispered, “I think we’re being followed.”

“Probably just one of the Order members,” Hermione suggested but felt something hit her in the back, and watched as Ron flinched as well. “What was …” she started but suddenly felt her eyes growing heavy as Ron went to his knees. “Sleeping … spell … of … some …” she couldn’t finish her sentence as she fell to the ground in a deep sleep.

---

“Hermie? Hermione, wake up!” Hermione heard as she began to twist in her seat. Her eyes snapped open when she realized her wrists and ankles were shackled holding in a seated position on an old loveseat. She glanced to her left and found Ron in the same position she was in. “Bout bloody time, we’re in trouble!”

“Ah, it’s about time you awaken,” a voice hissed from behind them. Hermione turned and opened her mouth to scream but the fear she felt prevented even that.

“Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, it’s a incredible pleasure to finally meet you face to face!” Lord Voldemort said, taking a seat across from them. “I have wanted to meet you both in person for sometime now.”

“What do you want, V-V-Voldemort?” Hermione forced out, trying to sound brave.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you my young friends, I am far from stupid, and if I were to harm either of you I know even my power would be no match for Potter’s rage.” Voldemort reassured.

“Then … what do you want?” Ron asked timidly.

“Well, you see, for the last sixteen years, I have a problem, your best friend,” Voldemort stated waving his hand. “Harry Potter has been a thorn in my side since we first met when he was but in dippers. He defeated me then, and then when I finally get preparations in order to return from the damage he did to me, he returned to face me again. For six years now, I have tried to break Potter’s spirit. But no matter what I do, who I threaten, who I hurt, who I hurt, his courage and spirit are insurmountable.”

“So you kidnapped us to try to break his spirits then?” Hermione spat.

“Oh no, my dear, he’s been a shell of the challenge he was for the first five years at Hogwarts for several weeks now,” Voldemort laughed, “His spirit’s hardly ash now.”

“What have you done to him?” Hermione growled, not caring who he was, only that he hurt Harry.

“Me? Nothing at all, no matter what I’ve tried I haven’t been able to break him at all. I know even though I can’t manipulate him anymore because of the Occlumency training, but I can still see everything despite his attempts to block me,” Voldemort explained, “The only reason I kidnapped you two is I wanted to meet the two people who have done what I never could.”

“Huh?” Ron asked, as Hermione listened intently.

“You both broke Harry Potter.”

To Be Continued …

2. And Now, Everybody Knows

Chapter 2: and now, everyone knows

“You’re crazy!” Ron laughed, “We’d never hurt Harry, he’s our best mate!”

“Ron’s right, Harry means too much to the both of us!” Hermione chimed in glaring hatefully at the dark lord.

“Is that a fact, my young friends?” Voldemort chuckled, “You may have been with him, but I have seen inside him. I have seen the hurt. The hurt you caused. I have seen the pain. The pain that you caused.”

“You’re just trying to trick us, turn us against him,” Hermione piped in, “Nothing you can say will ever change our minds on Harry.”

“Ms. Granger, You’re the smartest witch to possibly grace Hogwarts,” Voldemort grinned, holding up an object. “Can you tell me what this is?”

“That’s a pensieve …” Hermione narrowed her eyes, a feeling a dread and curiosity at what he was up to.

“CORRECT!” Voldemort cheered insanely, “They are making Mudbloods smarter these days.”

“Hermione,” Ron whispered, leaning over next to his girlfriend. “I think all those defeats Harry’s sent him has sent him around the bend …”

“If you only knew, Weasley,” Voldemort said holding up the pensieve, “But first, let me explain this. You see, as I have told you, I have seen in Harry Potter’s mind, heard his thoughts, felt his feelings. And here, I’ve saved some of my favorites to brighten a rainy day, and now I’d like to share with you a few.”

Voldemort then sat down beside the two chained up teens, and pulled his wand, “Displaydius memorioso!” he cast on the pensieve, and a large screen appeared before them. He turning to the two, “would you like some popcorn? Chocolate frogs? Every-flavor beans?” they just stared at him and his shrugged, “your loss.”

“Now watch this one,” Voldemort said as the first memory appeared on the screen.

---

“I can’t wait to see Ron and Hermione again,” Harry said excitedly, even though his summer with the Dursleys. Now he was back at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. He missed Sirius, but he had been keeping in touch with Hermione and Ron over the summer and for once they left little to nothing out. Hard to hid anything when you don’t really want to talk about what you can’t anyway.

“Hello, Harry dear!” Mrs. Weasley said, grabbing the boy in a surprise hug. She let him go quickly, “I’m sorry, I know how you big men don’t like to be hugged and cared for, but I can’t help myself.”

“It’s ok, Mrs. Weasley,” Harry smiled shyly, “I don’t mind it much. Where are Ron and Hermione?”

“Oh I think they’re up in the first spare bedroom on the left,” Mrs. Weasley smiled, “Tell them dinner will be ready shortly on your way!”

“Ok, Mrs. Weasley,” Harry nodded, before running up the stairs.

He reached the room and started to open the door when he heard unusual sounds and giggling but thought nothing of it. He then smiled deviously and tip toed back down the stairs to his trunk, and pulled out his invisible cloak. He pulled on the cloak and quietly snuck up the stares, and as slowly as possible he opened the door, and eased inside. The sight he saw made him suck in a breath roughly.

Ron sat on the bed, and Hermione straddled his lap, with her legs wrapped around his waste. That could have been forgiven, but the fact they were kissing felt worse then the Crucio spell he received in forth year.

The Hermione in his mind that usually helped him made note they were both fully clothed. Well, she can’t be helpful all the time.

Harry wanted to run, hide, strangle Ron, cry, anything, but all he could do was stand there hidden by his cloak and watch his two best friends make out. Hermione finally broke the kiss and looked serious, “Ron, what about Harry?”

“What about him?” Ron asked, blinking in confusion, adding to Harry’s urge to turn him to a field mouse and feed him to Crookshanks.

“What are we going to tell him about … you know us?” Hermione asked bashfully. “He’s our best friend, Ron, and after everything he’s been though, I don’t want him to feel like we’re abandoning him like he might feel Sirius or his parents have.”

“Hermione, love, Harry’s our best friend, your right,” Ron said kissing her again, “If he’s our best friend he’ll be happy, no ecstatic about us becoming more then friends! Blood hell, first thing he’ll probably ask me is how you are in the sack.” He said with a wink.

“Now if Harry was in your position, you would ask that,” Hermione teased, kissing his nose, “he knows how to treat a lady’s dignity.”

“Speaking of that question, Hermione …” Ron said sliding his hand between then and up the front of Hermione’s skirt. “When am I going to find out the answer to that? How about right now? Harry shouldn’t be here for a while yet, and shame to waste this nice comfy bed…”

Hermione jumped, but made no motion to push Ron’s hand away, “Ron, no … I’m not ready … yet.” Hermione said, adding a seductive smirk with the ‘yet’. “I promise you won’t have to wait too long, love.”

The door slammed causing the couple to jump, and they both looked at the door in shock. “Just the breeze in the old mansion love, we’re too jumpy these days …”

---

“Oh God …” Hermione was as pale as a ghost, “Oh God, oh God …”

“He … wanted to feed me to a that stupid CAT?!?” Ron was outraged by the thought.

“Enjoy that kiddies? Bet you didn’t know he found out a whole WEEK before you had the guts to tell him, did you?” Voldemort questioned, sitting back and crossing his legs, “He spent a whole week pretending he didn’t know anything. Oh that hurt him a lot, and you guys were all smiles, weren’t you?”

“Want more?” Voldemort asked somewhat excitedly, “I know you’ll enjoy this one. Especially you, Ms. Granger.”

---

Ron and Harry sat in their four-poster beds, the other boys were already asleep, but Ron was keeping Harry awake.

At first they were talking about Quidditch, but quickly the conversation was turned to Hermione, and unlike the previous years, this time it was Ron who made the subject change.

“You know Harry, if I had known Hermione was such a good kisser, I would have told her I like her a long time ago,” Ron said proudly, not noticing Harry’s suddenly tense jaw.

“We haven’t gone all the way yet,” Ron confessed shyly, “But … she has let me touch her, and I gotta tell you, she’s got the nicest feeling breasts, I mean, ten times better then Padma’s and also … did you know she shaves, Harry? I mean … just like they say, it’s always the quiet ones!”

‘Shut up you bloody fool, before I cast the killing curse on you,’ Harry thought as his ‘best friend’ rambled on and on.

“Harry, seriously, I need to ask your advice,” Ron said seriously, causing Harry to foolishly look his way, “If you were loved Hermione, as more then a friend, how would you tell her that?”

‘Oh … damn it.’ Harry thought, rolling to where his back was to Ron, to hide the tears that were forming.

“Just … tell her, Ron,” Harry said, Ron not noticing the trembling in his voice, “Tell her what a wonderful person she is, how beautiful she is, how she makes you feel. That’s all … you really need … to do.”

“Thanks, Harry, you’re a great friend!” Ron beamed, before rolling over to go to sleep.

“Yeah … great …”

---

“Stop it …” Hermione whimpered, shaking her head, “I don’t want to see anymore …”

“That jerk!” Ron cursed. He was having a totally different reaction then his girlfriend. “Friends don’t like the girls their friends like!”

“What’s the matter?” Voldemort asked, the two, “Don’t like seeing the side of Harry that everybody but the two of you knew?” he then flicked his wand at the pensieve again. “Here, check out this one, it’s good too.”

---

Harry walked alone through the halls of Hogwarts when Draco, Crabb, and Goyle stepped in his path.

“I’m not in the mood, Draco,” Harry said weakly.

“You remember when we first met, Potter?” Draco spat. “I gave you a choice, and I warned you. But you didn’t listen, I bet you regret that now, don’t you, Potter?”

“…”

“Where’re your friends, Potter?” Draco chuckled, “Bet they’ve gone and left you to snog in some closet, or maybe retired early to their dorm room to shag like the filthy Mudblood and blood traitor they are!”

“…”

Draco’s eyes widened, “Aren’t you going to defend them, Potter?”

“Maybe you were right …” Harry sighed, avoiding eye contact, then in a flash Draco was on the ground with a nose gushing blood, “BUT THEY’RE MY FRIENDS, YOU BLOODY PRAT!”

“Some friends!” Draco said through his nose, “Do they ever think about you anymore? Do they really care?”

“I don’t know …” Harry answered honestly, “but that won’t stop me from caring about them.”

---

“No more … please, no more!” Hermione cried, shaking her head in sobs.

“Even when you put a divide, he still stood up for you both, even when he doubted you.” Voldemort stated with a sigh. “Loyal to the very bitter end …”

Why are you doing this?” Ron asked, his anger tested to the limit.

“Oh! Oh! Oh! I LOVE this one!” Voldemort all but bounced in his seat ignoring Ron’s question. “This one is from a night you both have to remember. I’m sure you remember the night. You snuck away and stayed the night at Hogsmeade one Saturday night? The night you both lost your virginity? Well Harry lost something that night too. If only temporarily … he lost his sanity.”

“What?” Hermione and Ron both asked, growing very concerned and frightened.

“Oh you remember, don’t you?” Voldemort asked leaning back with a fangy grin, “You had him cover for you, LIE for you. McGonagall and Dumbledore both read him like a bloody book, but said nothing BECAUSE of what happened that night …”

“It began in the dorm room, frightening Seamus and Neville, who ran for McGonagall for help,” Voldemort said, as he readied the Pensieve, “Harry went on a full blown mad rampage that if on a higher scale would have made me proud!”

---

Ginny and Lavender barely made it out of the way of the night table that tumbled in pieces down the stairs from the Dorms to the Commons Room. This only herald what the Gryffindors would come to call the night of Hurricane Harry.

Harry came stomping down the stairs, punching the wall occasionally; his eyes were wild, mad with grief. Months of pent up frustration exploded in a maddening rage.

He grabbed the first thing he could find, a tall lamp, and swung it like a bat, just barely missing Lavender, who was trying to get out of the way, shattering it against the stone wall.

He then grabbed a corner of a couch and lifted it up, tipping it over roughly out of his way, then he kicked one of the chairs into the fire, and grabbed a small table and slammed it against the floor roughly till it exploded in splinters.

“Mr. Potter what is the meaning of this?” Professor McGonagall asked pushing through the gathered crowd.

Harry glanced around at the aged professor and burst into tears, dropping to his knees. McGonagall quickly ran to him and wrapped him in an embrace, letting him cry in her arms as if he was a small child. She rubbed his back soothingly, and said meaningless words to try to calm him down.

“Why?” Harry choked out, “Why, Ron?” he cried, not caring who heard him and who didn’t. “Why did she have to love him, why couldn’t she love me? Why won’t anyone ever love me?”

“Shhh,” McGonagall cooed, holding him that much tighter, “A lot of people love you, just because they’re together doesn’t mean they don’t love you, and Professor Dumbledore and myself love you as we would a grandson, and that’s the Merlin honest truth, and don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise, and who can forget Hagrid, he positively adores you!”

“Why can’t Her… Hermione love me … l-like I love her?” Harry sobbed, feeling foolish for letting his feelings poor out, but unable to stop them anyway.

“Life’s like that, Harry, Life’s just like that …” McGonagall said softly, slipping Harry a sedative charm, “Now lets get you back to bed so you can sleep this off, while Professor Dumbledore and myself clean this up, ok, child?”

---

Ron had a look of complete betrayal while Hermione was now a withering sobbing mess.

“And that’s all we have time for,” Voldemort said standing up, “Believe you me, while that last one was my favorite, there were others like that, oh how you both have cut him so deep so … so far that when the time comes, you’ve made my job so much easier. I just wanted to share with you both some of my favorite parts of your best friend, and say thank you so much for all your help! Would you like a copy of the pensieve? I can see how you’ve both enjoyed this.”

“Voldemort! Where are my friends?” Harry’s voice called from the hallway.

“Speak of the devil!” Voldemort grinned, “I’m sure you’re both anxious to see your Best Mate again, aren’t you?”

The door to the room blasted open, and in walked Harry along with Dumbledore, Tonks, and various other Order members.

“Right on time, as always, Potter,” Voldemort turned to the intruders, “Oh, put away those wands, I don’t wish to fight you … yet, boy.”

“Hermione, Ron are you ok?” Harry asked the two chained to the couch, but Ron just glared at him and Hermione avoided all eye contact.

“Hermione? Ron?” Harry asked in concern.

“They’re fine, Harry, I just told them what you’ve selfishly avoided telling them yourself,” Voldemort said as he began to apparate.

“What?” Harry asked, his blood turning cold.

“Guess what, Potter,” Voldemort’s voice sounded in the room, “Now everybody knows.”

To Be Continued …

3. IMPORTANT AUTHOR NOTE

Hey guys,

Sorry I’ve taken so long with this story, when I originally wrote this I was merely venting my frustration on R/Hr, and showing my take on what that would do to Harry. I never really planned how I wanted the story to go so I’ve really been banging my head trying to figure out what to do next in this thing. I’ve come up with a few ideas but still trying to figure out which path would be the best to take.

So here’s the question for you guys: Continue on with this fic, from Harry’s point of view and pound this the rest of the way out, or break it up into three or four fics. The next from Hermione’s POV, then the next from Ron’s POV, then finally a conclusion from Harry’s POV?

Also I am REALLY open to suggestions hear, so any help you guys can throw will be much appreciated.

Thanks and sorry for the long delays in posts. I’ll do better from now on, please forgive me :-(

4. Hermione's Paradox

Chapter 3: Hermione’s Paradox

It's a Little Too Little
It's a Little Too Late
I'm a Little Too Hurt
And there's nothin' left that I've gotta say
You can cry to me baby
But there's only so much I can take
Ah, it's a Little Too Little
It's a Little Too Late

-Pat Benatar “A Little Too Late”

Stupid \Stu"pid\, a. [L. stupidus, fr. stupere to be stupefied:

cf. F. stupide.]

1. Very dull; insensible; senseless; wanting in

understanding; heavy; sluggish; in a state of stupor; --

said of persons.

A quill quickly penciled in below that, “See: Hermione Granger.”

Idiot \Id"i*ot\, n. [F. idiot, L. idiota an uneducated,

ignorant, ill-informed person, Gr. ?, also and orig., a

private person, not holding public office, fr. ? proper,

peculiar.

Again, the quill penciled in “See: Hermione Granger.”

Hermione certain that she adjusted the definition of every synonym of the term ‘Dense, Idiotic Prat’ she could find in every dictionary in the Hogwarts Library, she closed the large book, and slammed it against her own forehead.

It has been a few hours since the rescue, and as soon as she was released from the hospital wing, she made a beeline, being careful to avoid Harry’s hangouts, and grabbed every book she could find with any and all references to her current nightmarish situation.

“The Nightmare of Love Triangles” by Fabio Romancer, “When the Heart’s Path Hits A Fork” by Harvey Twinpath, and even the “Karma Sutra” out of desperation.

“What the bloody hell is that book even DOING in a SCHOOL library in the first place?” Hermione shook her head, before returning to the issue at hand. Hermione sat there with her face in her hands, discovering her hindsight was flawless, all the signs were there. Small, but they were there. Harry if he were to become an actor he would be an Oscar winner in no time.

She has researched for hours, and dug in every book on the topic, and came up with the same conclusion.

“We’re just screwed …” She then sat back and rubbed her forehead, “Ok, let’s look at this, Hermione. You can solve anything with equations … here goes: Guy 2 confessed his feelings for Girl 1. Girl 1 returned them. Dated. Had sex, slightly disappointing, but sex nonetheless all in all happy relationship. Guy 1: Mutual best friend, hides away feelings, pretends to be happy for Girl 1 when in fact Girl 1 and Guy 2 relationship was causing him pain and leaving him to believe Girl 1 and Guy 2 were leaving him out and/or betraying him. If Guy 1 loves Girl 1 and Guy 2 loves Girl 1 then Girl 1 loves … oh bloody hell.”

Hermione sat back and stared at the ceiling of the library. The trip back to Hogwarts was a quiet one. Ron just glared at Harry and Hermione sobbed not letting either of the boys close enough to comfort her.

“Crying time is over. Time to figure out how to fix this problem,” Hermione stated determinedly, “Maybe if Harry and I were to take a walk around the lake so we can … oh damn it.” She hit herself in the forehead yet again.

“That mind of yours is very valuable, Ms. Granger, I’d not try to injure it if you can help it.” Professor McGonagall’s voice startled the teenager.

“Professor!” Hermione squeaked, turning to face the head of her house.

“I apologize for startling you, Ms. Granger,” Professor McGonagall said as she took a seat beside the girl. The old professor looked around the table to see the books scattered around on its top. “Love life troubles finally caught up, have they?”

“You knew this was coming, didn’t you, professor?” Hermione asked sadly.

“I had a feeling when you and Mr. Weasley came back to school hand and hand and Mr. Potter’s eyes had an almost dead look to them,” Professor McGonagall sighed, letting her eyes rest, “When I had to comfort him during his outburst some few months ago I had no doubt the tension would snap eventually. But never once did I assume it would happen as it has.”

“Why did you not warn us then?” Hermione asked, tears sting her eyes, “If I had known we were hurting him …”

“What would you have done?” McGonagall asked the teenager, “Would you have told Harry to grow up? Get out of your business? Would you have broken up with Mr. Weasley, dumped him so you wouldn’t harm your friendship with Mr. Potter, and possibly even took up a courtship, thus hurting Mr. Weasley as you have hurt Mr. Potter?”

Hermione just looked down at her lap. Then, with a sigh of regret she looked up at her mentor, “Professor, what would you have done … would do if you were in my position right now?”

“I’d do what you need to do, dear,” McGonagall said placing a calming hand on the girl’s slightly trembling shoulder. “Follow your heart, do what you feel is best and let it run.” She gave the girl’s shoulder a comforting squeeze before standing up. “I must go. I trust you will find what needs to be done in time.”

“Thanks,” Hermione gave a small disappointed smile as the Deputy Head Mistress walked away.

A few moments later, Hermione shoved the books into her bag and made her way out of the library thinking about what Professor McGonagall had said.

She wondered the halls, being careful to avoid Ron and Harry’s favorite hangouts.

Hermione then passed an empty classroom where several girls have gathered in. She never cared about girl talk, but for once she thought perhaps it could be useful.

Hermione walked in timidly to find the Patil Twins, Lavender Brown, and Ginny Weasley seated cross-legged on the floor.

“Told you she’d come for our help eventually,” Ginny said unsurprised by Hermione’s presence.

“I figured it would be another week at the least,” Padma said, as all four girls looked at Hermione expectantly.

“Come, Hermione, dearest, come, we’ll help you sort your romantic issues!” Lavender grinned motioning for Hermione to enter.

As soon as Hermione walked in, Ginny got up and shut and locked the door. Once Hermione saw this she got a sudden feeling this was a bad idea. A VERY bad idea.

“Ok, let’s look at this,” the Twins said in unison, all four girls grinning at Hermione.

“Umm … k …” Hermione meeped.

“We shall begin with my idiot prat of a brother whom is also your current respective boyfriend and I dare say lover?” Ginny asked with a faint giggle.

“How do you know we’ve … I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about with lover!” Hermione turned scarlet.

“You two spent the night at Hogsmeade the night …” Parvati shivered, “Harry had his temper tantrum, didn’t take a witch as smart as you, Hermione, to put two and two together to make four.”

“Oh …” Hermione gulped looking down shamefully.

“It’s ok, Hermione,” Padma said patting the girl’s shoulder.

“Yeah, you had a boyfriend, and you’ve been going out long enough it’s in your right to shag him senseless,” Parvati continued, “How was you to know it would cause the most delicious specimen in our house to go and do something so … manly …” She finished with a dreamy look very much like Luna Lovegood’s usual expression.

“What the heck do you mean by that?” Hermione snapped jealously.

“Oh I was afraid of this,” Parvati said, her dreamy look vanishing in a moment, “Makes things so much more difficult.” She mused with a serious expression.

“We wanted to know if you had any feelings for Harry,” Ginny said twirling a lock of red hair with her fingers, “Jealous reaction proves that you do in fact have feelings for Mr. Potter, thus making our work so much more difficult. Thanks for giving us the fun challenge!”

“That was a set up?” Hermione asked outraged, “You could have came right out and asked!”

“I tried before,” Lavender said, scratching her cheek and chin with her thumb and forefinger. “But, you were too head over heels for Ronniekens.”

“Since we heard what happened with you, Ron, and You-Know-Who, we thought you may be more open for us to find a way to help you, Ron, AND Harry.” Padma said, nodding determinedly.

“You’re going to all be happy, Hermione,” Parvati grinned evilly.

“Even if it kills you all.” Ginny finished, all four grinning wickedly causing Hermione to be very much afraid.

---

Hermione walked out of the room several hours later, the four witches (Hermione uses this term in every way possible here) were still debating on what she should do about her romance novel worthy love triangle, and it was more bickering over what she should do then offering any worthwhile advise.

She felt the beginnings of a headache transform into a full blown migraine.

This can’t be possible.

There is no problem she can not find a solution to.

She’s dedicated her life to be the smartest witch she could possible be.

She WILL fix this. She WILL.

“Excuse me, Hermione?” a dreamy voice spoke behind her and she turned her attention almost angrily toward the dreamy looking Luna Lovegood.

“Can I help you, Luna?” Hermione asked, forcing a friendly smile.

“No, Love, no but I believe I can help you if you will allow me to.” Luna said, her deep blue eyes gazing at Hermione through half closed eyelids.

“I’m not sure I can take anymore advice today, Luna,” Hermione groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“You have strong feelings for Harry and Ronald, correct?” Luna stated as if she hadn’t heard Hermione turn down the advice. “If you care for them both there is something several girls find enjoyable. Have you considered a threesome? It had already been rumored years ago that you three have taken part in such activities. And take word from one experienced in such activities, it is fun.”

Hermione had no idea how she did it, or if she could do it again, but the suggestion Luna gave her made her pale and blush almost at the exact same time. “Luna! I can’t possible … I … me and Ron and Harry together … I mean … LUNA! Where would both their … uh … ‘things’ go?!?”

“Hermione,” Luna closed her eyes and clicked her tongue, “You do have more then one ‘entry point’, love.” Luna then turned to leave the flabbergasted Gryffindor who was doing a very good expression of a gold fish. “Oh and Hermione, should you take that option, keep me in mind if you should decide to take it up to a four way.”

Hermione stood in that spot for an uncertain amount of time, just trying to process Luna’s suggestion and force the idea and images out of her mind. She unconsciously rubbed her rear end, sore from the mere thought. ‘I wonder who would take what … umm ‘port’?’ she mentally asked, before slapping a hand over her mouth, “Hermione Jane Granger! You will NOT think that way! Eww!”

“Having a conversation with yourself there, Granger?” Draco Malfoy smirked walking past the bushy haired teen. “Great sign of sanity there, you know?”

“Sod off, Malfoy!” Hermione snapped.

“Testy today, ey, Granger?” Draco grinned, “Seems that time of month has come then. That’s good, no more Weasleys dancing around the school.”

“I aught to hex you into next month,” Hermione growled, narrowing her eyes on the blond headed Slytherin.

“Seriously, Mudblood,” Draco chuckled, “If you want some advice on your horrible excuse of a love life, why not dump both the losers and go back to your own kind where you belong.” Draco sneered before spinning on his heel and walking off.

Hermione sighed and continued on to the Great Hall to get a bite to eat. Every so often she would pass someone who would offer their advice on her situation. Fellow students, professors, ghosts, and paintings, few gave advice Hermione liked, and some were so outlandish she wouldn’t even give it a second thought.

Hermione was getting more and more frustrated by every person who offered their ‘profound expertise’.

By the time she walked into the Great Hall she was absolutely fuming. She sat down roughly at the Gryffindor table by a third year she didn’t know very well.

“Hi, Hermione, my I advise …”

“I’M TIRED OF ADVICE!!” Hermione yelled out drawing everyone’s attention, “I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT I NEED TO DO BUT ME!!!!” Hermione finished breathing heavily.

The blond headed third year just stared in shock. “I was just going to say the chicken is really good today and was going to advise you to try it … sorry …”

Hermione stared at the girl for a moment before slamming her head down on the table so hard most of the plates jumped.

To Be Continued …