Surprise! by Excalibur

Rating: G
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 22/04/2004
Last Updated: 01/05/2004
Status: Completed

Hermione is jealous of her best female friend. She wasn't there to ease his pain but Ginny
was. She was blissfully unaware of her best friend's new relationship until after she
discovered her feelings for him. Response to the challenges Don't and Jelousy. (This IS a H/Hr
fic)




1. Two Ships That Passed in the Night
-------------------------------------

**A/N:** This is a combined challenge: Jealousy (first paragraph – finish that fic) by
spikesbitch and Don’t by kezbo. I may have taken a few liberties with the first paragraph of
Jealousy, but that was only to make it all fit and to take it out of first person *shudder* I
prefer 3rd ... I thought the two together would be a good match so without further ado ...
**DISCLAIMER:** I own nothing of Harry Potter, any of its characters, settings, et al. These are
owned by J.K. Rowling and other applicable copyright holders.

Ok, lea (spikesbitch) I fixed that paragraph ;) You were right, of course, and had I had the
chapter beta read, it would have been caught ... (I was very much asleep at the time ... I think
heh)
* * *
CHAPTER ONE
Two Ships That Passed in the Night
She felt a stab of dread pierce her stomach as she entered the Great Hall. Her eyes immediately
swept over those at the Gryffindor table. She rolled her eyes at the sight of her in his arms.

*That’s not the way it should be.* She thought sadly, unable to take her eyes from the
sight. *If they were sneaking around behind my back I think it would be better, then I wouldn’t
have to see them.*

She had been watching the way they touched each other, innocently enough, but far more intimate
than just friendly brushes of the arm or shoulder. Since they’d gotten together after Ron’s
suggestion they’d picked up the annoying habit of constantly finishing each other’s sentences and
the way they looked at the other and knew every minute detail of what was on the others’ mind
irritated her to no end.

*That should be me.* She thought as a new wave of depression began to swell in her.
Hermione Granger took her normal seat next to Ron and with tremendous effort looked away from the
spectacle that had become Harry and Ginny.

“Hey, Hermione.” Ron said with a smile. “Why so late?”

Hermione looked up from her plate and gave Ron a soft smile. “I was in the library.” She said
calmly. “I wanted to read up on that species of magical lizard that we were introduced to in
defense class.” Recalling the information she’d read, or more to the point gleaned when she wasn’t
thinking about Harry, brought her some form of relief from her emotional turmoil. “Did you know
there are thirty different types? You can tell what kind they are by the number and order of
stripes and ... and Snape flashed me from the restricted section. Let me tell you, I was so
surprised to know that he wears pink underwear, never mind the fact that they were around his
ankles ...”

“Harry!” Ginny jumped from her seat frantically searching for a napkin. “Why on earth did you
have to spit pumpkin juice on me?”

Harry grabbed his napkin and quickly began to dab her robes with it. “Sorry, Gin.” He said
quickly while trying to hide a grin. “I caught the tail end of what Hermione was telling Ron.”

“What?” Ron looked at them blankly.

“Honestly, Ron!” Hermione huffed. “I’d noticed you weren’t paying attention to me a while ago
... I guess that’s not going to change.”

“Well you had to go on and on about those bloody lizards.” Ron rolled his eyes. “What made you
think I really wanted to know anything more about them than what we learned in class?”

Hermione crossed her arms and looked at Ron pointedly. “And can you tell me exactly what we
learned about them today?”

Harry had given up trying to dry off his girlfriend and used his wand instead of the now
discarded napkin. “I should have thought of this first thing.” He said as he pointed the wand at
her.

Ginny’s eyes went wide. “Harry wait!” It was too late, he’d muttered the charm to dry her robes
but something had gone wrong. The pumpkin juice didn’t evaporate the way water did and Ginny’s
robes became extremely stiff. “Now it’s going to be impossible to get these things off!” She huffed
and stormed out of the Great Hall with a glare at her boyfriend.

Hermione watched the scene with a mixture of sympathy for Harry and satisfaction that the two
were no longer hanging on each other. “Harry, you knew that charm was only for water, what
possessed you to use it on pumpkin juice?”

Harry blushed. “Well, to tell you the truth, I completely forgot.” He admitted with a grin and
without warning he settled his hand on hers and let out a laugh. “I was still fighting to get that
picture you painted of Snape out of my head.”

Hermione grinned despite herself. “I thought it would snap Ron out of his daydream.” She giggled
softly and looked down at his hand on top of hers.

Harry watched her gaze drift to the table and noticed what she was looking at. He blushed
slightly and pulled his hand away with a nervous smile. “Sorry, Hermione.”

She looked up at him quickly and felt her stomach flip when she looked into his eyes. She
blushed slightly and stood so fast she nearly tripped herself up on the bench. “I-I need to go to
the common room. I’ll see you two later.”

Ron looked up and smiled before he returned to devouring would could only be referred to as half
a cow and Harry looked at her quizzically.

“Are you ok, Hermione?” He asked with concern. “You’ve been quiet since we got on the train and
you’ve been jumpy lately.”

“I’m fine, Harry.” She lied and ignored the look he gave her. “I’ll see you later tonight, I
need to go study.” Without looking back she left the Great Hall and went to the second least used
girl’s lavatory. Hermione didn’t want to deal with Moaning Myrtle at the moment and she didn’t want
to risk anybody else showing up and prodding her for information.

She reached the sixth floor and after a few twists and turns found herself sitting in the
farthest stall from the door. Tears were streaking down her cheeks uncontrollably.

*Why can’t I just control my emotions!* She thought angrily as she wiped her cheeks dry.
She didn’t like the fact that her emotions weren’t like knowledge, she couldn’t open a book and
find all the answers and since she realized how deeply she cared for Harry they were all but
uncontrollable.
* * *
*Platform 9 3/4*
Hermione had finally gotten to King’s Cross Station after an entire summer away from her
friends. She was looking forward to seeing Ron but she was nervously anticipating seeing Harry
again. She remembered what he’d said about Cho Chang on their way home and over the holiday
Hermione had discovered that she really liked him and wanted to see if he’d like to take their
relationship further than just the platonic stage they had been in for so long.

She couldn’t talk to him over the summer aside from the very few letters they sent back and
forth via Hedwig. Her parents wouldn’t take no for an answer and she spent the entire summer
abroad. They’d gone to Hawaii for a few days before going to a convention in Australia. After the
convention they’d traveled to Greece to visit some relatives then hit nearly every country in
Europe before finally getting back to England a day before she had to leave for Hogwarts.

Hermione had a lot of time to think on her trip and the lack of contact with Harry nearly drove
her mad. She sat awake for hours each night analyzing her feelings then analyzing her conclusions
and before she knew it was in full over-analyzation mode. Every discovery she’d made during those
nights were interrupted by a vision of Harry’s ungodly beautiful green eyes, his dark hair and his
voice. She’d known him since she was eleven but after his voice changed she found that she got
goose bumps just listening to it.

She realized that she was daydreaming about him again and shook her head to clear the newly
formed blush that covered her cheeks. Hermione concentrated and with a determination that she’d
become legendary for at school, pushed her trolley through the barrier to the platform that housed
the Hogwarts Express.

If she was right there was still another fifteen minutes before the Weasleys and Harry would
make their appearance. With a family that size, even when it was only Ron and Ginny who were going
to school now, it was understandable how often they were late arriving somewhere.

Hermione smiled at the thought of finally seeing Harry again and hastily stowed her trunk and
made her way to the prefect’s car. There weren’t many people on the train yet and Hannah Abbott,
one of the Hufflepuff prefects, was the only one of them to arrive before Hermione.

“Hermione?” Hannah asked with wide eyes.

“It’s me.” She said with a smile.

“You look completely different!” Hannah stood and walked around Hermione. “You’ve filled out and
gotten taller! Where did you go to get so tan?”

“I spent the holiday abroad with my family.” Hermione said simply. “We went to Hawaii,
Australia, and then across Europe.” She shrugged. “I haven’t changed that much.”

Hannah looked at her skeptically. “Oh, I wouldn’t bet on that.” She said with a smile. “If Harry
doesn’t notice you now, I don’t think he goes for women if you know what I mean.”

Hermione blushed. “He’s not that way, Hannah!” She said with a laugh. *I hope he notices me
though ...* She added silently.

The two girls compared their holidays and laughed at the stories they both shared. Even though
she was enjoying the conversation, she felt the time creep by much too slowly for her own tastes.
Many times she tried to will it to move faster but it was too stubborn for her and she gave up.

The door opened and in walked a tall, red-haired boy who smiled brightly at the sight of her.
“Hermione!” Ron half-shouted excitedly as she came at him for a hug. “We’ve missed you! The summer
wasn’t the same without you here!”

“I know! I couldn’t get enough owls from you or Harry!” She smiled back at her best friend. “How
have you been?”

“Miserable. I had to deal with Ginny and Harry all summer.” Ron said with a frown. “I mean, I
was hoping he’d take the hints I dropped him, but I didn’t think it’d go this far so fast.”

Hermione’s heart plummeted to her stomach. “W-what?” She asked blankly. *I heard him
wrong.* She rationalized. She smiled at him hoping he was playing a joke or that she had indeed
heard him wrong.

Ron rolled his eyes. “You know Harry was extremely depressed when Sirius died.” Ron started as
he put an arm around her shoulders. “We were able to get him to the Burrow after a week.”

Hermione nodded. “I know all that both you and Harry told me.” She shrugged off his arm
subconsciously.

“Well, Harry and Ginny started hanging out and after a few weeks, they were going on walks then
it was holding hands.” Ron shook his head. “I remember thinking that it was about time he listened
to me. I knew they would make a great couple.”

*COUPLE?!* Hermione felt a cold sweat start covering her forehead and her palms began to
feel slick. *It-it can’t be!*

Ron looked at her obliviously. “Well, by the end of the summer, I couldn’t pull them apart, even
to get Harry to play a pick-up game or two. Ginny always had to play too, or Harry would shrug it
off and they’d head off on another walk.” He shook his head. “I didn’t think they’d bond so quickly
that they’d finish each other’s sentences, but they did.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Hermione said in a neutral voice. “Harry and Ginny?” She rubbed her
hands angrily on her skirt. *I don’t believe it! I have to see this for myself.* She fought
back the tears that were threatening to spill forth and left the compartment.

“Hermione, the train’s getting ready to leave! We need to ...” She didn’t hear the rest of what
Ron said as the door closed behind her. With a determined stride she hurried to their normal car at
the end of the train.

*Don’t let it be true, please, don’t let it be true!* She thought over and over as she
clenched and unclenched her sweaty hands in frustration.

She got to the car to find the door open and Harry sitting alone by the window. *Alone!*
She smiled when she saw him, momentarily forgetting why she was here in the first place. He hadn’t
noticed anyone was there yet and she quickly looked him over.

He’d grown since she’d last seen him. He was a good two meters tall now, judging by the space
he’d taken up. His hair was cut shorter than what she remembered and it was still unruly. The
biggest change was in his body. His shoulders were broad and he’d taken on some muscle as well. He
was slim and attractive unlike the thin boy she remembered meeting on her first ride to Hogwarts.
She was snapped from her reverie by a glittering white smile.

“Hermione!” He exclaimed happily and rushed over to hug her. She gratefully let him pull her
into his arms and she reciprocated the embrace with a tight hug of her own. “I’ve missed you!”

*He missed me!* She could feel her heart melt at the words, her fears of Ginny washed away
by the mere contact with him.

“I missed you too, Harry.” She said with a smile as she looked into his eyes. “I’m sorry I
couldn’t be there for you more ...” Her voice trailed off as he looked over her shoulder then back
to her.

“It’s ok, Hermione.” He flashed a quick smile to her. “I think Ron’s here to drag you off to the
prefect’s car.”

She looked behind her to see Ron frowning at her. “We need to get to the meeting, Hermione.” He
said pointedly. “We can’t start it without you and Harry and I have a standing appointment for a
game of wizard’s chess.”

She looked back to Harry. “I’m sorry, Harry, I have to go.”

Harry smiled. “I understand. Listen, I need to talk to you when you get a chance, ok?”

She returned his smile and nodded. “I’ll see you in a little bit then?”

Harry nodded and did something she wasn’t expecting. He bent to her and kissed her cheek. “It’s
really great to see you again, Hermione. Now go get that meeting over with, we’ve got a lot to
catch up on!”

She looked at him dumbstruck. Her heart was racing faster than she’d ever felt it had before and
her face had taken on a distinctly warm feeling. “S-sure, Harry. I-I’ll see you in a little bit.”
She stammered. Hermione took a shaky step back and jumped when her foot hit the ground.

“Hey! That’s my foot!” Ron bellowed as he jumped back and pulled his foot up to massage it.
“Could you watch where you’re going?”

Hermione looked at him and cursed herself for feeling so flustered. “Sorry, Ron.” She said
apologetically. “I-I thought you’d already headed back.”

He scowled at her. “Obviously I didn’t.” He sneered. “Come on, the more time we waste here, the
less time we’ll have to avoid the worst of the duties.” He looked at Harry. “I’ll see you later,
mate. Keep the board warm for me.”

Harry smiled at him and nodded. “Sure thing. But I have to warn you, if Hermione gets back here
first, I’m going to be a little preoccupied.” He winked playfully at her and to her chagrin she
blushed even harder than before.

“Harry!” She scolded him playfully.

Harry laughed. “Go on, I’ll see you in a bit.” He turned back to the car and took his seat. She
watched him for a moment, admiring the bright smile he had on his face and how he seemed to be
radiating happiness.

“Hermione, are you coming?” Ron asked impatiently further down the hall. She’d been
concentrating on Harry so single-mindedly that she’d completely forgotten that Ron was even
there.

She blushed again. “I’m coming!” She said happily and followed her friend quickly.

“Hermione!” A girl’s voice said as she walked past an open door. She looked into the room and
found Ginny Weasley smiling happily at her. Without much time to think or say anything, the
youngest Weasley pulled her into a tight hug. “I was wondering when I’d see you!” She said happily.
“Oh, I really need to talk to you when you get a chance!” Ginny had a gleam in her eyes and
Hermione suddenly remembered every word that Ron had said.

She hugged Ginny back quickly while her heart took a plummeting dive and landed somewhere
between her stomach and her ankles. “I’d like to talk, Gin, but I have to get to the prefect’s
meeting right now.” She said quickly and pulled back. With an apologetic smile she hurried down the
hall to where the rest of the prefects were waiting. She absently wiped the tears that had started
to well in her eyes as she tried to bring up the courage to be around other people.

“It’s about time the *legendary* Hermione Granger made her appearance.” Malfoy drawled from
the center of the room. “Any chance we can start this meeting now?”

Hermione rolled her eyes and fought the urge to use his face as a punching bag again. “Sod off,
Malfoy.” She bit back a little too forcefully. “I’m not in the mood to deal with you right
now.”

“Oh, I’m so, so sorry.” He sneered back at her. “Well, since everyone else has decided to show
up on time, I nominate Granger for the lavatory patrol.”

Hermione looked at the Slytherin incredulously. “What?” She asked angrily.

“You know how we’ve been running these meetings.” He said with a grin. “The last one to the
meeting gets lavatory duty. Ask your friend over there, he got stuck with it last time. I’m
surprised that you weren’t the first one here.”

“She was here before you were, Malfoy.” Ron spat. “Listen, I’ll take the lavatory patrol, I
don’t mind.”

Draco rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine, go where you’re most comfortable.”

Ron controlled his anger admirably, Hermione thought, all he did was scowl and leave the car for
his duties.

“Well I guess we’ll just have to draw times to see who goes on patrol when.” Draco sighed
dramatically and pulled a box from the luggage rack above their heads. He looked inside and then
shuffled the small wooden tokens noisily before passing the box around the room.

Hermione sighed in relief when her turn arrived and found that she wouldn’t be patrolling until
later that night but before they reached Hogsmeade station.

“Here are the memos for this year.” Hannah said happily as she passed the notices around.
“Professor McGonagall didn’t mention any new items on Filch’s list ...”

Hermione had tuned the rest of the meeting out, counting down the minutes until she could leave
the room and talk with Harry. She bit her lip and kept glancing at her watch.

“That’s all there is until we get to the school.” Padma Patil finished. Hermione smiled and
excused herself from the car and quickly made her way back to where Harry was waiting for her.

She approached their compartment and heard what could only be Ginny’s giggles. Her eyes went
wide and she slowly crept to the door and listened quietly to their conversation.

“Harry!” Ginny squealed. “You better not do that in public, I’m sure if Ron ever found out he’d
try to rip your head off!”

Harry laughed in response. “Come on, Gin!” He said cheekily. “You didn’t object when we were out
on our last walk.” He added playfully to her giggles.

“We didn’t run the risk of someone barging into a small, confined passenger car then!” She
laughed in an equally playful tone. Hermione’s hand shot to her mouth when she heard a soft moan
come from Ginny. She turned to leave, not wanting to hear anymore but ended up barreling straight
into Goyle’s chest.

“Watch where yer goin.” Goyle barked stupidly.

“What’s wrong, mudblood? Why aren’t you spending your time with Saint Potter?!” Malfoy sneered
at her before stepping around her and opened the door to the compartment. “Oh! Is this what I think
it is?” Malfoy let out a laugh. “I can’t believe that Potter’s dipped into the Weasley barrel!”

Hermione spun on Draco and shoved him against the wall. “You *don’t* barge in on people
like that, Malfoy!” She seethed angrily. If it were possible, he paled more than his complexion
would have normally allowed but he quickly regained his composure and shook her off.

“Oh, but it’s perfectly fine to listen in on a private conversation?” He sneered back
triumphantly. He looked at her shocked face and laughed before signaling the human walls that
followed him everywhere that it was time to go. “Have fun, mudblood.” He whispered quietly as he
passed her and let out another laugh.



2. I Hate Love
--------------

CHAPTER TWO
I Hate Love
Hermione glanced quickly into the compartment and saw Ginny sitting next to Harry with a
surprised expression on her face. Harry was already getting to his feet and walking towards her
quickly.

“Hermione, did he do anything to you?!” He punctuated the question with a scowl at the look on
her face. “What did he do?” Harry turned towards the retreating Malfoy and went for his wand.

“Harry, stop!” She managed to get out. “I-It was nothing, really. Are you two ok? That was rude
of him to just barge in like that.”

Harry sneered at the door down the hall where Draco had just been. “Yeah, we’re ok.” He sighed
and looked quickly back into the room. Harry and Ginny shared a look and he quickly relaxed. “The
git does that every time we’re on the Express, remember? Was someone actually eavesdropping at the
door?” He finished with a smile that quickly turned to a look of concern. “Hermione?”

She snapped to and forced a smile. “He does, doesn’t he?” She admitted with an aloof attitude
and shrugged.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” He pressed and took her arm.

Despite herself she felt heat creep up her cheeks again. “Y-yes, I’m fine, Harry.” She forced
another smile in the hopes that he’d drop the matter.

“If you say so.” He said slowly. “Listen, would it be ok to talk now?”

Hermione stiffened at the thought of talking to him alone. *What is he going to do? Tell me
how good a kisser Ginny is?* She bristled and felt her stomach turn over nauseously at the mere
thought of them together.

“Well, I ...” She started but was cut off.

“Great!” He said with a smile that made her melt and her heart skip a beat. “Gin, do you mind if
my best friend and I have a bit of alone time to catch up?”

Ginny smiled nervously and looked between the two of them. “S-sure.” She said after a moment. “I
need to find Luna anyway.”

Harry beamed at her and pulled her into a brief hug before ushering Hermione into the small
compartment. “Thanks, Gin.” He said with a wink as he walked her into the hall. After a few moments
he was sitting across from Hermione with the closed door cutting them off from the rest of the
train.

“How was your summer, Hermione?” He asked innocently.

She looked up from the floor and found that he was watching her expectantly like he always did
when they had talked before. She blushed slightly when he tilted his head to the side.

“Hermione? Was your summer ok?” He asked again.

She nodded slowly and smiled. “It was ok.” She admitted. “I missed you and Ron so much! This is
the first summer that we haven’t spent at least some time together.”

“I know what you mean.” He replied quietly. Harry looked out the window and his face changed to
that of one who was deep in thought. “I wanted to talk to you about so much but I couldn’t write it
in a letter, there was too much of a chance that it would’ve been intercepted.”

Hermione fought the instinct to hug him, to comfort him, but settled with a quiet sigh. “I know.
I wanted to be there for you, but Mum and Dad wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

Harry nodded quietly then crossed to her side of the car and sat next to her. Hermione’s heart
fluttered despite the situation that she found herself in. *He needs me. I can’t just leave him
alone, can I?* She straightened when he put his hand on her knee and looked at her. His eyes
were filled with a profound sadness that made her heart reach out to him. She felt her arms moving
of their own accord on a direct path to pull him into a hug but she stopped herself. “I’m sorry,
Harry.” She said instead and gingerly set her hand on his.

“I miss him, Hermione, I really do.” He started telling her how much it hurt to have Sirius
taken from him. More than once he wiped away a tear that ran down her cheek before he wiped away
his own. All she would allow herself to do was nod and pat his hand gently when she felt he needed
it.

“I was surprised how well Ginny listened.” He said suddenly. Hermione glanced at him quickly but
he was looking at the door of the compartment. When he turned back she looked to the floor. “I
don’t know what it is, Hermione, but for some reason we connected. I mean *really* connected
with one another.”

Hermione felt her heart begin to shatter with his confession and her eyes started to sting. She
couldn’t believe that he was actually telling her this.

“It’s not on the same level that you and I were at, though. I mean, she and I can finish each
other’s sentences, I’m not sure how we got to that level, but I can’t read her like I can you.” He
said quietly. “It’s like there’s something missing and I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

Her heart began beating rapidly again. *It’s because you don’t love her, you love ME!* She
screamed to herself. “I-I don’t know either, Harry.” She found herself saying. *What? Of course I
know!* She berated herself. She jumped when she felt his hand cup her cheek and he turned her
face to his.

“Are you ok? You’re covered in sweat and your face is burning up.” Harry asked with a concerned
look.

With her heart still hammering away in her chest from the unexpected contact all she could do
was stammer. “Y-yes, I-I’m perfectly fine, Harry.” She felt her face get even warmer and she stood
quickly, regretting the break in contact. “I do feel a bit warm, I-I’m going to go get some water,
I’ll be right back.” She left the compartment in as casual a manner as she could muster and turned
back quickly. “Do you want anything?” She asked quietly.

Harry shook his head, the look of concern still on his face. “No, that’s alright. I’ll just wait
for the snack cart to come by.”

Hermione nodded absently and closed the door. She took a step and steadied herself against the
wall as she wiped away the cold sweat that had formed on her forehead. She stepped forward with a
sigh and bumped into a startled Ginny.

“Hermione, are you ok?” She asked as she put a hand on her shoulder. “You look a little
tired.”

“I’m *fine*!” Hermione snapped unintentionally and regained her composure immediately.
“I-I’m sorry, Ginny, I just feel a little warm and need a drink of water, I didn’t mean to snap at
you.”

Ginny gave her a quick hug. “It’s alright.” She said comfortingly. “Did you and Harry have a
good talk?”

Hermione nodded absently. *If you could call that good ...* She thought bitterly. “He’s
gone through a lot and I’m glad he talked to me about Sirius.” She admitted.

“Can we talk after you get your drink?” Ginny asked with the gleam from earlier back in her
eyes. “I haven’t been able to talk with anyone my age all summer!” Ginny had a hint of excitement
in her voice that unnerved Hermione.

“I-I guess.” Hermione said forcing another smile. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”

Ginny smiled and pulled her into another hug before she headed back to the car Harry was in.
Hermione felt her stomach knot up and she made her way to the galley as quickly as she could. She
really needed that water.

She was thankfully able to get to her destination without another distraction and had soon
downed a glass of cold water that seemed to help immensely. *What am I going to do? They can’t
have fallen for each other so quickly, could they?* Hermione was so lost in thought that she
didn’t notice someone else had entered the room. She looked up with surprise when he cleared his
throat.

“Hermione, what are you doing here? I thought that you were talking to Harry.” Ron asked
quietly. “Did they get on your nerves too?”

Hermione looked at him blankly for a moment before she realized that he was even talking to her.
“Oh, what was that?”

“I asked why you weren’t still talking with Harry.” Ron said with frustration evident in his
voice. “What is wrong with you?”

Hermione looked to the floor and sighed. *Oh, I don’t know, I’m in love with my best friend
who is oblivious to that fact?* She sighed again and shook her head. “I got a bit too warm and
came for some water, Ron.” She said calmly.

“You needed four hours to drink water?” Ron asked incredulously.

“What? Four hours?” Hermione blinked at him. “It hasn’t been that long, has it?”

Ron nodded. “Listen, I covered your patrol shift when you didn’t show up so don’t worry about
missing it.” Ron sighed and put an arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t we go back to the others
and we’ll hang around until we get to Hogsmeade.”

Hermione blanched at the thought of being in the same room as the two of them. “I need to talk
to Hannah about some of the items in the memo and there was something I need to talk to Padma about
dealing with this year’s head girl.” She pulled out from under his arm and went to the door. “I’ll
be along in a few, ok?” Without waiting for an answer, Hermione made her way to the front of the
train with the hope that Ron wouldn’t press the issue.

She arrived in the empty prefect’s compartment and sighed in relief. Everyone’s trunks were
stored elsewhere and there wasn’t a real reason for anyone to come back. She sat down and tried to
process everything that she was experiencing. *Ginny must have been a real good listener for her
to be finishing Harry’s sentences this quickly.* She pulled gently at her lower lip and let out
a long sigh. There was a knock on the door that made her jump involuntarily.

“Hermione? Are you in there?” Ginny asked quietly from the other side of the door. “Are you
ok?”

Hermione rolled her eyes and fought back the urge to punch something. *No I’m not fine!*
She sighed and opened the door. “Come on in, Gin, I was just waiting for Hanna and Padma.”

Ginny walked in slowly and sat quietly across from Hermione. “Would now be an ok time to talk?”
She asked tentatively. Hermione could see that she was chomping at the bit to talk about
something.

*I bet that something is Harry.* She sighed in defeat. “Sure, Gin, what’s on your
mind?”

“Well,” She scooted a little closer to her friend so she was on the edge of her seat. “I don’t
know how to actually put this ...”

“You’re dating Harry?” Hermione said dryly but forced a smile at the end.

“Oh, I knew you’d find out about us.” Ginny admitted. “But that’s not what I what I have a
problem with.”

“Oh?” Hermione’s interest peaked. *If it’s not about them dating then what?*

Ginny nodded. “You know Harry better than anyone, Hermione.”

“Oh I wouldn’t bet on that.” She sighed under her breath.

Ginny looked at her curiously. “What?”

“You could say that.” Hermione said louder with a soft smile on her lips. “Is there something
wrong with the two of you?”

Ginny shook her head then changed her mind and nodded slowly. “He told you that we talked a lot
over summer holiday? Well, that went a long way to encourage us finally getting together, but ... I
don’t know how to say it ... I don’t feel like he’s being fully honest with me.”

Hermione arched an eyebrow. “Why do you say that? He’s not one to lie offhandedly or anything.
If he’s not telling you something, it’s usually his way of protecting you ... It really irritates
me when he does that.” Hermione scowled.

Ginny giggled softly. “He does do that, doesn’t he? Well, there’s nothing wrong with the
physical side, I mean we haven’t had sex yet, but the rest of it is good.” She sighed.

Hermione fought rolling her eyes and instead looked out the window. “Is–” She changed her mind
about that question. *I don’t want to find out second hand how he is ...* “What’s the problem
then? I mean, you two just got together. That’s not a long time, in the scheme of things that
is.”

“Well, I know I love him, Hermione.” Ginny admitted with a pink tinge crawling up her cheeks.
Hermione flinched but recomposed herself quickly. “I’ve told him I do, but he hasn’t said it back.
He just smiles at me when I say it, it’s maddening.”

Hermione sighed in relief. *Well, he hasn’t gone that far yet.* “How long ago did you tell
him, the first time I mean?”

“About a week ago.” Ginny sighed. “Is it me? Do you think he doesn’t love me?” She looked into
her friends eyes pleadingly. “I’ve had a crush on him for so long and when I finally get him, I
can’t tell if he’s treating me as a long-term fling or as something more serious.”

Hermione cursed herself. *This is so stupid of me!* “Well, Harry has gone through quite a
lot of hardship, Ginny, there’s a good chance that he doesn’t know what love feels like. I’m afraid
that you’ll have to wait for him.” *I’m really beginning to hate that word ...*

Ginny nodded quietly. “Thanks, Hermione.” A sly smile crossed her lips. “So, is there
*anyone* that you’re interested in?”

Hermione blanched at the question. *Where did that come from?*

“Come on, Hermione, there’s got to be someone. I know you’re not all books and studying, I’ve
heard you talk in your sleep.” Ginny pressed with a smile.

“I don’t talk in my sleep.” Hermione said flatly.

“Yes you do, I seem to remember you saying something about the kitchen not being an appropriate
place?” Ginny giggled at the look on Hermione’s face.

“I actually said that?” Hermione blanched. *That was the first time I dreamed of Harry ...*
She looked at her hands in embarrassment.

“You did. I’ve been dying to ask you since I overheard you say that. We were in the common room
one night and you fell asleep on the sofa.” Ginny leaned in. “Is it someone I know?”

Hermione felt her heart start to race and stories started running through her mind at a
breakneck pace. *No, she wouldn’t believe Colin ...*

“Is it someone in your year? In Gryffindor?” Ginny pressed and Hermione blushed profusely. Ginny
let out a laugh. “I knew it!”

Hermione gaped at Ginny in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“I know who you’re talking about, Hermione.” Ginny said more seriously. “I think I’ve known for
a few years now.”

Hermione stammered. “I-I’m sorry, Ginny, I know that he’s your b–”

“My brother, yes. You don’t have to apologize, Hermione, I think you’d make a good couple! Don’t
tell him I told you this ...” Ginny looked around conspiratorially. “He could do nothing but talk
about you all summer.”

Hermione’s eyes went wide. *What? RON?!* She looked to the ground again. “But ...”

“It’s fine with me, and I’m sure that Harry will be too.” Ginny said offhandedly. “The one
you’ll have to watch out for is Luna she’s got it pretty bad for him.”

Hermione was so shocked she just sat there wide-eyed. *How did it turn around so that I was
getting advice from Ginny?*

“Oh, we’re slowing down, I’ll see you back at our car, ok?” Ginny shot to her feet and left the
room leaving behind one very stunned Hermione.
* * *
*Gryffindor Common Room: Present*
Hermione peeked in from the portrait hole. *Good, nobody’s there!* She started for the
stairs to the girl’s dormitory.

“Hermione?”

*Why? Why can’t I just get through here without running into someone ... Especially him.*
“Hi, Harry.” She said with a sigh. Ginny wasn’t anywhere to be found, to her relief.

He motioned for her to have a seat next to him. She looked down nervously then reluctantly sat
on the sofa as far from him as she could without making it blatantly obvious she didn’t want to be
too close. She couldn’t handle that closeness right now.

“Hermione, why have you been avoiding me?” He asked quietly. “It wasn’t because of my depression
over Sirius was it?”

She looked into his glittering emerald eyes and couldn’t help herself. Without a word, Hermione
wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a comforting embrace. “No, Harry, don’t think like
that. I’m glad that you told me what was on your mind.” She whispered to him. “I-I’m here for you
to talk to when you need it, I hope you know that.”

Harry returned her hug with a tight one of his own. “I’m sorry, Hermione, I just ... I don’t
think I could make it without you with me ... I need you in my life.”

Hermione stiffened at the words. *Give me a clear signal here, Harry!* She seethed as she
pulled out of the hug. “What? You need me? What about Ginny?”

Harry looked at her in confusion. “You know I need you in my life, you’re my best friend.
Ginny’s my girlfriend, but ...”

Hermione flinched involuntarily at his reference to Ginny. “But what, Harry?”

Harry looked at the floor and sighed deeply. “There’s more that I wanted to talk to you about,
Sirius wasn’t the only thing that happened last year.”

Hermione calmed herself. “Ok, I’m listening.”

Harry looked at her and after a moment began to tell her about the prophecy that Professor
Trelawney had given. “So you see, if I’m to beat Voldemort ...”

“You have to murder him ...” Hermione finished. “Or he’ll murder ...”

“Me.” Harry nodded quietly. “I needed time to process this and I wanted to tell you about it
first.” He looked back to her and wiped away a tear that had started its way down her cheek. “I
know I can trust you to keep it a secret until I tell Ron and after that, I don’t want anybody else
to know.”

“Aren’t you going to tell Ginny?” She asked quietly, wondering why he hadn’t taken his hand from
her face. She pushed her cheek into his palm and closed her eyes with a content sigh.

“I don’t want her to know.” Harry said adamantly. “I only wanted to tell my two best friends. I
love you, Hermione, and I want you to know what’s been on my mind since Sirius died.”

*He loves me?* She snapped her head up and looked him in the eyes. “You love me?” She asked
incredulously.

Harry nodded. “You’re my best friend, how could I not?” He added with a smile that disappeared
as quickly as it had shown itself. “Hermione, what’s wrong?”

“*Nothing!*” She spat at him. “I’m glad you told me what was on your mind, but I need to
get some sleep, and so should you, we’ve got a big test tomorrow.” She stood suddenly and walked
with a determined stride from the room.

“Hermione, wait!” Harry called after her but she didn’t stop.

*I HATE LOVE!* She screamed in her mind as the tears started to fall.



3. Mixed Signals
----------------

CHAPTER THREE
Mixed Signals
For the first time this year, Hermione felt blessed. When she got to her room, all her roommates
were fast asleep. Even Lavender was out cold which was quite the shock because she would be up
writing in her diary until Hermione got back for the night.

As quietly as she could, she grabbed her sleeping clothes and went to the lavatory to change and
get ready for bed. Her mind was still reeling with his words: “*I love you.*”

“How in the bloody hell can he tell me that and not tell his *girlfriend*?” She cursed
under her breath. She felt her eyes stinging again and slapped her hand down on the edge of the
sink. *CUT IT OUT! IT’S OBVIOUS HE’S NOT INTERESTED! GET OVER IT!* Hermione screamed in her
head. But no matter how many times she thought those words, his piercing green eyes washed them
away. “*I Love You.*”

“Damn him!” She growled angrily and she squeezed the toothpaste tube a bit too hard. She brought
her toothbrush to her mouth and gagged involuntarily. Hermione looked at the amount of toothpaste
that had covered the bristles, the handle, and quite a bit of the sink and she closed her eyes.

“Get a grip, Granger.” She whispered. “He doesn’t want to go beyond a platonic relationship. You
were fine with this before, you can be again.” She cleared away the excess toothpaste and went back
to her nightly routine. *I can deal with a platonic relationship, I can.* She felt her courage
building.

*Of course he loves you, you idiot, you’ve been friends for five years.* Another voice
piped in.

*I* know*. I know.* She answered back.

Without another sound, she pulled her bushy hair into a ponytail and washed her face, using
liberal amounts of cold water. She collected her things and crawled quietly into bed.

*I’ll apologize tomorrow.* She promised herself.

*But you have nothing to apologize for.* The other voice told her.

She sighed inwardly. “I need to. I need to get past this. I don’t want to lose him as a friend
even if that’s all ...” She choked back a sob. “Even if that’s all I am to him.” She finished
quietly. Her eyelids felt heavier than they had ever been in her life and the emotional and
physical stress finally wore her down.
* * *
*“Harry? Harry, where are you?” Hermione called desperately down the abandoned street. “Harry,
please answer me!”*

*There was an explosion a block away and she saw a cloud of smoke rise into the air followed
by a high-pitched, cruel laugh.*

*“NO!” She screamed as she ran to the disturbance. “HARRY!”*

*She pulled open the gate to the derelict house’s garden and ran into the overgrown jungle it
had become. There was movement to her right and she spun around with a raised wand.*

*“STUPE-” She bellowed.*

*“HERMIONE! IT’S ME!” Harry stumbled forward and fell to his knees in front of her.*

*“HARRY!” She kneeled and pulled him into a hug. “Are you hurt? Where’s Volde-”*

*“Run! You shouldn’t be here, Hermione!” He gasped and pushed her back. “Get away before it’s
too late!”*

*“I’m not going to leave you, Harry!” She screamed back at him. “I don’t want to lose
you!”*

*“Hermione, you don’t understand! You’ll die! I don’t want to lose you either! RUN!” Harry
pushed her away with as much force as he could and she fell backwards. “RUN! NOW!” He turned over
onto his back and raised his wand.*

*“Time to die, Potter! And don’t worry, Hermione will go with you!” A high pitched voice came
from a small copse of trees.*

*“GO HERMIONE! NOW!” Harry screamed. He looked at her passionately. “Don’t make me banish you,
love ...” He whispered to her. She could see the passion in his eyes, the glittering intensity of
his gaze and she knew that he loved her beyond anything she could fathom.*

*“I love you.” She cried and went for him but she seemed to slow down dramatically, as if she
were submerged in molasses. Every second felt like a year and she watched in horror as a tall
figure in black robes broke through the underbrush with a raised wand. A green glow could be seen
at its tip.*

*“Goodbye, Potter!* AVADA KEDAVRA*!” The figure shouted as Hermione began to scream.
There was a gust of wind and the hood was blown back revealing a maniacally laughing Ginny Weasley.
Harry slumped over dead at her feet and she stalked menacingly towards Hermione. “You’re next,
mudblood!” She screeched. “I knew you wanted Harry and he almost went to you! I wasn’t about to let
someone else have him if I couldn’t!”*

*“GINNY?!” Hermione’s eyes went wide. “But, you loved him! Why? WHY?!” She didn’t know if her
tears were of anger or of grief or both but either way they were spilling down her cheeks as she
shuffled away from the one who murdered her love.*

*“Ginny?” The girl let out another high-pitched, cruel laugh that distorted her face into
someone unrecognizable. “She died a long time ago. And you thought your* precious *Harry had
destroyed me in the chamber! That’s bad comedy!”*

*Hermione looked at who she had thought was her friend and her confusion vanished. “Riddle?”
She asked quietly.*

*“Got it in one! You are a clever witch, aren’t you?” Ginny smiled at her maniacally. “I bet
you know what my plans are by now as well, so without further ado ... AVADA KEDA-”*
* * *
Hermione snapped awake at the insistent shaking of Lavender Brown.

“Hermione! Wake up!” She looked frightened. “Are you ok? You were screaming for Harry.”

She looked around wildly in a state of panic. She was cold and felt very nauseous. Her stomach
felt like there was a mass of worms wriggling around inside of her and she felt bile start to rise
in her throat. Hermione quickly got out of bed and ran to the bathroom stopping in front of the
toilet just in time.

She groaned quietly and laid on the cool stone the floor was composed of.

“Hermione?” Parvati asked quietly. She knelt next to her roommate and rubbed her back
comfortingly. “Are you ok? Do you want us to take you to the hospital wing?”

She looked at her roommate and smiled appreciatively. “I-I’m fine” She croaked. She sniffed back
a new wave of tears as she remembered the dream and immediately regretted it. She heaved whatever
was left in her stomach into the toilet until all she could do was gasp and sputter. Tears were
quickly sliding down her cheeks and her eyes were sore from the exertion of vomiting.

“That’s a load of codswallop, Hermione.” Parvati said sternly. “Oi, Lavender, get Hermione’s
robes and slippers, we’re taking her to Madam Pomfrey!”

Hermione tried to say she was alright but she couldn’t find her voice and decided to not fight
with her roommates. *They just care about me.* She thought quietly. The dream was becoming
fuzzy and all she could remember was Ginny’s distorted face and Harry’s body dead at her feet.
*It was just a dream ...* She rationalized. *Just a dream ...*

Parvati helped her to her feet and Lavender helped her into her bathrobe. The three of them made
their way through the deserted halls and soon entered the gleaming white walls of Madam Pomfrey’s
domain. Lavender went to her office while Parvati settled Hermione into a bed.

“What’s wrong?” The concerned school nurse asked quietly as she made her way to Hermione’s
side.

“She had a nightmare and after we woke her up, she threw up in the toilet.” Lavender replied
quietly. She had Hermione’s hand in hers and was patting it comfortingly.

“Miss Granger, I’m sorry to say this but you’re burning up. How long have you been feeling like
this?” The nurse asked her while she checked her temperature, eyes, and various other
appendages.

Hermione tried to talk but it came out as a strained squeak. She cleared her throat and tried
again but to no avail.

Madam Pomfrey nodded. “Laryngitis.” She said simply. She pulled out her wand and waved it over
Hermione four times. Shortly afterwards, a mirror image of her floated quietly above her, mimicking
her movements. “Alright, let’s see what we can find out.” With her wand, the nurse began poking and
prodding the floating Hermione and a few places radiated red. Madam Pomfrey made a clicking sound
with her tongue and continued the examination.

“Is she going to be alright?” Parvati asked worriedly. Lavender squeezed Hermione’s hand
gently.

“Miss Granger, did you spend any time in the Mediterranean this summer?”

Hermione nodded.

“Near Greece?”

Hermione nodded again.

“Well, you’ve gotten yourself a nasty bacterial infection. I assume you drank some of the local
water there?” The nurse asked quietly.

Hermione nodded slowly and tried to ask a question but her voice didn’t come to her again.

“I thought so. There’s a problem with the water in Crete right now and it looks like you drank
some before it was purified again.” Madam Pomfrey said quietly but smiled softly. “Luckily, the
infection hasn’t gone very far and I have a few potions that will clear this up, but you’ll have to
stay here a few days.”

Hermione’s eyes went wide. Lavender looked at her and sighed. “We have a big test in Advanced
Charms tomorrow.” She interpreted for her friend. “She doesn’t want to miss it.”

“I’m sure Professor Flitwick will be more than happy to administer it to her at a later date.”
Poppy said with a smile. She went to her medicine cabinet after dismissing the diagnostic version
of Hermione and returned with a glass and two large bottles. “Now, this is going to taste bad, Miss
Granger.” She warned as she filled a glass. “But you need to drink one glass every four hours. Once
we’ve finished this potion, we’ll go to the second, which is every six hours afterwards.”

Hermione grimaced when she drank the glass of slimy liquid and gagged for air afterwards.
*THAT IS VILE!* She thought with a shudder. Madam Pomfrey handed her a glass of water with a
smile.

“This should wash the slimy film away.” She looked at Lavender and Parvati with a smile. “If you
two will come with me, I’ll give you notes for her Professors.”

“Goodnight, Hermione.” Lavender said with a sympathetic look. “I hope you feel better
tomorrow.”

“Yeah, Hermione, get better.” Parvati said with a pat on her shoulder.

Hermione yawned sleepily and smiled at her two friends. She tried to thank them but her voice
was still absent so she nodded and waved to them. The potion must have had a sleep element added
because she could barely keep her eyes open. She watched her roommates leave with the nurse and
dread began to grow in her stomach.

“Will you let Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley know that she’ll be here for a few days?” Madam Pomfrey
asked her roommates.

*NO! Don’t ... tell ...* *Har ... ry ...* She fell asleep without her friends knowing
she didn’t want to see the young man she loved.

Hermione heard someone talking from a far way off. She couldn’t quite understand what was being
said but the voice was familiar. Her eyes fluttered open to the blinding light of morning and as
her vision cleared she saw Ron smiling at her from the side of the bed.

“Where’s Harry?” She asked sleepily before she realized what she’d said. *My voice is
back!*

“He’s on his way.” Ron replied absently. “He stopped by the library to pick up a book or two for
you. How are you feeling?”

Hermione sighed. “I’m ok. Just a bit tired and ill.”

Ron nodded quietly. “I guess that’s why you were avoiding everyone then?” He asked as he looked
into her eyes hopefully.

Hermione smiled softly but didn’t say anything.

“Is there something else wrong?” He asked nervously.

“No, Ron.” She lied. “Why are you so nervous?”

Ron’s face went red and he cleared his throat. “W-well ... I was wondering, it being your
birthday tomorrow and the first Hogsmeade trip is on Saturday ... I was ... well ... I was
wondering if you’d want to go. To Hogsmeade ... with ... er ... with me.” He looked to the floor
with an embarrassed look and fidgeted in his chair.

*Oh, no, not now Ron ...* She cleared her throat. “We always go to Hogsmeade, Ron.”

He looked at her with a sad look, smiled quickly to cover it up, and then looked seriously at
her. “I mean together. Without Harry.”

Hermione sighed inwardly at the mention of *his* name. “Can we talk about this when I feel
better, Ron?” She looked at him pleadingly. “Madam Pomfrey says it’ll only be a few days.”

Ron stiffened a little but smiled. “Sure, Hermione.” He said a little too quickly. “I’m going to
go get some lunch before class. I’ll come by later, ok?”

Hermione nodded. “Ok, Ron, I’ll see you then.” Without so much as a goodbye, Ron left the
hospital wing with his head bowed and shoulders hunched.

*Why this? Why now?* Hermione buried her face in her hands and sighed loudly.

“Hey, are you feeling better?”

Her heart stopped and she looked up to see Harry’s concerned face. *Harry ...* “Um ... hi.”
She said absently.

“Hi.” He sat in the chair that Ron had been in previously then set some books on her bedside
table. “Are you feeling better?” He reiterated.

Hermione pulled her eyes away from him and looked at her hands which were folded in her lap and
cleared her throat. “Yeah, a little.” She admitted. “J-just a little tired and nauseous is all
...”

Harry took her hand in his and her heart stopped again. He cupped her chin with his free hand
and brought her surprised gaze in line with his own. She could feel her hands start to shake and a
cold sweat bead on her brow.

“Hermione, about the other night ...” He started quietly.

*NO!* She screamed to herself and with a tremendous force of will pulled her hand from his
and shrugged his hand from her chin. “Harry, don’t.” She said evenly.

He looked at her in surprise. “Hermione, why are you acting this way? You’re my best friend,
you’ve always been ...”

“That’s right, Harry, I am your friend and I-I’m starting to feel uncomfortable with your
closeness.” *WHAT AM I SAYING?! TAKE MY HAND AGAIN! TAKE HIS HAND!* She sat still willing him
to read her mind. He looked at his hands and sighed.

“I’m sorry, Hermione, I didn’t think ...” It seemed as if a great weight was settling on his
bowed shoulders. “Ginny told me.” He said softly.

“What did she tell you, Harry?” Hermione’s heart had taken off at a breakneck speed. *Don’t
let it be what I think it is!* She cried desperately to herself.

“S-She told me that you like Ron.” He admitted with a sigh.

*I DON’T! I LOVE YOU!* YOU, HARRY*!* Her hand went to her mouth involuntarily and he
flinched when he caught sight of the motion.

“It’s ok if you didn’t want me to know.” He said with a pained look on his face. “It just caught
me off guard. With the way you two fight with each other I didn’t really think you felt that way
about him.”

She was speechless and could only shake her head slowly. “Harry ...”

He looked at her and smiled one of his fake smiles. “I guess that opposites really do attract,
huh?” He cleared his throat and stood slowly. “If Ron makes you happy, Hermione, then I’m
happy.”

“Harry ... Harry, wait.” She said quietly but he just smiled his fake smile again and took her
hand reassuringly.

“I’ve got to get to class I’ll see you later, ok?” He said a little too happily and left before
she could say another word.

*Oh, Harry ...* She went to bury her face in her hands again but stopped. “He ... He took
my hand?” She whispered and looked up quickly to the hospital wing’s entrance with wide eyes.

Despite their words, neither one of her best friends returned after classes. Hermione was
becoming more depressed by the minute and had long abandoned reading her textbooks. Even the solace
of studying couldn’t keep her mind off the reaction that Harry had with the news that she
supposedly liked Ron. Ron was probably fuming because she didn’t say yes right away and was
avoiding her entirely.

*Why can’t I just tell him how I feel?* She sighed to herself through a new batch of
tears.

*Why do you keep thinking about it? Your grades are going to suffer if you don’t get back to
studying.* That irritating voice in her head replied.

*I wasn’t talking to you!*

*Too bad, I’m not going anywhere and if you don’t quit overanalyzing this, you’ll go
insane.*

Hermione sighed and rolled over at the insistence of the nurse.

“Time for your next dose.” She said with a motherly tone and handed her a glass of pink liquid.
“It won’t be long now. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to spend more time with Mr. Potter and Mr.
Weasley tomorrow.”

Hermione drank the potion quickly and handed the glass back with a groan. She took the offered
glass of water and quickly downed that as well. “Thank you.” She said quietly and rolled back to
her side.

She felt Madam Pomfrey’s hand land comfortingly on her arm. “Don’t worry, he’ll come around
eventually.” She whispered to Hermione’s surprise. She looked up at the nurse but Madam Pomfrey had
already left for her office.

Hermione sighed quietly. “It’s probably as likely as me marrying Malfoy.” She groaned.

“I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon, mudblood.” Malfoy sneered from the other side of the
curtain.

“Sod off, Malfoy!” Hermione growled angrily. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“If you can listen in on conversations, I can listen in on people talking to themselves. Why I’m
here is none of *your* concern.” He retorted. “Anyway, I’m surprised that you and Saint Potter
haven’t hooked up yet.” He laughed after a moment. “Wait, the clueless duo of your group don’t know
that you like him ... Just think what would happen if this bit of news somehow landed in their
hands ...”

Hermione blanched. “Malfoy, if you speak one word of this you’ll regret that you were ever
born!” She spat angrily.

“Hey! Get off of me!” Malfoy yelled angrily.

“What have you been saying to her, Malfoy!” Harry’s angry voice came from Malfoy’s side of the
curtain.

“I was just telling her ...” Hermione could almost hear his sneer. “That I wouldn’t ever marry
the likes of a filthy mudbl-” Malfoy was cut off by a sickening thud. “Agh! You brode my dose!”

“What’s the meaning of this, Mr. Potter?!” Madam Pomfrey shouted as she walked over to them.
“Mr. Malfoy, let me see that. Oh, tut tut, It’s broken. Don’t worry we’ll have that fixed up in a
moment. Come with me. You, Mr. Potter, *OUT!*”

“But I just came to ...” Harry stuttered.

“Leave her assignments at my desk and *leave*!” She said sternly. “You are not to come back
unless you are injured! Now *GO!*”

Hermione heard Harry mutter something about ferrets under his breath and he stuck his head
through the curtains quickly. “Sorry, Hermione, I had a detention with Snape. I’ll find another way
to visit.”

“MR. POTTER!”

Harry blanched and waved quickly. “See you later ...” And he was gone.

*Harry, why’d you have to go and do that for?* Hermione sighed in frustration.

*Because he protects the ones he loves.* The irritating voice echoed in reply.

*Ok, I’m getting really irritated with you, now shut up! Harry only sees me as his friend.*
She reasoned back.

*Oh, is that why he tries to protect you? Or how about all the little touches and glances? Or
could it be why he was so upset with the news about you and Ron?*

*I don’t like Ron that way!* She seethed angrily. She realized she was gripping the sheets
so tightly that her knuckles were white.

“Ahem. Hermione, are you feeling better?” Ron’s voice startled her.

“Ron? Yeah, I’m doing better.” She lied. *Well, not really a lie, I’m better physically,
right?*

“Ok, well, Harry told me what happened with that git Malfoy. I thought I’d come up to see if you
were ok.” Ron said quietly from behind the curtain. “You’ll be out tomorrow?” He asked
nervously.

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Ron, you don’t have to stand out there.”

“It’s ok, Hermione, I’m heading back in a minute. So you’ll be cleared to go tomorrow?” He asked
again.

Hermione sighed. “Yes, Ron, I’ll be out tomorrow morning if Madam Pomfrey says it’s ok.”

“Ok. Well, sleep well, Hermione. I’ll see you for breakfast tomorrow.” Ron turned and left
before Hermione had a chance to say anything else.

She rolled back onto her side and yawned sleepily. *Why? Why does this have to happen now? It
would be so much better if I weren’t stuck here.*

*And where else would you go? The library? Your dorm room?*

*I SAID SHUT UP!* She rolled her eyes and recited her Arithmancy tables in an effort to
keep her mind busy but Harry’s head sticking through the curtains kept creeping back to the
forefront of her thoughts and she found herself trying desperately to push the ensuing daydreams
from her mind.

*This is too hard. I can’t do this! I have to get past this! And tomorrow is the Hogsmeade
trip ...* She yawned again and this time she was too tired to continue. Within a few minutes she
was asleep.



4. Im Over You!
---------------

CHAPTER FOUR
I’m Over You!
“Miss Granger, why are you still here? I said you could leave fifteen minutes ago.” Madam
Pomfrey said with a slight smile. “You don’t have to wait for your friends to come and get
you.”

Hermione sighed. “I was just finishing up a chapter so I’d be at a good stopping point, Madam
Pomfrey.”

The nurse shook her head. “I’ve never known any student who read and studied as much as you do.”
She laughed heartily. “Alright, finish your chapter then it’s time to go. You need to get some
breakfast in you.”

Hermione smiled and looked back down to the same page she’d been staring at all morning. She had
a dreamy look in her eyes and all she could think about was Thursday morning.
* * *
*The hospital wing around three.*
“Hermione, wake up.”

She rolled over and tried to push the hand that was shaking her shoulder away. “Leave me alone,
Lavender, I’m fine.” She said groggily.

“Hermione, it’s me.”

She opened her eyes sleepily and looked around. “Harry? Where are you?”

“Right here.” He opened his invisibility cloak slightly so that she could see him. “I told you
I’d find a way.” He winked at her.

Hermione blushed but looked at him sternly. “Harry! If Madam Pomfrey catches you it’ll be
another detention!” She hissed quietly to him.

Harry shrugged. “Like I don’t get enough already.” He gave her one of his trademark roguish
smiles.

“What are you doing back? I know you said you’d visit ...” She blinked more sleep away from her
eyes and absently tried to comb her hair with her fingers. *I must look a mess!* She blushed
again.

“Well, I wanted to continue our conversation, but since I was kicked out I had to wait till the
coast was clear.” He admitted.

Hermione’s eyes went wide. “You want to keep talking about that?” She asked incredulously.

“That and now that it’s after midnight.” He reached behind his back and pulled out a small
package. “Happy birthday, Hermione.” He said with a smile.

“Harry, you didn’t have to.” She smiled back as he passed the gift to her. She opened it as
quietly as she could and found a jewelry box under the paper. She looked up at him suspiciously.
“What’s this?”

“Open it.” He said with a smile. “I got that for you before we ...” He cleared his throat.
“Before we went to the Department of Mysteries.”

“You got this for me back then?” Despite herself she couldn’t keep the smile from spreading
across her face. Harry nodded with a lopsided grin. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything, just open it.” He said with a wave of his hand. He looked around cautiously
to make sure that nobody had spotted him.

Hermione opened the velvet jewelry box with shaking hands and her hand went to her mouth to
cover the gasp she let out. “Harry! This ... This is beautiful. How did you know?” She looked up to
see him smiling happily.

“Do you like it?”

She looked down at the silver, heart-shaped locket that was twinkling in the moonlight. She had
spotted it last year in Hogsmeade and went to look at it every time there was a trip there. With a
shaking hand she pulled it from its satin pillow and turned it over in her hands. “Why would you
get this for me?” She asked quietly then she stiffened when his hand rested on her arm. *Yes! Why
not his* GIRLFRIEND*?!* She felt the anger start to grow within her.

She looked into Harry’s glowing eyes and his smile vanished. “Hermione? Don’t you like it? You
were looking at it the last time we were in Hogsmeade and I bought it when you went to
Scrivenshafts.”

She pulled her arm away from him and closed the box. “Here, you should give things like this to
your *girlfriend*, Harry.” She hissed through clenched teeth. She slapped the box into his
hand to his astonishment.

“But ... But I got it before Ginny and I even started dating.” Harry stammered back.

“How do you think she’ll feel if she found out you got me something like this for my birthday?
Haven’t you learned anything since *Cho*?” Hermione bit back at him. At the mention of Cho’s
name Harry took on a confused look.

“I ... Well, I don’t think I really ever liked Cho.” He admitted. “But this is a completely
different situation, Hermione, Ginny doesn’t mind that we’re friends.”

“That is not a gift you give to a *friend*, Harry.” Hermione replied evenly. “Thank you for
dropping by and wishing me happy birthday and all.” She rolled her eyes when she said happy. “But I
need to get back to sleep if I’m going to get any better.”

“Hermione ...”

“Good.Night.Harry.” She said in a tone that told him she was finished. Hermione turned her back
to him and pulled the covers to her chin. She heard him sigh and whisper good night before his
footsteps echoed to the door. Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes and rolled to her back but
winced when something small and hard jabbed her in the side. She reached behind her and felt a
small, velvet box. *He left the locket.* After she retrieved the box, she opened it and pulled
out the sparkling, silver heart and undid the latch. Inside was a picture of the three of them from
first year smiling at the camera and waving every so often. The photo version of Hermione kept
glancing at Harry in what she had thought was a subtle way but the camera showed her otherwise. She
cried herself to sleep while she held onto her gift for fear of losing it.
* * *
*Gryffindor common room two days later.*
As luck would have it, everyone seemed to be sleeping in today. Hermione sighed in relief and
carried her things back to her room. She tried to navigate through the dark to her bed but found it
nearly impossible to do without her eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room. She reached for the
drawstring to the curtains next to her and opened them slightly. The light streamed through the
window and immediately illuminated everything before it.

“Hey, close the curtains! It’s Saturday!” Lavender pulled her blankets over her head and groaned
in protest.

Parvati sat up and yawned. She looked at the intruder in a daze and her eyes went wide.
“Hermione, you’re back!” She slipped to the floor where her slippers waited and she went across the
room to envelop her friend in a hug. “Are you feeling better now?” She asked with a bright
smile.

“What? Hermione’s back?” Lavender sat up quickly and smiled at the confirmation her eyes gave
her. She crossed the room and hugged Hermione as well and smiled. “Had enough of those potions
then?”

Hermione laughed. “Yes, I’m fine. I was actually trying to drop off my books and go down for
some breakfast before anyone got up.”

“Even Harry?” Lavender asked with surprise.

Hermione frowned. “Yes, even Harry.” She said evenly. “I don’t need to tag along with him
everywhere.”

Parvati quickly placed a hand on her forehead. “Are you sure you’re better?”

“Cut it out.” Hermione grinned despite herself. She batted her friend’s arm away with her free
hand and crossed to her desk. She set her stack of books precariously on top and they wobbled and
spilled to the floor. A black, velvet box bounced off the stone and skidded to a stop at Lavender’s
feet.

“Ooh! What’s this?” She bent quickly before Hermione could even register that Harry’s gift was
missing and blanched at the pair of squeals that came from across the room.

*Oh, great!* Hermione huffed to herself. “Ok, you’ve seen it, can I have it back now?”

“But, Hermione!” Lavender squealed. “Who gave it to you?” She looked at Hermione’s blushing face
and smiled wide. “Harry did, didn’t he?”

Without a word, Hermione crossed the room and snatched the open box from Lavender’s hands. “He
shouldn’t have.” She said quietly as she put the box in one of the pockets in her robe.

“Why not?” Parvati asked with a frown. “How long have you two been together? Two, maybe three
years by now?”

Hermione looked at Parvati crossly. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve known that you two have been dating since before the Tri-Wizard tournament, Hermione.”
Lavender said curiously.

“What?” Hermione looked at them shocked. “Have you forgotten about Cho Chang? And to answer your
question, we’re only friends.”

Lavender smiled. “Oh, I forgot all about her ... Then did you get together this summer?” Parvati
looked at Hermione expectantly.

“We never got together.” Hermione said in frustration. “You two are as dense as Harry is!
Haven’t you seen him all over Ginny?!”

Parvati’s smile disappeared. “Well, now that you mention it.”

Lavender sighed in agreement. “I guess I didn’t really notice, I stopped pining after Harry when
I found out that you liked him.”

“What? When did I ever say that?” Hermione asked furiously.

“In your sleep.” Parvati said with a smile. “Oh, the stories we could tell! There was this one
time you were giggling and told him that your father would kill him if he found out what you were
doing ...”

Lavender smiled eagerly. “What were you two doing?”

Hermione closed her eyes. *One ... Two ... Three, breathe deeply.* “That is something I’ll
know and you won’t find out.” She said in a quiet even tone. “Now I’m going to get some breakfast
if you’ll excuse me.” And with that she barged out of the room.

*The nerve of those two!* Hermione fumed to herself. *That’s it! I’m putting a silencing
charm on my curtains before I go to bed!*

Hermione stormed through the common room and out through the portrait hole. She didn’t bother to
stop and talk to anyone and sat with a huff at the Gryffindor table. The smell of sausages and
bacon filled the air and almost instantly the plates filled in front of her. She looked at the food
and felt her stomach groan in anticipation.

“Finally some real food ...” She sighed with a smile. Hermione began to fill her plate with
scrambled eggs and when she went for the sausage she found the plate empty. “W-what?” She blinked
and looked around.

“Morning.” Ron said around a mouth full of the missing sausages.

“Ron, that’s disgusting!” She made a face and went for a piece of toast that was thankfully
still on the table.

Ron shrugged and smiled in return. “It’s good to see you up and about, Hermione.” He placed a
hand on her shoulder as he sat down. “Are you ready to go to Hogsmeade today?”

Hermione blanched. *I forgot! That was today?* She looked at him nervously and smiled
apologetically. “I’m sorry, Ron. I completely forgot about Hogsmeade and was planning on catching
up on my studies. I still haven’t taken my Charms test ...”

Ron frowned slightly and to Hermione his face seemed to take on a pained expression. “Wait, why
don’t you bring your books with you? You can study at the Three Broomsticks!”

“Ron, you know I can’t study with all that noise going on!” She rolled her eyes. “I need
someplace quiet, like the library or the common room.”

“Well, how about the Hog’s head?” Ron said enthusiastically. “Students rarely go there and most
people keep to themselves.”

“I don’t know, Ron, that’s a pretty seedy place.” Hermione said quietly. *He’s trying hard,
isn’t he?* She pulled away from his hand by reaching for the plate of bacon he had missed.

“Come on, Hermione.” Ron insisted. “You’ll get out of the castle, you’ll have a quiet place to
study, and we can share a butterbeer or two, well, not literally mind you.”

Hermione sighed as she thought it over. *Well, I do need to get rid of this cabin fever I’ve
developed and I would like a butterbeer...*

“Good morning, Ronald.” A dreamy voice said from behind them.

Ron blanched and nearly fell off of the bench at the greeting. “Uh ... Hi.” He stammered.

Luna Lovegood didn’t move from her spot and just looked dreamily at him for a moment before she
turned to Hermione. “Hermione, would you mind helping me with some of my Transfiguration homework
this afternoon?” She asked quietly as she put her *Quibbler* back in her bag.

Hermione smiled. “Well, I was thinking about studying in Hogsmeade. I’ve gotten a bit of cabin
fever being cooped up in the hospital wing.”

“Oh, how can you study on a Hogsmeade trip?” Luna asked nonchalantly. “Don’t you get distracted
when you’re with Harry? I always see you, him, and Ron laughing together when you’re out.”

“Well, I don’t think Harry will be joining us this time.” Hermione said absently. “Ron asked if
I would go to the Hog’s Head and have a butterbeer there. I guess I could study there. You’re
welcome to join us if you want.” Hermione looked up at Luna and smiled.

Luna nodded as a far away look settled in her eyes. “I’ll just get some breakfast then, mind if
I sit here? Nobody’s at the Ravenclaw table yet.”

Hermione nodded and turned back to Ron. “I hope you don’t mind, Ron.” Hermione said
apologetically. “It is one of the duties of a prefect to help other students with their schoolwork
...”

Ron cleared his throat and stood as the tips of his ears started to turn red. “It’s ok.” He
almost growled out. “I’ll meet you in the common room when you’re ready to go.” Ron turned on his
heel and left the Great Hall.

“Ronald is so cute when he’s flustered ...” Luna sighed dreamily before digging into her
breakfast.

Hermione closed her eyes. *What kind of melodrama have I gotten myself trapped in?* She
looked down at her bacon and sighed. “I really would have liked some sausage. Ron knows I don’t
like bacon.”

A saucer of sausages was set down next to her egg-filled plate. She glanced up at her benefactor
and froze. *Why him?* “Morning, Harry ...” She forced a smile and looked back to her
plate.

“I saw Ron inhale the sausage.” Harry said quietly. “I know you don’t like bacon so I stopped by
the kitchen for a fresh batch. Hope you don’t mind.”

Hermione blushed. *Why do you do this to me, Harry Potter? Just when I’m getting irritated
with you ...* She shook her head. “I don’t mind, thank you, Harry.”

“Harry! Come on! I want to be first to Puddifoot’s before the best tables are taken!” Ginny
called from the front hall.

Harry sighed. “Coming, Gin!” He shouted back.

Hermione looked up at him. “Puddifoot’s? Don’t you hate that place?”

Harry nodded. “Yeah, but Ginny wants to go.” He shrugged in defeat. “Are you going to Hogsmeade
today?” He asked and Hermione could swear that his eyes had lit up.

“Um ...” She lost her ability to think coherently when she looked into his glittering, green
eyes. Eyes that she wished she could fall into and never have to come out of.

“We’re going with Ron.” Luna chimed in absently.

Harry’s eyes widened for a moment then darkened slightly. “Oh, I guess we’ll see you there
then.” Harry smiled his fake smile again and stiffened when a hand landed on his shoulder.

“Harry, we’re going to miss out on the best tables!” Ginny reiterated in frustration. She looked
at the table and smiled brightly. “Hermione! You’re out of the hospital wing!” She bent and gave
her a quick hug. “Are you feeling better?”

Hermione smiled politely. “Yes, I feel quite a bit better. I got tired of the hospital wing
though.”

Ginny grinned. “I know what you mean. I’m sorry I can’t stay and talk longer, Harry promised me
he’d take me to Madam Puddifoot’s.” She linked her arm with Harry’s and gave him a gentle tug. “See
you later?”

Hermione nodded with her polite smile still firmly in place. “Have fun.” She forced with a
wave.

With a smile, Ginny waved then pulled a despondent Harry out of the Great Hall. Hermione turned
back to her breakfast and realized she’d lost her appetite.

“I don’t know how those two got together.” Luna commented after washing down a piece of toast
with a gulp of orange juice.

“What do you mean?” Hermione asked quietly as she pushed her plate away. “Harry seems to think
they’ve bonded rather well.”

“Is that right?” Luna pursed her lips. “I remember last year and how he was after his godfather
died ... I still don’t see how they got together. I mean, you’ve been his closest friend for how
long now?”

Hermione looked at the table. “About five years.” She admitted quietly. “But the two of them
have been completing each other’s sentences. I saw them talk to each other with a glance.” Hermione
sighed. “I wasn’t there for him for the first time I can remember and Ginny was ...”

“Think about it.” Luna said absently. “Its obvious he takes you for granted. Ginny was just
someone who happened to be there for him at the right time.” She explained. “If you talk to someone
all the time for a summer, you’re bound to pick up the sentence finishing thing and communication
with a glance. They must have done a lot of talking ...”

“But Ginny’s been in love with him for a long time ...”

“Oh, that crush? She’d given up on it last year.” Luna said as a dreamy look crossed her face.
“Well, I’ll wait for you in the entrance hall.” Luna grabbed her bag and left while whistling a
tune that Hermione recognized.

*Weasley is our king ... She really does have it bad for Ron.* She smiled softly and went
to her room for her books. She told Ron she’d be down in a minute and after stuffing her bag near
to bursting, she met up with him at the portrait hole. “Ready?” She asked with a smile.

Ron smiled back and opened the door for her. Hermione stepped through and subconsciously shifted
her bag to the hand closest to Ron.

“Well, Harry and Ginny will be out of our hair for the day.” Ron said eagerly. Hermione frowned.
“There’s only so much of those two I can handle in one sitting.”

“Ron, why are you acting that way? *You’re* the one who got them together.” Hermione said
pointedly. “I mean, I’d think you’d be happy for them.”

“I don’t see you jumping for joy for them, Hermione.” Ron said with a frown. “Don’t get me
wrong, I’m glad they’re together.”

Hermione nodded absently as they caught up with Luna. “Hi, Luna, are you ready to go?”

Luna looked at Ron and nodded silently. Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron’s shudder and she
shifted her books to the other hand as Ron put her between him and Luna.

“Where do you want to go first?” Ron asked nervously. He kept trying to pace himself with
Hermione and Luna so that she consistently blocked his view of her. More than once Hermione noticed
that he looked at her bag of books and a slight scowl crossed his face.

“Well, Madam Puddifoot’s is out of the question.” Hermione chipped in to the agreement of Luna.
“To tell you the truth, I’d like to stop by Scrivenshafts and get a new quill or two and then hit
the books. I’ve fallen too far behind.”

“Hermione, you’ve got your assignments finished a month in advance.” Ron said incredulously.
“Why can’t you take a day off?”

Hermione found that they had already made it to the village. *Wow, time went by fast for
once.*

“Did you hear me Hermione?” Ron asked impatiently.

“What?” She looked at him in surprise.

Ron sighed. “I’m going to make a quick run to Honeydukes.” He said impatiently. “I’ll meet you
at Scrivenshafts.”

Hermione nodded absently and trudged down the road to buy some new supplies. She sighed when she
noticed that she was alone. *I don’t know how long I can keep Ron at bay ...* She entered the
store and a few minutes later found herself leaning against the building as she waited for Ron to
show up. She looked in her bag of purchases and sighed. “I spent too much money this trip ...”

There was an unmistakable giggle that came from between Gladrags and Scrivenshafts and Hermione
stiffened. Before she could control herself, she looked around the corner of the building and saw
Harry and Ginny kissing passionately. The color drained from her face as the pulled apart.

“Isn’t this better than Puddifoot’s?” Harry asked cheekily.

Ginny giggled again. “It’s not all about physical contact, Harry, I want a bit of romance too,
you know.”

“But Madam Puddifoot’s isn’t romantic at all. I actually have bad memories from that place.” He
protested.

Ginny pulled him into another kiss and pulled away playfully. “But you’ve never been there with
me!” She replied playfully. “Come on, Harry, for me?” Hermione turned away and leaned against the
building again.

*Why on earth did I have to be so curious!* She groaned in disgust. She closed her eyes and
began to massage her temples.

“Hermione? HERMIONE?!” Ron called to her.

“What?” She turned on him quickly. “Oh. Hi, Ron.”

“Are you ok? You look kind of pale.”

“I’m fine.” She said with a wave of her hand. “Come on. Let’s go get something to drink.” She
said with a tired sigh. She picked up her school bag in one hand and her new purchases in the other
and nearly marched to the Hog’s Head.

*The nerve of them! In broad daylight! OUTSIDE!* She growled to herself. She reached for
the door to the inn but her hands were both full. *Damn it!* She went to shift her bags so
that she could open the door but Luna beat her to it.

“I’ve got it, Hermione.” She said with a smile and opened the door for the others.

“Thanks, Luna.” Hermione walked in and found the place more deserted than usual. The barkeep
looked up at her and then went back to cleaning the dirty glasses with his dirty cloth.

The three of them went to a table and sat down.

*I need to get that scene out of my head!* She cursed.

“Did you see Harry and Ginny back there?” Luna asked nonchalantly. “You’d think that they would
show some proper decorum.”

Ron grimaced. “I’m glad I didn’t.” He said offhandedly. “I got enough of that all summer.”

Hermione sighed. “Can we talk about something else?” *I don’t want to be reminded. I don’t
want to hear anymore ...*

Ron continued without noticing her request. “I mean, how can those two keep snogging all the
time? If they weren’t talking, they were curled up together under a tree or something.”

Hermione sighed. *There is one way I can forget ... at least for now ...*

*But you could get into trouble, do you want to get expelled?* The voice warned her.

*I can’t handle this anymore, I need to relax! I need to forget!* She retorted. “You know
what?” Hermione said suddenly. “I think you’re right, Ron, I need a day off.”

Ron looked at her as if she’d suddenly given birth to Fluffy. “What?”

“Luna, do you mind if we work on your Transfiguration homework another day?”

Luna looked at her with confusion for a moment. “Oh, yes, that’s fine.” She said dreamily then
looked back to Ron with her eyes a little out of focus. Ron seemed to pale even more than
usual.

“Well, what d-do you want to do, Hermione?” Ron tried his best to block his view of Luna.

“I think I’m going to try some Ogden's Old Firewhisky.” She said determinedly.

“*WHAT?!*” Ron nearly fell out of his seat. “Why on earth do you want to try that?”

“I’m tired of playing by the rules, Ron.” She said as the determination continued to build
within her. “I’m going to ignore them for today and there isn’t anything that’s going to stop
me.”

“How about the fact that you could get into real trouble?” Ron returned sternly.

“So what if I do? I don’t care anymore.” Hermione spat back. Without another word, she went to
the bartender and asked for a shot and a bottle of Ogden’s best. To Ron’s surprise, he gave it to
her and she returned to the table triumphantly.

“Anyone else want some?” She asked as she opened the bottle and poured a liberal amount in her
glass. Without waiting for a response she downed the harsh liquor in one gulp and choked for air as
the flaming hot liquid slid down her throat.

*I knew you were going to regret that ...* The irritating voice said sarcastically.

*Shut up!* She barked back. *I don’t want to constantly think for once!*

“Hermione!” Ron went to her side worriedly and put his hand on her back and started rubbing it.
“Are you ok?”

Hermione shrugged his hand off angrily and refilled her glass. “I’m fine, Ron.” She croaked.
“It’s a little strong, that’s all.” Bracing herself for the effects, she downed her second shot the
same way. Her reaction wasn’t as bad as the first but after a few minutes of gasping for air she
could feel a slight buzz override that voice in her head she’d come to hate.

*That should show you!* She thought slowly. She looked at the bottle in front of her and
spilled more into her glass. “I think this is going to do the trick. It’s not so bad after a few
...”

“I don’t think you can hold your liquor well, Hermione.” Ron said with a defeated tone in his
voice.

“I’m ... fine ... Ron.” She said slowly. She took her shot and downed the contents in one gulp
again. “I’m feeling better that I have since ...” She stopped and thought for a second. “Since the
Hogwarts Express.” She finished. Her vision was starting to blur as she reached for the bottle
again. She felt Ron’s hand on her wrist.

“I think that’s enough, Hermione, what’s gotten into you?”

She looked Ron in the eyes and frowned. “What do you mean? I was sick, *remember*?” She
shook her head and immediately regretted it. “Wow. This is weird ... I’ve never felt so dizzy
before.”

“Maybe you should have eaten something before you tried this stuff, Hermione.” Luna said
quietly.

Hermione looked at the petite blonde and smiled. “I’m fine, Luna. I’m jusht trying to forget for
a day, thatsh all.” She slurred.

“What are you trying to forget?” Ron asked quizzically. “That’s not like you.”

“I want to forget ...” Hermione hiccupped. “I want to forget about H-Harry and Ginny.” She
stammered. “It sheemsh I haven’t yet ...” She pulled her hand from Ron’s grasp and poured more
whisky into her shot glass. “Here’sh to being shingle!” She slurred as she thrust her glass
clumsily in the air, spilling a bit of the drink onto the table. She went to bring the glass to her
lips but Ron had taken a hold and pulled it from her.

“I think you’ve had enough.” Ron said sternly. He put the cap on the bottle and asked Luna to
return it to the bartender. Luna did as she was asked and Ron turned to his friend.

“Hermione, what is wrong with you?” He forced her to look at him. “We’re friends, aren’t we? You
can tell me.”

“Ron, I d-don’t want to hurt you.” She looked away. “I can’t tell you about Harry.”

Ron stiffened. “What about Harry?” He asked quietly. “Did he tell you something about
You-Know-Who and not me?” He asked in a whisper.

Hermione shook her head. “No, he told you about the propeshy, right?” She whispered
conspiratorially. She was feeling quite good compared to earlier.

Ron nodded grimly. “Is this what this is about?” He asked.

Hermione shook her head.

“I don’t like seeing you like this, Hermione.” Ron said with concern. "We need to get you
back to the school.”

Hermione giggled. “I can’t shtop thinking about Harry.” She blurted out. “But he’sh wi-with
Ginny.” She scowled at her friend’s name. She didn’t even realize that Ron had pulled her into a
standing position.

“Whoa, hold on there, Hermione.” He said quietly. “Luna, could you get her books? I’m sure she
won’t mind if you shrunk them down.”

“I feel kind of good.” Hermione giggled as Ron tried to hold her up.

“Come on, Hermione, I need you to walk now.”

She smiled. “Anything for you, Ron, you’re my besht friend.” She tried walking and she looked
down at her feet. “My feet sheem to be moving fashter than me ...” She giggled again, finding the
situation too ridiculous to believe and not really caring.

“What happened on the Express that made you do this?” Ron said as he literally dragged her up to
the main road.

“I found out about *them*!” She whispered drunkenly. “Then I shaw them ... I shaw them
kissh ...” She started to cry. “It makesh me MAD!” She shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Hermione!” Ron hissed. “Keep it down! What if Malfoy sees you like this?”

“Who caresh?! Harry shure d ... doshent!” She shouted back. “He can’t even shee what’sh under
hish ... under hish noshe!”

“What? You’re not making any sense!” Ron shot back in frustration. “What do you mean, ‘He
doesn’t see what’s under his nose’?”

Hermione looked at him pointedly ... “You’re blind too.” She said as clearly as she could
muster. “Maybe if I ... maybe ... It worked for G-Ginny ...” She hiccupped and looked at something
in the distance ...

*I can’t think ...* She sighed happily ...

“What worked for Ginny?” Ron asked her. He had stopped in front of Gladrags and looked at
her.

Hermione pushed away from him. “That’sh it!” Her eyes lit up in sudden understanding. She turned
and walked determinedly up the road with a confused Ron staring after her. He came to and ran to
catch up but she had somehow made it to Madam Puddifoot’s rather quickly even with the way she was
stumbling up the road.

“Hermione!” He called after her.

She ignored him and opened the door. Hermione glanced around the small, gaudily decorated shop
and found Harry and Ginny at a corner table. “Harry!” She waved for him to come over. He looked at
her in confusion and after saying something to Ginny wound his way through the tables to her.

“Hermione? What happened?” He stepped back after he caught the smell of liquor seeping from her.
“Have you been drinking?” He asked incredulously.

“I need to talk to you, now!” She said demandingly and stumbled out of the door and past a
frustrated Ron. Harry followed her a few minutes later and caught up to her in the same alley he
was with Ginny earlier.

“Ron what happened?” Harry asked concernedly.

“She went out of her mind and started drinking Firewhisky.” Ron admitted. “She said something
about you and I being blind then babbled about Ginny and then came up here. She’s quite the
lightweight it seems.”

“Harry, you are blind, and I’m tired of waiting for you to open your eyesh.” She said
drunkenly.

“What?”

“Let me finish.” She held up an unsteady finger and looked quizzically at what could have
possibly been two Harry Potter’s. “I’m over you, Harry Potter. You hear me?! I’m over you!”

Harry’s jaw dropped. “What? Y-You’re over me?”

Hermione nodded seriously.

“What ... When?” Harry stammered as Hermione’s eyes rolled back into her head as she passed out
and fell into his arms.



5. White Flag
-------------

**A/N:** Hey, thanks for all the reviews! I know, I know, H/G??? WTF? Where's the H/Hr?
It's starting ... Everything that you've been waiting for is going to happen, questions
answered, ships returning to their proper ports (so to speak ... heh) ... It all starts here, it
starts now. And then it'll finish. I'm sorry I irritated everyone with the H/G scenes, but
they were a necessity to push Hermione over the edge. Good catch on the Friends episode. It jumped
in my head and I knew exactly what I had to do! KUDOS to you all for picking up on that!. This
chapter is sponsored by Dido and her song: White Flag ... Lovely song indeed! And without further
ado ...
* * *
*And when we meet
As I'm sure we will
All that was then
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be ...
(White Flag – Dido)*
* * *
CHAPTER FIVE
White Flag
Hermione sighed happily as she snuggled into the warmth of the covers and rolled to her side
with a content smile crossing her rosy lips. She inhaled deeply and stopped at the familiar smell
in the air.

*What?* She thought slowly. Her mind didn’t seem to want to work properly so she opened her
eyes instead. The onslaught of morning light assailed her now pounding head and made her cringe
nauseously and snap her eyes shut tightly.

*What happened?* She put a hand to her eyes and pulled herself into a sitting position on
the bed. Hermione fought the stabbing pain in her skull and squinted against the light to look
around the one room hut.

“W-Why am I at Hagrid’s?” She wondered aloud. A cool breeze floated through an open window and
she shivered. Her eyes went wide when she looked down to see that she was only wearing her panties.
There was a knock at the door and Hermione quickly pulled the blankets up to her chin.

“’Ermione? Are yeh awake?”

*HAGRID!? Oh, please don’t tell me!* She thought frantically. *What happened ... what
happened? I can’t remember anything after Ron helped me up ... Oh God!*

“’Ermione? I’m comin’ in.” Hagrid said from the front door. Hermione lay back down partly to
keep her hangover in check and partly to cover the rest of her bare flesh. She winced as the door
opened and she buried her head under the covers.

“Ah, yeh are awake then.” Hagrid said seriously. “Right fine ‘ouse elf, that Dobby. ‘E went an
covered for yeh las’ nigh’ an’ even brough’ yeh a fresh set o’ clothes.”

Hermione sighed under the covers.

“Yeh’ll find a potion teh take care o’ tha’ ‘angover on th’ bedside table.” Hagrid said
soothingly. “Yer clothes are righ’ here.” Without another word, he turned and left the hut, closing
the door gently behind him.

“What did I get myself into?” Hermione sighed to herself. Despite her best efforts, tears began
to well in her eyes and she didn’t make a move to stop them. With a final sigh of defeat, she took
the potion Hagrid told her about and downed it in a few gulps. She winced at the taste but sighed
happily as the throbbing in her head receded and she began to think clearly again. Her nausea
disappeared almost immediately and she pulled the covers from her face and looked around.

*Ok, what happened? I don’t think that Hagrid would ...* Her heart stopped at the thought.
*No, of course not, he wouldn’t do that ...* She shook her head and reached for her bra.
*But I’ve been here all night! I could get expelled!* Worry started to crease her face and her
heart started pounding as a panic attack started to settle in. She fastened her bra and slipped
into her clothes.

Hermione had just finished dressing when there was another soft knock on the door.

“’Ermione? Are yeh decent?” Hagrid asked with concern from the front of his tiny house.

“Yes, Hagrid.” Hermione called back dejectedly.

Hagrid opened the door and stepped in. She could see the concern on his face even through the
bushy black beard. “Are yeh feelin’ better?” He asked quietly.

Hermione nodded as the tears started rolling down her cheeks again. “H-how did I get here?” She
asked quietly.

“’Arry an’ Ron brough’ yeh here las’ nigh’.” Hagrid said concernedly as he sat in his favorite
chair. “Yeh were righ’ ou’ of it.”

She wiped the tears from her face and sat back down on the bed. “Why was ...” She cleared her
throat and looked at the floor. “What happened to my clothes?” She asked almost too quietly.

Hagrid nodded. “I was wonderin’ if yeh was goin’ teh ask.” He cleared his throat. “Luna took
them off o’ yeh after yeh were in bed.”

Hermione sighed in relief. “I don’t remember anything from last night, Hagrid.” She
admitted.

*It’s what you wanted.* A voice said in the back of her head. Hermione wiped away a new set
of tears that started pouring down her cheeks.

“Wha’ in th’ world made yeh do it?” Hagrid asked quietly. “I hope yeh realize tha’ Firewhisky
ain’t th’ way teh forget.”

Hermione nodded. “I’ve learned that ...” She said with a slight smile. She looked at Hagrid and
couldn’t help herself. She went to her friend and broke down in his arms.

“I’m sorry, ‘Ermione. I wish I could do more fer yeh.” He said quietly as he patted her
back.

“You’ve done more than enough, Hagrid. I’m sorry I imposed.”

“Yeh didn’t impose.” He said gruffly. “’Arry an’ Ron weren’ abou’ teh le’ yeh ge’ caugh’ an’
expelled.”

*I don’t remember seeing Harry ...* Hermione thought hard. “When did I see Harry?” She
asked herself quietly.

Hagrid shrugged. “They dropped yeh off here an’ said they had teh ge’ back teh th’ school. They
were in a righ’ state I tell yeh.”

Hermione looked at him curiously. “Why?”

He smiled softly at her and motioned for her to have a seat. “Well, yeh know the talks we had
abou’ ‘Arry ...”

Hermione blanched. *Madam Puddifoot’s ...* Her hand came to her mouth to stifle the gasp of
horror that seemed to be stuck in her chest. Her eyes went wide as everything spilled into her
head.
* * *
*She ignored him and opened the door. Hermione glanced around the small, gaudily decorated
shop and found Harry and Ginny at a corner table. “Harry!” She waved for him to come over. He
looked at her in confusion and after saying something to Ginny wound his way through the tables to
her.*

*“Hermione? What happened?” He stepped back after he caught the smell of liquor seeping from
her. “Have you been drinking?” He asked incredulously.*

*“I need to talk to you, now!” She said demandingly and stumbled out of the door and past a
frustrated Ron. Harry followed her a few minutes later and caught up to her in the same alley he
was with Ginny earlier.*

*“Ron what happened?” Harry asked concernedly.*

*“She went out of her mind and started drinking Firewhisky.” Ron admitted. “She said something
about you and I being blind then babbled about Ginny and then came up here. She’s quite the
lightweight it seems.”*

*“Harry, you are blind, and I’m tired of waiting for you to open your eyesh.” She said
drunkenly.*

*“What?”*

*“Let me finish.” She held up an unsteady finger and looked quizzically at what could have
possibly been two Harry Potter’s. “I’m over you, Harry. You hear me?! I’m over you!”*

*Harry’s jaw dropped. “What? Y-You’re over me?”*

*Hermione nodded seriously.*

*“What ... When?” Harry stammered as Hermione’s eyes rolled back into her head as she passed
out and fell into his arms.*
* * *
“I-I didn’t ...” She whispered quietly as her shoulders slumped. She looked at Hagrid who was
looking at his hands and she just sat in stunned silence.

“’Arry looked like ‘e’d seen a ghost an’ Ron, well I’ve never seen ‘im so red.” Hagrid replied
quietly.

Hermione hid her face in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. “Hagrid, what have I done?!” She
choked out.

He sighed heavily. “It’ll all work ou’, ‘Ermione. Those two really care abou’ yeh.” He handed
her a large handkerchief and smiled gently at her. “O’ course, it’s goin’ teh take a bit o’ time
teh work itself ou’.”

Hermione nodded silently. “I-I guess I should get up to the school.” She said finally. “I’m
going to have to face this mess I’ve gotten myself into.”

Hagrid stood with her and gave her a quick, comforting hug. “Yeh’ll be surprised.” Hagrid said
tenderly. “Yeh have a good set o’ friends there.”

Hermione chuckled hollowly. “I wish I could believe that.” She wiped her face and pulled her
hair into a messy ponytail. She looked into his caring face and smiled softly. “Thank you,
Hagrid.”

Hagrid blushed slightly. “Any time, ‘Ermione, jus’ don’ be startin’ any bad habits tha’ involve
Firewhisky.”

Hermione smiled and let out an amused laugh. “No, I won’t be making this a habit.” She said with
a blush.

Hagrid smiled. “Tha’s good. Now yer friends are waitin’.”

She gave him a quick hug and stepped out into the morning light. With each determined step
towards the castle, she felt the dread grow within her. Hermione looked from the ground and
concentrated on the doors of the castle before she stopped suddenly. She let out a miserable sigh
and quickly hid behind a bush when she spotted Harry and Ginny leave the castle on their way to the
lake.

*That’s where we used to go when he wanted to talk.* She thought glumly. Not wanting to
burst into tears again, she concentrated on Ron instead.

*What am I going to say to him?* She frowned and concentrated on what she would say when
she met him. A speech quickly formed in her mind and she began to recite it over and over in her
head. She peeked over the top of the bush and found the way clear.

Hermione stood determinedly and strode to the castle’s front door and went inside. It was still
pretty early and the inhabitants of the school were still enjoying their time to sleep in. Hermione
found little to no activity along her chosen path and the common room itself was devoid of
life.

“Where is everyone?” She asked quietly then turned towards the girl’s staircase. She stopped
when she heard someone clear their throat by the stairs to the boy’s dormitory. Hermione looked
back to see Ron glaring at her.

“Hi, Ron.” She said quietly and turned towards him. “I-I guess I have some explaining to
do.”

“*Some*?” Ron said in a barely audible voice.

Hermione flinched and motioned for him to have a seat in their normal spot by the fireplace. He
joined her reluctantly but when he looked at her, his face softened.

“Hermione, why didn’t you just tell me that you were interested in Harry to begin with?” He
asked quietly.

“I-I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, Ron.” She admitted as she looked at her hands. She could
feel him still looking at her and she fidgeted a bit in her chair. “After I found out that you were
interested in me, I guess I was afraid that I’d lose your friendship if I turned you down.”

His hand cupped her chin and he gently guided her gaze to meet his. She saw her best friend
staring at her intently with a lingering sadness in his eyes and he let out a deep, shuddering
sigh. “Hermione, we’ve known each other for five years now.” He dropped his hand back to his lap.
“Sure, we fight, and I assumed it was because you liked me so I kept starting them again, hoping to
pull your attention from Harry.” He rubbed his tired eyes. “After we got you to Hagrid’s, Luna
pulled me aside and we talked.”

Hermione’s eyes went wide. “I’m sorry, but you didn’t run?”

Ron scowled at her. “I was a little too shocked at the moment, Hermione.” He cleared his throat
and took a deep breath. “I didn’t come to argue with you, I’m tired of that.” He admitted. “Luna
and I had a talk and she made me realize how much you really like Harry.” He held up a hand when
she opened her mouth to respond. “It’s no use, Hermione, I know, if not by what you said to him,
but the way you’ve always acted around him. I’m not saying that I’m ok with this. To tell you the
truth I’m bloody angry, but there’s nothing I can do about how you feel.” He looked into her eyes
and smiled apologetically. “I need some time.” He said quietly. “So please, don’t talk to me for a
while?”

Hermione nodded silently. When Ron got to his feet, she did as well and hugged him tightly. “I’m
so sorry, Ron.” She whispered. He hugged her for a moment then pulled away. Without looking back,
he left the common room.

Hermione wiped away the tears that she didn’t even remember releasing and sat back on the couch.
She buried her face in her hands and let some of her tension release.

*Let’s hope that confronting Harry and Ginny will be that easy.* She sighed and looked
around the room. *Nothing to do but wait till those two get back.* She changed her mind and
went to her room where she found her clothes from the previous day folded neatly on her bed. The
locket was sitting on top of the pile along with her wand. Her bags were by her desk. She sat on
her bed and opened her birthday present from Harry. The locket glittered even in the dim light that
was in the room. A scrap of parchment fell from the lid of the box and fell into her lap.

“What’s this?” She picked it up and unfolded the note.

*Hermione,
We really need to talk. Room of Requirement, 20:00.
Harry*

Hermione sighed again as she re-read the short note. “Well, I guess I know when and where I’ll
get the third degree from him.” Suddenly feeling claustrophobic, she grabbed her wand and stuffed
the locket into her jeans pocket. Within a few minutes, she found herself walking the school
grounds alone. Time seemed to stand still as she made her way down to the hillock that overlooked
Hagrid’s and the Forbidden Forest. Picking a spot next to a large boulder, Hermione took a seat and
leaned back to let the sun cover her in its warmth. This was countered only by a brisk gust of wind
that blew in from the lake.

“*THERE YOU ARE!*” Ginny screamed at her. Hermione jumped at the sudden, angry voice and
backed against the boulder involuntarily. “*WHERE DO YOU GET OFF TAKING HARRY FROM ME?!*”
Ginny was seething, her face was more red than Hermione had ever seen Ron’s and with the wind
blowing her long, red, hair, it looked like Ginny was on fire.

“Ginny ... Let-Let me explain.” Hermione stammered.

Ginny went for her wand and had it pointing at Hermione faster than she could blink. “No,
Hermione, you listen to me. I told you that I loved him! I told you about my insecurities for him!
And what do you do?! You go and yank him out from under me!”

“It wasn’t like that, Ginny!” Hermione stammered. She thought about going for her wand but knew
about the infamous Bat-Bogey Hex and she didn’t want to be the recipient. “J-just put the wand away
and we can talk–”

“I’m tired of talking with you, Hermione!” Ginny spat back. “I’ve watched you pine for him and
not make a move. Year after year, and I finally get the courage to do something that you obviously
didn’t!”

Hermione stiffened. “You knew I liked him?” She asked evenly. “You’ve known for how long?”
Hermione’s eyes went wide, not with shock but with revelation. “Did you know I was going to talk to
him this summer?”

Ginny gulped despite her anger. “That’s neither here nor there, Hermione!” She spat back. “The
point is, I got to him first!”

Ginny didn’t know what hit her. “*EXPELIARMUS!*” Hermione’s wand had somehow appeared in
her hand.

“Don’t you *EVER* point a wand at me, Ginny Weasley.” Hermione said in an angry, cold
voice. “Here, I thought you were my friend! All the nights we’ve spent talking about guys, our
wedding days, *EVERYTHING!* How many times did you stay up listening to me talk in my
sleep?”

Ginny’s face had lost all color when she’d realized that Hermione was so quick with a wand. She
flinched at the accusation.

“I thought so! Is that how you figured out how to talk to Harry? *ANSWER ME!*” Hermione
took a menacing step forward.

Ginny blanched and scrambled back from Hermione. She’d only seen her mother get so angry and it
was usually at the twins.

“I’m waiting.” Hermione bit out evenly.

Ginny nodded quietly, not taking her eyes off of Hermione’s wand.

“Why, Gin? Why would you do this? Haven’t I always been your friend? You were like the sister I
never had.” Hermione’s shoulders slumped and she brought her free hand to her face to wipe away the
tears that had somehow started to fall.

Ginny looked at her quietly and didn’t respond.

“I guess I know why you treated me like a sister for so long.” Hermione sighed. With her anger
rapidly being replaced with sadness she dropped her wand and walked past Ginny. “I’ve got to find
Harry ... We need to sort this out.”

Hermione didn’t know what hit her. Ginny tackled her from behind. “*STAY AWAY FROM HIM!*”
She bellowed and wrapped her arms around her. Hermione stumbled and fell backwards, the two of them
caught each other in the fall and they started struggling madly. Hermione pulled on Ginny’s hair in
an attempt to get her off and Ginny scratched at Hermione’s eyes in an attempt to keep her from
Harry.

The two girls rolled on the ground screaming and kicking at each other until two strong hands
pulled them apart and lifted them to their feet.

“*LET ME AT HER!*” Ginny screamed wildly, trying to grab at Hermione even though the task
was futile.

Hermione glared at the screeching young woman strangely. “Ginny! What’s gotten into you?!”

Hagrid cleared his throat. “What’s goin’ on ‘ere?! Why were yeh fightin’ each other?”

Ginny ignored the two and pulled herself forward with enough force that her shirt started
ripping. Hermione’s eyes widened as she saw her best friend’s shirt come off and she tore at
Hermione’s eyes again. “*STAY AWAY FROM HIM! HE’S MY FUTURE!*” Ginny bellowed in an inhuman
voice.

Hagrid was stunned by the strength Ginny displayed and watched the half-naked Weasley barrel
into Hermione again. After overcoming his shock, he pulled the two apart again, trying to be
careful where he touched the angry red-head.

“Ginny? What-What’s that on your chest?” Hermione looked at her friend in horror. Between
Ginny’s petite breasts was a large, gray lump, about the size of a brain. There were red lines
wrapped around her body as if she had been tied up for a long period of time. “Oh, God, Ginny! Not
from the Department of Mysteries?” Hermione felt bile rise in her throat and immediately fell to
her knees in a fit of vomiting.

“’Ermione?!” Hagrid went to the shuddering girl on the ground.

Hermione looked up at Hagrid as her vision started blurring. “Ha-Hagrid?” She asked dizzily.
“Why are you staring ...?” Hermione felt the strength start to leave her arms and she started
falling forward but someone caught her.

“Hermione! Are you all right?!”

*Harry?* Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the blurry form of Harry in front of her. He
cradled her in his arms as he picked her up.

“Harry? Love? Wh-what are you doing?” Ginny asked nervously. “Harry, put the wand down ...”

“*STUPEFY!*” Harry shouted and Hermione caught a glimpse of red hair as it dangled from the
unconscious girl in Hagrid’s arm.

“Hermione, we need to get you to the hospital wing, hold on.” Harry shifted her slightly and she
put her arms around his neck.

“Harry ... I’m sorry ...” She said weakly. Her vision was starting to get worse and she became
very sleepy.

*I just need a little nap. Just for a little while.* She thought sleepily.

*NO! YOU HAVE TO STAY AWAKE!* The other voice said.

Hermione’s eyes snapped open again and she realized that Harry was the one who was telling her
to stay awake.

“Don’t you dare go to sleep, Hermione, stay awake!” He jostled her a bit so that she couldn’t
get comfortable enough.

“I just ... just need a little nap ...” Hermione complained weakly. “Let me take a nap, Harry
...”

*It feels good to be here ...* She thought contentedly.

“Hermione! STAY AWAKE! HERMIONE ...” Harry was shouting and she could barely hear a word of his
wonderful voice. She looked up and saw the white walls of the hospital wing and looked into his
deep green eyes.

“I'm ... sor ... ry ... Ha ... ary ...” She said sleepily as her strength gave out. She felt
a pinch in her arm and an icy cold feeling spread across her body.

"*Hermione! Don't give up! I'm right here!*" She heard Harry cry from a
great distance.

*Harry ...* Hermione sighed contentedly as everything went black ...



6. One of Their Own
-------------------

CHAPTER SIX
One of Their Own
Hermione’s eyes fluttered open to the bright sunlight that was streaming through an open window
in a room she did not recognize. She looked around in a state of panic but visibly relaxed when she
saw the slumbering form of Ron Weasley in an overstuffed chair in the corner.

As she regained her calm, analytical mind, she surveyed the room with an intense, investigative
eye. A small table was firmly against one wall. It held a few rolls of parchment, a pitcher, and a
glass. The bed she was in was comfortable, but not overly so and adorned in white linens. She
glanced at her arm and realized for the first time that she had a potion drip attached to her.

*I’m not in the hospital wing.* She thought critically. *It must be St. Mungo’s.*

As if on cue, the door to her room opened and a very anxious looking Robert Granger stepped
quietly inside. His eyes immediately landed on her fully aware face and a wide smile of relief
washed the worry from his features.

“Hermione, my sweet Hermione, you’re awake!” He rushed to her side and pulled her into a gentle
hug. “How are you, sweetie?” He asked with an overabundance of fatherly concern.

Hermione hugged her father back with her good arm and felt tears escape her closed eyes. “I’m
fine, Dad, a little tired, but I’m ok.”

He pulled back and smiled even more broadly at his daughter. “Don’t move, I’m going to get your
mother, we’ve been worried sick!” He dashed from the room noisily, startling Ron from his nap.

“Wassit? Is Hermione ok? What’s wrong?” He looked around frantically and finally stopped on the
rolling eyes of his best friend. “Don’t roll your eyes at me! We didn’t think you’d make it!” Ron
said in a huff but he couldn’t hide the smile that quickly grew on his face.

“How’s Ginny?” Hermione asked as her expression immediately became serious.

“She’s fine.” Ron said with a wave of his hand. “She’s feeling much better after she was
enervated.”

“Did they remove that brain from her chest?” She asked.

Ron opened his mouth but before a word could come out, the door swung open and Hermione’s mother
was standing in the doorway. She let out a sob and rushed to her daughter’s side and pulled her
into yet another hug.

“Oh, Hermione, we thought we’d lost you!” Elizabeth Granger gasped between sobs. “I’ve never
seen you in such a state!”

Hermione hugged her mother back with as much strength as she could muster from her one arm. “I’m
fine, Mum.” She said reassuringly. “If it hadn’t been for Harry ...” Hermione looked at her mother.
“Where’s Harry?” She asked quietly.

Elizabeth glanced at Ron and her husband before looking determinedly back to Hermione. She let
out a soft sigh and looked to the covers. “He’s with Ginny.” She said quietly.

Hermione felt the tears well in her eyes before she could summon the strength to stop them. “I-I
see ...” She said quietly as she blinked back the tears. “So, Ginny is alright?”

Ron cleared his throat. “She’s fine, Hermione.”

She looked at her red-headed friend quizzically. “I-Is she here at St. Mungo’s?”

Ron shook his head. “We’re not at St. Mungo’s.” He admitted, looking to the floor. He sighed
heavily. “I-I’ll go get Harry and tell him you’re awake.” Without looking back at Hermione, Ron
stood and left the room.

“Where are we if we’re not at St. Mungo’s?” Hermione asked her mother. “We can’t be in the
hospital wing of Hogwarts ...”

Her mother shook her head. “No, we’re not at Hogwarts either.” She glanced back at her husband
who looked at her pointedly as if he were giving her a warning.

“Mum ... Dad ... You’re both starting to scare me. Where are we?” Hermione said shakily. She
felt her heart start to flutter and felt constricted under the sheets and started to breathe
rapidly. *I don’t feel so well ...*

A moment later, Harry stepped into the room. He looked at her with concern and walked quickly to
her side. “Hermione, are you ok?” He felt her forehead and cheek with the back of his hand. “She’s
getting colder.” He said absently.

“H-Harry? Where are we?” She gasped and looked pleadingly into his green eyes. They’d lost their
sparkle and his face had a deep look of concern written across it.

“She’s not getting enough air.” He said to her parents. Robert Granger nodded and opened the
window. Immediately the smell of salty sea air assailed her senses.

“How did we get by the ocean?” She asked curiously. To her amazement, the smell of the salt air
helped her breathe better and she calmed somewhat. “Harry, please answer me ...”

Harry sighed and pulled up a chair before he took her hand and smiled softly. “I thought you
were lost for a minute there.” He admitted quietly.

“Everyone keeps telling me that, *obviously* I’m awake and fine!” Hermione huffed as the
frustration started to build within her. “You’ve been with Ginny?”

Harry nodded.

“Well? How is she?”

Harry smiled. “She’s none the worse for wear.” He said with a slight chuckle. “To think that she
had let the secret out ... but everything’s going to be fine, Hermione.”

“What secret? Harry, *WHERE ARE WE?!*” She tried to move her legs and arms but for some
reason she didn’t have control over them.

*Yes ... The emotion ... I ... Crave ... The ... EMOTION!*

Hermione’s eyes went wide. *Those aren’t my thoughts!*

*Panic ... Hate ... Anger ... LOVE! OH THE LOVE!* The foreign thoughts assailed her mind
again.

Hermione tried to move but couldn’t and in desperation she looked at Harry pleading with her
eyes when her mouth failed to move as well.

*HARRY! HELP ME!* She screamed silently at his smiling face.

Harry seemed to sense her panic and leaned forward. He reached out to her and slowly hooked his
finger on the sheet just above her breasts and pulled it down. She screamed silently in horror at
the sight of the gray mass that was throbbing in the center of her chest, firmly nestled in the
valley that had recently developed over the summer holiday.

*TERROR ... OH, THE TERROR!* The brain seemed to throb with each word and she felt the
tentacles of thought that wrapped around her abdomen shiver in ecstasy.

Hermione’s horrified gaze shot to Harry who was now looking lovingly at the alien creature that
was slowly merging with her own body.

‘*Don’t worry, Hermione, you’ll be one of us soon ...*’ She heard him speak in her head but
his lips didn’t move.

‘*That’s right, sweetie.*’ Her father added. ‘*Don’t fight it, we want you with
us.*’

‘*Only a little longer, honey.*’ Her mother stepped forward and put a loving arm around her
father.

*No! I don’t want this! I don’t like this!* Hermione screamed in her mind but her body was
paralyzed and she could only cry in response.

‘*Now you know how I felt at the Department of Mysteries, Hermione.*’ Ron’s voice echoed in
her head. He stepped into the room and smiled appreciatively at her. ‘*Soon you’ll want to be
with me and Ginny can continue to repopulate our race with Harry.*’

Harry smiled reassuringly at her as he rose from his chair and placed his hands on her
shoulders. '*Don't fight it, Hermione. You'll like it with us ...*'

*NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO*!
* * *
“NOOOOOOOOO!” Hermione found herself sitting bolt upright in bed frantically trying to shake off
the person trying to hold her down. “Get off! GET OFF! I don’t want that! NO! GET AWAY!” With a
panic born of desperation, she began punching and kicking her assailant. “GET AWAY HARRY! GET OUT
OF MY HEAD! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!”

Harry struggled to keep his panicked friend from knocking him out. With as much strength as he
could muster he shoved her back into the bed but she kept kicking and punching him.

“HERMIONE! CALM DOWN!” He shouted at her.

Hermione caught him in a right cross and sent his glasses flying across the room. He grabbed
both of her wrists and in one motion crossed them in front of her and forced her back into the
bed.

“I’m sorry, Hermione.” He said quietly to the woman who was struggling madly under his weight.
Tears fell from his cheeks as he lifted his hand and brought it down with frightening speed.

Despite her desperate attempt to get away, Hermione flinched at his swing and closed her eyes.
When she didn’t feel an impact she turned and looked at the man above her. His hand had stopped
mid-swing and tears were silently falling from his bowed head.

“Ha-Harry?” She asked nervously. He looked into her eyes and she saw the anguish he was feeling
reflected in his glistening emerald gaze. He instantly dropped his hand and pulled her into a
bone-crushing embrace that brought tears to her eyes. “Harry! I’m sorry!” She cried in his arms as
she returned the embrace with every ounce of strength she had.

“You’re ok.” He whispered into her hair. “You’re ok, thank God, you’re ok!” He wept unabashedly
as he buried his face in her hair.

She choked back the sobs that were wracking her body. “I’m here, Harry.” She whispered to him
and pulled back to look into his eyes once more. She caught sight of the look in his face and the
tears began to roll down her cheeks again. “What happene–”

Her question was cut off with by the sudden press of his lips against hers. Her stomach knotted
up and her heart leapt to her throat. The dream she’d just had and every question she was about to
ask were suddenly whisked from her mind and an intense heat began to spread through her body. She
had only dreamed of how soft his lips would be or of how sweet his taste. Her skin was on fire
everywhere he was in contact with her and she felt giddy with dizziness. Massive flashes of light
exploded behind her closed eyelids and she felt as if she were literally melting in his strong
arms.

He pulled away from her too soon and she found herself lying limp in his arms with her mouth
slightly open and her eyes tightly closed. Realizing that he was no longer kissing her, she slowly
opened her eyes to see his tear stained and worry filled face studying every feature of hers.

“H-Harry ...” She gasped after she realized she hadn’t been breathing.

“Hermione, I thought ...” He gulped and closed his eyes to fight back the tears that were
threatening him again. “I didn’t think I got you here in time ...” He sat on the side of the bed
and released a deep, shuddering breath before he pulled her into another tight hug. “I didn’t think
you were going to make it, we cut it so close ... I was such a fool!”

Hermione pushed him away gently. “What happened? I-I remember you telling me to stay awake
...”

He sighed heavily and his shoulders bowed as if a tremendous weight was suddenly set on his too
thin frame. “It was Ginny.” He said quietly.

Hermione felt the anger begin to build within her at the youngest Weasley’s name. “What was
wrong with her, Harry?” She asked a little too harshly. He flinched and looked to the floor. “Was
that one of the brains from the Department of Mysteries on her chest?”

Harry buried his face in his hand and nodded after a shuddering breath left him. “Yes.” He said
simply. “It seems the mediwizards concentrated on her ankle and didn’t bother to give her a full
examination after the battle.”

Hermione’s eyes widened in horror. “What ... What happened to her?” Harry let out another fit of
sobs and Hermione’s anger disappeared. “Harry, I-I’m so sorry ...” She said as the realization that
Ginny didn’t make it sank in. Tears began to fall from her eyes and she pulled Harry into a
comforting hug. “Oh, Harry, I’m sorry she’s gone.” She whispered to him through her own sobs.

Harry cleared his throat. “She-she’s not gone.” He said quietly.

“*WHAT?*” Hermione pulled back. “She’s ok?” Harry nodded quietly. “What’s wrong then?” She
asked suspiciously.

“Can you forgive me?” He asked quietly. “I was such a fool, Hermione.”

“Forgive you for what?” She asked as she felt a sickness rush over her.

*Please, don’t tell me you slept with her, please ...* She shook her head in disbelief at
the implications.

“I let her come between us, Hermione. Whatever that brain was that attached itself to her tried
to use me to ...” He choked back a sob and turned from her. “It tried to use me to make more
...”

“Harry ... Don’t tell me ...” Hermione brought a hand to her mouth to try and hold in the dread
that threatened to spill from her.

Harry’s head fell and his shoulders slumped as a deep shuddering sigh left his lungs.

*I don’t believe it ... He ... He actually had sex with her ...* Hermione’s eyes grew wide
in shock and she involuntarily pulled farther from him.

Harry shook his head. “I fought against her, Hermione.” He admitted. “We were down by the lake
and she took me to a place that I hadn’t noticed before. There ... There was a saltwater pool back
in the trees and she started pulling at my pants ... I tried to stop her but she got angry and
pushed me to the ground, I didn’t think she was that strong.”

Hermione shook her head in horror and felt the bile rise in her throat but she was so shocked
she couldn’t move.

“I felt her enter my head and she started to sound so compelling ... I watched as she pulled my
pants off but then ...” Harry turned to her and smiled softly. “But then I heard your voice in my
mind and I went into an Occlumency trance.” He looked down and placed a trembling hand on hers and
squeezed it reassuringly. “After that, I found I could act on my own and I pulled away from her
before she could get any farther. Before I knew what was happening, she’d pushed me to the edge of
the pool ...”

Hermione couldn’t stop the tears of relief from spilling from her eyes. She took Harry’s hand in
hers and he pulled her into a hug.

“There were others in the pool and one tried to drag me in, but I fought it off ...” He pulled
back from her and took a deep breath. “When I got far enough away I saw that she was going back to
the castle. Somehow I knew she heard your voice too and I had to stop her. I couldn’t let her do
anything to you ...” Tears began to flow down his cheeks again and he looked up at the ceiling in
an attempt to control them. “I didn’t think I got there in time and when I saw the bloody welts on
your face and neck, I nearly lost it.”

“That’s when you stunned her?” Hermione asked quietly.

Harry nodded. “But the creature that had bonded with her had modified her fingernails so they
secreted poison ...” He choked back another sob. “I tried to keep you awake but you kept slipping
from me ...”

Hermione cried harder. She buried her face in her hands and Harry pulled her into another hug.
“I was so sleepy and all I wanted to do was take a nap ... I just wanted to sleep ... I heard you
shouting to stay awake, Harry ...”

“Luckily, Harry got you to the hospital wing in time.” Dumbledore said seriously from an opening
in the curtains. The couple looked at him in surprise and the old wizard smiled comfortingly at
them. “It’s good to see you awake again, Hermione.” He said with a twinkle in his eyes.

“How’s Ginny?” She asked quietly as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“She’ll be fine. She’s resting in St. Mungo’s as we speak.” He smiled softly at her. “You gave
us quite the scare. Luckily for you, the Ministry has the antidote to the poison you were subjected
to.”

Hermione smiled softly. “What are those things, Professor?”

The headmaster’s smile faded. “They are a race of ancient beings that have lurked in the deepest
parts of the Saint Marianas Trench.” He explained softly. “They live by attaching themselves to a
host and feeding on the emotions their prey emit. Some years before I became a professor here, a
few venturous wizards discovered them and brought a few specimens back for study.” He cleared his
throat. “Unfortunately, we lost the lives of a hundred people, both muggle and magical in five
months.

“We don’t know the name of the species, but we do know that they use their host’s body as a
means of reproduction. One sexual encounter with someone afflicted can spawn upwards of fifty or
more new creatures that are ready to feed on new hosts in a matter of days.”

“Oh, no ... How bad is Ginny?” Hermione gasped with wide worry filled eyes.

“She’ll survive.” Dumbledore said sadly. “But she’ll have nightmares for years ...” His eyes
took on a glazed look as if he were remembering what it was like. “Those tendrils that they have
are actually the memories of previous victims. If it hadn’t been for the quick thinking of Neville
Longbottom, your friend Ron would have suffered the same fate as his sister. Undoubtedly, he
suffers from nightmares from his brief contact, but Ginny may live with them for the rest of her
life. If we hadn’t gotten her to St. Mungo’s she would have lived for another few months or until
she successfully bred.”

Harry blanched and reached for something to hold on to. Hermione quickly helped support him.
“Harry? Are you ok?”

“It seems he’s gone into shock.” Dumbledore said quietly. “Harry, sit here, that’s it.” The old
wizard guided Harry into the chair at the side of the bed and pulled out his wand.
“*ENERVATE*” he said quietly and the color returned to Harry’s face.

“What j-just happened?” He panted. Harry gripped the armrest with such force that his knuckles
went white.

Dumbledore sighed and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “The empathic control that ... Ginny
had on you is leaving your system.” He explained quietly. “Though, there wasn’t much to control
when your heart so firmly belonged to another.” He finished with a smile. “Don’t stay awake too
long, Hermione. And Harry, you should return to your bed and let your body right itself.”

Harry nodded absently at the orders and looked directly at Hermione. “Goodnight, Professor
Dumbledore.” He said quietly, not letting his gaze leave hers.

Hermione wished the headmaster a good night as well but neither had noticed that he’d already
left.

“So ...” They said simultaneously.

Harry laughed nervously and cleared his throat. “Please.” He said simply and motioned for
Hermione to start.

She looked into his deepening green eyes and opened her mouth to say something but was cut off
by another kiss. She welcomed the interruption and pulled him into a deeper embrace.

“I want you to know that I love you, Hermione.” Harry whispered softly in her ear. “You’ve been
my strength and you’ve always been there for me, I’m sorry I’ve taken you for granted and let Ginny
get between–”

Hermione placed a finger over his lips. “I love you too, Harry, and we’ll work this out when
we’re out of here.” She whispered back. “Just promise me that when I wake up, you’ll be here.”

Harry nodded. “I won’t leave you again.” He whispered back as she pulled him into a passionate
kiss.

**A/N:** This chapter was itching to go out earlier but I couldn’t muster the strength to
write until later this evening ... I think I work better when I’m up in the wee hours of the night.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little surreal trip of jealousy and realize that Harry has loved
Hermione since the beginning ... There are some things that can threaten a relationship, but with a
love as strong as these two share, it’s difficult to truly destroy it ... Have fun and thanks for
reading! There may be one more chapter in the works ... You'll have to wait and see for now
(other stories need my attention)...



7. Epilogue
-----------

CHAPTER SEVEN
Epilogue
There wasn’t a day that went by where she didn’t dread waking up. No matter how long ago those
few, short weeks were, she still had that same icy feeling in the pit of her stomach that
everything she’d gone through was simply a dream and nothing more.

Hermione made her way to the Great Hall as she had every morning since the start of term and her
eyes immediately swept over her classmates at the Gryffindor table. She stopped in mid stride at
the sight of him. Harry was there the morning after they’d kissed, but the following few months
he’d disappeared for several hours each day. She felt abandoned and alone, not being able to talk
to him about everything that had happened. She refocused her attention to the present and looked
back to the table.

He was talking animatedly with *her* and their mutual best friend about something, probably
Quidditch. He was smiling and laughing at some private joke the three of them shared. *She*
put a hand on his shoulder and pushed him away playfully and Hermione’s stomach began to
squirm.

She felt anger build within her as she made her way to the table.

*Calm down ...* *Calm down ... They’re not together, that wasn’t a real relationship
...* She told herself over and over as the distance closed between them.

Ron caught sight of her as she was making her way past the end of the table and said something
to Harry who stopped what he was doing and turned to face the direction that Ron pointed.

Hermione’s eyes met his and, as it did every time she looked into his bright green eyes, her
heart stopped in mid beat. With the unspoken contact a wide, bright smile crossed Harry’s face and
he stood when she stopped moving. Hermione was terrified that everything they’d gone through wasn’t
real and that feeling of horror was washed away when Harry took her hand.

When did he reach her? She couldn’t say. She was so entranced by the young man before her that
all time seemed to stop and nothing else mattered.

“Hermione? Are you coming?” Harry asked quietly in her ear.

Hermione blushed slightly. “Yes, sorry, I was thinking about something.”

With a laugh and a quick kiss on the cheek, Harry guided her to the seat next to him.

*Just another kiss on the cheek ...* She thought glumly.

“What were you guys talking about?” Hermione asked with a forced smile. “Quidditch again?”

Ron grinned in reply. “A bit of that, yes.” He said with a knowing look to Harry who blushed
instantly.

Hermione looked at the two of them. She didn’t like being kept out of the loop and the anger she
felt before started to build again when Ginny leaned forward.

“We were also talking about the Valentine’s Day trip to Hogsmeade.” She said with a blush.
“Nobody’s asked me yet ...” Her eyes flicked to Harry for a moment before she sighed and sat back
up.

Her anger reached its previous level and began to spill over. “Isn’t *today* Valentine’s
Day?” She asked through almost gritted teeth.

Harry turned to her with a curious smile. “I-It is.” He said quietly. “Listen, would tonight be
a good time to talk? Could we meet in the room of requirement?”

*Why’s he so nervous?* Hermione growled to herself. Unless everything *was* a dream
... She sighed and nodded. “20:00 ok?”

“I was thinking 18:00.” Harry said with a smile. “We can have dinner there as well.”

She looked up at him and found that his eyes were unreadable. “Ok.” She said simply. “I’m going
to the library to catch up on my assignments.”

“Hermione, you’ve done so much homework the past few months that I wouldn’t be surprised if
you’ve gotten next years assignments finished as well!” Ron said with a laugh. “Why don’t you take
a day off?”

Hermione shot a look at him that spoke in volumes what she thought of that idea. Ron blanched
and cleared his throat.

“Right then, study away.” He croaked to Harry and Ginny’s laughter.

Hermione walked slowly out of the Great Hall and looked back to the three of them hunched over
the table. Ginny covered her mouth and laughed silently at something that Harry had said. A strong
sadness replaced the anger that had been slowly rising in her and without another word, Hermione
turned and left for the library.

*I guess it was all a dream ...* She sighed to herself.

*What do you mean? A dream?* Harry’s voice echoed in her head.

*He doesn’t act the way a boyfriend should ...* She retorted. *Look how he’s acting
around Ginny, that should be me ...*

*Be that as it may, it couldn’t have been a dream!*

*How do you know? Stranger things have happened ...* She sighed in resignation ... *Ginny
acts like nothing’s even happened ...*

*You know that she lost a good deal of her memory when she was cured ...*

Hermione shook her head ... *But Harry hasn’t acted like he did when I woke up ...* She
looked up and found she was at the library already. “May as well get some studying done.” She
whispered sadly under her breath. With a resigned sigh she set her bag down at a free table and
pulled out the assignments for the end of the term and began writing.

“Hermione?”

She felt a hand on her shoulder and realized someone was trying to gently shake her awake.
“What?” She said sleepily. “What time is it?”

“You’ve got five minutes before you meet Harry.” Ron said non-plussed. “I’ve been looking all
over for you.”

Hermione stretched her sore muscles and started packing her books away. “You knew I would be
here.” She said evenly. “Do you know what he wants?”

Ron hid a smile and shook his head. “He wouldn’t tell me. He said something about you being able
to beat it out of me because you hate being kept out of the loop.”

“He’s right, you know.” She said with a sly grin. “How’s Ginny doing? Still having the
nightmares?” She asked nonchalantly as she got to her feet and made sure she had everything.

Ron let out an exhausted sigh. “She might have to stay on dreamless sleep potions all her life.”
He said glumly. “When she woke up after the operation, the mediwizards thought she’d have to be
admitted to the long-term care section of the mental ward.”

Hermione gave him a sympathetic smile and followed it with a quick hug. “I can’t believe she
doesn’t remember any of it.”

Ron nodded. “It’s like everything that went on over the summer never happened. It’s like all of
this has been one long nightmare ...” His eyes became unfocused and then he shuddered after a
moment.

Hermione looked at him concernedly. “Are you ok, Ron?”

He came out of his reverie and smiled reassuringly. “I’m fine.” He said quietly. “I can relate
to her dreams.”

Hermione pulled him into a tight hug. “Everything will be fine, Ron.”

He hugged her back then just as quickly pushed her away. “You need to go meet Harry.” He said
with a grin, not bothering to hide it this time.

Hermione sighed. “Ron? Do you know why Harry’s been avoiding me since we found out about
Ginny?”

Ron shook his head. “He’s been avoiding me too.” He admitted with a shake of his head. “The only
thing I’ve noticed is that Ginny seems to be gone whenever he is.”

Hermione stiffened at the news. *What?* “Please don’t tell me ...”

Ron laughed nervously. “Oh, I don’t think it has anything to do with that.” He smiled at her
reassuringly as they walked up another flight of stairs. “Ginny seems to be pining after him like
her old self, you saw her drop the hint that she wasn’t asked to Hogsmeade yet.”

Hermione nodded as the anger she felt earlier began to build again, along with a sharp pang of
jealousy that seemed to be stabbing at her heart. “Why are they disappearing together?” She asked
quietly. “He distanced himself from us ...”

Hermione looked up to see the familiar tapestry across from the room of requirement. As it had
been doing lately, time seemed to have sped her along faster than she had anticipated. She turned
to finish her question but Ron was already at the end of the hall waving to her.

*Great ...*

Hermione walked up and down the hall concentrating on the door to the hidden room. With each
pass she could feel the magic that kept the room out of sight until it was needed begin to take
effect and, before she knew it, the door was standing in plain sight in front of her. With a deep
breath, she opened it and looked into a room of pure, inky, darkness.

“Harry?” She called out uncertainly.

“Come in and close the door, Hermione.” She heard him say from somewhere in front of her. She
took a deep breath and with a shaky step, she entered the room and let the door close behind
her.

Her breath caught in her throat when the dim light of the candles along the wall erupted to life
and illuminated the scene before her with a soft, flickering glow. Her bag dropped to the floor and
she looked around the room with stinging eyes.

There was a table set for two in the middle of the floor. Rose petals seemed to have been thrown
randomly around the room to cover anything that had a horizontal surface. The fireplace was alive
with orange and blue flames with Harry standing next to a soft, leather sofa near the hearth. His
smile grew wider at her reaction and he walked to her when it was obvious she wasn’t able to
move.

“These are for you.” He said quietly. She looked down at the bouquet of tulips and lilies and
wiped away the tears that had begun to wind their way down her cheeks.

“Harry? What is all this?” She asked tentatively as she took the flowers from him. She looked
expectantly into his dancing emerald eyes and felt her knees go weak when he put his arms around
her waist.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around much.” He said quietly. His eyes clouded over and his smile
faded.

*No, bring back that smile!*

He lowered his head and let out a troubled sigh.

“Harry, what’s wrong?” She put an arm around him and guided him to the sofa where he buried his
face in his hands.

After a moment, he took a deep breath. “You should know, that Ginny and I ...”

Hermione tensed but refused to move even though her doubts started flooding through her mind.
She did what she felt she needed to and put a hand on his thigh even though the jealousy returned
and she could feel her anger rise again.

He covered her hand with his and cleared his throat. “Ginny and I have been going to St. Mungo’s
for additional treatment each night.” He said quietly. “It seems that the pheromones and chemicals
those brains give off have some lasting effects.”

“W-What kind of effects?” Hermione said evenly, barely keeping the growl out of her voice.

Harry looked her in the eyes. “They affect the brain and how it processes emotion.” He bowed his
head. “That’s one of the reasons I lost it when you woke up ...”

Hermione’s heart sank. *He doesn’t really love me? That kiss was a side effect of being
controlled?*

“I wasn’t fully in control of my emotions at that time and my body has been reacting to the
chemicals since then ...” He looked at her sadly when she pulled her hand from his.

“So everything that happened ... it was all some side effect?!” Hermione spat at him. “Is that
why you’ve been ignoring me? Because you ...”

Harry answered her question the only way he knew how. Hermione’s eyes were wide when she
realized that he was kissing her again and to her astonishment, her anger quickly dissipated and
she found herself returning the much needed contact with a tight embrace.

To her regret, Harry pulled back and held her at arm’s length. “Can I finish?” He asked quietly.
Hermione nodded her reply. “We’ve been going to St. Mungo’s for treatment. Professor Dumbledore
allowed us to floo there every evening.

“We were both seeing psychologists to help us with the emotional trauma we’d been going through.
It was suggested that we distance ourselves from our friends and loved ones so that we could better
adjust and come to grips with what we were dealing with.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” She asked quietly.

Harry looked to the fire and sighed. “I thought it would be better that way. I couldn’t stand
being away from you and it got to the point where I was getting really possessive and territorial
... Professor Dumbledore picked up on how I was acting and got me some help.”

“You’ve been going to St. Mungo’s all this time?” Hermione asked worriedly. “I was wondering if
you’d abandoned me ...”

Harry pulled her into a tight hug. “I’d never abandon you, Hermione.” He said quietly into her
ear. “Even when Gin ... Even when I was being controlled I wanted to be near you.”

She felt tears start to form again and pulled him into a tighter hug. After a moment she pulled
back and looked at him sternly. “Do you expect to just kiss me, give me flowers, and then suddenly
be ok with everything that I’ve gone through these past couple of months?”

Harry looked hurt. “I don’t expect you to forgive me for anything.” He said quietly. “It was my
fault that all this happened ...”

*WHAT?!*

Hermione looked at him incredulously. “What in the bloody hell are you talking about?”

Harry fidgeted then turned to the fire. “If I ... If I hadn’t dragged everyone to the Department
of Mysteries in the first place, Ginny wouldn’t ...”

“You had no control over what happened to Ginny, Harry. She didn’t have any control over it
either.” Hermione said softly. “It’s sad that she’s going to have nightmares for the rest of her
life, but it was most certainly *not* your fault!”

Harry looked at her with a profound sadness lingering in his eyes but he smiled genuinely. “I do
love you, Hermione.” He said in a quiet voice. “That’s not going to change and it tore me apart to
be away from you ...” He sighed and looked to his hands that were folded in his lap. “I finished my
treatment this morning and it was just in time for Valentine’s Day.”

Despite what had happened the past few months, Hermione’s heart swelled when she heard him tell
her that he loved her. She took his hand and pulled it to her lips where she kissed the back of it
gently. He turned his hand over and she kissed his palm before he slid his hand over her cheek and
cupped it against her face. She glanced at him and felt her heart begin to beat faster and faster
as his face leaned in towards hers. Heat began to spread up her cheeks and down every limb until it
felt like her skin was on fire. Her lips broke apart slightly and she gasped when his lips pressed
into hers ever so slightly and his hand pulled her into him.

Her eyes closed and for the longest time she could only feel the heat of his body pressed
against hers and watched sparkling lights dance merrily behind her eyelids. Her body began to
tremble as her arms slid around his neck and she felt him pull her into a tight hug as he lifted
her into his lap.

She didn’t know how long they had kissed or noticed anything else aside from the young man that
was in her arms. When they finally broke apart, she felt a part of her disappear with the loss of
contact. She slowly opened her eyes and looked to the smiling face of the one person that could
make her whole.

“I love you too, Harry.”

**A/N**: Ok, that’s that! Hope you got a little bit of closure and sorry for the bit of angst
... I want to thank everyone for their wonderful reviews and comments and I would like to truly
apologize for the way that Harry and Ginny got along ... As you can see, it wasn’t anything that
truly got in the way of Harry and Hermione’s feelings, just another bump In the road for them to
deal with and only made their relationship stronger.



8. Surprise!
------------

CHAPTER EIGHT
Surprise!
“I love you too, Harry.” Hermione said quietly.

“Hermione?” Harry asked quietly, gently nudging her shoulder.

“I’m right here, Harry, why are you doing that?”

“Hermione, wake up. The movie’s over ...”
* * *
Hermione’s eyes fluttered open sleepily. “What?”

Harry was sitting next to her on the couch with a very red face. “You fell asleep half-way
through the movie ...” He said quietly.

*Was that all a dream?*

Hermione looked around in confusion. “I was sleeping? How did we get to my house?”

Harry sighed and massaged his temples. “It’s the end of the summer, Hermione, you invited us to
come over for movies and snacks.” He said quietly. He glared at Ron. “Could you please turn the
blasted TV down a notch? My headache is getting worse.”

Ron looked back with an apologetic smile and hit the volume control on the remote. The TV boomed
with sound and Ron fought frantically to figure out how to reverse what he’d just done.

“Give me that, Ron.” Dean said testily and yanked the remote from the frustrated Weasley. Within
moments, the TV was within acceptable limits and Harry sighed in relief.

Hermione looked at him in concern. “Headache? Is it your scar?”

Harry shook his head and winced. “No, just a really bad film. If we *ever* do this again,
Ron is not in charge of choosing the entertainment.”

“Hey, the movie said it was about Aurors! I thought it would be fun to watch wizards in a
science fiction movie!” Ron retorted.

“Ron, this was *The Brain from Planet Arous*!” Seamus said sarcastically. “You do know how
to spell Aurors, right?”

Ron scowled at his friend. “Of course I do!” He spat back.

Dean shook his head in amusement. “I second Harry’s request, Ron doesn’t choose the film
again.”

If looks could kill, Dean and Seamus would be twitching on the floor at Ron’s glare. “Fine. You
choose the movies from now on, see if I care.” He growled irritably and crossed his arms over his
chest in a huff.

“Is he still upset that we didn’t like the movie?” Ginny asked from the hallway. She put a hand
on Harry’s shoulder and smiled gently at him.

Hermione immediately stiffened and her anger began to bubble up from somewhere deep in the pit
of her stomach. She looked dangerously at Ginny who suddenly took a step back.

“Hermione? Are you ok?” She asked in shock.

Hermione looked at Harry and saw his confusion as well and fought down the feelings she had
building in her. "S-Sorry." She said quietly. "J-just disoriented from a dream
..."

“Here’s the ibuprofen, Harry.” Ginny said evenly, looking at Hermione as if her friend were
going to leap at her and scratch her eyes out.

Harry smiled at her and popped the tablets in his mouth, followed by a healthy swig from his
water bottle. He looked at Hermione with concern and leaned towards her. “Are you ok? You looked
rather confused when you woke up and then this ... What’s going on?”

Hermione blushed and looked at her hands. “I-I guess I just had the strangest dream ... but it
felt real.” Hermione stammered.

Ron stood and stretched. “I am so tired.” He said through a yawn as he glanced at the clock.
“Hey, Gin, we don’t have much time left, better catch the Floo home.”

Ginny looked from Harry and sighed when she saw what time it was. “Mum’s going to kill us if we
get home too late ...” She left the room and returned a few minutes later with a bag full of
leftovers and soda bottles. “Ron, could you get the Floo going? I’ll get this stuff put away.”

Harry stood and gave Ginny a quick hug that caused Hermione to see red. She tried to shake the
feeling away but the smile on Ginny’s face pushed her a little too far. “Hey, why don’t I help you
with those bags, Ginny?” Hermione said quickly. Harry had already let the blushing girl go and she
looked curiously at her.

“I-I’ve got them, Hermione.” She said taken aback.

Hermione smiled a little too sweetly and snatched up one of the bags. “Nonsense.” She said with
a wave of her free hand. “It’s only a bag, and I want to see you off.”

Ginny nodded slowly and glanced confusedly at Harry.

Harry shrugged in reply and walked with Ron to gather the rest of the things.

“Are you sure you’re ok, Hermione?” Ginny asked quietly.

Hermione flushed red and looked at Ginny fiercely. “Do you still have a crush on Harry?” She
asked bluntly.

Ginny was back on her heels. “What?” She looked around quickly and then looked Hermione square
in the eyes. “I wouldn’t do anything to get in your way, Hermione!” Ginny said as her face flushed
red. “I know you wanted to talk to him about that tonight!”

Hermione blushed. “What?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten? That’s not like you!” Ginny said quietly as she pulled her to
the side. “Where have you been all summer? Your head must have been in the clouds or something
...”

Hermione looked at Ginny in pure bewilderment. “But I was abroad with my parents all summer ...”
She said slowly. She thought hard and something fell into place.
* * *
Ginny and Hermione were huddled in Ginny’s bed giggling like they were nine and reading their
first romance novel. Hermione was showing off her new dress robes that she had gotten specifically
so that she and Harry would match for the Valentine’s Day Ball the next year at Hogwarts.

“He’s actually got the forest green that complements this?” Ginny said with sparkling eyes. She
was holding the soft material in her hands and a wide smile spread across her face. “This dress is
so beautiful, Hermione.”

Hermione laughed and pulled out the matching shoes to go with it. “I couldn’t resist picking
these up too. There’s a charm put on them to keep Harry from stepping on my feet, if he asks me to
go that is.” She looked to the dress with a far away look in her eyes.

“Hermione, he’s going to die when he sees you in this!” Ginny giggled loudly. She looked to her
friend and put a comforting hand on her shoulder and gave her a sympathetic look. “Are you still
planning on telling him at your place?” She asked quietly.

Hermione blushed and nodded. She felt the fear she’d been hiding since she realized how much she
liked him settle in her stomach and Ginny saw it behind her eyes. “I hope he feels the same way.”
Hermione said as she gulped involuntarily.

“He will!” Ginny said with a reassuring smile. “He does, I’m sure of it ... That’s the reason I
stopped pining after him, I have absolutely no chance against you, Hermione.” She said with a wan
smile. “But if you don’t hurry and tell him, I might just swoop in and steal him away from
you!”

Hermione felt a pang of jealousy grip her heart but she hid it with a laugh. “Oh, don’t bet on
it, missy!” She said with half-mock anger. “No way am I going to let you lay your hands on
him!”

Ginny joined in the laughter and passed the dress back to Hermione. “Better get this in your
trunk before he sees it.” Hermione couldn’t help but see the dreamy look that entered Ginny’s
eyes.

*I wouldn’t put it past her to try ...* She thought angrily and caught herself before she
went too far along that path. *Ginny’s the sister I never had ... She wouldn’t do that, would
she?*

Hermione packed the dress away and looked back at her yawning friend.
* * *
Ginny snapped her fingers in front of Hermione’s face. “Hey, Hermione ... Did you fall back
asleep?”

Hermione snapped to and nodded slowly. “Wait ... No, I just got lost in thought, Gin.” She
stammered.

“Ok ... Well, I’ve got to go.” She said sadly. “Tell me how it went in the morning, ok?” She
whispered quietly and pulled Hermione into a tight hug. She pulled back with a smile and waved.
With a flash of green flame, Ginny Weasley was on her way to the Burrow.

Hermione felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind and lift her into a bear hug.
“RON!” She squealed in surprise.

Ron laughed and set the squirming girl back on the floor. “Well you were talking to Ginny so
intensely, I didn’t have time for a proper goodbye.” He said with a wink. Hermione visibly cringed
and Ron howled with laughter. “Well, that was downright rude!” He said with a grin.

Hermione elbowed him with a scowl on her face but burst into laughter and pulled him into a hug.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, ok?”

“Sure thing, Hermione.” Ron said with a smile and a return hug. “See you on the Express!” With a
wave of his hand, he stepped into the green flames and disappeared like his sister.

“Hey, Seamus, Dean!” Harry called to the family room. “You’ve only got a few more minutes before
the Floo is disconnected!”

Seamus was the first out to the formal living room and sighed. “Well, off to school again.” He
said with a handshake from Harry. “See you on the train tomorrow ... Oh, and definitely no Ron
picking movies next time ...”

Hermione laughed as she hugged him. “It was that bad?”

“You don’t know the half of it.” Dean said with a grimace on his face. “I mean floating brains
that take people over? Get real!” He laughed and said his goodbyes as Seamus stepped into the
fireplace and was instantly on his way home. Dean followed closely afterwards with a wave he was
soon gone as well.

“Can we clean up in a little bit?” Harry asked quietly. He began to rub the sides of his head
gingerly. “This headache is really killing me.”

Hermione smiled and led him back to the family room and guided him down to the sofa next to her.
The BBC was on the TV and Hermione turned the volume down to a more comfortable level for
Harry.

Harry sighed. “Thanks.” He said quietly.

Hermione smiled and leaned back into the soft couch. Her gaze drifted slowly to the boy sitting
next to her and she felt her heart flutter when he looked up at her suddenly.

“Hey, do you mind if I lay my head on your shoulder? Just for a little bit?” Harry asked
quietly. He’d pulled his glasses off and was pinching the bridge of his nose.

Hermione smiled softly. “Sure, let me just get the lights, they’re probably wracking your brain
right now ...” She pulled out another remote and hit the dimmer switch and the lights in the room
dropped to near darkness. The only light that was really affecting them was the flickering images
on the TV and the streetlight streaming in from the corner.

Harry sighed contentedly and gently laid his head on her shoulder. Hermione wrapped an arm
around his and held on to him as he snaked an arm around her waist.

“So what was this about a dream?” He asked quietly next to her.

Hermione’s shoulders drooped a little as she tried to recall everything. She told him about the
Department of Mystery’s brain controlling Ginny, who in turn controlled him and the dreams she woke
up from within her dream ... She shook her head quietly when he described the scenes from the movie
that matched what she’d gone through.

“I think you shouldn’t sleep while bad movies are playing ...” Harry said with a smile. “They
say that you’ll incorporate the movie into your dreams ... I guess that’s true.”

Hermione giggled quietly. “I hope I can count on you to help me out with that ...”

Harry nodded. “I have to admit, though, you’ve got a pretty vivid imagination to come up with
some of that stuff, Hermione.” He said with a soft chuckle. “The poison tipped fingernails was
pretty unbelievable ...” Hermione pinched his arm playfully. “Hey!” He hit a tickle spot that he
knew he could easily reach and she squealed.

“Not fair!” She said after getting his hand under control. “You know I don’t like that!”

“Especially when I’m not ticklish.” He said cheekily.

She laughed. “Oh, we’ll see how you feel after I get a tickling hex on you!”

Harry tightened his grip on her and smiled. “Ok, ok, no need to resort to magic!” He said with a
laugh. “Knowing my luck, I’d be the one to get fined with underage use of magic!”

Hermione grinned. “Then let that be a lesson to you for tickling me!”

“Touché, Miss Granger!” He said cheekily.

Harry sat up to Hermione’s disappointment and turned towards her. “Now what is it that you
wanted to talk to me about?” His face and tone were serious and Hermione blushed profusely.

*I’d almost forgotten ...* She chastised herself.

Hermione turned to face him and looked to her hands which were fidgeting nervously in her lap.
She concentrated on her particular nervous tick of picking at her fingernails when Harry took her
hands in his.

“You’re nervous, what’s wrong?”

Her heart had jumped when he’d taken her hands and she was surprised at how warm his were. She
followed his body from his hands to his arms, then to his broad chest and shoulders. She finally
settled upon his face and looked him in the eyes.

“Harry ... I ...”

Her eyes snapped wide open when his lips met hers. Within seconds, her heart beat to a deafening
roar in her ears, a small country’s worth of butterflies were released in her stomach, and she felt
a warm, tingling sensation cover her body causing her skin to ripple and turn to gooseflesh. She
started to close her eyes and kiss him back but he’d already pulled away. She opened her eyes and
saw him looking back at her with his magnificent green eyes and she felt as if her soul were bared
to him at that moment.

“I hope I made the right choice.” He said quietly. “I ... um ... overheard what you said in your
sleep.”

Hermione froze. “I don’t talk in my sleep.”

Harry nodded. “Alright, I’m sorry for listening in on your dream.” He said with a slightly
lopsided grin.

She blushed but cleared her throat. “Wait a minute ...”

*He just kissed me!*

She looked at him as her eyes went wide again. “Are you telling me ...?”

Harry nodded.

“You feel the same way ...”

Harry nodded again.

Hermione blushed. “D-Do you think we’re ready to take this further?”

Harry kissed her again and this time she kissed him back. She was less shocked this time but the
feelings only intensified once she realized that Harry shared her feelings for him. They broke
apart breathlessly and he pulled her into a tight hug.

“Now, what was all this with Ginny?” He asked with a smile.

Hermione blushed again and pulled away, just enough so she could look him in the eyes without
craning her neck. She smiled weakly and relayed the parts of the dream she’d left out about how
jealous she’d gotten during the whole ordeal. Harry smiled comfortingly and pulled her back to
him.

“She doesn’t hold a candle to you, Hermione. I told you everything as soon as I got to Grimmauld
Place ... There’s no way I would have been so open with her.” He explained quietly. “I hope you
realize that she’s a sister to me ...”

Hermione smiled into his chest at the confession and she sighed in relief. “I do now.” She said
cheekily. “And don’t you dare! I’ll keep my promise with that hex!”

Harry immediately moved his hands back to their previous position and stammered an excuse. “I
was just shifting, honest.” She could hear the smile in his voice and the jealousy that she had
harbored towards Ginny eased away.

“I’m sorry I was jealous, Harry.” Hermione said after a few minutes in his warm embrace.

He kissed the top of her head and laughed. “That’s ok.” He said with a grin. “I just hope that
you don’t learn to hate love like you did in your dream ...”

Hermione grinned. “Well, don’t make me jealous again!” She said with a laugh.

**A/N:** Well, there’s the surprise in Surprise! I slipped in the challenge: Harry leans on Hermione, Based
on a true event by Witch of the Web! Sneaky, sneaky. A little fluff, a little angst (ok, a lot
of angst) and a lot of confused readers when the DoM brains came into play ... Heh oh, and
SURPRISE! This is now the real end of this fic. I hope you all enjoyed it and I’m sorry if I
disappointed anyone with the previous plot ... Dreams are the stuff of legend ...