Summer Writing Series Challenge (July 20)
Challenge: [Musical Week] Love/Romance
Title: Phantoms of War: Act I, Scene II
Word Count: 1,000
Following the events of that afternoon, Hermione found herself walking around the school in a slight daze. She couldn't help but feel elated that Harry Potter, her best friend, could possibly feel the same for her that she did for him.
Is that why he refuses to let Ginny kiss him properly? She mused in a dreamy voice in her head as she relived the scene in the common room. Some voice in the back of Hermione's mind whispered it was where he was meant to be and redheaded witch was wrong for him.
Hermione set her books down in the back corner of the library, not her usual seat, but she felt drawn to the hard-to-find corner for some reason.
"Hermione?" Ginny asked again in a somewhat frustrated manner.
"What?" Hermione jumped, a startled look on her face. "Oh, Ginny, I didn't see you come in..."
"I've been trying to find you, where in the world have you been hiding?" The young Weasley asked with a curious look on her face.
"Oh, I just took my time getting here," Hermione stammered as she pulled out her Arithmancy book. "I thought I'd do some studying for tomorrow..."
Ginny saw the glint in Hermione's eyes and sat down at the table with a wide smile on her face. "Study? Again? You don't look like you're in the mood for studying, Hermione, besides you've got perfect marks in that class."
"What do you mean I don't look like I'm in the mood?" Hermione asked crossly, though it was more in surprise than anger.
"There's something about you, Hermione," Ginny whispered, "who's the bloke?"
"W-what?"
"I know that day dream look, Hermione," Ginny whispered more urgently. When Hermione refused to say anything Ginny pushed back slightly and shook her head. "Keep it a secret then," she said with a shrug. "I only wish I knew your secret... Who is this new suitor?"
Hermione shrugged. "There is no suitor... Though," her eyes glazed over slightly and a smile caressed her face, "My father once spoke of an angel that I used to dream would appear... Even as I sit here I know he's near. Here in this room, he calls me softly, somewhere inside hiding... Somehow I know he's always with me, he, my unseen guardian..."
"Hermione, you must have been dreaming, stories like this can't come true," Ginny placed her hands on Hermione's shivering ones, "Hermione, you're talking in riddles and it's not like you... Your hands are cold and your face is white... Hermione?"
"S-sorry, I just got a shiver and it frightened me for a moment," Hermione said quietly, pulling her hands out from under Ginny's.
"The temperature is fine. Do you want me to get one of your jumpers for you?"
"That's ok, I just need to get to work," Hermione said with a slight smile.
"Hey, maybe you can use this," Harry said as he handed Hermione a red jumper.
"Where did you get this?" Hermione asked perplexed. "I thought I lost it in France with my parents..."
"You told me about it when we snuck into the attic at the Burrow to look at the ghoul," Harry said with a laugh. "Hedwig went out to look for it for me, but it was all tattered so I got you a new one to replace it. It might be the right size, I'm not familiar with women's sizes," he admitted with a shrug and sat down with the two girls. "Mind if I study with my best friend, Gin?" He asked with a wide grin.
"Not at all," Ginny said with a kiss to his cheek. "I need to hunt down Ron anyway, See you later tonight?"
Harry nodded and smiled as Ginny left the Library then turned back to Hermione. "What was that story you told me?" He asked her once she'd gotten the red jumper over her head. "Little Lotte let her mind wander..."
"You remember that too?" She asked with a smile.
"... Little Lotte thought: Am I fonder of dolls..." Harry continued.
"... or of goblins, of shoes..." They said together.
"... or of riddles, of frocks..." Hermione smiled in recollection.
"... or of chocolates..." Harry laughed.
"I remember when my father played the violin that summer you visited," she said wistfully as a tear slipped to her cheek. "I miss him so much, Harry."
Without another word, Harry caught her in his arms and comforted her by stroking her hair. "I know, those were some dark stories he recited to us..."
"The ones of the North?" Hermione asked softly, sinking into the warmth of his arms. "What I love best, Lotte said, is when I'm asleep in my bed and I'd dream of that angel my father told me about..."
"It's time for dinner, Hermione," Harry whispered in her ear after an indeterminable amount of time, "I'll take your books to the common room and meet you in the Great Hall, ok?"
"Ok," Hermione said with a sigh, "I'm just going to sit here for a few more minutes..."
"I'll come get you then," he said gently as they pulled apart.
"No, I'll meet you in the Great Hall," she said with a slight smile. "I'll be fine, really."
"It's no problem at all, I'll see you here in ten minutes," Harry returned with a wide smile. Without another word, he grabbed both of their bags and disappeared from the library. Hermione watched him leave as her heart seemingly grew bigger and bigger, her thoughts from before screaming that he had the same feelings for her as she did for him.
A chilled breeze floated from behind her and Hermione shivered. She suddenly felt sleepy and before she knew what was happening, strong arms lifted her drowsy form from the chair, cradling her like a child.
"H-Harry?" She asked as her vision grew blurry.
"Hermione, I'm your angel," a deep voice whispered as she finally fell asleep in the arms of the man she thought was Harry Potter.
A/N: Ok, so it isn't overly romantic, but I think I've touched on the depths of how much Harry cares for Hermione and from act I scene I, we know that Hermione loves him. Sometimes romance can be a simple matter of comforting someone when they need it and anticipating when they need warm clothing... :)