Author's note: Thanks for the reviews, ya'll! I appreciate each and every one…I've resorted to songs for chapter titles again…I was stuck on something to title this chapter with so I dug deep and went back to the 80's for one of my favorites…by Steve Perry "Foolish Heart". Please read and review!
Chapter Seven
Foolish Heart
Love's knocking on the door
Of my heart once more
Think I'll let her in...
But before I begin
Foolish heart, hear me calling
Stop before you start falling
Foolish heart, heed my warning
You've been wrong before
Don't be wrong anymore
~That same evening around midnight~
Luna and Ron finally fell asleep around 11:30 after countless attempts to put Katie down to sleep. She'd been quite cranky the last few days much to her parents' chagrin and had kept them awake the night before and had threatened to do so again tonight. She'd finally closed her eyes at 11 and Ron and Luna, who were both knackered, fell asleep soon after.
Ron vaguely heard the sound of a knock on the door, but turned over on his side, thinking and hoping that it wasn't a knock. Luna, too, began to stir as the knocking became more insistent. She sleepily tapped Ron on the shoulder and muttered something unintelligible as she kept her eyes closed.
"Some…at the door," Ron said groggily, throwing the pillow over his head to block out the noise.
"Hmm," Luna replied, pushing Ron. Stubbornly, Ron grabbed on tighter to his pillow, not wanting to get out of bed.
"Ron," Luna said, nudging him harder this time. "There's someone at the door."
She pushed him hard and he promptly fell on the bed, which killed two birds with one stone as it woke him up and got him out of bed. As a result, he promptly cursed loudly which prompted Luna to hiss, "RON!"
He rubbed his head gingerly and got shakily to his feet. The knocking continued and Ron groaned. "It's nearly midnight."
"It could be important," Luna said, rising out of bed with a yawn. "It doesn't look as if they're going away."
Ron grabbed his wand from the bedside table.
"What do you need that for?" she asked.
"I'm going to hex whoever this bastard is who decided to come over here in the middle of the night," Ron said determinedly.
"Aim first and ask questions later?" Luna asked, teasingly.
Ron, however, wasn't laughing. "Damn right."
"Oh, put that down before you hurt someone," Luna said dismissively, throwing on her dressing gown. "Let's go see who it is."
Ron reluctantly followed Luna down the hall and toward the front door of their flat. As he did so, he managed to stub his toe not once, but twice, and let forth a slew of expletives. Luna gave him a warning look as she reached the door.
"It's my toe!" he exclaimed, limping behind her.
"You are such a baby," she said, standing on her tiptoes so she could see through the peephole. "How you got sorted into Gryffindor is beyond me."
Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Luna's announcement of who was at their door stopped him.
"It's Harry," she said softly, before undoing the locks and swinging the door open.
"Hey," Harry said, not waiting to be asked inside. He looked quite upset about something and was dressed quite nicely.
"If you've come over here because you aren't sure if that tie goes with that suit," Ron began, "I'm going to kill you."
Harry didn't respond and continued to pace in the hallway. Luna closed the door and exchanged a worried glance with Ron.
"What is it?" she asked hesitantly. "Are you alright?"
Harry shook his head.
Ron's anger ebbed away as he saw the look on his best friend's face. He hadn't seen Harry look this upset in a long time.
Harry continued to pace in front of them as Ron and Luna exchanged confused looks. After a few moments of silence, it suddenly dawned on Luna that something horrible must have happened to have Harry in such a state.
"Oh no," she gasped and grabbed on to Ron's arm. "Did something happen?"
Harry looked up and saw the confused, concerned expressions on his friends' faces and felt stupid for barging in on them and looking and acting the way he was. He vehemently shook his head.
"No, as far as I know, nothing's happened to anyone," he replied.
"Well, then what is it?" Luna asked, watching as he slumped against the wall.
"Me," he said simply.
"You?" Ron asked.
Harry could only nod.
Luna exchanged another look with Ron before suggesting that they move their talk into the sitting room to avoid waking Katie.
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I should just go."
"No," Ron said, leading his friend into the sitting room while Luna headed in the opposite direction to the kitchen. "We're already awake and you're obviously upset about something. Luna's gone to get some tea for us. Sit down and tell me what's going on."
"I really am sorry," Harry said taking a seat on a chair as Ron took the seat opposite him on the sofa. "I just didn't know where else to go."
"It's alright," Ron said with a smile. "But, you do realize that you are living with your other best friend. Couldn't you have spoken to Hermione about whatever's troubling you? She is the more sensitive one out of the three of us. She could probably help you out more than I could. I mean…"
Harry looked up at Ron as if Ron had just suggested that he jump off of a bridge.
"What?" Ron asked confused. "What's that look for? You can't talk to Hermione?"
Harry shook his head and sank lower in his chair.
"Since when?" Ron asked taken aback. "The two of you can usually finish each other's sentences."
"I can't tell Hermione about this," Harry said grimly. He looked away from Ron's questioning gaze.
Ron looked thoughtfully at him wondering what in the world Harry's problem could be. He was obviously troubled about something; something he couldn't divulge to his female best friend. This was something that he obviously felt more comfortable talking about with his male best friend. Something that bothered him so much, Harry had come over to Ron's flat in the middle of the night. Suddenly a thought occurred to Ron and he honestly never thought Harry would have had a problem like this.
"Merlin, Harry!"
"Yeah?" Harry said, looking up.
"Well, you know this is something that I haven't really had a lot of experience with," Ron began, "Luna and I've never…I mean I've always been able to…rise to the occasion, as it were…"
Harry stared back at his friend in disbelief. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"You know," Ron said. He looked to the left and then to the right and heard the sound of dishes clattering in the kitchen and knew that Luna was out of earshot and probably couldn't hear what they were saying. "Your..."
Harry's eyes narrowed. "My…?"
Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "You know your inability to…"
"My inability to what?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Your inability to use your, um, wand, to its full capability at the right time, as it were." He looked expectantly, yet embarrassedly, at Harry.
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, dumbfounded.
"Your erectile dysfunction," Ron spat out rather loudly.
"My what?" Harry said angrily. "I don't have that!"
"Yes you do," Ron retorted.
"No, I do not," Harry said, shaking his head. "And I think I would know!"
"Well, why else would you be over here in the middle of the night upset about something," Ron asked. "Something that you can talk to me about, but can't talk to Hermione about?"
Harry got quickly to his feet and let out a laugh. "I can assure you, Ron, that it's not that."
Luna came into the sitting room just then carrying a tray of steaming cups of tea.
"Would you two kindly keep it down?" she hissed, setting the tray down on the coffee table.
"Sorry," Ron and Harry both said sheepishly.
"What were you two on about anyway?" Luna asked, taking a seat beside Ron on the sofa.
Ron's cheeks reddened. "Well, we were talking about Harry's problem with-"
"I don't have that problem!" Harry exclaimed.
"I think you do," Ron said quietly.
"What problem?" Luna asked, looking back and for between them.
"Harry's-" Ron began, but Harry cut him off.
"OH FOR MERLIN'S SAKE! I DON'T HAVE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION, RON! I CAME HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I NEARLY KISSED HERMIONE TONIGHT!" Harry exclaimed loudly.
Ron and Luna both stared at him in stunned silence. Harry sank back down on the chair.
"H-how did that happen exactly?" Luna asked softly.
"I thought she had a date with that bloke Ginny set her up with," Ron said confused.
"She did," Harry said simply.
"Well?" Ron asked.
When Harry didn't reply, Ron sighed impatiently. "Merlin's beard! It's like pulling teeth. Are you going to tell us what happened or aren't you? Because if you're not, I'd like to get back to bed if it's all the same to you."
Harry looked at his two friends and knew that he should tell them what happened if they were going to help him figure out what to do.
"Okay," he said. "I'll tell you."
Luna and Ron leaned forward, both literally nearly on the edge of their seats wanting to know exactly what had happened.
Harry genuinely felt bad about using Sabrina as he was, but he couldn't show up at the restaurant alone and he didn't know of anyone else to call on such short notice. To his great relief, she'd readily accepted and he'd changed into one of his nicest suits as he knew that Café La Russe was one of the most posh restaurants in all of London. It was also a Muggle restaurant that Hermione loved and that he'd taken her to on a number of special occasions---usually her birthday, or to celebrate her graduation from University or to celebrate her getting her new job at the Ministry.
It was an elegant, intimate restaurant that
He'd never, however, taken anyone on a date here…until tonight. But, this wasn't really a date, Harry kept telling himself. This was more like a covert, fact-finding mission. He was doing what he did best, he told himself. Protecting those he loved from those who were out to harm them. Admittedly, he didn't know this Stefan Marone. But, Harry knew his type. This guy was probably throwing a still on the rebound Hermione every line in the book. And, in her vulnerable state, Harry was sure she was eating up every word of it.
So, at a little after 7:30, he and Sabrina were standing before the maitre d who was about to seat them.
"We're a little crowded tonight, sir," he was saying. "I will probably have to seat you upstairs."
Harry opened his mouth to protest because he could see Hermione and Stefan seated in the middle of the restaurant. How was he going to be able to keep tabs on them if he was upstairs?
"Are you sure that there's nothing downstairs?" Harry asked pointedly.
"Positive, sir," the maitre d replied. He picked up two menus and was about to lead Harry and Sabrina upstairs when Harry stopped him.
"Could I have a moment?" he asked.
"What's going on?" Sabrina asked.
"I want us to have the best table," Harry lied. "You usually have to throw on the charm or throw some added incentive at these blokes."
Sabrina grinned. "Go right ahead."
Harry gave her a smile before taking the man to the side for a private word.
"Yes sir?" the maitre d said impatiently.
Harry smiled. "I'm not asking you to sit us downstairs. I just need you to take us past a table in the
restaurant as if you were sitting us downstairs."
"Pardon?" the maitre d asked pulling a puzzled face.
Harry gestured toward Hermione's table and the maitre'd followed his gaze.
"I need you to walk us past that girl's table," Harry said, pulling out his wallet and unfolding some money. "If she does what I think she will, she'll invite us to sit with her."
"Wouldn't you be more comfortable upstairs?"
"No," Harry said resolutely. He handed over 50 quid and the maitre d hesitated only a moment before nodding.
"Madame, Sir…if you'll follow me," he said, grabbing two menus and gesturing for Harry and Sabrina to follow him.
"I'm very impressed," Sabrina said, taking hold of Harry's hand as they walked through the restaurant.
Harry's eyes were trained solely on Hermione and tried his best to act surprised when he caught her glance.
"Harry?" she asked, looking up.
"I didn't know the two of you were going to be here!" Harry said, feigning shock. Hermione's brow furrowed and Harry hoped she didn't recall that he was there when Ginny told her what restaurant Stefan was taking her to. Everything hinged on her thinking this was purely coincidental.
"Yeah," Hermione said, looking past Harry at Sabrina. "Hello, Sabrina."
"Hello, Hermione," Sabrina said warmly.
Stefan shot Harry a look of annoyance, but Harry chose not to acknowledge it or his presence.
"Um, Stefan Marone…this is Sabrina...she's Harry's…," Hermione's voice trailed off. She didn't honestly know what to call Sabrina.
"Date," Harry finished for her. Sabrina's face fell at this. She'd been expecting Harry to use the word girlfriend, but she covered quickly and looked at Hermione's date. Stefan arose out of his chair and shook Sabrina's proffered hand.
"This is really some coincidence, isn't it?" Harry asked with a smile at Hermione who nodded.
"Hey! I've got an idea!" Harry said, looking at the maitre d. "Would it be alright with you if we sat with them instead?"
The maitre d looked impatiently at Harry.
"Whatever you wish, sir," the maitre d said and motioned for two waiters to bring two extra chairs to the table.
"You don't mind do you Stefan?" Harry asked, finally looking at Hermione's date who had a smile fixed on his face, but Harry could tell that the man wasn't pleased at all with this turn of events. It took every restraint Harry had not to scream out "Gotcha!"
"No," Stefan said, through clenched teeth. "I don't mind as long as Hermione doesn't mind."
Harry turned to Hermione and gave her his most winsome, charming smile.
"Why not?" Hermione asked, not really relishing watching Sabrina shoot lingering looks at Harry all night, but she couldn't very well be rude and refuse right in front of them, could she?
Harry beamed at her and helped Sabrina to her seat and took his own, in between Stefan and Hermione.
"Isn't this cozy?" he asked, looking at Stefan.
After a very awkward thirty minutes, their meal arrived and the two couples ate their food enjoying an excuse to be silent. Harry couldn't remember ever being in a more awkward situation in his life. This was almost like having Christmas dinner at Snape's house…or at least what he imagined that would be like.
To Harry's delight, he'd managed to steer Stefan and Hermione away from any direct conversation. He'd even managed to steer the conversation to topics or inside jokes that he and Hermione shared.
After they'd all finished their meals, Harry was about to turn to Hermione and say something else when to his horror, Stefan looked out at the small dance floor where a handful of couples were moving to the soft, romantic music playing. Knowing he had to act now, Harry turned to Hermione.
"What do you say, Hermione?" he said, getting to his feet and offering her his hand. "Want to trip the light fantastic?"
"The what?" Hermione asked with a laugh.
"You remember that old movie you and I were watching the other night?" he said with a grin. "That's what they called dancing…care to join me?"
"Since when do you ever volunteer to dance?" she asked skeptically.
"Since I know you like this song," he said, giving her his best puppy dog eyes.
Hermione hesitated and looked at Stefan who seemed to be fuming and Sabrina who didn't look all that happy with this turn of events, either. Knowing she should decline, she was surprised to find herself unable to say no to those twinkling green eyes.
"Okay," she said, taking Harry's hand and allowing him to lead her onto the floor.
Harry smiled a little awkwardly at her as he took her in his arms and they slowly moved to the music.
"When was the last time we did this?" he asked in her ear.
Hermione laughed. "Ron and Luna's wedding. As I remember you wanted to see where it was written that the maid
of honour and the best man had to dance together."
Harry grinned sheepishly. "I was looking out for you, Hermione. I didn't want to crush your toes."
Hermione laughed. "Uh-huh. Well, it's good to know that you're bad at something."
"What?"
"Well, you excel at practically everything you do," she said. "Nice to know that you are bad at some things. It makes you seem human, Boy-Who-Lived."
"Ha-ha," Harry said. "Are you saying I'm bad at this?"
He pulled away from her a little and stared at her, looking mock affronted.
"You've improved," she said with a grin.
"We should do this more often," he said, pulling her close again, and felt himself getting almost intoxicated on her sweet scent.
"Go on double dates?" she joked.
"No," Harry whispered into her ear. Hermione lifted her head from his chest and looked up at him in surprise. The dim light illuminated her face and Harry couldn't remember ever seeing her look more beautiful than she did at that very moment. Their faces were inches apart and he felt himself leaning in toward her. And then, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Mind if I cut in?" Stefan was saying. Harry turned to see Stefan smiling at Hermione.
"Uh-sure," Harry said, still wondering what had just happened between him and Hermione. What had he been about to do to his best friend before…
Harry gave a nervous smile to Hermione before letting go of her and walking back to the table and Sabrina.
She stared out at the dance floor wistfully and hoped that Harry would take the initiative and ask her to dance, but he just sat back down in his chair. .
"They make a nice couple, don't they?" she asked, her eyes falling on Stefan and Hermione, who were dancing rather close.
"Yeah," Harry said sarcastically.
"Care to join them on the dance floor?" Sabrina said, winking at him.
"I've had enough dancing for one night," Harry said, not even looking at her.
Harry didn't say anything and for the first time that evening Sabrina noticed and put two and two together…or at least one and one and she sadly realized that it wasn't she and Harry, but Harry and…Hermione.
"Why did you invite me here?" she asked pointedly. She tapped Harry on the shoulder and he tore his eyes from Hermione and stared at Sabrina.
"What?" he asked softly, with a slight smile.
"Why did you ask me out tonight?" she asked.
Harry stammered and Sabrina let out a hollow laugh.
"I have a feeling it isn't because you wanted to spend time with me," she said softly.
"That's not true," Harry argued.
"It's not?" she asked. "Harry, you've barely said more than two words to me since we sat down. When it came time to dance, you don't ask me, you ask Hermione. Why?"
He didn't answer her because he didn't honestly know.
"No answer," she said, shaking her head. "Brilliant."
"Sabrina," Harry began his voice apologetic. He did genuinely feel sorry for how he'd treated her tonight, but had no idea how to express it without getting a glass of water poured over his head.
"Save it," she said, getting to her feet. "Go ahead and sit here all night like the pathetic loser that you are and moon over your best friend, Harry. You know all of my life, I've heard about what a brave, courageous man Harry Potter was. Imagine my shock and surprise to find out that he's nothing but a coward. He's in love with his best friend and he can't even tell her. Such a brave Gryffindor you are, huh Harry?"
He looked away from her, unable to bear her accusing gaze and he wanted somehow to block out her words that he wanted to say weren't true, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. He honestly didn't know how he felt about Hermione. Nothing was making sense.
"I'll see myself home," Sabrina said crossly, grabbing her purse and huffily walking away. He knew he should follow her, but he couldn't bring himself to get up. His eyes fell on Hermione who was now dancing closely with Stefan.
He was so busy looking at them; he hadn't seen or heard the waiter come back to the table.
"Sir?"
Harry turned startled to face the man who was holding a dessert menu.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I asked if you knew what you wanted?" the waiter asked holding out the menu for Harry.
"Do I know what I want?" Harry repeated, stealing another glance at Hermione. He somehow managed to get to his feet again and left some money on the table.
"Sir?" the waiter called to him.
"I have no bloody idea what I want," Harry said over his shoulder as he walked away. "No idea."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So that's it?" Luna asked when Harry finished relating the story. "Did you even say goodbye to Hermione?"
Harry shook his head. "I walked around a bit before coming here. I needed to clear my head."
"And did you?" Ron asked. "Clear your head, I mean?"
"No," Harry said morosely. "I'm more confused than ever."
To Harry's surprise, Ron began to laugh.
"Glad to see that my emotional turmoil is so amusing, Ron," Harry spat at him.
"It's not that," Ron said, trying to keep a straight face. "But come on, Harry. You know that for two smart people, you and Hermione sure are awfully dense. Especially you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you," Ron replied. "Have you ever asked yourself why you've never settled down with anyone yet?"
"Because I haven't found the right one," Harry gave his stock reply.
Ron guffawed which only infuriated Harry even further.
"That's rubbish and you know it," Ron said. "The right one has been right in front of you the whole time. None of those other girls came close to meaning to you what she always has meant to you and you bloody well know it."
Harry looked to Luna for support, but she shook her head. "I have to agree with Ron on this one."
"Come on," Harry said defensively.
"Why did you follow her tonight?" Luna asked him pointedly.
Harry looked thoughtful for a moment. "Because I was worried about her."
"I see," Luna said, folding her arms across her chest. "So, she's your best friend and you want her to be happy and find someone who makes her happy and loves her and cares about her, right?"
"Of course," Harry replied.
"And you've never liked any of her boyfriends," Luna pointed out. "Just as she's never liked anyone you've gone out with."
"Come on, Luna, even you have to admit that Brian was wrong for her," Harry said.
"Why?"
"Because he…I don't know!" he said shaking his head. "He just was!"
He couldn't stand sitting there under both Ron and Luna's questioning, accusing gazes. He got to his feet and began to pace in front of the window.
"And this Stefan?" Luna asked. "All she did was go out on a date, Harry. What's so wrong about
that?"
"Nothing," Harry said shakily. "But he's all wrong for her."
"Why?" Luna asked.
"Because she deserves better," Harry responded. "She deserves someone who knows how special she is, Luna. She deserves to have someone who can't wait to see the look on her face when she's happy. She needs someone who cares more about her than he ever has anyone in his whole life. She deserves someone who knows that this isn't a perfect world and that bad things happen, but at the end of the day, it seems as if everything is going to be okay, because she's there."
Luna exchanged a triumphant look with Ron.
"She deserves you," Luna said softly, walking over to her friend and putting a hand on his shoulder. Harry hesitantly looked back at her.
"And you deserve her," Luna said with a smile.
Harry didn't know what to say.
"What are you afraid of?" Ron asked.
"Losing her," Harry said honestly.
"Well don't fuck this up then," Ron said with a smile, but his tone was serious.
Harry smiled a genuine smile for the first time since he's arrived at their flat.
"Easier said than done," he said.
They talked a little bit more before Harry knew it was time to go on back home. He hoped that Hermione was already asleep because he honestly wasn't ready to face her just yet.
Ron walked him out and Luna went to check on Katie.
"Thanks, mate," Harry said.
"It's what I'm here for," Ron said yawning. "Just try and call at a reasonable hour next time, huh?"
"Okay," Harry said with a chuckle.
He was nearly down the hall before Ron called out to him.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"You break her heart and I'll cripple you," Ron said sternly before shutting the door firmly behind him.