Chapter 17: Feelings you just can't hide
"Want to tell me somezing about last night?" Fleur crossed her arms, looking at Hermione expectantly. She had a feeling that the spell was just about over.
"Well, I…sort of…Harry and I…we sort of…"
"You slept wiz `Arry last night," Fleur finished for her as it was quite obvious by now. The glasses and the stammering provided impeccable evidence.
"Yes, but it's not what you think. He thought I was under the spell," Hermione whispered, lowering her had. She had never felt guiltier.
"Because you didn't tell `im ozerwise," Fleur pointed out.
"I tried to, but…"
"Did you enjoy it?"
"Fleur!" By now, Hermione was as red as a ripe tomato.
"Are you going to tell `im?"
Hermione sighed at Fleur's inquiry, passing her hand through her face.
"He deserves to know."
*****
"There was never any spell Harry."
Hermione let out a deep breath that she didn't know she was holding. Yes, Harry deserved to know. However, this was not the way that the conversation was supposed to go, according to a plan that she had not yet formulated. The truth was that she had to tell him sooner or later. Still, she definitely wasn't expecting that an antidote would let the truth out, although she should have. But there was no way to turn back now, Harry knew; now she had to wait for his reaction.
"Pardon me?" Harry felt like he had been hit with a hundred pounds of ice. He had to be misunderstanding. He just had to. If not, last night...he didn't even want to go there.
"There wasn't any spell. Snape's potion protected me against it. So, there never
was one," Hermione whispered, her eyes never meeting his.
"There wasn't a spell? But then, how…how did you…?"
"I pretended."
"You were….acting?" Harry's face lost all color right there and then. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be.
"It started that way."
"Why would you pretend about something like that Hermione? Why the hell would you make that up? All of that was an act?"
"Well, it started out as fun…but…"
"Fun? Oh. Well, in that case… you were just having some fun?"
"Harry, let me explain…."
"No, it's not necessary. Fun, just an act. That's just fine, Hermione, buddy, pal, friend."
Harry wanted to be angry. In fact, he should have been outraged, but he just could not do it. Especially when everything that invaded his mind was the past night. If she was not under the spell, then why had she responded the way she did? Guess it was just another act.
"Then… jeez, about last night…"
"Harry, I…"
"I'm sorry I, you know…"
"You are?"
"What?" Harry's eyes opened wide. What was that supposed to mean?
"Hey!" Before Hermione could answer, Ron appeared, effectively interrupting the conversation.
"I'll see you later, Hermione." Harry stood up and took his leave.
"Harry, wait!" But he already had exited the Great Hall.
"So, `Mione, how are you today?" Ron put his arm around her.
"Not in the mood to talk Ron. I'll see you." Hermione got up, taking Snape's potion to her mouth and drinking it in two seconds. "Spell's over Ronald. So quit your flirting, will you?" Hermione requested, leaving the Great Hall.
At some point, she wished the spell would have taken place. That way, Harry wouldn't be so cold with her. But she had no one to blame but herself.
****
"She was acting? How could she do that? Acting? Was this funny?" Harry thought angrily as he inspected the Quidditch trunk for practice.
Yet, as his mind went back to last night, his anger switched to confusion. He couldn't help thinking about how Hermione had responded to his kisses, how she had caressed him back passionately. Why would she respond like that? It seemed too real to be based solely an act.
However, he couldn't ponder this for too long, because suddenly, he found himself breathing fast, his heart refusing to slow down. Why was this happening? There was only one conclusion to be had; he had liked being with her. He had loved her kisses, her intense response to him. Harry sighed. Was he in love with Hermione, his best friend? Well, there was one thing for sure, he still wanted her.
What the hell…! You're not supposed to be thinking like this! Stop it!
"Harry, hello," Oliver greeted him before his mind could go any further on the scolding. Harry jumped and the Quidditch trunk, which he was inspecting, fell on top of him. "My God, are you well?" Oliver took the trunk away from him.
"Great," Harry mumbled.
"You know, it doesn't take a genius to notice that something is bothering you. We have been friends long enough. Care to share? I can tell it's women problems."
"You know, you have changed a lot since you're with Fleur," Harry noticed, smiling. It was great that Oliver finally had something more in his life that had nothing to do with Quidditch.
"Well, what can I say?" Oliver smiled briefly, before remembering the real problem at hand, "But we are not talking about me."
"It's Hermione," Harry admitted.
"Herm? What about her?"
"She was acting."
"Pardon me?"
"You know how she has been acting a little weird lately."
"Throwing herself at you? Yeah, I noticed."
"She was just acting!"
"I don't get you, Harry."
"She was supposed to be under a spell, or so I thought. But I saw Draco do it! He
said Amonrae!"
"Harry, your point is?" Oliver was still puzzled.
"My point is she wasn't! There was no spell! And I…sort of…slept with her last night," Harry stated, passing his hand awkwardly through his untidy hair.
"You what?" Oliver's eyes opened as wide as saucers.
"But just to remove the spell!"
"Harry, what kind of spell removes itself by sleeping with someone?"
"That one?"
"What did she do?"
"She took it quite well. Well, she wasn't so frisky at first, but we all know how Hermione is!"
Oliver just sighed, clearing his throat. "Let me guess, you slept with her to reverse the spell but later on, it became everything but an antidote for the spell. Is that it?"
"Yes," he squeaked.
"Do you still want her?"
"How do you know! Oh hell," Harry hid his face on his hands. Had he just said that out loud?
"Ooh, boy. Are you in trouble! The question is how does she feel about you?"
"She was just acting! What does that tell you!" Harry temper was on the edge of rising once again
"Herm is not like that, Harry."
" She'll never see me like that, Oliver. Besides, Ron wants her."
"So what? Who did she sleep with? That's got to mean something."
" What!"
Both Oliver and Harry jumped at the scream, their faces rapidly draining of color. It now appeared that things just couldn't get any worse.
"Ron…"
A/N: Sorry guys, but I had some problems uploading this chapter. It was ready before last Wednesday like promised, but due to Portkey's problems, I had some problems of my own. Forgive the tardeiness and forgive yet another cliffie, just to keep you interested. You might have to wait a little bit for what I officially call my favorite chapter of this fic, but I promised it will be well worth the wait! Please forgive me and feel free to drop me a line. Thanks for your wonderful reviews. I answered them all!
Until next time,
Caroline
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