Lost in Your Eyes
It was another stormy day for the Hogwarts 7th years. The clouds were a deep gray, and there were sharp drops of water falling from the sky. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were heading back from another exhausting day in Hogsmeade. They had just finished stuffing their stomachs full of every type of candy known to the magical world, which was then accompanied by several butter beers.
"Ugh, I feel like I'm going to explode!" said Ron. His bright red hair was getting soaked as he walked quickly through the mud puddles. "I need to get to the castle fast and lie down." Ron started to speed up. As he did he started splashing muddy water all over the place.
Harry and Hermione walked a little slower, as they were both sharing Harry's umbrella. Neither of them was talking much. They never really talked to each other when Ron was around.
Ron suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Bloody hell, I think I'm going to be sick!" With that he ran into the nearest building, and Harry and Hermione followed him in. It was a rather shady looking pub, with what seemed to be some very small bedrooms in the loft above. Harry saw numbers on the doors, so he figured it must be some sort of hotel.
The dimly lit room was very quiet for a pub, and had a rather musky smell to it. There were a few people sitting at tables, and what Harry could only assume was the manager sitting behind a desk. Harry shook out his umbrella and took of his heavy coat. He watched the pouring rain as Hermione adjusted her scarf and mittens. Their clothes were now very uncomfortable from the rain, and stuck to their bodies. Harry continued to watch the sky, seeing random spurts of lightning flicker in and out.
Ron suddenly emerged from the bathroom. His face and gone from the pink shade it turns from the rain to a sort of sickly green. "That was a miserable experience," said Ron in a low, raspy voice. "I'm never eating anything from Honeydukes ever again. EVER." He collapsed into a near by chair, and was met with a menacing glance from a near by patron. Ron took the hint, and tried to stand up. He almost toppled over in doing so.
"Ron, we better get you back to the castle as fast as we can. You look really ill," said Hermione. She tried to help prop Ron back up on his feet, but he kept slouching on top over her. Harry quickly rushed over to help out his friends.
"I don't think I can make it back there on foot." His face turned an even more pale shade of green.
"Wait," Harry said suddenly. He took out a small purple bag that was tied shut with some lavender twine that seemed to shimmer in the soft light. "I still have some floo powder from when I need to go back Diagon Alley to pick up my school books. There's enough for you to get back to the castle."
"What about you two?" said Ron, shifting his weight onto Harry's shoulder.
"Um…maybe we can see if we can rent two rooms for the night. I think it would be better if we stayed inside. I don't think any of us should go out in this weather," said Harry. "You'll just have to tell Dumbledore where we are when you get back. He should understand."
"Um, ok. But come get me in the morning. Make sure I'm still breathing." Ron took the purple bag and poured the powder into his hand. Harry and Hermione helped to place him into the vacant fireplace, and once they were out Ron clearly said, "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry", dropping the powder at his feet. Bright green flames engulfed his body, and then he was gone.
"Well," said Harry, "let's go see about those rooms." Harry slowly approached the manager's desk. The manager seemed to be in his mid-forties, but already had several teeth missing. His eyes had a yellow gloss over them, and his hair, all though neatly combed, had a large bald spot on the very top. He was writing something on a spare it of parchment, but when he saw Harry and Hermione approach he quickly put it away.
"Can I 'elp you two?" he said in a very shaky voice.
"Um, yes," said Harry quietly. "We were on our way back to Hogwarts School when our friend need to use your bathroom because he was ill. Anyway, um…well we don't think it wise to head back out in this weather, and we were wondering we could have two rooms for the night?"
"Two rooms, eh?" His eyes started to switch back and forth from Harry to Hermione. "We only got four-- three of which are occupied. So it's one room or none."
"Um…alright, one room then. But can you please bring in some extra blankets and pillows?"
"If you insist," said the manager, and a slick smile grew over his face. He reached up to a dusty shelf and grabbed an old brass key. "Please…follow me."
The manager hobbled across the room over to the staircase. It didn't look too safe, but Harry and Hermione followed the manager cautiously up the rickety steps. There was a large squeak and then one of the stairs began to give way. Hermione jumped up three steps and grabbed Harry's arm. She was all wet, and her clothes were scratchy on the bare part of Harry's arm. They made it to the top and followed the manager to the very last room.
"'Ere we are. One room…" he snapped his fingers loudly and several pillows and blankets feel from the air, "with extra pillows 'n blankets. That'll be 2 galleons."
Harry reached into his pocket to count out the money. "Here you go."
"Thank you," said the manager. He took the money from Harry's hand, and hobbled out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
"Well," said Harry optimistically, "I guess we should get situated."
There was a slight pause between the two as they both surveyed their new surroundings. The room was rather small, and very dusty. It had one bed that looked like it could barely fit two people with a termite eaten table next to it. There was also a very old looking armchair, with some strange looking powder on it. Harry didn't dare find out what it was.
After more silence, Hermione finally said, "Um…who gets the bed?"
"Oh right! You can have it. I'll be fine on ground."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, yeah, it's fine. After living with the Dusleys this will luxury for me!" This was of course a lie, but Harry saw the concerned look on Hermione's face, so he decided to try and comfort her.
"Ok." Hermione fidgeted with her wet scarf. "Um, Harry? What are we supposed to sleep in?"
"Um, I don't know. You can have my shirt if you want. I usually just sleep in a pair of pants anyway." Another lie. Harry was used to sleeping in his boxers, but again, he didn't want Hermione to be even more uncomfortable.
"Ok…if you don't mind." Harry pulled his flannel shirt off and handed it Hermione. Hermione paused for a second; she seemed to be looking at Harry's stomach. She didn't know he was so well built! She ended her trance, took the shirt and went into the bathroom to change.
Harry laughed to himself after she was away in the bathroom. He had never seen Hermione so clearly stare at him like that. Harry rolled out the blankets and went to start a fire.
Hermione immerged from the bathroom after a few minuets, holding her wet clothes in a bundle. Her hair was up in a loose ponytail, and Harry's large shirt was almost down to her knees. She had no make up on, and was actually quite simple looking-- but it was the most beautiful Harry had even seen her. She was even more magnificent looking then when he saw her gliding across the dance floor at the Yule Ball. She looked like…Hermione.
Harry realized he was staring, and quickly turned his glance to the now roaring fire. "So…" he said with a slight tremble in his voice. "Now that the fire's going we should be nice and warm for the night."
"Yeah," said Hermione with a slight smile. There was another awkward pause before Hermione said, "Well, I guess we should get to bed." She pulled back the blankets on the bed, and climbed in. Harry did the same with his makeshift sleeping bag on the ground. He found it quite disgusting on the floor, but he was willing to suffer through it. He took off his glasses and placed them beside him.
"Nox," said Hermione, pointing her wand at the lamp on the side counter. The room instantly went black, leaving only a slight light from the fire. After a few minutes, Hermione's eyes had adjusted to the darkness. She saw Harry on the ground. His eyes were shut, but he was still moving around, obviously trying to get comfortable.
Hermione studied his face. His thick black hair was getting ruffled as he fidgeted in his bed; his scar was the only marking on his pale-moon skin. His nose seemed to fit perfectly in the symmetry of his face, and his long eyelashes looked like little caterpillars over his eyelids. There was a sudden warmth inside her as she followed the curves of his lips. Hermione realized that she was starting think about Harry, "that way" again. However, she had never so seriously thought about liking him as she was now. As she looked over his entire body (which was partially cover by blankets), she felt a slightly flustered feeling growing inside her. Hermione continued to look over his face, when she suddenly longed to see those deep green eyes. They say that he got them from his mother, but Hermione had never seen such a shade of green on any human (or creature for that matter!) before in her life. At that moment, Harry opened his eyes. Hermione quickly turned around to the other side of the bed.
"Hermione? You ok?" Said Harry as he sat up.
"Oh yes, I'm fine," said Hermione, breathing heavily. She turned around and sat up in her bed as well.
"You sure?"
"Mm hm…I'm good. I just can't sleep."
"Yeah, me neither." There was a sudden clap of thunder, and Hermione gave a slight jump.
"Ugh, I hate thunder storms! I hope Ron got back ok. It would be horrible if he got stuck in all this."
"Yeah, I'm sure he made it back fine." There was another pause between them.
"Harry?"
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Why are there always so many awkward pauses between us?"
"Um…I don't know. I never really know what to say to you."
"Why not?" said Hermione curiously.
"I don't know." Harry said hastily. "It's just, you always seem so perfect. Like you know exactly what to say to me and I'm just a bumbling idiot that happens to be your friend."
"Harry, that's not true!" Hermione got out of bed and sat down beside Harry. She went to touch his shoulder, and he gave a slight shudder. She pulled her hand back, and then tried again. He seemed to relax as she rested her hand gently on the back of his neck. "Harry, the reason I always say something after those awkward pauses is because I'm afraid if I don't then I might accidentally blurt something else out."
Harry looked up. His brilliant green eyes now shimmering as the moon cast an almost glowing shadow on his naked skin. "What is it that you would say?" Harry said softly. Hermione didn't reply; she was completely lost in his eyes. Seeing this, Harry took his hand and placed it softly on her cheek. Hermione blinked and then realized that the chills she was getting were from Harry's cold hand on her flushed cheek. The face Hermione had been so carefully studying early was now moving closer and closer to hers. "Hermione," said Harry again. He began to rub his thumb over her cheek. "What is it that you would say?"
Hermione took his hand in hers and lowered her head. "That I…like you…a lot." Hermione looked up, and small tears were now rolling down her face. "Harry, I think I might even love you." Hermione saw the look of shock on his face, so she started to explain herself. "I know it's rather sudden, and we've never even kissed or anything. But you make me feel warm and safe. When I look at you, I feel like nothing bad could ever happen to me. Like no matter what type of danger I was in, you would be right by my side, ready to help me through it. I just assumed that 'the famous Harry Potter' would never be able to like me back." The small tears in the corner of Hermione's eyes were now growing larger.
Harry didn't know what to say. Hermione quickly got up, but Harry grabbed her arm. She seemed to be trying to get away, obviously embarrassed of what had just happened. Harry faced Hermione, and gently wiped the tears from her face. "Hermione…the reason I'm so shocked is because, I had no idea you had the same feelings for me that I have for you." The look of shock fixated on Harry's face earlier was now on Hermione's.
"What?" She said in disbelief.
"Hermione, I've always loved you. From the moment I met you I knew you were special. I wanted to tell you, but the way I see you act around Ron, and then Victor…I figured I had no chance. I started to get that little crush on Cho, and once I saw how involved you and Victor had gotten, that's when I decided to focus on her. After having that relationship come crashing down, I took it as a sign that you were the only girl for me. But I never said anything because I thought you would never feel the same way about me."
"Oh, Harry…" A large smile was now growing on Hermione's face. Harry took her in his arms and gave her a long warm hug. Their bodies were swaying back and forth as Hermione began to dry her tears. As Hermione began to get a hold of herself, she looked up at Harry. He now had one small tear forming at the corner of his eye. Hermione gave out a small giggle, and then wiped it away. She was so touched that he was feeling the same emotions that she was. Hermione moved the small bits of hair covering Harry's eyes.
Harry smiled and placed his hands on either side of Hermione's face. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this." With that, Harry drew Hermione into a deep, passionate kiss. It was nothing fancy, and it didn't last all that long, but it made them both feel like nothing else in the world mattered besides each other. Hermione felt Harry's soft lips on hers; changing the amount of pressure on them from soft, to a little harder, back to soft again. She could tell Harry didn't want to rush anything. Hermione was glad, because neither did she.
Hermione pulled away from Harry's lips in a slight trance. All her dreams about Harry had finally come true. All she wanted was to be near him. She took his hand and led him to the bed. She wasn't planning on moving too fast…all she wanted was to be held by Harry. Hermione got in first, and then Harry formed his body to hers behind her. He kept kissing her up and down; from her ear, to her neck, to her shoulder. Every now and then he would lightly lick the back of her neck. It gave Hermione chills all over. Finally she turned around to face Harry. For a while they just stared into each other's eyes. Hermione began to run her fingers through Harry's hair, and gently trace her fingers over his scar. As she did this she still didn't break the concentration between them.
Harry's eyes were now only slightly open, yet still had that magical glow to them. Hermione could tell Harry was getting tired, and so was she. With the last bit of energy she had, she wrapped her arms around Harry for one last kiss. This kiss lasted much longer. They were both so involved that it seemed like they had not taken a breathe in ages. Hermione felt Harry's tongue moving around the inside of her mouth, and she returned the favor. The both felt like they never wanted to let the other go. Harry finally ended the kiss with a little nibble of Hermione's lip, which made her giggle. Hermione cuddled into the curve Harry had made with his body, and he held her tight to his chest. The both fell into a deep sleep, dreaming blissfully of the true magic that just took places.
The next morning Harry was the first to wake up. He watched Hermione sleep momentarily, because she quickly woke up after him. She blinked her eyes, adjusting them to the sunlight, and then gave a large smile.
"Hey," Hermione said softly.
"Hey," replied Harry. He brushed her hair away from her face, and gave her a deep kiss. That quickly woke Hermione up. The long kiss then melted in to several small ones after it.
Hermione got up to get changed in the bathroom, and Harry started to stretch. He still couldn't believe what had taken place the night before. He gathered up the blankets on the floor as Hermione came out of the bathroom.
When Harry and Hermione went to check out they wouldn't let go of each other's hands. Harry returned the room key to the hotel manager, who had an even more wicked smile on his face then usual.
"Everything all right with the room?" He asked.
"Yes, it was fabulous," said Harry happily. "We'll recommend it to all our friends." Harry and
Hermione gathered their things and turned around to leave.
When the almost reached the door, Harry heard the manager call back to him, "I knew you wouldn't need those
extra blankets!"