*A/N: Hey folks! Thanks for all the reviews. I'm sorry for the delay, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue building the story line, or just abandon it. I was really teetering on the whole idea, but thanks to WriterLady1031, who cast the deciding review, I decided that I'd just keep going. I really want you folks to enjoy the story, so please continue to read and review. I can't change things if I don't know that they need to be changed.*
*Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own this. I never will. You can see my bank balance (or lack there of) to
prove it…*
*One More Chance*
The next few weeks progressed in their usual, slow pace. Just being friends with Hermione was taking its toll with Harry. His coach worried about the recent decline in his ability. He was easily irritable and often in a bad mood. It seemed that he was drinking more and training less. His teammates, especially Mike, began to worry that Harry was going to do something stupid that would end up causing him to hurt himself.
"Dude, are you alright? I mean, no offense, but you're playing like a sorry assed rookie. What's going on?" Mike said, on the ground, after Harry had nearly fallen off his broom after colliding with a beater.
"Yeah" mumbled Harry as he carried his broom off the pitch and made his way to the changing room. Ripping off his clothes, he walked silently into the shower. Scrubbing vigorously, he was trying to wash his love for Hermione away. It was beginning to fester within him. He knew she'd never feel the same and the self pity he felt was clouding all of his rational thoughts.
Turning off the shower, he grabbed his towel and quickly changed. Pushing open the door, he walked to the abandoned building less than 600 yards from the training pitch. A door on the side of the building was the portal from the magical world to the muggle world. Opening the rusted old door, he walked through and onto a London street, one down from the one where his apartment building stood, welcoming him home each afternoon.
Upon entering his apartment, he made his way to the liquor cabinet. Opening it, he pulled out a bottle of whisky,
which he uncapped and took a swig from. The soft liquid flowed gently down his throat, taking all his feelings with it.
He was just about to get a glass and some ice when he noticed the display on his answering machine blinking. Pressing
play, he heard the voice of his hell, the reason he was in the state he was.
"Harry? Are you home? I am worried about you, sweetie. I haven't heard from you. I hope you're alright.
Give me a call later. If I am not home, try my cell. If that's not working, call the office. Please do, Harry. I am
really worried about you! Thanks. Bye!"
"Christ, I'm fine. I'll call you later when half this bottle is gone. That way I can express my feelings for you, and I won't remember the look on your face right before you slap me." Harry said to the answering machine, as if Hermione could hear him.
*~*~*
"Anything yet?" Hermione said, poking her head into the office, while making her rounds.
"Not yet." Kathy said. She was filing her fingernails, while waiting for the base coat of nail polish on
her toes to dry. This had been her project all morning. Not to mention the 5 fifteen minute "meditation"
moments she had taken, plus the twenty minute breakfast break she had taken earlier.
"By the way, have you gotten around to those reports?" Hermione asked. She knew she hadn't, but it was
fun to watch Kathy get all flustered when she was reminded of the work that she was supposed to be doing.
"Not yet. I am going to start them in just a minute" Kathy said, jovially rubbing the emery board against her
index fingernail.
Hermione rolled her eyes and closed the door. She had been checking in with Kathy throughout the morning to see if
Harry had called. She was worried because she hadn't heard from him.
"That's it. If he hasn't called by the time my shift is over, I am going over there." Hermione
resolved in her head as she grabbed the next chart in her box.
*~*~*
No matter how much Harry was trying he couldn't seem to get to that point where he could forget everything. The alcohol wasn't working. Looking at the bottle of whiskey, he realized that the reason he didn't feel any different was because he had drunken much. Pouring himself another glass, he looked at the smooth amber liquid, dancing a merry waltz among the chips of ice in the glass.
"What's the point?" he said out loud. Putting the glass down, he flipped on the TV. A famous English soap opera was on. Upon watching it for five minutes, he found himself completely disgusted. He turned off the TV and made his way to the computer that was hooked up in his room. Deciding to check his e-mail, he flipped it on. Sadly, there was nothing there waiting for him, turning it off, he laid down on his bed and began to think. Soon, he was dozing, dreaming about Hermione and the love he knew was unrequited.
*~*~*
"Kathy, are there any messages for me?" Hermione asked, slightly annoyed. Kathy still hadn't typed
those reports for her. However, her toenails and fingernails were all polished in a dark blue base polish with little
gold spots on top.
"Nope. None. Sorry." Kathy said, gathering all her things to leave. She gathered her coat and purse as well
as the yoga mat she brought with her every morning. She used it to meditate on.
"Hey, tomorrow, how `bout maybe typing those reports?" Hermione asked, assertively.
Kathy looked up at her and paled. She knew she was walking on thin ice. "Of course. I should have done them today instead of screwing about like I did." She apologized softly.
"That's alright. It happens. Just get them done for tomorrow afternoon, alright?" Hermione said, relenting. That was one thing she couldn't be. Angry. She didn't know how.
"Good luck with your fellow." Kathy said as she walked out of the office door.
"He's not my fellow!" Hermione called after.
"Yeah, sure!" She heard come from the hallway.
"My fellow? Where would she get an idea like that?" Hermione said with a laugh as she grabbed a coat. Then it hit her, although she had always thought of Harry as her brother, she knew that there was something there; something different than when they were at Hogwarts. She felt it when they first reunited.
Putting on her coat, one question haunted her, "Did she love Harry?"
A/N: Well, there's the end of the chapter. Sorry that it's short, but I thought that it would be good to end here. I have a good idea of what I want in my next chapter. I'll try to update as soon as I can. School, may I say, sucks at life and zaps all my time. However, I may have time tomorrow; I'll see what I can do. Please READ AND REVIEW!!!!
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