A/N: I don't know how many times I rewrote this chapter before I was actually satisfied...but now I'm okay with it. Just to let ya'll know, this isn't the end of the story, we still have Luna's birthday to celebrate! I'm sorry that it always takes forever for me to crank out chapters to post, but it seems like I just don't have the time anymore. Thanks Sue for being my beta and thanks so much to the reviewers who keep me writing. Enjoy!
.::.Chapter Five: The Feeling.::.
Hermione put the letter from Ron down on the table and pocketed the address to the London café. Instead of meeting at the Three Broomsticks, they decided to meet at the place Ginny had suggested to Ron for Luna's party. The notorious trio hadn't been in the same room for as long as Hermione could remember. Luna was supposed to be at home working, while Ron said he was going to a meeting at the Ministry. Hopefully no suspicions would arise.
The petite young witch memorized the café's address and almost instantly transported to her desired location. She had gotten to be a pro at Apparating, since she did it so often nowadays. She took a deep breath and walked inside the small building. A bell sounded as she opened the small oak door. The welcoming café had a balmy atmosphere. The walls were a dark shade of blue, and the ceiling was black. There were paintings and pictures scattered about on the walls. There was an oak wood floor, and the tables had unique designs on them. There were comfortable couches in every corner, and the chairs were made out of ebony. Hermione liked the looks of it already. After looking around for a while, she found Ron's waving hand in one of the corners. She waved back, and saw he was alone. Harry Potter hadn't arrived yet. On a certain degree she was thankful, because she still hadn't talked with him after their encounter and it was still awkward. Hopefully they would get a chance to talk today. Best friends weren't supposed to be like this, it just wasn't natural.
"Harry had to finish something at his house, he'll be here soon. How are you?" asked Ron when Hermione sat down in the chair.
"I'm fine. How about you? How's Luna?"
"She's not suspecting a thing. But she does seem tired lately, and I think she was hoping for me to be home today. I hate not being there, but I'll make it up to her next weekend."
"Is that when you decided to plan the party?"
"Yep. Is that okay with you?"
"Sure, we just have to make sure everyone will be here. The Quidditch Cup starts in two months."
"I know. People are probably getting ready and all that jazz. But there won't be tons of people coming; I know how Luna doesn't like large crowds."
"Yeah. How is your department holding up?"
"It's hectic, I'll tell you that much. So many memos are going back and forth you'd think someone
charmed the paper to fly around everywhere. Ludo Bagman is retiring though."
"It's about time... He lost his logic a long time ago."
"He sure did. Ever since Harry was framed in the Triwizard Tournament..." Hermione nodded her head. Ron looked at her with questioning eyes for a few moments.
"Have you seen much of Harry lately?"
"He's kept to his office for the past few days..."
"So I've noticed. Do you have any idea why?" Hermione was quiet for a few minutes but relief consumed her when she heard the bell on the door chime.
"Harry!" Ron called to his friend. The tall, striking young man walked slowly towards his friends. He usually was walking fast and smiling, but today he seemed a little ... off. His hair was tousled as usual, but his eyes seemed weary and he was walking slowly.
"Took you long enough. Hermione just got here," said Ron. Harry looked down at the very girl who had been haunting his thoughts all week long. She glanced at him quickly, but still saw his shocked green eyes. Apparently, he didn't know she was coming.
"Hermione," he spoke hoarsely.
"Hi Harry," she replied quickly and quietly. They both looked away and Harry sat next to Ron. The red-head looked back and forth in between his two best friends and frowned. He had no idea they were so upset around each other. This was going to take some work. But he couldn't do anything; all he could do was prod and poke the situation.
"How are you?" asked Ron.
"I'm alive," said Harry nonchalantly. Ron nodded his head.
"How do you like the location?"
"Luna would be fond of the atmosphere, and it's the perfect size. I like it," he said. Ron nodded his head and looked towards Hermione, as if inquiring for her opinion.
"I agree. We need to make the arrangements and send owls to everybody, and the café should provide the food and drinks," said Hermione.
"I'll take care of that." Ron paused. "Do you think Luna has had a premonition?"
"She's a Seer, she possibly will know. But she hasn't said anything to you has she?" asked Harry. Ron shook his head.
"You know, Seers only see select things that are going to happen. There is a chance that she doesn't know," said Hermione.
"I hope she doesn't. I don't think she'd say anything anyway, in fear of ruining it," said Ron.
"She's sensible; she'll know what to do if she does see something." Harry asked if anyone wanted anything when he went up to the counter to get coffee. Ron and Hermione nodded their heads and told him their orders. Watching Harry walk off, Hermione shook her head unconsciously.
"Is something the matter?" asked Ron. He may have been a bit dense, but he knew when something was wrong with Hermione. She looked at him with wide eyes and a pained expression that made his heart fall.
"It's nothing, really. Just tired is all," she lied. Even Ron could tell that she was preoccupied. Had she been that obvious? But she couldn't help it. Harry was trying to act normal, and it was killing her to know that he was trying to forget about what happened. She had already tried; with no luck what-so-ever.
"Here's your double espresso," Harry's voice brought her out of her reverie. She thanked him without looking up and took a sip. It was still extremely hot, so she let it cool down for a while. Ron almost burnt his tongue which caused her to suppress a giggle that dared to escape her mouth. She also dared to glance at Harry. He was grinning until he looked up to her gaze. He could still see the look she had in her eyes that night and suddenly felt terrible. She was so beautiful, the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders and how her smile brightened even the darkest day. Why had he not said anything...? He looked away quickly before he got lost in her deep brown eyes. She felt her stomach flip. She didn't know what kind of feeling was welled up inside her, but she knew that it was escaping to get out. There was a name for this. It was love. But what to do about it…
"What day do you think we should schedule the party?" asked Hermione.
"Probably on Saturday. Everyone will be off, and we can contact everyone by then," said Harry.
"We need to get a list of the people we're inviting so we can make out the invitations," said Ron.
"How many invitations can Pig carry out?" asked Hermione.
"He can take half. What about Hedwig?"
"She can probably take a few tomorrow and the rest the next day. Long trips really do a number on her now."
"You've had her since you were 11. So you've had her for..." Ron did the math. "10 years. Which would make her about 14, right?"
"Right. That's not supposed to be old, but the injury to her wing from 5th year is starting to play up again. Pig is 10, but he's a whole different breed."
"True. Hermione, can you hand out invitations at the office?"
"Sure."
.+.
After four cups of coffee around the table, the three friends had almost everything sorted out. Invitations were done, arrangements with the café were made, and everything was ready.
"Okay," Ron put the last invitation on top of the stack. "We're done." There was a silence while he let out a long sigh and took his last sip of coffee.
"I need to head home, it's getting pretty late," said Hermione after a few minutes.
"I'll go with you," Harry said quickly. She looked at him with a surprised look plastered on her face. "I don't want you out there alone." Hermione nodded her head as her face grew heated and blushed.
"I need to go home too. Here are some of the invitations," Ron said as he handed some of the stack to Harry, and some to Hermione. They all got up from their chairs and headed out of the café, while Hermione left some coins in the tip jar.
"I'll see you two on Monday," said Ron, apparating to his flat in Lancashire. Harry and Hermione looked at one another with sorrowful expressions.
"Walk with me," he said in an inviting tone. Hermione nodded her head and they set off down the sidewalk. For a while it was silent, and Hermione's heart was beating so soundly she was sure Harry could hear it. It was torturing her to be this close to him. That unknown feeling was starting to etch itself into her heart, and she didn't know what to do.
"How are you?" he asked, staring at his feet. She didn't answer him for a few minutes. "It's no use. I can't ignore it can I?"
"I guess not," said Hermione shortly.
"I'm sorry I let you leave like that," he said slowly. Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. "I didn't know what to do or say. Feelings were welling up inside me that I've never felt before. I couldn't escape it, and I didn't want you to leave. I wanted you to stay there, with me. But I knew I couldn't stop you from doing what you wanted to do."
"I'm sorry I left," she replied after a while. "I got scared. The same feelings were welled up inside me. I wanted to escape them so I dissapparated."
"But we know now...that we can't escape them. We have to live with how we feel."
"How do we feel Harry?" asked Hermione, shaking her head. Harry looked at her in a new light, in a way that he'd never looked at her before that very second.
"Hermione," said Harry softly, touching the delicate features of her face. "I love you."
"I feel the same way." Harry grinned as he felt his body moving closer to hers. She lifted her brown eyes to meet his warm gaze. As if a force unknown was pulling him, Harry touched his lips to hers. At first it was gentle, as if they were barely moving out of not knowing what might happen. Then Hermione asked for more, by opening her mouth and inviting him in. Harry was ready for her, and he reacted by placing his hand on her waist and pulling her closer. She ran her hand through his unruly raven hair, and laughed inside at the satisfaction it gave her. She reluctantly pulled away and looked up at the one who she had been longing to love for so long. He grinned and pulled her close, as if he never wanted to let go of her. They walked down the empty sidewalk, in an embrace that put all other hugs to shame.
.+.
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