Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even the song.
Chapter 2: Gifts and Curses
Harry waited a few minutes before returned to his dormitory. He sat on his bed and took out the picture of he, Hermione and Ron back in their sixth year. Trying hard not to think about Hermione, he put the picture back on his nightstand.
Then, something clicked in his brain. He got up from his bed, looked under it and withdrew his guitar that he had received from Lupin the previous year.
~Flashback~
"Here Harry," Lupin said as he handed him a brand new guitar, "I find that this helps me express myself when I normally can not," he continued. "When you feel you can't talk to others about the things that are running through your head, then you can make a song out of it," he added with a smile.
~End Flashback~
Harry grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment and returned to his bed. He was going to write Hermione a song, explaining to her and to others his feelings.
A few weeks later…
On the Friday before the Yule Ball (Dumbledore had decided to bring it back due to it's popular demand), Professor Dumbledore stood up at the High Table. The students, assuming that he would like to speak, stopped talking.
"As you all know, that on Christmas Evening, the Yule Ball will be taking place. The rumors are correct when you here that we have booked the popular group `The Weird Sisters'," the great hall erupted with applause. "And," Dumbledore continued, "there will also be a surprise performer," with that everyone looked to their friends, murmuring in confusion. "I'm sure that you all know him, as he is extremely well known. You may return to your conversations," said Dumbledore.
~
The next few days passed by slowly. On the after noon of Christmas day, Harry, Ron and Hermione, sat in the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Ron were playing a game of wizard chess (Ron, looking smug for putting Harry in a tight situation), and Hermione reading her Ancient Runes book (one of many anyhow).
"Aha!" said Ron, "Checkmate! You can escape You-Know-Who five times and you can't even win a game of chess!" he continued.
"Just ignore him Harry," said Hermione as she stood up.
"Where are you going?" asked Harry and Ron at the same time.
"To get ready. See you in a bit," she said as she climbed the staircase to the Head Girl's room.
"Women," said Ron obviously confused at why they needed four hours to get ready.
~
At five to seven, Harry, Ron, and the rest of the seventh year boys emerged from their dormitory. Ron was going to the ball with his long-term girlfriend, Luna Lovegood, Neville was going with Susan Bones, the Hufflepuff that he'd been eyeing since fifth year, Seamus was going with Parvati Patil, and Dean was going with Ron's sister, Ginny. Harry was going to ask Hermione, but figured that if he wanted to wait until after the battle, then he could not go to the ball with her. So, both of them remained dateless.
When they entered the Great Hall, like in their fourth year, the House tables had been removed and replaced with smaller tables. They waited for the music to start up, but none came. Harry went to Dumbledore, giving him the signal.
Dumbledore went up on the stage, while Harry stayed behind. "Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to this years Yule
Ball. Before The Weird Sisters start performing, I would like to introduce, as promised our surprise performer. Please
welcome to the stage, Harry Potter."
Everyone applauded. "Uh, hey guys. I'm going to sing a song that I wrote a few weeks back, for someone very close to me. I asked the drummer for The Weird Sisters to join me onstage as well. My song is called `Gifts and Curses and I hope you like it," Harry said.
Harry started playing his guitar, followed by the drummer.
Mary belongs to the words of a song.
I try to be strong for her, try not to be wrong for her.
But she will not wait for me anymore, anymore.
Why did say all those things before? I was sure.
(She is the one), but I have a purpose.
(She is the one), and I have to fight this.
(She is the one), a villain I can't knock down.
I see your face with every punch I take,
And every bone I break, it's all for you
My worst pains are words I cannot say,
Still I will always fight on for you
Mary's alive, in the bright New York sky,
The city lights shine for her, above them I cry for her.
Everything's small on the ground below, down below.
What if I fall, then where would I go? Would she know?
(She is the one), all that I wanted.
(She is the one), and I will be haunted.
(She is the one), this gift is my curse for now
I see your face with every punch I take,
And every bone I break, it's all for you
My worst pains are words I cannot say,
Still I will always fight on for you. Fight on for you…
When the song ended, the Great Hall erupted with applause. Most girls were crying, wishing that that song was for them, but they all knew better. Every single person in the hall knew that Harry had written that song for Hermione.
Then he spotted her. She, like all the other girls, was crying. Harry jumped off the stage and ran towards her. When he finally reached her, he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out of the Great Hall and out to the spot by the lake where they had talked weeks ago.
"So," he started nervously, "how'd you like my song?" he asked.
"I loved it," she said blushing. "It's not everyday that the man you love writes you a song a sings it in front of the entire student body," she added with a grin.
At that moment, Harry leaned into her and pressed his lips to hers. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, while he wrapped his arms around her waist. Within minutes they deepened the kiss. Harry ran his tongue along her bottom lip, seeking entrance. She allowed him access without hesitation. When their tongues met, they both felt shockwaves running through their bodies.
They both broke the kiss, gasping for air. They sat down, for their legs felt as if they would give out any second.
"I love you Harry," said Hermione, resting her head against his shoulder.
"I love you too Hermione," he declared. "With all my heart."
"Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"What about what you said a few weeks ago? About how you wanted to wait?"
"We'll find a way to make it work. Maybe, we could not tell anyone about us. Just Ron," Harry chuckled. "You know how he gets when we keep things from him."
"Yeah. That's probably for the best."
"Do you want to head back to the tower?" Harry queried.
"Sure, although everyone will think that we've gone to shag…"
"Ah, well you could go back to the ball, excuse yourself, say that you're tired or something and then just go up to bed," Harry told her.
"That sounds good. So I guess this is goodnight?"
"Yeah…" Harry sighed.
They kissed each other goodnight (the kissed turned into a full on snogging session, by the way). They kissed each other one last time and Hermione started off towards the castle smiling.
-->