The whole of Hogwarts thinks that Ron and Hermione, Harry and Ginny are two of the cutest couples in the whole school. But Harry and Hermione feel differently. After one kiss at midnight, their secret love affair begins. If they are truly in love, they will be able to survive the challanges that will face them. "Let's defy destiny," Hermione whispered, “it doesn’t matter what Trelawney may say. I’m keeping you. Love fights all objects in its path.” I'm giving this fic a break for the moment. Tim Green was right, it IS very cliche. I am writing a new fic which will hopefully be so much better.
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/3709/
“Just one day! One day! That's all I ask, Ronald!” snapped Hermione Granger, glaring ferociously at her boyfriend, Ron Weasley.
“It's not my fault that you flirt with every blooming man you see!” he retorted.
They were in the Gryffindor common room, having their usual daily argument.
“I do not!” Hermione screeched.
“Oh yeah? Then what happened between you and Neville this morning?” challenged Ron.
Hermione groaned and flung herself down on a nearby chair. She and Ron had been dating for almost a year now but she couldn't get over how possessive he was over. He treated her like she was his property.
“That was nothing. They were just talking about Herbology,” said Harry Potter quietly. He had been watching Ron attacking poor Hermione for long enough and decided to do something about it.
“You stay out of this! Go off with Ginny or something!” yelled Ron.
Hermione frowned. She felt sudden loyalty to Harry and anger and frustration at Ron.
“Leave him alone! He was only trying to help!” she cried defensively, her cheeks flushing as she glanced up to see Harry's reaction. He determinedly avoided her eyes and looked up at the ceiling.
Ron saw this and looked furious.
“There you go again! Flirting, flirting, flirting!” he hissed.
Hermione really couldn't take any more of this. Ron was always going on at her, treating her like his toy doll, never letting her even smile at boys he didn't like the look of, even if she was just being polite. It was so annoying. She couldn't help it. She snapped.
“RON! WILL YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?” she began to sob.
Ron began to interrupt her, but she stopped him in mid sentence.
“I don't want to fight anymore. I'm too tired,” she whispered.
She turned and ran up the stairs to the girl's dormitories, tears dripping down her cheeks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry looked over at Ron who was still staring at the place where Hermione had been standing just a few moments ago. He was breathing heavily. Then, he turned to Harry.
“If you dare so much as pat her on the hand, you'll wish you never had so much as befriended her in the first place. You hear me?” he snarled.
Harry didn't say anything. He hated the way Ron controlled Hermione. Before they started dating, Ron used to be so likeable. But ever since Ron confessed his feelings for her, he had changed. He was greedy and often bad tempered.
“Speak!” cried Ron.
“I can't agree to that. Hermione's my friend - when she's sad, I'll need to pat her on the hand sympathetically,” he replied.
“I'll do that! You can comfort Ginny!”
“Comfort me about what?”
Harry and Ron whirled around to find Harry's girlfriend and Ron's sibling, Ginny Weasley, facing them. They looked at each other.
“Nothing,” said Ron quickly.
Ginny watched Harry closely for his reaction to what her brother had just said. He nodded and gave her a nervous smile.
“Well,” Ron coughed authoritatively, “I guess I'll leave you two alone to, um, say goodnight.”
He vanished up the stairs which led to the boys dormitories.
“What's wrong?” Ginny said exasperatedly.
“Ron's being possessive over Hermione again,” sighed Harry.
“Oh.”
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
“So…do you want to go to bed?”
“What?”
“Go to bed. You know - sleep. In your room. Like you do every night.”
“Oh! Yes, I think I will. I thought you meant…well, it doesn't matter. Good night, Harry.”
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and tiptoed up the stairs that Hermione had run up a few minutes before.
Harry looked into the ever blazing fire and shut his eyes. He couldn't stop thinking about the way that Ron had treated Hermione.
All of a sudden, Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. He didn't dare turn around, for fear it was a Death Eater.
“Who is that?” he croaked nervously.
“Do you really need to know?” was the reply.
“Yes!”
“I need to thank you for protecting me…”
“When did I protect you?”
“…so I decided to kiss you at midnight - now.”
“I want to know who I'm kissing!”
“Guess.”
Harry kept his eyes closed as this mysterious person turned him round to face them. Their lips met and they began to kiss passionately.
Harry opened his eyes and found himself face to face with Hermione.
“HERMIONE! Get off me!” he shouted.
“Why?” asked Hermione coyly.
“Ron…he'll be livid, he'll make your life living hell…” Harry gasped.
“He already makes my life living hell. Anyway, I was just thanking you. Nothing romantic in it,” she purred.
A silence crept stealthily between them.
“Hermione?” gulped Harry.
“Yes?” said Hermione.
“Do you love Ron?” he asked. He didn't know why he was so curious nor why he wanted the answer to be no.
“As a friend,” informed Hermione.
“What about me?”
“As a lover.”
Hermione stared at Harry, as she waited for his reaction. He seemed too shocked to speak. Then, he took hold of her by the waist, brought her close to him and kissed her. Hermione happily returned this kiss. Their lips stayed locked like this for about five minutes.
“Now,” panted Harry afterwards, “that kiss was romantic.”
Hermione giggled. She was so amazingly happy and afraid at the same time. She loved Harry, he loved her - but what about Ron and Ginny? Harry was right, Ron would be livid if he found out that she and Harry had been kissing. Hermione also had a hunch that Ginny wouldn't be too pleased either.
Harry was thinking along the same lines as Hermione.
“If Ron and Ginny find out we're in love, we'll both lose two great friends,” he began.
“But I'm prepared to take that risk!” interjected Hermione.
“Yes, so am I, I'm just checking, that's all. We have to meet in secret whenever is best for us both. We must never tell anyone about what's going on between us.”
The next morning, Ron decided to go downstairs for an early breakfast. He found Hermione already there. She looked happy and flushed but she didn't even glance up at him as he sat down opposite her.
Ron kept on trying to smile at her but she just ignored him. Her eyes reflected cold anger with him, but she seemed to be giving off happy vibes.
A few minutes later, Harry joined them. He sat down next to Hermione. She gave him a mischievous smile and picked up her book. Eventually, Ron got tired of the silence.
“Hermione, look, I'm really sorry about last night,” he sighed.
Hermione shrugged, not taking her eyes off the pages in her book. Ron reached out and took her hand. He didn't notice Harry's scowl as he began to stroke it.
“I just love you so much and I don't want you to be unfaithful to me,” whispered Ron.
He didn't notice that Hermione's cheeks had begun to colour as soon as he had begun the word, “unfaithful”. He leaned in to kiss her but stopped abruptly after hearing a loud crash. Harry had knocked the milk jug on the ground.
Hermione bent down to help Harry pick up the mess. Their hands touched as they reached forward to get the handle of the milk jug. Both of them determinedly avoided each other's eyes as this happened.
Ginny, who was watching them from further along the Gryffindor, bit her lip. The way Harry and Hermione's hand had touched, the way they both tried desperately hard not to look at each other all pointed towards one thing…
Harry, Ron and Hermione were making their way to their Potions class. Ron was standing in between them, forever cracking jokes. If he wasn't holding Hermione's hand, thought Harry, it would be like old times again.
Hermione couldn't help but keep looking over at Harry. Ever since she had first met Harry, she had been crazy about him. Now, in her sixth year, she had finally kissed him - but she couldn't tell anyone because of her relationship with Ron. Urgh! Ron! She hated him at the moment, for always treating her like a possession, not an actual human being. And now, without knowing it, Ron was irritating her even more by just being there because it stopped her from running up to Harry and kissing him straight on the lips.
“Hermione?”
Hermione whirled around to see none other than Luna Lovegood staring up at her, smiling her weird smile. She groaned inwardly. She was not in the mood for a conversation with Luna.
“What is it, Luna?” she said exasperatedly.
“Well, it's just, I know your secret!” giggled Luna.
Hermione's heart began to pound in her chest. Surely Luna couldn't have seen her and Harry in the common room last night.
Ron was eyeing her suspiciously.
“Hermione hasn't got any secrets - have you, Hermione?” he glared.
“No, no, of course not!” Hermione gabbled. She gave Harry a worried look. He seemed to be keeping his cool, apart from the fact that there were little beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.
“Luna, just go away, none of us have any secrets,” he sighed.
“It's your secret too, Harry!” cried Luna.
Harry swore under his breath. Why was Luna so bloody annoying all the time?
Ron was still looking very suspiciously at Hermione.
“Are you cheating on me?” he asked.
Hermione swallowed.
“No. It's just…Harry and I…we…” she trailed off.
Harry gave her a warning look and prayed she wouldn't tell Ron the truth.
“…we were planning your Valentine's Day surprise,” murmured Hermione.
Ron laughed. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He was, however, still annoyed. He had been hoping to spend a little time with Hermione on Valentine's Day.
“Go away, Loony!” he sniggered.
“Don't be rude!” snapped Ron. He grinned at Luna who blushed and then ran off.
Hermione was the only one of the trio that noticed this. A mischievous smile crept on to her face. She got the impression from Luna's blush that she had a HUGE crush on Ron, and from the way Ron didn't like Harry being rude to Luna, he returned her feelings.
Perhaps, with a little help from Harry, she could set them up.
“Today we will be concocting a special form of the love potion,” announced Snape at the beginning of class.
“But Professor, love potions are banned here,” said Seamus Finnigan.
Snape shot him an angry look.
“Five points from Gryffindor for calling out, Mr. Finnigan. In the sixth year, the Headmaster does permit you to learn how to make a love potion. Does anyone apart from Miss-Know-It-All-Granger know how a love potion is used?”
Hermione looked much taken aback at this comment from Snape. Harry shook his head angrily. Snape had no right to talk about Hermione in that way.
“No one? Well, this particular love potion causes the drinker to fall in love with the first person they see - unless they are already in love with that person,” said Snape.
“So…I will pair you up. Potter, you go with Granger and -”
He was interrupted by Harry, who knew what was going to happen if he and Hermione were paired together.
“Professor! Wouldn't it be more suitable if Hermione went with her boyfriend?” Harry protested.
“I am the teacher in this class, Potter, not you. So I suggest you be quiet. You will go with Granger and that is that,” retorted Snape.
After they had finished making the potion, Hermione offered Harry a sip. He refused but Hermione insisted upon it, so they could see the reaction. They both took some. Nothing happened.
Hermione smiled. She longed to slip her hands in Harry's and kiss him. Harry smiled back at her. He looked around to see if anyone was watching them, and then quickly squeezed her hand.
“Are you all finished?” called Snape.
The whole classed chorused, “Yes, professor”.
“Then we can test them. Potter and Granger go first,” said Snape.
Harry gulped. He looked over at Hermione who was mouthing something frantically at him. Unfortunately, Harry couldn't lip read. Hermione seized him by the shoulders and turned him to face her. He managed to read one word that she mouthed this time.
IMPROVISATION.
Harry looked nervously over at Hermione as they stood up in front of the whole of the Potions class. When he had had drama lessons at his old muggle school with Dudley, he had never been much good at improvising a scene, mostly because the person he was partnered with didn't like him and kept saying, “Can I change partners?” to the teacher.
But Hermione did like him. In fact, she loved him. Things were bound to be easier - weren't they.
“Take a sip,” smirked Snape.
Ron was watching Hermione angrily at the back of the classroom. She gave him a small wave and then took two spoons, and handed Harry one of them. Then, the pair of them dipped in their spoons into their love potion and drank.
As before, nothing happened. Harry looked up at Hermione. He had known her for six years now and he recognised that look on her face. The look which showed she was thinking of a plan. She looked up at Harry, with wonder in her eyes.
“I never realised what wonderful green eyes you had, Harry,” she sighed.
“I never knew that you were this enchanting, Hermione,” said Harry, fighting back a laugh.
Hermione beckoned him over.
“I love you! Let us dance!” she shouted and she seized both his hands and led him into a rather violent tango.
“You're so beautiful,” Harry cried.
“You're such a good dancer,” replied Hermione.
She stopped and so did Harry. They gazed into each others eyes. Then, Harry grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her passionately.
The whole of their Potions burst out laughing. Harry and Hermione too felt like laughing along with them, but they knew they couldn't ruin everything.
Snape sniffed.
“That will do. Here's the antidote. Drink it and go back to your seat. That's enough for one lesson. Class dismissed,” he commanded.
Chattering, the whole class walked out of the dungeons and into the Great Hall. The whole school day flew by and before anyone knew it, it was supper.
Luna had been following Ron at a distance all day. She had watched his every move, fascinated. She so wanted him to smile at her, the way he smiled at Hermione. She had no idea why he liked Hermione. Hermione was much more suited to Harry Potter. There was obvious chemistry between them.
She saw him again, coming out of the library with Harry and Hermione. Excitement filled her heart and she rushed up to him.
“Hi Ron!” she smiled and then burst into a fit of giggles.
“Er…hi Luna,” he looked and sounded slightly embarrassed. This gave Luna confidence and she smiled a broad, happy smile at him.
“I just want to say that I think you're really funny,” Luna gabbled and then, terrified, turned and ran off.
“What was that all about?” asked Harry, staring after Luna. His gaze fell upon Hermione, who seemed today, to be looking especially pretty. She looked up and waved at him, as if he was slightly mad. Oh, how he longed, ached to go up and kiss her.
“Shall we go down to supper then?” Ron broke in, determinedly ignoring Harry's question. He couldn't help but notice that Harry had been staring at Hermione. He would have told him off but something about Luna relaxed him. Let Harry gaze at Hermione, he thought. He'll never get her, so let him dream.
How wrong Ron was!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I thought I'd find you in here,” said Harry, half an hour after supper had finished. He was in the library with Hermione, who was sitting at a table by herself, a huge stack of books to her right.
“How did you lose Ron?” asked Hermione, closing her book.
“Told him I was going to visit Grawp in the Forbidden Forest,” grinned Harry. To his surprise, Hermione didn't laugh. Instead, she looked rather fearful.
“You won't go to visit Grawp, will you? You could get seriously injured! If you ever plan to go and see him, let me know,” she said anxiously.
Harry rolled his eyes and sat down beside her.
“Harry! Take this seriously! I don't want you to get hurt!” snapped Hermione.
“Hermione!” Harry began to laugh, “it is a wonder I didn't guess that you liked me as more than a friend earlier on! You were always worried about me, always nagging me!”
“I'm just trying to keep you out of trouble,” retorted Hermione sulkily.
“And I'm grateful for it, Mione! If it weren't for you, I could be dead by now - or at least expelled from school. You've always helped me, you're such a good friend,” said Harry.
“The word, “friend” stung,” sniffed Hermione.
“And you're a good lover.”
Their eyes met and a smile crept on to Hermione's face. She took both of Harry's hands in hers like she had always longed to do and kissed him. The two of them were oblivious to the world around them. They were in their own world, a world that no one else could enter, yet a world that everyone could see. Including Draco Malfoy
Upon entering the library, Draco had not expected to see two of his worst enemies kissing. The sight of this immediately gave Draco a hold over Harry and Hermione. With his wand, he summoned a camera and quickly took a photo of them.
The flash of the camera broke Harry and Hermione apart. They stared over at Malfoy, who was holding a photo and waving it at them. Hermione instantly knew what was depicted on that photo. She narrowed her eyes and stormed up to Draco.
“Give me that photo NOW, Malfoy!” she cried, wand at the ready, pointing directly at him.
“No. I don't think I will. Don't even think of cursing me, Granger. I can easily let slip to Weasley about this,” said Malfoy smugly.
“You disgusting little rat! You're blackmailing us!” Hermione was livid but she couldn't do anything.
Harry got up and walked over to them.
“Malfoy,” he said menacingly, “why don't you just get rid of that photo and forget this all happened, OK?”
“No. I'm going to do you a favour though. I'm not going to show this picture to anyone or mention that I've seen you two canoodling.”
Harry and Hermione both breathed sighs of relief.
“But…”
“There's always a but…”
“Yeah, and you've got a pretty nice one!”
“Oh, Harry, be quiet! This isn't the time for that! But what?”
“But you have to get me a date.”
“Who'd want to date you?”
“HARRY! LET ME HANDLE THIS! Who do you want to date, Malfoy?”
“Ginny Weasley.”
Life is complicated. It's complicated in all areas. Possibly, though, the area where it is most complicated, is love. Six people in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had realised this.
Luna Lovegood, in love with Ronald Weasley, could not have him because Hermione Granger had him. Draco Malfoy, in love with Ginny Weasley, knew he would never get her because she was in Gryffindor. Her boyfriend was Harry Potter. Harry Potter, however, was not in love with Ginny, he was having an affair with Hermione Granger, who also had a boyfriend. Ron Weasley was realising that he wasn't in love with Hermione anymore and that he was quite into Luna. Hermione herself just wanted Harry but didn't want to hurt Ron's feelings by breaking up with him and announcing she was going out with his best friend.
She sat there on her bed in the girls dormitories, contemplating her life at the moment. She was having an affair with the one she loved, behind one of her oldest friend's back and now she had the worry of trying to get her worst enemy a boyfriend, lest all would be revealed to the world about her and Harry.
“Hermione?” It was Ginny. She had a look on her face which told Hermione that she wanted to confide a problem to her.
“What's up, Ginny?” sighed Hermione. She patted the space next to her on her bed and Ginny went and sat beside her.
“I don't like Harry anymore and I feel awful,” said Ginny.
Hermione suppressed a smile.
“He really likes me, Hermione, I just know it. I just don't feel anything for him anymore.”
“He doesn't like you that much!” said Hermione sharply, annoyed at Ginny's comment. Harry liked she, Hermione, so much better than he liked Ginny - didn't he?
“How do you know?” asked Ginny.
“I am his best friend, Gin, always have been. He does tell me about his relationships,” replied Hermione.
“He talks about you too,” grimaced Ginny, resting her chin on her knees.
Hermione sat up straight.
“What does he say???”
“He says you are the most remarkable witch he's ever seen and that you're really amazing, academically, socially and friendship-wise,” answered Ginny.
Hermione laughed and found she was blushing. She had a strange tingly sensation inside of her. An urge.
“Anyway, I have to get changed for Quidditch practice. Harry's captain and he doesn't like it if we're late. Bye, Hermione. Can I talk to you about this later?”
“Yeah, um, sure.”
Hermione's thoughts were on other things though. Harry. Changing for Quidditch practice. She could follow Ginny at a distance to the changing rooms, hide outside, look through the window and voila! There would be Harry, looking gorgeous as ever, without as much clothes as he usually wore. She'd done it before. She could do it again/ Hermione giggled to herself. Recently, she had been getting very naughty thoughts about Harry. If he knew anything of the things she dreamt about at night time (all to do with him) he'd think she was disgusting.
Some secrets are best kept to ones self.
A/N Don't get any ideas that the story is going to get X-rated. I hate that kind of stuff. No, that last part was just my idea of a bit of fun. Just letting Hermione act like a sixteen year old who was in love.
It was a long climb to the Astronomy Tower. He felt so tired out when he reached the top. But somehow he finally did. He knocked on the door and entered. Professor Trelawney was sitting at a round table, gazing into her orb. He rolled his eyes. Professor Trelawney definitely couldn't see the future - so why was she so obsessed with it. “Come here, my child,” she whispered. He went to her, a little nervously. “I see you are in love with Hermione Granger,” she said. “Yes,” he replied. “Do you want to die, boy?” asked Trelawney. “No. But what's this got to do with Hermione?” said he. “You and her will both die if you continue this secret relationship. Break up with her, NOW!” And with that, Trelawney gave him a hard push, so he stumbled and then fell down the stairs to the bottom of the Astronomy Tower.
“Ow…”
“Harry! Harry! Are you alright?” Hermione was bending over him, looking extremely concerned. She seemed to be moving in and out of focus.
“What?” he answered groggily.
“You were sleepwalking. I was in the common room and you came out of your room and walked all the way here, to the bottom of the Astronomy Tower. You went up the stairs and then five minutes later you came back and fell down them. I cast a spell on you so you wouldn't break any bones though,” said Hermione, squeezing his hand reassuringly.
“Hermione?” Harry asked, after a few minutes pause.
“Yes?”
“I have to break up with you,” groaned Harry.
“Whatever for?” Hermione was shocked and hurt.
“Trelawney said…”
Hermione interrupted him, “You're going to believe what that mad old cow says?”
“She's been right before,” said Harry.
“When?” scoffed Hermione.
And out came the story of the Prophecy, out came all the things that Dumbledore had told him in his office last year, things he hadn't found the courage to tell Ron and Hermione yet until now.
“Oh…my…goodness,” gasped Hermione when he was finished.
“I know,” Harry nodded.
“So,” she swallowed, “out of you and Voldemort - one of you is going to die in the - in the end?”
Harry nodded again. Hermione stared at him for what seemed like an age. Then, she walked right up to him and pressed her lips softly against his. After a few seconds, she let go of him.
“Let's defy destiny,” she whispered, “it doesn't matter what Trelawney may say. I'm keeping you. Love fights all objects in its path.”
“I know,” said Harry sadly.
The next morning, as Harry and Hermione made their way to breakfast (Ron was in bed, snoring), they bumped into none other than Luna Lovegood.
She had a huge scowl on her face and her hands were on her hips. She walked slowly and menacingly towards him.
“Um, Harry, why is Luna walking towards us and looking so angry?” Hermione whispered urgently into Harry's ear.
Harry shrugged, looked over at Luna and gave her a huge fake smile. Hermione did the same, but she had a bad feeling about it.
“Luna!” beamed Harry through clenched teeth.
“You're both horrible!” cried Luna.
“Oh, Luna!” Hermione pretended to be deeply hurt, “that isn't very nice!”
“No, I suppose it's not. But then again, it's not very nice to cheat on someone behind their back, is it, you two?” snarled Luna.
Hermione's heart began to pound in her chest. Luna knew. How, she guessed she would never know. But Luna had found out and now she was most likely going to tell Ron about it.
“Luna…” Harry began.
“Don't Luna me! Hermione is so lucky to be going out with someone like Ron, he's mad about her and look what she's doing! She's cheating on him with you. You, Harry Potter, who is supposedly besotted with Ginny Weasley. I am disgusted by your behaviour- both of you!” Luna shouted, angry tears springing to her eyes.
Harry wanted to shout back at Luna, but just as he opened his mouth, Hermione laid a hand on his arm and put a finger to his lips. She reached out to Luna and took her hand, then smiling kindly into her eyes.
“You must really like Ron. It's so nice of you to care for him. I'm going to break up with him very soon and Harry's going to do the same with Ginny. We don't like cheating on them. But Luna, you must know, who can stop the course of love?” she said.
Harry felt his heart melt towards Hermione. She was so brilliant. How could she be so kind to Luna after she had insulted her so badly? He felt so lucky that she loved him. Him! Harry Potter! He vowed to be the boyfriend Hermione never had. He would never be possessive over her, he would always love her and look after her forever.
Luna nodded her head.
“Just don't cheat on them for too long, OK? It makes me feel bad, you see,” she replied.
Hermione promised that they wouldn't and off went Luna. Harry told her how much he admired for being so good to Luna. Hermione, blushing, gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Psst, Potter. Over here.”
“Malfoy!”
“Yeah, me. Look, er, have you got that date yet? With Ginny?”
“Malfoy, before I do anything about that date, I have to break up with her.”
“Well, do it fast please!”
“I'm impressed with you, Malfoy.”
“Why?”
“You're in love with a Gryffindor. It's really good. It shows you might actually be a nice person, despite the fact you're a Slytherin. If all goes well with Ginny, I might value you as a friend.”
“Potter?”
“Yes?”
“Don't say things like that. You're beginning to scare me.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hi, Hermione!”
“Oh, Ron! What a nice, um, surprise.”
“Just wondered whether I could have a little chat with you.”
“Yeah, sure. About what?”
“Us.”
“Oh. What about us?”
“Well…there's a ball for Valentine's Day coming up.”
“Oh no!”
“What do you mean? You don't want to go with me?”
“Yes! I mean, no. I mean, I'm not very good at dancing.”
“So? Neither am I. So will you come with me, Hermy?”
“Hermy? And anyway, no.”
“Why not?”
“Just because we're a couple doesn't mean we have to go together. Why don't you go with Luna?”
“I never thought of that.”
“Well now you have, so ask her.”
Thank goodness that's over with, thought Harry, as he watched Malfoy go back to the Slytherin table. Now all he had to was split up with Ginny.
It was easier than he'd imagined.
“Um…Ginny,” he mumbled.
“Harry! I can't see you anymore! I don't love you!” gabbled Ginny.
“Oh. Right. That's what I was going to say,” he answered.
“Well, bye!”
“Bye!”
Harry grinned to himself. He was now a single man. He didn't have to have a guilty conscience the next time he kissed Hermione.
She did though. She had absolutely no idea why she had turned Ron down, and suggested that he went with someone else. She had just wanted to go with Harry. She glanced over longingly at him. He was in so much danger, their relationship was at such a big risk.
She remembered the words of her father.
“Hermione, never date someone that could die soon. Date someone who you could spend the rest of your life with. That's my advice.”
It was good advice, it really was. But Harry was her true love. She needed him, he needed her. They were one couple of love, they would be together forever. Wouldn't they?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ron stared down at his complicated Transfiguration homework. He couldn't concentrate at all. His mind kept on revolving back to this morning, when Hermione had suggested they go with different people to the Valentine's Ball. Did she not like him anymore? Or perhaps she was just so embarrassed about her dancing skills? But he didn't get the impression that she was that bad at dancing.
He shook his head slightly and then got up.
“Weasley, old boy, I think the girls just don't like you,” he murmured to himself. He went outside and stood by the lake, contemplating life in general for him.
It didn't seem to be going well. He had no friends. Harry had been funny towards him ever since he started dating Hermione. Hermione had recently been so unfriendly and began to spend all her time with Harry. It wasn't fair. She was his girlfriend after all.
“Ron? It's me, Luna.”
Ron turned round and smiled at her.
“Would you like to go to the ball with me, Luna?” he asked gently.
“Yes!” said Luna excitedly.
Ron nodded, tucked some of Luna's loose strands of hair behind her ears and kissed her.
Unlike Hermione, when she kissed Harry, Ron did have a guilty conscience. He only felt happy to be kissing Luna.
Poor Hermione. She was walking back from Hagrid's hut when it happened.
“What about Hermione?” she heard Luna say.
“Who cares about Hermione?”
Who cares about me, thought Hermione. She ran, ran, ran all the way to the Gryffindor common room and burst into tears. Harry saw her and rushed across to her.
“What's wrong, Hermione?” he asked, putting his arm around her.
“It's Ron! He was kissing Luna and he said - he said -” she broke off and started sobbing hysterically. People were watching them.
“He said who cares about me when I can't stop thinking abiut him when I kiss you,” she whispered.
“Oh come here,” said Harry, reaching out and hugging Hermione. She laid her head in his chest, while he stroked her forehead, soothing her. She cried for quite a while, until it was time for supper.
“Harry?”
“Yep?”
“First of all, lets meet in the library after supper and secondly, I hate Ron.”
A/N I hope that you're enjoying the story so far! This chapter is going to be quite short but it's sweet all the same!
“Remember the Room of Requirement?” asked Hermione, as she opened a door that both of them had used so often last year.
“How could I not?” panted Harry. It had been a long walk up those stairs to reach here.
Hermione smiled and looked around. Perfect for this occasion, the Room of Requirement had given them a comfortable couch to relax on together, plus lots of heart decorations on the walls. There was even a red plush furry heart shaped mat on the floor.
She turned and looked over at Harry. Their eyes met and their lips locked.
Pushing Hermione off him, Harry sat down on the sofa. Hermione followed suit and tried to kiss him again.
“Get off, you! I need to ask you something!” he laughed.
“Can't it wait till later?” begged Hermione, sticking out her lower lip.
Harry laughed harder than ever and threw a (heart) cushion at her.
“No, it cannot wait till later. Anyway, providing you say yes, it will take about two seconds,” he grinned.
“Fine, but make it snappy,” she said impatiently, “I want my kisses.”
“Will you go to the Valentine's Ball with me?” he asked her, crossing his fingers behind his back. Hermione saw this, seized his wrists in her hands and placed them on her shoulders.
“Yes. Is that all?” she said with a bored look on her face.
“Yep.”
“Yay! Kissing time!”
And so they had their kissing time, arms wrapped around each other, with smiles on their faces. Then, Hermione sat up, breathless.
“Do you want to go further?” she gulped.
Harry found himself suddenly feeling very hot and very nervous. He opened his mouth and then shut it again, really having no idea what to say.
Hermione rocked tentatively backwards and forwards on the couch. She wasn't sure what she wanted Harry's answer to be.
“No,” he said eventually.
Hermione found herself breathing a sigh of relief.
“You have the most gorgeous eyes, you know, Harry,” whispered Hermione, as she and Harry lay there on the couch in the Room of Requirement, cuddled up. Hermione was laying with her head in Harry's lap. She was clutching his hand and stroking it. They really looked like a couple in love.
“Hermione…you're amazing in every way. I know we love each other and everything…but will you still be my best friend?” said Harry.
“Of course. And if we're prosecuted for being together, you won't abandon me, will you?” replied Hermione.
“Never.”
“I love you, Harry. I'm glad I told Ron I wasn't going to the Valentine's Day ball with him.”
“WHAT? YOU TOLD HIM THAT?”
“Yes. I wanted go with you.”
“Hermione…you are absolutely mad sometimes…”
“Oh thanks!”
“…but I love you too.”
It was about three o'clock in the morning and Hermione found herself dressed, in the Room of Requirement, with her head in Harry Potter's lap.
She sat up and immediately remembered how she came to be here. She realised she was still holding Harry's hand. She kissed it gently then got up, feeling like an early morning stroll.
As she wandered through the great long corridors of Hogwarts, humming to herself, she heard some footsteps. Whirling round, she saw nothing. A little frightened, she began to head back to the Room of Requirement. More footsteps.
Then, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned round and found herself face to face with none than Draco Malfoy.
“Oh god, Malfoy, you gave me such a scare!” she said, half laughing.
“I realised. How are things going on the Ginny front?” asked Malfoy.
“Harry and Ginny broke up,” beamed Hermione, “so I thought you could ask her to the Valentine's Day ball. She doesn't have feelings for Harry so it should be easy. I'll put in a good word for you.”
“Thanks,” nodded Malfoy, “I'm grateful. You're nice-ish, Granger. You may call me Draco.”
Hermione did a mock bow.
“And you can call me Hermione,” she winked at him.
“Er, Hermione, you aren't flirting with me, are you?” he asked nervously.
“No, Draco. I save my flirting skills for Harry. But you aren't as bad as I thought you were, Draco,” said Hermione.
“I'm sorry for all the insults I threw at you,” groaned Draco, wondering what on earth he was doing,
“I am as well,” Hermione nodded.
There was silence between them. An awkward silence.
“You and Harry make a good couple,” said Draco quickly. He then immediately took off in the opposite direction.
Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to the Room of Requirement where she took her place on Harry's lap, and fell asleep once more.
Time flew by and soon it was the day before the Valentine's Day ball and Hermione was thinking hard about her outfit. She knew all the girls would be wearing elegant, feminine and pretty dress robes but she didn't know where they got them from. She wanted to look amazing for Harry - but how if she couldn't even find the right dress?
Parvati Patil, nosy and very good with fashion, saw Hermione fretting and immediately rushed to her.
“What's up?” she questioned.
And so Hermione confided in her the big problem that she had. Parvati burst out laughing.
“I can fix that in a second! Look, I have a collection of really nice dress robes in my wardrobe, how about I show you some? A couple of them would really suit you!” she said kindly.
“What about my hair and make-up though?” asked Hermione?
“Leave that to Lavender!” giggled Parvati.
So they raided Parvati's wardrobe, and to their delight found a pretty, light blue shiny set of dress robes that looked really good on Hermione. She thanked Parvati immensely for her kindness. Parvati didn't think anything of it. She was always doing things like this for girls, to help improve their romance.
“Hermione!” called Ron, “come down here!”
He was sitting at a table in the Gryffindor common room, with a funny smile on his face. Hermione knew that smile meant he was up to no good. She felt afraid and didn't want to go and speak to him. However, he kept on calling and patting the seat beside him, so she went.
So, quite slowly, she walked down the stairs from the girls dormitories towards him.
“R-R-Ron?” she stuttered.
“Hermione,” he said, still with that strange smile on his face, “you've been spending an awful lot of time with Harry lately.”
“I know. He's very nice,” answered Hermione.
“Good,” Ron nodded his head. Then, he seized Hermione by the shoulders and pushed her hard against the wall. She hit her head hard and winced.
“Painful, isn't it? Yes. Now that will happen a lot more times if I find you've been cheating on me,” he hissed. Hermione could feel his foul breath on her face.
“Do you understand?”
Hermione nodded.
“Good,” said Ron and pushed her aside as if she was worth nothing. She stumbled and fell over. Her heart was pounding in her chest once more. She tried to get up but Ron pushed her back down again. He continued to do this for about ten minutes, at which point Hermione had very sore legs. Ron, however, kept on laughing.
But then Harry, Hermione's knight in shining armour, came in. He saw what Ron was doing to Hermione and marched up to him.
“Ron! Leave her alone!” he shouted from the other side of the common room.
Hermione shook her head behind Ron's turned back but Harry ignored it.
Ron walked up to him.
“Oh yeah? And who's going to make me?” he challenged Harry. Ron was much taller than Harry. He towered over him, in fact.
“I am,” growled Harry, pulling out his, “unless you get your act together and treat Hermione like a human being.”
Hermione had now got up and was stealthily creeping towards the girls dormitories. She gave Harry a thumbs up when she was at the door, and disappeared.
Ron sensed something was going on just from where Harry's eyes travelled.
“You idiot!” he boomed.
Harry smiled smugly.
“I know you fancy her like crazy, OK? But if you dare try and get close to her I will be forced to cast on you one of the worst Unforgivable Curses. Do you hear me?” he whispered menacingly.
“It would be fair that way though. You kissed Luna after all,” shot back the daring Harry.
“SHUT THE CRAP UP ABOUT THAT, YOU LOSER!” yelled Ron.
Harry shook his head. The two boys looked at each other, determined to stare the other out. Harry clenched his free fist and tightened his grip around his wand. He would not let Ron get the better of him.
Ron narrowed his eyes at Harry. He knew that he had a huge crush on Hermione and he would not let him steal her from him. Hermione didn't deserve the likes of Harry Potter.
“I thought I'd find you in here.”
Harry jumped then sighed as he saw Hermione slip into the Room of Requirement with him. It looked exactly as it had looked that night when they had fallen asleep there together.
She sat down beside him and took hold of his hand, stroking it gently.
“I'm really sorry about Ron. I'll have to break up with him soon,” she smiled.
“It's fine, don't worry,” said Harry, carefully avoiding Hermione's eyes.
“Thank you for sticking up for me,” she continued, trying to make conversation.
Harry shrugged.
“It meant a lot…” she added hopefully.
This time he grunted.
“But how can you ever have loved someone who treats you like that? Why can't you just split up with him now - this second?” shouted Harry suddenly.
“He'll hurt you if I do. I can't risk that happening,” replied Hermione.
Harry gave Hermione a grateful smile and hugged her. Then, as he held her in his arms, they shared a sweet kiss. Their last kiss before the ball.
I look fabulous, thought Hermione, as she looked at herself in the mirror, after Parvati and Lavender had done hair. They had managed to make it beautiful and curly, with blonde streaks shining through it.
Lavender had patted glitter on to her cheeks and applied a soft pink lipstick to her lips. She looked wonderful.
As she slowly went down the steps in the common room, she looked around for Harry. There he was, in smart, deep red dress robes, handsome as ever.
Hermione sighed delightedly when Harry turned to her and smiled. She rushed down the stairs to greet him.
Harry could hardly believe his eyes when he saw Hermione. She had always been pretty, of course. But now she was beautiful, amazingly gorgeous. He couldn't help but stare at her. He felt proud that he, Harry, was taking her to the ball.
“Ready for the final touches?” asked Hermione, holding up two face masks and winking at him.
He nodded and the two of them put on their masks and smiled at each other.
Their evening started off happily. They spent the whole night in each other's arms, never taking their eyes off one another for more than few seconds.
Meanwhile, Ron was looking around for Hermione and Harry. He had walked around the whole ballroom and still didn't find either of them. He had a feeling they were up to something behind his back and he didn't like it. He couldn't see how Hermione would dare disobey him.
Then, briefly, he became how he used to be. The kind Ron, the funny Ron, the one that used to amuse his best friends. He sighed, wondering where that Ron had gone. Ever since he started dating Hermione, he had changed. But at that precise moment, he felt like his old self. He wished he could be with Harry and Hermione and let them smile at him the way they used to.
He missed his and Hermione's playful arguments. They still argued now, but he sensed real hate in those arguments with her now.
Two students in masks suddenly caught his eye. The male appeared to be wearing dark red robes. The robes that he had seen Harry wearing earlier. He immediately knew who was Harry's partner.
Angrily, he stormed towards them.
Hermione saw him and swore. Harry pretended to be shocked.
“Hermione!” he gasped.
“Oh be quiet! Ron's coming!” she hissed.
“So? He won't see us,” said Harry.
Hermione looked doubtful. Ron suddenly called out to them. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him to the other side of the room.
Malfoy (Draco from hereafter) saw the masked couple and guessed that it was Harry and Hermione. He also saw Ron following them. A little doubtfully, he rushed forward and flung himself in Ron's way.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.
“That was close. Good old Draco, he's such a gent,” she said quietly.
Harry snorted and Hermione shot him an angry look.
“Don't be so ungrateful, Harry! He saved us!” she glared.
“I'm not!” Harry returned.
“Then what are you doing?”
“It's just he called you a mudblood and now you say he's a gent!” Harry began to laugh but seeing Hermione's scowl, quickly stopped.
Meanwhile, Draco tried desperately to protect Harry and Hermione.
“Weasley - I - think - you - should - get - a drink!” he choked out, battling against Ron's constant pushes and shoves.
“No! Bog off, Malfoy!” cried the struggling Ron.
“Oh look, Hermione naked,” said Malfoy, pointing to some air behind Ron's back.
Ron whirled around and Malfoy punched him. Then, standing over him, he began to beat his back hard with his fists, yelling, “Freaking perve! Wanting to see Hermione naked!”
Everyone in the Great Hall went silent and watched the two boys. Harry was doubled over in hysterical laughter, while Hermione had gone very red in the face.
“I mean, come on, Weasley! Get a life! Poor Hermione! She's got enough to worry about at the moment and now you go and add this extra worry that she's going to be attacked at any moment! Honestly! So selfish!” cackled Draco evilly.
Harry grinned at Hermione, who was now leaning against the wall, her face in her hands, groaning.
Luna sighed unhappily. Had Ron's kiss with her meant nothing? Was he still desperately in love with Hermione? Obviously so. Otherwise he wouldn't have turned around. The tears prickled at the back of her eyes, and afraid of being caught crying, she fled from the ball.
Hermione, sweet, sympathetic Hermione, saw her running off. She rushed after her, Harry following closely behind. They chased Luna into the school grounds, until they reached the edge of the lake. Hermione heard Luna's sobs and hurriedly to her.
“Oh Luna! I am sorry! Come here, please!” she cried.
Luna turned away sulkily and swore at Hermione.
“Go away. I don't need help from you!” screamed Luna.
Hermione hugged her and Harry instantly felt a rush of pride. He was glad that Hermione loved him and that he returned her feelings. He had the nicest girl in the whole world at his side.
“You are an incredibly spiteful little cow, Hermione! I am very sorely tempted to go and tell Ron that you're cheating on him!” said Luna in a threatening voice.
“You don't want to do that, Luna.”
“Oh don't I?”
Hermione pulled out her wand and pointed it at Luna's throat.
“Harry and I know how to perform the Cruciatus curse.”
“Dear Luna! She actually believed us! As if you or me could ever perform one of the Unforgivable Curses!” laughed Hermione.
Harry remained silent. They were sitting by the lake. Luna had vanished about half an hour ago, leaving Harry and Hermione alone. They were sitting together, holding hands, discussing the events of the last few days.
Hermione nudged Harry. He smiled slightly. She sighed theatrically and said, “What's wrong?”
“Nothing!” squeaked Harry.
Hermione raised her eyebrows at him. Then, a mischievous smile crept on to her face. She began to tickle him. He laughed hysterically, clutching his sides.
“OK, OK, I'll tell you! I can do the Cruciatus Curse. I did it on Bellatrix Lestrange last year,” said Harry.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
“That's all? God, Harry, I thought it was something interesting! I thought you'd found something!”
“I've found something. My two best friends sitting together, hand in hand, ready for a kiss.”
Harry and Hermione gasped. It was Ron.
A/N Sorry for the long time until the update! I go to boarding school so I can't write it there! I've got a four week holiday now though, and I aim to finish this fic by the end of it! Thanks for all your reviews! Please don't be rude in them. There's a big difference between constructive criticism and insults. Most of you give me constructive criticism which is great but one person said this was one of the worst stories they had ever read. So don't do that! If all you can say is rude stuff, don't say anything at all! Also, earlier on, when I accidentally posted a chapter twice (a mistake now rectified thank goodness)it was because my computer had a spaz attack! Sorry for the confusion it may have caused!