Chapter Eight: Remaining friends
Harry felt terrible. He had dumped Hermione. He had lost the one person he cared about for good. But we can still be friends, Harry thought. Hermione seemed to think otherwise. After their confrontation behind The Three Broomsticks, they had been avoiding each other. After they finished their shopping, Harry met Ron and Neville in front of the Hog's Head. They shared a portkey, while Hermione left with Lavender and Pavarti.
The next few days past by, with Harry usually being found in bed crying, thinking or sleeping. Hermione spent all her time in the bathroom thinking and wondering why. Why did Harry dump her? She knew why. It was to protect her. But why did he take her choice away from her? Was he trying to `Play the hero'? Or was there a reason behind it that made him think it necessary to dump her?
She just didn't know. She couldn't face him yet. Just the sight of him reduced her to tears. No, she would have to wait. She was interrupted from her thoughts as Ginny walked into her room, to bring her dinner. This was how it was. Ginny would bring Hermione breakfast, lunch and dinner, and try to console Hermione about it.
"Here you go Herms, are you all right?" asked Ginny, her voice full of concern.
"Thanks Gin, I'm as good as can be expected." Said Hermione.
"You can't keep going on like this. You hardly sleep, when I bring you food you barely touch it. You need to get over him." Said Ginny.
"Gin, I will not get over him. I'm going to get back with him. I'm going to find out why he dumped me in the first place," said Hermione, "he still loves me, he's trying to protect me."
Ginny smiled reassuringly at her, "Don't worry Herms, he'll figure it all out soon enough. If what you say is true, he'll come back to you."
"I hope you're right Gin, I hope you're right." Said Hermione, falling into a peaceful slumber, her dinner forgotten.
Ginny smiled knowingly at Hermione before leaving her room.
She headed out to the common room. Finding Ron, she walked up to him with determination.
"Ron, you need to get Harry out here NOW!" said Ginny her voice rising with each word.
"I've tried Gin, but he won't listen to a word anyone says. It's all quite pathetic to me." Said Ron.
"Try harder. I have something I need to say to him." Said Ginny glaring at the ignoramus she had for a brother.
"O-Okay." Stuttered Ron, not wanting to get in the way of the PMS filled Ginny.
Ron headed up the stairs towards Harry's bed. He pulled the curtains back, to find Harry asleep. He was obviously faking. He began to poke Harry's side muttering his name. Still nothing. Ron picked up a pillow from his own bed and flung it at Harry's head.
"Hey!" yelped Harry.
"Well you wouldn't wake up! Anyway, Ginny sent me up here to get you. She wants to talk to you." Said Ron, fleeing the room before Harry yelled at him.
Harry glumly followed, only to find Ginny waiting for him at the foot of the stairs.
"You broke her heart Potter. You go and talk to her now! She knows why you dumped her. But it still hurts." Half yelled Ginny, "Didn't you learn your lesson last year? Playing the hero only got Sirius kill- oh dear,"
At the mention of Sirius' name, Harry's face turned stony. He still had not gotten over Sirius, and he still hadn't properly grieved for him. Ginny apologised profusely, but Harry ignored her and decided to go back to bed. He was emotionally drained, as well as dead tired. He, like Hermione had not gotten much sleep, and felt like tonight, he had to go to sleep.
It was the day before everyone was due to return. Everyone was allowed to do what they wanted for they're last day before school.
Harry decided to finally come out of his room, to go flying on the Quidditch Pitch. Harry walked out onto the grounds and mounted his broom. He kicked off, and all problems were forgotten. On his broom he felt so free. There was no prophecy to weigh on his mind. Guilt over Sirius' death was left on the ground. Harry zoomed around the pitch, enjoying the wind whipping his hair. He took a few dives and pulled up sharply to let out his emotions. He was care free up here.
Harry landed feeling the happiest he had in ages. Only to have it ruined by the red head storming up to him.
"I'll kill you Potter!!! You hurt her. You broke her heart, so I'll break your neck." Said Ron, pulling a fist back.
Harry stood there with his hands at his sides. Ron swung at him, but Harry dodged with ease.
"I would rather be her friend with her alive, than go out with her and have her die." Said Harry simply, still dodging Ron's punches.
"What… do you… mean?" grunted Ron, trying to catch his breath.
Harry explained the meeting with Voldemort, and how he had threatened the one he loved, "Hermione knows I'm doing this to protect her. I'm hoping we can at least remain friends." finished Harry, with a sigh.
"I'm sure she'll get over it. But Harry, you do know how selfish this is, right? You're totally taking the choice away from her. She's a muggle born, and your friend. She was already at the top of the list to torture and kill. Just let her decide." Said Ron.
Harry stood stock still, as Ron walked away. The realization of what he had done had finally hit him. He needed to talk to Hermione, now.
Harry rushed up to the Gryffindor Common Room. He found Hermione sitting on the squashy armchair, reading. She hadn't noticed him. Harry walked up behind the chair, and tapped Hermione on the shoulder.
Hermione turned, and when she noticed whom it was, began to get up. Harry grabbed her shoulder to keep her there.
"Hermione we need to talk." Harry said.
She nodded and got up. The walked in silence, until they reached the Room of Requirement. Harry walked past it three times thinking we need a place to talk.
A door appeared, so he opened it to find a room that looked just like the Gryffindor Common Room. They took a seat facing each other.
"Hermione, I need to explain to you why I ended us." Said Harry. He continued on to explain how he met with Voldemort, and Voldemort's offer and threat, " So you see, what I did was to protect you. But then Ron told me how selfish I was being. I began to think. I decided if you still love me as I love you, then we could get back together. But only if you'll forgive me for being so selfish, and understand that your life is at stake here.
"Harry, I understood the risks when I first got together with you. I'm going to need some time to think, before I answer you. But I would like to remain friends until I come to a conclusion." Said Hermione. Harry nodded and opened his arms for a hug. Hermione moved in and wrapped her arms around his middle. They were friends again.
THE END
A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long, but I was on Hiatus. But from now on, I will be posting a lot faster.
Disclaimer: I just checked, and I still don't own Harry Potter… Yet.
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