Chapter Six
"Harry, we're forgetting something." Hermione pointed out a few days later.
Currently, Harry was attacking her neck with kisses. This was one of many snogging sessions they'd both shared since the day Hermione had become Harry's. Of course, that was only two days ago.
"I don't think we're forgetting anything," He said huskily, kissing her collarbone.
Hermione smiled, but pushed at his shoulders. Even in the dark of the broom cupboard, she could see the slight irritation on his face.
"Harry," She said gently, "what about Ron? He doesn't know."
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him." And he went back to her neck.
"Harry!" But she sighed as he nibbled on her ear. "I wish you'd just listen to me."
"I'm listening, love."
Oh she loved it when he called her that, and right into her ear too. She couldn't help it. She shivered.
"He's our best friend. I don't want to hurt him."
He finally pulled back. "Alright Hermione."
"We have to tell him. I'd rather tell him than get caught." She smirked.
He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and sighed. "If you really want to."
"Don't you?" She asked.
"It doesn't matter."
She blinked at him. He wasn't looking at her. He wouldn't make that contact.
"Excuse me?" She pushed away from the wall, and just stared at him, feeling hurt. When he didn't say anything, she continued, "This doesn't matter to you? This doesn't matter? What am I just a plaything to you? Well let me tell you something Harry Potter," She poked him in the chest. "I'm nobody's play thing." And she walked out of the cupboard, not caring who saw her. Everyone was in his or her dorms anyway.
She stalked down the corridor, tears burning her eyes, and her insides twisting. She didn't matter to him. How stupid could she be? How could she just fall at his feet like that? And everybody thought she was smart.
"Hmph."
"Hermione, wait!" She heard footsteps behind her, and she knew they were Harry's. She picked up the pace.
"Go away." She said defiantly as he caught up to her.
"Hermione, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, but does that matter?" She said.
"It matters to me that you're angry."
"Hmph." She repeated. She began to stalk up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower.
"Hermione will you listen to me please?" He said gently.
She spun around, and fire was in her eyes, making Harry slightly scared.
"Alright I'm listening." Hands on hips, she decided that if he slipped with this apology she was just going to walk away again.
"I'm sorry I said that. It's just frustrating." He was only a few steps down from her, and her gaze was making him feel smaller and smaller.
"What is?" Was she really this much trouble to him?
"I-" He didn't know how to say it. She meant more to him than anyone ever had. He could stand losing her, and that was a surprise to him. His stomach churned.
"Am I really that much of a trouble to you?" Tears were burning again.
"No Hermione. You mean so much to me."
She slit her lids and stared at him with a glare.
"I'm telling the truth. I meant that it doesn't matter if we tell Ron." He said, and regretted it the second he uttered it.
"It matters to me. He's my best friend as well as you. I care about him."
His jealously bone twitched. "Okay. We'll tell him if it means that much to you."
She growled angrily. "You just don't understand! You shouldn't want to keep something from your best friend either. It should mean something to you too."
"You're right." He said.
"Pardon?"
"I said you're right. I feel awful that I even thought about not telling him."
And he looked it.
"Good. Now come on, we have to tell him."
He blinked up at her outstretched hand. Was she really forgiving him that easily?
"Are you coming?"
"You forgive me?"
"I can't stay mad at my boyfriend forever. No matter how thick headed he is." She smiled slightly.
Her boyfriend… He walked up the last few steps and took her hand, smiling.
She really was something special. And he planned to never let her go. Ever.
Hermione felt better that their first fight hadn't gone worse. It could have been over forever. She shuddered at the thought. She knew she was falling hard and fast, but for some reason, she knew Harry would be there to catch her, so it wasn't that frightening.
They both entered the Common Room, and Hermione released Harry's hand.
Ron was by the fireplace doing . . . homework. Hermione watched him with his tongue between his teeth, scribbling down something on parchment with his tattered quill. She smiled as she approached, and sat down next to him.
"Are you doing homework?" Hermione asked quietly.
"I'm not as stupid as I look." He murmured, flipping through a page in a text he had on the table.
Hermione threw a knowing glance over her shoulder to Harry, who stood behind her.
"Ron, I want to tell you something."
He looked up at her, a puzzled expression on his tired face. What now? He thought. Then he glanced at Harry, who wasn't looking at him. He suddenly realized what was coming. It's not like he didn't notice the way they looked at each other over dinner. Or the fact that he saw them slipping into a broom cupboard not but twenty minutes ago when he left from dinner. He knew something was going on, but he didn't dare accuse either of them.
"Harry and I . . . we're . . ."
"Together." Ron finished.
Hermione blinked at him in surprise. "You knew?"
"No, I didn't know. But you guys are exactly great at keeping secrets." He went back to his work. Hermione and Harry exchanged glances.
"What do you mean Ron?" Harry asked.
And when Ron looked up at him, he saw the jealousy in his eyes. Ron wasn't exactly great at keeping secrets either, Harry thought.
"I mean," He said slowly, "I saw you two sneaking into a broom cupboard after dinner." He looked back to Hermione. "They moved the Library, did they Hermione?" His gaze was cold.
"Oh, Ron, but . . ."
"No, I don't want to hear it." He cut her off, slamming his text closed. "I can't believe you two. My only best friends keeping something from me. Well, that just hurts." He gathered his parchment, and walked away without another word.
"This is exactly what I didn't want to happen." She put her head down on her folded arms. Harry rubbed her back with one hand. When she looked back up at him, and he saw her brown eyes swimming with tears, he felt instantly guilty.
"It's okay Hermione. I'll go talk to him, okay?"
She nodded. He bent down and kissed the tip of her nose. "It's going to be okay, I promise."
She smiled at him as he walked toward the boys' dormitory, thinking he was rather brave to face Ron this soon.
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