Bless The Broken Road
AN: This is my first ever fanfiction on Portkey and it's a simple one shot. I hope you enjoy it! Please review and tell me what you think!
Part I - Hermione's POV
It had happened again. And once again, Hermione had left a meeting early to meet him at a London Coffee shop. As she walked into the small café, her hazel eyes scanned for her friend. She glanced at her watch and sighed, six o'clock. She smiled softly as her eyes landed on raven haired young man. He raised his eyes when she had entered and his emerald green eyes were now locked with hers.
She approached the small booth where he sat and pulled her light brown jacket off her shoulders. "Hey, Harry." She said with a small smile as she sat across from him.
"Hey, 'Mione." The sad face said.
Hermione ordered their coffee, the same they always got, then turned back to her friend. It seemed like more than just three years since they'd graduated from Hogwarts together. It seemed longer than four years since the bruden of Voldemort was lifted from her friend's shoulders. Yet, that was all the time that it had been.
Since the graduation, Harry and Hermione had tried to perserve their friendship by meeting at least once a month in this very café, and would make a special meeting if Ron came into town, (as he'd joined the Cuddley Cannons only months after graduation). Then Harry began to get serious with a girl he'd met in Auror's training, and the meetings were often rescheduled, or simply canceled. That relationship had lasted nearly six months when Hermione'd gotten a call asking her to meet him at the café.
That's how it had always happened. He would call, hurting after another heartbreak, and Hermione would gladly drop everything to be there for him. How could she not?
"What happened, Harry?" She asked softly.
"I don't know. I thought everything was alright, I really did." Harry shrugged. "Michelle said that I needed to 'get over whatever's holding me back', and left."
"What's holding you back from your relationships, Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head, "I don't know, but that's what Serena and Rachel said too."
Hermione nodded, she'd heard their stories too. "Maybe...before you get involved again, you should figure that out."
"Help me? Please Hermione?" He asked.
"I'll help you where I can, Harry, but this is something you need to figure out."
He shook his head slightly, "I just don't understand it, Hermione. I mean, I care for those girls. I thought I was happy. Why can't I be happy?"
"You were set on a broken road from the start, Harry. Maybe you just haven't found the one who you're supposed to be with." She said, taking his hand from across the table. "It'll work out, Harry. You've just got to figure out what it is that's holding you back." She frowned slightly. "It is still--"
"No, it's not Voldemort." Harry said, shaking his head. "He's gone, I know that."
She smiled and thanked the waiter as he sat their coffees down infront of them. Taking a small drink of the warm liquid, she thought over the different things that could be troubling her friend. She'd always believed that everything happens for a reason, so there had to be a reason for breaking Harry's heart so many times.
She sighed and sat her cup down. "Harry?"
"Hmm?" Harry said, glancing up from his own cup.
"Could it be--that you're mind is on someone else?" She asked, tentivly.
Harry shrugged, "I guess...I talked about you and Ron alot...about our Hogwarts days..."
Hermione smiled inwardly, he was adorable, he really was. "You know, that's the same thing you did with Cho that got her all upset."
Harry frowned, "How? I just talked about the things we did and how you---oh."
Hermione chuckled and shook her head. "It's alright, Harry. If your girls can't except your friends...are you willing to sacrifice one for the other?"
He shook his head, "No. You and Ron have been there for me when no one else wanted anything to do with me. Especially you. You were there fourth year when no one else believed me, and you are here for me now, when they leave me."
She glanced at her watch and smiled, "What do you say we stick to the routine and go to the Kareoke and Dance Club?"
"Sounds like a plan." Harry said.
Part II - Harry's POV
Why she put up with him, he'd never know. That girl was always the first person he'd turn to when things got tough. She was always the one who would come to him and help him through it all. She was always the one who would except his excuses for blowing off their usual meetings. How could she put up with him for so long?
And here she was again. Always there to cheer him up. He couldn't help but smile when she suggested they go through their usual routine and head to the muggle club that they enjoyed when he wasn't being a jerk.
They stood from the booth and paid their bill, leaving a good tip (after all, the waiters had put up with them more than any others...), and exited the small café. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said.
She glanced up at him, "For what?"
"For being such a jerk to you. For brushing you aside when someone new comes along." He said.
Hermione smiled and linked her arms with his, "Don't be sorry, Harry. As long as I get to see you on occasion, and as long as you're happy, I'm happy."
"Are you?"
She nodded, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know, I don't think I've heard you talk about a single date since graduation," Harry said.
"That's because I haven't had one."
"Why not?" He frowned.
Hermione chuckled and shook her head, "I'm not really the dating type."
"You aren't?" That was news.
"Not really. I'm not the type to be asked."
Now that was even more surprising. "What makes you think that?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I put all my time and effort into my work, my studies, and trying to keep up with you and Ron. No ones interested in trying to date a workaholic. Besides, looks wise..I've not changed since school."
Harry shook his head silently and studied his friend for a moment. She'd definatly changed. She'd went from bookish girl with bushy brown hair, to a business woman with sleek brown hair. Yes, time had been good to Hermione Granger. Harry had a suspicion that guys didn't ask Hermione, because Hermione wouldn't allow herself to be asked. "If you say so, Hermione." He knew there was no point in arguing.
They entered the club and glanced around, glad they'd chosen a Muggle place for their usual meetings. "Want to dance?" He asked.
Hermione shrugged, "Sure."
Harry pulled her close as a slower song began. Could this be what has been holding me back? Could this be what Michelle was talking about? He thought to himself as he held his friend. Why just a friend?
He smiled as Hermione relaxed and slipped her arms around his neck. He'd never been this comfortable with his girlfriends. He'd always felt he had to prove himself. With Hermione, he felt at ease, he knew he didn't have to show off to her.
Before he could change his mind he pulled his head back slightly and leaned down to brush her lips with his. He could feel her surprise, but as he started to draw back her arms tightened around his neck as she began to respond.
How could he have been so blind for so long? How could he have spent so long looking for what was right in front of him? Harry shook all those thoughts from his mind. He was where he belonged now.
The song ended, and Harry reluctantly ended the kiss. He looked down at the girl and smiled. An idea came to him as he stood on the dance floor. "Go sit down, and I'll be right there alright?" Hermione nodded and headed toward their ususal booth, wondering what was going on.
With in a few moments Harry walked onto the Kareoke stage and took ahold of the microphone. "I'd like to dedicate this one to the girl who's been there through it all. This is yours, Hermione." The music started up and he began to sing...surprisingly well:
I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.
When the song ended the club broke out in cheers, but Harry's eyes were locked with Hermione's. He gave her a small smile as he climbed down the steps of the stage. They made their way toward one another and met in a hug. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I'm sorry for being so blind, and for going this long with out seeing where I belong."
Hermione shook her head and put a finger over his lips to silence him, "Don't worry about it, Harry. You're here now." Harry smiled and kissed her again. "But I think we should head out of here, we're getting looks."
He grinned, "Alright, my place is closest."
She nodded, "Then let's go."
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