Ch.8
(Present)
She blinked as she came out of her mind. She shook her head and stole a look at Harry. He lifted his head at the same time and their eyes met. They held for a long minute before a knock on the portrait broke their gaze. They both looked at each other confused.
Harry got up and crossed over to the portrait door. It was Ron.
"Hey Harry"
"Hey Ron" The air was thick with tension.
"I need to speak to Hermione for a moment." Harry was about to call her when she appeared. Harry turned and headed up the stairs to his room. As he was climbing the stairs, she heard Hermione's voice and Harry couldn't help but overhear when he heard his name.
"Are we going to invite Harry, Hermione?"
"Of course, why wouldn't we?" She answered a little too quickly.
"We haven't been that close to him these last couple of years."
"Maybe you're right." Harry couldn't help but let his relief out. He had no intention of going to their wedding. Everyone at Hogwarts was invited. But he didn't think he could handle seeing the person he loved getting married to someone else.
"I'll see you tomorrow" Harry turned his head and turned back when he heard Ron leave the common room. He sat on the stairs, trying to regain his emotions when he saw that Hermione was sitting on the biggest couch in front of the fire. He took a second to admire her. The fire light danced off her features making her look surreal. Harry's breath caught in his throat
"You're beautiful" he whispered. Hermione whipped her head around and he couldn't read her expression. The fire was making it hard to see her eyes.
"What did you say?" She nearly whispered. Harry looked out the window and back to Hermione.
"It's beautiful outside."
She sighed inwardly and turned back to the fire. Of course she didn't hear him call her beautiful. He didn't see me like that, he never saw me like that.
"Yeah"
He gathered up his courage and walked to the couch and sat down beside her. Hermione's inside began churning as she felt the couch shift. Oh God....
"I know that we aren't that close anymore Hermione. But I still consider you a friend. You know that, don't you?" Hermione smiled and looked at him, she didn't realize how close he had sat down beside her. She looked at his profile as he stared at the fire. He was quite handsome. He turned back to her and their eyes met for a second time. Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat as she searched his eyes. He seemed to be doing the same thing and she found herself being pulled into those emerald orbs.
Meanwhile, Harry was having an argument within himself. Why is she looking at me like that? Harry cleared his throat at broke their gaze. Hermione got her emotions in check and answered the question.
"Of course Harry. I always considered you a friend. We haven't been close, that's true but that doesn't mean I don't care for you." She mentally slapped herself. Did I just say that?
"Why don't we catch up then? What's new with you?" Harry said enthusiastically. Hermione laughed.
"I was offered a teaching position here at Hogwarts."
"Let me guess Arithmacy." Hermione sheepishly lowered her head.
"You know me too well Harry Potter." Again their eyes met and an awkward silence came between them.
"What about you? What is the famous Harry Potter doing to do after Hogwarts?"
"I was also offered a job here at Hogwarts."
"That's wonderful Harry! We're going to be teachers together. I can't wait."
"Are you kidding me? I'm terrified. Me, shy Harry Potter, stand up in front of a room filled with kids. I can't even find the courage to ask a girl to a dance."
"Please Harry. Any girl at Hogwarts would give their left foot to go to a dance with you." Her face flushed. Harry looked at her and Hermione could still see that insecure 11-year old that she loved.
"Left foot huh." He looked at her incredibly.
"Harry...you are like...the most attractive guy at.... at Hogwarts." She wanted to run to her room and scream. Did she just call Harry the most attractive guy at Hogwarts?
Harry's eyes rolled, "Hermione, you're just saying that because we're friends." Him attractive?
"Harry would I lie? I mean you got Cho to finally go out with you. You've had a crush on her for the longest time."
"I never had a crush on her. Cho was a distraction. Sure she was pretty, but she was just a distraction." Hermione couldn't help her gaping mouth. She was sure that Harry was in love with Cho. Wait, a distraction?
"A distraction from what Harry?" She whispered, half hoping and half dreading. He ignored the question and proceeded on.
"When Cho broke things off, I was relieved. She knew that my heart wasn't in it. She set my head straight. She knew that my heart belonged to someone else and she gave me advice."
"What was it?"
"Doesn't matter. Too late" He gave her a sad smile.
Who was she kidding? She was jealous as hell. Jealous of a girl she probably never met. Jealous that this witch won Harry's heart a long time ago. She looked in his eyes and saw that he still loved that girl. Whoever it maybe.
"She must have been lovely." She looked down and couldn't help the tears that were beginning to fall.
"She still is." She looked up again and found that Harry had moved closer.
"I'm sorry Harry. You deserve to be happy."
"I don't think I will be soon, but thanks anyway." Again, her heart broke. If she ever found out who this witch was...
An awkward silence came upon them and Harry couldn't help himself.
"Are you happy Hermione?"
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" She looked everywhere except his eyes. He inwardly sighed in defeat.
"Of course. Why wouldn't you be?" Again they fell into an awkward silence. Hermione took a deep breath and asked a question that's been plaguing her since 1st year.
"Harry, do you think I'm pretty?" she whispered. Harry looked at her, unbelieving what he just heard.
"No...," she sighed as she felt a tear fall down her cheek.
"I think you're beautiful" Hermione couldn't believe her ears. Harry thought she was beautiful?
"Really?" she said in a small voice. He sighed and lifted her chin with his hand.
"Would I lie to you?" her breath hitched as she asked another question. But she was finding it extremely difficult as she tried to breath under Harry's intense gaze.
"Who is it too late for?" she said in a voice that she barely recognized. Harry's senses went on haywire as he heard her speak. Maybe it isn't too late?
KNOCK
KNOCK
"Hermione, honey, are you there? Its me, Ron"