Rating: PG
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 08/06/2005
Last Updated: 08/06/2005
Status: Completed
Harry talks to Hermione after a week of silence at Grimmauld Place. One-shot.
AN: I know I need to write for Forgotten Boundaries, but end of school and such has kind of
delayed me. And by kind of, I mean a lot. This just kind of wrote itself, like many other stories
of mine. I suppose that's the best way to write. This one's different. I'm just warning
you all.
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You let out a sigh.
No one other than him would be able to know what it meant. It wasn't a comfortable sigh, but it
wasn't an unhappy sigh either.
It was just the easiest way for you to let out an emotion when he's right there.
You try not to cry when you're around him.
It's never that easy.
[I have to tell you something...]
It was obvious, though. You had been waiting for this moment. It's been a week since he'd
arrived at Grimmauld Place and he had barely said one word to you.
To anyone.
Still, you didn't blame him.
You can't blame him. Everything does seem to be against him. Most of the wizarding world hated
him for a while.
And he had to live with that.
Still, you're always there for him.
[Dumbledore knew something about me.]
You knew it was coming before he said it.
You knew it all.
You didn't need a prophecy to tell you that it would be Harry and Voldemort in the end.
So you didn't say anything. He started crying.
Still, you try not to cry when you're around him.
It's never that easy.
He watched you bring your hand to your face and wipe your eyes, and he starts apologising.
No, you mutter. It's not your fault.
Which brings silence.
You knew he was fighting against himself to say something back, to retort to that -- but that's
his one downfall.
He blames himself. Always.
He broke the silence.
[It smells like Sirius.]
You knew.
Staying here, in this musty, old home. Last summer was the longest either of you spent with him. It
was the only smell you could truly associate with him.
Last summer, it was terrible. You could barely stand it.
This summer, it's comforting. It's like he's not really gone.
But it hurts to be constantly reminded of it.
Eventually, you let out another sigh.
Both of you have tear-streaked faces.
[I don't want to go out there.]
It could mean many things. But you knew he didn't want to face the rest of the Order or the
Weasleys.
Me either, you say.
Instead, you hug him.
You were surprised when he hugged back, as if he would lose you if he let go.
You tested the waters by letting go, just a bit.
And he only hugged you tighter.
You kissed the side of his head, the only part that you could reach.
[Thank you.]
Thank you, you repeat.
You know he'll realise it's mutual one day.
But when he pulls back slightly, leans in and catches your mouth -- you both don't let it last
too long.
You both need eachother too much.
[Mind if I stay for a while?]
You note how shaky his voice is.
You shake your head, he grabs your hand.
You sigh.
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FIN