Matchmaker
Chapter 12
Matchmaker
When Harry awoke next, he was alone. He saw that Tonks had made him scones. He hoped they were better than Hagrid's. Although still sore, he felt quite a bit better.
"Harry?" he heard from the fireplace. It was Mrs. Weasley. He knew he wasn't up for more chastising from her and thought about ignoring her call. In the end, he decided to answer.
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley?' he responded.
"Harry, dear, can I pop in for just a moment? I'd like to speak with you."
Harry reluctantly agreed and stepped back to allow her to pass. Upon her arrival, she scooped Harry into a huge embrace, kissing the top of his head.
"I am so sorry I misjudged you, dear. Will you ever forgive me?"
"What changed your mind?" he asked with skepticism.
"Arthur and I were talking and we realized we're wrong. We know you and we know Ginny. We aren't as blind to her ways as we seem to be."
"You mean Ginny talked to you and spilled the whole story…"
"She did talk to us about it, yes; however we had already determined what she'd done. However, in light of your more recent behavior…" she scolded.
"That is my business and not up for discussion. I'm not discussing any of this with you." Harry curtly replied.
"Harry, you're as good as a son to us. I only have your best…"
"I believed that at one time, Mrs. Weasley. I truly did." Harry interrupted.
"You can believe it now, in spite of what happened."
"No I can't. I was deluding myself. I don't have a family nor do I want one. Your children will always hold first place in your heart, as they should, even though they are all of age. I'm a grown man. I can take care of myself as I have done all of my life."
"Harry, please don't be angry with us. We didn't mean…"
"I know, Mrs. Weasley. I'm not angry. I'm not. There's no reason why we can't go on as we have done. Just because I'm not your family doesn't mean I can't be your friend."
Tears were rolling down her face as she hugged Harry tightly. "We'll make this up to you, Harry. I give you my word. Now that that's settled, how about some nice stew and treacle tart?"
"There's nothing to make up to me, as I said. I am starving, though." Harry said with a wink.
After Mrs. Weasley left, Harry was drowsy from his large meal. He lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes.
Ron and Luna popped in and Harry awoke with a start. His wand raised, he looked toward the kitchen to see who was there.
"Hiya, Harry!" said Ron. Harry lowered his wand. "Nervous much?"
"Ron! How are you, Luna?" Harry inquired.
"Hello, Harry." Luna said in her breezy tone. "Feeling better today?"
"Yeah, I…hang on, how did you know that I was ill?" he asked.
"I can see it in your eyes." she responded simply.
"Yeah, mate, the bags under your eyes are large enough for an around the world trip!" Ron added.
Luna started laughing uncontrollably muttering "around the world trip." Ron watched her affectionately.
Harry rolled his eyes at the two of them. "I'm fine," he answered. "What brings you by?"
"Hermione said we should come," said Luna. "She wanted to know if you were still angry with her. She didn't know if she'd be welcome. Sometimes when you hold someone in a special place in your heart, you feel a little oversensitive to their feelings."
Harry looked at Luna with a mixture of confusion and wonder. "Why would she be unwelcome?" he asked. "I've been upset with her loads of times. She'll always be my best friend, same as you, Ron."
"You know how she worries about you. She always has done. Maybe the four of us should go out to dinner together." Ron offered. "That way she can see you are okay for herself. Does tomorrow night work for you? We haven't done that in the longest time."
"We've never gone out all four of us," Luna corrected. "We've always eaten in or the three of you go out. We should try it, though. You never know. There might a few secrets finding their way out. I mean there's nothing sexier than revelations."
Harry found it a bit disconcerting hearing Luna talk about things that are sexy. He examined his shoes with great interest.
"What do you say, mate? Are we on for tomorrow then?" Ron added, unperturbed by Luna's comments
.
"Yeah, okay" Harry replied. "It would have to be an early night. I work on Saturday."
Harry arrived at the "Charmed Cherub" at seven to meet his friends. He found Hermione already seated. Ron and Luna were late at usual.
"Harry!" Hermione called upon seeing him and stood to embrace him.
"How've you been, Hermione?" he asked her.
"Good. Work has been busy." she responded.
"How's Blaise?" he asked. "Why didn't he come tonight?"
"Well…" she started. "I'm not really seeing Blaise anymore."
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I thought you and he were doing better."
Hermione laughed, shaking her head at him, her hair flying. "That's what I wanted you to think. Let's just say Blaise is no longer interested in hiding behind me."
Harry was brought out of his confusion by the arrival of Ron and Luna. Harry welcomed Ron and kissed Luna's cheek in greeting.
"Sorry we're late." Ron said. "We got held up." Ron ducked his head to hide the coloring of his cheeks.
"Yes, Ronald looked so delicious that I couldn't control myself. Now I know why the broom cupboards at school were always occupied." explained Luna.
"Loony, honey! Don't tell them that! We're going to eat soon!" Ron exclaimed.
"There is more than one type of appetite we are stimulating this evening, Ronald." she answered.
Harry did not wish to approach that topic in the least. "Hermione says that she and Blaise broke up." he said to change the subject.
"That poof?" Ron condemned. "Imagine him hiding his true nature behind our Hermione. I ought to bash him one, the wanker."
"Ron" Hermione explained. "I was fully aware of his…leanings…when I agreed to go out with him. The arrangement suited both of our purposes."
"Still, it's a bit weird, a gay Slytherin." Ron laughed. "I would have thought the sorting hat would put that type in Hufflepuff!"
Harry couldn't help but laugh.
"How is Ginny? Still liking her job at Witch Weekly?" Harry asked, more to change than any real interest on his part.
"Oh yes," answered Luna. "She's going to parties, Ministry events and meeting loads of new people."
"She's getting a flat near her office. Mum is going spare." Ron added. "Maybe the right person is before her very eyes, if she'd only look." Ron said pointedly.
"Don't start that again, Ron. We tried it. It didn't work. We've both moved on." Harry complained.
"I wasn't referring to the two of you." Ron said. "There is someone else who should open their eyes to what's in front of them." Ron yelped as Hermione glared at him. Harry was yet again confused.
The meal was delicious. Afterward Ron suggested they all go back to Hermione's flat. Everyone agreed. Upon arriving, Hermione got out her best wine and glasses.
After a bit of catching up and small talk, Ron and Luna said they should be leaving.
"I should go as well," said Harry. "You've probably got an early day tomorrow."
"Please stay," said Hermione with concurrence from Ron and Luna.
"For a bit," said Harry. "Then I'll let you get to bed."
Ron and Luna left the room in a gale of chuckles, which baffled Harry for the third time that evening.
"What's up with them?" he asked. "They've been saying strange things all night. Of course, that's normal for Luna. I could never figure her out."
Hermione smiled. "Let's not talk about them. I don't even want to try to figure them out tonight."
Harry chuckled and said, "You wanted to talk to me? That's what Ron said, anyway."
"Yes, I did. I wanted to say I'm sorry…"
"You don't have to say that. I know what you meant. While I don't agree with your take on things, I respect your opinion. I mean, how can I fault you for wanting me to be happy?"
"It's more than that and you know it. Harry…"
"Let me guess…please." Harry interrupted, his temper rising. "I think I see where this is going." Harry cleared his throat dramatically. "'Harry, I just want what's best for you.' Or 'Your capacity to love is your greatest strength.' Or possibly, 'I can't tell you how disappointed in you I am.' It's your choice. It won't be the first time I've heard any of them."
"Then show me," she said in a soft voice.
"Show you what?"
"Show me how that makes you sane. Show me how happy casual sex makes you, 'Mr. No Strings Attached'. Show me the 'New Harry Potter.'"
"You're joking, right?" Harry asked looking around for Fred and George. They had to have put her up to this.
"I'm dead serious." she responded walking toward him.
Harry frantically looked for an escape route. He ticked off the possibilities in his head. "Apparition no that would hurt her feelings if she were truly serious; sneak out the door, no same reason; Think, Potter!"
By this time Hermione was right in front of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a fiery kiss. Harry felt the flame all the way down to his toes, something he'd never experienced before. He relaxed into the embrace and wrapped his arms around her. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks: He was kissing Hermione, his best friend, his resource for all things female. This just wasn't right!
As Harry realized what was happening, he started to pull away and found he couldn't. Just then Ron and Luna came back into the room smiling. Hermione released him and took her place in the chair, grinning like an idiot.
"Well?" Ron asked. "Did you accomplish anything while we were gone?"
Harry was now even surer that he'd been set up. He felt an odd disappointment course through him and quickly crushed it.
"I thought you guys had left. What's going on?" he earnestly asked.
"Harry, you are my best mate, and I only want you to be happy." Harry groaned. "Wait for it…" Ron continued. "Luna and I think that you and Hermione might have something special, if you'd give it a chance. Hermione says…"
"RON!" Hermione admonished. Luna patted Hermione's shoulder and remained silent.
"Let me finish, Hermione," said Ron. "He needs to know all of the facts before making a decision. Hermione has been in love with you for ages. The only reason she went out with Blaise was to hide her feelings from you."
Harry resisted the urge to stare at Hermione for confirmation. He continued to look at Ron. His face felt on fire. The disappointment he'd been fighting and a ray of something he couldn't name fought for control.
"I won't be a notch on your bedpost though, Harry, and I won't be a party to yours and the twin's soirees."
"I think you should give it a try, Harry," said Luna, "explore the wonders of a new relationship, one-on-one, and see if this is what you want. I also think that Ronald and I should really take our leave and let the two of you talk."
After the happy couple left, Harry continued to stare at his shoes. He was quite familiar with them by now.
"Harry, say something." said Hermione. "I'm feeling a bit exposed here."
Harry smiled at her. "I know that feeling well lately. Is what they said true?"
"Yes," she responded in a whisper.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't I notice? Am I that self-involved?"
She walked over and sat on the floor by his feet. "No. You only saw what I wanted you to see. You aren't the only one who hides their feelings well."
"What happens if it doesn't work? I can't lose my best friend like that. I mean, Ginny and I were friends once, before she hated me, anyway. Now we avoid each other."
"If we are honest with each other and talk about things, we'll be fine. If what I hear is correct, then we could be friends with benefits should the relationship not work for us," she said with a wink.
"I'm not very good at talking about feelings and… stuff." he admitted.
"All I ask is that you try. You'll mess up; we both will, but if our hearts are in the right place, we can overlook minor grievances."
"I think, first, we should sleep on it."
"Why, Harry, whatever do you mean?" she said in a falsely innocent tone.
"I should be off work by seven. You could come by…"
"I'd love to, Harry."
"I still think true love and that soul mate rubbish is a myth."
"Then it seems to be my place to convince you otherwise. Get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."