Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter 2-

Harry stalked into his flat and slammed the door behind him hard, making the windows shudder. Looking around the messy lounge, he was torn between punching holes into the walls or screaming so loud that he could be heard in South America. He opted instead for going out onto the balcony. It was dark and cold out but he didn't notice much. The cold was actually welcoming, and helped him cool off slightly.

'Who the hell does she think she is?!' the voice inside his head suddenly snapped furiously. He never thought he could be this angry with Hermione. It had been quite some time since they had a harsh fight. 'Why the bloody hell did she do that for? She knows I love Bianca- Why?!' Even in his head Harry was baffled beyond words. Sure, Hermione had told him two years ago that she wasn't very fond of Bianca. But that didn't mean that she had to go and ruin the best relationship he'd ever had. 'Ron's right,' he dismally mused, 'Hermione does have a horrible habit of ruining evrything.' Lost in his thoughts, Harry didn't notice the figure now standing inside the flat, watching him with worried eyes.

"You all right, mate?" asked Ron coming outside. He leaned on the veranda next to Harry to get a better look at his face. "It looks like you've been through shitsville."

Harry half-grinned. A first all day.

"You're home early," he replied, desperately hoping to make Ron change the subject.

"Yeah, well, it was a slow day... Decided to close early." Ron was now the owner of Quality Quidditch Supplies since the former owner wanted to retire. Ron bought the shop with the help of his wealthy twin brothers several years ago. "Don't change the subject on me, Potter."

'Drat.'

"What happened?"

Harry turned to sit on the cold veranda. Ron followed suit. He kept his eyes on Harry, patiently waiting for him to begin. All he did though was let out a heavy sigh.

"I proposed to Bianca," he said. It should be a joyful sentence to say. This was anything but.

"Congratulations, mate!" said Ron patting Harry on the back. Harry though wasn't smiling. "She did say yes, didn't she?" Harry gave out a heavy laugh. A lump was beginning to bother his throat.

"She said she wants to be friends and nothing more."

Ron was left speechless. "I- I'm sorry."

"No, don't be. Not like it's your fault."

"What do you think- Why?!" Ron was absolutley dumbfounded. Harry and Bianca looked genuinly in love to him! Why after two years would she do this? He asked himself those questions and many others, trying to figure out how a woman's mind works.

"You know, Hermione asked the same thing- Or at least was about to," said Harry hunching over and resting his head on his hands.

"Hermione was there?"

"No. I went over to her flat... I don't know what I was thinking, but I thought I could find a friend there."

"Harry, what are you talking about?" asked Ron confused. Harry shook his head and hopped off the veranda.

"Nothing. I really don't want to talk about it," he said in an either defeated or depressed tone- Ron couldn't tell which. "I'll see you in the morning."

Ron watched his best friend drag himself into the lounge. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Harry. Bianca was wonderful for him and it was strange that she did what she did. But also, what was the deal with Hermione? Ron heard a door close across the flat. It was Harry's. 'I guess I'll ask Hermione what happened in the morning,' he thought heading inside himself.

---------

Harry rolled over in bed muttering rather grumpily. This was the first time in months that he'd woken up so early in the morning. He lay there with his view blurred since he wasn't wearing glasses, wondering why he felt like someone had run him over with the Knight Bus.

'Oh, right,' he thought with a furrowed brow. 'Bianca and Hermione.'

Harry rolled again to reach his glasses on the nightstand when he heard voices in the lounge. It sounded as if Ron had female company. He really wasn't in the mood to see anyone this early. It was probably best to quickly barrell into the kitchen, get his morning tea and come back to his room before Ron could say 'Good morning.'

As quietly as possible, Harry opened his bedroom door and stepped out into the small, narrow hallway, tucking his wand into the waistband of his pajama bottoms. He could still hear Ron having what seemed like a deep conversation with a woman in hushed voices. Ignoring him completely, yet making sure he wasn't noticed, Harry briskly walked through the back of the lounge without a glance and into the kitchen. With a flick of his wand the kettle instantly boiled some water while he rummaged around in a cabinet for the tea bags. Pouring the water, he could still hear Ron and wondered just how long he'd been talking to that girl. Curiously, yet cautiosly because he was holding his scorching hot tea, Harry poked his head out through the doorway.

He saw Ron sitting on the floor by the fireplace- Actually, it was more like the top of his firey red head over the back of the couch. Slowly craning his neck, Harry realized he was the only one there. 'Who in blazes is he talking to?... Has he gone absolutely starkers?' It was then that he noticed Ron was facing the fireplace and was hunched over as if listening intently. A small voice appeared to be coming from inside the fireplace.

Undisturbed, Harry started his quiet walk back to his room when he heard the person in the fireplace mention his name.

"I need you talk some sense into Harry."

"You know he won't listen to me," replied Ron. "It really is best that he hears the whole story from you."

"But I told you what happened last night. He's being so difficult!"

Harry turned to see who it was and felt slightly torn. It was Hermione. Immediately he felt the anger rise up. It felt as if an entire hive of angry bees was buzzing around in his head. He couldn't think of anything else other than what made him angry about her. But just looking at her face full of obvious pain and worry, even from a distance, made him feel a little sorry for exploding on her and saying what he said. That thought was instantly pushed to the back of his mind.

"Harry!" said Hermione in surprise finally noticing him standing there.

"I'll leave you two to talk," said Ron getting up off the floor.

"No!" they both said in unison. Ron looked oddly at both his friends.

"I was leaving anyway," Hermione said softly. "I'll talk to you later, Ron."

"Okay."

Pop!

"What were you talking to her about?" asked Harry suspiciously.

"You know what we were talking about." They stood across the room from each other. Apparantly Ron was waiting for realization to dawn on Harry's face, but it never came. "Last night, you git. We were talking about what happened at her flat last night. You really should talk to her."

"I'm not talking to her," Harry said defiantly.

"According to Hermione, you never let her explain about Bianca-"

"What is there to explain? She broke up-"

"Harry, stop interrupting! This is a once in a lifetime moment that I'm being more reasonable than you." Harry kept quiet, a hard look etched on his face. "Talk to Hermione. Just hear her out for five minutes. Bianca's really not what you think-"

"What are you getting at? What did Hermione tell you about her?" he asked, his temper rising.

"Everything. And to tell you the truth, it all makes sense now."

"Ron, stop playing mind games with me and say it straight."

"No. It's best you hear it from your other best friend."

Ron had remained calm throughout this whole discussion. But Harry was beginning to get difficult. Hermione was right. She was going to have a hell of a time trying to explain her actions to him. Without a word, Harry had turned and stormed into his room. Frustrated, Ron fell onto the couch. Faint thuds and slams were coming from inside Harry's room, but Ron didn't care in the least. 'He's probably in there acting like a fucking six year-old slamming his closet door having a hissy fit.' It actually was amusing to think of Harry like that. The smallest of grins tugged at the corners of Ron's mouth. Moments later Harry was stalking past him.

"Where are you going?" asked Ron watching Harry grab his cloak off the armchair.

"To Bianca's."

"She's not there- Hermione told me she owled her saying she was leaving for Dublin." Harry's head snapped back to face Ron properly. Before Harry could ask why Bianca decided to communicate with her instead of him, Ron continued. "Today."

Harry's eyes rounded with astonishment. Not only did she decide to break it off with him, but she was leaving too?! He couldn't believe it.

Pop!

Ron sat there for a moment, looking at the spot where Harry was standing seconds ago. 'If only he'd listen to Hermione, he wouldn't be acting so childish right now,' he thought getting up to make himself some breakfast. He pulled out enough food for two, betting his Firebolt 4000 (autographed by the whole English National Quidditch Team- a gift from Fred and George) that Hermione was going to show up wanting some company.

----

Ch. 3 is on the way... Prepare for drama!! *Dramatic music plays in background*