A/N -You guys are awesome! I loved the response for the last chapter; it had me grinning for the rest of the day! I just had to sit down and write another chapter for all you wonderful people. The angst is drawing out a little, huh? A few of you aren't too pleased, but I can't have them together yet! I want to make you beg and plead first. Okay, I'm kidding. =P Seriously though, some things need to be done first. Anyway, here's chapter 11.
Chapter 11: Harry…or Adam?
Harry, Adam, Harry, Adam, Harry, Adam, Harry. Harry. No, Adam…Harry?
Agh!
Why were things suddenly so messed up? Just how did things get so complicated for her? She was living so comfortably in France; there she practically didn't even have to think. She had a good life. She had a good life here too, though; she knew some really amazing people, was part of a popular Quidditch team, and had a sweet and attentive boyfriend.
Who she'd gone and cheated on, kissing Harry back like that.
She felt so guilty over that. She didn't regret that kiss, but it wasn't like she was proud of it either. Hermione knew she shouldn't have, but she was just so damn attracted to Harry, a fact she'd now come to accept. See, this was another complication. She didn't even want Adam's kisses anymore.
Okay, so, she thought Harry was being a total dick, acting like that towards her for something she didn't even do, but now…Ugh. He was showing this sudden interest in her, when it was already too late; when she was already with Adam.
How was she just supposed to drop Adam and run to Harry? She and Harry would both be happy, but that would arise even more complications. It would probably result in feuds between Harry and Adam, and ruin this ideal team-work they all had a hand in. Not to mention Adam would be hurt. She knew, after these months knowing Adam, that he had a fierce temper when provoked. Besides, Harry/Adam feuds equaled to everyone angry, and they'd blame it on her, right? After all, this all started after she'd joined the team.
She was sure Adam had noticed something…he wasn't stupid. She herself had caught Harry staring at her many times; it wouldn't be a huge feat for someone else to notice it as well. Like Jess. Oh, that girl. Nothing could go past her. The other day, Hermione was just sitting in her window-seat when Jess quietly came in and shut the door.
"Hey," she said quietly, going over to sit opposite Hermione.
The brunette tilted her head slightly and furrowed her eyebrows, looking at her friend intently. "Hey, Jess. Is something wrong?"
Jess looked uncertain for a second before that expression turned into one of determination. "Hermione, is there something going on between Harry and you?"
"Wha-" Hermione's eyes widened. "No, I-"
"Look, I don't care," Jess interrupted, eyeing her firmly. "I just don't want my brother hurt, okay?"
"Jess-"
"I'm not stupid, Hermione," she snapped. "I can tell. I can see how the two of you look at each other, and so can everyone else."
Another reason.
Hermione didn't know what to do anymore.
* * *
Adam was sitting quietly on his bed, looking forlornly out the window. Suddenly, his attention was diverted when Hermione sat down next to him, looking at him inquisitively.
"Hey," he said, forcing a smile.
"What's wrong?"
He shrugged. "It's nothing."
"It's clearly something…"
"Actually, yeah, it is, but…I can't talk to you about it. Not yet, anyway. I have to talk to Jess first."
Hermione frowned, slightly hurt, but then brushed it off. Of course he would put his twin above her; after all, she was closest him, but still...It didn't mean he had to snub her off like that. Right?
"But…" he hesitated, eyeing her."There was something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Yes…?" Hermione swallowed, the guilt of what she did, and him somehow finding out about it, overwhelming her senses.
"I feel like we're…falling apart somehow."
She felt it too. Very much so. "You're breaking up with me," she said flatly.
"No," he said in surprise. "No, of course not. But…do you feel it? I feel there's something come between us."
"Adam-" she bit her lip, but then looked away, staring down at her lap.
Adam scooted closer, looking at her in concern. "What is it?"
"Never mind," she said in a small voice.
"Tell me," he touched her thigh. "What's wrong?"
"I-" She pursed her lips together tightly, tears leaping to her eyes. "I'm so sorry."
"Hermione," he said, alarmed now as he lifted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. "What happened?"
"I-I kissed Harry," she whispered, and Adam froze. She was aware it was the other way around, but it was best to avoid problems between Adam and Harry…this was about her and Adam, after all; no point in bringing Harry into it. It'd only cause more problems.
"You what?"
Her chest lifted with the deep breath she filled her lungs with. "I kissed Harry."
Adam slumped in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck.
Hermione stared at her lap for a while before looking up at him, and was confused when she didn't see him as upset as she'd expected. "You-aren't you upset about this?"
"I sort of guessed," he told her bluntly.
"I'm so sorry," she sniffed. "I-I just don't know…"
"I have the feeling that it was Harry who initiated that kiss, not you." When Hermione didn't say anything, he nodded, as if to confirm his suspicions. "I knew it."
"I shouldn't have kissed him back though…"
"It's okay, love. Potter's always been a player."
Hermione frowned. "Really?"
Adam nodded, patting himself on the back mentally. "This isn't the first time he's tried to steal a girl from me."
A white lie…it couldn't hurt, could it?"
Oh, Hermione…so, so naïve…
"I never thought he'd be the type to," Hermione said, looking thoughtful. "He seems like such a nice guy."
"Don't let appearances fool you."
"But," she bit the side of her lip. "Are we okay now?"
"Of course," he smiled at her, and Hermione felt relieved, leaning over to hug him tightly.
"I promise it won't happen again."
"I believe you," he kissed the side of her neck, smirking.
* * *
"Hermione," Harry called that night, knocking on her door. "Can I come in?"
He heard hurried footsteps, and a second later, Hermione opened the door, but only enough to accommodate her body.
"Hey," he smiled, although a bit confused when she didn't move to let him come in.
"Hey, Harry," she said civilly. "Did you want something?"
Now his look grew incredulous. Why was she acting this way? "I was just wondering if you'd want to watch a movie with me. I was bored."
"No, thanks…I think I'm going to turn in early tonight."
Harry slid his foot to keep the door open when she was about to shut it in his face. "Did I do something to tick you off?" He asked softly.
Hermione plastered a smile on her face. "No, of course not. I just don't feel like company tonight."
"Well…" he said slowly."I'll still be downstairs if you change your mind."
She nodded. "Good night, Harry."
"Good night."
* * *
"Are you serious?" Seamus laughed, poking a meatball with his fork.
Abby nodded vigorously. "We were so crazy back then."
"Sounds like fun though," he smiled. "I've never been to France."
"It's a wonderful place."
They fell into an awkward silence, the only noises were of clinks of forks against plates and the quiet chatter of people around them.
"I'm really glad you decided to come," Seamus said softly. "I was scared you were going to cancel out on me or something."
Abby blushed guiltily. "I almost did."
Seamus grimaced. "I don't bite, you know."
"I know, I'm sorry," she averted her eyes. "It's just myself that I don't trust."
Seamus didn't ask her to elaborate further, but didn't know what to make of it.
Abby leaned forward, putting her fork down. "Seamus, seriously, it's nothing against you. It's just…I got out of a bad relationship, you see."
He nodded. "Yeah, I can tell. But I'm not the type of guy who'd get you into trouble and then leave you to deal with it."
She'd thought the same about her ex-boyfriend too, and then, look what happened.
"This is just sort of a make-amends dinner, huh?" He smiled sadly. "You don't consider this a date or anything."
She fingered her napkin. "I do."
"Do you?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Yes. I…I really like you, Seamus. You don't know hard this is for me-"
"Then give me a chance," he interjected. "Give me a chance and I'll prove to you that I can be better than that other guy."
Abby shook her head. "It's not that easy. It was hard enough agreeing to this, and I know this one date could lead to many more. I'm aware of that. I'm just not ready."
"I'll accept that," he nodded. "How about we start off as friends then?"
She smiled. "I'd love that."
Seamus gave her a grin. "It's settled then."
* * *
"Jess…"
"Adam, what's wrong?" Jess asked in concern, tugging on his sleeve. "You're so pale…"
"I got a letter last night."
"Who from?"
"Mom."
"And?"
Adam wordlessly pulled out a thick folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to his sister.
"No," Jess whispered, skimming over it, her face ashen as she dropped down onto her bed. "Cancer? Oh my god…"
Adam sat down next to her and pulled her into a hug, letting her cry on his shoulder.
"You realize what this means?" He asked quietly after she'd calmed down, and felt her nod into his shoulder.
"One of us will have to go," she whispered. "I will."
"Are you sure? I can go if you want."
"No," she shook her head. "She needs me. You stay here."
* * *
Hermione tiptoed downstairs nervously, looking over her shoulder. She couldn't sleep for the past hour, so she thought she'd just hop down into the kitchen to grab a bite, as she'd barely eaten at dinner.
She was scared Harry would see her though; she didn't want him to think she'd taken him up on his offer.
She breathed in relief when she saw the light coming from the entertainment room, the door slightly ajar. From where she was standing, Hermione was sure she couldn't be seen. She walked slowly toward the kitchen door, her eyes still fixed on the door behind which Harry should be sitting.
"What are you doing?"
Hermione's head snapped around in alarm and she clapped her hands on her mouth to keep from screaming in fright when she saw Harry right in front of her face. Harry fought to keep a straight face, but ended up laughing silently, pulling her by the arm into the kitchen.
"Stop that," she snapped at him, her eyes wide as she collapsed into a chair. "Merlin…"
"Sorry," Harry laughed, grabbing his open can of coke from the counter and took a chug. "It was just you looked like you were going to rob the place or something, snooping around like that."
Hermione flushed a deep red. She was so busted.
"So you changed your mind? I'm watching some stupid horror movie in there. I was going to make some popcorn."
She shook her head. "I couldn't sleep, so I just thought I'd-"
"Have a midnight snack?" He said, the hint of a smirk around his lips, remembering their encounter in that very kitchen.
She nodded, averting her eyes, and got up. She stood in front of him, motioning with her hand.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Do you mind?" She asked impatiently.
"Sure," he said, straight-faced. "What about?"
"I need to open the refrigerator, Harry."
"Well, open it. Who's stopping you?"
"You, obviously, standing like that."
Harry shrugged, shifting his stance so he was leaning more properly on said appliance, casually taking a sip of his drink. "I don't know, Hermione; I'm pretty comfortable."
Her eyes flashed. "Don't play games, Harry."
Harry smiled. "What's bothering you?"
"You!"
"No, I mean…what's bothering you?"
"Just move, Harry."
"No, seriously…what's wrong?"
"Harry," she said warningly, grabbing his arm and tried to pull him away, but he wouldn't budge. "For Merlin's sake, just move."
He took her hand from his arm and held it in his. "Tell me."
Hermione wrenched it away like she'd been burnt. "Don't touch me," she whispered, taking a step back.
Harry frowned. "Why are you being like this? We were just fine this morning!"
She glared at him. "What do you want from me?"
Harry gaped at her. "What are you talking about?"
"Harry, stop those games, okay? I'm sick of them."
Harry sighed, leaning his head back. "Is it my fault if I want you so much?"
"Want, is it?" She said bitterly. "Is this what it's all about?"
"No, I didn't mean it like that, Hermione-" Harry started, his eyes wide. "Honestly, I-"
"I don't want to hear it," she snapped. "Stop this right now. I'm sick of you messing with my head."
"I'm not messing with your head," he said quietly, coming towards her, his eyes full of confusion. "I just…I really want to be with you, Hermione."
"Yeah, right," she said, her chest heaving with anger. "You almost messed up mine and Adam's relationship!"
"Shh," Harry put a finger on her lips, his eyes burning into hers with such intensity that she couldn't get herself to look away. "Let's talk about this calmly, alright?"
"No," she shook her head vehemently. "I don't want to."
By now, Harry had her backed up against the wall.
"Let go," she spat, glaring up at him defiantly.
"You're too angry right now," he shook his head, his hands holding her upper arms firmly, but not enough to hurt. His body was at least a few inches away from hers, but other than his hands, there was no physical contact.
"I'm fine!"
"Sure you are."
His calm and collected presence annoyed her even more. "I-I hate you," she hissed.
"No, you don't," he said softly, his mouth inches away from her ear.
"Yes, I do. Let go of me. Now."
His nose brushed against the outline of her ear. "Hermione…"
Her breath quickened, and the hands that were gripping his arms, sunk their fingernails into them.
Harry kissed her jaw lightly, and she already felt her control waning as he made his way down her jaw-line, and then her cheek. "You…" he whispered, kissing the corner of her open mouth, but didn't finish his words as Hermione summoned all her strength and pushed him away.
"I hate you," her voice shook, furious at him for supposedly taking advantage of her vulnerability. "I hate you, Harry Potter."
And with that, she walked out, leaving him standing there, stunned.
* * *
A/N - I AM SO EVIL! I know. Don't hate me too much. Please? I know there's a lot of drama going on lol…just, bear with me for a while. I know what I'm doing. Review, k. =)
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