A/N - Heyyy, ya'll! THANK YOU for all the reviews! I know it's a kind of late update, I'm sorry! But hey, this chapter's worth the wait, or at least, I hope so. ^_^ I sincerely hope you like this chapter. It's a wee bit longer than usual. Next chapter, the big match, and well, stuff! Btw, this chapter isn't beta-ed, so deal with me, hmm?
Chapter 14
"Jerry!" Hermione exclaimed in the silence that followed, and pulled him into a bear-hug. "It's so great to see you! I thought you were coming tomorrow-when did you arrive?"
He laughed heartily and gave her a squeeze back. "Last night. I stayed at this muggle hotel." He pulled back and looking over her properly. "I just knew it was you the moment I saw you," he grinned, his eyes twinkling merrily.
"That's because I'm the only female around, apart from Sarah here," she teased as Harry and Sarah glanced at each other, amused with the pair's antics. They acted like they've known each other for years; and they have, but it was rather strange to see them so comfortable on just the first meeting.
"Well...okay, yeah. I suppose you're right," he shook his head, laughing. "Harry Potter?" He inquired the obvious, stepping forward to shake Harry's hand firmly. "It's a pleasure, mate."
"Same," Harry smiled, already taken a liking to the fun-loving guy. "We appreciate you coming on such short notice."
"Well, I was threatened with bodily harm! How could I not have come?"
"You would've come anyway," Hermione said smugly.
"Just a warning though, the press will be all over you," Harry said apologetically. "You being this impromptu player and all..."
"The press will be all over us anyway," Hermione intervened thoughtfully. "Adam's gone, we're playing with just six members...And then they're going to wonder about Jess..."
"Merlin, if that ever came out we'll never hear the end of it," Harry muttered, and then shook his head. "Let's not worry about that now though. We'll cover for her...say she came down with verbal diarrhea or something."
They all fell silent.
"She does yap a lot," Harry said defensively, and Jerry grinned at him while the girls stifled their laughter.
"Be thankful she isn't around," Hermione commented slyly. "She would've boxed your ears."
"I could instead!" Oliver called, zooming down and getting off his broom with the rest of the team in tow. "Well, hello! Is this our new beater?"
Introductions were made, and then they had another round of practice, just so Jerry could prove himself.
"Hey, he's good," Harry commented to Hermione, watching Jerry swing a bat hard at a bludger, aiming it deftly between Ron and a temporarily inattentive Draco, who were barely one foot apart.
"Oi!" Ron called out, startled, clutching the handle of his broom with both hands to keep from falling over. "What are you trying to do, kill us?"
"Not you, just that sour-puss blondie over there! What is your name again, mate?"
Harry snorted in laughter while Hermione covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking.
Draco glared daggers at the Australian. "I don't like him," he snarled at Harry. "Look at how he's fooling around. Where the hell did you pick him up from, Potter?"
"He was Hermione's pen-friend," Harry told him. "He's our only choice right now, unless we want to have only five players out on the field. Besides, he's really good. Look, he's not fooling around anymore." Jerry was flexing his fingers on his bat, his eyes fixed on the bludger flying towards him. Once close enough, he swung his bat and sent it to the other side of the pitch. "I can't even tell who's better from him and Adam."
Draco rolled his eyes and flew away, armed with his bat and on the look-out for Steel. He narrowed his eyes at Ron who appeared next to him.
"Somebody's feeling insecure," Ron sing-sang, grinning at Draco.
"Someone wants a whack in the head," Draco threatened with the same tone, his bat raised.
"You need anger management, you bloody caveman," Ron said straight-faced, eyeing the weapon while guiding his broom away from the angry Malfoy slowly. "So touchy, Ferret Boy…It's not healthy, having such violent tendencies, you know…"
"Violent tendencies? I'll show you violent tendencies, you carrot-headed little pig!"
"HELP!"
* * *
Abby and Ginny were at work. The former kept eyeing the redhead, and Ginny wasn't really sure how to react. She didn't say anything though, but was sure there was something strange going on. For some reason, the silence was a little tense, but Ginny shrugged it off as she sipped at her tea thoughtfully while frowning down at the page she was reading.
"Odd," she muttered, and flipped the page to the other side briefly before turning it back again. "This whole document is messed up. First off, I can't understand the stupid handwriting." She put the thing down in exasperation, along with her cup, before leaning back in her chair and waving a hand in an annoyed fashion. "So many grammatical mistakes…" She grabbed it again and flipped to the last of the three pages, and looked at the bottom. She shook her head. "It's not even signed."
"Then leave it," Abby shrugged. "Switch to something else. If you have time later, type it out and see what happens."
"My head hurts," Ginny sighed, massaging her temples.
"I'd expect so," Abby told her cautiously, putting her quill down. "You came home stinking drunk last night."
"We went to this club," Ginny shrugged. "I don't really remember much after some dancing…"
"You don't remember…coming home or anything?"
"No…" Ginny frowned. "Wha-"
"Not even the part where you confess your undying love to him?"
"No," Ginny shrugged, grabbing a small piece of parchment and pressing her quill to it before freezing and snapping her eyes to her friend. "I beg your pardon?" She asked in disbelief.
"Well, Seamus and I were just watching a movie and then you two walked in…you were really drunk, Gin. Draco was too, but not as much as you. You said you love him." Abby couldn't help but giggle as she finished, "You called him Dwacie."
The youngest Weasley looked like someone had dropped a cockroach into her soup. "Please, please, please tell me you're pulling my leg," she begged, going over to Abby's desk and placing her hand flat on the wooden surface. "Abby…"
Abby patted her arm sympathetically. "Maybe he's forgotten what happened."
"No," Ginny shook her head vigorously. "Draco never forgets, drunk or not. He wasn't even here this morning when I woke up!"
"Well, he looked like he was in a hurry…"
The redhead groaned.
"Ginny, you never know; maybe he feels the same way."
"He's a Malfoy," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Even if he does love me, he'll never say it."
"I don't know what to tell you, love. I just thought you should know in case he confronts you about it."
Ginny sighed, and then shook her head. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," she waved a hand, returning to her desk. "How did your date with Seamus go?" She asked after a while, to take the other subject off her mind.
"It wasn't a date," Abby said evasively. "We just hung out and watched a movie. He's fun."
"He absolutely adores you," Ginny teased.
"And I have no clue why."
Ginny opened her mouth, and then scowled.
"I'm not even going to bother," she muttered, shaking her head before getting back to work. "You're really getting on my nerves.
"What did I do?" Abby asked, bewildered.
"Stop it," Ginny snapped. "You have this amazing guy at your feet; you're not being fair stringing him along."
"Stringing him along?" Abby repeated, staring at her. "I never asked him to like me or give me all this attention, Gin. He's the one persisting when I don't even want a relationship!"
"Well, you're obviously encouraging him," Ginny pointed out. "With this movie thing and all-"
"We're just friends," Abby spat.
"That's what you think," Ginny returned dryly. "He's obviously aiming for something else."
"We decided to be friends for now, okay? We're both comfortable with that right now."
"Oh yeah?" The Weasley raised her eyebrows. "Well then, look me in the eye and tell me he didn't try kissing you at least once last night."
Abby tensed and looked at the girl open-mouthed, words refusing to come out of her throat.
Ginny nodded, as if confirming what she'd said, wearing a smug smile. "I thought so."
The brunette's mouth snapped shut and she threw Ginny a dirty look.
Ginny laughed. "I knew it. Seriously though, you guys are so good together. Not to mention Seamus-he's just great. I mean, just give in. How can you resist that accent?"
Abby finally grinned. "I love his accent," she admitted, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
"Aha!" Ginny exclaimed triumphantly. "You do like him!"
Abby sighed. "Ginny..."
"You do! Just look at you, all blushing virgin." Ginny snorted in laughter. "Oh boy, you've got it bad."
"Now, I think you're exaggerating a little-"
"Tell me-you do, don't you?"
"Do what?" Abby asked innocently, signing her name at the bottom of an approved article.
"You like him."
"Ginny-"
"Just say it!"
The girl was practically hopping up and down on her seat with glee.
Abby shook her head. "Okay. I like him. But-" She held up a finger when Ginny's eyes lighted up. "You are not to tell him that. I need my space."
Ginny nodded eagerly.
"You know something?"
"What?"
"I don't know how Malfoy keeps up with you-you're barmy as hell."
* * *
A firm knock sounded on Hermione's door. She sighed deeply; she knew who it was. She didn't make any move to get up any answer, though, hoping that he'd think she was just asleep or something. No such luck, though. He knocked again.
Hermione got up, her expression one of sadness. She knew she couldn't avoid this forever, so might as well get it over with, even if it meant Harry would hate her.
She opened her door.
"Hi," she said softly, shuffling her feet on the carpet.
"Hey," he returned, impassive. "Can we talk?"
Stepping aside, she waved a hand to let him in. She sat down on her bed while Harry scooted her swivel-chair from her desk so it could face her before sitting down himself.
"So," he started uneasily, leaning back and resting his hands on the armrest with his elbows protruding.
Hermione shifted so she was sitting cross-legged on the bed and took a deep breath. Then, she spoke: "Adam and I broke up," she stated.
He didn't say anything, so she continued.
"It was stupid, really. He…he convinced me of something that was totally untrue, and I accused you of some horrible things. For that, I'm sorry. I was a complete idiot for believing him, thinking he had no reason to lie the way he did. I don't hate you," she said in a whisper, too ashamed to look him in the eye. "I-I said that just in the heat of the moment, and because I had believed something about you that was a total lie, and completely biased."
Harry tilted his head. Obviously, he did not understand.
"I shouldn't be making amends for myself, I know. I was in the wrong," she told him.
There was a long silence. He still didn't understand, and she couldn't even bring herself to tell him.
"What did he tell you, Hermione?" Harry finally asked in a low voice, leaning forward and bracing his forearms on his knees, his eyes looking at her face unwaveringly.
The brunette drew out a shuddering breath. "He-" She began hoarsely, before clearing her throat and trying again. "He said you were using me-that you were just a womanizer."
Harry did a double take and pursed his lips. "And you believed the bastard," he said in that same soft tone.
Hermione didn't know what to say.
Harry sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not blaming you," he finally muttered. "It's him, that stupid wanker."
"But I shouldn't have-"
"You don't know me that well, Hermione," he said bitterly. It was true. It was no wonder she let that piece of false information convince her of what appeared in the gossip column of Witch Weekly.
She swallowed. "Harry-"
"It's alright," he waved a hand.
She frowned.
"It's fine, really," he insisted when he saw her doubtful expression. "I guess he felt…threatened."
Hermione winced at the emphasis in the last word. That was so true. She felt it was so strange though-two men fighting over her. She was certainly not accustomed to this feeling. She was a little flattered, though…who wouldn't be?
Was that a tiny, triumphant smirk on Harry's lips, or was it just her imagination?
"I don't know what you saw in him anyway," Harry stated.
"I don't know either, to be honest. He was really nice though…all suave and gentlemanly," she chuckled. "As dumb as it sounds. But…I dunno, really."
"I guess he was safe, huh?"
Hermione glared at him.
"I'm sorry," Harry apologized sincerely. "I had no right."
She wrapped her arms around herself, and a small silence ensued.
"So," Harry declared suddenly. "Movie?"
That brought a smile to Hermione's lips. "You don't give up, do you? That must be the third time you've asked me."
He grinned lopsidedly, and Hermione's stomach erupted with butterflies. "Are you declining again?"
How could she resist that look? "No, fortunately for you," she shook her head, laughing softly.
He rose, grabbing her hand and pulling her off the bed. "Does that mean you're being forced to watch a movie with me?"
"I suppose I'll just have to suffer quietly," Hermione deadpanned as he dragged her out. "You're a slave-driver Harry Potter, and not only on the field."
Harry laughed heartily at that. "I keep you all on your toes, don't I?"
"That's the understatement of the year!"
"Shh, you," he said, nudging her into the large room.
"What do you want to watch?" Hermione asked with her hands on her hips as she surveyed the DVD library. "Hey, when did these new movies arrive?"
"Sent for them a while ago," Harry replied, going over to stand next to her. "I hear this one's good." He pulled one out. The Long Silence, it read.
"Harry Potter, obsessed with movies," Hermione chuckled. "Never would've guessed it."
"Not obsessed," he shrugged. "I just…like watching them."
"Right," she shook her head, taking the movie from him and going over to the VCR.
"Okay," he settled into the couch comfortably after killing the lights, and watched as she carefully put in the disk before grabbing the remote control and sitting next to him.
"One day, Potter," she commented, getting comfortable, and Harry looked at her quizzically. "One day, I'll find out where you get all your furniture from."
Harry grinned at her. "So you like it, aye?"
"Oh, definitely," she let her form relax and meld into the couch. "It reminds me of the couch back at Abby's apartment, only yours is more comfortable."
Harry laughed. "I can't believe we're sitting here discussing furniture."
Hermione flushed. "I like my furniture," she said defensively. "I'm really picky about stuff, particularly furniture."
"Comfort living," he said, his eyes laughing at her.
"Potter," she said warningly.
"Yeah, Miss I-Love-Furniture-More-Than-Books?" He grinned widely.
"You insult me," she told him, her eyes twinkling as well. "I don't love furniture more than books."
Harry shook his head. "Is there anything you love more than books?"
"Nope."
"No?" He nudged her playfully. "There's got to be something."
She nudged his elbow back before sitting up a bit and turning her torso towards him. "Not really. Oh, I love midnight walks. I actually have them every once in a while…the lake here is really amazing."
"But," Harry pressed, "Do you love them more than books?"
"No."
"Well, then?"
"I can't believe we're having this conversation."
"Well, you better answer me, Granger."
"I love…" She twisted her mouth to the side thoughtfully.
"Me?" He asked, smiling innocently.
"Right," she laughed, shoving his shoulder lightly. "Well, Quidditch, maybe. Books and Quidditch both are pretty much tied in my case."
"What, you find that funny?" He asked, feigning a wounded look. "Loving me?"
"Very much so," she teased.
"Yeah? Are you ticklish?"
Her eyes widened when she saw his fingers wiggling in her direction and tried lunging away from him, but he caught her firmly and tickled her side. Hermione gasped with laughter, squirming against the arm-rest of the couch.
"H-Harry! Please!" She managed, trying to push his hands away, laughing and crying at the same time as she slid downwards involuntarily in an attempt to move him, but he ended up almost on top of her. "S-stop…Mmmph!"
"Say Uncle," Harry said in a playful tone. When he stopped tickling her for a moment, Hermione took the chance to dig her fingers into his sides. He didn't even flinch.
She stared up at him in dismay. "This is so unfair."
His mouth spread into a wide grin. "Whoever said life was fair, hmm love? Now say Uncle."
She shook her head wordlessly, closing her fingers around his wrist. "No more," she said firmly.
He attacked again, pinning her down. "Say it!"
"Un-Uncle!" She finally gasped out, still laughing after he stopped, "You monster."
Harry didn't say anything; just tilted his head down at her. His knees were planted on either side of her hips, and Hermione was still holding his wrist as his hands rested comfortably on her waist. Hermione swallowed visibly when he brushed a lock of hair away from her face.
"You're beautiful," he told her, saying it more to himself than to her.
She felt drawn into his eyes, and couldn't look away. But suddenly, just when he started leaning down towards her, she broke eye contact and attempted to sit up. Harry backed off a little, but cupped her face in his hands so she'd look at him.
"Hey," he said softly, searching her eyes. "I'm not him, okay?"
Hermione gave him a smile. "I know," she replied, nodding. "But…let's just take this one day at a time and see what happens."
When this time Hermione pushed at his chest gently so he'd get off her, he wouldn't budge. She looked up at him in confusion, her hands placed on his shoulders.
"Do you like me?" He asked, tilting his head a bit.
Hermione looked away, her face heating up. "Harry-"
"Do you?" He asked a bit more firmly, lifting her chin so she'd look at him. "You can't deny the attraction between us, Hermione."
"I do like you," she admitted softly. "But…I…I mean…"
"I know," he nodded, dragging the backs of his fingers down her cheek slowly. "You've just gotten out of a relationship and all that…I understand."
"You know," she frowned a bit. "We weren't even that serious. I think we would've worked more as friends, not in a relationship…" She shook her head with a small smirk when she looked at his expression. "I know you're just dying to laugh and tell me that you told me so. Well, go on."
Harry smiled, but didn't comment on that. He was just happy to hear that from Hermione. He had known they weren't that serious, but now it was confirmed. "I really, really like you, Hermione Granger," he said. "But as you wish; we'll take it slow. I'm a patient man."
"Are you?" She couldn't help teasing him. "I rather got the vibe that you were far from patient, actually…"
"Ouch," Harry chuckled. "Okay, you're right. I'm not very patient when it comes to things I really want."
Hermione bit her lip, blushing harder. It was so long since she'd had such genuine attention from a man. So long, really, that the feeling was almost unfamiliar to her. Harry made her feel so special. On an impulse, and almost without thinking, Hermione boldly leaned up and gave him a light kiss on the mouth.
He smiled softly at her, and then to give her some space, Harry slowly adjusted himself so he was sitting properly back on the couch, but took her hand in his after she'd righted herself as well.
"Let me take you to dinner some time after the match?"
Hermione pursed her lips, and opened her mouth, but Harry cut her off.
"I shall be the perfect gentleman, I promise," he said dramatically, bowing his head.
Hermione laughed, "Harry, honestly."
"Say yes?" He smiled charmingly, lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles. Hermione's knees turned to jell-o, and if not for the fact that she was sitting, she would've stumbled.
"Okay," she agreed, smiling.
* * *
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