Chapter 10 - What Love (?) Can Do
Ron came back Tuesday afternoon, after his Quidditch training to find his two best friends in a heated embrace on the couch in their living room.
Ron cleared his throat and said loudly, "And about time, too!"
Harry and Hermione jumped apart, both blushing furiously upon realizing who walked in on them. They both stood up and tried to straighten themselves. Even for just a bit. Harry was shirtless, his hair messier than usual, his glasses askew and Hermione's blouse was open at the top, her lips a bit swollen from their earlier - erm - activities.
"Ron, mate! We didn't hear you come in!" said Harry in an awfully fake cheerful voice.
"Of course, you wouldn't. What - with what you're doing," Ron scoffed, muttering under his breath.
"What did you say?"
Ron straightened up. "Oh, no! Nothing, nothing, mate. I'm glad you finally were able to clinch things between you." He winked then turned to Hermione. "So, kicking me out the other night was all part of the plan, then? Ginny is really is a good friend, don't you think?" said Ron in a mock-serious voice while clasping his hands together, all the while trying to stop grinning.
Hermione blushed so hard and was unable to look at the both of them. Harry, on the other hand, turned to look at Hermione with his eyebrows raised.
"So the other night was a plan? And Ginny helped you plan it?" Harry grinned mischievously.
"Well - er - yeah…" said Hermione still blushing furiously.
Harry walked over to Hermione and held her in his arms. He tilted her head towards him and kissed her lips lightly. "I'm glad you planned that and even more so that it worked out well."
"Hey! None of that!" said Ron, mockingly covering his eyes.
"Sod off, Ron!" shouted both Harry and Hermione. They all laughed together, glad that the friendship they developed over the years was still there, stronger than ever, even with this new development between Harry and Hermione.
"Thank Ginny for me, Ron. I'm glad she's still there for us even after all these years. And the plan was brilliant!" said Harry.
"Well," Hermione turned back to Harry. "It really didn't work out, remember?"
"What? Wait, what didn't work out? But you - you…" said Ron, pointing at the two of them, "- you were - you were - erm - doing that!" he finished gesturing at them.
Harry laughed. "Can't say it outright, mate? `Mione just told me here about your rendezvous with Luna and you can't even mention `senseless snogging'?" he teased.
This time, it was Ron's turn to blush. Hermione giggled. "Well, Ron. See, it really didn't work out at first," she said while motioning for all of them to sit down. Ron had a funny look on his face as he looked from Hermione to Harry.
"I don't quite understand."
"Harry, here" Hermione nudged Harry, "brought home a girl the other night even with all the planning that Ginny and I did."
"YOU WHAT?!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop over-reacting, Ron!" And then she proceeded to tell what happened the other day with some help from Harry every now and then.
After they finished telling their story, Ron just shook his head and said, "Well, at least you're together now. Finally." Then he grinned at both his best friends.
Hermione stood up, walked over to Ron and pulled him up for a hug. "Thanks for understanding, Ron. It means a lot to us, to me-hearing that come from you."
"Are you kidding?" said Ron, hugging Hermione back. "I've been waiting for this to happen for a couple of years now. Even with Harry gushing over a lot of women for the last several years. I'm really glad you're finally together," said Ron sincerely.
Harry walked over and shouted, "Group hug!" Then he hugged both his best friends. Hermione, who was in the middle of them both, giggled while Harry whispered to Ron, "Thanks, mate."
"Don't thank me. It's about bloody time, you know," whispered Ron back.
Through their hug, something grumbling was suddenly heard. "Um, is dinner ready yet?" asked Ron sheepishly.
Both Harry and Hermione laughed and Hermione led both boys to the kitchen for their dinner.
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The following day at work, Hermione was humming on her way to her office. She greeted everyone she passed and she couldn't quite get rid of the stupid smile plastered on her face.
"Hey there, Eric! How's it going? Hi, Steve! Yes, I sure am! Hi, Beth! Yeah, I'm good. Hello Jane! What? I have a meeting scheduled this afternoon? No problem!" Hermione grinned at everyone and sashayed off to her office, finally closing the door, still humming to herself.
"What do you reckon is up with the boss?" asked Jane Brown, the Ministry's gossip queen and Hermione's secretary, a couple of years younger than Hermione and undoubtedly Lavender Brown's cousin, who sauntered over to Beth's cubicle. "She's been awfully cheerful since Monday."
Beth Keller just shrugged. "I don't know. But I'm happy she's like this rather than her bossing us around and yelling at everyone for the slightest mistake like last week."
"Yeah, that was totally unpleasant," Jane shivered at the thought. Hermione yelled her at almost three times a day last week for not getting her schedule straight. Since last week was a wreck for Hermione, the Department of International Magical Cooperation was on edge. "But I still would like to find out why the sudden change of mood."
Beth just rolled her eyes. "Suit yourself. But I think it would be best if we just leave her alone. Who knows how long this heaven would last?" Then she gestured for Jane to return to her table so that she could finally finish her report which was due that day.
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On the other side of the Ministry, Harry was in an equally cheerful mood. He could not quite get rid of the stupid grin he has on his face.
"Hey there, McDougal! Yeah, I'm great Bill! Never better! Hi Tonks! Long time, no see!" hugging her briefly but tightly. "How's Remus?" Tonks was unable to answer due to her shock at Harry's antics. "Hey there, partner!" high-fiving Neville, who has a stunned look on his face, on his way to his cubicle.
"What is up with Harry?" whispered Tonks to Neville. "I've been gone for a couple of days only and he's acting really weird already."
"Beats me. He's been like this since Monday, his goofy grin never leaving his face and I have no idea why. Kingsley's not too happy, either. He needs Harry's reports since yesterday and he hasn't turned anything yet," said Neville.
Angela, upon noticing Harry's arrival, plastered a perfect smile on her face and walked over to where Harry was.
"Do you think something's already happened between Smith and him to make him this happy?" asked Tonks, watching as Angela sauntered over Harry's cubicle, while Harry was fixing several parchments of reports.
"Nah, I don't `spect so," said Neville watching the scene unfold as well. "He's actually avoiding her, I think. Angela's been cornering Harry since last Monday and he didn't even give a slight recognition that she was there."
"Hi there, Harry," said Angela smiling her dazzling smile that could easily knock off any bloke's feet.
Harry, on the other hand, looked up and upon seeing Angela, just smiled good-naturedly and merely nodded in response. Then he went on fixing his reports and didn't even bother to glance at Angela again.
"You seem really jovial these last couple of days."
Harry's goofy grin returned again. "Oh, yeah, I am. Great week!"
Angela stayed where she was standing and watched Harry gather up all his reports. "You're not talking much to me, Harry since the incident on Sunday. We were getting on really good before that," said Angela, her tone suddenly serious.
"Oh?" said Harry, not really paying attention. "I wonder what time Kingsley expects these reports. Maybe I'll drop it off now," he said more to himself.
"What happened on Sunday?" whispered Tonks, still watching Harry and Angela interact with interest.
Neville just shrugged. "I don't know. Harry and I just got back from an assignment that day and I went home as soon as we were done."
Angela started to speak again and Tonks quieted down to listen. "I think something happened last weekend when I left you and that housemate of yours, am I right?" Then she added under her breath as she turned to walk back to her own cubicle, "I shouldn't have left then. I didn't think you would hook up with her. I mean, she's not even that pretty at all…"
But Harry, with his admirable Auror senses, picked up everything Angela said. Particularly that last bit pertaining to Hermione. He suddenly grabbed Angela's arm firmly before she even went away and turned her steadfastly so that they were face to face.
"Hermione's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She's not just beautiful on the outside but most especially on the inside. She knows how to care and to love. You just don't stand a chance against her," he growled although his voice was quiet.
Neville and Tonks, who were watching from the other side, suddenly hurried towards Harry and Angela. Tonks pulled Angela away from Harry's grasp and said, "Off you go now, Smith. I think Kingsley would like to have a word with you."
Angela turned to glare one last time at Harry, before stalking off. Her face was etched in disappointment, but her gaze held anger. Harry just looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"Harry, what in Merlin's name was that all about?" asked Neville upon releasing Harry.
Harry did not reply right away. He picked up his reports and before he started to walk away, he said in a low voice so as not to let the others, who were watching the scene they caused, hear, "She insulted Hermione." Then he left Neville standing in his cubicle, dumbfounded.
That was because of Hermione? I think I'm missing something here. Neville thought, scratching his head. He walked back to his cubicle to find Tonks waiting for him.
"What do you suppose was that all about?" he asked Tonks.
Tonks simply shrugged, "You heard Harry. I think there's more to Hermione than meets the eye."
Neville stared at her dumbfounded. Why does it seem that everyone is speaking in riddles?
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(A/N - THANK YOU, Lady Starlight! MWAH! ;p And thanks to everyone who read and reviewed!)
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