A/N:: **This fic has been edited from it's original version. It has been formatted to fit your screen… just kidding. But, it's a bit more intense, and please keep in mind that it is rated PG-13.
So, I suppose I should explain this a little bit. This is a twelve part fic. I took it upon myself as a personal challenge to see if I could do it and make it work. So far, it has. I am basing this fic off of the album "Affirmation" by Savage Garden. Each chapter is based off of one of the songs from the album. I wanted to go in order, but there was no way that was going to happen. So far I think it's turned out fairly well, but we'll see.
This isn't your typical songfic. I don't have the song intruding in to the fic [except for one or two], rather instead I have the lyrics worked in to the pieces. They are all worked in differently, either by spoken word, or thought, or something. If you can pick it out, kudos to you. If you want, you can look up the lyrics to each song; it may help you understand the piece a bit more. It may help you to get a feel of the fic if you have heard the songs, but if not, that's okay too. Hopefully I've been able to convey it well enough. The title of each chapter is the title of the song that will be portrayed in it.
Disclaimer:: I do not own, nor do I claim to own any of the characters used in this piece of work. I also do not own any of the songs by Savage Garden; I am simply borrowing their ideas and creating it in to my own bit of work.
With all of that said, enjoy!
Chained to You
It was one of those nights.
You know, one of those nights.
One of those nights where nothing could possibly go wrong. It's one of those nights that you think it's all too good to be true. For me, it wasn't. It was perfect. I was the man.
Okay, maybe I exaggerated a bit with the last part.
Ahem.
Okay, okay, fine. I was a total wreck, but the night was still pretty good. Confusing, yes, but good none-the-less.
It was Ginny's birthday, and she was having a huge bash. She rented out the Leaky Cauldron. When I arrived, the party was already in full swing. Music was blaring and people were dancing. I made my way over to the bar, which was packed with an assortment of food. I asked the bartender for a firewhiskey. With my drink in hand, I turned to survey the crowd. There were many familiar faces. I spotted Ron and Hermione sitting at a table with a few other people off in the corner. My heart gave an unstable lurch as I spotted Ron and Hermione holding hands. Why should my heart lurch? They've been dating for three years or so now. Why should it matter?
Beats me.
I plastered a smile on my face as I sat down next to Hermione.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" I asked.
"Hey Harry! Good to see you!" Hermione said, smiling warmly at me. My smile became real as I smiled back at her.
"Harry! How are you?" Ron asked.
"Good, thanks," I replied semi-sarcastically, "and you?"
"Oh I'm fine thanks. So how have you been? I haven't seen you in ages!" Ron replied, picking up on the game.
"Oh I know, it's been too long mate," I said, smirking. Truth was that we'd seen each other earlier in the day. We worked together at the Ministry. Hermione was looking between us, bewildered. We were both trying hard not to laugh, but couldn't resist anymore. We both started cracking up, and everyone was looking at us like we were freaks. Okay, I suppose they had every right to, considering we were freaks… and but that's beside the point.
Other than our bit, everyone was just making the usual small talk that goes along with social gatherings. Also sitting at the table were Neville and Luna. They had remained friends, actually best friends, and I was happy for them. They had tried dating, but they were better off friends. It was like the old gang was together again; there was just one missing.
And then I spotted her.
She was in the middle of the dance floor, dancing as if no one was watching. She looked so free out there. She was completely oblivious to my staring. She just had this glow to her, and she was gorgeous as ever. I hadn't really seen her since we'd broken up back in my 6th year. But now, here she was. I smiled, though something felt different. Something just wasn't the same, but I couldn't put a finger on it. I felt a shiver flow through me as she swiftly flipped her sleek orange hair over her shoulder and kept dancing.
"Ron, please!" I heard Hermione hiss. I looked over to see a grimacing Ron staring at the table, his hand wrapped tightly around a drink.
"Hermione, drop it," he hissed back through clenched teeth.
"Ron, please no more," Hermione begged through a whisper.
"I'm a big boy," Ron shot, looking up and narrowing his eyes at her. He downed the drink in one gulp, and then got up to go over to the bar. In his wake he left Hermione, sitting staring at her hands in her lap. Tears began forming in Hermione's eyes, but none fell. She looked up and made brief eye contact with me. The fear in her eyes was so intense it made my heart skip. I sent her a questioning look, but she just looked away.
I got up to go get another firewhiskey from the bar. While I was waiting for my drink, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to look in to the beaming face of Ginny Weasley.
"Hey Gin--" I started, but was cut off by her grabbing my hand and dragging me on to the dance floor. I felt like a fool, to say the least. That feeling soon fell away though.
Dancing with Ginny was amazing; she made it seem so easy and free. We were laughing as we walked off the dance floor together. We found a quieter section of the room. I still remember this perfectly. We were standing all alone; you were leaning in to speak to me. Acting like a mover shaker, dancing to Madonna…
And then you kissed me.
And I think about it all the time. Passion, desire, so intense, I can't take it anymore! I feel the magic all around you, it's bringing me to my knees like I want to be - no, I've got to be chained to you.
Ten steps back you're still a mystery.
My head was in the clouds; I didn't know what to think. We started to slow dance, and everything was supposed to feel good.
But, it didn't. I don't know why. Hermione and Ron made their way over and cut in. Ron wanted to dance with his sister, the birthday girl. That also meant me dancing with Hermione. I didn't think anything of it, but I couldn't help but notice the flutter in my chest when I put my hands on her waist. She snaked her arms around my neck, and a shiver ran down my spine.
"So, you and Ginny kissed, huh?" Hermione asked. I wasn't sure, but I thought Hermione's eyes flickered when she said that.
"Yeah," I replied uncomfortably. Hermione nodded.
"So, err … are you guys, you know …well… back together?"
"No," I said, furrowing my eyebrows. Hermione looked surprised. I didn't blame her. I was surprised myself. Truth was, I didn't really want to get back together with Ginny. There was something in the way, but I still couldn't place what it was. We finished dancing in silence.
The rest of the night was a blur. Frankly, I had a few too many firewhiskeys after that to be able to recap properly. All I know is that when I said good bye to Ginny, she was really passive and unemotional. She acted as if nothing had happened. I don't blame her. Then again, she was a little tipsy and having trouble just standing up… but whatever. The night was so confusing to me; I'm just trying to make something of it. I keep coming up short though.
I think about it all the time.
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