The Interview Part II
"Maybe the rumors haven't stopped because the potential of something great just… never disappeared."
Was he right?
Harry Potter couldn't help but wonder if perhaps that reporter was right.
They were halfway down the hall, walking in a decidedly uncomfortable silence when Harry suddenly remembered…
"My cloak!"
Ginny blinked and looked at him oddly. "What?"
"I left my cloak back in his office," Harry clarified. "I'll be right back, Gin."
She nodded. "I'll wait."
Harry briskly walked back and noticed the door was slightly ajar.
"…Maybe the rumors haven't stopped because the potential of something great just… never disappeared."
Although his brain seemed to stop working just then, mechanically Harry just then poked his head in. "Oh, excuse me again. I left my cloak behind."
"Oh, no problem," the reporter said, handing him his emerald cloak.
"Good day to you then," Harry smiled-perhaps a bit forced?-and left the reporter alone again.
Oh. Hell.
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Silence ensued as the pair made their way back to Ginny and Luna's flat.
Thoughts ran though Harry's mind.
Somehow, Harry knew the reporter was talking about him and Hermione. It was an inference on Harry's part-but what else could the reporter have been talking about?
But there were bigger questions on Harry's mind. Like…
What would've happened if he and Hermione had gotten together?
He would've gotten nagged a lot… probably would've gone to a lot less quidditch games… and yet… Harry knew he would've been taken care of. Loved. Hermione already proved that she would walk to hell for him, and Harry knew she'd do it again if she had to. And the same for him. He and Hermione probably would've a lot more movies, laughing at what parts would have Ron confused. He'd probably spend a lot more comfortable nights at home instead of partying-Gin liked to dance and party, where Harry normally felt quite awkward. Harry remembered numerous times at a wizarding club where he wished Hermione was there-she too disliked that sort of atmosphere, and the two could've been comforting to the other.
Of course-if he and Hermione had ever gotten together.
And right now, as he looked sideways at Ginny, who likewise seemed to be deep in thought-love didn't course through his veins.
Regret did.
Perhaps regret is too strong a word-Ginny probably would've been the perfect partner for Harry if he was a normal boy, not "The Chosen One" or "The Boy Who Lived". If he had been an ordinary wizard (an oxymoron in itself) and Voldemort had never existed.
But he wasn't-and while he craved normality, his hero complex never died, and the person who could help him and understand him the best was Hermione.
But-but hell! He was engaged! Now what was a bloke to do?
Glancing over at Ginny again, he noticed that she seemed to be having a revelation of sorts. Her concentration was almost frightening and Harry couldn't help but ask, "You okay, Gin?"
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She seemed to snap out of whatever reverie she was in and attempted a smile. "I'm…" Ginny sighed, unable to put up a strong front. She was never as good at that as Harry and Hermione were. "Harry… we should talk."
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They were at Ginny's flat now-an empty flat, for Luna was somewhere with Ron.
Still seemingly uncomfortable, the two settled down on the worn couch that they had spent many a night on.
"What did you want to talk about, Gin?" Harry questioned softly.
"I think we should end this," she replied bluntly, yet just as quietly.
Harry blinked. He certainly wasn't expecting that. "What… what brought this on?"
"That interview," Ginny began slowly, "made me realize… we aren't meant to be, Harry. I remembered, suddenly, of someone much better suited for you, whether she realizes it or not… It's… god, Harry, it's complicated. I realized that I could never really mean as much to you as she does. And-I'm not even talking romantically here! She's… she's yours, Harry. Your other half. Honest to goodness, she is. And your hers. We've-we've both been blind, I think, not to see it. But… it's not fair to you, or to me, to get married with this huge `what if' in our closets. I don't want you or me to look back on this when we're 40 and regret it.
"I will never regret the time I spent with you, Harry. Because it's helped me realize what love really is. Where two people know each other but may not always understand them… and yet, they love them anyway. We know each other Harry, but we could never know each other as well as you two… you and she… know each other. So I think we owe it to ourselves to end it, Harry. To our futures."
She expected him to completely understand her, she really did. Yet…
"Who are you talking about, Gin?"
… Perhaps this was why they were never that well suited.
But Ginny merely smiled at his daftness and said softly, "Hermione, Harry. Who else?"
And really… who else would it be?
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Harry blinked. "What do I do now?" He asked his ex-fiance.
Ginny laughed. "Harry," she said, "I think that Hermione would take you if you showed up at her door in a paper sack."
Harry flushed, then stood up. "Thank you, Gin," he said honestly. "And…. I hope… you find someone for you, too. You know, your other half."
Remembering a short, yet sweet affair she had before she reunited with Harry, Ginny smiled. "I hope he'll let me find him."
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Harry wasn't sure what to do next. Yes, he definitely wanted to pursue a relationship with Hermione, who was, thankfully, single. But… did she feel the same way?
He wouldn't rush into romantics-not yet, not without some evidence (evidence-Hermione really did influence him-) that she was infatuated with him as well.
Throwing his jacket over the couch as he arrived home, Harry thrust some powder into the fire. "Hermione Granger's house!" He yelled. Sticking his head within the flames, he waited patiently.
Tap, tap, tap. He could hear her feet pad across her floor to greet him.
"Harry?" The voice he knew so well called out.
The smile was evident in his warm tones. "Hey, Hermione. Fancy a chat?"
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End
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Notes: You probably hate me, and I get that. Not only was I supposed to update this a month ago, but the ending isn't all that satisfactory, is it? Truth be told, I was never good at writing confrontations between Harry and Hermione, so I will give that job to your imagination. However, if someone is interested in writing a companion to this featuring the conversation, drop me a line.
I have another one-shot in my head but don't plan on it being up. I have one story on fictionpress and two on fanfiction that need finishing up. Then I'll return to Walls of My Life: Like Shattering Glass.
Until then,
Ciao!
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