Just One Night
Chapter 6 - Your What?
Hermione Granger lay in her full sized bed in her dorm at New Salem Institute thinking. Instead of the usual thoughts that normally consumed her like her studies, homework, or her best friend Harry Potter, thoughts of her boyfriend filled her mind. Yes, Hermione had a boyfriend. Long given up on her hopes of ever snagging Harry, Hermione felt she had finally found that special someone.
She and Kyle hit it off extremely well. They had a lot in common. They shared the same fervent interest in education. Also, they were both muggle born and shared both magical and non-magical interests. And there was no denying there was a strong sexual attraction between the two, a chemistry so to speak.
Kyle was also very intelligent and always respectful of Hermione. This was one of the things that she loved about him. Hermione thought about his gorgeous eyes. He also had very kissable lips, which she did kiss often. And his body. He was definitely in great shape. Even though he was not a sports fanatic, he could easily give the best Quidditch player a run for their money in that department.
They had grown very close lately spending the last couple of months of the school year together and both decided to stay at school for the majority of the summer to earn extra credits. Hermione knew that Kyle desired to take their relationship a step further. They had yet to cross the line of being intimate. Hermione could not help but remember what it felt like to be that close to someone and she often wondered what making love to Kyle would be like. Kyle was more than ready to pursue a sexual relationship with her. But something kept holding Hermione back. Oh, she did desire him, quite a bit actually. There was no doubt about that, but she always felt that there was something missing, some crucial ingredient.
'Love,' a thought popped in her mind. That could be it. Sure she cared deeply for Kyle and he had become truly special to her. But did she love him? Did she even want to love him? She could not help but remember the pain disappointment that was a result of loving Harry.
"Oh, this is ridiculous," she said out loud to herself. Everything always came back to Harry. Well she was sick of it. Hadn't she moved on. 'No this is not about Harry,' she thought. She had a boyfriend now and though she still missed Harry deeply, she hadn't thought of him in a romantic way since she began dating Kyle. Yet, he always seemed to pop into her mind when she began getting closer to Kyle. Also, she had yet to reveal to Harry that she even had a boyfriend.
Hermione pushed her musing of Harry out of her mind and focused on Kyle. She would just see where their relationship took her. If it was meant to be, then so be it.
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The next day after classes, Hermione walked into the living room of the dorm and slumped down on the couch to relax after an extremely vigorous yet satisfying day. It was the beginning of the school year and as always the first couple weeks were filled with the excitement of adjusting to new classes and subjects. Hermione still thrived on learning and was really enjoying the start of the new school year.
Hermione looked up when a familiar owl flew through the window. It was Hedwig with a letter from Harry. She exchanged letters regularly with Harry and Ron. They were still very close and affectionately known to family and friends as the trio. Hermione only wished that she could see them more often. Their schedules did not permit a visit over the summer and she was hoping to see them around Christmas.
Hermione took the letter from Hedwig and offered her a treat before settling into her chair to read the letter. She felt a jolt of excitement when she began to read the letter, realizing that Harry must have been thinking along those same lines.
Dear Hermione,
I hope this letter finds you well. This Quidditch season is turning brutal. As I am sure you already know, Ron injured his arm in the last match against the Wimbourne Wasps. (Of course Hermione did know this, as she always followed their matches.) Thankfully, we don't have a gave this weekend and we will be able to recuperate. Which brings me to the purpose of writing this letter. Since we are free, I was hoping that Ron and I could come for a visit. It's been ages since I saw you last. And I must say that I miss seeing your face. Things just aren't the same with you not around.
Please send you reply back with Hedwig. If all is clear, we will be there at six o'clock on Friday. And sorry for the short notice.
Love,
Harry
Hermione excitedly put the letter down and went to knock on Ashley's bedroom door, praying that she was there so that she could send Harry a reply quickly.
"Come in," she heard Ashley say.
"Hey, Ash," Hermione said. "I wanted to ask if it would be okay if Ron and Harry came to visit for the weekend?"
"Hmm, let me think about it," Ashley replied with a hint of a smile. "You want two hot Quidditch stars with sexy foreign accents, to come and sleep with us for two nights. Did you really have to ask?"
Hermione shot Ashley an indignant look before hurrying back to the living room. She hastily scribbled a Harry a reply and sent Hedwig back out the window.
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Back in London, a couple days later, Harry Potter smiled to himself as he read Hermione's reply. Finally he would see her again. The last year had been pure torture without her. But her absence did not cause Harry to love her any less. Whoever said that distance made the heart grow fonder sure knew what they were talking about.
Two more days. He just had to get through two more days and he would be with her again. And if things went according to plan, he would never let her go. Yes, Harry remembered the proposition that Hermione made him a little over a year ago. This time, however, Harry had his own proposition. But it was not for one night. It was for forever.
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The next couple days passed quickly for Hermione, as she immersed herself in her studies. Between school work and her blossoming relationship with Kyle, she had no time to fret over her impending visit from her two best friends. But as she awaited their arrival on Friday, she could not help but feel giddy.
She heard Ashley giggle and she turned to find her staring at her curiously.
"What's so funny," Hermione asked.
"You, that's what," she said. "I thought you were over Harry. You sure aren't acting like it."
Hermione picked up one of the sofa pillows and hurled it at Ashley's head. "I am over Harry, thank you very much. But I haven't seen either of them in over a year. Pardon me if I'm a tad bit excited."
"Alright, alright. Don't get your panties in a bunch," Ashley told her, as she smirked unbelievingly.
At around 6:00 Hermione heard a knock at the door. Her heart began to pound as she approached. 'Stop being silly' she told herself mentally. 'It's only Harry and Ron.' She took a deep breath and pulled the door open.
"Hermione," both Harry and Ron shouted at the same time.
"Harry, Ron. It's so good to see you," Hermione said as she threw her arms around Ron, hugging him tightly. When it was Harry's turn, she felt him pull her into his arms. The feeling that she had come 'home' rushed over her body and she began to feel that familiar tug at her heart. 'Think about Kyle,' she told herself, trying to push those feelings away.
Harry and Ron followed Hermione into the living room. Hermione introduced them to Ashley before she hurriedly went to put their things into her bedroom. She and Ashley decided that she would sleep with Ashley and let Harry and Ron share her room during their visit. Hermione took her time putting their things away, in an attempt to squash the pesky feelings that she had worked so hard to rid herself of.
Harry allowed his eyes to follow Hermione longingly as she moved their things. Well, it wasn't as if he really had a choice. He felt drawn to her and it took all the strength that he could muster not to pull her back into his arms and snog her senseless. 'God she looks beautiful,' Harry thought. She was wearing a pair of tight fitting black slacks with a blouse that was unbuttoned just far enough to make you curious. But of course, Harry remembered what lay beneath. She was still the same Hermione. His Hermione, with the same gorgeous face, and beautiful eyes, not to mention her hair. Yes, the same bushy hair that Harry had grown to love.
But she was somehow different too. She had an air of confidence and self control about her, but not in an uptight way. Actually, she looked quite relaxed. All in all, Hermione had matured nicely. This just made Harry want her more.
Feeling composed again, Hermione came back into the living room and hugged each young man again. "I'm so glad you made it," she told them.
"We've missed you too, Mione," Harry said sincerely.
"Yeah," Ron chimed in. "Now, what's for dinner. I'm starving."
They all laughed. It seemed to Hermione that some things never change.
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"I'm stuffed," Ron said, stretching. They were all seated in the living room, having just dined on a dinner that consisted of Chinese take out.
"Well, that's something I've never thought I'd hear," Hermione said, jokingly.
They were having a great time catching up. Hermione and Ashley listened to Harry and Ron's entertaining Quidditch tales. And Hermione told them all about life at New Salem. It was like they were never apart.
While Ron sat engaging Ashley in an interesting tale about their days at Hogwarts, Hermione's thoughts drifted to Harry. He was even more gorgeous than when she saw him last. Though she would never admit it, she longed to run her fingers through his messy hair once again. He wore it slightly shorter, in a style that brought out his eyes. She felt she could gaze into them for hours. She let her eyes wander up the length of his body and memories of the fateful night a year ago began to attack her senses. She chided herself mentally for letting her thoughts drift there, but seeing him again, in the flesh, awakened the desired that she worked so hard to repress.
A knock at the door brought Hermione out of her reverie as Ashley stood to answer it. Hermione felt a sense of panic wash over her as she saw Ashley lead Kyle through the door. She knew she would have to tell them about him since there were going to be in town, but she had hoped to do it before they actually met. She did not understand why she could never bring herself to tell them about him, but deep down she knew it was Harry that she was worried about.
Hermione stood as Kyle strode into the living room. He stopped at her side and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, as he had done many times before. Hermione felt a blush creep up to her face as she turned to meet Harry and Ron's curious gazes.
"Harry, Ron, I'd like for you to meet my boyfriend."
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A/N: Well there you have it. They meet at last. Poor, poor Harry. Will he still carry out his plan to win Hermione back, or is he defeated. Tell me what you think. I hope you enjoyed it.
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful reviews. I really appreciate all the feedback. Keep it coming. I take all suggestions and criticism into consideration, good or bad. It helps a lot.