Those Gossip Twins!

AN: I know, I really should be working on Lose You, but this has been in the works since January and I just now got another muse to finish it off. Don’t worry, there’s a couple of pages left for Lose You that I have to type up…then I’ll have to write more. Anyways, thanks for sticking around so long, and enjoy! Oh and it’s entirely from Hermione’s point of view so she’ll be in italics.

Those Gossip Twins!

She never should have listened to them. Lavender and Pavarti decided that she, Hermione Granger, secretly loved the one and only Harry Potter! ’Preposterous! He’s just my best friend!’ she angrily thought, but ever since the Gossip Twins brought the idea up at that sodden two year reunion at Hogwarts last week, Hermione couldn’t stop noticing things about him, thinking about him. She’d even had a dream about him last night! It was almost as though they put the very idea in her head!

Of course it didn’t held matters any that, despite their ‘breakup’, Harry was still with Ginny. Hermione wanted Harry happy, she really did, but she thought that Ginny just wasn’t the person for that. He could do so much better, and Hermione wasn’t referring to herself either. Ginny represented all of the fan girls who loved Harry for the one thing he hated most. His fame. ‘I’ll not say anything though, lest I be accused of being jealous of either of them.’ she told herself every time she saw them together.

Every time included this very moment in particular because recently the redheaded girl decided she wanted to marry Harry. Not only that, but she was planning where it would take place and how much her dress would cost; and the poor boy hadn’t a clue nor a ring. Hermione knew Harry wasn’t ready for such a commitment; but Ginny failed to look past her own wants to see that.

Hermione, despite her feelings on everything, would only ask one question if/when Harry told her he was planning on proposing; “Are you happy? And I don’t mean ‘Merlin-I’ve-just-won-the-Quidditch-Cup’ happy. I mean ‘I-see-myself-with-her-in-ten-or-twenty-years’ happy.” And if he said yes, then Hermione’d give her blessing; but if he showed more doubt than necessary, then she’d try her darndest to talk him out of asking the life-changing question simply because he felt like he had to.

She helped him as much as she possibly could, even going as far as saving the relationship when it hit tumultuous times. One time stood out; Ginny had heard from a very unreliable source (Cho Chang to be exact) that Harry had kissed another girl. Ginny was stunned, but Ron wasn’t. If anything, he wanted to castrate Harry, but Hermione held everyone off until she talked to Harry. Turned out that Cho was just jealous, and Harry had heard nothing of the sort, so had Hermione not intervened, Harry would be Harriet. Hermione had also told him that Ginny wasn’t happy with how slowly things were progressing, but the bushy headed witch didn’t press for reasons because she knew that if Harry wanted her to know, he would tell her without her having to prod. But her personal opinion was that Harry was just with Ginny as a security blanket. Just so he can say that someone loved him for who he was, even though, again, Ginny just loved the fame that he had. What he didn’t know was that he was loved for who he was.

‘Oh bloody hell! I did not just think that!?!?’ she thought, sighing frustratedly. ‘I need to focus. Chambers wants this bleedin’ report by tomorrow. Bloody git.’ as she started said report.

Just when she finished, there was a knock at her door. When she answered it, she found a rain-drenched Harry she never hoped to see again. “What happened Harry? What’s wrong?” as she lead him to the room he kept there for the times they stayed up too late talking, or better yet, saving his relationship.

“She left. Said I wasn’t smart enough.” he said, Hermione barely hearing him. But unfortunately for Ginny, the smartest witch did, and she wasn’t happy, to say the least. Let’s put it this way; a Hungarian Horntail would be more cheerful if being chased.

“She what?!? Why that little--” but was interrupted by a hand on her arm.

“Don’t Hermione. I know what you want to do, but don’t. Please, for me?” he pleaded.

“I won’t Harry. Just because you asked. Now change into these before you catch your death.” as she set a pair of pyjamas on the bed next to him. Leaving the room, she said “I’m going to go make you a cup of hot chocolate, okay?” and at his nod, she shut the door.

Walking down the hall to the kitchen, which just so happened to be near the front door; Hermione had to restrain herself from breaking her word to Harry and telling Ginny off. Instead she just made the drinks the way Harry liked it; chocolatey and marshmellowy, as though sticking it to his relatives, wherever they were.

Five minutes later, Harry came out and sat opposite Hermione who was drinking the warm concoction. She sat and waited, knowing he’d clam up if she prodded. Eventually he started talking.

“I guess she thought I was supposed to propose, or something. I mean I just defeated Riddle two years ago, and my life’s not even in order yet, and she wants me to PROPOSE?!?!?”

“I was afraid this would happen. She’s been dropping anvil-sized hints for weeks. But I didn’t say anything because I knew that if I did, I’d be helping her force you into a commitment you weren’t ready for.” Hermione rushed out, slightly afraid because Harry hated it when anyone looked out for him.

“Thank you, Hermione. If it weren’t for you, this wouldn’t have lasted as long as it did, and I’d be married and unhappy.” he replied smiling a small wry smile. “I realized something while I was changing; I didn’t really love her because if I did, I wouldn’t have needed your help and wouldn’t be here. Plus every time something has happened, I don’t go to her first. I go to you.” he added, as though having an epiphany. Hermione saw and quickly got up and rinsed her mug in the sink.

Shakily she replied “Are you sure you didn’t go to Ron a few times?” and when she turned around, she was surprised to see him standing so close.

“No, I’m quite positive it was you every single time.” then he leaned close, trapping her against the sink, and he kissed her. Not demanding, but calming; reassuring almost. Slowly, she began to respond until breathing was an evil necessity.

“I love you Hermione. I’m sorry you had to wait so long.”

“I love you too Harry and it’s okay because I was just as blind until the Gossip Twins knocked some sense into me.”

Fin