Through With Love

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters in any way. shape, or form.

Challenge by Soldierette: “it's sorta based on a song called "Through With Love" by Destiny's Child.

Lyrics here

Alright so.. it's a bit of an AU.

Hermione just got out of a bad relationship, she was either married to the guy or just dated him. Well either way he turned out to be a jerk. So after this she swore to herself she would never fall in love again, but then Harry comes along…”

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“Ron, doesn’t that look exactly like Hermione’s fiancé?” Harry asked Ron.

Harry and Ron were at the newest restaurant that was made for Quidditch buffs, Seeker‘s Landing. Famous quidditch players would zoom all around the walls. This was the obvious choice for Ron and Harry to come and eat. It beat Madam Pudifoot’s any day. Harry still had nightmares about that one. They were in a booth in the corner to be out of sight from wandering eyes while they waited for Ginny, Hermione, and Luna to join them. Ron had finally seen past Luna’s looniness, and they started dating two years ago. Harry was living the bachelor’s life. Any girl he brought home, left within a month. He always seemed to find something wrong with the girl. Ron had an idea what was wrong with all of them, they weren’t a certain brown eyed witch that knows more information than is good for any one person.

“Yeah, it does, but who is that he is with? You don’t think? No, I’m sure that’s just his sister or something?” Ron replied.

“Does he have a sister?”

“His cousin maybe?”

“Would he be holding hands with his cousin, Ron?!?” Harry replied, not very pleased. Everyone knew that Harry was protective of Hermione, and it was written all over his face. “Why that little…”

Whatever Cameron, Hermione’s fiancé, was Harry didn’t say because at that moment Hermione, Ginny, and Luna walked in. Instead of drooling over Hermione like Harry would usually do when she enters a room while he thinks no one is looking, he was trying to figure out away to make her leave before she had to see Cameron cheating first hand. Ron seemed to be thinking the same thing.

Harry was out of his seat trying to come up with an excuse as to why they had to leave. He so wanted the chance to beat Cameron to a pulp, but that would have to wait. Getting Hermione out was the only thing on his mind. As he reached the girls, he said the first thing that came to his mind.

“Um, Hermione, I need a, um, h-healers opinion on some r-rash I have.” Harry said and looked like he didn’t even believe it himself.

Ginny looked like she was about to gag and Hermione looked at him skeptically and said, “Can’t it wait until after we eat Harry? I’m famished!”

“No, no. It’s really killing me Hermione. I think its spreading as we speak!” Harry spit out wondering if he even believed his own story.

“Well, I-” Hermione’s face instantly went to one of hurt then to anger as her eyes landed on her fiancé and another girl in a competition to see who can suck the others face off first.

Ron’s act now, think later attitude obviously rubbed off on Hermione since she strolled right up to Cameron, and she didn’t seem to care who was looking at her.

“CAMERON, HOW COULD YOU?” Hermione shouted, which instantly separated Cameron and his new girl. “I GAVE YOU MY HEART, GAVE UP MY FRIENDS, AND GAVE UP MY DREAMS! ALL OF IT FOR YOU! I COMPROMISED EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED TO BECAUSE I LOVED YOU! AT LEAST I THOUGHT I DID.” Hermione then reached out and slapped a shocked Cameron across the face. Instantly a red mark started to appear on his face causing Ron and Harry to be very proud. Maybe they didn’t need to beat the living crap out of him after all.

In a second Harry was by Hermione’s side sending Cameron a look that could kill. He took Hermione’s hand and apparated her to her apartment. Once inside the confines of her own home, Hermione broke down. She was disappointed and hurt again. Harry guided Hermione to her couch and immediately began to console his long time best friend.

“Shh, Hermione. He’s not worth your tears. He’s a dirt faced dog, and I’m so proud of the way you handled it.” Harry tried to soothe Hermione. Ginny, Ron, and Luna then appeared in the apartment much to Harry’s relief. Upset girls were not exactly Harry’s forte. Ginny and Luna immediately set to work while Harry went to stand uselessly by Ron.

Ginny said, “Guys don’t realize what a great catch they have. They are all dogs. You just wait Hermione. You are going to find someone so much better than what’s his face, and then he’s going to be here begging you to take him back.”

“I don’t *hiccup* t-think so. H-he probably hasn’t even given another *hiccup* thought about m-me!” After Hermione said that, she started to cry even harder than before.

“No, Hermione. Ginny’s right.” Luna chimed in watching as Ron’s face turned to mock hurt. “He’ll realize his mistake, but you will realize that it’s a good thing you saw his natural colors now.

Not really being of any use, Harry and Ron left when the girls started dogging out guys and making threats to certain body parts that left them with pained looks on their faces. They decided to get in some Quidditch practice for their upcoming game against the Pink Flamingos. Harry and Ron both played for the Chudley Cannons: Harry the seeker and Ron the reserve keeper.

Once they were in the air, Harry felt he needed to remind Ron again that he was right. “See Ron, I told you that Cameron was nothing but trouble. I knew, KNEW, he was going to hurt her! You never listened, and look what happened to my Mione! She‘s a wreck! She‘s heartbroken!” Harry repeated for the 50^th time that day.

Ron just rolled his eyes and said, “The only reason you knew he was going to hurt Hermione was because you wanted him to.” Harry started to interrupt, but Ron continued on. “No Harry, hear me out. You may not have wanted Hermione to get hurt, but you didn’t want their relationship to work out. Every guy she ever dated was never good enough, and I know it is because you want her for yourself.” Ron finished up his speech and left Harry with a slack jaw and turning red with anger.

“That’s not… your…. Just wait… I didn’t want her to get hurt!”

“See Harry, you can’t even make yourself deny you love her.” Ron smirked as he watched the thoughts and emotions flash through Harry’s face like a movie in fast forward. “I think I’ve graduated from an emotional range of a teaspoon to a tablespoon. Huh?”

“Ron! Focus please! You can’t tell anyone that I’m in lo- that I may possibly have feelings for Hermione! Our friendship would be ruined!”

“Harry, mate give me a break! Luna and I have known for years, but you were always too blind to see it. We haven’t told anyone yet, and we aren’t planning on it.”

“Now that we have that straightened out race you to the ground!” With that Harry took off hurtling towards the ground.

*************************

Two weeks after Hermione’s heart was broken, she was still devastated although she tried hard to hide it. Her work at St. Mungo’s was still the best anyone had every seen, but the sparkle in her eye was gone. She seemed to walk around in a daze. After she got home from work, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Luna would take turns spending time with her so she wouldn’t have time to dwell on her situation.

It was a Friday night , and it was Harry’s turn to ‘keep watch’ over Hermione. Harry was trying his hardest to get Hermione to go to the club with him to dance. As much as he hated dancing, he was willing to put that aside for Hermione knowing it was one of her favorite things to do. Cameron refused to go dancing with Hermione, though she acted like she didn‘t care.

Harry remembered feeling his heart break day after day as they dated. Hermione was grew further and further from his reach, but as always friends are forever. “That is all that matters now” Harry thought. “I have to be there for Hermione despite the lack of friendship we have had since her relationship started.”

“Harry, I just want to be alone.” Hermione got up from her couch, got another box of tissues from the cabinet and turned on the radio her parents gave her for Christmas. Despite being a witch, a very good one at that, Hermione wanted her apartment to appear as if a Muggle lived there. Try as she might, Hermione still couldn’t help but have wizarding portraits all over the walls. Other than that, no one would be able to tell a witch lived in the apartment.

The way Hermione was acting was a first. Harry had never seen her look so, well depressed. She looked upset, sad, angry, but most of all she looked hurt. That’s what love does to one, Harry knew because he felt the pain every time Hermione introduced him to her newest guy. And each time he met the newest man of her dreams, Harry hated them. He always wanted to be the one to hold Hermione. No one was ever good enough.

Harry knew she had always thought of herself as a plain Jane, and this whole ordeal did nothing to help that. He had always thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on despite her constant denial. Brown curly hair that she was finally able to tame, brown eyes that he would get lost in every time they made eye contact, a smile that made Harry go weak in the knees, and a figure that was slim but curvy. She didn’t have to wear much make up because his Hermione was beautiful without it. He just wish that she knew that now.

Harry noticed that she seemed to be listening to songs that would have anyone depressed. Harry changed the station to more up beat tunes. He decided it was time to help Hermione snap out of it.

“Hermione, look at me,” He said as he went to sit by her on the couch. “Cameron is a jerk. He doesn’t know what he’s lost. You are a beautiful, successful woman and no man can change that. We don’t have to go out. We can stay here, but you are not going to mope and give that crack head the satisfaction of your tears.” Harry finished his speech, and Hermione hugged him trying to prevent a fresh wave of tears.

“You beat him to a pulp, didn’t you?” Hermione mumbled into his chest a few minutes later.

“Yeap. How did you know?” Harry asked with a guilty grin as Hermione pulled away from him to look him in the face.

“Harry, you threaten any guy that has ever broken up with me, and I figure since C-C-Cameron cheated on me, you wanted to do more than threaten. Besides, I know you’ve always wanted to. You never did like him, and you are a good judge of character. I should’ve known.” Hermione finished with a slight smile and a chuckle. A first since the whole mess started. “And I just wanted to say…”

‘Here it comes,’ Harry thought. ‘She’s going to lay into me for beating the crap out of that pig.’

“Thanks.”

“Now look here Hermione. He deserved… What did you say?” Harry’s head snapped up as he finally registered what she said.

“I said thanks. I know I don’t usually condone violence, but it feels good to know that he got some sort of punishment.” Hermione said with a slight giggle. “Oh honestly, Harry! Don’t look so surprised!”

Hermione took Harry’s moment of speechlessness to look him over. It seemed as if she hadn’t seen him in forever, and as if he’d changed in that period of time.

His hair was as dark and wild as ever, but she always thought that was sexy. His emerald eyes never ceased to amaze her. When did they turn so green? And that lopsided grin of his! It should be illegal for him to be able to grin like that! His body was well toned from all the Quidditch practice, not to mention his jeans seemed to show off his butt in a very nice way if she did say so herself. WAIT, this Harry. Just Harry. I shouldn’t be thinking thoughts like this about my best friend, no matter how hot he looks. Hot? Since when has Harry been hot to me?

“Hermione, you still here with me?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I must have been day dreaming.”

“That’s ok. So, what do you say we dance?”

“Harry, I honestly appreciate you cheering me up, but I’m not in the mood to go out.”

“Who says we have to go anywhere? We have music, and I can order some Chinese food. We can dance right here, right now.”

Hermione’s face lit up. He always knew the little things that would get her mind of things. She grabbed Harry’s hand and pulled him off the couch with her. A new song just happened to be coming on much to Harry’s relief. The other song was a bit weird. They started dancing, and Harry finally figured out he turned the radio on a Diva station. Big mistake. Kelly Clarkson’s hit song “Since You’ve Been Gone” was now playing , and Hermione started dancing and screaming the lyrics out.

Hermione was singing, “But since you been gone, I can breathe for the first time, I'm so moving on, YEAH YEAH, thanks to you now I get what I want, since YOU been gone!!”

Harry was trying his hardest not to laugh at the ‘new Hermione’ and decided he would go order the Chinese food since he knew it was Hermione’s feel soul food. By the time he came back, the song was over and Hermione was sitting on the couch crying. Harry was baffled to say the least. WOMEN. He went over to her and wrapped his arms around her and asked her what’s the matter.

“Harry, do you hear the song that’s on right now? This song was Cameron and mine’s relationship exactly. I think this song makes a lot of since. I-I think I am through with love. That’s a good idea.” Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes and became more assured in her idea. “Yeah, that’s it. I’m done! I’m through with love.” Hermione’s stubbornness was taking over, and Harry knew she was finally taking steps to get over Cameron.

Curious as to what she meant, he started listening to the rest of the song

“Oh, there you go, comparing me,
to every little model on the tv screen,
oh there you go, complaining to me, cause I wanna spend time with my family,
My esteem has gone down,
You never wanna take me out,
You make me feel dumb, And alone
I don't know where to go.
I'm through with it

I'm through with love, I'm through with it, through with love,
Through with it, I'm through with love, I'm through with it,
I'm through with love,
I'm finally giving it up,
I have given so much in the past for a love I never had
I’m I'm through with love, I'm through with it, through with love,
I'm finally giving it up

I shared all my secrets with you
Even when it hurt to have told the truth
Paralyze my growth for you
I gave you control that felt so helpless without you
Couldn’t be your friend
To anyone happy cause with you see
Misery loves company
You know this is love
If this is love I don't want it any more”

Harry stopped listening to the song then. He had gotten the point. A few seconds later the song was over and heard the DJ saying “That was Destiny’s Child with ‘Through With Love.’ Ladies, you’ve got to love that one! Here’s Nick Lachey’s new song ’What’s Left of Me’. ‘Sheesh, this might be worse than the other station she had it on. Way to go me.’ Harry thought.

“I mean if you think about it, I’m 26 years old, I just lost my fiancé, and I don’t think there is any point in trying anymore. I distanced myself from my friends, from you, Harry, I gave up so many of my dreams, he made me feel like dirt, even compared me to the girls he saw on TV! I was just deceiving myself to believe someone could love me with looks like this.”

He grabbed Hermione’s hand and looked her in the eye, “Hermione, you don’t mean that. You are just upset right now. You will find that perfect guy some day, and he is going to love you for who you are. He’ll love your beautiful hair, mind boggling cinnamon brown eyes, and your perfect smile. You, Hermione, are perfect as you are. Besides, you never when the man of your dreams is right under your nose.”

Hermione now had tears dripping from her face, yet again, but this time it was happy tears. He spoke with such force but yet care that someone would have to be crazy not to believe him. Hermione stared into this emerald pools of his and emotions that she just decided she wasn’t going to feel anymore were welling up inside of her. She heard in a distant place the words “You can have what’s left of me”. She was holding contact with Harry’s eyes as if they broke the connection, she would die. Harry as usual was lost in her endless cinnamon pools. A song that was now on the radio broke them out of their reverie.

‘Way to go Diva station.’ Harry thought. ‘I’m the biggest idiot on the earth. Why, why did I put it on this station?’

Meanwhile, Hermione was having her on inner battle. ‘What was I doing? What was I going to do??? He’s Harry. Just Harry.’

‘You were going to snog him senseless! He has never been just Harry. You keep denying Hermione, but you‘ll see how wrong you are.’

‘No, I was in love with Cameron. He broke my heart. I’m through with love. I don’t want to deal with the pain anymore.’

‘Harry would never hurt you. He’s always been there for you.’

‘But there’s always a first time for everything.’

Meanwhile the Chinese food arrived, and they dug into their food.

“So Harry, I know it’s been a while. How many girls have you been with since we last talked? 10, 20, 30???”

“Oh come on Hermione, I’m not that bad! I have you know I’ve only been with 7.”

Hermione let out a loud chuckle, “Only 7, huh? Well, let me ask you Mr. Potter. How long were you with these 7 girls? 2,3, 4 weeks?”

“I have you know I was those girls for 1 week each. Oh…never mind. But it wasn’t my fault. None of those girls saw me. They saw the famous Boy-Who-Lived, the Chudley Cannons star seeker, or the defeater of Voldemort. Besides they were all too up scale for me. They couldn’t leave the house without having on a ton of makeup, and all they did was fuss over their weight and how much they ate.”

A small “oh” was all Hermione had to say. He continued to amaze her with some of the things he said. She didn’t know any other guy like him. Again Hermione felt that knot form in her stomach, a feeling she kept reminding herself she shouldn’t feel. She made a mistake and looked up from the couch. Emerald met cinnamon, and Hermione felt any intellectual thoughts leave her. Inside she yelled at herself for not being able to snap herself out of this, but they started to inch closer and closer to each other as if someone was pushing them together. Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss, and Harry instinctively pulled her closer while Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry’s neck. Hermione’s eyes widened whenever her brain was able to function and realized what she was doing. When she pulled apart, they both jumped to opposite ends of the couch. What had they done?

Harry was in shock, ‘I always wondered what it be like to kiss her, but I never thought it would feel that good! Wait, what am I thinking? She’s probably furious at me! I just crossed the line of friendship! I let my feelings for her overtake my mind. Way to go Harry, some savior you are now. Let’s see if you can gets yourself out of this one…’

Hermione was in her own state of shock, ‘WoW… Wait, no, not wow… I just screwed up. How could I? I bet Harry is thinking I’m the stupidest person on the planet. I guess I should find out. Remember Hermione, calm and rational.’

He was drawn away from the song when he heard Hermione squeal out, “Oh my gosh, Harry! I’m so sorry! I crossed our line of friendship!” Hermione began to ramble. ‘So much for calm and rational,’ Hermione thought. She knew she wasn’t sorry, but she wasn‘t going to let Harry see that. She wasn’t going to embarrass herself anymore than she already had. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t realized that for years she’s wanted to do that until it happened. It felt so right at a time where it should feel so wrong.

“I’m not sorry,” Harry mumbled where Hermione couldn’t make out exactly what he said.

“W-what did you say Harry?” Hermione inquired.

“I’m n-not sorry, Hermione. I didn’t mean for this to happen tonight, but I’m not sorry,” Harry said while he was looking anywhere but at her.

Hermione smiled, “Harry, I wasn’t planning on this either, but for some reason, it feels right.”

For the second time that night, Harry was shocked to say the least. Still in shock he said what you would expect any clueless guy to ask.

“So what now?” He asked.

“Well, I think we should see were things go. I’d be lying if I said I wanted to forget we ever kissed, but at the same time I‘m still hurting. I want to make it go away, Harry, but I feel like I can never be loved.”

“Hermione, listen to me now if you never listen to me again. I’ll never hurt you. I’d go through a thousand unforgivable before I’d hurt you. You have been the one constant in my life even if our friendship wasn’t as close these past few months. I knew that you would be there for me if I needed you, and that is what I am doing now. I’m here for you. To erase your fears and insecurities. I’m here to make you see that you are loved. You are loved by me.

“Hermione, I’ve loved your for a long time. I didn‘t even realize it until Ron pointed it out the other day. It took me a while to realize, but I realize it now. I never want to see you in the arms of any other guy. Every time I had to see you get hurt by another guy, my love only became stronger. I hate that you had to get hurt so bad this time, but I’m glad that you can now know my feelings that I’ve have for you. Whenever you think you aren’t worth anything or anyone at all, know that I think you are worth the world. Whenever you feel you will never be as pretty as the models on TV, know that I think you are the prettier than them all. Whenever you feel you will never be loved, know that I have, do, and will always love you. I know this may not be the best time to tell you I love you, but I don‘t know if I can keep in any longer. ”

Hermione’s eyes were watery and her cheeks were flushed while she mumbled a quiet, “Thank you.” She didn’t have to say anything else.

When the song “I Do” by 98 Degrees came on the radio, Harry asked Hermione to dance.

He began to sing to her, “I do cherish you, for the rest of my life, you don't have to think twice, I will love you still, from the depths of my soul, it's beyond my control, I've waited so long to say this to you, if you're asking do I love you this much, I do.”

Hermione couldn't help but laugh. Who knew Harry really was a charming singer?

“I love you too, Harry. I love you too.” Hermione said as she laid her head on his shoulder being held by her best friend and more.

As they continued to dance, Hermione thought over the days events. She could have laughed at the turn of events. She went into work trying to hide her sadness, and then ended up happier than she’d ever been. She couldn’t believe that she, ‘brightest witch of the century’, could have missed what she felt for Harry. All along she was hiding it from herself. It’s odd how easily hidden feelings come out into the open. If someone would have asked her if she loved Harry yesterday, she would have laughed in their face. Now she realized she’s loved him for 10 years, and she couldn’t have been any happier with the turn of events.

While Harry and Hermione were still dancing both lost in their own thoughts, there was a light knock on the door.

Hermione just looked at Harry with a question while he shrugged his shoulders. Hermione went to get the door and was shocked to find that it was Cameron.

“Look Hermione, I know you don’t want to talk to me right now, but you have to hear me out. That other girl meant nothing. It just took some time for me to figure it out. I’ve made a huge mistake, and I’m here to apologize.”

Hermione crossed her arms and shot a look at Harry that meant “Get over here now!”

“It's raining men Hallelujah
It's raining men, Amen
It's raining men Hallelujah
It's raining men, Amen”

‘I really need to turn this thing off. This is the most barbaric song I’ve ever heard…’ Harry thought while following Hermione’s unspoken command and making his way over to her.

“You know Cameron, you have nerve. To come to my apartment this late, to say you just made a mistake, TO SAY THAT OTHER GIRL MEANT NOTHING! Well Cameron, I’m sorry too. You are too late.” Having said that Hermione turned and pulled Harry into a heated kiss that Harry didn’t seem to mind. The almost forgot that they had a dog keeping them company. After they broke apart because their lungs were demanding air, Cameron’s face was full of anger and defeat.

He wished them a goodnight and turned on his heel and walked out.

“Why Mione, my Mione, I do have to say I think Ron and I are becoming a negative influence on you.” Harry said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

“Oh shut it you prat. He wouldn’t have gotten into his head I didn’t want to be with him any other way, plus you were looking very snoggable at that moment.” Hermione said with a smirk as they went to cuddle on the couch.

After Harry left her apartment well after midnight, Hermione found herself singing the end of the song “Through with Love.”

“Need a love like no other not an ordinary love.
Restore my joy, wisdom, and courage lord I need your love

I found a new love; I found a new, found a new love
I finally found it in God
I've given so much in the past
For a love I always had
I found a new, I found a new love, I found a new love,
I found a new, found a new love
I finally found it in God”

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Credit for the songs goes to

Kelly Clarkson "Since You Been Gone"
Destinys Child "Through With Love"
Nick Lachey "What's Left of Me"
98 Degrees "I Do"
The Weather Girls "It’s Raining Men"
And again, Destiny's Child "Through With Love"

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this short story. Feedback is welcomed! Thanks for reading!