I Promise

Chapter Six: "On Fire"

A/N: Once again, I know this chapter is short. I will be lengthening all my chapters when I get back from my vacation (August 13^th) So please bear with me here. I'm so sorry they are short.

But good news- I'll start putting up my new story/stories, so that's something to look forward to :)

Thanks for all your feedback and reviews. I love you all !!

      "Why? Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked worriedly. He pulled away from her, looking her in the eye. Had he done something wrong? What was going on?

      Hermione pointed towards Ron who had finished dancing with Luna Lovegood. He was waving to Luna, and telling her that they'd catch up later. 

      Harry understood what was going on. Hermione didn't want Ron to find the two of them. He was probably going to come over to meet up with Hermione.

      "We can't let him find us," she urged, "He'll ask me to leave with him." 

      Harry sighed. "I hate how we're about to go behind Ron's back. Why can't you just tell him, Mione?" 

      Hermione kissed Harry quickly. "Because I love him as a friend. And I can't hurt him. He's going to be crushed when he finds out." 

      Harry gave her a look, hesitating. "Fine, let's go."

      The two of them darted out of the Great Hall unnoticed and out into the fresh air. After Harry made sure that they were far enough from the Great Hall, he whispered, I don't want the night to end." 

      Hermione turned to Harry. "Harry, please tell me why you didn't contact me…" Hermione begged. Why wasn't he telling her? What was there to hide?

     "I swear, I'll tell you when I'm ready to, Hermione," Harry answered, squirming slightly, "I wanted to contact you, I really did…"

      Hermione was feeling slightly annoyed. Why couldn't Harry just tell her? She should be angry with him. He hadn't even owled her in the past ten years. Yet, Hermione still loved Harry.

      "Just… please tell me soon. I have to know."

      "I will, just give it time." Harry kissed Hermione's cheek.

 "Harry," she murmured, "I've waited way too long for you." 

      "I'm sorry I kept you waiting," he whispered just as their lips touched. They kissed and kissed for what felt like hours. Hermione wanted nothing more than to be right there with Harry. It was the night she had been waiting for since the night Harry left to fight Voldemort.  

      "I told you once I loved you," Harry told Hermione softly, "And I still love you up until this day." 

      "It's been ten years, Harry," Hermione told him, kissing him urgently. There was no denying that she wanted him. No, she didn't just want him… she needed him. "I love you."  

 Harry flinched slightly. His face was suddenly very serious. "Hermione, I have to tell you something." 

      Hermione looked at him, worried. Was he going to tell her why he didn't contact her? Or was it something worse? "What is it?" 

      Harry took a deep breath. "Actually, it's two things. I'm not exactly sure how to tell you…" 

      "Tell me, Harry," Hermione told him, trying to keep a straight face. 

  "I've been seeing Cho Chang again for about two years…" Harry whispered softly, hanging his head, "And…" 

      Hermione swallowed, trying not to picture Harry with Cho. "And what, Harry? It can't be worse than going out with Cho, can it?" Hermione held her breath, waiting for Harry's answer.

      Harry refused to meet Hermione's eye. Instead, he looked down at his feet and pretended to be very interested in them. "She's pregnant. And I think I might be the father."  

      Hermione felt like crying. In fact, she was certain that any moment she was going to burst out in tears. How could Harry have waited this long to tell her? He had kissed her and had said that he loved her. Only now he was telling her this vital piece of information? "What… what do you mean think?" 

      Harry put his arm on Hermione's shoulder, but Hermione pulled away. Harry looked hurt. "As in, she did have a one night stand with Roger Davis once when we had a fight." 

      Hermione looked down. "So are you telling me that you and Cho have been shagging often?" 

      Harry glared at her, his blood pressure rising. "It's not as if you and Ron don't shag." 

      "Leave Ron out of it," Hermione exclaimed angrily. There was no need to pull him into this.  

      "Leave my personal life with Cho out of it," Harry shot back. The two of them were breathing heavily.  

      They glared at each other for a moment before they lost each other in another passionate kiss.

 

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      "Night," Hermione whispered as her and Harry reached Hermione's apartment. Harry nodded, and kissed her softly.  

      "I'll call you tomorrow, okay?" Harry whispered softly. "Will you dream of me tonight?" 

      "Always," Hermione replied, kissing him again. "I promise." 

      Regretfully, Harry kissed her once more before disappearing into the darkness.

Hermione stood by the doorstep, convincing herself that the night had really happened. It was too good to be true.  

      There was just one thing wrong- Ron and Cho. What was Harry going to do about Cho? If the child was Harry's, then Harry was kind of obligated to marry her. He couldn't leave Cho to raise the child all by herself. That would just be cruel. Hermione couldn't bear to think about Cho as Harry's wife. 

      And Ron. Ron was a big problem as well. Hermione was engaged to him. Engagement meant commitment. Hermione was committed to Ron. It would break Ron's heart if she broke off their engagement. But how could she get married to someone that she didn't love? 

      Hermione flopped onto her bed. She was about to daydream about Harry a bit more when the phone rang. Irritated, Hermione snatched it from her nightstand.  

      "What?" she snapped. How dare someone ruin her daydream about Harry? 

      "Oh Hermione, thank God you're okay!" 

      It was Ron. Hermione cringed, feeling a pang of guilt. She had just taken off from the reunion without even telling him that she was leaving. Hermione was just so worried about Ron seeing her with Harry at the reunion that she hadn't even bothered to call and tell Ron she was okay. He must have been worried sick. 

      "Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, "I'm so sorry I left without notice. I'm doing fine." 

      "But I don't understand… why did you just take off like that, Mione?" Ron asked. It was obvious that he was suspicious and slightly confused by Hermione's behavior. Hermione wasn't the type of person to just take off like that.  

      "I just had a horrible headache. I haven't been feeling good for a few weeks," Hermione lied. She hated lying to her fiancée, but there was no way she could tell Ron that the reason she had left was because she wanted to make out with Harry where he couldn't see them.  

      "Yeah I guess," Ron replied flatly. Hermione had a feeling he didn't exactly believe the story, but didn't want to start an argument. Hermione smirked. If it was Harry on the other line, he would have just told Hermione that he didn't believe what she had said. Hermione shook her head. It wasn't right to compare Ron to Harry… she knew Harry would always win. 

      "Anyhow," Hermione continued, "I saw you dancing with Luna, so I figured it would be okay if I left." Hermione smiled slightly to herself. Now it looked as though it was Ron's fault she left instead of her own. 

      "Luna asked me to dance," Ron replied defensively, "It's not like I wanted to. We're just friends." 

      Hermione scoffed. "Luna has been after you ever since fifth year, Ron. It was pretty obvious to everyone. I can't believe you're so blind and naïve." 

      Ron paused. Then he asked softly, "Hermione, is this working out?" 

      Part of Hermione wanted to yell 'No,' for that was the truth. But she knew that she couldn't. There was not much hope with Harry. He was going to be a father after all, right?
Maybe .  "It's going to work out. I promise." 

A/N: So that's all for this chapter. It'll be longer once I lengthen it. I just didn't want to keep you guys waiting so I updated. My new story will be updated shortly, so pleaseplease read it! Thankss.

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