Oh, The Twisted Lives We Live! by ro10tom8os Rating: PG13 Ship: Harry & Hermione Canon: Books 1 - 6 Genre: Drama, Romance Status: Paused Length: 5,292 words in 4 chapters Published: 6 Jan 2007 Last updated: 11 Apr 2007 NOTE: Rating changed for language! This story takes place after the final battle with spoilers for books 1-6. The world of our friends is completely screwed up. Follow as the trio and their friends struggle to put their lives back together after the tragedies of love and war. This story is H/Hr, D/G, and R/L. Please R&R! UPDATED WITH AN AUTHOR'S NOTE! PLEASE READ!!!!!! From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/6816/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Chapter 1 Summary: This story takes place after the final battle with spoilers for books 1-6. The world of our friends is completely screwed up. Follow as the trio and their friends struggle to put their lives back together after the tragedies of love and war. This story is H/Hr, D/G, and R/L. Please note that the points of view change from time to time, but I do make note of it. Please R&R! A/N: Hello! Ro10tom8os here! This story is un-beta'ed, but I am currently looking for one. I am more than willing to beta for someone else, if they would do so for me. I find it far easier to beta other people that I do myself. If you'd be interested let me know! Thanks! Disclaimer: Yeah, as much as I'd like, I could never achieve the literary talents of JKR, so instead I twittle and twat with her tales, and make them go my way. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, The Twisted Lives We Live! Chapter 1 Ginny's POV As soon as I open the door, I know something is wrong. It is not often that Hermione Granger comes to your door with puffy red eyes, and tear stained cheeks. “Oh Hermione,” I said as I envelope her in a warm hug. “Come inside. I'll make you some tea, and then you tell me what's wrong, ok love?” Jesus, I sound like Mum. No, no thinking about her. No thoughts of them. I shake my head as I hear Hermione choke a strangled “Thanks, Gin.” I conjure up some tea and magic a fire in the fireplace as we sit down. “So tell me, Hermione, what's wrong?” “Harry,” she states and I inwardly sigh. “What did he do now?” I ask, gearing myself up for a very long rant. I'm not disappointed “He's just so stupid sometimes! I know he is hurting and in pain. He lost the only family he ever had, and he had to kill the darkest lord of our time as well. I doubt anyone understands the pain that he is going through, but honestly, does he have to take out his anger on those of us who still care about him? Does he not realize that all of us are hurting too? I just wish he'd open up to me. Or anyone, for that matter. He needs to talk to someone Ginny. Especially during the hearings! He can't keep bottling up his emotions like this! Why? Why, Gin, Why? Why did he have to go through all of this? Why can't he just be normal? That's all he has ever wanted.” I watch as fresh tears roll down her cheeks. I hug her as she curls into a ball, crying. “It's ok, hon. He'll get through it. All of us will, eventually. He just needs time. For now, just talk to him. It's you he needs, you know.” “No he doesn't,” she sniffed, “He told me today to get out and leave him alone. But I can't Ginny! I can't. I doubt I could even live life with out him.” She pauses, “I think I love him, Gin,” and with this, she starts crying again. As I comfort her, I process all of this new information. It strikes me that I don't find it odd at all. In fact, it almost seems expected. Harry and Hermione always did seem to have that extra something between them, and Hermione always seemed to care a bit too much about Harry's well being. It annoyed me to no end during Harry and my short-lived relationship. I guess I've always known. Harry and Hermione fit like the pieces of a puzzle. I laugh silently at the irony. A perfect harmony. Draco's POV I awake to an empty bed. Hungry after my nap, I head to the kitchen to find some food. I hear sobs coming from the sitting room and poke my head in to see Ginny holding a sobbing Hermione. “Harry,” Ginny mouths to me. Stupid Potter. He can save the bloody Wizarding World, but can't see what's right under his bloody nose. How can someone be so damn blind? No, wait, only good thoughts about Potter. I mean Harry. Right. His name is Harry. As usual, I find my thoughts drifting back to that day at the ministry and that fateful hearing. Before I ran. Before I screwed up everyone else's lives. Flashback No POV “Next Witness!” Called out Kinsley Shacklebot, the man in charge of all the Death Eater trials. “Mr. Harry Potter, for the defense.” A gasp was heard through the crowd as the Man-Who-Triumphed entered the courtroom. There had been rumors of Harry's involvement in this case, but everyone had believed that he would be speaking for the prosecution. It was quite unbelievable that this man would come to the stand to defend his arch-nemesis. (Besides old Voldie of course.) “People of the court,” Harry began, “I have come before you to ask for the freedom of Mr. Draco Malfoy. Without his help, the Light could not have triumphed in the war. I watched as this man seated before you today stopped fighting as a Death Eater. He watched as Ginerva Weasley was struck with an unknown curse, and fell to the ground. I then saw him turn and stun the Death Eater and run to Ms. Weasley's side, and yell, “Yes father, I'll keep my promise. Watch me as I fight for the right and true side: The Light!” Malfoy then softly kissed Ms. Weasley and stood, to strip off his mask and robes, and set them afire. He turned and headed straight into the fight, stunning and immobilizing Death Eater after Death Eater. We could not have won without his help. “You are curious about his words, no? I have evidence that an unbreakable vow was placed upon young Mr. Malfoy by his father, Lucius Malfoy, ordering him to fight for the `right and true side' during the war. I have reason to believe that it never crossed Mr. Malfoy's mind that his son would choose the Light as the side that was right to fight for. Unfortunately, neither Lucius Malfoy nor the castor, the late Bellatrix LeStrange, are here to agree or disagree with this statement, but I'm sure Malfoy here could help us.” Harry stopped and looked expectantly at the frightened young man. “How- how did you know?” the young blonde stuttered, obviously astonished that someone believe in his innocence. “Yes, how did you find this out?” asked Kinsley not unkindly. Harry smiled to himself and answered, “Dumbledore is a great man, and ever after death I am his man, through and through.” And with an encouraging smile to Draco, Harry turned on his heel and left the courtroom to a stunned silence. End Flashback Draco's POV A thin pained smile spreads across my face as I think about the day. I guess you could say that it was the beginning of the end. If only things hadn't gotten so complicated so quickly. Things could be so different for all of us. So much better… And Ginny and I could… and Potter and Granger would still be... No. I've ruined too much already. I am shaken out of my reverie by a knock on the front door. I take a look at my preoccupied girlfriend, and go over to the door to open and find a winded and very distressed Harry Potter. A/N: So that's the end of chapter 1. I know its short, but I couldn't pass up the cliffy. I have another chapter already written, but I'd love some critique! Thanks! --> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Chapter 2 A/N: Hello! Ro10tom8os here! Here's the next installment of Oh, The Twisted Lives We Live! I have the next chapter half way written, so I'll try to finish it soon. After that, I can't promise immediate updates, because I have school, and it's really stressful. Plus I've started a really intensive trapeze class, and I'm not doing so well in math, and I'm starting voice lessons, SO, as you can see, I don't have a lot of time on my hands to write. I know where I'm taking this story, its just, I'm not really sure how I'm going to get there. Regardless, I hope you stick with me! Please review! Summary: This story takes place after the final battle with spoilers for books 1-6. The world of our friends is completely screwed up. Follow as the trio and their friends struggle to put their lives back together after the tragedies of love and war. This story is H/Hr, D/G, and R/L. Please note that the points of view change from time to time, but I do make note of it. Please R&R! Disclaimer: Yeah, as much as I'd like, I could never achieve the literary talents of JKR, so instead I twiddle and twat with her tales, and make them go my way. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh The Twisted Lives We Live! Chapter 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review Draco's POV I am shaken out of my reverie by a knock on the front door. I take a look at my preoccupied girlfriend, and go over to the door and open it to find a winded and very distressed Harry Potter. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Draco's POV “Is Hermione here?” asks Harry in a very worried voice. Damn, he sounds like Hermione. This is really getting bad Pot-err- Harry. “What's it to you, Potter?” I ask as coolly as possible, but one look into those freaky green eyes tells me that it is not a good time to joke. “Yes, I have,” I reply mournfully. “She's in the sitting room with Ginny. By the looks of it, she's none too happy with you. What the hell did you do this time, Potter?” I get no direct reply from him as he curses under his breath and pushes past me. “Oh young love,” I sigh softly, turning back into the kitchen to make myself a sandwich and have a butterbeer. Harry's POV Upon hearing Draco's whisper about love, it takes all my strength not to turn on him. Prat. Just like you. You know that's what is bothering you, and you know it hurts to hear him say it because it makes it real. You LIE. How can I lie to you? I am you. Shut Up! Just admit it, you love her. My mental argument comes to an abrupt stop as I near the sitting room to hear soft sobs, and quiet words of comfort. I look in the room to see Ginny holding a crying Hermione as she incomprehensibly mumbles words like “stupid”, “caring”, “prat,” “sweet”, and “asshole”. My heart freezes as I hear her choke out my name. My fault. As usual, it's my fault- And now you've made her cry. Shut Up! Fuck, what have I done? If you would just fess up, and stop pushing her away… I said shut up! She looks beautiful right now! I can't think that, she's my best friend! And she pissed off as hell at me! She's our amazingly beautiful best friend, whom you LOVE. For the last time! SHUT THE FUCK UP! “Hermione?” I finally manage to whisper. Ginny's POV I had known Harry was standing in the doorway for a while, just gazing at Hermione with concern, relief, and love, in his eyes. When he finally spoke, I looked up at him as Hermione stirred. “Harry,” comes my simple replay. Harry gives me a quizzical look. I can't help but laugh, which finally awakes Hermione up enough to get her off me. She turns and looks at Harry. Their eyes meet, and it is as though they are talking. Harry is asking for forgiveness and Hermione's eyes are first filled with anger then love and forgiveness. They are off in their own little world, so quietly I slip away to give them privacy. As I leave the room, I see Draco eating a sandwich, and we smile at each other. Together we walk towards our room to talk. “She loves him, Draco. All those problems with Ron were because she loves him,” I say to Draco pensively. “He loves her too, but I think he is too stupid to realize it.” “He does? How do you know?” Draco smiles to himself. “I'm more perceptive than people give me credit for.” I smile at this and crawl into his arms. “My god, they're oblivious.” Draco laughs. “When has Harry ever been good with anything having to do with the heart?” I laugh at this, and smile up at my boyfriend. My god I'm lucky. Even if my family hates me, and my boyfriend is on the run from the Ministry of Magic, I still have friends and people who love me. It's great that Harry and I are still close. What if we had ended up like Ron and Hermione? I wonder if Luna as loosened him up yet? I must remember to owl her. Draco kisses the top of my head softly, and I awaken from my reverie. “You ok, Red?” I smile to myself, “yeah, just thinking about how lucky I am.” “Well why wouldn't you be? You've got me!” I swat his arm playfully, and we continue talking. Hermione's POV I knew Harry had been there at the door, but I thought maybe if I ignored him, he would go away. He wouldn't be Harry if he did. The moment I look into his eyes, I know that he hates himself for the things that he said to me. I know that he feels terrible for what he did. I want to stay mad at him, but find that I can't. “Hermione,” he says again. “I'm so sorry. I never should have said the things that I did. I feel terrible. It was totally uncalled for. Please, `Mione. Don't leave me.” “I could never leave you Harry. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't force you to talk about… you know…” I come up and hug him, laying my head on his chest. He wraps his arms around me, and I start to cry again. He kisses the top of my head and whispers comforting words in my ear. If only I could stay like this forever. Harry's POV She feels perfect against me, and I love it. Just like you love her. No I don't. You're hopeless. Listen to my voice, it even sounds like her. How can you say that you don't love her if she in your head! Wow… I guess you're right. Maybe there's more here than I thought… I pull away and look into her eyes. “Mione, I feel terrible. Can I treat you to dinner, as a material apology?” She sniffles softly, and I find it to be the most adorable and heartbreaking thing ever. “Well I guess I could pencil you in for 6:30 tonight, Mr. Potter,” she says, her eyes alight with happiness. “Excellent. I'll pick you up then.” After kissing her on the forehead, I yell my thanks to Ginny and Draco and apperate away. Hermione's POV Finding it quite awkward being in Ginny's living room when she's off with Draco, I follow Harry's lead, and yell my thanks to Ginny for her help, and walk over to her fireplace to floo home. She comes running in, asking what happened. “He's taking me to dinner.” I reply. Of course, Ginny gets very excited. “Oh! What are you going to wear? I have the most perfect thing! I just drew it up yesterday. I'll sew it for you, and bring it over tonight!” She was so excited, I couldn't say no, and I will admit, Ginny's creations are actually very good. I nod to her. “Just make sure you have it done before 6:30, because that's when he's coming to pick me up. She smiles and nods excitedly. “Will do.” So with one last hug, I throw floo powder into the fire, and go home. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------REV IEW! Up coming: Harry and Hermione's dinner. Ginny writes to Luna. We hear about Ron. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Chapter 3 A/N: Hey! Ro10tom8os here! Fare warning, this is mostly an D/G chapter, but there is some H/Hr, and a flashback as well. Anyway sorry that I'm posting so late in the day. My boyfriend rang the doorbell just as I finished the last sentence, and so I had to wait for him to leave for me to go back through it and edit it. But at long last (especially if you've been reading this on ff.net,) here I give you the third installment of “Oh, The Twisted Lives We Live!” I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks to SpecialK220 for betaing. You're the best! Summary: This story takes place after the final battle with spoilers for books 1-6. The world of our friends is completely screwed up. Follow as the trio and their friends struggle to put their lives back together after the tragedies of love and war. This story is H/Hr, D/G, and R/L. Please note that the points of view change from time to time, but I do make note of it. Please R&R! Disclaimer: Yeah, as much as I'd like, I could never achieve the literary talents of JKR, so instead I twiddle and twat with her tales, and make them go my way. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oh, The Twisted Lives We Live! Chapter 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ginny's POV Staring at the spot where Hermione once stood, I snap back to attention and set off to design Hermione's outfit for the evening. Knowing Harry, he is going to take her somewhere quite fancy. It's quite apparent that he feels awful about yelling at her today, and since he's never been good with words, he is using this dinner as a way to show his sorrow at his actions. Of course, I know that Hermione really doesn't care about that, and I believe that he doesn't either, but whatever, he can do as he pleases. Plus, it gives me a chance to make this outfit for Hermione. I know she is just going to love it. I go into my office and begin to sketch my idea out, and after I have it to perfection, I wave my wand, input Hermione's measurements, and magic the outfit into existence. As the magic sews and hems, I walk over to my writing desk, take out a piece of parchment, and write to Luna. Dear Luna, Hi Luna. I hope married life is treating you well. I know my brother can be a pain in the ass sometimes. Coincidentally, he is actually the reason that I am writing. I was wondering how he feels about me, especially in terms of Draco. I know that you know that Draco is innocent, but Ron and the rest of my family don't agree. How do they react to me? Have they forgotten about me? You know how much I hate all this secrecy Luna… I just wish that they would understand. Though I guess after Percy, it's easy to understand why they don't. How about we get lunch sometime? I miss you. `Mione is a right mess at the moment, and not that good to talk to. Still mooning over Harry, though I think that might be getting somewhere. Love you Lunes, ~Ginny I hear a knock on the door as I sign my letter with a flourish. “Come in,” I say, and grin as I turn to look into the eyes of my boyfriend. His eyes scan the room, pausing to look at Hermione's outfit. He walks over to it, and picks up the sketch. He gives me an apprising look. “I like it. This is one of your best.” He smiles and walks over, to embrace me warmly. As we pull out of our hug, I smile up at him. “Can I borrow Alistair? I wrote a letter to Luna, and Athena is away sending a dress to Lavender via mail order.” I look up and him, and give him my best puppy eyes. Draco's POV Damn those beautiful eyes. I can't say no to them. “Those eyes will be the death of me, I swear. Yes, you may borrow Alistair, but don't wear him out, ok Red?” She winks at me, and turns around to send the letter. “So what should we do today Blondie?” she asks me, grinning cheekily at my hated nickname. “Nothing, if you use that name again,” I reply cheekily, until I see Ginny's eyes glaze, and grow slightly cold. “Red, what's wrong?” She comes back to the present and smiles up at me. “Oh nothing, just having a flash back to Hermione and Ron's relationship.” Flashback No POV Hermione groaned as she saw Ron approaching her. He walked towards her in what she could only assume was his attempt at a sexy, masculine strut. In truth, looked more like a baby giraffe trying to keep up with its mother. He came over to her and made a big show of put his arms around her. Hermione saw Harry stifle a laugh, and shot him a glare. “Hey sweet thang,” Ron said with a growl. Hermione signed ad looked at him from her Arithmancy project. “Hi, Ron,” she replied, annoyance obvious in her face. Ron, however, didn't seem to notice. “What do you want to do to day, Hermy?” Harry looked immediately, as Hermione twitched in anger. She turned around in her chair to look up at him. “What did you just call me?” she said, fire dancing in her eyes. “Hermy,” replied Ron, still oblivious the anger he was causing. “I came up with it the other night. I though it was cute. Just like you.” “Never, ever, EVER call me that again!” Hermione said harshly. Harry noticed many people in the common room vainly trying to act as though they weren't paying attention, though they weren't doing a very good job of it. He turned his attention back to his two best friends. “Why not?” asked Ron, confused, “you're my girlfriend, why can't I give you a pet name? Now come on. Go put your books away and we'll go for a walk around the lake. Maybe even do more than just walking, eh?” He winked at her. Hermione raised her hand and slapped Ron hard across the face, leaving him dazed and confused. The common room went silent, the slap giving unspoken permission to its inhabitants that they didn't have to be secret about their eavesdropping anymore. “No, Ron, you have not right to give me a pet name, because I am not your girlfriend. I can't be with such an insensitive git any longer!” And with a flourish, she grabbed her calculations and her book, stuffed them in her bag, and stormed out of the common room. There was an awkward silence for a moment, and people waited to see what Ron would do. He turned to Harry. “Did she just break up with me?” Ron asked Harry shakily. Harry stared at him blankly. “No, no, she couldn't have. We're just going through a rough patch. Must be that time of the month, right?” Harry looked at him in disbelief. “You bastard. You fucking bastard! Do you even know the meaning behind that name? Or were you too busy staring at her chest to listen to her when she told us that THAT'S WHAT HER PARENTS USED TO CALL HER!” Ron looked shocked and Harry's outburst. “But they died a year ago. Surely a name wouldn't be that much of an issue would it? Come on, it—it's just a name, Harry.” Harry stared at Ron in shock, his eyes turning darker with anger. “No Ron, its not. It's not just a name and Hermione is not just a girl. I'm sorry it took you took long to see that.” And with a clap, he slammed his book closed, and walked out of the common room to find Hermione. End Flashback Ginny's POV “Of course, Harry and I had already broken up, but it was then that I knew that Harry and I would have never worked out. He cared about Hermione too much. Sure, he loved me, and still does, but as a sister, not as a lover. In fact, it was I who broke it off with him. Right after the war, in fact.” Draco looks confused for a moment then opens his mouth to speak. “How did he take it? When you broke up with him? Obviously, this was after the war, when everyone was back at school. Everyone expected you two to get back together, along with Hermione and Ron. I remember being shocked when I heard the news that you two had broken up. I just always assumed that he broke up with you because `he had changed too much after the war.'” He looks down at me, awaiting my answer. “He took it well. I think both of us knew it wasn't going to work. It was great while it lasted, but the war changed everybody, and I still had my image of my knight in shining armor.” I smile up at Draco, and kiss him softly on the lips. “Now I know that he saw you kiss me, but then I didn't know that. We simply agreed that too much had changed, and that it was best that be--we both moved on. I think that's what has kept us friends. We broke it off mutually because we both knew it wasn't working. And lucky for me, I found you right away, but Harry…” Draco smiles wickedly. “Yeah, stupid Potter. Can't see what's bloody in front of his eyes.” I hit his arm playfully. “Watch your language, Malfoy.” “Yes, dear,” he replies sheepishly. “Lets go out to dinner at that tasty muggle café down the street so I can make it up to you and hear more delicious stories about the idiot trio.” I laugh and lean up to kiss my boyfriend's cheek. “Sounds like a plan. Let me just pop this over to Hermione's flat and then we can be on our way.” Hermione's POV I look at the clock and see that its 4:30. Time to get ready for my date with Harry. Ha, I wish. I sigh, and walk into my bathroom, deciding that after my stressful day, I deserve to have a nice bubble bath. I fill up my tub with lavender scented bubble bath and light some vanilla candles that Harry gave me as a feel better present after I had fallen ill a couple of months ago. Just as I am about to step into the bath, my floo bell rings. I grab my bathrobe and walk over to the fireplace to see Ginny's head in the flames. “Hey Gin. I was just about to take a bath. Come on over.” Her head disappears for a moment, and then she steps out of the fireplace, holding a large box in her hands. “Draco and I are going out to an early dinner, so I thought I would drop this off before you leave. I hope you like it. I went pretty glam on this, as I figured Harry would take you somewhere pretty nice for dinner.” I smile at my red headed friend, and take the box from her, looking at it hesitantly. “Go on, open it!” she urges, and I slowly lift off the lid to find the most beautiful red dress I have ever seen. “Ginny,” I gasp, “It's beautiful! I'd say its one of the best you've ever made. Thank you so much!” She smiles warmly at me. “I'm glad you like it, but I have to go. Draco will be waiting for me, and we know how impatient he is. I promised I'd tell him stupid stories about the trio, and I know he's dying to find out more about your stupid adventures.” I giggle with Ginny and wish her a good day, and then go back to return to my bath, which was now hot, bubbly, and filled to the brim. I remove my robe and slip into the warm bath. After my very satisfying bath, I dry myself up, slip on Ginny's dress, which immediately molds to my curves to fit me, well, magically. I apply my makeup, and then magic my hair up into a soft bun, allowing some hair to frame my face in soft tendrils. Puberty really is a godsend. I look at my clock, and find that I still have about half an hour until Harry comes to pick me up, so I wander into my study and do some work while I wait. Harry's POV Looking up from my work, I realized that its 5:48. Shit, I have to get ready for dinner with Hermione! I realized with horror that I haven't yet made a reservation, and quickly apperate over to The Silver Snitch to make a reservation for two at 7:00. Being the savior of the Wizarding World has its advantages. As I walk out of the restaurant to apperate home, I see a lady selling flowers, and on a whim buy a dozen roses for Hermione. It's now 6:02, and I dash in to the shower. After putting on my best suit, and vainly trying for five minutes to tame my hair, I look at the clock, and see that it's 6:20. Grabbing the roses, I hope into my car, and drive over to Hermione's flat, opting for muggle transportation in lieu of magic to make it more romantic. Romantic? This isn't a date Harry, just what do you think you're doing? Well maybe I want it to be. I arrive at Hermione's flat at 6:31, walk up to the front door, and ring the doorbell. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A/N: Sorry for the cliffy, but I just had to. You'll see their date next chapter, I promise! If any of you were wondering about Hermione's dress, it can be found here: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=220499&LinkType=CrossSell&PseudoCat=22177&LinkLoc=22177 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Author's Note Hey! I'm sorry I've taken so long to update and I regret to say that this is only an Author's Note, and does not included the next chapter. However, I feel that I owe all of my readers an explanation as to my severe lack of updating. I'm in my junior year of high school and I just started my final trimester about a month ago. Seeing as this term and the first term of senior year are the terms universities look at most, I am dedicating myself to my studies at the moment. I have fairly high college aspirations, and I'm looking to get into some pretty difficult programs and so I have to work extra hard to bring my grade up that much more. On top of bringing my grades up (which aren't low by any means they just simply could be higher) I'm having to study for SATs, SAT Subject Tests, and AP exams, all of which I am taking in a matter of about a month. Plus I'm in a student written and produced one-act at my school, helping my friend tutor a girl in chemistry, and I am one of the refs for the boys varsity volleyball games. On top of ALL of this I'm also having issues at home, which have been stressing me out and generally getting in the way of everything that I already have to do. So I apologize for not updating as quickly as I could/should but life tends to get in the way. I'm going to put this story on pause, and I hope I can begin it again when schools gets out in June, or even before that. Thank you all for reading, and I hope to get back to you all soon! ~ro10tom8os -->