3. Young and Unaware
They were together again on their "walk".
It was while their lips sought the others for solace, one couldn't help but think of what the hair in between her clutching fingers would feel if black would replace red. She questioned whether she would relish the feel of cold metal of a pair of glasses on her skin. She wondered whether that person would fill the empty abyss.
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That time had come again. Harry was alone in the common room again and nearly all had left, gone to the land of dreams. That is an exception for one boy however.
`Aren't you going to bed Harry?' Neville asked.
Harry looked up to see the other boy's worried face. `No, no, I think I'll stay a little more.'
They stay silent for a little while the fire crackling away fills the stillness.
`You know,' Neville starts in a hesitant voice. `You know, you aren't afraid of being alone without them.'
Harry looks up quickly. What nonsense was he talking about? `What…'
`You're just afraid of being alone without her.' Neville quickly cuts in. `Aren't you?'
Both of them stare at each other and when finally one of them makes a movement, it's a slight nod.
Together, they talk of all sorts of things: Herbology, Quidditch, even Neville's forgetfulness. As they talk, Harry realizes, Neville is certainly not the dim person as everyone so thought.
When finally the portrait door opens and admits a boy and a girl, Neville and Harry both stand up and walk up to the dormitories without saying a word to the new arrivals. No words are necessary; the action should speak for itself.
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When the hoot of an owl could be heard somewhere in the distance and the other occupant's in the room breathed softly and rhythmically, Hermione liked to peruse through her photographic collection.
The smiling faces of a youthful trio beamed. Hermione's finger would linger on a particular photograph and wonder how long it had been since it had been taken, too long.
People change, she thought. I've changed, she added. Then the painful throb would thud in her chest as she wistfully wished to be once again young and unaware. She watched as the young Hermione attempted to dodge a hug aimed by an equally young Ron. Her lips crinkled as she saw Harry laugh and laugh harder as the other two tackled him.
So young and so unaware.
&&&
The common room, it seemed, became a neutral ground where the only conversations that would occur between Harry and Hermione would take place. They sat next to each other on the couch, not too near but not too far away.
`I…' Hermione says and then lets out a breath. Harry looks at her.
Hermione is not a romantic. She would think of it silly to write mysterious love letters on Valentine's or to absentmindedly doodle a boy's name on a good piece of parchment.
So it was truly unexpected to Harry to hear Hermione start with the word "I" and have a face burning red.
Harry waits and cannot help notice that his pulse had become a little stronger and his breaths became a little shallower.
`I…' Hermione trails off.
Two plus one equals three.
Harry waits and holds his breath.
`I am not complete without you.' Hermione finishes quickly.
Three plus zero also equaled three.
`You aren't?' Harry asks without looking at Hermione. At the corner of his eye, he sees her nod.
Thee plus zero equals three but that will please no one, especially when they are no longer young and unaware.
`Well then, you had better choose quickly,' Harry says as he gets up, `or the emptiness might break you.'
They were no longer young and unaware.
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A/N: I think I should apologize profusely for the snogging scene in the first part. Also, I should maintain that I am a firm HHr fan and I am fully aware that this is portkey. So for those who may sincerely doubt the premise of this story, just wait a little longer. I'll try and make this as less painful as I can and more enjoyable. Promise.
Thankyou to those who reviewed. I'll try and take all that you said to heart.
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