"Is this a bad time?" Charles asked slowly.
"Nonsense." Hermione said, still staring angrily at Harry. She couldn't believe he was here.
"Nonsense indeed," Harry said quickly, returning Hermione's gaze. How could she bring precious
Charlie here? "I was just having a little chat with my friends here."
"Were you, now?" Hermione asked. "How coincidental." She almost grit her teeth.
Harry's eyes closed slightly. She was not accusing him of… "How childish do you think I am, Hermione?"
Hermione smiled an arrogant smile. "Really?" She was ready to launch into a speech about how childish she thought he was when Ron opened the door wider from the side.
"Hermione," he said with a smile. He turned his gaze upwards. "Charlie." He put his hand forward, pass Hermione, and shook Charles's hand firmly.
"Ron," Charles said politely.
"Ron," Hermione said, a bit more strained than she wanted to.
There was a bit of an awkward moment as the four stood there, unmoving in the cramped spot around the door. "Come in, Star's put a pot of tea on," Ron said suddenly, moving and pulling Harry out of the way.
"I'm making dinner!" Luna called from the kitchen.
"And she's making dinner," Ron laughed. He opened his arms and waved them into the living room.
"Come in, come in. I'll go get more tea cups and mugs." He turned away and walked out of the room.
Harry was about to enter the living room when he moved to the side, turned around and let Hermione pass before him. She looked beautiful; he was going to admit it. He grit his teeth when he thought of the possible fact that she dressed up for Charles. "You look nice," he said in her ear when she passed him, just loud enough for both of them to hear.
She halted her steps and let her breath quicken slightly. Her eyes darted to him and back to the living room. "So do you," she whispered, cursing at herself for even saying anything. She took a seat, furthest away from Harry.
Knowing he shouldn't push his luck, Harry took a seat directly across from her.
Charles, however, decided to sit right next to Hermione. The three sat uncomfortably, hoping a topic would pop out at any time. Fortunately, Ron returned with two more tea cups and took a seat next to Harry on the couch. "Charlie, it's good to see you again," he said after relaxing.
Charles smiled, happy to get a conversation started that evening. "It's good to see you, Ron. I saw the game last night, well done with that back flip catch near the end, it was astounding."
Ron almost blushed. He was incredibly modest despite the undeniable fact that he was so skilled, he should boast. "Oh, thanks, it was nothing, really." Out of habit, he laid back and brought his left arm around Harry's shoulder. The three visitors stared at Ron, none wanting to say anything. It was a good fifteen seconds before Ron realized who he was cuddling with when he yanked his hand back rather quickly. "Sorry," he aid sheepishly.
Harry stared at his friend for a second before cuddling back against him. There was a small laugh from everyone in the room.
Hermione even giggled, taking a sip of Luna's Blueshyre tea. She loved her boys and their playful nature. She suddenly thought of specifically, Harry's playful nature and tossed her head to the side slightly, pushing those thoughts away. She shouldn't think about him, it wasn't good.
"Cannons fan, are you, Charlie?" Harry asked, taking advantage of Charles's newfound nickname.
"Much more of a Puddlemere fan, really," Charles replied, withholding a grimace as he swallowed some tea. What in blazing hell was this?!
"Ah, Wood's team," Harry coyly smiled. He turned his gaze to Hermione. "Has he changed you into a P United fan yet, Hermione?"
Hermione couldn't stand it when he got like this. When he got arrogant and confident and flirty for no good reason. She hated him because she knew he knew it was driving her crazy, in more ways than one. "Charles used to play Quidditch at school," she said, raising an eyebrow.
Harry didn't seem interested at all. He turned his gaze back to Charles. "Did you? What position?"
"I was the backup keeper," he replied, with no shame in his voice.
"Really?" Harry asked. He turned his gaze back to Hermione but kept talking to Charles. He was being arrogant and confident and sexy for no good reason. He knew it drove her crazy. "I was the seeker and captain of my team."
"Harry," Hermione said, never taking her eyes off him.
Harry smiled and even laughed. "I was."
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned away from him, sipping her tea. "Arrogant prick," she muttered.
"I've got a lot to boast about," Harry muttered back with a smile.
Hermione set her cup down. "Harry!"
"Have some more tea, Charlie," Ron offered to break the tension, lifting the teapot in front of Charles's empty teacup.
Charles's eyes almost went wide. He waved his hand. "No, thank you."
"Not a fan of blueberries, Charlie?" Harry asked, nodding when Ron then offered to fill his cup.
"Actually, Charles is quite the fan of fruits," Hermione said truthfully, bobbing her head slightly. Arrogantly. Haughtily. And they both knew how Harry reacted when she did that.
"I like meat," Harry said almost huskily, staring at Hermione.
"Yes, one would think so, you wild animal," she mumbled, sipping at her tea.
"I'm known to be quite the animal," Harry grinned evilly.
Hermione raised her head and stared at him like he was impossible and unbelievable. There had been more sexual
references in this conversation than she thought she had ever had. They continued to look at one another for a little
while longer when Charles cleared his throat.
"Does Luna need any help in the kitchen, Ron?"
Ron swallowed his tea quickly and shook his head. "Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you. She's got special places for certain cooking items." He rolled his eyes and waved his arms. "Baking powder under the sink, baking soda two drawers above a dairy product, sugar no more than a meter away from the canola oil…" He sighed; a happy sigh, though. "It's just not worth it. Thanks for offering, though."
"Charles is quite the gentleman," Hermione popped in.
"Last time I checked, you liked dangerous men," Harry said with a wink, so ready to rip his shirt off and show her his wounds.
"Last time you checked, I was with you and we both know you're not a gentleman," Hermione said.
"Hermione, that's not fair," Ron finally intervened. He was on Hermione's side, mostly. But he was sort of on Harry's side, as well.
"Ron," Hermione said, almost warning him not to get involved. Neither Harry nor Hermione wanted to hurt another best friend.
"Don't accuse me of not being a gentleman; I've always treated you with respect and love. Less than you deserve but I tried as hard as I could," Harry said, trying not to raise his voice.
"And your best fell short," she said directly.
"You want to just write us off, then?" Harry sneered.
"There is no `us'," she replied, pushing away the sadness that crept over her with the reality of that sentence.
Fortunately, the Weasleys always had good timing and Luna was a fast learner. She entered the living room right after this little spat and squished between Harry and Ron. Ron smiled this time and brought his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "Dinner's almost ready," she said. "Have some tea, Charlie," she said, after noticing the man's empty cup.
Not wanting to disappoint the lady of the house and proud owner of the…interesting tea, Charles withheld a sigh and poured himself a cup of tea.
"How was work, Hermione?" Luna asked. Where there was no response from the brunette, Luna followed Hermione's strong glare towards Harry and looked away shyly. Choosing a safer topic and individual, she turned back to Charles. "We were all talking about tea leaves just before you arrived. Do you believe in tea leaf readings, Charlie?"
Charles had just finished his tea in one gulp, miraculously stopping a grimace to appear. "No, not in particular," he sighed, putting the teacup down.
"You know, this is just like you," Hermione suddenly said. "Following me everywhere-"
"I didn't know you were coming tonight and what's that supposed to mean, following you everywhere? I'm not a dog, Hermione," Harry interrupted.
"Why can't you get it, Harry, we're not going to be together," Hermione said desperately, wondering who she was trying to convince.
"I want to know why we broke up in the first place, Hermione."
She saw red. Oh, she suddenly remembered who she was trying to convince. "I'll tell you why, it's because you met someone else. The moment I leave for one weekend, you jump into the arms of someone else. Someone brighter, more talkative, more pretty, more deep than I. Nicole's just perfect for you, isn't she?"
"She's obviously missing something if we've broken up and I'm here; chasing you."
Hermione scoffed. "Or you've simply lost your mind."
Harry considered that sentence. God, when she was right, she was right. "Yes, I have." He sighed weakly. "I've come completely mad for you, Hermione. We were crazy for one another." He paused. "And we still are."
Hermione decided to turn her head away. She couldn't look into those eyes. Yes, she was still crazy about him. But it wasn't smart. It just wasn't smart to be with him, even though she wanted to.
Harry sighed. "Why is he here?" He asked restlessly, motioning to Charles, who had been wondering the same thing all night.
"Don't speak to him that way, he's my guest," Hermione said, angry he had to bring Charles into this.
"You're trying to distract yourself with him, you don't even know him," Harry said calmly.
Hermione sneered. "I know him."
"Alright. Maybe. But does he know you?"
He was doing it again. Being arrogant and confident. Except this time, with good reason. "And I suppose you do, Harry?"
Harry licked his front teeth. He turned his gaze to Charles. That poor chap. "Do you know why she prefers cold apple cider as opposed to hot? Do you know she color-coordinates her socks in her drawers? Do you know why she likes nuts with her ice cream? Do you know why she like noodles before rice and not rice before noodles?"
Charles sighed, completely beaten. He saw it now. He turned his gaze to the floor, sort of embarrassed, even though he knew Harry didn't mean to.
Harry turned back to Hermione. He voice softened. "Does he know about the twitch in your left eye when you lie? Does he know your right eyebrow moves up and down when you tease? Does he know your breath hitches up when someone hugs you?" He paused. "Does he know how your eyes close when someone kisses you?"
"That's enough," she said, barely whispering.
"He doesn't know anything about you."
"He's trying to."
"He's just a friend, Hermione." He brought his hand out and pointed at her. "But you." He brought it back and circled his heart. "And Me." He paused again. "It's the way it is."
She was almost disgusted. "I don't belong to you," she whispered.
"But I belong to you. And you will always have my heart. What do you want to do with it, Hermione?"
"I've enough of you," Hermione said hastily, turning her gaze away from him, not wanting to fall for him all over again.
"You know what," Charles finally said calmly, getting up. "Thank you for the invitation, Hermione, but I just remembered I left some paperwork at B and F's." He looked at Ron and Luna who were busy snuggling, obviously used to Harry and Hermione having intense exchanges. "I'll take a rain check on the dinner, that alright?"
Luna nodded, smiling when Ron caressed her knuckles with his lips. "You're always welcome, Charlie."
Hermione had gotten up from her seat and taken Charles's hands in hers.
Harry barely reacted to the motion. He knew he had gotten through to Charles. Poor chap. But he'd find someone else. Hermione was his. And he was definitely Hermione's.
"Stay, Charles," Hermione said softly.
"I wish I could but I really should get going," Charles whispered back. He turned to the Weasleys and nodded in farewell. "Thank you again for the tea." He then walked out of the living room and began gathering his coat in the front.
Hermione sighed, closing her eyes. "Excuse me," she said softly, before chasing after Charles.
"Excuse me," Harry said just as softly, before chasing after Hermione.
"Harry," Ron called, but was too late. He shrugged when the three were out of view. He turned to Luna.
"Peace and quiet, Star. Thank goodness."
"Hush," Luna said, silencing him with a kiss, "There's more to be said tonight."
~~
Harry didn't want to get involved. He simply stayed around the corner, his arms folded.
"Please, stay, Charles."
"There's no point in staying, Hermione. You two belong together."
"That's not true."
"Who are you kidding? All you could ever talk about is Harry. Since the day we first met."
"That doesn't mean anything. Please, stay."
"Why are you doing this, Hermione? He loves you. He wants to be with you."
"I don't want to be with him."
"…Of course you do!"
"We're not right for each other."
"Are you daft? You two are so perfect for each other, it's frightening."
"Charles-"
"No, I don't want to hear it, Hermione. Go back in there. Really, it's alright."
"Charles."
"Hermione, you two belong together. It's just the way things are. It's the way things have always been."
"Don't let his words get to you."
"Hermione, the thing is; he's right. I don't know anything about you. I don't know those details he's listed."
"That's all they are; details."
"They're not insignificant, Hermione. He notices you. He notices everything about you. And I'd be willing
to bet 50 galleons; you can make a longer list about him. *sigh* Hermione, you two are perfect for one
another. Really. I see the way you two look at one another. I see the look on your face when you think of him. I see
the way his words and actions affect you."
"..."
"And it's alright. *Pause* I'll see you tomorrow, Herm-Ms. Granger."
When an open and close of the door, he was gone. Harry sighed. He didn't mean to hurt Charles, as much as he originally wanted to. He heard Hermione rest her forehead on the front door. He leaned his head back on the wall. And together, they stood there for who knows how long, knowing the other knew they were there.
That's right, she knew he was there. She knew Harry was listening. Because she just knew him. He was Harry. And it was getting harder and harder to resist Harry.
Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to *someone special* out there. Yes, it's true; you're not the brightest crayon in the box. But you're the only one I want to pick.
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