Good News and Bad News--Chapter 9
Despite having had a clash of personalities that morning under the stress of getting ready for their return to Hogwarts, Harry and Hermione laughed and carried on like they had most of the week during the drive to King's Cross Station. They playfully teased each about keeping their hands above the waist while snogging.
"Ooh, well, if you do that then I'll just do something like this," she said. There was a slight pause. When he saw her wand, he knew he was in trouble. "Petrificus Totalus."
"I'll make your entire body as stiff as little Harry," she said smiling as Harry sat rigid as a board in the seat beside her.
"Rennervate," she said laughing. "You should have seen the face you had when you saw the wand in my hand. I love being eighteen. I can do magic anywhere. You can defend yourself too you know. You can't get in trouble anymore. What are they going to do, suspend you?"
Harry was glad she had enchanted the window between the driver and them so that he would see things in his mirror as though he were looking out the back window from behind them. It had allowed them to snog and play around.
"Can you believe this traffic?" asked Harry. He looked around for clues as to how close to the station they were and determined that they might just barely have time to grab their bags and run to the train. It was possible that they might not even have the time to ensure that no one saw them pop through the portal to Platform 9 and Three-quarters. "Are you ready to run when we get out?"
"Yes, when I stop laughing at that expression. You looked like your eyes would pop out," said Hermione still laughing.
"I was expecting to have canaries attacking me, not that," said Harry.
"Well, that's reserved for punishment when you drool over someone else and embarrass me, Harry," she said with a wink.
Finally, the car came to a stop. Harry could see the station to his left. "I'll get our things and pay him." Harry relaxed when they arrived so soon. He no longer had that anxiety of knowing he had nearly made them late to begin with.
"Oh, don't pay him, Harry. I paid with the credit card," said Hermione. "Maybe a tip for it taking so long in traffic."
Harry walked with driver to the trunk and took out their things. He added his bag to Hermione's luggage carrier and fastened it shut. She came to get it from him. "Oh I have it, Hermione. No problem."
"Thanks, Harry," she said smiling as she took his arm. "I don't think we have to run after all. We were closer than I thought too."
They were able to take the walk to the train at an even continuous pace. They saw Ginny, Neville and Ron get on ahead of them. Surprisingly, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiled at them weakly, "Hi, kids," said Mr. Weasley to a glare from Mrs. Weasley. "Don't encourage them," she said while still smiling.
Harry and Hermione smiled back. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," said Harry confidently. Hermione's tone was less perky.
Once on the train, they found a cabin quickly and sat down. "That was terribly awkward, but it's better than I thought it would be," said Hermione.
"Yeah, right?" said Harry bemused by the entire thing.
"Once we're moving let's go see them in their cabin, Hermione," said Harry, but before he finished Ron and Ginny were knocking at their door.
Ron's expression was somewhere between sad and merely annoyed. "Harry, I'm here so that we don't have it hanging over our heads all day or for a week. It's time to move on." He didn't look up but there was a sense of insincerity like he was telling the truth but not all of it. Harry couldn't put his finger on it.
"Please sit down, mate," said Harry. "I'm not going to make things worse by saying I'm sorry for what's happened. I'm sorry that it hurt our friendship though. I am also sorry that it happened the way it did."
"Me too, Ron," said Hermione. "I was tough on you and I'm sorry if I was hurtful."
"Well, there's not much you can do about that now," he said almost too sadly. "I'm still kind of numb, Hermione. I do love you, you know. I might be all those things you said, but I do love you. I'm sorry for the things I said to you. I have to go." He smiled reluctantly. "I just wish I could have done things better so it didn`t have to be like this." Ron left and closed the door.
Ginny sat looking at the two of them. "I don't know exactly what's up with Ron," said Ginny. "Just don't be cruel about it and fool around in front of him for a few days. Let him get used to the idea. You know him almost as well as I do. I can wish you well though. No offense Hermione, but he probably needs someone a little different than you anyway."
Harry saw Hermione was biting her tongue. "Yeah, he probably wants someone who will give him sex," said Hermione.
Ginny smiled. "Wow, that's to the point isn't it," she said. "I don't think that he sees it for what it is but that's probably right." She paused and reached for the door. "I still can't believe you said that."
Hermione shrugged. "We just didn`t do it for each other, I guess."
"Good luck, Harry. She's pretty picky, it seems," said Ginny with a sarcastic smile.
"If she only knew," said Harry smiling.
Hermione shake her head. "Harry, I think that's exactly what this is all about."
"What?" asked Harry seeing that she was being serious.
"If you had just seen someone you claimed was the love of your life walk out on you, would you go back to her in front of the new boyfriend because your sister made you or take her as a body guard?" asked Hermione. "He was acting. I think he was as ready to move on as I was. If we weren't stuck here at Hogwarts having to deal with one another, I think he would be gone in a flash."
"It is a bit odd after he acted like he did in the Great Hall last week," said Harry trying to put together the logic. "The pouting routine looked a little forced."
"Oh, come on Harry. He's trying to make sure he doesn't look like the bad guy. He knew I was in love with you for months. I know he cares for me; I'm not saying that. I'm saying he's happy to be moving on, but he can't act that way because then he doesn't get all the sympathy," said Hermione. "It's kind of sickening really."
"So do you think he was waiting for me to get better so he could have an excuse?" asked Harry.
"I think so and it's sick. I would have been able to sit with you for all that time without guilt, but instead he played along. Kind of hard to break up with someone and look like a nice guy when you let a good mate say she`s a dime a dozen like every other girl," said Hermione.
He wasn't sure whether Hermione was hurt by the idea that Ron might be looking for sympathy, but he could understand if she was. He didn't go running to Cho when she was with Michael Corner after she dumped him. Harry got a strong feeling that his best mate was doing just that without realizing how shallow he was in doing it.
"Yeah, he and Seamus seemed to get a kick out that comment. He could have thrown Seamus out of the way if he wanted, or at least told him to shut up," said Harry. Ron was tall enough and strong enough to overpower Seamus, Harry was sure.
"Harry, I'm sick of it. Let's talk about something else," she said.
They talked for a long time about how to work out getting a place to live. Harry enjoyed it the further away from the discussion about Ron they got. She was animated and happy again after just a few minutes. Finally, even though they had gotten completely away from the subject, she came back to it.
"You know you said you loved me while you were sick," she said shocking him.
"I did?" he said completely caught off guard.
"I should have told the faker to get lost then," said Hermione angrily. "But you were a real bother too. When I asked you what would happen if I said I loved you too and I left Ron, you said it was my choice. You said you couldn't promise anything and you wouldn`t have it on your conscience. I was so pissed. Why would you tell me you loved me and then tell me you didn`t want me? That was our first argument and you don`t remember it." She laughed sadly.
"I would never have said I didn't want you," said Harry. "I asked you what I was supposed to do with it." He realized that he did remember and she didn't look pleased.
"Oh, so you do remember? You're a jerk." She sat back and pulled her hand away.
He hated this part of relationships. He probably was a jerk, but she was going to make him suffer until he figured it out himself.
He was shocked when she proved him wrong. "I don't mean that," she said still not getting closer. "I was responsible for staying with you even though it was going nowhere. I had two nowhere relationships with guys I loved. One wanted nothing more than to have a wife, kids and regular sex. The other didn't know what he wanted except that it wasn't me." She shook her head. "I was so confused. It was as if I clung harder to Ron for a while because of it. It hurt, you know."
"I'm sorry, Hermione," said Harry. "I was sort of confused about losing my best mate and a brother in the deal. Guys are like that because we see girls change their minds about which guy they like better so much that it's easier to keep your guy friends than give your heart to a girl."
"I guess part of me understood that, but you have no idea how happy I am now and how sad I thought I might be when I left Dublin. I didn`t know if you would be the guy who wanted me like last week or the one who wanted his best mate," said Hermione.
"Why would you put up with that?" asked Harry. "I was afraid I would hurt you because I didn't know what I wanted."
"Harry, when you truly love someone, you don't give up until you're sure. It might be dysfunctional or it just might be that I am an old-fashioned romantic. I wanted it with you. If you would have turned me away, I would have gone home and you would never have seen me again. After you had chased me to my house, I had a glimmer of hope but that was it. That's why I wouldn't come into your room. I had to be sure that the love I had wasn't going to be wasted. I knew if you touched me, I was done in that place. Roger was so right about letting it build. I`m sure he meant longer than four days, but I was sure already. That four days confirmed why I let it go on," said Hermione. Her tears started to come slowly. "I love you that's why, you jerk. It turns out I gave up nothing by leaving Ron, but I was willing to give up what I thought was a lot to be with you."
Harry was confused, but he saw the love in her eyes. He was angry at her insistence on being hurt by a guy who clearly wasn't worth it now, but couldn't be mean. He had to be honest in a way he hadn't before. "Hermione, we have to stop worrying about the past. My life started over when we got rid of Voldemort. It was a miraculous new beginning, when I kissed you in Diagon Alley. Your love life with me either starts there or somewhere since you broke up with Ron. Ron can go to hell as far as I care right now. I love you and I don't want anymore wonder about why this or why that, do you understand? We can't do anything about anything other than right now and loving each other."
"Harry, I'm sorry," she said.
"Don't be sorry," said Harry in a very firm but soft voice still angry about wanting to just be in love and not analyze it all. "Just tell me you love me like you did when you looked at me yesterday morning on the balcony before we made love. You are who I want in my life. So, let's just move on. Fuck Ron. If he wants to live his life getting sympathy, fine. He can do that. It has nothing to do with us."
Harry wasn't sure what the outcome of his little rant would be, but Hermione stared at him through her teary eyes and stayed right where she was, still plastered to the high-backed bench seat of the cabin across from him. Harry didn't blink. He held her gaze. Finally, Hermione said, "All right then." She moved over to his side, pulled his arm around her, and added, "You know you can't get rid of me, right? I told you that before."
She kicked her shoes off and put her legs up. Harry said, "I would have been a fool to let you go. I didn't so I'm not looking back. I love you as much as I could ever imagine loving anyone. So, you're just going to have to be satisfied with that." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Harry, I love you and thanks for not letting it eat at you. I know it was hard to say what you felt," she said as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
He hoped she truly knew how difficult that was because he would do anything to protect her and show his love for her, but he would not let talking about Ron tear him up anymore. It was over and she need to stop making him feel like it wasn't. They fell asleep.
When the train started to slow, Harry felt the motion change. He woke Hermione. "Hey, Sweetheart, wake up. We're here."
She looked at him groggily and tried to get the sleep wrinkles out of her face. Harry laughed. "Where is a camera when you need one?" he teased.
"Funny," she said smiling. "I was so exhausted. You and I need to sleep apart when we need to get up early. I know that now for sure."
He smiled. "Yeah, famous last words."
"Harry, about what you said. I don't love Ron enough to let that prat come between us, but I might not be so forgiving when I see him. So, if I seem bitter toward him, don't think it's jealousy. It's anger, okay?" she posed.
"I gotcha. Just don't go into a frenzy with me about what a jerk he is. It's not worth it."
She nodded. Harry liked that she wasn't intimidated by his stand on things and still felt comfortable to say how she felt. That wasn't why he had done what he had. It was to tell her that what she was planning to do was okay with him. No more `Ron rules'. He was a friend and a fellow Gryffindor nothing more.
They gathered their things and headed for the awaiting carriages. The sight of the thestrals always unnerved Harry with their ghostly beauty. Hermione followed Parvati and Padma into the next to the last carriage.
"Hi, Harry," said Parvati then she greeted Hermione as an afterthought. "Oh, hi Hermione."
"Hi," said Harry taking Hermione's hand.
"Ooh, aren't you two cozy? I guess the rumors are true," said Parvati in a very catty voice.
Harry answered to avoid letting Hermione take the brunt of the obvious clawing that was coming. "Would those be the rumors that Hermione and I are together now and spent the week together?"
Hermione smiled into the carriage wall as Parvati turned red and nodded weakly. "Well, I had only heard you were together."
"Oh, well, now you can feel free to tell the rest of the story," said Harry. "Oh, you can add that we will be living together after school is out and probably getting married sometime in the future. You know, just in case anyone is wondering and wants to start that rumor. Oh wait, it`s not a rumor if we confirm it as true. Hmm. Well, think of it as a breaking news flash and you`re the reporter."
Hermione squeezed his hand and laughed softly as Parvati looked at Padma. Padma grinned. "Forgive her, she had this idea that maybe you were just friends. I told her if you two were together."
"Shut up, Padma," said Parvati who regained her composure and smiled. "Well, that's nice. I'll just be sure to tell everyone that."
Hermione could sense Parvati's jealousy and anger, even if it was more at Harry for being humbled like that. "Oh, I hear Ron's looking for a new girlfriend, if you're interested. Well, maybe just someone to make him feel good, since I wouldn't go that far."
Harry wanted to burst out laughing. He knew the conversation was over as Parvati turned as red as a raven-haired, dark skinned girl could get. She wouldn't let Hermione have the last word, but she didn't sound enthusiastic. "I'll keep that in mind," she said.
Hermione laughed so hard when she got out of the carriage that none of the stares from Parvati or anyone mattered. "Harry, did you see the look on her face?" she asked.
"Yeah, it was brilliant," said Harry. Nothing they said was wrong. If any stories began because of it, they knew who started them and that was usually the end of a rumor once anonymity was lost.
Harry was wrong about the rumors. Over the next few days, they heard the occasional tawdry rumor about what they might have done in a hotel room. They let them die out on their own, but it was particularly satisfying to hear people who liked them say that it was wrong to talk about people like that. They found more friends than enemies out of it.
Thursday night was the most difficult for Harry. He had spent four days in class with homework in each and Quidditch practice every afternoon. He was tense and tired. "Harry, relax. You're pushing yourself too hard," said Hermione. "You haven't been in these classes for three months or more and the teachers know that."
"Yeah, but now that I want to get into the Ministry, I don't want to look stupid with low marks in my last year," he said. "I hate school, but I have too much pride to just let it go." It was a strange feeling to admit that, but it was true. A year ago, he would have laughed at that thought.
Hermione got up from her seat in the library, went behind him and massaged his neck and shoulders. "Seriously, you feel like you're shoulders should be even with your ears," she said. "You're stopping right now and we're taking a walk. Pack up your stuff." He sat there quietly not wanting to move. "Come on."
He got up reluctantly and followed her toward Gryffindor Tower. Put your books up stairs and put on some shorts and a t-shirt. He walked slowly upstairs wondering what she was planning. He was too tired to fool around and he knew it. When he came down, she was sitting there waiting. "Okay, on the floor," she said. She took out her wand and waved it over his back. She sat back and watched. "See, I'm learning these new relaxation techniques for stress from Madam Pomfrey. I want to specialize in this area of magical medicine and potions. It seems like there aren't enough nurses doing this."
He felt the amazing invisible hands, or whatever they were, pressing down along his spine. Soon it became almost painful as the pressure began to build. "Ouch," he said feigning real discomfort.
"It's not all soft massage you need Harry. You'd be surprised. The spell I used finds the most tense areas and tries to work the knots out of the muscles. Only a couple more minutes for the first one," she said. A minute or two later she waved her wand over him again and it stopped. "I'm not strong enough yet and I don't have the pressure points down to do that manually, so I used the spell. Sit up and lean back."
He felt better already. She continued the earlier massage of his neck and shoulders. "Wow, that's brilliant, Hermione. What do you mean you`re not strong enough?"
She smiled. "This is a very physical job. The spell is good, but there is truth that human touch is more relaxing and lifts the spirits to improve mood." She smiled.
Somehow, Harry knew why she was smiling. He realized that in order to do that massage they would have been in an awkward position on the Common Room floor too, so no matter whether she was strong enough or not it would have been inappropriate.
"Hey guys," said Ginny as she entered through the portrait hole. "Ron, Neville and I just finished studying. We're thinking about sneaking down to the kitchens for ice cream. Want to come?"
It was nice that Ginny and Neville were slowly trying to involve Harry and Hermione rather than let thing stay stale. Harry had not had a cross word with Ron all week.
Harry looked back over his shoulder pleadingly. Hermione hated taking advantage of the House Elves like that. "Hermione, please?"
"Oh, all right," she said.
Harry popped up to change. While he was gone, Neville and Ron came back into the Common Room. It was the first time that Hermione was in a room with Ron without Harry since she had told him it was over. "So, Hermione," said Neville. "Is it true? You guys will be getting a place together when you graduate?"
"Yes, we're pretty excited about it," said Hermione.
"Nice," said Neville. "I'm trying to get two girls for roommates," he said smiling.
Ginny looked at him with an playful sneer. "Yeah, I told him if he could get another girl to live with us, I'd move in to see how things go. I'm not living with two pigs after having six brothers at home. I mean two guys to clean up after."
"Hey," said Ron with a smile. "That's not fair. Mom's the one who made you clean up after us."
"Well, if you were here and not in Dublin, I would live with you two. I`d kick your tail if you left a mess and you know it," she said teasing Ron.
The trip to the kitchens was fun. It brought back memories of the exhilaration of sneaking around in the Ministry only this time the worst that would happen would probably be detention. Dobby was glad to see them. For Harry, it was strange to be with Ron, Hermione with the roles reversed, and Ron seemingly not interested. Something didn't add up, but he would wait until he could get Ron alone. He was surprised when it was Ron who approached him just after Ginny and Hermione went up the stairs to bed.
"Hey, Harry, got a minute?" asked Ron.
Harry looked around. It was the first time they'd spoken in private since before this started. "Sure, what's up?"
"Harry, I'm not sure how to say what I'm about to say without sounding insincere, but I'm okay with things the way they are now," said Ron.
Harry looked at him carefully and refrained from commenting too much, "Okay?"
"Look, I had two choices this week. I could be a jerk and let every little thing about what's going on eat at me and make life miserable for all of us or I could just let it roll off my back. Each time I let it go, it got easier to do the next. She's a great girl, but once we were apart long enough I started feeling better. I guess I was kind of stuck on the idea of being in love with her rather than really being in love," said Ron.
Harry stood and listened.
"So, anyway, I don't want to tell her this, because as you have probably figured out, she overanalyzes everything. It would be painful to rehash many things. If it meant saying hurtful or mean things, I'd just rather not. So, I'm sure she's not happy that I don't seem to care, but that's sort of my revenge. It is unintentional, but that's the way it goes. I just don't like the silence between you and I mate. You know?"
"I don't know how you could make someone go through what she's been through and not tell her that. It would be difficult, but it would set her mind at ease knowing you're okay," said Harry. "It's none of my business. I'm your friend Ron, but I'm in love with her and that kind of means I'm on her side in this."
"I hoped you wouldn't take sides, mate. I don't hate her and I want to let things get back to normal with us. I mean, hell, I go to sleep every night wanting to tell you about what it's like hanging out with my mates from the team. I'm doing my best to get past this without letting it make me stupid or jealous. I am learning there are more girls out there than Hermione," he said. "Believe me, way more than what we have to choose from here."
Harry felt a pang of guilt that didn't last long as he asked Ron to tell him about it. Ron had the chance to get out with his teammates. They partied and carried on just like he and Ron did, but the difference was they came and went as they pleased. Ron explained how with a few beers and he had loosened up. Ron told him that he wished he could experience it. He had practiced with them twice as the reserve Goalkeeper against the first team and had done okay. He'd met more new people in five days than he had in two years at Hogwarts.
"Yeah, mate and I met a girl who is like so laid back. I don't know what to think about her yet, mate, but she's hot. Sunday was hard because I couldn't look at Hermione in the eye, you know?" said Ron. "I'm not an asshole Harry, but it was hard to resist a gorgeous girl when there was no reason to anymore. So seeing Hermione was kind of a guilty feeling. I was pretty sad about seeing her and having done it with someone else. That feeling has kind of passed now though and I just want to get back to normal. I might not stay in school if things with this girl work out. She thinks I`m away at University right now, but I plan on telling her."
"What's her name, Ron?" asked Harry.
"Lisa," said Ron. "She's got auburn hair, freckles, and a bum that won't quit Harry." He smiled taking a breath. "Green eyes and just a great smile. I know I sound like I don't care about Hermione. I just can't care too much if I want to move on. I do love her I think, Harry but she's like a sister and it's embarrassing to think of what I was like with her when I know now that I was wrong. We just had so much riding on us being right for each other."
"I don't know if I buy the sister part mate," said Harry. "But I get what you mean. You were close, but not as much as you would have liked. You don't try to screw your sister unless you're sick. That's why I left Ginny. I saw how sick that would be."
"I still get that pang of jealousy, so maybe saying sister is too cliché but I can't let it get to me. I won't lie, thinking that she might like you more than me and enough to do things with you she wouldn't with me is pretty tough to deal with. I'm not just talking sex, Harry. I heard you're talking about living together and marriage already. Whoa, mate. That's so far out of my plans for me now. Yet, I'll always wonder what it would have been like to be with her," said Ron. "Anyway, I said a lot more than I meant to. I just want to stop being cold to each other mate. Tonight was like old times and I want that feeling to come more often again."
Harry heard sincerity in his best mate's voice. He believed. "Okay, mate. The only bad feelings I have is letting Seamus and the other guys talk about her. Don't join them. I don't expect you to defend her, that's my job if it gets out of hand and bothers me. Just don't keep talking about things like she just another piece of ass that got away. I know you want the guys to think you`re moving on, but not that way, mate," said Harry. "Follow?"
"I gotcha Harry. We're pretty much into the male bonding thing with my mates in Dublin these days and I guess I kind of brought it here. I don't need to do that and you're right," said Ron. "I'm sorry I let that extend to implications about Hermione. Done. I won't happen again."
They went up to the dorm and that was the last they said about it. Harry was surprised over the next few days and weeks. Hermione and he began to enjoy time with Ginny and Neville more often and occasionally Ron would join them for the trip to Hogsmeade or a walk to Hagrid's. As much as Harry could have expected, things were back to normal. By the beginning of June, the final Quidditch match was just days away and Harry and Hermione were finishing the final plans for the new flat they had leased the weekend before.
"Okay, mates. This is our last Quidditch match at Hogwarts. We need to win by at least seventy to have a chance," said Harry to the entire team at practice that Thursday evening. "I'm buying at the Three Broomsticks win or lose though. If we win, I might just cut loose and have a real mug of ale with you, Ron."
"Hoorah, on three," said Harry. They put their hands in and did the cheer. He immediately turned and looked for Hermione.
Hermione stood nearby smiling. Harry had told her of that conversation with Ron, but not right afterwards. He knew she needed to get the feeling out of her system that he had been acting for sympathy. He had trusted that Ron would prove that he wasn't and let her see it first. With sixteen days until graduation, she was starting to get nervous about the final exams.
"It's nice that Ginny let you be captain for your last match, Harry," she said smiling. "I can't believe we found a place with a wizard landlord. It will be so much easier. I got another owl about the move-in. We have to go there Sunday if you're going to go to the Three Broomsticks on Saturday."
"Ah, well, we can get a room on Saturday night. I might not be worth a damn though. I might just have a couple of ales with Ron," he said smiling.
"That's okay, Sweetheart," said Hermione. "I'm okay with cuddling with you anytime. You know that."
"I'm glad he came around and it worked out. Mrs. Weasley would still like to poison my hash I think, but even she was hospitable last weekend," said Harry.
"Oh, Harry. She looked so angry when we first got there until she saw Ron getting along with us. Ginny was right to invite us," said Hermione.
"Yeah, it was nice to meet that girl Lisa too," said Harry. "She's nice. I think the Weasleys wish she were from a wizard family. Did you see her face when Ron told her that the sound from upstairs was the ghost."
"Oh my god, Harry. I thought she was going to pee her pants. I guess he'd just explained to her about wizards, witches, Hogwarts and everything. What a shock that must have been," said Hermione. "Well, I don't have to worry about my best friends anymore. Even if she isn't the right one for him, he's forgotten about me and that feels better than I thought it would."
"Don't kid yourself, no one forgets about someone as wonderful as you," said Harry. "Don't be surprised if she's just the first of many who has to stack up against you. Although, she does seem to be a good fit for him."
They walked to the lake and sat down. It had become their favorite place to be alone as the days got longer. "So, how do you feel now, Harry? We've been together over six weeks and you haven't run for the hills yet," she teased pushing him down and kissing him lightly.
"Why would I be anything but happy?" he asked.
"I don't know, it just was something I wanted to ask you. I think it's kind of important when we go from a weekend where we make love all the time to a few weeks with just good night kisses. I just wonder how you feel when life gets in the way of romance?" she asked.
"It definitely makes you look forward to the times it doesn't," he said. "If you're wondering if I'm bored because we don't go off and do it in a classroom somewhere, then you don't have to worry; I'm fine."
"Well, it's not like you haven't asked me," she giggled. "You've spoiled me. I hate to do it quick and dirty. I want my pleasure too."
He rolled her over and kissed her. "I get it. If you're left playing with yourself later, I should be too. Is that it?"
"Yeah, you got it buster," she giggled. "No, not really. It just seems like so many people are expecting us to slip up and give them something to talk about, you know?"
"Oh, I know. It's the same for every couple these days. It's like spring turned every kid over fourteen into a horny, sexaholic. What three couples caught on the Astronomy Tower this month? You'd figure after one they'd realize that the teachers know where people hide," said Harry. "I think that's why Professor McGonagall lets us go away. She has no desire to make an example of any of us, but the younger kids have to learn I guess."
"Yeah, we're going to do it once though, Harry," giggled Hermione. "Maybe in such an obvious place, no one will suspect."
"You are wicked sometimes," said Harry. "I've gotten better about thinking up stuff myself though."
She smiled. "You know, this has been good for us though. We come out here and talk about stuff. I always hoped that when I found the right guy he'd at least feel like talking."
"The right guy?" asked Harry.
"You know when you wait around for someone like I did for Ron, you can't help but think of what it would be like to find someone right then and there to be the guy that took you away from the lonely feeling you get. That's where some of the nonsexual fantasies I tell you about come from. I mean when you're young you think about romance and end up getting horny guys," she said. "You surprise me though. The flowers that night we went to Pizzazz were just so nice. I'd never gotten flowers. After screwing all day, I never expected anything romantic like that. I expected to come back and do it again. Whatever happened to that card?"
Harry still had it in his bag. He'd seen it a few times and never remembered to give it to her. "It's still in my bag. I have a better idea for one that I'll give you at the same time though. You'll just have to wait."
"Be a sweetheart though and don't give it to me when I've spent hours doing my makeup," she said smiling. "That is just such a pain."
He brushed her hair out of her eyes as he looked into them. The cool breeze washed over them as he took his time memorizing ever feature of her face. The loving look on her face as she looked back at him reminded him of that day on the balcony. It wasn't the right place or time for that kind of romance, but he could kiss her and he could tell her how much he loved her.
"Hermione," said Harry. "I know I said that one day we would be married like I didn't need to ask, but I want you to know I will ask one day. I won't take it for granted."
She smiled as he gently leaned down to kiss her. Her hands held his biceps softly as he balance himself over her right side. "Harry, I won't take it for granted either. I haven't decided my answer." She winked. "I'm not sure if I'll say yes, or scream `hallelujah, it`s about time.'"
He laughed. "As long as `no thank you`, `no way`, or `what? are you fucking kidding me?' are not the answer I'll be happy," he teased. "I could over come `no' I think."
"So aren't you kind of asking me now?" asked Hermione.
"I suppose if you want to look at it, but when I do for real, you'll know it. It won't be a prank or a joke, I guarantee you," said Harry.
A month and a half before, he thought marriage might be years away if it ever happened. Now, he knew he loved her so much that he didn't want her living with him for very long and getting the idea that it was a convenient sex arrangement. He could see why guys liked the old crude saying about not buy the cow if you could get the milk for free, but that was never his intention. He was sure it was only a matter of time before that thought would occur to Hermione if someone suggested it. He felt in his pocket for the ring he'd bought the weekend before. It was only a promise ring, but it was more important than that.
"Hermione, I want to promise you something. I've been carrying around a thought and a little speech for a week waiting for sometime when we were like this together." He reached in to his pocket and held it in his fist. "I promise to love you and be your best friend as long as we live. One day, I want you to marry me and start a family. For now, I want you to have symbol to show the world my promise."
He opened his hand and presented her with the white-gold amethyst, heart-shaped promise ring as the diamonds around the heart sparkled in the fading sunlight. He knew it was simple but she would love the tiny diamonds around the heart. The expression on her face was so heart-warming he knew he'd never forget it. She sat up put it on her finger. It was a little loose but he didn't want to make a mistake and make it too tight. They could get it sized. "Harry, it's beautiful. What a wonderful surprise." She was choking back her tears. "You are everything I hoped a guy could be. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She hugged him.
For the second time in his life, a hug was better than any other feeling in the world. He held her until she put her head down in his lap as he leaned back on his hands. "I'm glad you like it." She lay there with her hand out admiring it.
"It's just so simple and lovely. It kind of says it all. We just need to keep things simple, you know. We've had enough complications in our lives. "You have no idea how much this means to me," said Hermione.
As it got darker, Harry remembered they hadn't eaten and dinner was probably over. "I know you hate doing this, but we're probably going to have to sneak in to see Dobby for food." He was surprised at Hermione's response.
"I think they're happy there. We've been down there a few times now and they're well treated. If all of them are well treated like that, then I guess I'm not so upset. It is the ones who are treated like Winky was that make me crazy," she said. "You're still Treasure for S.P.E.W. I'll be checking to make sure the four quid we have isn't being squandered." She smiled. "Let's go see, Dobby."
They had to settle for cold sandwiches and pumpkin juice, but it was better than starving. They laughed at Dobby talking about how he was doting on Winky. "You know, if I didn't know better I think she's sweet on him too," said Hermione. They turned and waved as they prepared to sneak away. They just had to get far enough away that any passing students would not find the kitchens. That would lead to too much extra work. Dobby wouldn't turn anyone away.
They walked just to walk. Hermione held his arm and kept smiling at him. "Harry, I'm still stunned. That was one of the most unexpected things that has ever happened to me. I love you," she said as he looked down shaking her head.
"When we got the flat the other day, I didn't want you to think that I forgot about you. I mean we were so excited went back and screwed like wild animals, but I never want you to think that's why I want you with me. I just had to find some way to show you," he said.
"If you can remember little things like flowers once in a while, a back rub for me when I need it, and just holding me when we are alone without feeling the need to go further, you show me you love me. This is really nice and wonderful, but those are things that I look for to show me you appreciate me," she said. "You do them well too."
"I'm glad, you feel that way," he said. Harry saw several people around the entrance to Professor McGonagall's chambers. "I wonder what this is all about. Except for Ginny, Ron, and Ernie Macmillan, the Headboy, they were all Ravenclaw's." Harry's skin crawled at the looks on their faces. He'd seen those looks too often in his life and he'd worn one too.
"What's going on Ron and Ginny?" he asked.
Ron handed him a folded newspaper. He opened it to the headline. "Quibbler Editor-in-Chief, Owner Slain". Hermione gasped and Harry felt sick to his stomach. He read on. The article was very short. There was a picture of Luna and her father on an expedition after their fifth year, but he couldn`t remember what they had been looking for. The article read:
"The Editor-in-Chief and Owner of the Quibbler, Charles Lovegood, 47, was found murdered at 2 PM today in his home. There are no suspects nor an immediate motive aside from the many unsubstantiated death threats found in a cigar box on Mr. Lovegood's desk.
Mr. Lovegood's newspaper is well known in recent months for his outspoken criticism of the Ministry of Magic and its complacency after the demise of Lord Voldemort. He has claimed that there is still a plot to overthrow the magical government in a continuing effort to ensure racial purity among those in the magical community. His most recent article outlined the possible plan for exposing the Ministry of Magic and the magical world to Muggle authorities in order to inspire unrest and mistrust among those of Muggle heritage. Most mainstream analysts find his theories interesting, yet nothing more than fodder for the cloak-and-dagger-mongers of conspiracy theories.
He is survived by his daughter Luna, 16, currently a sixth year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Details of this horrible crime have not been released, but one source close to the investigation suggests that it may have been an attempt to retrieve documents from his home when he surprised the intruders. Attempts to contact Miss Lovegood about the future of The Quibbler have not been returned. More will follow in the morning edition of The Daily Prophet."
"Luna is with the Headmistress Harry," said Ginny. "She told me that we should get the DA together and that the Ministry was turning a blind eye to the truth. She was so distraught that they had to put her in a body bind to get her here."
Harry knew that Luna was a wild spirit whose imagination was second to only her father's. Yet, after learning of so many things from her that turned out to be true, he had to believe there was something to the death of her father. What would someone kill him for? Was the Ministry that ignorant? If the attack was simply for documents, what were they? "What the hell is going on?" he said looking at Hermione as he clutched his arm.
"Here we go again, Harry," she said trembling.
-->