Love, Lies and Jealousy

A/N- This is the first story that I have uploaded on Portkey, so please bear with me if I have any problems. I’m not quite sure if the rating is correct please tell me if its not, there is mild language and very mild sexual references. Please tell me if you like it, or even if you don’t (please give reasons why so that I can fix it) I welcome all constructive criticism as I believe that this is the only way I can improve!

Enjoy the first chapter!

Love, Lies and Jealousy.

Chapter 1

Harry walked into his apartment he shared with Ginny, opened his beer and switched on the telly. He’d had a long day at work and was all for a couple of relaxing TV shows and then an early night.

Ginny had a different idea.

Once Harry had finally settled on a TV show and reclined on the chair, he realised something was wrong. Where was Ginny? She usually greeted him as soon as he got home from work. Shouldn’t she be cooking their dinner? It was 7pm; usually they ate at this time. Where was she?

Harry reluctantly got off his chair and climbed the stairs in an attempt to find her. This was very unusual. He drew his wand, his old instincts setting in as he stepped through the door to look in her study. Her Quibbler work which she usually sent off to Luna was still sitting on her desk, spread out and messy like someone had pushed it from the desk and left the mess for someone else to clean up.

Harry closed the door to Ginny’s study and started to sneak even quieter towards his and Ginny’s Bedroom. He placed his ear against the door… and heard… nothing…

Now his relationship with Ginny was nowhere near perfect but when he opened the door he in no way expected to see his beautiful redheaded girlfriend entwined, asleep, naked with none other than Draco Malfoy.

“OH MY FUCKING GOD!”

Harry just could not believe what he was seeing. Of all the low things… of all the people Ginny could have chosen to cheat on him with… Draco Malfoy!

Ginny heard Harry’s explosion of sound and slowly sat up, displaying her nakedness to him. Harry looked next to her and saw and equally naked Malfoy emerging from sleep, with the beginnings of a smirk on his face.

“Harry…” Ginny trailed off, not knowing what to say. “I’ve been meaning to… tell you but… I… just didn’t know…”

“How long has this been going on?” Harry cut her off.

“Well, you know… Harry… I never meant to hurt you… I just… just… Draco was there for me and I… umm…” Ginny stumbled, still not really knowing what to say to her boyfriend of 2 years.

“We’ve been going at it behind your back for about 3 months” Draco said honestly and brutally, with his trademark smirk. “And it was bloody fantastic!” Exclaimed Draco, trying to grab Ginny and snog her passionately.

“Draco, please…” Ginny attempted to say before Draco cut her off with his mouth.

“Whatever Ginny, I suppose you’ve made your choice” Harry said cruelly but strangely without anger. “I’m going to stay at a friends house. I’ll be back in the morning while you’re at work to pick up my things. Don’t try and contact me, I don’t want to talk to you.”

Harry was so disgusted at the thought of her cheating on him with that slime ball that he stormed out of the house, into the rain without a thought of where he was going to stay the night.

Harry walked through the rain, thinking over his relationship with Ginny. How could he have been so stupid? He knew he didn’t love her, but he thought she was his best chance at a loving family. He knew now, what he had always known subconsciously really, that he could never have married Ginny, he realised now why he had avoided her pressuring for him to propose.

When he started to think about it, he started to see the signs that Ginny had been cheating on him. He knew that it was the first time Ginny and Malfoy had slept in his and Ginny’s bed because he would have known if they had. His magic was powerful enough to tell when to people’s magic had been bonded like that. So he started to think of other occasions. He thought of all Ginny’s petty excuses of having to go and buy more bread or milk, even though there was enough ready to be used in the muggle fridge Harry had brought Ginny. He thought about the trips she supposedly made to go and see friends, when later Harry ran into the said friends in Diagon Alley and them saying they had not seen Ginny since the week before. Even though Harry could see that Ginny was creating excuses and lies, he never thought she was hiding such a huge secret.

He supposed since he worked as a healer at St Mungos during the day and sometimes the night, Ginny would also have time to meet an unemployed Draco seen as she practically worked from home with flexible hours for the Quibbler.

Harry stoped walking, soaked from the rain to see where he was. He noticed that he had walked quite some distance in his haste to get as far away from Ginny as possible.

He was somewhat close to the Leaky Cauldron. He decided that this would be a suitable place for him to stay until he had sorted somewhere more convenient, perhaps with a workmate or something.

He briefly thought about going to stay with Ron and Hermione but quickly pushed that thought out of his mind as he knew since he hadn’t really kept in contact with them since they had got engaged.

He knew Ron and Hermione were to be married in a few months, and he didn’t know if he could stand being around them in such an important time in their lives.

He said a quick hello to Tom at the bar and asked for a room. He could tell Tom wanted to talk, probably about the “good old days when the great boy-who-lived defeated the darkest wizard of all time” but Harry was in no mood for talk, and mumbled a quick thanks and climbed the stairs to the shabby room.

The room Tom had given him was similar to the room Harry had in the summer before his 3^rd year at Hogwarts. Harry smiled grimly as he remembered the monster book that had tried to eat his shoes.

Harry lied back on the lumpy bed and stared at the ceiling, trying to wish on sleep that did not want to come, he just had too much on his mind.

He started to think about the relationship Ron and Hermione shared and wondered if he’d ever find the love those two appeared to share. He supposed he wouldn’t. He wasn’t getting any younger. He was going on 25, and the most meaningful relationship he had ever had was an on and off one with Ginny since Hogwarts. He really thought Ginny was his last chance.

Harry sighed and grabbed his wand, muttered several security and silencing charms before muttering one that would send him into a deep sleep until late in the morning.

~*~*~*~

Meanwhile, Unbeknownst to Harry, in the room next to him on a similar lumpy bed and in a room with similar grey concrete walls was one of the best friends that had just occupied his previous thoughts.

Hermione lay on her bed with her books laid spread out in an organised mess. She was frustrated that she had nowhere to prepare her work for the next day in this small room. She wished she were home in her comfortable library with her desk and large collection of books surrounding her.

Hermione sighed and thought back to the previous night and the strong discussion with Ron…

* Flashback *

Ron and Hermione were snuggling on the couch of their large home in Hogsmede planning their wedding. In the fireplace was an energetic Molly Weasley, excited at the prospect of organising another wedding.

“Well you know you will need lots of food to go along with all the guests, and I would be more than happy to do that for you” Molly said, taking on the role of organiser.

“But…” Hermione said trying to get a say in her own wedding.

“And of course we will have it at the burrow, what a perfect place. Ample room for the large amounts of guests you will be expecting.” Hermione knew she would have to attempt to stop Molly before she went too far and decided the colour the bridesmaids would be wearing.

“Oh and of course, the bridesmaids would have to wear lilac as no other colour would possibly suit Ginny.” Molly inputted “You were considering Ginny as a bridesmaid weren’t you?”

“Of Course you were” Molly answered without giving Hermione a chance to respond.

“Now I think that lovely band Bill had at his wedding would be perfectly…”

“STOP” Hermione yelled, breaking away from Ron’s embrace and standing up.

“ I really appreciate you trying to help Mrs. Weasley, but you know this is MY wedding not YOURS” Hermione said this a little more forcefully than she fully intended.

“Oh... well of course dear… I’m sorry... I don’t… I just think I’ll be going then… umm let me know if you need any help dear” Molly was almost in tears and she directed the last bit to her son who had a shocked look upon his face.

Molly’s face disappeared from the fireplace and Ron turned to look at Hermione who had collapsed on the lounge next to him.

“Why the HELL did you have to do that to my mother. You know she was just trying to help. She had even organised the FOOD.” Ron said, quite angry about Hermione not being happy with his mother volunteering to cook at his wedding.

“Ron how can you always think about your stomach! Honestly!” Hermione said, starting to get riled up like one of their fights they used to have back at Hogwarts.

“I love the woman, but seriously she has to let me have some say in my wedding! A girl only gets married once!”

“But Hermione, she even offered to cook…”

“For GOODNESS SAKE Ron stop thinking about your stomach and look at the big picture. Sometimes I get the impression that you don’t even WANT to get married to me, that your just in it all for the food that will be at the ceremony!” Hermione said angrily.

Ron was silent, thinking.

“Well Ron?”

“Well you know Hermione I’ve been thinking for a while now. All we ever seem to do these days is fight, maybe marriage isn’t the best option for us right now…”

“Isn’t the best option? Geeze Ron, you propose to me and then not even a month later you decide that maybe marriage isn’t the best option for us?”

Ron was again silent, looking at the ground.

Hermione sighed.

“Well Ron maybe you’re right. Maybe you and I shouldn’t get married.” Ron looks up into Hermione’s crying face. “I love you Ron, I really do but we’ve had more fights over the last month about our wedding than we have had in over a year. Geeze, we even fight more than we did at Hogwarts! If we can’t get on now, maybe we never will. Maybe you’re right, maybe we should call the whole thing off” Hermione now had tears streaming down her face.

Ron just mumbled a “yeah” and then looked to the ground again, suddenly lost for words.

“I’ll be staying somewhere for a couple of days until I make up my mind. I want you to think about it for a couple of days too. I want you to know that its not over, but you are free to do what you want, free to experiment with other girls if you want, do whatever you think you need to do to make sure you make the right decision.”

Hermione then packed a light bag and apparated from the hogsmede home that her and Ron shared, to London where she would stay at the Leaky Cauldron until she decided what she wanted to do.

~*~*~*~*~

Hermione had been in her current job for only 2 years now. While Harry only had to complete 2 years of training to become a Healer, Hermione had to do 5. Now at the age of 26, she was a fully trained muggle doctor/ wizard healer. Now she wasn’t just a healer, she specialised in muggle medicine. She treated muggles that had come in contact with a magical spell, or in recent cases, once of Fred and George’s devices, which effects no one seemed to be able to cure but her. Once they were healed she organised their memory modification where she made sure that the muggles thought they had just stayed in a muggle hospital for a few days.

Hermione closed her books. She was currently writing a book for aspiring doctor-healers, as she liked to call them. It was hard work, but she hadn’t been called the brightest witch of her age for nothing.

She neatly pilled up her work next to her bed and stretched luxuriously on the bed, something Ron usually liked to watch her do…

Oh yes, Ron…

Hermione still did not know what she wanted to do with her relationship with Ron. She knew that she loved him and him her, but was it enough to last? Also, she knew that she’d never be able to be the wife that Ron expects… one similar to his mother. She knew he expected a wife who was a wonderful mum to many children and a marvellous cook. She just loved her work too much to give it up.

Way too much…

~*~*~*~*~

Tell me if you like it, tell me if you don’t.

A/N- Thanks for all the kind review from those who shared their thoughts with me. It was greatly appreciated. The next chapter may take a little longer to come out, it may not be out until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 2

Harry stumbled down into the Leaky Cauldron bar close to 11am. His sleeping spell had worked a little too well…

He was still very sleepy and had an image of a naked Ginny and Draco burned into his eyelids.

Harry sighed and ordered himself a big breakfast, deciding to eat quickly and head over what was now Ginny’s flat to get his stuff that he had left behind before she returned from work.

Harry was headed towards the door with his head down, not really watching where he was going when he ran into a person coming down the staircase that came from the rooms upstairs.

“Will you look where you are… Harry?”

“Hermione? What are you doing here?” Harry said.

“I’m sorta staying here for a while…”

“Me too” Harry said quite confused that Hermione would be here, away from Ron.

“So where’s Ron?” Harry said looking around the crowded bar for Ron’s trademark red hair.

“Oh we’re sort of… taking a break…” Hermione muttered.

“Oh I see” Harry said looking up into her eyes. “I’m sorry, I thought…”

“So Harry where’s Ginny?” Hermione cut over Harry.

“Oh well her and I are… also taking a break… a permanent one” Harry said strongly.

“Oh” Hermione was at a loss for words.

“Well looks like we’re both single again. You want to meet up and talk about it tonight? I know that you would rather not…” Harry said.

Hermione looked up, smiled a radiant smile and nodded. “Sure Harry, I need someone to sort out my thoughts. You were always good at helping me with that.”

“Yeah sure. I’ll meet you here at 7?”

“Sure Harry.” Hermione said, turning to walk away.

“Oh and Harry? Maybe it would do you good to talk about you and Ginny too.”

“I don’t know Hermione. I don’t think that I want to relive that ever again.”

“Well, if that’s the way you feel Harry.” Hermione said, sighing at his inability to share his emotions.

“I’ll see you at seven then.” Hermione said before exiting the Leaky and onto the cold London streets.

~*~*~*~*~

Hermione wandered around the London streets, towards the park that she had often visited when her parents would take her on trips into the city.

She sat on the swing and sighed.

How was it that her relationship had yet again gone down the toilet?

Was there something terribly wrong with her?

Hermione, in her own opinion, sucked at relationships. Krum equalled failure due to the long distance and her only other long time relationship, other than with Ron, was with Oliver Wood the captain of the Wimbourne Wasps. That relationship had ended due to the fact that Oliver thought that she spent too much time at work, which meant that with his busy Quidditch schedule, that they never saw each other.

And now it seems, Hermione thought to herself that I have ruined another relationship.

Oh well I guess there’s no point crying over spilt milk. Hermione thought, wiping her tears.

She got off the swing and decided that she would attempt some of what Lavender and Pavarti called “Shopping Therapy”. It didn’t seem like a very ‘Hermione’ thing to do, but what the heck, maybe she needed to try new things…

~*~*~*~*~

Hermione threw her purchases on her bed in her room and the Leaky. She supposed that shopping had helped her keep her mind off Ron. But had not really helped the fact that she still hadn’t decided what to do about Ron.

Hermione looked at her watch and saw it was 6.

She inwardly swore, she only had an hour before she had to meet Harry.

Hermione chose the red dress that she had brought today on a whim.

She wasn’t really sure where Harry was taking her, but this dress ought to fit in with most situations.

Hermione wondered what Ron was doing tonight. Had he found a new girl to shack up with. Did he even care that they were on a break? She shuddered and tried not to think of Ron,

Not just yet, anyway. Hopefully Harry would help her to sort out her feelings.

~*~*~*~*~

Harry stood at the foot of the stairs.

Where was Hermione? He thought looking at his watch. It wasn’t like her to be late.

He gasped as she came down the stairs. She had on a beautiful red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. It was not a fancy dress, and it was quite conservative, with a higher neck like and was cut just above the knee. But it suited Hermione.

“Wow Hermione” Harry breathed. “You look… fantastic”

Hermione had finally reached to bottom of the stairs and did a once over of Harry’s outfit. He was wearing a simple pair of black dress pants but what struck her the most was the stunning green shirt he was wearing which managed to bring out his eyes.

“Umm.. you too Harry.” Hermione said, shyly.

Harry looked at her again. If he was honest with himself, Hermione’s dress was eliciting not so platonic thoughts about his best friend.

Harry sook his head mentally. Hermione’s my best friend Harry thought I’m just thinking these things because I miss Ginny.

“Shall we go?” Hermione said, breaking Harry away from his thoughts.

“Sure” Harry finally said. “I thought we could go to that new restaurant near Gringotts?”

“But Harry, that’s terribly hard to get into”

“Don’t worry about it Hermione, I managed to get a table”

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the thought of Harry using his fame to get himself a table at one of the top restaurants in Diagon.

Harry guesed what she was thinking. “No Hermione, they had a cancellation. I didn’t use my fame, I actually didn’t even give them my name.”

“Then what did you give them?”

“Well, I gave them the name Granger.” Harry said. “I know that you are pretty famous yourself but I knew that they wouldn’t make as big a deal for you as they would for me.”

“Sorry Hermione”

“No Harry, that was a good idea. At least now, we don’t have to deal with the press” Hermione said, smiling. “Lets go”

Harry apparated Hermione to Diagon and they walked towards the Restaurant.

A/N: Hi guys, thanks for stopping by to read another chapter of Love, Lies and Jealousy. This one has taken a bit longer than I thought but its finally up. Unfortunately, I go back to school next week so I’m not sure when I will get the chance to write again. I don’t think it will be too long though. Sorry if there are mistakes in this, I wrote it late at night so there could be. I want to thank all of you who have reviewed.

Chapter 3

Harry and Hermione were of course seated at the best table in the fanciest restaurant that Hermione had ever been to, with the head chef dedicating himself to cook them the best meal that they had ever eaten.

Harry lent over the table to talk to Hermione while the chef went to personally select the best wine in the house for them.

“I really wish that they wouldn’t go to so much trouble.” Harry said.

“Harry, you knew they would. That’s why you booked the table under my name remember?”

“Yeah, but still… I really wish that they wouldn’t make such a fuss.” Harry said, looking down and staring at his plate.

Hermione reached over and grabbed his hand. “Would you like to go somewhere else?”

“No, no its fine Hermione. Just remind me that when we go out to dinner next, that we are going to a muggle restaurant.”

“Deal.” Hermione said, smiling that he had said that there would be a next time after not doing this in a long time. Oh sure, Harry and Hermione would often get together with their respective Weasley’s, but they never had the chance to have some time with just the two of them.

“Harry, you must have brought Ginny here at least once?” Hermione asked. “Surely it was the same those times?”

Harry’s face darkened at the mention of his girlfriends… no, ex-girlfriends name.

Harry answered her without looking up from the table that he had decided was oh so interesting.

“Sure, but she loved the attention. Once, when I told her that I hated all the attention we got when we came here, she almost had a fit” Harry sighed. “I also suggested that we go to a muggle restaurant so that we could have a more romantic, and more private dinner without all the fuss. She almost fainted at the suggestion. She told me that she would not lower her standards to eating at a dirty muggle place which she was sure they never cleaned and where they cooked without the assistance of magic.” Harry paused. “It was almost like a death eater talking really.”

I suppose that was Draco’s influence on her Harry thought, mentally shuddering as the familiar sight of Draco and Ginny together came back and projected itself onto the plate he was staring at like some sick movie. He quickly turned away.

“Anyway, I don’t really want to talk about Ginny, Hermione.”

“Well that’s okay Harry.” Hermione said in a supporting tone. “But you know that I’m always here to talk if you want.”

Harry nodded, grateful that she would always be there, even if he didn’t want to share what had happened with her.

They both stopped talking as the chef approached with what Harry assumed was the best and most expensive wine that the restaurant had.

He poured them both a glass and took their orders before bowing and again exclaiming that he would make them the best meal that they had both ever eaten.

Harry sighed and tried to take his mind off all the fuss that his fame was yet again bringing him. Its what he did with Ginny, he either snogged her senseless (which almost always made things worse as they always accumulated spectators that Ginny would try her hardest to entertain) or he would try and strike up an interesting and intelligent conversation with her (which was usually about her).

Since he damn well couldn’t snog Hermione (no matter how sexy that red dress made her look) he went for the second option.

“So Hermione… Did Ron ever bring you here?” Harry said, inwardly cringing at his subject choice. He knew that she was still hurt from her break up with Ron and was going to let her bring it up.

But instead of looking hurt, Hermione looked surprised that he had brought Ron into the conversation.

“No, Ron never brought me here. He’s more the pub type guy. I’m sure I've been to almost every pub in London though.” Hermione said, attempting at a joke to lighten the atmosphere.

Harry grinned his trademark grin. And for not the first time in her life, Hermione found herself thinking that her best friend was very…. well… sexy.

Hermione grinned before returning to the conversation. “No, we both know that Ron has the emotional range of a teaspoon.” Harry smiled at this. “And this would be much to much emotion and romance for him to handle.” Hermione said, sighing.

“But didn’t you ever want to go somewhere romantic with him… just you and him? Instead of the club and pub scene with all his mates?” Harry said, looking at her face for the answer.

Hermione sipped her wine before replying. “Sure Harry. I even tried once. It was a disaster. Want to hear the story?”

Harry nodded.

“Well it was a few months ago.” Hermione began. “I made a reservation at that nice place in Hogsmede called ‘The Violin’ that has just opened up. You heard of it?”

Harry nodded, replying quietly. “I took Ginny there a few weeks ago.”

Hermione gave him a look of sympathy before continuing. “Well I told Ron where we were going and he chucked up a stink when I told him. But with a little convincing, he cancelled his plans at the pub and actually got dressed up and everything. I was so excited, I was finally going to get a romantic night out with my boyfriend.”

Hermione sighed as she took another big sip from her wine. “Of course it ended in disaster. I should have known it would… with how much Ron didn’t want to go.”

“We had the biggest fight that I think we have ever had. I can’t even really remember what it was about. It might have been that he thought my blue dress was too low cut and that the waiters were all seeing my ‘goodies’ that he said belonged to him.” Both Harry and Hermione blushed at this.

“There were lots of fights about this you see Harry. He was very protective and jealous. I told him that I belonged to nobody and this seemed to anger him even more. He made a scene in front of all the couples in the restaurant and stormed out of there. I was so ashamed.” Hermione said, looking down at her fidgeting hands.

Harry reached over and grabbed them, to encourage her to keep going and to tell her that he was listening and feeling her pain. She smiled at him gratefully.

“I suppose that night is when I realised that Ron wasn’t really the guy for me, no matter how much I loved him. I was so convinced that all the fights we had were sexual tension, like everybody had been telling us. I had been convincing myself that the many people who said we were made for each other couldn’t have all been wrong.”

“But then, a few months after that, Ron proposed to me. He said that he couldn’t live without me and that he would never be whole without me. This was the most romantic thing he had ever said to me, and I of course said yes, thinking that things were better and Ron could really be the guy that I wanted.”

Hermione paused her story while their dinner arrived. The chef tried to talk to them some more but Harry tucked a few pound notes into his apron pocket to leave them alone so that Hermione could continue talking.

Hermione picked up her spoon and started to poke the noodles that were floating on top of her soup before trying to explain her situation to Harry so that he could help her make a decision. He was always good at helping her when there was a decision to be made and one this important, definitely needed Harry’s help.

“So what happened?” Harry looked at her expectantly, urging her to continue. Harry really didn’t enjoy hearing about his two best friends relationship together but Hermione had asked him for his help so he was going to give it.

Hermione smiled gratefully at Harry, he had given her a place to resume her story. “A couple of days ago, Ron and I had another fight. In the last week we had been fighting more than we had made…” Hermione blushed, she had almost revealed too much.

Harry doesn’t need to know about Ron and my… activities. He just needs to help me make a decision. No more sex talk. Hermione scolded herself.

Harry realised what she was going to say and blushed as well.

“Umm, yes, well, anyway we had been fighting even more than normal. This fight was the last straw. We were fighting about our wedding. Finally, I asked Ron if he even wanted to get married. He basically told me no Harry…” Hermione said with tears streaming down her face by this stage. Harry reached over to attempt to wipe her tears away.

“No Harry, please I want to finish.” Hemione said and Harry drew his hand away.

“I told him that we had to have a break. I… told him that he… that he can experiment with other… girls. That he could do… do whatever he wanted with them.” Hermione said, sobbing.

“I just keep wondering if he’ll find someone better than me. What if he doesn’t want me anymore? Do I even want him anymore? I’m just so… scared Harry.”

Harry finally stood and went to her side of the table to wrap his arms around her, trying not to think of how good she felt in his arms.

Harry’s shoulder was soon very wet with her tears and he tried to comfort her by stroking her long curly hair.

“Shh Hermione, its all right.” Harry muttered into her ear.

“Is it Harry?” Hermione said, lifting her head to look into his eyes. “Is it really?”

“Well Hermione, this is the way I see it.” Harry began, logically. “You give him a week, but more importantly you give yourself a week. A week to decide if it’s Ron that you want to spend the rest of your life with. If you decide that you still want Ron, he’s still going to be there at the end of the week.”

“You’re right Harry.” Hermione said into his shoulder. “I have a week, just like him.”

“And just think, you can experiment with guys too.” Harry said, nudging and winking at her.

“Harry!” Hermione cried with a smile on her face.

“Hey, innocent enough comment.” Harry said, extracting himself from their embrace and going back to his side of the table.

“Hmm my soup’s cold” Hermione noticed.

“Mine too. What’s say we get out of here and go back to the Leaky and watch a movie together?” Harry suggested.

Hermione nodded. “I’d love that Harry.”

Harry paid their bill, brought and extra bottle of wine to go with the one that they half drank and apparated himself and Hermione out of the place.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

They appeared at the bottom of the stairs at the busy Leaky Cauldron.

“Have you got any movies Harry?” Hermione asked. “Wait, the rooms don’t even have TVs!”

Harry grinned at her and said. “Ill take care of it, you go up to my room, ill be there soon.”

Harry handed Hermione the key to his room and ducked out towards the entrance to Diagon Alley.

Hermione almost laughed at the thought of Harry going to get a TV and videos. It seemed like such a ridiculous waste of money.

She climbed the stairs and thought about her night with Harry. She was pretty sure that her dinner with Harry had been the most romantic date she had ever been on, and it wasn’t even a date.

Too bad, if it was a date Hermione could kiss….

Where did that come from? I’m with Ron! Hermione thought. But I’m not really am I?

Hermione sighed as she felt her old feelings for Harry resurface. She had tied everything to try and get them to go away and for a while, when she was with Ron they did go away… for a couple of months anyway. She knew that Harry could never like her like that.

Her feelings were another reason that her and Harry hadn’t kept in touch properly. Sure there were hundreds of times when Harry had offered to take her somewhere but she had declined, in case she did something stupid, like kiss him.

Hermione opened the door and flopped onto Harry’s bed and sighed. It would be so much easier if Harry returned her feelings.

Hermione almost jumbled as Harry came in with a giant TV in his arms and a pile of DVDs hovering behind him.

Harry smiled at her as he put the TV on the chest of draws. “Brought this in Diagon. Specially designed to work in magical places. Neat huh?”

“Didn’t even know such a thing existed…” Hermione began. “But hey! Harry! What a waste of money, you don’t even need a new TV.”

“Ahh Hermione, but I do.” Harry said grimly. “Ginny’s going to want the apartment that she paid half for. Not that I’d want to live there anyway after seeing them…” Harry stoped himself before he told her about Ginny and Draco. He was never going to tell her about that.

“Seeing what Harry?” Hermione said softly.

“It doesn’t matter, Hermione.” Harry said. “Anyway I want to start these movies on this extremely large TV and I want to get extremely dunk on this extremely expensive wine. What do you say?”

“I say cheers to good company.” Hermione said, clinking her glass with Harry, accepting that he didn’t want to talk about what happened between him and Ginny, yet anyway.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: Wow, the longest chapter yet, hope you liked this one. The next chap will be out soon and will be about the morning after, you might, just might get to see some Hr/H fluff and see what Ron has been doing with his break. Please Review, Reviews are greatly appreciated by me and I want to thank all those who have reviewed my story so far, it gives me the confidence to keep writing and also helps me write faster (if that’s an incentive for any of you out there.)

A/N: Hey Guys, this one’s a little shorter than the others mainly because I wanted it to be central to Harry and Hermione. I was going to put a bit of Ron and Ginny but decided to save that for the next chapter. There will probably be one or two more chapters before we reach the end. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 4

Hermione groaned as she felt the sunlight pelting her face. She tried to roll over to avoid the sunlight but felt a male arm grasping her against his body, preventing her from moving.

Hermione opened her eyes (which caused a pounding sensation in her head) and almost jumped at the realisation that she was not in her Leaky Cauldron bed alone. In fact, she realised by looking around the messy room, this was not her bed.

She looked down at her underwear-clad body and wondered what she had done last night. She tried to remember but kept drawing a blank.

Hermione felt Harry draw her even closer to him, if that was even possible as she could already feel every part of his hard body including his toned abs and hard… No! Hermione thought, she was not going to think of Harry that way!

But her resolve was weakening as she fought the desire within her to kiss him awake.

She rolled over, ignoring her pounding head to find him staring straight into her face.

“Morning” Harry said, staring straight into her eyes, not breaking his tight grip on her body.

“Umm… morning Harry.” Hermione stammered as she tried to break away from Harry who was ignoring her plight and holding her just as tight.

“Umm Harry? What happened last night?” Hermione said as she stoped struggling to get away to enjoy the closeness.

“You know what Hermione? I have no idea.” Harry said, smiling.

Hermione frowned at this. “Did we… did we… well… you know…”

“Have sex?”

Hermione nodded, looking away from his gaze.

“I don’t think so Hermione, I would have remembered something wonderful like that.” Harry said, trying to seise her eyes with his green gaze again.

Hermione looked back into his eyes that were so intense without his glasses.

Harry tried to read her emotions through her eyes. He thought he saw hope, amazement and maybe even love. He hoped he saw love.

Harry drew her closer to him and pecked her on the lips. It was a chaste kiss; he just wanted to see how she would react.

And react she did, she drew him back to her lips and gave him what he thought was the best kiss of his life.

He wouldn’t have said that fireworks or any of that bollocks went off but he sure felt a damn sight more than he did when he kissed Ginny.

He kissed her back and tried to fight her for dominance while pouring his new found love into the kiss.

Finally, in what seemed like hours they broke for air with both of them flushed red from the intensity of the kiss.

“That was…” Hermione began

“Amazing” Harry finished for her, hugging her towards him as close as their bodies could be, amazed at the new turn of events.

“Well I was going to say mind-blowing but I suppose amazing covers it too.” Hermione giggled before pecking him on the lips. She finally got to kiss Harry like she had wanted to for a very long time and she had to say that he was a much better kisser than Ron.

They both lied there for a few minutes, wrapped up in this new development in their relationship. It had all happened so quickly, where do they go from now?

“Harry, what does this mean?”

Harry looked at her for a while before answering. “Well, id really like to try to take our friendship to a new level.”

“You do?”

“Yeah Hermione. I like you very much; I think I may even love you. I really don’t know, as I don’t think I’ve ever felt proper love in my whole life. All I know is that I feel a lot more for you than I ever did for Ginny.” Harry said before kissing her.

When they broke again for air Hermione suddenly remembered Ron. She knew she loved Ron, but could she have more with Harry. What would Ron think if she chose Harry over him? Would he be hurt? Angry?

Harry saw her frown and started to worry. He loosened his grip around her waist. Maybe he had confused her emotions that she saw in her eyes. He had just bared his soul, the most emotion that he had ever shown any of his few girlfriends.

Harry took her silence as regret. “But I understand if you don’t feel the same way… I mean… I know that you are still engaged to Ron and that… that you… love him. I just wanted you to know how I felt.” Harry said as he separated himself from Hermione to stop himself from snogging her senseless so that he would not hear the rejection come out of her mouth.

“Harry” Hermione said. “You really think that id kiss you if I didn’t love you?”

Harry stoped trying to disentangle himself from Hermione to listen to what she said.

“What did you say?” Surely he couldn’t have heard her correctly.

“I said that I love you, you git.” Hermione laughed. “I have for a very mfflf…” Harry cut her off with his mouth.

Hermione broke Harry’s eager kiss by softly tugging at his bottom lip. “But Harry, I love Ron too. I don’t know what to do. I think I love you more, but how can I be sure? I’m engaged to be married, Harry!”

“Hermione, don’t worry.” Harry said softly. “It’s your decision, and I will respect you either way. Though I really do hope that you choose me.” Harry said with a smile.

Hermione smiled and went to kiss him on the cheek but Harry moved his head so that she got him on the corner of the lips.

“Well I’ve got 5 days to decide haven’t I?” Harry nodded. “And I’ve had a romantic relationship with Ron, so id really like to see how well we are together Harry.”

Harry smiled hopefully. “Really?”

“Really.” Hermione smiled before kissing him again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry and Hermione didn’t get out of bed until noon. It was Sunday so the Leaky was very quiet as most witches and wizards were at home having Sunday lunch at home.

Harry and Hermione sat very close at the bar eating their roast.

Every now and then Harry would brush her thigh as if he was reassuring himself that this was real and she would smile in return.

“Harry?” Hermione broke his thoughts.

“I need to go back to Ron and my flat to get a few things for work tomorrow. Do you want to come?” Hermione asked.

“Hmm, you know that id like to see Ron, I haven’t seen him in ages… but I actually have to go to Ginny’s and get some of my stuff… when I left last time I didn’t really get the chance to grab anything…” Harry trailed off.

“Harry, do you want to tell me what happened?”

“I’m sorry Hermione but I really don’t want to relive it again. I see what happened in my head over and over again.”

“Okay if that’s what you want.” Hermione said feeling a bit rejected that he wouldn’t tell her. She had taken a step and told him what had happened between her and Ron, why couldn’t he do the same? Surely it wasn’t that bad?

“Hermione please look at me” Hermione looked up. “Its not that I don’t want to tell you. I do, but I cant. I just can’t force myself to.”

Hermione grabbed his hand. “That’s okay Harry, I want you to tell me, so that I can help you… and maybe even make sure that it doesn’t happen again. But if you cant tell me, that’s fine.”

Harry kissed her lightly on the lips. “Thanks Hermione”

“Well i’ve really got to go if i'm going to go to Ron's. You sure that you don’t want to come? Or me come with you to Ginny’s?”

“I would have you come to Ginny’s but i’m not sure how she’d take it if you were to come with me. She’d probably assume that id told you everything and get angry or something. “ Harry paused, thinking. “No, I think it’s best if we go separately.”

“Okay Harry, your probably right. Meet here for dinner?”

“Sure, id love to have dinner with you. But we should go somewhere special. How about a muggle restaurant and then a movie at the cinema?” Harry suggested hopefully.

“Sure Harry. Can’t wait, see you at 6?”

Harry hugged her to him as she stood. “Sooner, I don’t want to be away from you that long” Harry said with a cheesy grin.

Hermione giggled. “Well, I suppose we can make it 5 and see an early dinner.”

Harry was about to open his mouth to say something when Hermione cut him off “No Harry, no earlier… I need to get ready. Did you like that red dress last night?” Hermione said saucily. Harry nodded. “Well wait until you see the one I have to wear tonight.”

Harry’s eyes widened and she apparated away with a wink.

Oh boy was he in trouble. Hermione was already teasing him and it had only just begun.

Hey Guys, Sorry to all of you who have been waiting for this chapter, I hope you all like it even though it is only really short. It shouldn’t be as long to the next one coz my life isn’t as busy anymore. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Harry walked up towards the flat that him and Ginny had shared together. It made him sad to think of all the hard work they had gone through to pull together the rent for this large apartment when they first decided to live together for it all to end like this.

Harry hadn’t wanted to use his parents’ money, it just didn’t seem right somehow. He felt that he needed to earn his way into his life, not just relying on his parents’ hard earned money. Sure he had to delve into that money occasionally to keep up with the lifestyle that Ginny demanded from the fabled “Richest Wizard in London” and “Boy Who Saved”. But somehow he managed to fund some of his activities with his own funds. One of these things was paying the rent.

Harry shook his head, clearing his thoughts. That was all over now anyway. Ginny had exploited the good thing that they had together and money was no longer an issue with his healer job raking in loads of money.

Harry took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He figured he didn’t want a repeat of what he saw last time, his eyes just couldn’t take anymore. It just hurt too much. Even thought he hasn’t had strong feelings for Ginny for a while, he had been with her for a very long time and it hurt to think that he had been cheating on him with that… scum.

When nobody answered the door, Harry figured he would take his chances and enter the house. He knew he had to get his things today; he wouldn’t be able to summon the courage to do it another day.

Harry used his old key to unlock the door and was surprised that the wards still allowed him access. He thought Ginny or Draco would change his unlimited access to the apartment considering what happened last time.

“Ginny?” Harry called out and when he heard no reply, he began to gather his things.

He began in the kitchen, shrinking appliances and cookery that belonged to him. Most of the stuff in the kitchen belonged to him, he did most of the cooking, except when he worked late and Ginny cooked a meal that resembled mushed rice or half-cooked steak and three veg.

When he first moved into the apartment together Harry was quite surprised to fund that Ginny couldn’t cook toast without burning it. He reasoned that since Molly Weasley cooked such lovely meals, none of her children bothered to learn.

Once Harry was finished in the kitchen he moved onto different rooms, avoiding the bedroom. When he had finished collecting his various knickknacks that were now shrunk into his pocket, he decided that he finally needed to face the bedroom.

He stared at the closed door for a long time, remembering the last time he had opened the door unannounced.

Harry summoned all of the Griffindor courage that was lying within him and knocked on the door.

When heard no reply, he knocked on the door and muttered a faint “Ginny?”

He heard snuffles in reply, So someone is in there He thought

After a few minutes of silence, Harry was getting frustrated and was ready to burst into the room with his eyes tightly shut.

When he outstretched his arm to touch the doorknob, he was surprised to see that it was moving on its own accord. He was even more surprised when the door opened to reveal a messy looking Ginny. Her usually beautiful long red hair hung limply around her shoulders and she had dark circles under her usually bright eyes.

Ginny just stood there, staring at her ex-boyfriend.

“Umm… Hey Ginny… I just… ah… came to get some of my things.” Harry was shocked at her appearance. He had never seen her look so sad and disordered Ginny. It put off his strong speech he had planned for her which resembled a lot of “I’m never talking to you again” and “How could you do this to me?”

Ginny just stepped aside to let him into the room.

He was relieved to fund the bed empty, it was messy and unmade, but it was empty.

Harry approached his side of the closet and started organising his stuff to take with him.

He was very startled that Ginny hadn’t said a word to him; she just stood where he had left her in the doorway, watching him pack. But he wasn’t about to start a conversation with her.

Once Harry had finished packing his stuff into a small suitcase and shrinking the stuff that wouldn’t fit in there to go into his pockets, he thought he heard Ginny mumble something.

“What?” Harry said a little more harshly that he meant to. No matter how dishrivled she looks, she still hurt him deeply.

“I’m really sorry Harry” Ginny repeated quietly.

Harry opened his mouth to say something nasty to her when Ginny kept talking.

“I know you don’t think that i'm sorry. But I really am. I didn’t mean to cheat on you, Harry. I loved you… I still love you. But I care for Draco more.”

Harry just stood there and looked at her with obvious distaste when she said the gits name.

“It felt horrible to cheat on you Harry. But our relationship was going nowhere. We hardly talked anymore with you working most of the time or me writing articles for the paper. When Draco offered me something more, I was reluctant. I didn’t want to cheat on you, but Draco showed me that love could be stronger than what I felt for you. Do you understand?”

Harry thought of Hermione and how he felt more for her now that he had started up something with her than he had felt for Ginny the whole time they were going out.

After what felt like a millennium to Ginny, Harry muttered a yes.

“Oh, Harry thankyou.” Ginny said walking towards him. “You don’t know how much of a relief it is to hear you say that.”

Ginny walked up and gave him a huge hug.

Harry winced as Ginny touched him, his brain replaying the image of his girlfriend and Draco together in bed.

Harry pushed Ginny off him and registered the hurt on Ginny’s face.

“I understand Ginny.” Harry finally said. “But I don’t forgive you…. What you did was unforgivable and it hurt me so much… I don’t think that I’ll ever forgive you…”

Harry watched as tears streamed down Ginny’s face. “But maybe we should give it some time and we could be… friends again?”

Ginny looked up at him. “I’d really like that Harry. You’ve always been an important person in my life and I’d really love to have you as a friend.”

Harry nodded then turned around to leave. He hadn’t expected to offer friendship to Ginny but as he left the house he realised he liked this outcome better. His relationship with Ginny had been special and he liked to prospect of being friends over the prospect of never talking again.

As Harry apparated back to the Leaky, he thought about his date with Hermione. Maybe Ginny had actually done him a favour, she had made him jealous enough with her lies to him for him to finally realise what he had subconsciously always held, his love for Hermione.