A/N: Since I still have no idea of where the last chapter came from, let's see what happens with this one! I do not like to write angst and I prefer a funnier approach to life. With that in mind, and if my muse permits, this should continue to be fluffy and happy. *Getting out protective gear just in case. One never knows.*
As always, your thoughtful reviews mean the world to me! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know what you think of my work!
MATCHMAKERS TO THE RESCUE
CHAPTER FIVE
"Who's fucked?" Harry asked and Hermione could almost see his eyes crinkling at the corners in amusement. Despite everything that was happening, she smiled. "And by the way, language!"
Hermione giggled at his words, since it was usually her giving that reprimand. "Sorry! But we are, darling. Did you catch what we've been talking about?"
"Not really, but if you give me a second, I can sort through your memories of the conversation."
"Okay, but no tickling my brain!" she warned him. "And no peaking at other things unless they are related to this."
"Why? Are you hiding something from me, love?" He hated asking, but he hated the rush of jealousy that hit his gut even more.
"No, not really, but there are things in there that would be of no interest to you."
"I'll be the judge of that. Oh, look, here are some memories of a certain Bulgarian that should be interesting."
Hermione gasped and Luna and Ginny looked at her worriedly. She held her hand up before they could ask questions.
"Harry, don't you dare," she told him as she tried to block him from those memories.
"I was just teasing love; I would never look unless you told me it was okay. Relax, so I can see what you three were talking about."
With much trepidation, Hermione did as he asked and relaxed her mind. Unfortunately, the frown did not leave her face. Luna and Ginny watched her expectantly and wondered what was happening.
"Are you talking to him now?" Ginny asked unable to hide her curiosity a second longer.
"I was. Now he's sorting through my memories."
"Blimey, that's scary! He's going to be able to see anything he wants," Ginny said as her eyes widened. "What if he sees things that happened between you and Ron? Oh, Merlin, my brother is going to die a slow and painful death!"
"Ginny, will you stop the dramatics for a moment and let them sort this out?" Luna asked getting annoyed at her. Coming from Luna, the words were like an icy bucket of water being dumped on Ginny.
"Fine," she said as she crossed her arms across her chest and pouted.
"Actually, he seemed more interested in a certain Bulgarian from my past. I had to block those memories from him before he told me he wouldn't look."
Luna and Ginny both looked at her with raised eyebrows and bulging eyes. But before either could comment, Harry was calling her back. She held up her hand once more and they waited.
"Mione?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"You're right, love, we are fucked!"
"Oh, well, that's reassuring darling. I feel so much better now!"
"Well, Ms. Sarcasm is my middle name; I don't really know what else to tell you. You're comment more than adequately describes our present situation."
"Will you get out of the bloody water and come over here. Luna and Ginny are looking at me as if I'm crazy."
"Funny you should mention that. Ron and Draco are looking at me the same way. At this rate we're going to end up losing all of our friends."
"Nah. They are used to worse. They are staring now because it is so new. Give it a couple of weeks and they'll be over it."
"I hope you're right, love. I'm getting out now, so I will be at your side soon. We'll chat more about Krum later," he said and laughed.
"Thanks, darling," Hermione shot back and ignored the comment about Viktor.
"Well," Ginny said when she noticed Hermione's eyes were focusing on them once again.
"He thinks we're fucked as well," Hermione said and could not help smiling. "And he still wants to talk about Viktor."
"Oh, dear," Luna said shaking her head.
"Oh, that's lovely then!" Ginny said and threw up her arms. "I can see how we're going to solve this problem right away. Throwing Viktor into the mix should only make it better."
Harry came up to them then and sat down next to Hermione before they could talk about the Viktor ordeal more. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and dropped a small kiss on her lips.
"What did I miss?" he asked looking expectantly at all of them.
"Oh, nothing much!" Ginny said and sarcasm dripped from every word. "All is fantastic in our world. When the `Chosen One' and the `Brightest Witch of our Times' think they are fucked, what could be wrong?" she said, her voice sounding shrill at the end.
Luna, Harry and Hermione looked at her in surprise and then burst out laughing. Ginny could not help but join in.
"The reason I think we are fucked is because now there won't be anything surprising in our lives. We will not be able to keep anything from each other. We're going to be connected in every way and it's scary to think that," Hermione explained. Not to mention past boyfriends and girlfriends, she thought irritably.
"She's right, you know. There will not be any spontaneity in our relationship. And as fantastic as it might be to sometimes know what the other is thinking, after the newness of it wears off, it won't seem as nice," Harry continued.
"I like my privacy, and even though I've trusted Harry with my life since I was basically eleven, there are things we don't talk about, and it'd be nice to keep it that way. Not that I'm keeping anything important from you, darling," she added as an afterthought while looking at him. Merlin forbid he got the wrong idea.
"I know, love and I agree. There are things I would rather Hermione did not know about, especially around the time of the war. Some of those memories I wouldn't even share with my worst enemy."
"Plus Harry worries too much about me as it is. If he can sense I'm upset about something, there'll be no living with him." Luna and Ginny nodded at her words, knowing exactly what she meant.
"I thought you liked knowing I worry about you," he said frowning at her.
"I do, darling, but this would make it a bit too much for me," she told him and patted his hand lovingly.
"It's really quite interesting," Luna said after a moment of silence. "Once we get back, I'll get all of my things together and we can go back to Hogwarts to visit the library. There's information there as well."
"Luna? Is there a way out of this?" Hermione asked.
"Not unless you reverse time like you did back in your third year. And I don't recommend you do, since it's bound to happen again," she was quick to add.
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked her frowning.
"This happened because of the deep connection Hermione and Harry have shared since they've known each other. It was bound to happen eventually, and it was never going to be in their control. The best they can do is learning to live with it. They will learn to control it in time."
"How?" he asked curiously.
"As it is, you're not really able to just read each other's minds. You have to connect mentally to talk, but if both of you are not receptive, the other will not be able to read your mind. Like now. You called Harry and he responded. You gave him free reign to go over your memories, and he was able to do so. However, if that were not the case, he would not had been able to penetrate your thoughts. Does that make sense?"
"Yes! So basically we have to be in tune, otherwise we won't be able to communicate. And he can see my memories as if we were using a pensive, but only if I want him too," Hermione said.
"Something like that. You are also going to be able to tune into each other's moods and feelings easier than you do now. You're going to sense what each other needs without those thoughts being voiced out loud."
"So this really isn't the end of the world. We're just going to be closer than we already are," Harry said.
"Yes and no. There will be times when things will not be as easy. If you argue, defenses will be down and if either of you chooses, you will be able to get past mental barriers. Any type of strong emotions you feel will make the barriers crumble."
"So no arguing, Potter," Hermione told him playfully feeling herself relax for the first time that day.
"Your magical abilities will also be tested. If you are able to connect, the magic you produce together will be formidable. If you think Dumbledore was powerful, think again. He was a babe next to what you can do together as long as you're both concentrating on doing the same thing."
"Oh, there's a scary thought," Ginny said.
"Why didn't this happen three years ago? We could have defeated Voldemort in a heartbeat," Harry said.
"So true," Luna said and smiled at him. "But at the time, we all had other interest at heart."
Ron and Draco finally decided to join them.
"So how's the freak fest going?" Draco asked sitting down next to Ginny.
"Don't be a prat, Draco. It's not a very nice quality," Ginny told him.
"Sorry. I was just joking," Draco said looking chastised and dropped his gaze down to his feet.
Ron sniggered at him and pretended to cough. No one missed that it sounded very much like `whipped'.
"Basically, Harry and Hermione have decided they are fucked, but not necessarily in a bad way as long as they learn to control their feelings. They are both magically stronger, and if they put their powers together, I'm not sure anyone would be able to top them," Luna told them ignoring Ron and Draco's antics.
"That sums it all up brilliantly, I think," Harry agreed.
"This powerful magic they share now, Luna, is it scary?" Ron asked.
"It can be, if they let it get out of control."
"Do something cool," Ron urged and looked at them expectantly.
Harry and Hermione looked at him as if he had suddenly gone mad.
"It's not a joke Ron," Hermione said to him.
"Oh, come on; let's see a bit of it. Didn't you bring your wands with you?"
"They won't really need wands anymore, Ron, if that gives you an idea of just how powerful they have become now that their powers can be shared. As I explained earlier, their powers have rubbed off on each other, making them stronger than they were to begin with. That is why this happened. They were both powerful to begin with," Luna said.
"Really?" Harry asked surprised by the news. He was rather fond of his wand.
"Harry, what do you think about lifting Ron up and settling him down on top of that palm tree next to the tiki bar?"
"I think you're brilliant, love. On the count of three. One…two…three."
"Bloody hell!" Ron screamed as his body began lifting off the sand, arms and legs swinging wildly.
Harry and Hermione were holding hands and their gazes were connected on Ron, unwavering and almost frightening in their intensity. By the time Ron landed on top of the palm tree, he was cursing them to hell and back. Draco fell off the lounge, he was laughing so hard. Luna tried to keep a straight face and Ginny was looking at Ron open mouthed.
"Sweet mother of Merlin, remind me never to bother either of you again," Ginny said when she finally looked back at them. Harry and Hermione seemed pleased with themselves.
"I think we should bring him back now, Harry. There could be scary spiders up there," Hermione said after a couple of minutes.
Harry smirked but nodded his agreement. "Okay, love, if you say so."
They looked at Ron again and his body was lifted off the top of the palm tree again. They brought him down slowly and he actually kissed the sand once he touched down. He got up on shaky legs and glared at them.
"You wanted a show and you got one," Harry told him and smiled. "Next time think twice before you ask for something."
"You're bloody mad, the both of you. You could have killed me," he told them in a voice that still reflected his fright.
"Oh, rubbish! You were going to be just fine, Ronald. They were just playing with you a bit," Luna said as she got up and went to him. She gave him a fierce hug and he finally calmed down.
"I think we should head back inside," Draco said as he looked around. "I think we've attracted enough attention and someone here is bound to recognize The Trio. Won't the Prophet have a field day if they get wind of this?"
"Draco's right. Let's get inside and order lunch. I'm starving," Ron said as he took Luna's hand and led the way, but not before glaring at Harry and Hermione one more time. Food always put him in a better mood.
"There's a surprise," Ginny said dryly as she and Draco followed them with Hermione and Harry bringing up the rear.
~*~
"How do you really feel about this, Harry?" Hermione asked him a while later while they were laying in bed later that evening.
"I'm torn between being excited and being scared," he answered honestly.
"I guess I feel the same way. You know how I hate not being in control of a situation. I would really hate for this to get out of hand."
"Do you think it could? Even with us knowing about it?" he asked worriedly as he played with one of her soft curls.
"I don't know. I'm even afraid of making love with you again without knowing about this a bit more."
"What? Are you saying we're not going to make love for a while?" He was more than flabbergasted by her words.
"I don't honestly know, Harry. What if it gets out of control?" she asked him miserably.
"It didn't last night. It was just the best shag ever, even if at the end it was a little scary. Since we know why that happened, I don't think it would make an awful lot of difference, do you?" he asked her desperately.
He finally had her and the thought of not being able to show her his love in a physical way was going to be a difficult task. Even for him. Especially now that he knew just how sweet and responsive she was in bed.
"I guess we could try it, but if it gets to be too much, we'll have to stop, all right?"
Harry looked at her wondering how to answer her question without sounding like a complete arse. He did not know if he would be able to control his body if she suddenly decided she wanted to stop right in the middle of making love.
"We can try," was the best he could come up with.
She smiled knowingly at him and he looked down, a bit embarrassed. Did she not miss a thing? he wondered sullenly.
"Actually, no, I don't miss much, darling!" she said surprising the hell out of him.
"Did you just read my mind?"
"It was difficult not to, since you're sending off all kinds of thoughts my way. And it's also a boost to my ego to know that you might not be able to stop once we start making love. It makes me feel desired and I can't say I've felt that way in a really long time," she said and kissed him.
Harry, who had been ready to make a snappy remark, decided kissing her was better. Besides, he had always been crap at blocking his mind. (Just ask Snape) He gave up thinking and decided to just feel, as he turned on his back and pulled Hermione on top of him, grabbing her arse and pressing her against his already straining sex. He knew one day she was going to be the death of him, but right now he was to busy kissing her to worry about it or care.
~*~
"That was so good," he said as he lay on his side and gathered her body closer to his.
"I have to agree," she told him snuggling even closer.
"I felt like every fiber of my being was connected to you in some way. As if I knew what you needed before you asked. Did you feel the same way?" he asked curiously.
"I did. And I think that made it even better than before. I was with you body, mind and soul and it's never been like that for me before."
"Not even with Krum?" he asked before he could stop himself.
Hermione moved away from him and leaned on her elbow. "Harry, what is the matter with you?" she asked exasperated. "We just had one of the best shags of our lives and you want to talk about Viktor?"
He would not look at her. He felt like a complete fool for having asked such a stupid question, but now it was out in the open and there wasn't much he could do about it.
"Harry, look at me," she said gently. When he didn't, she put her finger under his chin and made him look. "I'm going to let you into my mind and you can see all you want. Look for Viktor, Ron, or any other bloke I've ever dated. I have nothing to hide. However, if you see something you don't like, it's your own damn fault."
"Never mind, Hermione, you don't have to do that."
"I feel like I have to. You will not leave it alone until you look and I am not going to go through this repeatedly. Just look and be thorough, since this is never going to happen again."
Before Harry could protest again, flashes of memories started inundating his mind the second Hermione closed her eyes.
FLASH
Viktor following Hermione into the library. Viktor sitting next to her. Asking her to the ball. Her surprise at his request and her affirmative answer. Hermione all excited writing her mum about it and planning what she was going to wear. Hermione getting ready and looking at herself in the mirror. Hermione coming down the stairs and finding Harry at the bottom, looking up at her with wonder in his eyes. Hermione smiling at him, but then looking behind him. Viktor coming to the bottom of the stairs as she walked down to meet him. Her nervousness when he took her hand gently into his and kissed her. Viktor putting his hand on her lower back and guiding her into position to enter the big hall. Hermione's nervousness as they enter the ball and the students finally recognizing her. Hermione and Viktor dancing. Hermione and Viktor having fun. Hermione and Viktor kissing. Hermione and Viktor walking around the grounds, holding hands and kissing some more. Her sadness when he departed.
FLASH
Hermione and Ron fighting. Ron finally asking her out. Hermione saying yes and blushing. Ron and Hermione's first kiss. Ron and Hermione fighting. Ron and Hermione kissing, yet again. Ron trying to move past first base and Hermione stopping him. Ron and Hermione fighting. Ron and Hermione breaking up. Hermione crying. Ron and Hermione fighting. Ron and Hermione making up as friends again.
FLASH
Hermione on a date with David. David dropping her off with no more than a goodnight kiss. Hermione on a date with Patrick. Another goodnight kiss. Hermione sitting at home after each date reading and wondering why she went out with them to begin with.
~*~
And so it went for a while. Harry even saw dates he had no idea she had been on. There were flashes of pain mixed in with the flashes of happiness. The one thing that surprised him the most was just how lonely she felt at times. And her inner doubts about her beauty broke his heart. How could she not know how beautiful she truly was? he wondered not for the first time.
Just as the memories had started flowing from her into him, they stopped. Harry opened his eyes and stared at her in surprise. She had shared more than he had expected and he did not know what to say to her. She opened her eyes slowly and he noticed there were tears swimming in them. He felt like an arse.
"Hermione, I -"
"I hope you're happy now, Harry James. Now you know more than anybody about my personal affairs. I also hope you enjoyed the show, since it's the last time it's going to happen."
Without warning, she simply got up from the bed and disappeared into the bathroom. Harry winced when he heard the distinct noise of the lock clicking into place. He covered his eyes with his hands and groaned at his own stupidity. Talk about being in the dog's house in the middle of a cold winter storm, he thought miserably. He slowly got up and put on his boxer shorts. He walked over to the bathroom door and knocked softly.
"Hermione, please open the door, love. We need to talk."
"Go away, Harry," she answered and he heard her sniffling.
"I'm not going to go away. I'm going to stand here until you open the door."
"Then you're going to be there a while."
"You think so, huh?"
"I know so," came the snotty reply.
"Have it your way then."
Without thinking twice about his actions he put both of his hands flat against the door and closed his eyes in concentration. Before she knew what was happening, the door disappeared. Harry lowered his hands to his sides and opened his eyes.
Hermione was staring at him open mouthed, still naked, and looking more beautiful than ever. That is if you looked past the anger simmering in her chocolate brown eyes and the furious blush on her cheeks.
"We're going to have this conversation, whether you want to or not!" he told her and returned her glare with one of his own.
~*~
A/N: *covering self with cushion as shield and waving fist in the air like mad at the muse as she runs away laughing…'Come back here and explain this instant, you rotten and vile thing!...the readers are going to think this is all my fault! Damn you!'*
Until the next one… cheers!
-->