Forbidden Love
Chapter 23
Hermione was sitting on the couch, reading a book on advanced silent spells when the portrait to her dorm suddenly opened. A moment later a flushed looking Ginny Weasley came bounding up the stairs and gave her a small wave.
"There you are," she said, exhaling and then throwing herself onto the chair in front of her.
"Where else would I be?" Hermione asked, frowning at the other girl.
"Well I checked the library and the Room of Requirement first, since the last time I was looking for you that's where you were," she gave a smirk, "figures you'd be in here."
Hermione shook her head and looked back down at the text she was reading, choosing not to comment.
"So are you busy?" the younger girl asked, tilting her head slightly to peer at the title on the book.
"Well… kind of, I'm brushing up on some spells."
Ginny gave a dismissive wave of the hand, "Good then you're not." She commented, getting up from the chair and taking a seat next to Hermione on the couch. "Which is great because I really, really need to talk to you about something."
"What?" Hermione asked when, after a moment of silence, the other girl didn't elaborate.
Ginny took a deep breath. "Well for the last week or so I've been acting like a bit of a prat with Harry," Hermione rose a brow but remained silent. "You see…" the redhead hesitated fidgeting, "-I kind of thought that he may have done something, that he didn't do- but I thought he did, so I was mad at him."
The brunette's brows furrowed, "What did you think he did?"
Ginny flushed and gave another wave of the hand "It's not important, Ron cleared it up for me and now I feel like a jerk. It's just that I love Harry and… well, so…" she stumbled over the words, looking down at her hands and not noticing the hurt that flashed in her brown haired friends eyes at what she had just said. "I just, I want to show him how much I love him and with Valentines Day coming up at the end of the week I would like to set up a special night."
Hermione slowly closed her book and sat a bit straighter on the couch. "A special night?"
Ginny nodded "Yeah, a very special night."
The older girls' eyes widened as her brain attempted to process what Ginny was implying, but in the end found it was unable to do so. "Just how special are we talking about here?"
Ginny blushed a deep red, "Very, very special."
"Wha-" Hermione started, but couldn't get herself to complete it and just ended up opening and closing her mouth wordlessly.
"Don't look so shocked," Ginny said with a frown at the brown-haired girl. "I mean, Harry and I love each other and that's what people do when they're in love right?"
Hermione slowly shook her head, her brows furrowing "Ginny… have you ever… you know?"
The redhead blushed again "Not yet… I wanted to wait for someone special and Harry's that someone. I know it," she finished with an unwavering look.
Hermione ran a hand through her hair and then rubbed her brow, "But Ginny… I don't know that you should- well, how do you know that he- you know, feels the same way."
Ginny frowned at her "What do you mean? Why, do you think he doesn't?"
"I'm not saying that he doesn't, I-"
"Good, because I know how Harry and I feel about one another. Besides, I don't need a lecture Hermione, I didn't come up here for you to act like my mum." The younger girl continued scowling, "I came up here for you to act like my friend. Do you think you can do that?"
"Of course," Hermione replied, tilting her head and giving the other girl an annoyed look. "It's just that… aren't you a bit, you know, young for this kind of thing?"
"No," she responded with a short shake of the head, "I know girls my age who have done it. Besides Hermione, it's not like I'm running out and shagging just anyone- this is Harry we're talking about. I mean, I love him and he loves me- so, it's ok. In fact it's perfect, which is exactly why I know I'm ready for this."
Hermione suppressed a groan as she fought the urge to get up and beat her head against the wall until she passed out as opposed to having this particular conversation.
"I though you'd be excited for me, what's your problem?" Ginny stated, cutting into Hermione's perverse thoughts.
The older girl gave her a startled look "Wha- nothing, I don't have a problem Ginny. I just don't want you doing something just because you think Harry's mad at you, or you think you have to make something up to him. I-" she hesitated, " I just don't want you doing something you're going to regret later."
Ginny's brows furrowed, "You think I'd regret being with Harry later?"
"I don't."
"What?"
Hermione's head snapped up, she hadn't realized that she had said that aloud. "Oh, uhh- what?"
"I asked what you said," Ginny repeated, giving her a suspicious look.
"Oh, I said I don't- know, I don't know if you'd regret it. I just want you to be sure that you won't, that's all," she responded quickly.
"Oh," the red-haired girl replied with a thoughtful look, not noticing when her friend relaxed a bit. "Harry and I have been together for almost a year and we love one another, so don't worry so much. I'm sure I won't regret this at all," Hermione gave a small nod. "Now that we've cleared that up, on to what I came up here for," Ginny continued readjusting in her seat as the other girl waited anxiously. "You read a lot Hermione… so…"
Hermione raised her brows expectantly, "So…" she prompted when Ginny continued to just sit and stare at her.
"So… I was wondering, do you know any spells to help with… well you know- to make sure that I don't get- that I don't have-"
"You don't want to get pregnant," Hermione supplied. Ginny nodded and turned a shade dangerously close to the color of her hair.
"So do you know any spells to help with that?"
Hermione instantly recalled the anti-reproduction spell that she had come across last year when she had been doing research on replication. But as her mouth opened to tell Ginny about it, her mind flashed to the one occasion that she herself had employed that same spell… and the person that that had been with.
"No," she answered before realizing it.
Ginny gave a dejected sigh, "Are you sure?" Hermione nodded and the other girl sighed again, "Well I suppose I can ask Lavender, I just hadn't particularly wanted to tell her."
"You're going to ask Lavender?" The older girl asked in a disbelieving tone. "Please tell me you're kidding."
"No, I'm not," the younger girl responded with a fierce look. "I love Harry and I'm ready for this. Valentines Day is the day to show your love and that's just what I'm going to do… even if I do have to ask Lavender for help to do it."
Hermione gave a frustrated groan; burying her hands in her hair she closed her eyes as her head fought a war with her heart.
"Ok," she said after a minute, looking back at the other girl. "I'll do it, I'll research the spell for you and get it to you before Valentines."
Ginny gave a happy squeal and launched at Hermione, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she cried as she withdrew and beamed happily at the older girl. "I knew I could count on you! Valentines is only three days away," Ginny continued, standing from the couch and hurrying towards the door. "I have a lot to do to get ready, I need to make sure everything's perfect and I don't have much time to do it. You'll get me that spell as soon as possible right?" she asked throwing a look back at the other girl, when Hermione nodded she gave another grin. "Thanks Hermione, you're the best," she said before giving one last happy wave and rushing down the stairs.
As soon as the portrait door closed soundly behind the red-haired girl, Hermione grabbed a pillow, put it to her face, and screamed.
*****
Harry gave a look to his right and a frown pulled at his features as he took note of a tall thin wizard. The man's head was down and his greasy blond hair was pushed back out of his face and tied with a ribbon at the base of his neck. His dirty robes were a dark forest color and long fingers were laced together at his waist as he waited silently to be acknowledged.
"Have you done as I commanded, Jugson?" Harry asked in a low hissing voice.
"Yes my Lord," a blond wizard answered, still not looking up. "Everything is going as planned and we hope to be ready-"
"Hope?" Harry quizzed in a soft, contemptuous tone, "I do not deal in hope Jugson."
The blond wizard gave him an anxious fleeting look before once again addressing his feet. "Yes my Lord of course, that was a poor choice of words on my part." He continued quickly, "We will be ready in the allotted time my Lord."
Harry gave a nod, then noticing something out of the corner of his eyes he turned his head slightly, just in time to see a giant snake make its way towards him.
"Ahh, Nagini it is about time… Send her in," he replied in response to the snake's hissed question.
Looking forward once more, he gave the wizard before him a disdainful look and dismissed him with a small flick of the hand. As the blond man hurriedly backed away he collided with the wall and flushed before tuning and quickly making his way out of the door mumbling an apology as he bumped into someone.
Harry shook his head at the simplicity of minions nowadays and looked reflectively out the window. Good underlings were so hard to find. As he watched a cloud pass over the night sky he heard someone approach, the lightness of the step letting him know that it was most likely a woman.
"I am here my Lord, as you requested, your humble and willing servant," a husky voice said just to his right.
Turning once more to that direction, he saw a woman kneeling on the floor. Her head was bowed in a sign of respect causing her long hair to almost brush the dusty floorboards.
"Now, now, that is not necessary for my most devoted of servants," he commented, tilting his head slightly.
"It is because I am your most devoted servant, that I always give you the utmost respect my Lord," she replied, remaining as she was.
"If you wish to show me respect, then do as I command," he responded in a steely tone before finishing in a softer voice. "Rise for your Lord." Without preamble she did as commanded and slowly stood to her full height. "Now, that wasn't so hard…" he placed a cold finger on her chin, lifting her face. "-was it, Bella?"
Bellatrix Lestrange looked back at him with cold eyes and a twisted smile.
--
Harry bolted up his bed, his scar throbbing painfully. Rubbing his head, he groped around on his nightstand for a moment before locating his glasses. Fumbling a bit he finally managed to get them on, and quickly gave a look around the room before sighing in relief. He was still at Hogwarts. Lying back against his pillows Harry took a few deep breaths, then he shut his eyes and attempted to get back to sleep. However, as soon as they were closed the cold mocking gaze of Bellatrix Lestrange appeared, surrounded by the echoing of her cruel laughter on the night she murdered Sirius.
Harry's eyes snapped open and he looked blankly at he canapé overhead for a minute attempting to gather his thoughts. Sitting up, he briefly considered telling Ron about his dream, but when he gave a glance to the other boy, Harry saw that he was sleeping soundly and didn't want to wake him. Instead he lay back against his pillows and stared gloomily at a spot just above Seamus's bed. He hadn't had a dream for months, where the hell had that one come from? And what were these plans that they were talking about? When was the "allotted time"?
Harry groaned and rubbed his still throbbing scar, he needed to talk to Dumbledore, but he was still off doing Order business… Besides, he really didn't want to talk to the Headmaster, he wanted to talk to her. He frowned and ran an agitated hand though his hair. But would she talk to him? He had been trying to speak with her for the past week and she had been avoiding him at every turn, sometimes even going out of her way to do so.
`She's probably asleep anyway,' Harry thought dejectedly. But after hesitating for a minute, he reached a hand under his pillow and pulled out the Marauders Map anyway. "Lumos," he whispered softly, lighting the tip of his wand.
Putting it to the parchment he scanned the map for her dorm, after locating the area he frowned realizing she wasn't in her room.
"Where in the world…?" he mumbled as he scanned the map for Hermione's name.
It was then he saw it, heading down a corridor on the fifth floor with Zach Smith.
`She must be doing Head Girl duties,' he told himself, stomping down the intense jealousy that flooded him upon seeing their names together.
Harry watched for a minute as the names continued to stroll the corridors before giving another forlorn sigh, maybe he should just wait and talk to her tomorrow. He frowned- no, he couldn't do that, he wouldn't have time. They had Quidditch practice for the upcoming game against Hufflepuff in the morning, Snape had insisted upon another Occlumency session for the afternoon and Ginny had some type of special Valentines thing planned for that night. If he were going to talk to her it would have to be tonight.
With that thought Harry quietly climbed out of bed and slid on his shoes, silently tiptoeing out of the dorm and down the stairs. A fire roared to life in the common room as soon as he entered and Harry made his way over to one of overstuffed burgundy chairs plopping down onto the seat. Rubbing his eyes sleepily he frowned, mentally scolding himself for not bringing the map as he watched the portrait.
He gave a surprised look as Crookshanks hopped on the arm of the chair and gave him a soft `meow'. The dark haired boy gave a gentle smile before giving the part-kneazle a scratch behind the ears. The cat purred appreciatively before hopping off the arm of the seat into Harry's lap, where he curled up and happily dozed off. The boy gave a chuckle and an envious look at the creature lounging in his lap, before once again focusing on the door.
******
"Toadstool," Hermione mumbled to the portrait.
The Fat Lady gave her an annoyed sleepy look before sighing and swinging the door to the tower open.
"You know I'm tired too," Hermione muttered to the woman as she slowly trudged though the opening. Rubbing her eyes sleepily she slowly made her way up the stairs into the common room.
"Hey," a voice said, and Hermione's head snapped up.
There, sitting in an oversized chair by the fire and stroking her traitorous cat, sat Harry.
"Er…hey," she commented softly, throwing a glare to Crookshanks.
The part kneazle lifted his head and regarded her silently for a moment before standing. He gave a long stretch and a soft `meow' to Harry before jumping off the boy's lap and softly padding to a corner by the window. Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head at the cat before once again gazing at Harry.
"It's pretty late," he observed, looking back at her through heavy lids.
"Yeah," she replied fidgeting with the sleeve her of robe.
"So…" Harry hesitated a bit, sitting up in the chair. "I didn't realize that they made you guys do rounds this late…"
When he trailed off nervously, Hermione gave a small smile. "Yeah, well there was a small issue in the Ravenclaw quarters. One of the girls was convinced that she had seen a blood sucking Antromort and had worked the others into a frenzy."
Harry arched a dark brow, "What in the world is an Antromort?" When she responded with a small shrug he chuckled.
"Of course - since there was no real danger - we were sent to handle it as opposed to the professors," she continued giving a small yawn. "And naturally the girl who started the whole thing took the longest to convince. Finally, after I had checked under her bed and inside her wardrobe she calmed down and politely informed me that the Netherlouse must have shown and drove it off," she finished rolling her eyes.
"Netherl- let me guess… Luna Lovegood?"
Hermione laughed "None other."
Harry shook his head and leisurely stood from his seat, Hermione watched wide-eyed as the dark haired boy gave a stretch and ran his fingers through his hair. Merlin did he look delicious, his dark hair was rumpled from sleep and falling into his eyes, he was wearing a light gray t-shirt which was hugging his toned chest and arms. His plaid sleep pants had a small tie in the front and fit loosely on his legs, while dark blue slippers peaked from under the cuffs. Hermione's gaze worked its way back up to his face, where emerald green eyes stared back at her through thick lashes, heatedly observing her appraisal of him. Realizing that she had been caught, Hermione blushed profusely and looked past him at the roaring fire.
"So… now you know what I'm doing up, what's your story?"
"Dream," Harry stated simply.
Hermione gave him a startled look. "What kind of dream?" He responded with a sardonic smile. "Harry, what happened? What was it about? Are you ok, how's your scar?"
She questioned in rapid fire, quickly approaching him and gingerly touching his forehead.
"It looks pretty red," she commented, peering at the mark and pressing it lightly. "Does it hurt? Perhaps you should…" she trailed off as her gaze lowered and she realized just how close she was to him.
Hermione immediately tried to take a step back but was forestalled by Harry's hand on her back.
"Hermione please," he implored softly, giving her a pleading look. "Don't run away from me. I really need to talk to you about this."
She gave a small nod and he released her. "So what happened?" she asked, hoping that he hadn't heard the tremor in her voice.
Harry sighed, "Well I-" he looked around before looking at her once more. "Do you think we can have this discussion in your sitting area? This isn't really private enough to talk about… well, you know who," he said, finishing in a whisper and looking towards the staircases.
Hermione gulped, Harry wanted to go up to her dorm. At this time of night? Alone…
"I don't know- uh, maybe we can just talk about this later, I'm really tired and I…" she trailed off.
Hurt flashed in the dark haired boys eyes for a moment before he ran a hand though his hair and gave her a hollow smile.
"Sure Hermione, later," he repeated, his voice cracking slightly as he looked towards the flames once more.
Hermione released a breath and grabbed Harry's hand. Giving it a tug, she pulled him forward and led him towards her dorm.
"Frame," she whispered to the painting hoping Harry wouldn't hear, however the quizzical look he was giving her let her know that he had.
Ignoring it, she led him through the door, up the stairs and into her sitting room. Upon entering Hermione made her way over to the couch and took a seat, pulling Harry down next to her.
"Ok, tell me what happened," she said giving him a serious look.
Harry's lips quirked into a small grin. "You know you could have just told me you had changed your mind and I would have come willingly, you didn't have to drag me."
"Oh shut up," she replied fighting a blush and glaring at him.
Looking down she realized that she was still holding Harry's hand and blushed fully. Attempting to pull away, Hermione was surprised when Harry tightened his grip and held fast to her hand. She gave him a startled look, but he seemed to be looking at something across the room. However, the flush creeping up his neck and to his cheeks let her know he was aware of exactly what he was doing.
"I was in the house again," he started after a minute. Then, looking back at her he launched into the tale of what had happened in his dream.
"So you saw her there?" She asked when he finished, touching his wrist lightly with her free hand when he gave a nod. "Did she say what she was there for?"
Harry shook his head "No, Voldemort had summoned her, but I didn't stick around long enough to see what it was about." He looked at her with sad eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just that when I saw her I-"
Hermione placed a finger lightly on his lips, effectively cutting him off. "You don't have to apologize Harry, you did the right thing. Who knows, what would have happened or how much of what you were seeing was real. For all we know he could have known you were watching and tried to lead you into another trap. You did the right thing."
Harry exhaled noisily and sat back on the couch, titling his head back he rubbed his face with his free hand.
"I just… I can't do it- I can't sleep anymore. Not if I have to see her every time I close my eyes," he whispered brokenly.
Hermione felt her heart twist "Oh, Harry," she said softly.
Pulling her hand out of his grasp she embraced him, resting her head lightly in the crook of his neck. His arms came around her almost instantly as he hugged her tightly against him.
"Thanks," he whispered after a few minutes.
"No problem," she whispered back sleepily from his chest.
"Hermione?"
"Hum?"
"I miss you."
She pulled back a bit and looked at Harry, he gave her a small smile before coming forward and lightly brushing his lips against her own.
"Harry," she whispered his name as her mouth melted against his.
They kissed candidly for a few minutes before Hermione pulled back and laid her head back on his chest.
"I missed you too," she said softly after a moment, he responded by kissing the top of her head.
She had so much she wanted to say; so much she wanted to ask him. But one thing stood out above all else.
"Harry?" she questioned, lightly stroking his waist with her fingers.
"Huh."
"What… what are you doing tomorrow?"
He heaved a sigh "Well, I have an Occlumency session with Snape in the afternoon and Quidditch practice most of the morning," he answered in a quiet voice.
"So…you and Ginny don't have any plans for Valentines?" Hermione quizzed, pulling back and giving him a surprised look.
Harry winced, "Oh yeah… forgot about that." He rubbed his brow, "I guess we do, I don't know what they are though Ginny's being all secretive about it."
"Oh," Hermione responded, pulling back more. "Well I'm sure you'll enjoy it," she commented bitterly, before laughing to try to camouflage the tone.
"Hey," Harry replied, turning her chin so that she was looking at him. "I'd much rather do something with you," he hesitated licking his lips "that is if you- you know- if you want…" he trailed off blushing.
Hermione gave him a suspicious look, "Like what?"
He grinned at her, "Anything you want. We can go to Hogsmeade with the rest of the students, take a walk around the lake- heck, I'll even watch you study," he gave a chuckle and lightly stroked her face. "As long as it's with you… I honestly don't care."
She beamed at him, before her smile faltered, "But- what about Ginny? She made plans for you guys… very big plans."
Harry titled his head and gave her a questioning look. "So you know what the big surprise is do you?" she gave a small nod and he responded with a boyish grin. "Is it a good surprise? Would I like it?"
Hermione glared at him.
"Ok, ok," he responded with a quiet laugh, "I was just asking. Don't worry I'll handle it." When she continued to frown Harry pulled her back into his arms. "Trust me Hermione, I'll handle whatever it is and I'll do my best not to hurt Ginny's feelings in the process," she snorted and he rolled his eyes. "Just relax ok? You look dead on your feet."
"I'm not on my feet and you should head back to your room," she mumbled in an indignant tone.
Harry chuckled again, "Don't worry I will, I just need to hold you for a little while that's all." When she didn't responded he looked down at the top of her head. "Hermione?" he questioned softly, then again in a louder voice. Realizing that she had fallen asleep while scolding him, Harry gave a small chuckle before taking a deep breath and inhaling the scent of her hair.
`This is a lot better than a stupid scrunchie,' his mind observed lightheartedly.
He gave a small smile in response as he eyes slowly drifted shut, giving a quick glance to his watch he calculated that he could stay here with her for another three hours at the least and still make it back to his room before anyone else awoke. Easing his wand and a handkerchief out of his pocket he said a small spell to charm the item to repeatedly hit him in the face to wake him up in three hours. Harry then readjusted on the couch so that he and Hermione were laying flat on the sofa as opposed to sitting up, giving a rueful smile when the witch in his arms slumbered peacefully through his ministrations.
After summoning a light blanket from her open bedroom, Harry adjusted one last time before starting to doze. As he drifted off and Hermione snuggled against him one last time he gave her another kiss on the head and the words that he longed to tell her in her waking hours tumbled from his lips as she slept.
"I love you too."
A.N. Ok that's it for this chapter, how will Harry handle Ginny? Stay tuned and find out! Also if you haven't already Please check out my other fic The Snogging Chronicles! It should be posted on the site now. It's a Harry/Hermione Hogwarts era fic that is fun, funny and a bit sexy so make sure that you're allowed to read the more adult fics (which you should be if you're reading this) Or my stories Ace of Hearts which is H/Hr post Hogwarts or Redemption which is D/G also post Hogwarts with just a hint of H/Hr. Also PLEASE REVIEW and Ja ne!!!
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