Forbidden Love
Chapter 30
Harry groaned as a fifth year that he didn't know gave him a nod and a thumbs up. Shaking his head, he looked away. If he got one more `You're the man' he was seriously going to hit someone. It looked like Ginny had told any and everyone that she could find just what she had seen in Hermione's dorm yesterday, so now he was once again the main center of attention. Harry sighed, he could kind of understand why she would do it, after all he'd be seriously pissed too, but that didn't mean he had to like it.
`Or even tolerate it,' he thought, throwing a glower to a couple of third years who where whispering and pointing in his direction.
Even though Harry had given them what he thought was one of his most intimidating looks, the two younger boys just grinned, gave him overly obvious winks and a set up double thumbs up. He groaned again.
"Come on mate," Ron said jovially, joining him at the foot of the stairs. "It's not that bad, now there aren't any doubts left."
Harry frowned, "What are you talking about Ron?"
"I'm talking a bout your battle with You-know-who," the redhead finished, pushing a gawking second year out of his way so that he could have a seat on the back of the couch.
His mates' brows furrowed, "What does me getting the thumbs up every five seconds like I'm a bloody automobile dealer have to do with Voldemort?"
"Oi! Keep that down," Ron hissed, flinching at the name before rolling his eyes. "It's quite simple really," he continued in a tone that implied it was obvious, "if you can get Hermione to shag you, then obviously you can do anything."
Harry punched his mate in the arm, "Cut it out Ron."
The redhead laughed.
"Cut what out?" Hermione quizzed, entering the portrait. When several of the students stopped and gave her curious looks she frowned, "Don't you people have someplace to be?!" she inquired loudly scanning the room.
Harry winced, crap, she was in a bad mood. "They may not, but we do," he offered, "what do you say we head down to breakfast?"
She frowned at him, "I don't think I can do the Great Hall right now Harry."
He sighed and approached her, lightly taking her arms he gave her a grim look "Come on Hermione, a spot of food will make you feel better. Besides we have to face everyone sooner or later so we might as well get it over with." When her chin took on a familiar stubborn set Harry frowned at her. "Hermione Granger, there is no way I'm allowing you to hide out up here. You're going down to have breakfast with everyone else, just like you made me second year after I found out I spoke Parseltongue and everyone thought I was evil, or fourth year after I got picked for the Tri-Wizard and most of the student population thought I had cheated."
She bit her lip wavering, "Harry, I don't know."
"I do, look don't act like you're ashamed of us, that's what Ginny wanted… please Hermione," he implored softly.
"I'm not ashamed," she responded confidently.
"Good, then let's go to breakfast."
Smiling, he took her hand and led her out of the portrait with Ron close behind.
"Geez, maybe you two do belong together," the other boy stated, catching up with them and walking on the other side of Hermione.
"I may regret this, but why do you say that?" she queried.
He threw her a look and shook his head, "Because I never would have been able to get you out of that room and he did it in less than two minutes," Ron replied with a grin, he then gave a thoughtful look. "You know now that I think about it, had you and I still been together -I totally would have sent Harry to get you."
His mates shared a look and then burst into laughter. As they continued to the Great Hall, laughing and talking, Harry did his best to ignore the looks and whispers that followed the sight of the Head Girl and the Quidditch Captain holding hands. He also made sure to give Hermione's hand a reassuring squeeze every minute or so, just to keep her calm. Harry almost sighed in relief when the finally made it to the Gryffindor table.
"Good morning," Hermione said with a light smile to Seamus, Dean and Neville as they took a seat.
The first two boys returned her greeting but the latter just frowned and got up from the table. Harry watched curiously as he gathered his things and exited the Great Hall without another word.
"What the hell was that about?" Ron voiced, beating Harry to the question.
"Don't know," Seamus responded with a shake of the head "he's been acting a bit queer all morning though."
"Whatever it is, I'm sure he'll get over it soon," Dean commented, taking a sip of his drink.
Ron and Harry shared a shrug and began to immediately pile their plates with bangers, eggs and toast.
"Do you guys really need that much to eat?" Hermione sniffed.
Harry sighed, "I guess not," he commented as he placed three out of his five pieces of toast back on the platter along with four of his eight bangers.
"See," Hermione commented with a smile. "Now if you're still hungry after that you can get some more at that time."
Harry sighed and shook his head.
"You might as well say `Yes dear'," Dean quipped with a grin from across the table that turned into a wince when Hermione kicked him.
"Pig," she said to Ron who had snorted into his eggs at the other boys' remark.
The redhead didn't comment but instead threw her a smirk and continued to shovel food into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days. Hermione gave a disgusted scoff, while Harry chuckled at the exchange; things were back to normal. With this thought and a grin he reached for his pumpkin juice, however before he could get it to his lips Ron grabbed the glass from his hands.
"Oi! You have your own you know!" Harry exclaimed, glaring at his mate.
Instead of responding, Ron held up a single finger and swallowed his food before taking the pumpkin juice, putting to his nose and taking a sniff. The other occupants of the table watched with baffled expressions as he then proceeded to swirl the liquid around and sniff it once more, before picking up his own glass and comparing the colors. Harry frowned as he mate then took a sip from both glasses before setting Harry's back down in front of him and turning once more to his own breakfast.
"Er… Ron? What was that about?" Harry asked, while pushing the glass of juice away.
Ron swallowed his toast and took another sip of his drink before answering. "Big brother duties," he commented with a shrug. At their blank looks he explained, "You see Gin, is convinced that Hermione's been slipping you some type of love potion, so I told her I would check it out for her -you know, big brother duties."
Dean and Seamus sniggered, Harry rolled his eyes and Hermione frowned.
"You think I used a potion on Harry?" she asked with a hurt look.
"No, of course not," Ron said quickly, "but Ginny was so adamant about it that I promised her I would check," when the brunette continued to frown her gave her a pleading look. "Please understand Hermione, she was in tears and I hate to see my sister that way. I would have promised almost anything to make her feel better."
Harry looked back at his girlfriend and saw her give a light nod of the head, "Of course Ron," she commented running a hand though her hair.
Harry leaned over and gave her a light peck on the lips, when her startled gaze flew to him, he smiled, "You looked like you could use one," he responded softly, "and since we don't have to keep everything a secret anymore I decided to oblige."
Hermione blushed and looked down at the table.
"Woo-hoo," Dean exclaimed with a grin, "someone call the fire department, we have a four alarm going on!"
Hermione threw him an annoyed look, while Harry and Seamus laughed.
"Fire department?" Ron asked looking up from his sixth piece of toast.
As Dean attempted to explain what a fire department was, and the fact that a fireman was not made of fire to Ron, Harry chuckled and took a bite of his jam covered toast. As he reached for his glass his hand froze and a look of dismay crossed his features.
"Now what am I supposed to drink?" he whined.
"How about spilling your drink," Seamus suggested, "then it'll magically refill and you'll have a fresh one."
"It's not just magic, it's poor enslaved house elves," Hermione informed him with a reproachful look before looking at Harry, "and don't you dare."
Harry shrugged, "I wouldn't anyway, Ron's had his ruddy mouth on it."
"Oi! I brushed my teeth!" Ron exclaimed, lifting his head from his plate. Harry shuttered when a piece of egg flew from his mouth and landed on the side of the cup in question.
"Disgusting Ronald, just disgusting," Hermione grumbled, the other three boys nodded in agreement while Ron blushed. "Here Harry," she said, passing him her cup.
"Thanks," he responded before giving Ron a fierce look, "and don't even think about tasting this one."
The redhead pulled a face but didn't comment, instead going back to his kippers.
"Aww, you two are so cute," Dean teased as Hermione took a sip from the cup after Harry sat it down.
"Hey! I'm cute -she's beautiful, get it right," Harry told the other boy with a smirk; Hermione blushed.
Dean laughed and nodded before tucking into the rest of his breakfast. Hermione nudged Harry playfully and the group continued to eat, settling into a comfortable conversation. After everyone was pretty much finished -Ron was still nibbling on a piece of toast -the trio got up and made their way out of the Great Hall.
"Well lookie here boys," Draco sneered as they passed. "If it isn't the blood traitor, the scarhead and the groupie."
Harry glowered at the blonde, "Shove it Malfoy," he said in a steely tone.
"Perhaps you should be making that request of Granger," he smirked; his minions tittered.
Harry made a move towards the other boy but Ron grabbed him, "Sod off Malfoy," he spat before looking at Harry. "Don't let him get to you, mate. Come on lets just go."
"Yeah, Harry just forget it," Hermione whispered from his left.
"You know Granger if I realized that you had so much to… offer," Malfoy wagged his brows as his cronies chortled. "I just may have considered acknowledging you every once and a while."
Harry's wand snapped up at that comment and pointed at the Slytherins neck.
"Cool it mate!" Ron hissed, grabbing the dark haired boy's arm and forcing it down, he then made a small motion towards the staff table with his head.
Looking over Harry saw Snape watching them with a scornful expression. Malfoy followed their gaze and upon seeing the potions master he smirked.
"What's the mater Potter, afraid of a little detention," he taunted.
"Don't press your luck Malfoy," Harry ground out.
The blond smirked once more, "So, I guess this makes you -what? An honorary Weasley or something right? After all Weasel, we all know how big your piss poor family is on," he looked at Hermione and leered "hand me downs."
Ron and Harry both moved to raise their wands but before they could get them up a fist shot out and connected with the blond boys face. Harry's surprised gaze flew to his girlfriend who was staring down at the crumpled Slytherin with a murderous expression, before looking up.
"Did anyone else have any smarmy comments that they wanted to make!" she demanded, quickly scanning the shocked crowned with furious eyes.
All of the students who came in contact with her heated gaze quickly shook their heads `no' while several even went so far as to rush off to their respective classes.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed in an awestruck tone, while Harry nodded his head enthusiastically in agreement.
Hermione's gaze flew to her best mate and her boyfriend and the anger dissipated to be replaced by a blush at their broad smiles. "I…well, that is…"
"Ms. Granger," a stern voice said from their left. Everyone looked to see Deputy Headmistress McGonagall standing there with a frown. "A word if you will," she then looked at Crabbe and Goyle "boys please make yourselves useful and help Mr. Malfoy to Madam Pomfrey's office."
She looked back at Hermione "Now, Ms. Granger."
************************
Hermione cringed at McGonagall's firm tone, frowning she threw a anxious look to Harry and Ron before nervously chewing on her bottom lip and silently following the older woman down the halls towards her office.
What had she been thinking? She usually knew better than to rise to the bait of Malfoy's obnoxious comments and small jibes. It was just that she had been putting up with it all day and his vulgar comment was the last straw. Hermione ran a hand nervously thorough her hair as McGonagall turned another corner.
`This day only seems to be getting better and better,' she thought as they neared the Professors office.
It had all started that morning when she had gone downstairs to do her morning rounds. When she and Zach met up in their designated spot Hermione had offered him a smile and a wave, which the blonde boy didn't return. Instead he just frowned and stiffly informed her that perhaps they, "should do their rounds separately" that morning. Since at the time she had had no idea that Ginny had spread what had happened like wildfire, Hermione had been merely confused at his actions and simply agreed.
However by the end of her rounds she had gone from confused to annoyed by all of the looks and whispers she had been getting from the few students that were up and about. Her mood quickly progressed from annoyed to a mix between anger and mortification when she finally realized just what was going on.
This came about when Lavender and the Patil twins cornered her and in hushed, very giggly tones asked if "the boy who lived" was also "the boy who could shag". Giving them a shocked look and a fierce glower Hermione had huffed and stormed back to the Gryffindor common room, glaring at anyone who stared at her with a new found sense of self righteous anger. How dare they assume that just because Ginny Weasley had said that she and Harry shagged that they did! Even if it was true, they didn't know that, the bunch of gits!
"Ms. Granger," the Professor questioned pulling her out of her wayward thoughts. "Are you going to go into the office, or just continue trying to intimidate my door?"
Hermione's eyes widened as she realized that she had been glaring, blushing she quickly schooled her features into a look of remorse. "Sorry Professor," she mumbled, turning the knob and entering the medium sized office.
"Have a seat," the older woman said, going to take one behind her desk.
Hermione complied, glancing nervously around the office and fidgeting absently with the sleeves of her robes. After a moment of silence she looked hesitantly back at the Professor.
"You do know Ms. Granger," the older woman said when Hermione made eye contact "that it is not the type of impression we want to make for our younger students, that it is ok for them to go around hitting one another?"
"Yes ma'am," she murmured blushing.
"And it trust you realize that as Head Girl it is of the utmost importance that you, above all others, follow this principle?"
"Yes ma'am."
"So then I assume that it is safe to say that I no longer need to be concerned that I will once again come across one of my esteemed Heads, dismembering or incapacitating any other students or members of the staff -no matter how obnoxious they may be?"
Hermione blushed, "Yes ma'am."
"Good, I'm glad that's settled."
The younger witch threw the older one a surprised look. "That's all?"
"On this subject yes -why did you wish for more Ms. Granger?"
"No Professor, not at all," she said quickly and moving to stand.
"However," McGonagall continued, "there is another matter I wish to discuss with you."
Hermione frowned and sat back down, "Yes?"
"I know that it is sometimes hard for girls being at school and away from their mothers. I must admit that after all of these years, the ups the downs and the circles that I have taken with Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley and yourself… I consider you in a somewhat different light than I consider most of the other students in this school," Professor McGonagall said. "In truth, over these last several years I have begun to see you as… well, as -sort of like a daughter to me," she blushed uncharacteristically and looked away briefly, "and it is because of this sentiment that I feel it is very important that we have a bit of a chat."
"A chat? Really?" Hermione inquired nervously.
"Yes really… you know, as implausible as it may seem to you I was once a young girl myself and I do in fact understand how these things work. I realize that at your age… you have… certain, well certain urges…"
The brunette's eyes widened and her face took on a horrified expression, "Uh… Professor, just what is this talk about?"
McGonagall gave her a grim look, "Don't be obtuse Ms. Granger, it's about the birds and the bees of course."
Hermione groaned.
***********************
Harry gave his girlfriend a curious look as she entered the classroom over twenty minutes late. Hermione immediately went to the front of the class, handed Professor Cypher a note and quietly made her way back to her desk. After she took a seat next to him, Harry frowned when she opened her book without giving him a second glance. Giving her a nudge in the side, his curiosity became peaked when she looked at him for a second before blushing profusely and turning away. What the hell was that about?
-----------------------------
Three hours later he found out when he and Ron finally got what had happened out of Hermione at lunch. When she told them about her conversation with the Professor, Harry turned a dangerous shade of red while Ron laughed so hard he spurted juice out of his nose.
"Just disgusting Ronald," Hermione said for the second time that day frowning at her red haired best mate.
"You… M-M-McGonagall…birds… bees," he got out between peels of laughter, "F'in classic!"
"Oh shut your cakehole, Ronald!" she exclaimed throwing a roll at the other boy.
When Ron not only continued to laugh but also began to hiccup and wipe tears from his eyes, Harry found himself having trouble not finding the sound contagious.
"Ow!" he yelped as his girlfriend hit him in the arm when he joined in on Ron's merriment. "I-I'm sorry," Harry said chuckling, "but you have to admit, had it been anyone but you, you would be laughing too!"
She frowned, "But it wasn't anyone but me, so cut it out."
Still grinning Harry placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her against him. "Come on Luv, have a sense of humor," he teased.
She gave him an annoyed look for a moment before emitting a resigned sigh, "Ok fine," Harry grinned, "but just so you know, she took away my dorm privileges."
"What?" he asked frowning.
Hermione gave him a serious look, "I can no longer have boys in my dorm…" she arched a brow and smirked, "so go on- laugh."
Harry stared at her with a shocked expression, while Ron wore one of morbid merriment. A huge smile was frozen on his face and he stared at Harry wide-eyed as if debating if it was safe enough to laugh.
"F-for how long?" Harry sputtered.
She shrugged, "One week, one month, indefinitely… who knows. Pass the crisps will you Ron?"
Sniggering, the redhead did as requested and Harry shot him a glare.
"When will you know?" the dark haired boy inquired.
Hermione looked at him with a thoughtful expression, "Oh… I don't know, she said I would find out after she got Zach's opinion. After all he is Head Boy, so issues with the students and their privileges are part of his domain."
"What?!" He exclaimed before glaring at his girlfriend when she quirked a grin. "You're pulling my broom aren't you?"
She gave him a sweet smile, "Of course I am, after all you did tell me to have a sense of humor."
Ron let out a loud `hoot' and began laughing once more. Harry shook his head at his girlfriend while she gave him a superior smirk.
"Touché," he commented with a chuckle.
Hermione responded with a slight incline of her head and a wink.
"You know what," Ron said as his laughter died down a bit.
"No what?" Harry teased while taking Hermione's hand and kissing the back of it.
"The more I see you two together, the more I wonder how I couldn't have seen you two together," the other boy responded with a shake of the head and a wondrous expression. "I've never seen anyone get her out of her moods like you can mate, it boggles the mind really."
"Most things boggle your mind Ron," Hermione commented dryly.
The redhead pulled face, "Geez, see if I complement you again."
Hermione snorted, "That was supposed to be a compliment? No one can get me out of my moods? I mean really Ronald, you're a regular Don Juan."
Ron frowned, "Who?"
She rolled her eyes heavenward, "Never mind."
"No, tell me who it is."
"Forget it, Ron."
"No way, if that was an insult I have a right to know, right Harry?"
Both looked at the dark haired boy expectantly.
"So...er, more crisps anyone?" Harry asked with an uncomfortable grin.
"Aw mate, you're not going to back me up on this?" Ron whined, "What happened to that male solidarity thing we talked about?"
Hermione frowned, "What male solidarity thing?"
Harry threw his mate a glower and Ron winced and shrugged.
"Ron? What male solidarity thing," when the redhead went back to his sandwich she looked at Harry. "Well? What male solidarity thing? What does that mean, and why are you two acting so guilty?"
Harry winced and looked down at his watch, "Oops time for class," he said hopping up quickly and rushing out of the hall with Ron following closely behind.
"Harry! Get back here!" Hermione called gathering her books. "Harry! Harry!"
A.N. That's it for this chapter, the end is getting closer so stay tuned. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, though if you're like me you saw it as soon as Harry and Hermione became Harmony! (grin) Stay tuned, Please Review and Ja ne!
-->