Warning Sign

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and anything related to that universe. If I did things would have gone differently. I also do not own any song titles use.

Author's Note: I did upload chapter three along with this since 3 was so short. So make sure you read that one first. Thanks!

Chapter 4

Unravel Me

“So he just shows up at work to take you lunch everyday?”

“Not everyday--just a couple of times a week.” I was sitting with Ginny in the living room of the Weasley house. There was a big family dinner this evening welcoming Fluer and Bill's recent addition to the family. We were busy discussing how Harry had been showing up a few days a week to take me to lunch. His excuse for interrupting me so much was that I was working too hard and I needed the break.

Ginny huffed, “Doesn't matter. He's trying to date you. Seems that you may finally get what you've wanted.”

I sat up a little straighter in my seat. “He is not, and it's not what I've wanted for a long time.” More like a few weeks, but still… “He's just being a nice guy. He's trying to reconnect.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Is that what you tell yourself? I think he's serious. When he's not with you, he's with Ron and I've heard them talking. You were mentioned.”

I couldn't help but laugh. “I hope so. I'm their friend. Ginny, stop grasping at straws.”

“Yes you are, but Harry wasn't just saying how great of a friend you are. He was saying how good you looked, how it was nice to spend time with you, how nervous he was that you wouldn't want him.”

Ginny probably hadn't heard the whole conversation between Harry and Ron. “Well he hadn't seen me in awhile. He was nervous because of the way he kept leaving. He knows I'd be upset.”

“You're making excuses. Stop being scared and take it as it comes. If he is wanting to take it there, then follow and be happy. Enjoy it. You deserve it after waiting this long.”

Loud voices from outside interrupted our conversation. More family had arrived it seemed. “What is going on?” Ginny sighed as she got up to investigate the situation and I went into the kitchen to see if there was anything I could do to stop me from over analyzing this.

Molly was buzzing around in her usual manner. She smiled at me as I went to the stove to pour myself some tea. I started looking around. This was my favorite part of the house. This was the heart of it to me. So much happened in this room. “Do you need any help? Can I do something?”

“No, I'm fine. You go and talk with everyone. You know how I am.” She turned back to the stove, brushing her hands on her apron.

I leaned against the counter. “I think I'll stay here for a bit. Ginny went out to see who arrived. Whoever it was caused quite a commotion.”

We continued to talk for awhile—about my work, the family, the world. I was in the middle of a tirade regarding the current treatment of House Elves with my hands flying around. I didn't realize the back door was open till I heard a familiar voice ask, “What's the hold up? I'd like to get inside. The food is in there.”

I turned around and I saw what exactly was keeping Ron from entering the house. Harry was standing there in a long sleeved button up shirt and jeans. I hate those jeans. I hate that shirt. I should just hate the man wearing them.

“Hi.” He still didn't move from the doorway. He was suddenly pushed forward when Ron burst into the room, grabbed a biscuit, and went into the other room.

“Hello.” That had to be the dumbest sounding word at this time. I couldn't think of anything else to say.

Ginny came through then and slapped him across the back of the head. She mumbled something to him—I couldn't hear. The rest of the family disappeared including the matriarch and my only hope of distraction.

He walked towards me. “You look nice.” Okay, I had on a t-shirt and jeans—nice? I looked like I'm too lazy to care about my appearance.

Harry kept coming closer and closer. So I took a step back until I was against the counter again, only this time it wasn't by choice.

“Thanks.” Speech was difficult. I couldn't seem to get enough air in my lungs and thinking was beyond my ability. I shouldn't be reacting this way. A person who has moved on would not act like this. `Inhale…..exhale…..inhale…..' was the mantra in my head.

He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. This was becoming a common trait for him.

“Why do you always do that?”

“Hmmm?” He was studying my face intently.

For some reason we were whispering. “You always do that. Mess with my hair. Why?”

“Oh, I don't know. I guess I can't help it. Your hair is always everywhere.” I frowned at this which he saw.

“I don't mean it like that. I love that it's everywhere. It's you. I hate when you put it back or do whatever it is that makes it straight. This is you. Wild hair but under it, your brilliant mind. Your hair is all that knows how to be wild.”

That made me huff. I couldn't be wild? Crazy? Spur of the moment? Damn, I probably couldn't. I needed to get by him and into the room that was filled with distracting people. He was good at making me want to just stay there, forget my resolve, and see what could possibly happen.

Suddenly he was leaning in very closely to my face. I couldn't help but glance from his eyes to his mouth. When I looked back up I noticed him doing the same. `This is bad. So bad. Be strong.'

He leaned in even closer. His arms around me and hands resting on the counter top. I felt his breath on my ear as he whispered, “What are you so nervous about Hermione?”

This man would be the death of me for sure. Breathing was not an option when he was this close. Personal space? What personal space? There wasn't a part of me that was not touching him. I know he could feel me shaking. My resolve just flew out the window.

He slowly pulled away and searched my face. Harry's eyes were showing many emotions: mischievous to caring. He took his finger and tapped me on the nose. “Breath Mione. Blue is not your color.” And with that, he went into the living room with the rest of the traitors.

I took a few minutes to calm myself. My legs felt as though they were liquid. `Come on, you're stronger than this. You're over him…remember? Moving on. You don't need him.' I let out a puff of air. Who was I kidding? By my reaction to him, you could tell I still felt something.

I needed to join the family; I just didn't feel secure enough to move yet. Slowly I pushed myself away from the counter. One step, then another. Before I knew it I was in the room filled with mostly redheads. Of course fate decided to have another laugh.

The only empty place to sit was by none other than HIM. I met his gaze; I'm sure I looked like a deer in headlights. As I sat down Harry put his arm along the back of the couch. There was no possible way I could add anything to the conversation. I was sitting between an arm of the couch and Harry. There was touching and as we know, that leads to brain failure.

It went down hill as soon as I felt his fingers playing with the ends of my hair.

I sat frozen. I couldn't relax—well I never really did, but it was not even in range of possibility with him sitting next to me.

Ginny caught my eye and winked. Traitor.

I was drawn out of my glaring at her when I felt a nudge. Harry was smiling as he handed me a glass of wine. I quickly took a gulp. I could tell that I was going to need it based on this evening's events so far.

Later, after three glasses of wine (might regret that later) and a well prepared meal, I was feeling better. So much so that I was leaning against him.

During dinner we had been place next to each other again. As we left the kitchen, he guided me back to our original places on the couch. The only difference this time being that I was leaning into his side. I was warm and comfortable and the little voice of reason in my head is muted.

Harry is probably feeling pretty smug right now. Can I help it if the voice is a tiny bit inebriated?

His fingers are again playing with my hair and I'm not following the conversation in the room. I'm relaxed. The food, wine, and the atmosphere are making me enjoy the evening more. I love the feeling I get when I visit this house. It's warm and welcoming. I want a place like this. I have a home, but I don't have this feeling there. Don't get me wrong, I love my place, but it's not here.

Shaking myself from those thoughts, I tried to focus again on the conversation going on around me. The wine made me relax but not completely insensible. Everyone had broken up into smaller conversation. As usual, Harry and Ron are discussing their favorite sport.

I look up to see Ginny holding the baby now, making faces and talking quietly to her. The baby is gorgeous and everyone is just infatuated with her. It's hard not to be.

All in all it was basically a typical Weasley family dinner. Well, almost typical. My interactions with Harry were not typical—they were completely absurd. But for right now I'll enjoy my evening, try to ignore him, and analyze it all later when I can't sleep.

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