Harry Potter: Stuck

Chapter 7

Harry gaped at Hermione which made the latter blush and look away from embarrassment.

"N-Never mind. Forget I said that," she stammered.

She was about to stand up when Harry finally regained his composure.

"W-What made you think I like Ginny?" he asked, laughing nervously.

She looked back at him and, this time, was the one who gaped.

"What do you mean? Everybody knows you had a thing for Ginny," she asked, clearly confused.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck.

"I-I... I do like her, but... but only as a friend. I don't like her that way, you know?" came his nervous reply.

"What?! You must be joking, Harry. Everyone clearly saw that you liked her when you started talking to her. And what about that time I was crying over Ron and I asked you if that was what it felt to see Ginny and Dean together? You said yes! And we know you guys are dating! A-At least that's what I heard..." she said, her voice wavering at the last part.

Harry's head snapped towards her, anger written across his face.

"It doesn't mean that I started to talk to her because I liked her. I started talking to her because she wasn't that shy around me anymore! And about that time when I was comforting you, I just said yes because I was confused and I had to give the answer you were looking for. And who told you we were dating and how come everybody knows except me?" he snapped.

Hermione gulped nervously.

"U-Umm..." she stammered.

"Hermione, stop stalling. Who told you we were dating?!" he almost shouted.

"Fine! It was Ginny and Ron!"

At this, silence engulfed both of them. Hermione sat there, blushing, and not looking at his reaction. Harry, however, had experienced mixed emotions almost all at once; there was rage, confusion, hurt, disappointment, and sadness.

How could they spread false rumors about him? And Ron and Ginny of all people! His best mate and the girl he treated as a sister had betrayed him.

It was true that he had started to talk to Ginny but that was because he thought she had gotten over her crush on him! He assumed that much when he saw her snogging Dean in his sixth year.

Now that he thought of it, he remembered Hermione mentioning his supposed feelings towards the youngest Weasley before.

...

Harry was the only one who noticed Hermione exit the common room while Ron and Lavender were attempting to suck each other's faces off. He followed his friend out the portrait hole and found her crying in one of the abandoned classrooms. She was waving about her wand at the flock of birds in front of her.

Harry felt his heart break at the sight. He hated to see her cry. He'd do anything to make her happy. Ronald Billius Weasley just had to go snog another girl and in front of Hermione of all people! The one who liked him! He is such an insensitive, dense prat who had emotional range of a teaspoon.

Hermione deserves so much better. He can't exactly say that he should be the one for her because he knew that even he doesn't deserve her. No one does! But Ron definitely doesn't deserve her. He fights with her and makes her cry all the time for Merlin's sake! He doesn't understand why Hermione chose a prat like him of all people! Although he hates to admit it, Krum treated her better than Ron ever did and he only knew her for a few months compared to Ron who has been her friend since first year!

Come to think of it, Ron has never been a friend to Hermione since their first year. He insulted Hermione for being intelligent and was the reason why she was in the girl's lavatory, crying, while a troll was on the loose. If Harry hadn't dragged the immature prat with him, he might not have helped save Hermione.

He didn't need to recall all his past years to count how many times Ron has hurt Hermione. The point was, she still chose him. He must have been very special for her to forgive everything he has done to her. And while Ron has been taking advantage of her unlimited kindness and patience, she allowed him to do so. Although he would never take advantage of anything Hermione offered, he considered Ron more fortunate than him for having Hermione's love.

'Lucky prat,' he thought.

He was brought out of his musings by another sob from Hermione and instantly recalled why he was there. She needed him.

Slowly, as not to startle her and cause her to start firing hexes at him, he walked towards her. But she must have known he was there all the time because the moment he took the first step, she stopped sobbing. Harry did not falter, however, and he went to her and sat beside her.

"Hey," he whispered.

She sniffed and acknowledged his presence with a nod but avoided looking at him. She dropped her wand to the side as the birds fluttered around the room.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped.

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay," he said, unaffected by her behavior.

"You should be celebrating in there. You won. You should at least thank the people who threw a party by being there. You're the captain, after all."

"There is no reason to celebrate anything while my best friend is distressed. I'd choose you no matter how many celebrations or parties they throw."

At this, Hermione turned to look at him and the dam broke again. Harry put his arm around her shoulder and held her close. She laid her head on his shoulder and began to cry on his shirt.

He whispered sweet nothings in her ear while his hand rubbed her arm in comfort. After a while, she stopped crying.

"Why does it hurt so bad, Harry?" she whispered softly.

Harry was saddened that he had to answer but she needed it.

"You love him," he said softly.

At this, a giggling Lavender dragged a grinning Ron in the room. When she saw Harry and Hermione, she giggled sheepishly.

"Oops! Looks like this room is taken. Come on, Ronnie-kins!" she said, exiting the room.

Ron, however, only stared at the sight in front of him.

"What's going on here?" he demanded upon seeing Hermione with tears in her eyes.

Enraged, Hermione stood up and pointed her wand towards Ron.

"Oppugno!" she growled.

Instantly, the birds raced towards Ron, attacking him. He yelled in pain as he waved his arms to block the birds' sharp beaks.

"Get them off me!" he growled.

He glared at both of them as he ran out of the room, probably to find Lavender and attempt to remove her tonsils with his tongue.

Hermione dropped to the ground and sobbed again. Harry held her in his arms as she sobbed on his shirt. He was enraged at Ron. He wanted to pummel the prat but he had to make sure Hermione was okay first.

"Harry, is this how it feels when you see Ginny and Dean together?" she asked.

Confused, Harry's brows furrowed. But he gave her the answer she wanted to hear.

"Y-Yes?" he said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Harry," she sobbed.

"I-It's fine."

They stayed silent for a while, Hermione sobbing in Harry's arms, the latter still pondering about why she asked if seeing Ginny and Dean together. He'd have to ask her in a later time, when she has recovered from her dilemma.

...

Harry supposed he may forgotten to ask her about that.