Harry Meets His Match

Chapter 8- Passion

“Yes?” she responded, staring blankly at some trophies behind a pane of glass. “Surika, tell me, and be honest…” Harry began. “Why did you run?” he inquired. Surika looked from the glass to him. “Run?” “Yes. That day in the Great Hall. Why did you just… Go away? You were having fun up until that point.” Harry pointed out. Her gaze left his and fell downward to the floor. He could tell this was a topic she didn’t really want to talk about, but he had to know.

“I don’t know…” Surika started, her tone was lowering. “Yes, you do, Surika.” Harry broke in, letting his fingers brush her arm. She veered away from his touch. “Surika… You can tell me. You know that.” he said. She sighed. “Well… I guess I was just… afraid…” “Afraid? Afraid of what?” Harry asked. “Of… Commitment… Getting too attached to others, I guess…” she confessed. Harry’s hand went to her chin and brought her gaze back to his. She tried to look back down, but he kept his hand there.

“Commitment? Is it because of your family?” he asked. Slowly, her eyes closed, and she nodded. “I know that feeling… It hurts… But Surika… Not all people you care about leave you.” he said, as a few tears were squeezed from her closes eyes. Surika jerked her head from his hand, but he quickly brought it back. His heart seemed to have been crushed by an inner hand. Her now-opened eyes were wide, and pooled with tears. It hurt to see her cry. A tender look crossed his face as he gently wiped her cheeks dry.

“Surika… Don’t cry…” he crooned, soothingly. Her eyes locked on his as he gently caressed her cheek with his thumb. “Please don’t cry…” he whispered. Slowly and gently, he brought her face close to his, and kissed her. He pulled away reluctantly, and looked up to see her reaction. She was smiling. She opened her mouth to say something, but he pressed his finger to her lips. He didn’t want words to mess up this moment. Their eyes met briefly, and he leaned in and kissed her again. This time, to his liking, her arms wrapped around his neck, and she returned the kiss. His lips left hers, and with a little groan, he tilted her chin upward, and gently kissed her neck.

Surika shuddered and closed her eyes. She had never felt his way about anyone before. What went on between two people in love was a mystery to her. Surika was a student in this scenario. Harry was the teacher. She wanted him to show her what love meant. She wanted it so bad it scared her, but how did she know he was really in love with her? How did she know he wasn’t just using her? Toying with her emotions for his own personal gain? Somewhere in the back of her mind, a voice told her to stop this, but yet, another voice told her to keep going. She was confused. She didn’t know what to do. His lips left her neck, and touched hers fiercely. Surika experienced a surge of shock as his lips pressed demandingly against hers. She closed her eyes, and lightning danced across her eyelids. Her body shook with a mixture of fear and excitement, and she could fell his heartbeat speed up to match hers.

With a hungry smack, his lips pulled way from hers, and he looked up at her face. She could see the passion in his eyes, but could she see the love? Of that, she couldn’t be sure. He leaned in to kiss her once more, but overcome by her curiosity, she backed away, pressed her hand to his chest, and held him back.

“Surika…” he muttered, and tried to move her hand to get to her. She pushed him backward and shook her head.

“No, Harry. I can’t go any further with you until I know…” she said. “Know what?” he asked. He was confused. “I need you to say it, and mean it…” “Say what? What do you want me to say? What do you need to know?” he demanded. “If you want to kiss these lips again, you’ll figure it out.” Surika said, and walked from the trophy room. Harry stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. Then, out of frustration, he bolted after her down the hall, and caught her by the arm. He must’ve grabbed her a little harder than he meant to, for she winced slightly as she turned to face him.

“Surika TELL me. I won’t let you go until you tell me!” he commanded. “Harry, I told you to go figure it out. Let me go!” she ordered and yanked her arm back, but Harry didn’t let go. “Please, Surika. Just tell me. I’ll do anything you want. I’ll say anything you want.” Surika shook her head. “Harry, just let me go. I have to go on patrol, anyway..” she sighed. Harry only tightened his grip. “No. I won’t let you go until you tell me what you want. Surika, I’m your friend. I’ll understand.” he coaxed. Again, she shook her head and yanked back. This time, she pulled hard enough to throw Harry off balance and release his grip. He made a grab for her wrist, but she dashed off down the hall. He knew he wouldn’t catch her while she was running. She was much too fast. He needed to talk to someone, so he went to he smartest person he knew that might know something about girls.

“Hermione?” he addressed as he spotted her in the library. She looked up at him. “Oh. Hi Harry.” she greeted, and returned to the book she was reading. “Hermione. I need your help.” he confessed. She looked back up, interested. “Sure, Harry. With what? Charms? Transfiguration?” “Umm… No… Actually, I need help with…” he began. “Oh I know!” Hermione interrupted. “It’s that Potions test we have tomorrow, isn’t it? Oh, don’t worry, Harry. You’ll do fine.” “No!” Harry barked, making Hermione jump. “I mean… No. It’s not that. It’s… About Surika.” “Surika? Is she all right?” Hermione asked, concerned. “Oh, yes. She’s fine. I just need advice on, well, love. I mean, I get close to her, and she just… quits.” “Well, Harry. I don’t know much about love, but it seems she doesn’t quite know what she wants.” Hermione suggested. “She said she couldn’t go any further with me until she knew… Until I said something and meant it… What’s that all about?” Harry asked. “Oh, Harry… Even I know what she meant by that. She loves you, and she wants you to love her back.” “I DO love her, Hermione! I love her more than anything!” “Then TELL her!” Hermione said, and left him in the library to ponder it.