Love, Lies, and a Secret

Love, Lies, and a Secret.

Chapter 5: Displays of affection

Ron and Harry's apartment
September 22, 2000
Friday Night

"I can't believe Ginny is working," commented Ron. He, Harry and Hermione were in the living room waiting for Ginny. Harry knew that if he waited at The Burrow for Ginny to get ready she would take a lifetime to do it. So, it was simpler to wait for her at his flat.

'Why Ginny she be more like Hermione? Hermione is always on time and she always looks beau...pretty,' Harry thought.

"I said that I can't believe Ginny is working," Ron repeated, annoyed that no one had said anything.

"We heard you, Ron," Hermione snapped. "What do you want us to say?"

Ron was about to say something that would probably start an argument, but Harry didn't give him the chance.

"I think it's good for her," Harry said, and Hermione nodded in agreement, smiling.

"So, you are okay with this?" Ron asked, slightly surprised with Harry's opinion.

"Of course, why not? She'll have an occupation, not to mention her own money and..."

"Money? But she has you..."

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, scandalized. "I can't believe you just said that!"

"What? Harry has money."

"Yes!" she cried, indignantly. "Harry has money. Not Ginny. Not you. Not me! Harry!"

Harry ran a hand through his dark hair, feeling uncomfortable with the new argument that was taking place. 'Merlin, why do they have to fight over everything?'

"Guys, please," he was almost begging, "Let's not talk about my bank account. That's not my favorite subject."

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione cried, standing up. "I'm so sorry! I know how you hate this issue!"

Hermione went to Harry, giving him a hug. Harry wanted to hug her back more than anything, but he restrained himself after seeing the strange look in Ron's eyes.

"T-That's okay, Mione," he said, tapping her awkwardly on the back.

Hermione let go of him and looked into his green eyes. "You're a great man, Harry Potter," she said before giving him a kiss on his cheek. Harry didn't know why, but he felt his cheeks burning. Thank Merlin the door's bell rang before he had to say something, or worse, before Ron could kill him!

Harry rapidly stood up, and went to the door.

"Hello, love," Ginny said, stepping in.

"Hi, Ginny," Harry replied, kissing her lightly on the lips. "You look nice."

"Thanks, Harry. Sorry for my delay, I-" she was saying, but was interrupted by Hermione's voice.

"For Merlin's Sake, Ron!" Harry and Ginny heard Hermione yelling. The dark haired wizard closed his eyes, and sighed.

Ginny looked at Harry, shook her head, and walked over to Ron and Hermione.

"Are you two fighting again?" she asked.

The couple stopped their argument and looked at her.

"Hi, Ginny. Sorry about this." Hermione stood up and gave her friend a quick hug. "But your brother just...argh! He just asked me to restrain my displays of affection towards Harry!"

Ginny looked at Hermione and then at her brother. Ron seemed about to explode, his face seeming redder than a tomato. She shook her head and then looked at Harry. However, much to everyone's surprise, she started to laugh.

"For Merlin's Sake, Ron! I can't believe you're jealous of Harry! T-That's just ridiculous." She took a breath. "I mean, everybody knows that I am a jealous person. I simply hate to see Harry with other girls. Especially that Turpin," she added quickly, smiling at Harry. "But if there is anybody I can trust with him, that's Hermione. Ron, you, Harry and Hermione have been friends since forever. You three have been through so much. I think this is a little selfish on your part, Ron. You, more than anyone, should know how special a friendship they have. "Now!" She clapped her hands together. "Get over it and let's go to that damn pub!"

Ron didn't look too convinced but nodded anyway; Hermione muttered a thank you.

"Yeah, let's go." Harry was very proud of his girlfriend. He knew that she could be childish sometimes, but she never questioned his and Hermione's friendship. "We are already late," he said, taking Ginny's hand.

Ron didn't take Hermione's.
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The Leprechauns

08:00pm

"Finally," Harry muttered to Ginny, as they were taking their seats at the pub's table.

"Yeah, finally," Ron also said. The redhead wizard didn't look too happy. He continued to shoot angry glances towards Harry and Hermione, and it was starting to get on Harry's nerves.

"Guys, you're here!" exclaimed Seamus, Susan Bones, his girlfriend, by his side. "I hope you like my little establishment. The first round is for free."

"Seamus, love, you always say that when they came here," Susan said and smiled, shaking her head. She didn't miss the sorrowful look on Hermione's face but decided not to comment. She knew her flat mate too well, and quickly realised that Ronald Weasley had done another stupid thing. "Now, let's go to the bar, that new guy isn't very intelligent, and today is Friday!" She stopped and then looked at Hermione but didn't say anything, but Hermione would know that it meant Susan wanted to speak with her alone.

"How could I get any luckier?" Seamus said, kissing Susan's cheeks. "She just finished her shift at Saint Mungo's and still had the time and strength to come here and help me."

"It's the love, Seamus!" Ginny exclaimed, smiling. "The love!"

"Yeah, now go back to see the other customers, man," Harry said. "We'll be alright. Don't worry and thanks for everything!"

"Okay...Okay...I will let the love birds alone. Call me if you need anything," he said. "Ah, I almost forgot. Neville and Luna are here, too-" He stopped and looked around at the dance floor. "-somewhere. Oh well, I'd better get going. Duty calls!"

"See you, Seamus, Susan," they all replied, with the exception of Ron.
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08: 50pm

"Ron, why don't we try this new drink?" Hermione asked softly, trying to make conversation.

Almost an hour had passed since their arrival, and Hermione had spent all of that time looking at the menu. Ron was simply insupportable. He had even started a conversation with Harry and Ginny about Quidditch but Harry cut him off. He knew that Hermione would feel left out.

"It looks good, don't you think?"

"I don't want to try any girlie drink!" Ron snapped, looking at the menu. "Strawberry and Wine! For Merlin's Sake, Hermione! I prefer my Firewhisky, thank you very much!"

Hermione looked down.

"Strawberry and Wine? Hum! It sounds good!" Ginny commented, trying to sound cheerful. "Why don't we share one drink to see if it is good?"

"Thanks, Ginny," Hermione said, her voice almost a whisper. Harry was very proud of his girlfriend. He knew that if he had said something, Ron would have had a fit.
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09:50 pm

"But, Harry, why can't you go to the party tomorrow?" Ron asked. After a few shots of Firewhisky, he didn't seem so moody anymore. "It will be a damn good party!"

"Ron, I already told you. Tomorrow I have a special assignment. Sorry, I know that the Sports Department parties are pretty good but I really can't."

"I'm not happy with you not being there either," Ginny said, "but at least Turpin won't be with you."

Harry shook his head, rolling his eyes. "I will be with Tonks. Lisa is out of the city, visiting an aunt, I think."

"Thank Merlin," Ginny muttered, "But this doesn't mean that I won't go! It will be my first assignment as a sport journalist! Luna will go with me. I hope that's okay, love."

"I think it's fantastic. I am very proud of you," Harry replied, pretending not to notice Ron rolling his eyes. "And you, Mione? Ron said you won't go either."

Hermione looked apologetic. "Yeah, I really can't. Tomorrow night, Terry and I will experiment a new spell. You know how time is important for these things."

"That's sound so interesting," Ron muttered with sarcasm, receiving a disapproving look from his girlfriend.

"I bet it is more interesting than reading about how bad the Chuddley Cannons played!" Hermione shouted.

"Aha! I knew you-"

"Hey, guys, what's up?" Neville said, interrupting Ron. He and his girlfriend, Luna Lovegood, had just approached the table.

"Hi, Nev. Hi, Luna," Hermione greeted them, forcing a smile. Truth be told, she just wanted to go home.

"Hi, Hermione, Harry, Gin...Ronald..." Luna replied. "Why are you here? Let's dance!"

Ginny looked at Harry with pleading eyes. "Harry..."

Harry really hated to dance. Okay, he didn't hate it, he just didn't like it very much, but he knew how happy Ginny became when he danced with her. And he really wanted to be far away from Ron, otherwise he would, sooner or later, resort to punching him.

"Okay, Gin," he agreed, "but you know how bad I am..."

Ginny thanked him, giving Harry a kiss.

"Ron, wouldn't you like to dance too?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"You know I hate it," Ron answered rudely. "I'll stay here!"

Harry knew, by Hermione's expression, that she was counting mentally to ten in attempt as stopping herself from yelling at her boyfriend. He saw her taking a deep breath before speaking, "Okay, Ronald, do whatever you want. I'm going to talk with Susan." She looked at the bar where Susan was helping Seamus.

"But then I'll be alone!" Ron cried indignantly.

Hermione only shrugged, leaving the table. No one said a word, but Harry made a mental note to have a serious talk with Ron when they got home.
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10:05pm

"I can't believe that... that Weasel!" Susan exclaimed huffily, after listening to Hermione recalling everything that Ron had said. "He's really an idiot!"

"Susan..." Hermione tried to say.

"No, Hermione!" Susan cut her off. "Every time the same thing happens! On your birthday, it was your work; today, it was Harry...and tomorrow, who knows! He's always complaining about something!"

"He just does it because he loves me...he is just jealous."

"Hermione, this isn't jealousy. It's possession! Everybody knows how close you and Harry are! Even Ginny accepts it! And we all know how jealous she is!"

Hermione just sighed. She knew Susan was telling the truth. That wasn't the first time that Ron had a fit because of Harry. And it was tiring her.

"But I love him, Su..."

"Do you?"

Hermione looked at her friend, confused. "Of course I love him! I'll even marry him someday!"

Susan shook her head but didn't say anything. Instead, she looked at Seamus, who was nudging her arm with his fingers.

"What, Seamus?"

Saying nothing, he indicated Ron's table with his head. Susan turned around, seeing as her and Hermione's backs were to the table, and saw Ron chatting with Lavender Brown.

"What are you looking... oh!" Hermione exclaimed weakly, after seeing her boyfriend chatting with his ex girlfriend. "T-That's okay. They are friends, you know."

Seamus and Susan exchanged glances.

"Weasley is a stupid git," the Irishman mumbled.

Hermione watched with a heavy heart as Lavender whispered something into Ron's ear. He shook his head but smiled. Lavender insisted again on whatever she wanted and Ron finally gave in.

The brown-haired girl felt like she was dying when Ron took Lavender's hand and the two of them went to the dance floor.

"I-I need to go to the ladies' room," Hermione whispered, fighting the urge to cry.

"Hermione-" Susan tried to say something, but her friend just shook her head.
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"Hermione, please, open the door!" Hermione heard Ginny calling from outside the cubicle. She opened the door tentatively, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Ginny, Susan and Luna were waiting for her.

"Oh, Herms!" Ginny cried, hugging her friend. "My brother is a stupid git! I prohibit you to cry because of him!"

"Ginny is right, Hermione," Susan agreed.

"Ronald is so childish..."

"Now, let's clean this pretty face," Ginny said, looking at Hermione. "And let's go back to the party! You deserve to have fun, Herms! And no one will deny it!"

"T-Thanks."

~*~*~*~

Hermione and the other girls were leaving the ladies' room when Harry walked towards them. He had a big smile on his lips that, despite everything, made her heart melt.

"Miss Granger, would you like to dance with me?" he asked, getting down on one knee.

The girls giggled.

Before answering, Hermione looked at Ginny, who nodded.

"Tonight, I will let you dance with my man," she said jokily.

"Come on, Herms, my knee is hurting!"

"Okay, okay...I will dance with you, Mister Potter!"

"Thank Merlin!" he said, standing up. He took her hand and they went to the dance floor.
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The dance floor

Harry knew he shouldn't be feeling this way. He was only helping a friend. It had been Ginny's idea. But the problem was that he loved to have Hermione in his arms. She looked so beautiful, innocent even.

He knew that Ron was his best friend and he would kill for him, but sometimes the redhead wizard went too far. How was it possible that Ron couldn't see how wonderful a girl he had?

"You are really beautiful, Mione," Harry whispered into her ear while they danced.

"You don't need to lie, Harry," she whispered back. "I really appreciate what you are doing for me."

He looked straightly into her brown eyes. "I'm not lying, Hermione," Harry said firmly. "You are beautiful. If Ron can't see it, he is a stupid git."

Hermione didn't say anything. She just smiled at him and broke the eye contact, resting her head on his shoulder, eyes closed. She felt so safe, so complete, so good in Harry's arms, that Ron didn't seem so important anymore. Yes, it still hurt. She felt bad about her boyfriend, but the urge to cry had stopped. And truthfully, she didn't even know where in hell he and Lavender were and she didn't give a damn.

At that moment, she had Harry and it was the only thing that mattered.
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The two friends continued to dance. It was like they were the only people in the whole world. It was at times like these that Harry wondered why he didn't feel complete when he was with Ginny, why he felt so good with Hermione.

He liked Ginny, of course. She was his girlfriend, but sometimes they seemed so different, so distant. Like on the dance floor; dancing with Ginny was fine; dancing with Hermione was amazing.

Hermione was amazing.

Harry shook his head. He wasn't supposed to think that Hermione was amazing. It was wrong.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, looking at him, her arms around his neck. "Are you okay?"

"Oh? Oh! I'm fine," he mumbled back.

"I know you too well, Mr. Potter," she said.

"I swear, it's nothing to worry about." He stopped dancing but continued to hold her. "And you, Mione? How are you? "

"Still a little sad...hurt, but I know that everything's going to be alright. Ron-"

"Ron is a git! You can be sure that he and I will have a talk about it!"

"Harry, I don't want-"

"No, Hermione, what he did today was uncalled for. He knows how you feel about Lavender and still! Merlin, Hermione, he transformed our night, your night, into a nightmare!"

She let go of his neck and put a hand on his cheek, a sad smile playing on her lips. "Ginny is very lucky to have you, Harry. Thank you for this dance."

"Hermione-"

"I'm going home."

"But Hermione-"

"I'm really tired. Please say thanks and goodbye to the others for me," she said, moving to take something from her purse.

Harry made her stop. "What are you doing?"

"Getting a few Galleons..."

"For?"

"Harry, the drinks I-"

"No, no and no! It's my treat."

"But Harry...Ron won't like that."

"That's his problem."

She smiled and kissed his cheek before leaving.
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Ron and Harry's apartment
Harry's bedroom
03:10 am

Harry was lying awake on his bed, watching the ceiling. He simply couldn't sleep.
He and Ron had come home at about 01:00am and Harry wanted to say some things to his redheaded friend, but Ron merely refused to talk.

Ron simply entered his bedroom, groaning about how ungrateful Hermione was. Harry watched his friend's attitude with angry disbelief. He knew that Ron hadn't cheated on Hermione; he and Lavender had only danced to a couple of songs and then Ron went to talk with some colleagues from his work. The problem was the way Ron was acting, the way he had treated Hermione.

Just thinking about it made Harry's blood begin to boil.

"Argh!" Harry cried, standing up from the bed. "I can't sleep!"

He changed his clothes and left.
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Hermione and Susan's flat
Hermione's bedroom

Harry entered the bedroom trying to not make any noise. He really didn't know what he was doing there.

'I just want to make sure Hermione's alright,' he thought, trying to convince himself that his being here was justified.

'You know very well that you can come here tomorrow,' a little voice said inside his head. It was a little inner voice that he simply decided to ignore.

He just wanted to see her; he needed to see her...

Hermione...

"Hermione", he whispered, watching her sleep. "So beautiful..." Harry shook his head, walking towards the bed.

He just wanted to make sure that she was alright.

Yeah-

Without thinking, Harry got onto the bed.

"God, what am I doing?" he asked himself, nuzzling her neck, as he brought her body next to his. She stirred a little, but didn't wake up. "I must be going mad."

Yeah, maybe the great Harry Potter was going mad...

But he really didn't care.