Soul Pieces

SOUL PIECES

CHAPTER 05: The bottom line.

The following days passed in a blur. Harry and Hermione didn't talk about their conversation that night. It was a silence agreement. After all, there was nothing to discuss. They had a physical attraction, a simple and harmless physical attraction. Nothing more.

But, without really noticing, Harry started walking around the Tonks' house without a shirt on and Hermione's skirts became a little longer.

Lupin (and even Tonks) noticed those small changes, not only with the clothes but also with the decline of their hugs and kisses on each other's cheeks.

Harry couldn't believe that it was already August thirty first, Bill and Fleur's wedding day. He had done his apparation exam just days before and had gone to Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Madam Malkin's (after all, he needed a new dress robes for the wedding) and he tried to figure out the Hufflepuff's pattern for the horcrux (without much success).

Ron had come to visit him and Hermione one more time before the wedding and told them the conversation he had with his parents about not going to Hogwarts.

"The beginning was terrible. Mom cried and Dad simply sat there, looking at me. There was nothing but silence but when they spoke, oh Merlin...'what are you gone to do with your life, Ronald! It's your final year!' blah, blah, blah."

"But what happened that made them change their minds," Hermione asked.

"You won't believe it but Professor McGonagall showed up. Don't ask me why. The thing is, she asked to talk with Mom and Dad privately. I don't know what she said, but an hour later, they came to me and wished me good luck!"

"What!"

"Yeah, they accepted my decision. They only asked me not to mention it to Ginny and the others."

The Wedding Day

Tonks' House

Harry was in front of the mirror trying (without success, of course) to tame his messy hair. He was wearing a pair of black pants, a dark blue shirt and black dress robes, his invisibility cloak, out of habit, hidden neatly inside.

"Harry, I'm sorry but I have to say this, but your hair..." Remus commented, trying not to laugh at the young man's face.

"I know, I hate this! It's always the same thing!"

Remus thought to make a comment about Harry's father, but decided not to.

"Now, Harry, seriously, you know that after the wedding..."

"We'll go to the new place, I know. After all, Professor McGonagall has already taken Hermione's ad my belongings, it's all set," Harry interrupted. "Ah! I give up! Let's go meet the girls. I hope they're ready."

To their great relief, the women were ready when they approached them and they were already waiting for them.

Tonks looked to be (Harry thought) in her 'natural' image with dark brown hair above the shoulder, black eyes and a physiognomy that didn't deny that she had the Black's blood. She was wearing a long light yellow strapless dress and high heels. Harry thought she was very beautiful.

"You look very nice, Tonks," he commented.

"Thank you, Harry."

Remus gave his opinion by kissing her.

When Harry turned to look at Hermione, she was absolutely gorgeous in his opinion. She was wearing a long dark red silk dress with thin straps and the back of her dress revealed all her silky skin. Her hair was straight, adorned with small white flowers. Her face had a light make-up and she only wore a pair of diamond earrings and a delicate Silver Star pendant.

"Wow," was the only that Harry could say.

Shyly, Hermione asked, "Do you think I look nice, Harry?"

"Nice, you're beautiful, Hermione! No, not beautiful! Gorgeous," the young wizard answered with a very red face.

Hermione's face wasn't better after the compliments.

"Hermione, you are really beautiful," Remus intervened.

"Thank you, Remus."

"Now, I think we should go."

"Wait a second, Remus!" Harry cried and then said to Hermione in a low voice, "Er...Hermione...aren't you forgetting a coat or a cloak?"

The young witch narrowed her eyes.

Remus and Tonks were watching Harry in amazement.

"Why would I need a coat, Harry?"

"Er...you know...the weather.... You could get a cold. After all, your back is unprotected."

"Maybe a want it to look that way," she replied with a little anger in her voice.

Now is my cue, Remus thought.

"Come on, Harry, Hermione! It's time to go. Nymph, do you have the Portkey?"

"Yep, honey," Tonks answered quickly.

And then they left.

"Hermione! Harry, my dears!" cried Mrs. Weasley, hugging them tightly.

"Molly, they need air," said a smiling Mr. Weasley.

"Hello, Mr. And Mrs. Weasley," Harry and Hermione said together.

"Welcome to our house, dears. I don't think Ron knows you're already here." Mrs. Weasley looked around and saw Ron talking with a pretty blond girl Harry and Hermione saw that too, and Harry noticed that his female friend had become a little tense. "RON! HARRY AND HERMIONE ARE HERE!" Mrs. Weasley called out.

Well if people didn't know we arrived, they do now.

Ron whispered something into the girl's ear and went to talk to his friends.

"Harry, Hermione, you're finally here," he said giving them friendly hugs.

"Well, you already know your way around the house. The party's outside; feel free to ask for anything. Now, I'll see if someone else needs me. Come, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley said before walking away from them.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. By the way, the house looks very beautiful," Hermione complimented.

"Oh, thank you, Hermione. But you need to see the garden... Well, see you!"

"So, we're finally leaving today!" Ron exclaimed.

"Ron!"

"Oh, sorry, Hermione. Harry, do you know what this is?" Ron changed the subject and displayed a glass with an orange liquid inside.

"Nope," Harry replied.

"Firewhisky," Ron said with a smile on his face.

"No...and you're drinking it?"

"Oh, yeah. It's damn good too, really hot! Mom doesn't like it but Dad said I'm an adult now and it's a party, so everybody has to have one. Do you want some?"

"Sure," Harry replied.

"Let's take some in the kitchen."

Harry was very excited with the idea of drinking Firewhisky but something got his attention: Hermione. She hadn't said a word through his conversation with Ron. He bet she was about to complain about them drinking Firewhisky.

But instead, she took some of the fiery liquid for herself.

"Where's Ginny, Ron?" she asked.

Dammed, Hermione! I don't need to know about Ginny now!

"She's in her room with Luna. She's one of the bridesmaids and the two of them are helping Fleur. The..."

Before he could finish his explanation, the blond girl appeared and spoke in a very strong French accent.

"Ronald, Chéri, I was looking for you!"

That was an uncomfortable moment.

In a very controlled tone, Hermione spoke, "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger. You are..."

"Oh! How nice to meet you!" the girl said, hugging Hermione. "Ronald told me all about you. You are his classmate, right?"

Gazing at Ron, Hermione coldly replied, "Oh, yes! I am his CLASSMATE. But you didn't say who you are, cherÃ-e."

"My name is Noelle. I'm Fleur's cousin."

Before Hermione could say something more, Ron intervened, "Noelle this is Harry! Harry Potter!"

Hermione fighting her anger throughout their continued conversation while Noelle talked excitedly about met THE Harry Potter.

"Ronald," the French girl said in a very annoyed voice. "I would like to eat something."

"Er...."

"Oh, Ronald, don't worry about me and Harry. Harry, let's go outside. I want to see the guests. Ronald, Noelle. See you later," Hermione intervened and she left, dragging a very confused Harry with her.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" he asked once they were out of hearing distance.

Biting her bottom lip, she said, "Why shouldn't I be? Oh! There's Hagrid...."

Harry shook his head and they went to talk to the Half Giant.

Harry and Hermione spent the next hour talking to the other guests (Moody, McGonagall, some members of the Order, Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson) and drinking Firewhisky. Ron was nowhere to be seen.

"Hermione, don't you think you're drinking a little too much?"

"Harry, stop being such a git! Oh, listen, the ceremony is about to start."

"Yeah, let's find our seats. Look, there's Ron." And a very breathless and messy haired Ron appeared with Noelle on his arm.

"Oh, there you are! Let's sit together."

The ceremony was very beautiful. Fleur looked gorgeous and Bill, despite of the scars on his face, looked very happy.

But then Harry spotted Ginny. She looked very pretty in a long pale pink dress with thin shoulder straps. When the ceremony finished, the youngest Weasley walked straight towards them.

"Hermione!" she said, hugging her friend. "I missed you!"

"Me too, Ginny! Where's Luna? Ron told us..."

"Oh, she's with her dad, talking with some ministry' guy."

"Ginny. You look very pretty today," Harry said.

"Thank you, Harry. You don't look bad yourself."

They didn't touch, hug, or kiss each other and Harry could see that her eyes were shinning.

"Oh! Ronald, Cheri! The music started!" squealed Noelle. "I love dance!"

"Oh, right, well..."

"Go, Ron, don't keep your Cherie waiting," said Hermione.

"Would you like to dance with me, Harry?" Ginny asked in a very shy voice.

Harry looked at Hermione.

"Go, Harry. Don't worry about me. I'll walk around."

The dancing floor...

"Oh, Harry! I missed you so much!" whispered Ginny into his ear. "Why didn't you stay here this summer?"

Harry didn't answer.

"Oh, but you're here now," and she pulled him closer to her.

Harry was becoming a little uncomfortable.

"I think I'm little tired. Ginny"

"Oh, Harry, just one more. Please?"

"Alright, but just one."

The problem was that the next song was a very slow song.

While Ginny and Harry were dancing, Harry decided to look around, and he saw Ron over her shoulder. Kissing the French girl.

Oh, Merlin! 'Mione...Ah, she's there...dancing with Wood (thank you, Oliver). She has her eyes closed. I can see some tears on her cheeks. Ronald Weasley, you prat!

When the music ended and Harry began to release Ginny, the red head girl pulled him into a kiss.

"Ginny!"

"Oh, Harry, let's forget about everything! I love you and I know you love me too! We can face You-Know-Who together!"

Oh, boy. It's now or never.

"Ginny, I need to talk to you. Let's go to a more private place."

The young Weasley nodded happily and they left the dance floor.

"No, Harry, we love each other! I'm not a china doll!" cried Ginny, with tears all over her face.

"Ginny, you don't understand. Dumbledore's gone. My life will be very unpredictable..."

"You already said that, Harry. But I know the risks. I'm a Weasley, Harry, a blood traitor! My name already puts me in danger!"

"Ginny..."

"Harry, do you know how I spent the last few days? Crying! And if I wasn't crying I was thinking about you...I think about you so much it hurts."

"Gin..."

"And Hogwarts! The term starts tomorrow, what will happen? We'll pretend that there's nothing between us anymore?"

She doesn't know.

"Harry, your love for me will protect me."

Oh, Merlin. I don't want to do this. She will suffer, but I need to finish this. I HAVE to tell her the truth...

"Ginny, I'm sorry. You're a very nice girl and I really care about you. I will never forget our time together but I don't love you."

Ginny frowned, and then she gave a nervous laugh.

"Oh, Harry, you don't need to lie, I know..."

"No, Ginny," Harry was very serious. "I'm not lying. I don't love you. Not in a romantic way."

Her eyes had a mixture of sadness, hate, and anger. Without a word, she slapped him and left him alone.

The dark haired wizard covered his face with his hands and shook his head.

I deserved that. I think I need to walk...I'll use my cloak. This way nobody will see me. And thank God, it's already dark.

Harry draped the cloak over himself.

Harry was walking around aimlessly with some difficulty because he was trying to walk between people without startling anyone; after all, he was invisible. He also tried to find Hermione but she was nowhere to be seen. She's probably crying somewhere. I'll have to talk to Ron in the morning. After thinking of Ron, he remembered about Mr. Weasley's shed.

Nobody should be in there...

When Harry came closer to the shed, he saw that the door was ajar. He almost went in when he heard two voices he recognized.

It was Hermione and Oliver Wood.

He knew that if the two of them wanted to talk alone, it would be rude for him to listen.

I'll only open the door a little more. Just to see if Hermione's alright...

And Hermione was alright! Very alright! She and Oliver Wood were snogging each other senseless!

Shocked was the only word to describe Harry's reaction. Like that day when he saw her in her panties, he couldn't move. He needed to watch. His heart was beating fast, his hands were trembling madly and the truth was that he wanted to kill his former Quidditch teammate.

Hermione sat on the edge of a table, her long dress up, revealing her legs, which were around Oliver's waist.

Oliver was nipping, kissing, sucking and licking her neck while his hands were traveling down her back.

I knew she should have brought a coat!

Her hands were stroking his hair and he was talking in a sly voice.

"I can believe we haven't done this before. I can't believe Potter never said anything about you like this," he said and she giggled.

As if!

Oliver's hands abandoned her back and found a new spot: inside her dress. Harry couldn't see exactly where his hands were but he had a pretty good idea. Hermione moaned loudly.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

"THIS I don't need to see." And he ran away from the shed.

Grimmauld Place

Almost 1:00 am

Harry really didn't know how he, Ron, Hermione, Tonks and Remus arrived at Grimmauld Place that morning. The last thing he remembered was...well, he didn't like to think about it. The truth was that he couldn't forget about the scene between Hermione and Oliver Wood. Even the fact that he was at Grimmauld Place for the first time since SÃ-rius' death couldn't make him forget.

Hermione was kissing Oliver Wood. I should be happy for her. I don't understand why I'm so upset...No! I am not upset. A little shocked perhaps. Maybe it was the Firewhisky. I still feel a bit drunk. Oh, damnit! Maybe Hermione's still awake. I'll go talk to her!

Luckily, she wasn't sleeping. He didn't knock the door he simply waltzed into her bedroom. She was already wearing her pajamas, closing the wardrobe's door.

"Harry!" she exclaimed

"So, how was it? Was it good, pleasurable?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

He walked closed to her. Her back was against the wardrobe. He looked directly into her eyes.

"The kiss."

"I don't know..."

"You and Oliver. You kissed each other."

"You saw..."

"Oh, yeah, I saw! Pretty hot scene indeed!"

"Harry! What gave you the right to spy on me?"

"You already knew I like to watch you, didn't you?"

She tried to leave but Harry grasped her wrists.

"Alright, we kissed! Satisfied?"

"No."

"I was feeling alone. You saw Ron and that French girl."

"You could have talked to me, Hermione."

"You were kissing Ginny!"

"No, I wasn't."

"I saw...."

"So, you also like to watch then. I wasn't kissing Ginny, she kissed me and I pushed her away."

"Oh," Hermione gasped.

"But you didn't answer me. Did you like Oliver's kiss?"

She didn't answer him she simply stared.

"He touched you. First his hands were on your back then..."

"You... you...."

"Oh, no, I left. That I didn't want to see."

"Nothing happened, Harry, really."

"Good."

They were both breathing hard by that point.

"Don't you like that a guy touches me?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I'm your best friend; it's my job protect you from bad guys," he said as he licked his lips.

"But how would you know who's bad and who isn't?"

"I can tell."

"Really? But I thought you liked Oliver. So, if he is a bad guy... Who would be a good guy for me?"

"Me."

"You?"

"Yes."

"So, you want to touch, and kiss me like Oliver did?" she asked innocently.

"Exactly."

"But we're friends. Friends can't kiss each other like that; it isn't right."

"Yeah, it isn't. It isn't right at all," he answered as he kissed her.