Soul Pieces

SOUL PIECES

Chapter 11: Friends and Lovers

"What the hell is going on here?" Harry demanded after some time.

Ron and Hermione turned around to face him, separating from where they were kissing.

Harry wanted to say something more but then he noticed Hermione's face. She looked shocked and sad. She looked at him and then at Ron...

SLAP!

Hermione had just slapped Ron and said in a painful whisper, "I can't believe you, Ronald Weasley. How dare you? Why, Ron? Why?"

"Hermione..." Ron tried to explain but she ran upstairs with tears falling over her face.

That made Harry even more furious. How dare Ron kiss her against her will? How dare he? He looked at Ron and punched him right on the face.

The redhead looked at his friend in surprise.

"Harry!" someone cried and held the boy, who intended to hit Ron again.

"Let me go, Remus!"

With a bit fear but with a little smirk on his face (only noticed by Remus), Ron asked, "Are you crazy, Harry?"

"You were kissing her!" the green-eye wizard shouted back, his face red because of the anger.

"Yes, I know! And I was going to apologize to her if you hadn't punched me! What's your problem, Harry?"

"You were kissing her," Harry repeated, this time almost like a whisper.

"She is not your girlfriend, Harry. I don't understand why you're so upset."

Harry didn't know how to answer. The truth was that even he didn't know why he was so upset. He just felt that the situation was wrong. Ron and Hermione weren't supposed to kiss each other anymore.

Remus seemed to realize the battle raging inside the boy's head.

"Hermione is Harry's friend, Ron. I think if you were Harry, you would do the same thing. Now, why don't you go upstairs and try to talk to her?"

Ron said nothing. What he wanted to know, Harry had just answered him.

"Sorry, mate," Harry apologized.

"It's okay. Well, I think I need to talk to Hermione. See you," he said. "Oh, let me bring my bag..."

When he was gone, Remus turned to Harry, "Harry..."

"I don't want to talk about this, Remus. Now, I'll just go eat my breakfast."

"No, Harry, we have to talk about this! Please, Harry...I want to help you! Tell me, why did you hit Ron? He's your best friend, isn't he?"

"Of course he is! It's just..."

"You're with Hermione now."

Harry looked at Remus in surprise.

"No, Hermione and I aren't together. We just- just have a great time. We enjoy each other," the young wizard said almost trying to convince himself of what he was saying.

"Oh, I see. So, if Ron and Hermione decide to hook up it would be okay with you, right?"

"No, I mean, yes. I think. I don't know! But they won't hook up!"

"How do you know that? From what I heard, they used to like each other. And if you and she are not together...well, it should be alright."

"Of course," Harry mumbled with no conviction and left to the kitchen.

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Time had passed without many problems. Ron and Hermione were alright again with each other and the kiss was not mentioned anymore.

Harry was glad that Hermione had slapped Ron but he couldn't stop thinking if Ron's kisses were better than his. If Ron hadn't been so savage, she probably would have liked that. Harry also couldn't forget Remus' words. What if the did decide to get together? He should be happy, right? After all, he and Hermione weren't a couple; they just had sex on occasion. But why did he feel so much pain and despair when he saw the kiss?

The three friends spent their days training and reading about Godric Gryffindor. After all, as Dumbledore had said, something from either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw could be a Horcrux. Gryffindor seemed to be the most obvious choice; maybe the hat or the sword. They had planned to go to Hogwarts to talk to the hat and Dumbledore but Professor McGonagall asked them to come after October 31^st.

So, they had to wait. To Ron, that meant eating and reading about Quidditch. For Hermione and Harry...well, for them that meant many things.

Their non-relationship was stronger than ever but neither Harry nor Hermione could admit to that. The sex wasn't so urgent and hungry anymore while some nights, they didn't shag at all. That didn't seem so important anymore. Harry loved sleeping with her, but he also loved holding her tight and smelling her hair at night.

The only problem seemed to be a little sense of jealousy in the young wizard. He really didn't like to see her talking alone with Ron or even Remus.

But things were about to change....

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It was late. Maybe midnight. He really didn't know.

As always, Harry Potter made his way to Hermione's bedroom. And as always, he entered the bedroom and closed the door behind him.

She was lying on her stomach reading a book. She knew he was there but didn't move.

He smiled. That was their game.

She was beautiful. She was always beautiful. But I have to admit I love when she's wearing only a large shirt and panties. So damn sexy...

Funny...I don't remember this shirt...seems to be a Quidditch...Wait! What's written? KRUM!?! What the hell!

"What's with the shirt, Hermione?" he practically yelled.

She jumped in surprise, but answered with a smile, "Oh, it's from Viktor. I received it from him with a book. You know, birthday gift," she said, a smile playing on her lips.

"You received a birthday present from Krum? You never said anything," Harry said, trying to be casual.

"I didn't think it was really important, you know? But, do you want talk about Victor no, Potter?" she answered with a sly smile.

He got the hint. Why talk about damn Krum? He wasn't there; he was in bloody Bulgaria.

"You're right, like always," he said, climbing on top of her. "I don't fancy the idea of sharing this bed with him right now...."

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"What?" he answered, taking off her shirt.

"You pervert!"

He laughed.

"Of course," he said while kissing her. She was left in only her panties but this time, she didn't want to be the only person naked in bed. That time it was easy: Harry's clothes instantly floated across the room with a charm.

"That's so much better," she said, her hands caressing his chest.

He didn't continue with the foreplay; he only held her even more tightly. She loved when he did that. And Harry loved the sensation that she was his. Her smell. Her flesh. Her body.

Harry could stay like that forever, only feeling her heart beating against him. After a lifetime, the penetration happened so naturally that time stopped for them and they felt at home with each other.

The sensation that he was inside her made him the happiest guy in whole Britain...no, the happiest guy in the whole world.

And even if "I love you's" hadn't been exchanged, it was clear that Hermione Granger and Harry Potter had fallen for each other.

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When Harry woke up, it was almost morning. He knew he had to leave her room. It was a ritual that he (secretly) hated.

But that time, he was alone in bed. He panicked, feeling loneliness and despair.

Where is she? She knows I need to go my room. I can't leave without say "see you". She never did that.

As if answering his silently demand, Hermione returned. She was very pale. Her hands were trembling and her body was covered with sweat.

"What happened?" Harry asked with concern, leading her to the bed.

"I'm not feeling well, Harry. I think I have the flu."

He hugged her.

"It's alright, Harry. Now, go. It's almost morning. See you," she said, in a weak voice.

"Are you sure you'll be alright? I can call Tonks if you want..."

"No, I'm fine. It's just the flu."

"I'm going to my room then. See you at breakfast, sweetie."

He kissed her on the lips and left.

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(Tonks POV)

Nymphadora Tonks could be a funny person; an extravagant person. But she wasn't stupid.

She watched in amazement the non-relationship between Harry and Hermione and even if they had learned to use the silencing charms, she knew (she was a auror, after all!) that the boy spent every night in Hermione's bedroom.

She couldn't comprehend why they didn't expose their situation already. Okay, there the matter of Ron Weasley but why didn't they admit it to themselves first? It's a little ridiculous to say: "It's only physical, we aren't together." How could anyone be so blind?

However, when November came, the astonishment was replaced by concern and suspicion.

Tonks could see that Hermione wasn't well.

The girl was paler than ever. She wasn't eating and every morning, Tonks could hear the sounds coming from the bathroom.

When Hermione had been asked about it, she had answered that she got the flu. The men of the house had bought it. Even Remus.

"Oh, Merlin, men are so thick!" she thought.

It was a Saturday morning when Tonks finally learned the truth.

They were eating breakfast on the kitchen's table and everybody seemed happy and healthy. Even Hermione. But it wasn't until Winky came in with the eggs and bacon and smell of food crossed the kitchen that Hermione turned a light shade of green and with a very weak 'excuse me ' she stood up and ran.

"It's the flu," someone said and they continued eating.

But Tonks couldn't take it anymore. She also excused herself and left the table.

The young auror found Hermione in the bathroom, vomiting.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?"

With hot tears dropping from her eyes, Hermione Jane Granger nodded.