back to being

back to being

There were many reasons why Harry, Hermione and Ron liked to holiday in small, Muggle towns. The anonymity was one. Solitude and serenity were two more. But the main reason was they liked being somewhere where no one from their world could find them.

Or so they thought.

The three friends were staying in a beautiful, two bedroom cottage in a small, Irish town. They had finished their late breakfast and were relaxing in the lounge room; Harry and Ron involved in a game of chess while Hermione had her head resting on Ron's legs as she read a book, when the oddest thing happened. The phone rang.

Harry broke off mid-word as the high-pitched ringing filled the room. All three stared at the telephone.

"It must be a wrong number," Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah," Ron readily agreed.

Harry asked uncertainly, "Should we answer it?

"I suppose so," Hermione replied.

Harry, who was closest, picked up the ringing telephone. "Hello? ... May I ask who's calling? ... Uh, just one moment please." Harry put his hand over the receiver and said, "Ron, it's for you."

Ron furrowed his brows. "Who is it?"

"It's Emmanuel."

Hermione sat up and Ron got up from the couch and took the phone from Harry. He didn't talk much and wasn't on the phone for very long, but in the short space of time his expressions ranged from absorbed to excited to disappointed.

"Well?" Hermione asked when he hung up the phone.

"Oliver has been elevated to Puddlemere's 'A' side, meaning the captains position on the team is now available. They're considering me for it," Ron said incredulously as he sat back down on the couch.

"Wow," Harry exclaimed.

"That's great, sweetie," Hermione added.

"The thing is," Ron continued, "I have to go in today. Big team meeting and all that."

"Oh," Hermione replied.

"Sorry guys, but I have to go."

"Of course you do! This is an amazing opportunity," Harry said enthusiastically.

"Thanks, Harry."

"So when should we leave?" Hermione asked.

"We?" Ron repeated blankly.

"I'm coming back with you," Hermione said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"No, you two should stay here. I don't want you to have to cut your holiday short because of me - you deserve a break. And besides, I'm going to be in meetings for the next few days. You two stay here and enjoy the rest of our holiday."

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked uncertainly.

"Of course," Ron grinned, leaning over and kissing Hermione.

"Okay," Hermione acquiesced. "How about I go pack your stuff so you two can talk Quidditch, like I know you're dying to."

Harry and Ron laughed. "You know us too well," Harry said.

"Well I guess that's what comes of ... what ... ten years of friendship?" she grinned. "I won't be long," she said, giving Ron a quick kiss on the cheek before retreating to their bedroom.

"I can't believe this is happening," Ron confessed. "It has to be a dream, right?"

Harry quickly leaned over and pinched Ron's arm. Ron yelled in pain, drawing Hermione out from the bedroom.

"Nope, it's real," Harry said, then the two men laughed together.

Hermione smiled at the scene before her before retreating back into the bedroom.

"It's good news about Oliver too," Ron continued after the laughter subsided.

"Yeah, though you gotta feel bad for his new team mates - they won't know what hit them! I can just picture Oliver walking up on day one and telling everyone what to do."

"Yeah, can you imagine how well the seasoned professionals will take this young upstart telling them how to fly and how to play better. Ten galleons says he finishes his first training session with a broken bone," Ron laughed.

Harry and Ron continued to talk Quidditch until Hermione emerged fifteen minutes later with Ron's packed bags.

"Here you go," she said as Ron and Harry stood and met her in the lounge room.

"Thanks, love," Ron said, throwing his arm around her shoulders. "Now, I want the two of you to have a great weekend - think of me in boring meetings all day long while you are still on holiday."

The trio laughed, and then Harry and Ron embraced. "Good luck, mate," Harry said, clapping Ron on the arm.

"Thanks."

Ron turned back to Hermione, wrapped his arms around her small frame and kissed her thoroughly.

"I love you," Hermione said.

"Love you more," Ron grinned playfully. He kissed her once more.

Ron moved to his suitcase as Hermione went and stood by Harry.

"I'll see you tomorrow night," Hermione said, waving slightly.

Ron grinned and Disapparated.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, then Hermione went and sat down on the couch while Harry packed up the chess board.

"So, what should we do today?" Hermione asked Harry when he re-emerged from his bedroom.

Harry shrugged as he collapsed onto the couch beside her. "What do you wanna do?"

The pair sat in silence for a moment, each trying to think of a way to occupy the day. And then, at the exact same moment, they turned to each other, grinning madly.

"Mini golf!" they exclaimed in unison.

Earlier that week, the three friends had discovered an adventure park in the next town over that had two mini golf courses and a wooden maze. Hermione and Ron had not-so-subtly said they wanted to focus on the golf courses rather than the maze, for which Harry was thankful. So they spent the afternoon playing mini golf. Harry and Hermione loved it, but Ron had neither the skill nor the patience for the game. In fact, at the end of the 18^th hole, he declared, "I'm never going to play this mental game ever again!"

Harry and Hermione laughed at an exasperated Ron, then acquiesced, saying they wouldn't make him play again.

But now that Ron had left, it was the perfect opportunity for them to get in one last game without having Ron feel left out.

Hermione and Harry got up from the couch excitedly, Harry grabbed his wallet and keys, Hermione grabbed her bag, and they raced out the door.

~

Harry and Hermione returned that night, soaking wet.

They had made it through the 'windmill' course, which Harry had won, and had just started on the 'garden' course when it started raining. They, like all the other muggles playing, had rushed inside. But after a while, it didn't look like the rain was going to ease up anytime soon. Hermione suggested they go back to their cottage, but Harry simply grinned. Hermione, rightfully suspecting Harry was having a crazy idea, reluctantly asked what he was thinking.

"Let's just finish our game before we go."

Hermione's eyes narrowed in confusion. "But it's still raining."

"So?"

A moment passed as Hermione realised what Harry was suggesting. "No, Harry, absolutely not."

"Why not? It'll be fun."

Harry looked so excited and boyish that she couldn't refuse him. So, much to the amusement and shock of the course owners, Hermione and Harry returned outside and continued their game in the pouring rain. Hermione won.

After that, they bought some take-away pizza and returned home for dinner. Harry dropped the pizza on the table as he passed it on the way to his bedroom. The pair went to their separate rooms to change out of their dripping clothes and into something more warm and comfortable. Yes, they could have dried themselves with their ever-present wands, but the three friends decided long ago that when holidaying, they would not use any magic at all. It was their own version of 'roughing it.'

When they re-emerged a short while later, Harry took the pizza to the lounge room. He moved the coffee table out of the way so they could sit on the floor between the couch and the front of the fire, which he lit slowly but surely. Hermione detoured to the kitchen and got herself and Harry some drinks and serviettes. She sat down on the floor beside Harry, holding out the drink for him.

Harry took the proffered wine glass, smiling. "Wine and pizza - an interesting combination."

"Well, better to use it up tonight - one less thing to take back tomorrow."

"Fair enough. Well, should we toast?"

"Okay," Hermione said, holding her glass up in mid air. Harry did the same. "Here's to our bi-annual desertion from the wizarding world - possibly the best idea we've ever come up with."

"And that's saying something," Harry said with a grin.

"Cheers," Hermione tapped her glass against Harry's.

"Cheers," he replied before they both took a sip of wine.

A thunderbolt exploded outside, startling Hermione slightly. A flash of lightening wasn't far behind, illuminating the inside of the house even more.

Harry noticed Hermione's anxiety, so got up and closed the curtains that lined the lounge room walls, trying to lessen the impact of the growing storm outside. When he sat back down, Hermione gave him a small smile in thanks.

The two old friends ate their dinner and drank their wine by the light of the fireplace. The conversation between them was lively and only ceased when they took a bite to eat - although sometimes not even then.

Harry smiled to himself as he listened to Hermione recount some of the first signs of magic she displayed as a child. As Harry took in her warmth and enthusiasm and beauty, he suddenly realised that he couldn't actually remember the last time he and Hermione had spent so much time alone. Since Ron and Hermione got together, they didn't have much of a chance do things by themselves. Not that Harry minded, but now that they were alone together, he realised just how much he missed it. And the increased beating of his heart made him realise how much he missed her.

In that moment, Harry felt a familiar feeling wash over him. All he could think about was reaching over, grabbing his best friend and kissing her senseless. He wanted to love Hermione in a way that he shouldn't have wanted.

To say Harry had a long-standing crush on Hermione would be slightly inaccurate. She was his best friend, had been for a decade now. And when Ron and Hermione got together three years previous, you would not have found anyone more pleased than Harry. But the truth was, once in a blue moon, when Harry and Hermione were laughing together or sharing secrets or reminiscing, Harry would be struck by a sudden and overwhelming desire for his best friend. It rarely lasted more than a few days at a time, but it was powerful nonetheless.

Hermione, of course, had no idea about these feelings. Never once did Harry get the impression she was harbouring romantic feelings for him.

Until now.

In the years to come, Harry would have no memory what-so-ever of what it was they actually talked about. All he would be able to remember was the way his cheeks hurt from smiling so much, the way he almost lost his voice from talking and laughing for hours on end, the way Hermione clutched her stomach as she laughed so hard she nearly cried.

But the main thing that would stay with him, for the rest of his life, was Hermione's eyes. In her beautiful, brown eyes, Harry saw what was on his mind. For the first time, she desired him too.

The wine bottle emptied as the lively conversation flowed between the two old friends. Harry's desire for Hermione was growing by the second and he knew he had to do something about it. The question was, should he make a move on his best friends girlfriend or do the right thing by all three of them and excuse himself and go to bed?

He so wanted to do the right thing. He wanted to leave Hermione before he did something he would regret. But he couldn't move. Her knees were touching his and she put her hand on his arm to reinforce a point she was trying to make and Harry had never felt so weak.

Harry and Hermione laughed as they reminisced about their old school days; events that had caused such anxiety and angst and had taken up all their energy could now be laughed at. They were facing each other, Harry resting his head against his hand, his arm supported by the seat of the couch. A strand of Hermione's hair fell onto her face and before Harry realised what he was doing, he reached across and tucked the hair behind her ear.

Hermione did not start at this action, though she lost enough concentration that she left her sentence hanging.

"Thanks," she whispered.

Harry didn't respond, at least not verbally. He continued to pat down her hair for a moment, then let his fingertips rest on her cheek.

Hermione felt like she couldn't breathe. She wanted this so badly, yet she knew it was wrong. But as she stared into Harry's green eyes, the air around them crackled, time stood still.

Harry didn't know how long they stared at each other, but as he saw Hermione chew nervously on her lower lip, he knew he had to do something. And quick.

He slowly started inching towards her.

"I'm in love with Ron," Hermione whispered.

Harry stopped moving. He knew what she was doing - she hoping that this declaration would make him back off. But her cheek was still under his fingertips - she didn't want to back away but knew they had to stop, so she was hoping Harry would.

"I know you are," he replied gently. "I love him too and I don't want to hurt him. But you can't deny there is something going on here."

Hermione made no reply, her silence speaking volumes.

"So here is what I'm thinking. How about you and I just let this thing, whatever it may be, play out. And then tomorrow, no matter what, we just go back to being-"

"Friends?"

Harry nodded.

Hermione closed her eyes and let out a light sigh. A single tear escaped from under her closed eyelids. Harry didn't know if she was crying for their imminent betrayal or because whatever they were about to share couldn't last, but he wiped away her tear with the pad of this thumb.

Without opening her eyes, Hermione inched forward and their lips met in a soft, sad kiss. Pulling back, they opened their eyes slowly, each trying to gauge the reaction of the other from this tiny yet monumental action.

Harry's eyes were bright, shining with desire and love. Hermione's eyes, though slightly red-rimmed, matched the want that was radiating from her best friends eyes.

Hermione slowly and gingerly raised her hand and touched Harry's cheek softly, as though making sure he wasn't some illusion. His skin was softer than it looked and she ran her fingertips along his jaw line, feeling the slightly rough stubble of his chin. Harry watched Hermione with fascination as she traced his face; though she didn't notice as she was staring intently at the beautiful features she was touching. When she made it to his mouth, Harry pursed his lips and kissed her fingertips.

Hermione's eyes flew up to Harry's and after a few seconds of staring into each others eyes, Hermione quickly moved her hand to his cheek as the gap between them closed and they kissed again. But there was nothing sad or soft about this second kiss - it was full of heat and desire. Their tongues found each other easily as arms were wrapped around bodies.

Hermione felt like she was drowning as she succumbed to the overwhelming feelings that kissing Harry induced. She never wanted this sensation to end.

Harry had no capacity for thought as they fell to the floor. As Hermione lay atop him, her warm mouth pressed against his own, he didn't know what was right or wrong, up or down, here or there - all he knew, all he felt at the centre of his being, was Hermione, and the need to be as close to her as possible.

When Harry's hands found their way under Hermione's top and began caressing her soft skin, Hermione pulled back. He met her eyes and for a brief second he wondered if she had changed her mind. She sat up, breathing heavily after Harry's kisses, and he became even more certain that she had changed her mind. But she was still on his legs - she didn't move away.

"Hermione?" Harry said uncertainly, sitting up too.

She made no reply, she just looked at him. Harry was starting to become uncomfortable under her unflinching gaze when she reached out and put her hand to his cheek. Harry shifted his head and placed a soft kiss on the palm of her hand. They continued to stare at each other as Hermione's hands slowly moved down and she began unbuttoning his shirt. Her hands trembled slightly and she struggled to undo some of the buttons, as though the surreal situation she found herself in had made her clumsy and incapable of doing such a simple task. When the shirt was undone, Harry allowed Hermione to pull it off him.

After throwing the material aside, Hermione sat silently. Harry took his cue from her and grasped the bottom of her t-shirt. He pulled it over her head and flung the top over his head, out of sight.

They met in a passionate kiss and as they fell back to the floor, there were no second thoughts, no uncertainty and no going back.

~

Harry smiled sadly. He ran his hand across Hermione's bare back, though she had long ago fallen asleep.

She shivered slightly. Harry pulled the blanket that covered their lower halves up a bit. He had earlier accio'ed the blanket from his bedroom. He had already broken the rules, so using magic on their holiday was now kind of irrelevant.

As he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, Harry realised he had never felt so content in his life. He loved the feel of Hermione in his arms, basking in the warmth of the fireplace.

But he also knew that it wouldn't last. That tomorrow, when she woke, they would do as they promised - Hermione would go back to Ron and he would go back to his life. They would say goodbye and go back to being friends.

And he was okay with that.

Really.