Late Lunch, Chapter 54

~o0o~

"Explain." Hermione couldn't comprehend, couldn't understand. What was he thinking?

In front of her, holding his cup of tea close to himself, Harry was contemplating what to say. Then, "I entered the triathlon."

"Why?" Hermione asked, setting her own cup aside on the living room table. Her parents were out, picking up the pizza they were having for dinner, and Hermione had cornered Harry as soon as they'd left. He'd seemed like he had something to say the whole bike ride home yesterday and now Hermione knew why. What she didn't know was why. Why had he decided to do something so unlike himself?

"Because I love running and swimming, Hermione."

"Don't do that! I'm asking you because I want to understand! I thought we agreed that your parents and Sirius . . ."

Harry frowned. "Well, yeah. But then I thought about it and realised that it was ridiculous to not do something because I would be embarrassed. It might be fun."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "I don't believe you."

He in turn rolled his eyes and sipped his tea. "Then don't."

"There's something more to this, Harry, and I'll figure it out."

"Then do."

Ugh, he was so annoying sometimes. Hermione crossed her arms and tried not to dwell on this too much. She was already worried about Fred entering, now she had to worry about Harry too? Football was already dangerous as it was, all sports were really, and this triathlon would test people and their athletic capabilities. Hermione was worried there might be an accident and if Harry wasn't really committed to entering he shouldn't enter at all!

No, Hermione did not like this. "Have you at least told Ron?"

Genuine surprise flickered in Harry's eyes. "No. Why?"

"He might appreciate an explanation too, Harry," said Hermione. "Like me, he thought you didn't even want to enter. He might feel a little betrayed."

"Why would he feel betrayed?" asked Harry and frowned.

"Because you told him you wouldn't enter! He clearly wanted to enter too and win the prize money! Didn't you wonder why he didn't come with us today?"

"I figured he was busy with chess club—"

Hermione interrupted him with an exasperated huff. "He's clearly upset. You should talk to him. If you won't tell me, then at least tell Ron."

Both Harry and Hermione herself were surprised by this turn of events. To think that Hermione was sitting here and defending Ron Weasley's right to the truth.

Harry suddenly flushed and put down his tea on the table. "I don't . . . It's not that I don't want to tell either of you. It's just really embarrassing."

Hermione waited.

Harry sighed. "It's Cho."

"Cho made you enter?"

He shook his head. "She told me I didn't have to." He smiled. "She told me that if I did enter she wouldn't make it easy for me either."

"Then . . .?"

Clearly having a hard time confessing what he was about to say, Harry ran a hand through his hair. "It's Cedric. Cho and Cedric. I like Cedric Diggory, he's a very nice guy. However, I know for a fact that Cho has had a brief crush on him. And I think Cedric might like her too now. Picturing them in the tournament— together— I just couldn't cope? So, I thought that if I also entered . . ."

"Then you might stop anything from happening," Hermione finished for him. "Harry, I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, well, I could've just explained," admitted Harry, "But I was too embarrassed. I trust Cho, of course I do. I just like her so much. Even just imagining her with someone else makes me feel bad."

"I understand." And Hermione did. Just the thought of having Fred hug someone else, kiss someone else or even hold someone else's hand the way he did hers made her stomach queasy. But . . . "Just make sure you're not going too far with this. Cho is still allowed to have a life outside of you. She's allowed to have boys who are her friends."

Harry's jaw set. "Doesn't have to be Cedric Diggory, though."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Has he even done anything besides talking to her? Cedric's a good guy, he wouldn't try and steal someone else's girlfriend."

"I suppose."

"Then might you accept that your girlfriend is in a tournament with him and that they are friendly?"

"I . . . suppose."

"And that you will now also be there alongside them, having to endure your parents and Sirius cheering from the stands?"

He blanched. "What have I done?"

Hermione grinned. "Actions have consequences, Potter."

"I'm beginning to see that now. How do you do it, Hermione?"

Hermione frowned. "Do what?"

"Get past the jealousy? I mean, you've never said anything about all of Fred's friends who are girls."

She shrugged. "Sometimes it's difficult realising that all of them have known each other for a long time. From before Fred and I started dating. They have their jokes and memories and especially in the beginning it was difficult to look at how pretty Angelina, Katie and Alicia are and not feel insecure. But I guess over time they became my friends too and despite it all I decided that this was one thing I couldn't control. I just had to trust."

"Oh, that's all?" Harry asked with a small chuckle.

She playfully punched him in the shoulder. "That, and the fact that if Fred wanted to cheat or leave me for one of them, he wouldn't be worth being my boyfriend to begin with. My mother told me that."

Hermione could see the words sink in and she was glad Harry took the words to heart. She had when her mother had given her the speech.

It had been a particularly bad day then, one she now barely could remember, just in the beginning of her and Fred's relationship. Her and Fred had spent a quiet evening in town together, just enjoying each others' company and talked. That part hadn't been quite so bad. They had strolled through the parks, holding hands, and Hermione thought that it couldn't get more perfect.

Then they had stumbled into the discussion of past relationships.

'So I told him about Viktor," Hermione had sobbed to her mother later that night, sitting cross legged on her bed and hugging a pillow tight to herself. 'And then he told me . . . he told me that his first kiss was in Year 8 with Alicia! Alicia Spinnet! They're still friends and she's always around and I don't know what to do! I told him it was fine but I came home as soon as I could and . . . and . . .'

'Darling.' Hermione's mother handed her a tissue so she could blow her nose. She waited until Hermione was somewhat collected to say what she said next: 'Do you have any reason to believe that Fred and Alicia want to be together?'

'Well . . .she's really pretty and she plays football like him. And she's nice . . .'

'But has Fred ever said he wants to be with Alicia?'

'No, but—"

'Do you trust him?'

'I think so.'

Her mother smiled. 'Then unless he says otherwise, they just shared a kiss and if you want someone who never has experienced anything before you ever, then you might wait a long time. And I'm not sure they'd be worth having either. Who would want to be with someone who never felt affection for anyone but you? The fact that he was able to maintain a good friendship with this girl says that he is worth having around. You'd be surprised how many men there are that women can't wait to get away from.'

Hermione sniffed. 'But it feels weird . . .'

'Then let yourself feel weird or strange. Just don't go letting your mind conjure scenarios of Fred running off with Alicia. She's your friend too, isn't she?'

'I suppose. We're not extremely close, but yes.'

'Then trust. Trust that neither of them would do anything to hurt you when they have shown no signs of wanting to do that. And even if they do, well, they were never anything worth crying over in the first place.'

Hermione nodded and gave her mother a hug. 'Thank you.'

"Thank you."

Harry's words snapped Hermione back to the present. She smiled gently. "I'm here for you. You just need to start telling me things. You don't have to go through everything by yourself."

Harry nodded. "I know . . . I just don't want to say anything before I've figured it all out first. Which I now realise is impossible because I'll just end up trapped in my own head."

"I can relate," admitted Hermione. And she truly could. She sighed. "Since we both need practice in being honest, I should probably tell you something too."

"What?"

Hermione could feel heat gather more and more in her face. It was easier to preach about honesty then it was to actually live by it. "Fred and I . . . well, you remember how on my birthday I told you he was celebrating with me and my parents? We had a great time and he got me this watch, as you know. But he also spent the night, seeing as the bus had stopped going by the time he was supposed to go home. So he slept in the guest bedroom and I snuck in there and he was half-asleep and he said . . . well, he said . . ." She swallowed. "He told me he loved me."

Harry gaped. "Oh! Well, what did you say?"

"Nothing! I said nothing! And now it's too late to say anything because if he does remember he will know that I haven't said anything, but on the other hand, if he was indeed asleep and has completely forgotten then in his mind I'd be the first one to say it! What if he changed his mind? What he didn't mean it? What if he actually didn't say 'I love you', but 'I love moo'? Stop laughing!"

"Sorry," said Harry, but he didn't look it. "I'm sorry, I just can't believe that you've been able to hold this all in without exploding for so long."

Hermione just sipped the last of her now cold tea and said nothing. She couldn't believe it either, because now that she'd spoken the words aloud she was truly reminded of how desperate for guidance she was.

"Hey, if you feel the same way then just say it. And if you don't then you don't have to."

"I knew you'd say that," Hermione grumbled.

Harry reached a hand out and placed it gently on her shoulder. "But, if it helps, I've never seen you look so happy and I've never seen Fred look at anyone the way he looks at you. So I'd wager it will all be all right."

"Oh, Harry." She hugged him and was thankful to have such a wonderful friend. She regretted not having trusted Harry with her secret sooner and would make sure to remember this moment, so that in the future she didn't take him for granted. He did have some good advice from time to time, after all. "You still need to talk with Ron, though."

Harry laughed. "I will."

"Good."

While Hermione hadn't known Ron a long time, something told her that he wouldn't be pleasant when scorned.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Let it go, Granger."

"Oh, Fred, please! Just give me a hint!" Hermione sped up, trying to match his long strides. But it was a bit difficult with her heavy school bag weighing her down. "Just one hint as to what your costume is going to be! Please? Are you and George going as salt and pepper shakers?"

He took in her smirking face and couldn't help but laugh as well. "That's not an entirely horrible idea, but no. And enough guessing!"

Hermione sighed, but it was mostly theatrical. Her and Fred had tried to figure out each other's costumes for days now and the party was tomorrow. She had to be the first one to guess the right answer. Unless . . .

"You would tell me if I was right, though, wouldn't you?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "You wouldn't lie, would you?"

He flashed her a grin. "I dunno, would I? I'm a Weasley twin, after all. Who knows to what lengths I'd go to hide an elaborate costume?"

They exited the school and as George and Ginny was waving Fred over to head to the bus, Fred turned to Hermione.

"Go, you'll be late," she said, knowing that he didn't want to appear rude. "I'll see you tomorrow, Weasley."

He smiled and she could feel his smile as she pressed her lips to his. "Bye, Granger."

As he walked away and Hermione stayed on the steps to wait for Harry, she couldn't help but feel a slight ache of missing him already. She'd see him tomorrow night, though. At the Halloween party. And then she'd tell him how she felt.

She'd tell him she loved him.

Hermione had decided the Halloween party would be a good time for it. It would be an occasion and considering their track record of getting to milestone developments under very special conditions (what with their first kiss being a public show and their first time having sex was during a wedding), it only seemed appropriate.

When Harry was taking a bit longer than expected, Hermione decided to walk back inside, having begun to shiver from the cold, and sent him a quick text asking him where he was. The corridors were empty and it was only the extracurriculars and clubs and the like that were left. It was a friday and everyone else would be eager to get home. Including Hermione.

Sighing, she decided to go look for Harry. She thought she remembered his last class of the day being somewhere on the second floor.

As she walked along the corridor leading to the second floor she could start hearing voices in the classroom next to the stairs. The door was ajar and although she knew she should probably just walk along Hermione's curiosity took over. What if it was Harry confronting Cedric Diggory? It was only a joke, but then again, what if?

Giggling to herself, Hermione snuck a peek inside.

And she really wished she hadn't.

Two people were snogging, like actually snogging on school grounds. That she already couldn't believe but what was even more improbable was who the two students snogging were.

"I will kill you if you tell anyone," said Pansy Parkinson, breaking away from the kiss.

"Right," said Ron, "I'm not hurrying to tell anyone about this either."

"Good."

They then resumed the kiss.

In her pocket, Hermione's phone vibrated. She withdrew it and read Harry's text.

-Outside now, where are u?

-On my way . . .

Hermione sure was, she wasn't eager to stay here anymore and immediately sped off, leaving Pansy and Ron to do whatever it was they were doing.

~o0o~

A/N: Oh em gee, what a development! Sounds like stuff is building up to the Halloween party. What do you think will happen and who can guess what Fred's costume is going to be? Also, how cute are Harry and Hermione?

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Lots of hugs to you, baby penguins!

Until next time!
/Primrue