Revelations of the Heart
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Harry/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
5
Views:
9,353
Reviews:
36
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Harry/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
5
Views:
9,353
Reviews:
36
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Eggshells and Emotions
A/N: Huge thanks go to my wonderful Beta’s Hamie and WilliamSpike. You’re both incredible!
Also, on a side note, here’s a bit of info for my readers; this story is set in an alternate reality (some things are different, and the outcome that the canon novels described is altered.) of sixth year at Hogwarts. Hence, Slughorn is Potions Master and Snape does D.A.D.A
On with the fic!!
+ + + + + + + + + + +
- EGGSHELLS AND EMOTIONS -
Over the next week Harry had concocted literally hundreds of ways to deal with his feelings for Hermione, but in the end it had come down to only two logical choices. He would either have to ignore his feelings and pursue the company of someone else, or he would have to confront Ron and ask him if he still had feelings for their mutual friend.
The choice was obvious, Harry realised that he would have the same success trying to ignore his feelings for Hermione as he would if he tried to stop his heart beating through sheer willpower. Going through with his decision was proving to be almost as difficult as anything Harry had done before. It would have to be perfectly timed, and said in just the right way, so that if Ron still did fancy Hermione, he wouldn’t think that Harry was attempting to make a move on her.
The right opportunity didn’t present itself until almost a fortnight after Hermione’s unintentional show. In the end it turned out to be Ron who broached the subject. They were the last two left in the Quidditch changing room after a narrow win over Ravenclaw, the rest of the team having departed for the common room to celebrate. Harry finished his shower and sat, with a towel wrapped around his waist, on the cool wooden bench that ran the length of the wall. He cradled his head in his hands as he tried to figure out what to say to his friend. Suddenly, he heard Ron’s voice over the noise of the shower,
“Harry, you still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. What’s up?”
The sound of running water ended abruptly.
“Do you fancy anyone in Hogwarts?”
Harry paused, “Yeah, I guess I do.”
“Male or female?” Ron laughed, stepping out of the shower cubicle and wrapping a towel around his dripping frame.
“Female of course,” said Harry, shaking his head at the joke.
Harry seized on the momentary silence that followed so that he could avoid Ron’s next question, “Do you still fancy Hermione?” He asked, in what he sincerely hoped was a nonchalant voice, while silently praying for a no.
Ron was silent for a while, thoughtfully drying his hair, “I still love her,” he replied, and Harry felt his heart sinking. “Just not in the way I used to.”
Harry’s sinking feeling performed an abrupt one-eighty and he felt his heart rocket up and settle into a new position near his tonsils. He managed, with great effort, to keep his voice level. “How do you mean?”
“I’ll always love her for the friend she is, don’t get me wrong, I’ve just realized something about myself I guess. What it all boils down to is that Hermione just isn’t my type; I used to think she was, but now I know for certain that she isn’t.”
Harry gave Ron a grave look and nodded sympathetically, but on the inside he was jubilant. Ron had effectively cleared the way for Harry to go after Hermione! Best of all, Harry knew that she fancied him back. How else could you explain what she moaned that night? He shuddered with pleasure as he remembered that night.
Bringing himself out of his daydream, Harry decided to keep his intentions from Ron for just a bit longer. After all, he had only just realised that a relationship with was Hermione was possible, without having to compete with a friend. Besides, this was still untested ground, Harry wasn’t positive about the reasons for Ron’s change of heart. Had he asked Hermione out and been rejected? If that was the case, and Ron was just altering the facts to make them look better, then Harry was still walking on eggshells. He would have to play his cards right.
Later that night, after the party in celebration of their win had all but died down; Harry sat chatting with Ron and Hermione about the particularly nasty potions assignment that they had been set by Professor Slughorn. He decided that for the moment, his best course of action was to act as if nothing had changed in the close friendship that the trio shared.
“Have you listened to a single word I just said?”
“Hmm?” Said Harry, turning with a chagrin look to face Hermione.
“You were staring off into space and smiling like you’d just won a gold medal at the Olympics.” She reprimanded.
“What the hell are the Olympics? Ron asked, a quizzical look on his face.
“Never mind mate, it’s a Muggle sporting event.” Harry smiled, glad for the reprieve. “So, what did I miss Hermione?”
“I was just asking you about how you plan to start your essay.”
“Well, to be honest, I have absolutely no idea.”
“Come on Harry, you must have some sort of plan, even Ron has a grasp of what he’s going to do.”
“What do you mean, ‘even Ron’?!” He cried, indignant at the implied slight upon his person.
“You know I didn’t mean it like that Ron,” sighed Hermione. “Honestly Harry, sometimes I feel like the only way I could be carrying you more is if you were on my back.”
Harry leaned close to Hermione’s ear and whispered, “On your back you say?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively and chuckled.
Hermione blushed pink, snatching Harry’s papers from him in order to cover her embarrassment. Ron, who was staring off into the distance, seemed not to notice the exchange. Harry was secretly pleased about this.
In the far corner of the common room, a sound like a cannon going off accompanied a miniature purple mushroom cloud, out of which flew a foot long, lifelike dragon, made of what appeared to be green sparks. It breathed small, blue flames at anyone close by, before taking off for a lap around the room, making an exit out of an open window, and exploding in a shower of golden sparks over the Quidditch pitch.
Hermione sprang to her feet so quickly that Harry barely caught the movement.
“Uhh ohh, here comes a reprimand.” Ron whispered to Harry, chuckling at the telling off the four stunned looking, soot blackened, second years were about to receive. “She’s a natural born for authority positions; sometimes I swear she’s almost as frightening as my mum.”
Harry laughed and watched as Hermione strode over to where the boys were trying to gather their wits for a good excuse. Even like this, as she fumed at the obvious breach of rules that had just occurred, Harry found her incredibly sexy. It was the way she moved, something about it drove him wild.
“Let’s go shall we?” said Ron. “This could get messy.”
Harry agreed, and with a nod to Hermione, who had turned back towards them as they got up, he motioned that they were going up to their dorm. She gave him a brief smile and turned back to the shocked boys in front of her to continue her lecture.
There was no one else in their dorm room when they entered, so they changed into their pajamas and sat on their beds to talk. Harry made up his mind that it was now or never to talk to his friend about his plans.
“Ron… can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what’s on your mind?”
Harry paused, considering how best to word what he wanted to say, “How would you feel if someone was to ask Hermione out?” he asked as nonchalantly as he could, speaking as if the answer was of no real consequence to him.
“I’m not sure… probably happy for her I guess. So long as it was someone I knew would look after her the way she should be, and wouldn’t treat her like shit. Why do you ask?” Ron replied, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
“No reason really, I was just checking to see if what you told me about her not being your type was true or whether you were lying to me to cover up for a rejection.” Harry snapped back, not liking the knowing tone in his friend’s voice.
Ron was actually laughing now. “No, I can assure you it isn’t because she rejected me; it’s like I said, I just realised that she isn’t my type.”
“What are you laughing about then?” Harry muttered, exasperated by his friend’s reaction. He had been working himself up to become defensive if the need arose, and had worked out the perfect comeback, but Ron seemed to have guessed why he was asking about his feelings for their friend again.
“I’m laughing because you’ve been so careful about bringing up this subject. It’s like you’ve been walking on thin ice whenever you’re near me and Hermione at the same time.”
“Have I really been that obvious?” Harry groaned.
“Well the fact that I’ve known you for the last six years probably helped a bit. But yeah, it’s been pretty obvious to me. You keep stealing glances at her when she isn’t looking. You must forget that I’m right beside you and can see everything you do or something.”
Harry smiled; his relief apparent now that his feelings were out in the open and he hadn’t been forced to defend himself from accusations. “So do you reckon that she fancies me back then?” he asked
“Let’s just say that you aren’t the only one that our Hermione confides things in.” Ron chuckled.
“So Mister All-of-a-sudden-insightful, how do you think I should do this, then?”
“Do what?” said Ron, feigning innocence.
“Ask Hermione out of course!”
“Ohh no… this is one you get to do for yourself; Harry my friend. I’m looking forward to seeing how well you do,” he smirked. “But I’ll give you a hint if you like?”
“Anything, you cruel bastard. Anything!” Harry exclaimed.
“Go for the chase, be cheeky and drop suggestive hints. In the end she’ll get so sick of expecting you to make a move, she’ll jump you herself rather than waiting anymore.”
“And you think that’ll work?”
“I know it will. Would I lie to you?”
Harry laughed. “You have no idea how good it feels to get this off my chest, I’ve been agonizing over it for nearly a month.”
“Oh, I reckon I have some idea about the feeling mate,” Ron smiled. “But it was great watching you trying to figure out the best moment to ask me straight out. You did it quicker than I thought you would, I was guessing another two weeks at least.”
“You’re a wanker, did you know that?” Harry laughed.
“Yeah, I do, but you still love me.”
“Yeah, you’re alright I guess,” Harry admitted. “Goodnight mate, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Night, Harry,” said Ron
Within fifteen minutes Harry was asleep, breathing lightly. Ron, on the other hand, lay awake in his bed long after his other room mates had come in and succumbed to sleep.
+ + + + + + + + + + +
A/N: Well, that’s the third chapter done! I had a general idea of where I wanted this story to go when I first visualized it. But since I’ve started writing it out properly, so many great idea’s have popped into my head and I’m currently working out ways to fit them all in!
I’m really happy that I’ve had so many views! For a two chapter story 1300 views is incredible!
Every review is so good that I’d almost trade in my sex life for them… almost. LOL!
Remember people, reviews make an Author smile, even if it’s constructive criticism. Speaking of which, Zeelthor; I know she sounds a little Mary Sue at the moment, but there’s method to my madness, trust in me!
Thanks again for reading and reviewing guys, it makes my day!
Also, on a side note, here’s a bit of info for my readers; this story is set in an alternate reality (some things are different, and the outcome that the canon novels described is altered.) of sixth year at Hogwarts. Hence, Slughorn is Potions Master and Snape does D.A.D.A
On with the fic!!
+ + + + + + + + + + +
- EGGSHELLS AND EMOTIONS -
Over the next week Harry had concocted literally hundreds of ways to deal with his feelings for Hermione, but in the end it had come down to only two logical choices. He would either have to ignore his feelings and pursue the company of someone else, or he would have to confront Ron and ask him if he still had feelings for their mutual friend.
The choice was obvious, Harry realised that he would have the same success trying to ignore his feelings for Hermione as he would if he tried to stop his heart beating through sheer willpower. Going through with his decision was proving to be almost as difficult as anything Harry had done before. It would have to be perfectly timed, and said in just the right way, so that if Ron still did fancy Hermione, he wouldn’t think that Harry was attempting to make a move on her.
The right opportunity didn’t present itself until almost a fortnight after Hermione’s unintentional show. In the end it turned out to be Ron who broached the subject. They were the last two left in the Quidditch changing room after a narrow win over Ravenclaw, the rest of the team having departed for the common room to celebrate. Harry finished his shower and sat, with a towel wrapped around his waist, on the cool wooden bench that ran the length of the wall. He cradled his head in his hands as he tried to figure out what to say to his friend. Suddenly, he heard Ron’s voice over the noise of the shower,
“Harry, you still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. What’s up?”
The sound of running water ended abruptly.
“Do you fancy anyone in Hogwarts?”
Harry paused, “Yeah, I guess I do.”
“Male or female?” Ron laughed, stepping out of the shower cubicle and wrapping a towel around his dripping frame.
“Female of course,” said Harry, shaking his head at the joke.
Harry seized on the momentary silence that followed so that he could avoid Ron’s next question, “Do you still fancy Hermione?” He asked, in what he sincerely hoped was a nonchalant voice, while silently praying for a no.
Ron was silent for a while, thoughtfully drying his hair, “I still love her,” he replied, and Harry felt his heart sinking. “Just not in the way I used to.”
Harry’s sinking feeling performed an abrupt one-eighty and he felt his heart rocket up and settle into a new position near his tonsils. He managed, with great effort, to keep his voice level. “How do you mean?”
“I’ll always love her for the friend she is, don’t get me wrong, I’ve just realized something about myself I guess. What it all boils down to is that Hermione just isn’t my type; I used to think she was, but now I know for certain that she isn’t.”
Harry gave Ron a grave look and nodded sympathetically, but on the inside he was jubilant. Ron had effectively cleared the way for Harry to go after Hermione! Best of all, Harry knew that she fancied him back. How else could you explain what she moaned that night? He shuddered with pleasure as he remembered that night.
Bringing himself out of his daydream, Harry decided to keep his intentions from Ron for just a bit longer. After all, he had only just realised that a relationship with was Hermione was possible, without having to compete with a friend. Besides, this was still untested ground, Harry wasn’t positive about the reasons for Ron’s change of heart. Had he asked Hermione out and been rejected? If that was the case, and Ron was just altering the facts to make them look better, then Harry was still walking on eggshells. He would have to play his cards right.
Later that night, after the party in celebration of their win had all but died down; Harry sat chatting with Ron and Hermione about the particularly nasty potions assignment that they had been set by Professor Slughorn. He decided that for the moment, his best course of action was to act as if nothing had changed in the close friendship that the trio shared.
“Have you listened to a single word I just said?”
“Hmm?” Said Harry, turning with a chagrin look to face Hermione.
“You were staring off into space and smiling like you’d just won a gold medal at the Olympics.” She reprimanded.
“What the hell are the Olympics? Ron asked, a quizzical look on his face.
“Never mind mate, it’s a Muggle sporting event.” Harry smiled, glad for the reprieve. “So, what did I miss Hermione?”
“I was just asking you about how you plan to start your essay.”
“Well, to be honest, I have absolutely no idea.”
“Come on Harry, you must have some sort of plan, even Ron has a grasp of what he’s going to do.”
“What do you mean, ‘even Ron’?!” He cried, indignant at the implied slight upon his person.
“You know I didn’t mean it like that Ron,” sighed Hermione. “Honestly Harry, sometimes I feel like the only way I could be carrying you more is if you were on my back.”
Harry leaned close to Hermione’s ear and whispered, “On your back you say?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively and chuckled.
Hermione blushed pink, snatching Harry’s papers from him in order to cover her embarrassment. Ron, who was staring off into the distance, seemed not to notice the exchange. Harry was secretly pleased about this.
In the far corner of the common room, a sound like a cannon going off accompanied a miniature purple mushroom cloud, out of which flew a foot long, lifelike dragon, made of what appeared to be green sparks. It breathed small, blue flames at anyone close by, before taking off for a lap around the room, making an exit out of an open window, and exploding in a shower of golden sparks over the Quidditch pitch.
Hermione sprang to her feet so quickly that Harry barely caught the movement.
“Uhh ohh, here comes a reprimand.” Ron whispered to Harry, chuckling at the telling off the four stunned looking, soot blackened, second years were about to receive. “She’s a natural born for authority positions; sometimes I swear she’s almost as frightening as my mum.”
Harry laughed and watched as Hermione strode over to where the boys were trying to gather their wits for a good excuse. Even like this, as she fumed at the obvious breach of rules that had just occurred, Harry found her incredibly sexy. It was the way she moved, something about it drove him wild.
“Let’s go shall we?” said Ron. “This could get messy.”
Harry agreed, and with a nod to Hermione, who had turned back towards them as they got up, he motioned that they were going up to their dorm. She gave him a brief smile and turned back to the shocked boys in front of her to continue her lecture.
There was no one else in their dorm room when they entered, so they changed into their pajamas and sat on their beds to talk. Harry made up his mind that it was now or never to talk to his friend about his plans.
“Ron… can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what’s on your mind?”
Harry paused, considering how best to word what he wanted to say, “How would you feel if someone was to ask Hermione out?” he asked as nonchalantly as he could, speaking as if the answer was of no real consequence to him.
“I’m not sure… probably happy for her I guess. So long as it was someone I knew would look after her the way she should be, and wouldn’t treat her like shit. Why do you ask?” Ron replied, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
“No reason really, I was just checking to see if what you told me about her not being your type was true or whether you were lying to me to cover up for a rejection.” Harry snapped back, not liking the knowing tone in his friend’s voice.
Ron was actually laughing now. “No, I can assure you it isn’t because she rejected me; it’s like I said, I just realised that she isn’t my type.”
“What are you laughing about then?” Harry muttered, exasperated by his friend’s reaction. He had been working himself up to become defensive if the need arose, and had worked out the perfect comeback, but Ron seemed to have guessed why he was asking about his feelings for their friend again.
“I’m laughing because you’ve been so careful about bringing up this subject. It’s like you’ve been walking on thin ice whenever you’re near me and Hermione at the same time.”
“Have I really been that obvious?” Harry groaned.
“Well the fact that I’ve known you for the last six years probably helped a bit. But yeah, it’s been pretty obvious to me. You keep stealing glances at her when she isn’t looking. You must forget that I’m right beside you and can see everything you do or something.”
Harry smiled; his relief apparent now that his feelings were out in the open and he hadn’t been forced to defend himself from accusations. “So do you reckon that she fancies me back then?” he asked
“Let’s just say that you aren’t the only one that our Hermione confides things in.” Ron chuckled.
“So Mister All-of-a-sudden-insightful, how do you think I should do this, then?”
“Do what?” said Ron, feigning innocence.
“Ask Hermione out of course!”
“Ohh no… this is one you get to do for yourself; Harry my friend. I’m looking forward to seeing how well you do,” he smirked. “But I’ll give you a hint if you like?”
“Anything, you cruel bastard. Anything!” Harry exclaimed.
“Go for the chase, be cheeky and drop suggestive hints. In the end she’ll get so sick of expecting you to make a move, she’ll jump you herself rather than waiting anymore.”
“And you think that’ll work?”
“I know it will. Would I lie to you?”
Harry laughed. “You have no idea how good it feels to get this off my chest, I’ve been agonizing over it for nearly a month.”
“Oh, I reckon I have some idea about the feeling mate,” Ron smiled. “But it was great watching you trying to figure out the best moment to ask me straight out. You did it quicker than I thought you would, I was guessing another two weeks at least.”
“You’re a wanker, did you know that?” Harry laughed.
“Yeah, I do, but you still love me.”
“Yeah, you’re alright I guess,” Harry admitted. “Goodnight mate, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Night, Harry,” said Ron
Within fifteen minutes Harry was asleep, breathing lightly. Ron, on the other hand, lay awake in his bed long after his other room mates had come in and succumbed to sleep.
+ + + + + + + + + + +
A/N: Well, that’s the third chapter done! I had a general idea of where I wanted this story to go when I first visualized it. But since I’ve started writing it out properly, so many great idea’s have popped into my head and I’m currently working out ways to fit them all in!
I’m really happy that I’ve had so many views! For a two chapter story 1300 views is incredible!
Every review is so good that I’d almost trade in my sex life for them… almost. LOL!
Remember people, reviews make an Author smile, even if it’s constructive criticism. Speaking of which, Zeelthor; I know she sounds a little Mary Sue at the moment, but there’s method to my madness, trust in me!
Thanks again for reading and reviewing guys, it makes my day!