A Piece of Forever

Disclaimer: All characters but Loki belong to JKR, i am proud to sya that at the very least the plot is mine.


Chapter Seven:

Harry Potter tightened his grip on his Firebolt 7 Luxury Edition, and twisted it firmly around to chase the flash of golden that he had just sighted.

“Go Harry!” hollered Ron, the keeper of Harry’s Quidditch team. “Yes! Yes!”

The team exploded in cheers as Harry snatched the snitch out of the air, grinning widely.

Sitting on the bleachers, Hermione leapt up and cheered. Laughing, she mentally thanked Ginny for suggesting she attended Harry’s team practice. She felt loads better, almost like her old self.

She fought to keep a splitting grin off her face as she watched Ron’s girlfriend Luna practically fly across the pitch into her boyfriend’s arms, crowing praises and laughing in delight.

She leaned over the railing and called out for Harry, who ran up the steps two at a time to reach her.

He grinned down at her, “Ginny got you to come right?”

“Yep,” Hermione said.

“How’s she?” Harry said carefully. They had been in an on-off relationship for a couple of years now and currently, it was off- and had been for about two months, the longest hiatus they had ever been on. “I haven’t seen her since that day we took you to Diagon Alley.”

“Brilliant, as usual,” Hermione said truthfully. “Are you two going to get back together anytime soon?”

Harry peeled off his scarlet Quidditch robes and sat down, his brow furrowed. Hermione stood across him, her back against the railings, waiting,

“Frankly, Hermione,” Harry looked up, squinting in the sunlight. “I don’t think we’re going to.”

“God, why?” Hermione started, eyes wide in shock.

“Look, I like Ginny, I always have,” Harry rested his elbows on his knees, leaning forward. “But I just don’t think a long term relationship is going to work for us.”

“Why? I really would like to know. I respect your decision of course but I’m just curious as to why,” Hermione asked.

“Ginny, she’s the kind of girl who’s always on the move, always doing something, bursting with energy- not that I don’t like it, but what I really want is someone who stays by my side you know? Quieter, but not too reserved, cheerful but not a perpetual bundle of sunshine. Someone who would be at home ten at night and not out partying. I don’t want to change Ginny- I like her very much this way, but she just doesn’t suit me. She’s gorgeous and sexy, and God, there are so many guys out there who are obsessed with her and she likes it that way! I don’t want to spoil this for her, you know, make her stay at home and be the good wife.” Harry paused for breath. “I’ve talked to Ron and it turns out that Ginny has said the same thing to him.”

“What? What did she say?” Hermione gaped. “She never told me!”

“She told Ron that you would have been the first person she told but you were too upset over Malfoy so she decided not to bother you and play the supportive friend first before telling you.” Harry assured her.

“So what did she say?”

“She told Ron that she likes me very much, loves me even but she thinks that we’re not going to work out. She admitted that she doesn’t want to get attached so soon. Right now, what she wants the least is to get into a serious relationship- commitment and all. I knew that all along, we just enjoyed spending time together and we have always been, you know, physically attracted to each other,” Harry broke off, embarrassed. “I mean, but that’s not going to make a long term and serious relationship last or work out.”

“I understand,” Hermione nodded, reaching out to clasp Harry’s shoulder. “I know. It’s what you both want, tight?”

Harry nodded, standing up. “I knew you would understand.”

Hermione smiled. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Precisely,” Harry grinned and patted her on the head.

“See you around, Harry,” Hermione said, picking up her bag.

“Yeah,” He nodded as she hurried off, planning to ask Ginny out for dinner and a good girl-to-girl talk.

“Excuse me?”

He turned around and found a young woman standing behind him. “Who are you?” he asked, finding her unfamiliar.

“I’m Loki MacKenzie.” She introduced. “Was that Hermione Granger?”

“Yes, why?” Harry frowned.

“I’m a reporter, you see,” Loki explained.

“So what has Hermione got to do with your being a reporter?” Harry asked.

Loki blinked, and considered her answer. “I need to ask her a very simple question- what’s Draco Malfoy’s favourite ice cream flavour. Just that.”

It was Harry’s turn to do a double take, evidently surprised. “What kind of question is that?”

“Well, I don’t have to tell you, do I?” Loki raised an eyebrow.

“No, you don’t,” He agreed, regarding her. She tried to read his expression but failed.

“What are you thinking about me?” She asked bluntly.

He crossed his arms. “Now why should I tell you that?”

“Because I want to know,” she replied.

“And why should I tell you just because I want you to know?” Harry asked.

“Because you should be a nice person?” she said.

Harry laughed. “I’m thinking that you are one very nosey girl.”

“Seriously?” Loki was horrified. He thought she was nosey?

“Yes,” He said, grinning. Mentally he added, and I think that you’re rather good-looking as well.

She looked quite insulted and her bottom lip was jutting out in a girlish pout.

“In a nice way, though,” He added and she stopped pouting.

“So can you tell me where I might find Ms. Granger?” she asked, adding a slight whiny edge to her honeyed voice.

Harry fixed her with a glare. “There is no way I’m giving a reporter her address.”

Loki huffed. “Then won’t you help me get a date?”

“What do I get in return?” he asked, flashing her a win-some smile.

“You greedy pig! What do you want?” Loki said in resignation.

“A date in exchange for a date,” He said. “Very fair, don’t you agree?”

“Deal, who do want me to help you get a date with?” Loki asked.

“You.” Harry said, smiling at her in a way that made her insides turn to melting butter.

Loki flushed pink and searched for a reply. “That’s easy enough,” she said breathlessly.

“Oi, mate!” Harry heard Ron’s shout. “Hurry up!”

“Tomorrow evening, I’ll meet you at seven in the Three Broomsticks,” Harry said quickly. “Be there or you won’t get to meet Hermione.”

Before she could agree, he was already half way down the steps; his Quidditch robes tossed over one shoulder and his broom in hand.

~

“Be careful,” Draco said as he helped Alyssa onto her bed.

“Thanks, I’m fine,” she said, trying not to smile in glee. Draco was being concerned for her.

“Rest well,” he said, before he could turn and leave, Alyssa grabbed his arm.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Draco,” she whispered, sitting up and kissing him full on the mouth.

He went as stiff as a board, pressing his lips firmly together. Alyssa pulled away, disappointment shining in her eyes. “Why, Draco?”

“I’m sorry,” he managed, before making his escape.

Alyssa picked up the glass goblet filled with a sleeping potion by her bed and hurled it after him. She didn’t want him to be sorry. She wanted him to love her.

As the glass shattered and the potion spilled across the floor, she imagined the shards of broken glass to her heart and closed her eyes against the sound of glass breaking.

~

Hermione pulled the duvet over her head, trying to go to sleep but the picture of Draco and Alyssa making love kept popping into her head.

It was making her sick.

What was Draco doing now? She wondered. Was he sleeping next to Alyssa, or was he kissing Alyssa the way he kissed her, or was thinking of her as well?

“Goodnight, Draco,” she whispered, letting the wind carry her words out of the window and into the night.


~*~


Thanks for reading and please review!
I'm sorry if this chapter was short but i swear, the next one will be longer.