Chapter 1
“I’m over this.”
Hermione looked to where Harry was slumped on the couch of their shared head common room.
Golden rays of dying sun slipped through the curtains, Billie Myers’ ‘Kiss The Rain’ flowing out of the magic record player in the corner. She hadn’t realised it was nearing dusk, her Saturday had been occupied with staying in her room and enjoying reading for the sake of pure enjoyment once again. A luxury she did not have the previous year.
But now, she was safe and allowed to simply enjoy life at Hogwarts. She didn’t waste any time accepting Mcgonagall’s offer to retake their last year, not because she thought she needed it academically- she was also offered the choice to take her NEWTS without returning- but because perhaps she needed it for her minds sake. Or perhaps her hearts sake.
Because looking back at year after year of mission after mission, she found herself lacking the memories that made Hogwarts a home.
Not the times of studying and sleeping in the same bed, but memories of enjoying the life that magic supplied her with.
With the people it supplied her with.
She glanced fondly back at Harry, where he glared up at the ceiling. His hair pointing towards all sides, glasses abandoned on the cushion next to him.
She could cry just pondering on his journey. At what the three of them had accomplished. And although Ron had opted out of returning, she knew that he would find fulfilment with George at the joke shop. He, like the twins were destined to bring joy to other witches and wizards. And it brought her joy knowing he could let himself be his own person for once.
“Hermione. You’re staring.” He said, grin on his face as he looked at her. She blinked, blushed and looked back at the book in her lap.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to.” She heard him chuckle from where he sat.
“I didn’t mean it like that- what were you thinking about?” He inquired, placing his glasses back on his face in one smooth motion.
Hermione looked back at him as he sat a bit straighter. “How far we’ve come.”
He let out a smile. “Well I did have to walk up three moving staircases to get here from practice.”
She let her eyes roll and stuck her magical bookmark in place before throwing her book at his chest.
“Hey! It looks like you should spend less time reading and more time watching my practices because that aim was horrific Hermione, that landed inches away from my head.”
She could envision the look on his face as he let out a deep belly laugh, hearing a slap on his thigh as she curled up and let her hands cover her face.
She felt his hand push her head, rustling her hair and looked up at where he now stood behind the arm of her arm chair, grinning down at her.
Without a shred of apologetic expression he said. “I’m sorry. We can change the subject.” To which she slapped his hand away.
They waited a moment.
“What were you saying when you came in?”
He gave out a huff as he dropped back down onto the sofa. “This week’s prophet came out. Accio Prophet.”
She looked down at the title page as he handed it to her.
Is the Chosen One playing the field after devastating breakup from heartbroken ex?
Harry Potter was caught making eyes and chatting up multiple bachelorettes after the news of his breakup with fellow war heroine Ginerva Weasley!
“I’m getting sick of it. I was only walking with Hannah because she was looking for a new coat for Neville at Twilfitt and Tattings and I’m roughly the same size as him. -“ he took a deep breath and as his hands moved to his words animatedly.
“-Then I bumped into Susan at Sugarplums buying pumpkin pasties and obviously said hello.”
She frowned, nodding along to show she was paying attention. “I’m sorry Harry. I would say I wish they had more decency, but we both know Skeeter never had a shred decorum since we met her.”
He rubbed his palm against his forehead. “I just-“ Another breath. “I know it wasn’t easy for Ginny to end this even if we both saw it coming. I know they’ll always have things to say about me. But I hate it when they bring other people into it.”
She hummed and pulled her knees to her chest. “Just ignore them. I’ll check on Ginny for you, but I’m sure she’s alright. She’s stronger than many people give her credit for.””
He sighed, and they stayed silent moments after. She glanced at him as his eyes shut and laid back into the cushions. His eyebrows held a wrinkle and she could see his lips part slightly from his angle.
She wish she could get the press to stop. But not even threatening Rita Skeeker would keep out the speculation. The wizarding society of Britain desired distraction during the confound season of grief, and she couldn’t blame them.
The ministry made quick work to rebuild Hogwarts, re-establishing and implementing a new and improved ministry. Magic made the process quick, but people’s hearts were what needed healing most, and that was not something a spell could solve.
She accioed her book from where it fell in the cushion beside Harry, letting herself fall back into her pages, she enjoyed distraction too.
“What if we pretended to date?”
She paused. Blinked twice then looked at him staring at her.
“Excuse me?” She coughed out.
“I’m serious. It’s not like the press won’t believe us, we’ve dated on and off for years according to them. And we could tell Ginny and Ron without worrying it would get out, and we’re best mates anyway so it wouldn’t be awkward.”
She blinked again. Placing back to bookmark and closing her novel. “And why would we do that?”
He pushed himself to sit at the edge of the sofa, elbows on his knees.
“That way the press would stop spreading rumours about my love life. We could have a bit of fun with it as well with our friends.”
She let out a confused huff. “But Harry, I don’t think any of our friends would believe us.”
His smile grew and her heart felt warm. “Well that could be the fun part. We’ll see if we can trick them. See who the first one to figure us out.”
“I- “ Her mouth opened and closed like a fish. No words came out.
Harry looked at her expectedly for a few more seconds, his smile fading as she didn’t respond.
“Forget I mentioned it, it was a bad idea.”
She could feel her mind telling her it was likely a bad idea, that her acting was right awful, and it was probably too much work for what it’s worth.
But her heart clenched when she saw his grin die down. And she would do practically anything to make him happy.
She took breath. “Alright. But we have to set up a game plan and some ground rules.”
Her heart lit up once again as his grin returned, a laugh following behind.
He shook his head with a smile. “Wouldn’t be you if we didn’t.”
Yep. Probably a bad idea. But what’s the worst that could happen?