Chapter 2
Hermione Granger would go as far as to say she was not only intelligent- but wise in many cases.
Wisdom was utilising knowledge sensibly, and she prided herself on the fact that many of them were alive because of her quick thinking.
But perhaps she should humble herself because she certainly did not feel wise at the moment. With Harry next to her in the great hall, sitting much closer than usual, his body leaning on his left hand resting on the bench she was sitting on, just behind her bum.
Her friends were definitely eyeing the sight, the table devoid of conversation. She attempted to focus on distant conversations of the younger years, but Seamus’ eyes rotated between Harry, Hermione and Ginny who was sitting two seats away from her, next to Neville.
She tried to concentrate on her plate of food but soon gave up after half of it was finished, pushing it away from her and leaning her elbows on the table.
Harry looked at her. “You’re done?”
She looked back at him and nodded.
He shrugged, then took her plate and placed it on top of his empty one, digging his fork into one of her abandoned potatoes without hesitation.
She stared at him. Sure, they’d shared food when they were on the run, Hermione offering up her servings when the boys needed it more. But they hadn’t had to since they’d been back. They’d also been careful not to cross necessary boundaries when they had their respective partners.
She glanced at their friends staring at Harry, and took a book out of her bag, dropping her head to find the pages. She couldn’t focus on the words, however, thinking back on their conversation last night.
“How are we meant to convince our friends we’re together? And how are we meant to get the press to know without directly telling them?”
They had moved to the small kitchenette island in their shared common area, each holding onto cups of tea.
“Well… we can start slow so our friends don’t immediately figure us out. If the school doesn’t believe us, I’m sure the prophet wouldn’t buy it either. We have to make it believable.”
She paused. “Believable.” She took a sip of her tea.
“You know, it’s nothing to worry about. We’ll just act natural. Maybe I could carry your bag when heading to classes together. It doesn’t have to be anything dramatic.”
He spoke so unfazed. Like his suggestion was simply making the choice for a meal at a restaurant.
“Alright. I’ll talk to Ginny before breakfast tomorrow morning just to warn her.”
He hummed. “Yeah. That would be good.”
Her talk with Ginny went alright. The redhead looked a bit unsure when she heard their plan- or lack thereof. But Hermione reassured her as well as possible that it was all to get the press to back off. That there were no strings attached whatsoever.
“Okay. What’s happening?” Seamus asked, all heads moving to look at his face, his right hand hanging in question.
Harry shrugged. “I’m not sure what you’re on about Seamus.”
Seamus narrowed his eyes at Harry, then to her, then back at Harry. “You know what I’m on about. You may have saved the world, Harry Potter, but you’re not a good actor.”
He looked to Harry, then at Hermione with an eyebrow raised. The tension was so thick she wouldn’t dare say a basilisk fang could cut through it.
She swallowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about either.”
Seamus laughed, grabbing the attention of a few younger years to their left as he started to speak again before being interrupted.
“Seamus-“ Ginny started, looking past Neville to where Hermione and Harry were, Harry’s arm having returned to his side. “I think you should finish your plate before it’s time for class.”
Seamus paused. Narrowing his eyes at the three of them, he promptly returned to his plate of chicken.
She let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding. If they were to continue this ruse, she would need to get some more rest.
——
They stuck to the plan throughout the day, him carrying her bag (that already weighed nothing due to the featherlight change she placed on it) to their shared classes, but it didn’t seem as though it was attracting any attention.
They were paired together for potions, as Ginny had opted out of the class in favour of Herbology. Slughorn was drawing on the board with his wand, explaining something related to their upcoming project, when Harry poked her side with his wand.
She glanced at him, leaning her head to one side.
“I think we need to up the ante. Our friends may have noticed, but if the rest of the school doesn’t, it won’t ever get to Skeeter. “
She had to agree with him and nodded, eyes moving back to the board as Slughorn faced them once again.
“What do you suggest we do?” She whispered.
He thought a moment. “I was thinking we could walk together at our Hogsmeade visit on Saturday. And I could perhaps touch you more.”
She felt herself stiffen beside him. “Touch me?”
He hummed. Then she felt him move closer, his chest grazing her shoulder blades as his left forearm slid across her waist, grabbing the pen sitting on the corner of her side of the table.
He laughed as he returned to his stop. “You don’t have to go all rigid on me. We’re friends. We’re allowed to touch.”
She looked behind her to see if her classmates were watching, but both pairs behind her were deep in conversation.
She let out a breath, looking back at Harry. “Just startled me. A bit of warning would have been nice.”
He started to respond when Slughorn began speaking again.
“Alright, bright minds! What have you lot chosen to brew? Harry? Hermione?” He called out, and Hermione went pink. They were meant to be choosing a N.E.W.T level potion to brew for their project, to which they hadn’t discussed.
There were so many to choose from. She could decide to do one she’d done before; that way, they would indeed receive full marks. But there would be no challenge and perhaps-
“Veritaserum, Sir,” Harry answered.
“Very well! I’m positive you both will have no problems.” Slughorn answered with a grin, turning to where Seamus and Dean sat.
She looked at Harry in question, to which he shrugged. “What? It’ll be fun. Don’t worry about it. And that way, we have more excuses to hang out alone.”
She nodded, and he placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze before looking back at his book.
She let out a sigh. This was going to be a long few weeks.
—
Their trip to Hogsmeade went worse than expected. But perhaps that was what Harry was aiming for.
Hermione, like Harry never really enjoyed the spotlight. However, Hermione’s reasoning might have been a bit different. Ron, desired the attention because he was given such little as a child, and it was good for him to get the recognition he deserved. Harry despised the attention because 1. It was forced onto him, and 2. much of the news surrounding him was far from the truth, he never had control over what was shared to the public.
Hermione however, was reticent because throughout her childhood, attention was directed at her with the motivation of shame.
Whether it was primary school classmates making fun of her appearance and excluding her from groups and events, Hogwarts students denigrating her love for her studies and referring to her as an insufferable know-it-all, or prejudiced pure bloods belittling her existence for something she couldn’t control.
So she actually thought that Harry was having quite a bit of fun putting up with their ruse, because he could control the narrative for once in his life.
They had gone to multiple shops across the little town, and it didn’t take long for the press to find them.
Harry put on his show, carrying all the bags and making sure he stood on the street side of the pavement, even opening each shop door for her, gesturing for her to enter first.
And when a portly wizard with a thinning moustache came from behind them and jammed into Hermione’s back, pushing her towards Harry’s chest, he took his free arm and slid it around her waist, holding her close to him, her hand having fallen on his chest, the flash of a camera shocking her out of it.
Therefore, there she was, having just returned from the library, sitting on the couch of their common area, staring at the picture of her held close to his chest, eyes looking up at him in the form of a moving photograph.
Has the Brains of the Golden Trio finally captured The Chosen One’s heart?
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger was seen acting as more than friends last Saturday at Hogsmeade. Has Harry Potter finally returned Hermione Granger’s affections? Or is she simply a rebound after his last relationship?
She heard the bathroom door unlock, and her eyes went to find Harry, not expecting the sight of his bare chest glistening with steam and his shorts sanding loosely over his hips, rubbing his towel over his hair.
She felt her throat dry up, eyes locked on the sight. He hadn’t realised she’d come back- nor that she was staring until the prophet fell out of her hands and fell to the floor with a thump.
She blushed as he looked at her with a goofy smile, dragging his towel over his chest as he walked towards her, bending down to pick up a T-shirt that was sitting on the ground.
“Sorry. Didn’t realise I dropped this in the way to the shower.”
She swallowed. “It’s alright.”
He put on the T-shirt with one swift motion, then dropped to the floor to pick up the fallen newspaper.
“Guess it’s working. Hopefully this means they leave me alone for once.” He said, placing the paper on the wooden coffee table beside them.
She hummed in agreement, looking down at the burgundy carpet as her cheeks heated up.
“Well I’m off to bed, I’ve got practice early in the morning.” He said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Mhm. Goodnight!” She squeaked out.
She heard him give out a breathy laugh. “Goodnight Hermione.”
She watched as he made his way to his room to the left, letting out a sigh of relief as she laid back into the cushions and let her hands feel the warmth of her cheeks.
What was happening to her?