He Chose Her
Rumi felt like an idiot. How could she believe that Harry would kiss her because he wanted too not because his ex was watching. She was a bright girl but somehow emotions were clogging her senses and the reminder that this was all fake. They spent the next few weeks going on dates, holding hands, and the occasional kisses when Matteo or Ginny glanced their way. All of it making Rumi's head spin as her feelings for Harry contiuned to grow into falling for her best friend. George and Fred were throwing a party for Gryffindor's Quidditch win tonight which meant the fake couple had to make an appearance. Rumi was quite literally shaking with nerves as she tried to get ready with Hermione. "Red or Black?" she says holding up two dresses towards Hermione. "Definitely red." Hermione answers before turning back around finishing up her makeup. Rumi slips on the red bodycon dress with an open tied back, when Hermione turned back around she let out a whistle "Wow you look incredible. Harry's going to go crazy seeing you in that." she smiles. Rumi looks down at the floor, a small ache in her chest knowing that Harry doesn't see her in that way...doesn't feel the way she feels about him.
The girls make their way to the common room as they try to find the boys. You wouldn't think it would be hard to spot Ron's bright red hair knowing Harry wasn't far away from his best friend. The music was blaring through the speakers as the room was glowing with red twinkling lights. Rumi scans the room finding Harry laughing with someone. She slowly makes her way towards him before she stops dead in her tracks seeing the person he was laughing with....Ginny. It felt like her heart was dropping to the pit of her stomach as she quickly turned away in search of alcohol. She knew Fred would have some, somewhere. "Come on Freddy.....I know you have a stash for seventh years." she begs him as he shakes his head "Nope. I don't care how good you look tonight Rumi, it's not going to happen." he tells her before walking away. She crosses her arms annoyed closing her eyes as she tries to calm her aching heart. "I can help" his smooth voice floating towards her. She opens her eyes to see Matteo standing right in front of her, the corner of his lips tilted in a smile. "What do you want for it....there's alway a price with you." a hint of annoyance within her voice. "I want you Rumi. I broke it off with Daphne two weeks ago." he tells her, taking a step closer to her. "Why?" she asks him, he takes another snap towards her so they are only inches apart. "Because she's not you, Rumi. No one will ever compare to you. I miss you....miss us.....miss the way your lips feel on mine...miss the way you feel.....I'm sorry for being an idiot." he says his hand coming to tuck her curled blonde hair behind her ear. Rumi should have felt butterflies, should have felt like her world was spinning in a good way at his words but she didn't feel anything. "It's too late." She tells him, those brown eyes carefully roaming over her face. "You love Potter?" he questions. "It doesn't matter now." she says looking away from his stare. Matteo's fingers hook under her chin forcing her to look back up at him. "Why is that idiot wasting his time talking to Ginny Weasley?" he questions her. "Because he still loves her." her chest aching at the words. "He's daft to be in love with Ginny when you are right there in front of him. Want me to kick his ass?" Matteo teases in all seriousness. A small laugh bubbles out of her mouth. "No" she chuckles pausing for a few moments. "Thank you for saying that. I'm sorry that..." he stops her from saying more. "I shouldn't have let you slip through my fingers but if you ever fall out of love with Potter you know where to find me." he says leaning in to kiss her cheek placing a bottle of whiskey in her hands before walking back through the crowd.
Rumi greedily drinks from the bottle, coughing the first couple sips as it burned down her chest lighting a fire in her belly. The more she drank the better it tasted before the pain in her chest didn't feel like anything anymore. She moves to the middle of the room her hips swaying to the beat, lifting her hands in the air enjoying the song. Harry had been searching for her for the last hour with no luck. His eyes scanning the crowd of students before spotting her dancing, he couldn't help the way his eyes trailed up her body appreciatively. That dress on her was mind-blowingly sexy as he felt his cheeks heat at the thought. Rumi was just his friend.....but that still didn't mean that she wasn't incredibly attractive nor did it mean that Harry couldn't appreciate how good she looked tonight. He made his way over to her "Rumi!" he shouts over the music as she turns around quickly her eyes lighting up when she sees him, a huge grin splitting her face in two. "Harry!" she shouts back as her arms hook around his neck hugging him. "Dance with me" she tells him as he nods his head. She grabs his hands guiding them to her hips as she starts grinding on him to the beat of the music. It didn't take long for Harry to relax his hands slowly starting to explore her body. This was a dangerous game they were playing, one they probably shouldn't but he couldn't stop himself. He didn't know how long they danced like this...everything around them faded away and it was only them. He couldn't believe how bold he was being with her in front of others, couldn't believe how much he didn't care if people watched them. Rumi glanced over her shoulder as her eyes met Harry's light green ones. He could see the desire in her turquoise eyes taking Harry off guard. He slowly leans down as she tilts her head up. Their lips colliding in a hurried desperation as her mouth opened for his tongue to explore. She stops her dancing turning to face him never stopping their kiss. Her hands coming up to fist in his hair pulling herself as close to his body as she could. He could taste the alcohol on her breath, wondering if she was drunk. He should stop this if she is....but he didn't. Instead his mouth devoured hers like he was starving for her.....kissing Rumi was all consuming. He shared several kisses with her all of them causing his stomach to dip in excitement but this.....kissing her like this made his heart beat quicken, his stomach felt like a stampede was running rampant. He's never experienced a kiss like this. Something so divinely amazing that his life would be permanently changed by it. How was he supposed to go back to things the way they were before? Not after this...not after kissing her like this.
"Harry?" Ginny's voice causing them to break apart as his heart sinks and his chest fills with panic. "I can't believe you" she shouts at them. Rumi's face contorted in confusion as she looks between the two of them. "I'm sorry? I don't understand." she says, Ginny's glare was now on her. "Harry and I are getting back together. He was suppose to break up with you tonight." she tells her matter of fact crossing her arms over her chest. Rumi felt the dam burst wide open in her chest as the tears pricked the back of her eyes. He was getting back together with Ginny....he chose her. Rumi takes a step back as the people around them started watching the mess unfold. "Rumi.." Harry says his hands trying to find hers as she steps away from his reach. "You got what you wanted....the plan worked." she says as the tears began to fall down her cheeks. Ginny's eyebrows pinched together in confusion. "Plan? What plan?" She narrows her eyes on Harry for an explanation. Harry stays silent as he just stares at Rumi watching the steady stream of tears falling from her cheeks. Rumi's tear filled turquoise eyes turn to Ginny. "We decided to fake date so he could win you back....the only flaw in the plan was when I fell deeply in love with him." her voice cracking with emotion. "Rumi" Harry says in shock as he takes a step closer to her. She had fallen in love with him. How did he not realize...how did he not see it? She was his best friend, he should have seen the shift in her but he was so blinded at winning Ginny back that he didn't pay attention to what was right in front of him.
Matteo wraps his arms around a crying Rumi as he holds her against his chest. Harry glaring at the Slytherin boy. "Of course you would come in and try to play the knight and shining armour!" Harry seethes at him. Matteo narrows his eyes "Haven't you done enough tonight....haven't you hurt her enough. Get off your high horse for once in your life Potter. This isn't about me.....this is about your best friend whose heart is breaking because of you." he snaps before he turns to leave with Rumi still tucked into his arms. "It will be okay, I promise." he whispers to her as they ascend the stairs towards the girls dormitory hallway. Hermione quickly following after the two of them as they take Rumi to her room. She tried to apologize to the both of them for lying but they didn't care. Their only concern was on her, they didn't care about the lie because no matter how that mess started she had real feelings in the situation. After an hour of her sobbing into Matteo's chest she finally had nothing left to give as he tucked her into her bed and left her with Hermione as she fell fast asleep. He promised to check on her tomorrow, a promise he didn't break.
"It doesn't matter, it was all fake right?" Ginny asked Harry as they stood in front of her bedroom door. "Right" he said, his mind somewhere else tonight. Ginny leans in to brush her lips against his. He wishes he could say he was shocked to find out that he didn't feel anything when they kissed. There was no racing heart, sweaty palms or a stampede in his stomach....it was a mediocre kiss with a girl that didn't excite him like she use to. Something changed.....Remi had redefined everything he thought he knew but he had screwed it all up. Ruined it. His chest ached at the thought of Rumi never talking to him again. Ginny smiled at Harry before walking inside her room and shutting it behind her. He got the girl back....just not the one his heart wanted.