Harry was pissed. His "friend" was going to get an earful when he finally reached her. How dare she do this to him. He told her to stay out of it. But, no she just would not listen.
She had sent him and Draco on what seemed like a legitimate case together, only to find out there was no case, and they had to stay in a one-bed hotel room that was fully booked because they couldn't leave for a few days because of bad weather.
Sure, Draco took it in stride and laughed about it. Harry was not ready to wave this off as a "slight misunderstanding." He'd had just enough of that from Dumbledore! He was not going to let his so-called friend manipulate him and try to control him. The nerve of that girl!
He stormed into her office furious.
"Hermione Granger-Weasley!" He steamed.
She looked up shocked, but then relaxed and smiled at Harry. "What?" She asked innocently enough to almost convince Harry, but it wouldn't work.
"You know what," He growled.
"How'd the mission go?"
"There was no mission! You set us up!"
"I have no idea what you mean, Harry. I sent my best men on a mission to follow up on a lead we had on the Jetaime Killer."
Harry ground his teeth and glared at Hermione. "There is no such thing. This is just so wrong Hermione. You cannot waste funds like this."
She smirked at him.
Harry huffed. He shook his head at her. He'd never understand girls. It's why he was gay. "If you have a real case, or lead, please let me know. Otherwise, I am going back to work."
He turned and stomped back out the door, slamming it shut behind him.
He seriously thought about resigning but liked his job enough not to. Maybe he would send an owl to McGonagall and see if the DADA position was available. At least there he wouldn't be coerced into spending time with his long-time crush.
Oh, he knew why Hermione did it. He just didn't think she would go that far or use work to try it. She had been going on for months that Harry should do something about his crush. Harry told her to stay out of it. He knew it would never work. Harry might love him and want to be with him, but it would never come to pass.
Harry and Draco were able to figure out her plot pretty early on during their "mission." It wasn't like Draco wasn't interested. He just couldn't. Draco was stuck in a marriage contract with Astoria Greengrass. He liked her well enough but didn't love her. His father had made an air-tight contract that neither could get out of unless one of them was dead or lost their magic. Draco admitted that while he could have dalliances on the side, he would never do that to either Astoria or Harry. Harry was thankful for that.
At the end of their mission, Draco asked for one kiss. Harry just couldn't. He told Draco no as a tear dripped down his face. He would never be able to stop himself after just one kiss. It would be like torture. He would also base every other kiss on the one he shared with Draco. Harry wanted to be able to move on. Draco smiled sadly at Harry and nodded. He understood.
Now, as Harry returned back to work with Ron, he really wish he had kissed Draco. He was glad he made the decision not to though. There was no way he would ever get over Draco and move on if he could remember what Draco tasted like.
"Your wife is a jerk sometimes," Harry told Ron when he entered their shared office.
Ron raised an eyebrow, "What did she do now?"
"Ugh. She tried to set Draco and me up again."
Ron groaned.
"I am sorry, Ron. I know you don't like him."
Ron shrugged, "But you do. That's what matters, mate."
Harry sighed. "It's not going to work out."
Ron nodded. "Do you want me to try to talk to her?"
Harry shook his head. "No."
"Do you want to come over for dinner, and talk to both of us?"
"Yeah alright."
*
"Hermione, please stop trying to get Draco and me together."
"What? Why?" Hermione asked.
Harry sighed. "Because it will never work."
"You guys didn't even try, did you? I worked really hard getting you to go on that mission, found a hotel that was almost booked up, arranged for there to be only one bed, and made sure there was weather trouble so you couldn't leave! You guys need to actually talk and finally tell each other that you love each other! Then become boyfriends! Then you'll get married! And adopt a few kids. Come on, Harry, work with me here!"
Harry just gaped at her. "What the hell, Hermione!"
"Yeah, Mione, you can't just do that!" Ron added.
"First of all, we did talk Hermione."
"See. And?" She raised an eyebrow expectantly.
Harry huffed a quiet laugh. "And we talked about his engagement and marriage contract with Astoria Greengrass."
She stiffened and gasped, "What?!!!"
"Yeah, Draco is getting married. To Astoria."
"B-But he's gay!"
Harry laughed. "Doesn't matter. He still has to do it."
Hermione just sat there stunned.
Harry sighed. "Look, Hermione, I know you thought you were trying to help, but this is why I told you to stay out of it. I already knew about his marriage contract. It's why I had resisted your scheming for so long. I tried to tell you it wouldn't work, but you would not listen. The only thing I am sorry about is telling Draco my feelings, confirming his, and then rejecting his request for a kiss. All because knowing how the man I love, but cannot be with kisses would destroy me."
"Oh, Harry. I am so sorry," she said with tears.
"Yeah, mate that sucks. I'm sorry too. I know I don't like him, but he's alright now. I would have been alright if you guys got together. I just want to see you happy. You're my best friend."
"Thanks, Ron. That means a lot."
"Hermione, please listen next time I tell you to leave it alone."
She smiled sadly at Harry. "I promise. I am so sorry I didn't listen."
Harry nodded. He hoped she learned her lesson this time. Even if she meant well, it still hurt all around.
THE END