Chapter 28
Prompt: We're trapped
Hermione stared at her partner bewildered. Harry was pacing the small cottage, muttering to himself while spontaneously shouting different combinations of spells at the charmed door.
“Harry, you have to relax, the other Aurors know we’re trapped here and should be here within the hour. Why are you acting so unhinged? This is hardly the worst spot we’ve found ourselves in over the years.”
Harry stopped his pacing to stare at her, his eyes radiating fear. He took a deep breath to steady himself before speaking. “Hermione, why did you request me as your partner for this mission instead of Malfoy?”
Surprised by the randomness of the question, Hermione hesitated, her confusion compounded by the fact her and Harry had just discussed this earlier in the day. “Come on Harry, we’ve already been over this and it was close to impossible for me to get it out the first time. I just can’t continue to be his partner, you know how hard it is now that his contract with Astoria is signed. I just can’t keep pretending…” Her throat constricted as her years of buried feelings bubbled to the surface, threatening to overtake her.
She shook her head, blinking back tears and in a small voice whispered, “How am I supposed to be with him every day knowing I can never have him?”
Harry stopped his pacing, staring dumbfounded at Hermione’s confession. “I--,” he trailed off, seemingly at war with what he’d say next. His eyes hardened as he straightened up and lunged across the room toward Hermione.
Bewildered, Hermione stood frozen in place as Harry grabbed her face and mashed his lips against hers. Coming to her senses, she pulled back just in time to see Harry’s features begin to morph; green eyes became grey as brown hair transitioned to a platinum blonde.