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-THAT NIGHT, ADHARA WAS SITTING ON THE MATRESS ON THE FLOOR OF HER BEDROOM, HOLDING HER LOCKET. It was opened, so she was staring at the picture inside it. Her parents looked so happy. So in love.
She hadn't left her room for the rest of the dinner. Sirius had given her privacy, and Harry had left after telling her that Hermione would stay the night in her room.
Adhara would be lying if she said she didn't mind Hermione staying with her. She minded. A lot.
But she didn't object. She would deal with it.
Someone knocked on the door, alerting her.
"Come in," she said, not looking away from the picture in the locket in her hands. She did, however, look away when she realized who it was.
Hermione walked in, a backpack in her hand. She seemed awkward, not knowing what to do after opening the door.
Adhara went back to looking at the locket and merely said, "You can have the bed. I'm sleeping on this matress, don't worry. You can also leave your bag on the desk."
Hermione nodded, closing the door behind her. However, she stopped when she realized Adhara was actually on the matress. "It's your room, Addi— Adhara." She quickly corrected herself, not noticing the flash of hurt that passed through the other girl's eyes. "I'll sleep on the matress. You can have your bed."
"No," denied Adhara immediately with a shake of her head. "Of course not. I'll be fine."
Hermione crossed her arms and glared at the girl half-heartedly. "You're having the bed, Adhara."
Adhara looked up from the locket, staring directly into Hermione's eyes. Her voice was soft as she replied, "You're having the bed, Hermione."
The other girl looked away almost immediately, her brows furrowed in thought. She seemed hesitant at first, but then finally opened her mouth and said, "I won't let you sleep on the floor."
"Nor will I let you sleep on the floor."
"So, let's share the bed." Hermione finally looked back at Adhara, trying to see any emotion that passed the girl's face, but didn't.
All Adhara did, was merely stare, dumbfounded. "I doubt your boyfriend will be fine with you sleeping next to your ex, Hermione." She pointed out.
"He trusts me," replied Hermione with a shrug, grabbing her bag and walking into the private bathroom. "I'm going to get changed. I better see you on the bed when I come out."
Adhara's lips curled up into a smirk. She let out a laugh when Hermione blushed profusely, realizing what she had just said. Hermione seemed to blush even more at her laugh.
"Just go change." Adhara shook her head fondly, her smile faltering slowly. She stood up, and with a wave of her wand, the matress was gone. She also changed into her pajamas, while Hermione was doing the same in the bathroom.
A few minutes later, they both went into the bed they were going to share for the rest of the night. Both of them were facing each other, looking into the other's eyes.
Adhara had to try her hardest not to reach out to Hermione. She inhaled a sharp breath and turned to the ceiling, closing her eyes.
"What's on your mind?" asked the girl next to her, concern etched in her voice.
She opened her eyes, asking a question that might've overstepped her boundaries, but she couldn't help it. "Are you actually with him?" She asked, turning to her and looking her in the eyes again.
Hermione slowly nodded once. "He treats me right," she whispered, voice cracking by the end. Her eyes teared up at the memories of Adhara treating her like trash.
"Since when have you had feelings for him?" Adhara asked, knowing she was pushing it, but couldn't help it again. She frowned in concern when she noticed the tears in the other girl's eyes.
"Since after our breakup," replied Hermione, motioning towards herself and Adhara. "He was there for me throughout the whole time. It just happened."
"Don't tell me you were crying in his arms over me, then kissed him afterwards." Adhara whispered, tears appearing in her own eyes.
If Hermione was shocked at that, she didn't show it. "That's exactly what happened," she mumbled, ashamed. "But I like him, Addie. I really do."
Adhara looked away and pursed her lips. She immediately wiped the one tear that fell and clenched her jaw. "You've moved on?" She finally asked, her voice cracking. Hurt was evident in her voice and eyes. Eyes that she hid from Hermione as she was looking away, not wanting the other girl to know the effect she had on her.
Hermione took a minute to reply, "Yes. I think I was just... done with you long before our breakup. When you admitted that you cheated, I wasn't even surprised. When I realized I wasn't surprised by your hurtful actions anymore, I also realized that it was because I had lost hope in you and in our relationship."
"Then, why did you say that you forgave me and wanted me?"
"I was scared of being alone."
Adhara scoffed. "Yeah, I could tell after you ran into his arms."
Hermione felt a crack in her chest at the cold reply, but put a hand on Adhara's cheek. "I was scared of being without you, Adhara. Living a life without you in it. Not scared of living a life alone." She admitted the actual truth, taking her hand away immediately when the other girl turned to look at her. "I loved you, you know?"
The girl next to her closed her eyes in shame and nodded. "I know." She whispered. Then, she opened her eyes and fully faced Hermione. She hesitantly tucked a piece of hair behind Hermione's ears and said, "I loved you, too, Hermione."
If Adhara noticed the way Hermione's breath hitched, she didn't say a thing. Instead, she turned the other way and let her tears fall quietly.
Meanwhile, the girl next to her fell asleep after a few minutes.
