Moments in Love

The Worst of Times?

The days and weeks following Harry's choosing by the Goblet of Fire as Hogwarts' second Champion were among the worst he had ever faced at Hogwarts. It was almost like Second Year and being the "Heir of Slytherin" all over again.

In some ways the new situation was even worse. It appeared that he had lost one of the friends that he'd counted on the most since he had come to Hogwarts - the first friend that he had ever had.

Ron had chosen to disbelieve him in a fit of jealous rage. Harry knew there was no point trying to argue with Ron; he had tried to reason with Ron last night, but their friendship appeared to be damaged beyond repair. Ron had made it absolutely clear what he really thought of Harry.

Harry was still shocked that Ron had taken Malfoy's taunts seriously and used them against him. He was miserable and angry about it in fact. Harry furiously decided that he was glad that he didn't have to put up with Ron's rubbish anymore. If Ron was going to be a stupid prat about things, fine!

But in some ways, things were much better than Second Year. At least Harry had the support of the few other friends who stood with him. There was still Neville. Ginny and the Twins, and Parvati and Lavender all seemed to believe him too. And most importantly, Harry had the support of his girlfriend - his best friend - Hermione. And that made all the difference in the world.

~o0o~

When Harry woke early on Sunday morning after the choosing, stiff, sore, and slightly chilled, he was surprised to find himself still on the cobbled terrace at the top of the Astronomy Tower. He supposed he would have been a lot colder if it weren't for the fact that he and Hermione were still huddled together under their robes, arms still wrapped around one another.

Harry felt a surge of warmth as he held Hermione a bit tighter and kissed her bushy head. Hermione stirred, blinking as the fuchsia rays of dawn peeked from behind the mountains. Eyes met, and they both blushed as deeply as the sky, their breath clouding in the frigid air.

"Er..." Harry began awkwardly, his breath caught when he remembered where his hands had roamed before he had stopped them from going too far. Hermione giggled shyly, remembering where her own hands had been, and pressed her lips to his, wishing that Harry had gone a bit further.

"Good Morning Harry!" she said when their lips parted. "Shall we get some breakfast then?"

"Er... Yeah!" Harry croaked, letting out a sigh of relief as he gave Hermione a lopsided grin.

Groaning from the aches of sleeping on cold cobblestone, Harry and Hermione got up and returned to Gryffindor Tower to shower and put on clean clothes before heading to the Great Hall. When Harry spotted Ron's empty bed, he was glad that Ron hadn't slept-in as he usually did on Sunday mornings. Harry felt a surge of bitterness as he dressed, realising that he had no desire to see Ron in the Great Hall either - or anyone else for that matter - knowing that all eyes would be on him, most of them unfriendly.

"Wait here!" said Hermione knowingly when they reached the entrance of the Hall. Moments later she returned with a stack of toast and a pile of bacon wrapped in a napkin. "Shall we go for a walk then?"

"Yeah... Thanks Hermione," said Harry gratefully. "I've still got a few knots and kinks to work out anyway."

"Me too," Hermione admitted, biting her lip and blushing again as they exited the castle.

"Sorry about that Hermione! After you made me feel a bit better, I... er... I meant to go back when I thought Ron would be asleep."

"No, it's alright Harry! I dozed off too..."