Hear Me Out

Chapter 4: Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold

         It was the next morning, both Hermione and Harry went to bed early that night. Harry took the master bedroom, and Hermione took the guest. They both slept uncomfortably, considering their partners' weren't there to comfort them in the usual time being. Hermione stayed up almost the whole night, staring blankly at the wall. Thoughts, including the gala, overflowed her mind and she forced it out.

"Any news of the Daily Prophet?" Hermione asked, walking into the kitchen rubbing her eye. "Nope, and I'm glad," Harry answered, looking focused on a piece of paper on the counter. Hermione, being full of curiosity, crept up beside him, and looked over his shoulder. "What's that?" She asked. He jumped. "Merlin, Hermione, you scared me!" He exclaimed, clutching his chest to feel his heartbeat. Hermione laughed. "It's a skill," she answered, smirking. "Now what is that?" She repeated.

He looked hesitantly at her, almost hoping to change the subject, but sighed and turned back to the counter. "You're not going to like it....." he answered pushing the piece of paper towards the ending. "Blimey Harry, just give me the dang paper already!" She yelled, reaching over his shoulder to try and grab the letter. "NO! Hermione I won't let you!" He responded, gripping both of her arms tightly. "HARRY! LET GO OF ME!" She shouted, struggling to release herself from his grip.

When she finally managed to do so, she wished she hadn't. She snatched the letter from the counter. Harry, looking defeated, just stared at the floor. She read aloud:

Dear Hermione,

I'm sorry it had to be this way. I truly am. It's just..... you've been so boring... sorry. Got a little carried away for a minute. Point is, I thought it would be best to let you know, Clarity and I are going to commit..... you know be boyfriend and girlfriend? I figured it would be best to tell you, I'm so sorry.

Ron

Hermione's jaw had dropped, and she held onto the letter with anger. "How dare he?" She screamed, dropping the letter in rage. "Have the audacity to WRITE me a letter based on his and Clarity's relationship! I could care less what that heartless pig is doing in his life!" She continued, slamming a fist onto the counter, colliding with the cold touch of the wood. Harry still stood in silence. Just then, Hermione dropped to the floor and began to sulk. She cried so hard, she had to gasp for air every single time she shrieked about how stupid Ron was. Harry was star struck, not expecting this sort of reaction. He also wasn't sure of what to do.

"Come here," he replied softly, still staring deeply at the floor. Hermione shook her head, her cheeks becoming a river. "Hermione, please. Come here." He repeated. Hermione stalled, but got up slowly. Harry held out both arms, and Hermione threw herself onto him. Harry hugged her comfortably, and Hermione hugged back, still crying onto his shoulder. "Just let it all out," he said. That's when Hermione began to cry harder, and more harshly.

It lasted awhile, until all of Hermione's tears faded away, and she had no more to cry. Harry released her, and they both stared at each other. "Are you ok?" He asked uncertainly, making sure she wasn't torn completely. "Yeah, I'm fine," she answered, wiping her eyes. "Thank you Harry, you're there for me when...." she coughed a bit, trailing off. "When Ron wasn't," she finished. Harry smiled slightly. "It's what best friend do," he answered, smiling. A tiny part of Harry crumbled. Just friends. He thought sadly. Is that what we are? Just friends? Harry shook his head, denying any of those thoughts to walk freely.

"Anyways, uh, Harry?" She asked. He looked up at her. "Yes?" "Could you help me with finding a dress for the Gala?" She answered. Harry smiled. "Of course," he said. They stared at each other in silence for a while. "Er, um do you know a place?" He asked, hoping she knew where to find them. She giggled. "Of course," she answered, putting her hands on her hips. "When does the gala start?" She asked, tapping her chin. "Uh, I need to check the time first," he responded. She nodded, and he checked his hand. "Oh yeah, I left my watch in my room. I'll get it." Harry pulled out his wand and aimed it at the door across the hall. "Accio, watch!" He replied. Suddenly, a golden watch came erupting from the now opened door and directly into Harry's opened hand. He smiled to himself, and clicked it around his wrist. "Much better," he said.

     "Oh boy! We only have six hours!" He exclaimed in a rush. Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh goodness, we better hurry!" She answered, rushing to the guest bedroom to change. When she came out less then five minutes later, Harry was already ready and they both stood in the living room. "Oh no, we can't apparate!" She said. "Why not?" Harry asked. "Because it's a muggle store, when muggles notice a wizard-"

      "Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't need a lecture," he cut her off, as they both headed towards the front door. Harry shut the door behind them, and the wind blew so lightly, it was a bright day. Harry unlocked the car door to the car he owned, (for muggle purposes) and they both got in and started off.

The car drive was anything but chatty. The two held in silence throughout the entire time, except for the occasional "Which turn do I make?" by Harry and responses of "Left, right, or go straight," by Hermione. Once the two had finally arrived at a more of a dressy location, Harry pulled into the parking lot. Harry got out, and so did Hermione. They both stepped up the steps to the chilly pavement of the sidewalk, and Harry opened the door, smiling and motioning for Hermione to go in first. Hermione smiled in return, and went in. The heat reflecting off of the sun vanished completely, and instead was replaced with a nice, brightly-lit, air-conditioned room. There were racks of clothing, newly released, and some that were commonly worn by those who were worthy of it.

"I should probably go find something too," Harry told a bright-eyed and fascinated Hermione. Hermione nodded in agreement, and Harry went off to the men's department. Hermione quickly browsed through all of the dresses, not coming to a decision of which one to buy. They were all beautifully arranged on a row, supposedly by color, and her thoughts did not get interrupted until the saleswoman walked up to her. "Anything in particular you're looking for?" she asked. She had long, brunette hair, and brown eyes, with an earpiece in her ears for "business purposes." Hermione shook her head. "Nope, just looking for a dress for um-" Hermione paused mid sentence. She remembered the gala wasn't supposed to be released in the muggle world, therefore nobody besides witches and wizards should know about it. "For a special occasion," she finished off with a polite smile.

The woman nodded. "My name's Dinah, and if you need anything, I'll be over there," she said, pointing to a large, open white counter, which Hermione assumed, was the front desk. "Thank you," Hermione answered, and Dinah hurried off, Hermione turning her full and utter attention back towards the magnificent sight before her eyes.

It took centuries for her decision to be made, and Harry came back within ten minutes after being in the men's department. Hermione finally found one that made her star struck. She picked it up off of the rack, and stared at it. It was a beautiful long, flowy, blue dress, decorated elegantly with gemstones around the collarbone, and a print across the top, where the front pieced together like lace. She stared at it in complete awe, and then snatched the price tag dangling from the arm-hole. It read: $125.99. Hermione's jaw dropped, and she quickly put it back on the shelf. "Hey, hey, hey, why'd you do that? That was a good dress!" Harry yelled, his dress robes in his arms, swatting her arm away from the dress. "It's too expensive," she said quietly. "Expensive? Blimey, Hermione. We have enough muggle money to feed a family of five thousand!" he responded. "Now grab it and I'll buy it for you," he answered, turning away. "NO, Harry! I won't let you!" Hermione shouted. "It's not worth it!" she finished after he eyed her with pity.

"Hermione, I insist," he replied. She knew how stubborn Harry was, and that she'd never win a battle or fight with him. "Fine." Her cheeks flushed a violent shade of crimson. They both made their way to the front desk, and Harry dropped both items on the counter. Dinah grabbed them, scanned them, and then said, "$253.46." Hermione looked at him disbelievingly. They muttered something unintelligible, and then Hermione huffed while Harry proceeded to look at the lady and smile. He dove his hands into the pocket of his hoodie, and almost pulled out galleons, knuts, and sickles, but quickly forced them back while he grabbed a wad of muggle money. Except, for one thing. His wand fell out of his pocket, and onto the floor with a loud crashing noise.