“Come on, Hermione. It'll be fun.” Harry says, pulling me out the front door.
“But the library is fun.” I reply, trying to pull away from him.
“Mione, you have been living with me for almost three weeks and the farthest you have been from the library is the kitchen. You cannot spend the rest of your life hiding, especially after school starts in September and I won't be here to drag you out.” He says, crossing his arms. McGonagall offered Harry the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor and he accepted. He let me move in with him after Ron and I split since we couldn't continue to live together.
“I'm not hiding.” I say defensively. He raises an eyebrow at me. “Okay fine maybe I'm hiding.”
“Come on, Mione. It's just one night. Besides, where we're going we definitely won't see Ron or anybody else we know or who knows us.” He assures me. That means we're going to the Muggle side of town.
“Fine. One night.” I agree. He grins and leads me out the door. I pull down the back of my too short dress. Harry insisted on picking out my outfit which includes a too short black dress, too tall black heels, and a knot on the back of my head.
Harry holds out his arm and I take it. I feel the familiar tug as he apparates us to our destination. When I open my eyes, I look at the brightly lit pub in front of us. I recognise it almost immediately and turn to Harry with a raised eyebrow.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” I ask him before turning back to the gay bar.
“Maybe?” He says questioningly. I laugh dragging him inside.
A few drinks later, I'm flirting with the barmaid when Harry finds me.
“Something you wanna tell me?” He laughs as the barmaid turns to get him another drink.
“Maybe.” I say, repeating his earlier response. “I swing both ways.” I tell him, taking another sip of my drink.
“I don't know how to tell Ginny.” Harry admits. “I don't want to hurt her but I don't want to lead her on either.”
“Tell her the truth. Don't give her that it's me not you crap. Give it to her straight. She will understand.” I tell him. He nods. “Now anybody you have your eye on?” I ask suggestively. He bursts out laughing but turns bright pink.
“Maybe.” He says hesitantly. At my pointed look, he continues. “Alright. Yes. There's this guy, he's gorgeous, but he's also a bit of a prat. I don't think he even swings that way. Or my way for that matter. He practically hates me.” He says with a sigh.
“I'm sure he doesn't.” I tell him but he just shakes his head.
“I know he does. Don't bother trying to convince me otherwise, it will only hurt worse.” He says disheartened. I pull him into a tight hug.
When I let him go, I see him watching the crowd in confusion. I try to follow his gaze but I don't see anything out of the ordinary.
“I'll see you later.” Harry says quickly before making his way through the crowd. I just shrug and order another drink.
Three hours later, I've had several more drinks, danced with many people, and nearly shagged a girl in the bathroom. In that time, I haven't seen Harry once. I weave my way through the crowd looking for my best friend. I even go as far as walking into the guys bathroom, where I did find a bloke receiving a blowjob but no Harry.
I walk outside to see if he went for some fresh air but there's no sign of him. So I decide to make my own way home. As I walk down the dark streets, I see that they are basically deserted. That is until I nearly run head first into someone.
“Pardon.” I say before I look up and see those ice blue eyes.
“Miss. Granger, fancy seeing you here.” He says with a smile. “Now what are you doing out this late and alone?” He asks, sounding concerned.
“I wasn't supposed to be alone.” I inform him, my words slightly slurred. “Harry dragged me out for the evening and then disappeared.”
“Well then I simply must escort you home.” He says definitely. “I cannot, in good conscience, leave you to navigate these streets by yourself.”
“Thank you.” I say, taking his offered arm.
We walk in silence for a time before I speak without meaning to.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask him. “Why do you keep helping me? I'm a Muggleborn. You hate Muggleborns.” I say bewildered.
“Yes, well. When one's only desire is to protect their family, many lines become blurred.” He tells me softly. I don't know how to respond to that so I don't. After a minute he speaks again. “So what does ‘going out for the evening’ mean these days? When I was your age it meant going out to dinner.”
“I don't know what it means for your pureblood types but for me it's getting drunk off my arse and making out with some girls.” I tell him honestly. Might as well give him another reason to hate me.
To my surprise he doesn't say anything rude or even remotely negative. He simply raises an eyebrow and nods.
“I see. I wonder if that's why Draco won't discuss his evenings out with me?” He muses. I let out a short of laughter.
“Possibly. Well this is my street. Thank you again for walking me home.” I tell him.
“It was my pleasure.” He says, kissing my hand. He stays in the same place until I have stepped into Grimmauld then he apparates.
I find Harry in the kitchen, at the table, sitting in the dark, a bottle of Firewhiskey in his hand.
“And why pray tell, did you leave without telling me?” I ask him, my arms crossed over my chest. He looks up at me both shocked and confused, then realisation dawns on him.
“Shit. I'm sorry, Mione. I forgot…” He trails off. “I thought I saw him.” His voice is low, barely above a whisper. I don't have to ask who He is. He's obviously the crush Harry was talking about earlier. “Why I thought it was him I don't know. He wouldn't be caught dead in a place like that.” Harry says with a sigh.
“It's alright this time.” I tell him. “Just don't make a habit of it.” He nods eagerly. “You have to tell Ginny.” He sighs.
“I know. I will.” He pauses. I raise my eyebrow. “Tomorrow. I will tell her tomorrow.” He promises.
“Good. Get a good night's sleep.” I tell him heading up to my room.
“Night, Mione and thanks.” I hear him call after me.
