RP: Haul Out the Holly Location: Dragon's Grange Date: 28 December 2004
"Honestly, Harry!" Hermione smacked his arm with the back of her hand, careful to hide the motion from her children who had been allowed to stay up an extra hour for the party. Thankfully, Lyra was on the other end of the reception room with Madam Goshawk and Hermione's mum and the twins were in the entry with Hermione's dad showing off their trick wands from 'Uncle' George. "You can't be on and off again with Ginny and not expect her to date other people while you're in the off-phase," she said reasonably.
"I know, Hermione." Harry pouted and Hermione raised an eyebrow. His hand came up to scrub his hair back telling her he was uncomfortable. "Look." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened his eyes and met hers. "I think this time it's off for good," he said softly. "As much as I love her, she just doesn't love me." Hermione frowned and opened her mouth to reply, but Harry cut her off. "Oh, she loves Harry Potter. She loves the Chosen One, the boy-who-lived-twice. The hero," he spat the last word. "I'm just not sure that she gives two Knuts for me. If she did, I reckon I should be able to tell, yeah?"
"Yeah," she agreed, "you should." She bit her lower lip and wondered if this was the time to say what she thought Harry needed to hear or not. At one time, she'd have blurted it out ages ago for his own good. Living with a Slytherin who required more thoughtful handling had taught her that blunt honesty wasn't always best. Not even with Harry, who often needed a good whack with a blunt instrument to get something through his head.
"What?" he asked. "I know that look. You want to say something and you don't think I'm going to like it."
Hermione chuckled and hugged him. "How well you know me, Harry Potter."