Although she'd spent the first fifteen minutes of the party running about and worrying over whether or not Harry would enjoy the festivities, a bit of cake and ice cream had finally found Hermione relaxing as the party continued to progress smoothly, most invitees keeping themselves entertained as a fairly decent playlist aired in the background. She kept her distance for the most part at first, letting everyone say their happy birthdays to Harry, knowing that she'd have plenty of time to offer her own later, after he'd had a breather. But it was the sight of him grabbing yet another slice of cake that had Hermione speaking up prematurely, clearing her throat as she rounded and beamed at him, allowing the cake a bit of a skeptical look
( ... )
Much as Hermione let Harry enjoy himself and work through the first onslaught of well-wishers, Harry let Hermione worry herself and fuss over things until she was satisfied. He knew it wouldn't be worth of the effort of trying to make her enjoy the party herself until she was ready to. He hadn't expected her to be ready just as he has been trying to grab another piece of cake though.
Subtly, Harry pulled the cake away and tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible as he returned the hug. "Thanks, Hermione," he said, grinning as he pulled back.
There was a kind comment on the tip of his tongue, reassuring her that he was sure the chocolate tasted delicious (even though he was sure it wouldn't), when she pushed the book forward. His words caught in his throat and refused to budge. He knew Hermione was only trying to be kind, but he really didn't think any book would have any advice that would help him with his current situation. "Thanks," Harry said again, more quietly this time. "We'll see what good it is for real now."
Hermione knew that she had likely stepped a bit far. In a way, the gesture had been meant to gauge where Harry was, exactly, in thinking about the two girls who vied (although not necessarily consciously) for his attention. As much as Hermione knew that Harry cared for both Kate and Ginny, there was only so much that one could observe from a distance, and trying to spend too much time around Harry when he was with either girl seemed far too intrusive for Hermione's tastes. All she knew was that romantic interest was sometimes a flighty thing, that Harry had once been so enamored with Cho, that he'd still perked up at the thought of girls chasing after him all the way through sixth year. And the hint of desperation that war afforded wasn't precisely something Hermione wanted to judge by
( ... )
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Subtly, Harry pulled the cake away and tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible as he returned the hug. "Thanks, Hermione," he said, grinning as he pulled back.
There was a kind comment on the tip of his tongue, reassuring her that he was sure the chocolate tasted delicious (even though he was sure it wouldn't), when she pushed the book forward. His words caught in his throat and refused to budge. He knew Hermione was only trying to be kind, but he really didn't think any book would have any advice that would help him with his current situation. "Thanks," Harry said again, more quietly this time. "We'll see what good it is for real now."
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