Harry x Hermione: It started early

Chapter twenty

Chapter 20: Summer Interludes

The sun-drenched days of summer brought a sense of freedom and warmth to Harry's heart as he found himself at the Leaky Cauldron, surrounded by the bustling energy of Diagon Alley. The familiar sight of the Weasley family greeted him, and he couldn't help but smile as he joined them at their table.

"Harry! You're here!" Ron exclaimed, his face lighting up with surprise.

Hermione looked up from her book, her eyes widening in astonishment. "Harry, when did you arrive?"

Harry grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Just now. Figured I'd surprise you all."

As the days turned into weeks, the Weasleys and Harry formed a joyful camaraderie, filled with laughter, magic, and the vibrant energy of summer. Yet amidst the joy, there was an undercurrent of tension between Ron and Hermione—bickering that seemed to follow them everywhere they went.

"Ron, honestly, if you just read the instructions, you'd see how to properly cast the spell," Hermione huffed, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Ah, Hermione, who needs instructions? I've got it all under control," Ron retorted, his voice equally exasperated.

Harry exchanged amused glances with Ginny, who was quick to catch onto the dynamics between their two friends. But as the summer days rolled on, Harry couldn't help but notice something else—a subtle change in Hermione's demeanor when she was around him.

Whenever their eyes met, Hermione's cheeks would flush, and she would quickly avert her gaze. Her laughter seemed more melodic, her smiles a touch more genuine. Yet, try as he might, Harry couldn't decipher the reason behind this newfound behavior.

One afternoon, as they found themselves alone in the garden of the Burrow, Harry decided to address the elephant in the room. "Hermione, is everything okay?"

Hermione's gaze flickered, her cheeks slightly pink. "Of course, why wouldn't it be?"

Harry's brow furrowed in confusion, his voice soft. "You've been acting... different."

Hermione's lips quirked into a small smile. "Maybe it's just the summer air."

Their moment was abruptly interrupted as Fred and George's latest prank exploded nearby, filling the air with colorful sparks and laughter.

As the days passed, Harry found himself stealing glances at Hermione when she wasn't looking—marveling at how she seemed to glow under the sunlight, her laughter a soothing melody that echoed in his mind.

Yet every time they found themselves alone, the world seemed to conspire against them, with interruptions ranging from the twins' antics to chores that needed attending. It was as if fate itself was determined to keep them from having a moment alone.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky was painted in shades of gold and orange, Harry and Hermione found themselves standing by the garden fence, their gazes fixed on the horizon.

"I've missed this," Harry admitted, his voice soft.

Hermione nodded, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Me too."

The air was charged with an unspoken tension, a moment of intimacy that seemed to hang in the air between them. And then, just as Harry was about to say something more, Ron's voice broke through the moment.

"Oi, you two! Mum needs help in the kitchen."

Harry sighed, his fingers running through his hair. "Always something, isn't it?"

Hermione's laughter was soft and melodic. "Seems like it."

As the summer days drew to a close, the unspoken emotions between Harry and Hermione remained just out of reach—a tangle of feelings that neither dared to address. And so, as the time came for them to leave the Weasleys once again, the echoes of their laughter and shared moments lingered in the air, a testament to the bonds of friendship that remained unbreakable, even amidst the unspoken feelings that danced just beneath the surface.