Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, I'd be living in Scotland with my husband and kids, and wouldn't be still in college, writing simple fanfics. So, don't sue me. You probably wouldn't get much anyway.
Chapter Two
Uncontrollable Outbursts
"Hermione…Hermione…HERMIONE!" Hermione Granger was being rudely awakened by Ronald Weasley, if one could call it awakened when she wasn't even sleeping.
"What?" Hermione said, snapping out of her reverie.
"You were just staring at the stairs, not blinking or anything."
"I was?" Hermione squeaked. She had no idea how long she'd been staring, or when Ron showed up.
"Uh…yeah!" Ron paused. "It's Harry again, isn't it?" he said with a grin.
"Is it that obvious?" Hermione sighed.
"Yeah it is," Ron said as he sat himself in the armchair and put his feet on the footstool with his arms behind his head. "So when are you going to tell about this 5-year long obsession of yours anyway?"
"You insufferable git! I can't tell him! Besides, it's only been four years, not five," Hermione countered before turning back to her book.
"If you never tell him, how will he ever know?" Ron asked, before laughing silently.
"Is my Ronniekins I hear?!" cried a squeaky voice from the kitchen. Lavender Brown came bouncing into the living room and sat on Ron's lap, giving him a big wet kiss on the mouth.
Hermione groaned inwardly. Ron and Hermione had gone out with each other for a little while during their 6th year. Hermione finally decided that the relationship wouldn't work since she was pining over Harry. When Hermione broke up with Ron, he was devastated. She explained that she had a crush on Harry and couldn't have a relationship with Ron while having a crush on him. Hermione hated Ron being miserable, so she set him up with Lavender Brown and they'd been together ever since. Unfortunately for Hermione (and Harry and Ginny), they were a little too together.
"Lav, sweetums," Ron said, "have you heard? Our Hermione's been pining over our dear Harry again."
"Is that so?" Lav said from her spot on Ron's lap with a grin on her face. "You know Hermione, you really should tell him."
"I just went through this with Ron. I can't tell him!" Hermione said in a huff. She slammed her book and dashed up the stairs with it before Lav or Ron had a chance to say anything more about her crush on Harry.
Hermione made her way up to her room, but on her way she noticed that the door to Harry's was slightly ajar. It wouldn't hurt if I just took a little peek. She cautiously opened the door just enough to see him lying peacefully on his bed. Oh, he looks so cute when he's sleeping. If only I could be in that bed with him…
Harry listened again. This time he was sure he heard footsteps, and they were on their way up the stairs. He quickly closed his eyes and took a sleeping position. He heard his door open more than it already was and he opened one eye enough to look at his intruder but still look closed. It was Hermione. Oh what he wouldn't give to have her come over and share his bed. He closed his eye again and decided that he really should get to sleep so he would be well rested for practice tomorrow.
*************
"So Oliver," Harry said as the Puddlemere United team was getting ready for practice the next day, "did you ever find out who that mystery girl was at the match yesterday?"
Oliver looked at Harry in confusion. "What 'mystery girl?'"
"The one you were goggling at, of course! The one who made you miss the saves."
Now the whole team had turned to look at Oliver. "Oh…well, no…not really…no." Oliver stammered as someone knocked on the door of the locker room.
"Who is it?" one of the Beaters asked of whomever was standing on the other side of the door.
"Oh!" exclaimed a female voice. "My name is Ariella Chickering. I'm a sports reporter for the Daily Prophet. May I please speak to Oliver Wood?"
Oliver let out a sigh. "Don't worry, guys," he whispered. "I'll get rid of her quickly so she doesn't mess up our practice." He made his way to the locker room door and opened it. What he saw made his jaw drop and left him utterly speechless. This reporter was the witch he saw in the stands yesterday. She's even more beautiful up close, he thought.
"Hi, Mr. Wood. As I said before, I'm Ariella. I don't believe we've met," she introduced as she held out her hand.
Oliver took her outstretched hand and shook it. "No, I don't believe we have," he said with a smile.
"Mr. Wood, I'd like to get an interview with you, if that's at all possible," Ariella said as she released his hand.
"Yeah, sure."
"Is 5 o'clock on Wednesday at the Leaky Cauldron okay?"
"It's a date…. Uh, I mean…. It's an interview."
Ariella blushed. "Then I'll see you on Wednesday." She disapparated with a pop.
"Way to go, Oliver!" and catcalls could be heard throughout the locker room as he closed the door and stepped back into the confines of the room.
"Oh, sod off! All of you!" Oliver said as he went to get his broomstick.
"I think it's great that you've found someone, Oliver," Harry said as he retrieved his broomstick as well.
"You want me to see if she has a friend for you, Harry?"
"No thanks, I've already got my eye on Herm- … er, someone." Harry blushed at his almost confession and quickly went outside to the pitch.
"Hey Potter!" Oliver called as he ran to catch up with Harry.
"What?" Harry said innocently.
"You like Hermione, don't you?"
Harry sighed. Oh well, might as well tell him the truth. "Yeah. But can you not tell anyone? I don't want anyone to know."
"Sure Potter." Oliver smiled. "I'll keep it a secret."
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, guys, and I'm sorry it took me so long to update. Lost floppy disks, no hard drive copies, and severe writer's block kept me from continuing. But I'm glad you've decided to keep reading. It means a lot to me. And please review! Constructive criticism and praise is always helpful in keeping me going. Love ya lots, hpchk86