Authors Notes: Huge thanks to everyone who reviewed!!! This chapter isn't my favourite one- no matter how many times I changed it, I couldn't get it to sound any better. So I apologise in advance for the crapness of this one- the next one is better!!!
Harry knew he'd never forget that first kiss- nor any other kiss shared with Hermione. That first kiss was so magical and every time he looked back on it, he was always amazed that they lasted that long without taking that step with their friendship- it was that moment, in the lake, that he realised how in love with her he actually was.
And obviously she felt the same.
Turning the page of the album, he smiled at the two tickets. His souvenir from their first 'date'…
Harry had never felt so nervous as he rang Hermione's doorbell. He knew he had nothing to worry about- he had met Mr and Mrs Granger at Kings Cross every year when they collected Hermione off the Hogwarts Express. But he had never done this- he had never picked a girl up for a date, even one that was his best friend. And he was terrified.
'Harry!' Mr Granger beamed, opening the door. 'Come in, come in.'
Awkwardly, Harry stepped into the house and realised that in six years of knowing Hermione, this was the first time he had ever come to her house. It was exactly what he had expected- very plain and simple and tastefully decorated. He followed Mr Granger into the lounge room and knew instantly why Hermione loved to read so much- unlike every other lounge room Harry had ever been in, the furniture was not all pointed towards a television. There was a television in the corner, a very old style and Harry figured it didn't get used much. The walls were covered in bookshelves and books overflowed off them, and were stacked in piles around the room.
'You'll have to excuse the mess,' Mrs Granger said warmly from a doorway over the other side of the room. 'Steve, Hermione and I decided to reorganise the shelves alphabetically, a bit of family fun before Hermione leaves us again.'
'Good luck with it,' Harry managed to say, not to sure how to respond. He was saved from further conversation by the arrival of Hermione.
Harry had seen Hermione at some point every summer since they had met, yet he had never seen her look happier or more relaxed- or more pretty.
'Hi Harry,' she said, blushing slightly.
'Are you ready?' Harry asked and she nodded.
'I won't be late,' she said to her parents, kissing them both goodbye. 'I've got my key, I'll let myself in.'
With a curt nod and wave to Mr and Mrs Granger, Harry followed Hermione out the door and back down the garden path. The sun was starting to set and it was a warm night. They made it all the way to the end of Hermione's street without talking and Harry's stomach was jumping- perhaps this date wasn't such a good idea…
As they waited for the traffic to pass so they could cross the road, Harry's hand gently brushed up against Hermione's. She smiled shyly up at him and gently eased her hand into his and squeezed it.
'I'm nervous too,' she whispered. 'This- it's so new and so-'
'Not us,' Harry finished for her. 'Why don't, just for tonight, we pretend we've never met before. Two strangers, on a date.'
'Oh Harry,' she laughed, leaning her head on his shoulder. 'Do you really think I could do that?'
'No- but it's got us talking,' he said as they crossed the road.
They managed small talk as they headed into town. When Harry had rung Hermione to set up this 'date' he'd suggested a movie and Hermione jumped at the idea. They were going to see 'Independence Day'- from what Harry had gathered from the shows Dudley watched on the TV it was about aliens- it looked mildly entertaining.
Harry bought the tickets and the popcorn- much to Hermione's protests. She didn't think it was fair for Harry to pay for it all- especially when she knew that he had very little muggle money. But what Hermione didn't know was that Harry's impending 17th birthday came in very handy- Dudley was terrified of Harry becoming an adult wizard and as such had paid Harry off.
But they never made it into the cinema. They were both balancing their popcorn and drinks and on their way into the cinema when Hermione suddenly backed away and headed back into the lobby.
'I can't go in there, Harry, I can't,' she said nervously, pacing slightly. 'That group of girls that just went in, I went to muggle school with them and-'
'Don't worry about it,' Harry said. He had understood instantly. 'We don't need to see a movie. C'mon.'
Tossing his popcorn and drink into the garbage bin, he took hold of her hand.
'Let's go make our own fun.'
Next door to the cinema was a games arcade and they spent the night inside- playing mindless games and laughing at each other. They spent most of the night on the motorcycle game, racing against each other. Harry would never tell another living soul that Hermione had beaten him eighteen times.
He kissed her goodnight on her doorstep, feeling like a character from one of his Aunt's soap shows. And after she went inside, Harry stared at the front door for what felt like an eternity.
Maybe things would turn out alright after all.