Harry awoke before the warm gentle rays of sun could brighten the earth. He dressed in a pair of jeans, a blue t-shirt and a soft large hoody to keep the morning chill at bay. He hastily stuck his wand in his back pocket and trotted off to explore his surroundings. Massive trees towered over Harry as he entered a forest path. The smell of moss and moist earth reached Harry's nostrils. Sounds of squirrels scattering from tree to tree and birds chirping filled his ears. Harry came to a halt as his path divided into two roots. He looked from one to the other, and decided he was going to take the path that forked to the right.
Harry's mind filled with thoughts of his two best friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. He thought about what they might be doing over the holidays and couldn't wait to see them again.
The night before his journey to the lake, Harry pulled out two pieces of parchment. He wrote a quick message to Ron explaining that he would be going on a trip to the lake and warned him not to send any owls because muggles would get suspicious. On the other piece of parchment, Harry wrote a letter to Hermione.
Hermione,
I'm going camping at the lake with the Dursley's. They couldn't find anyone to "watch me" so they decided they had to bring me along. I hope you don't mind if I leave Hedwig in your care. I just thought you might like to use her to send messages to Ron or Victor. I hope your having a great summer. I'll see you soon.
HarryFor some reason, when Harry thought about Hermione he would get a strange feeling in his stomach. He found himself thinking about her for hours at a time and she entered his dreams. Harry would awake feelings hot, sweaty and ashamed. Hermione was his friend, how could he think about her in that way.
The morning rays pierced through the trees. Pounding the ground a little bit harder, he made his way to the clearing ahead. Harry's mouth went dry and his heart leaped. Just ahead of him was a girls figure with bushy brown hair. She was sitting on a log just in front of the waters edge and seemed to be taking in the scenery around her.
Hermione? No, Hermione was back at home with her parents and Hedwig.
Harry let out a silent sigh of disappointment. He turned around quietly and took a step back towards the forest, not wanting to startle or disturb the girl. Just as he made a second step, a twig snapped under his foot. There was a gasp and Harry felt the girl turn towards his direction.
"H, Harry?" a trembling voice asked.
He turned around with the largest grin on his face.
It is Hermione, this can't be happening, it's a miracle.
"It is you, oh Harry you scared me!" she laughed jumping from the log and bounding at Harry. He wrapped his arms around her enjoying her familiar scent.
"I thought you were-"
"Someone else, I know." She finished for him.
"Where's-"
"Hedwig's fine, she's with Ron. I wanted to call and tell you that I was leaving too Harry, but I was afraid you would get in trouble by your aunt and uncle."
"I still can't believe that we ended up coming to the same place." Harry said while letting go of Hermione.
"I was hoping that maybe we would."
"You missed me that much?" Harry teased.
She playfully slapped his shoulder. Harry winced.
"Did I hit you that hard?" she asked concerned.
"No, no, just… hit my other arm for now. This one was used as Dudley's stress reliever."
"Oh, I'm so sorry Harry."
She walked around to Harry's side and started to gently message his arm and shoulder.
Harry moaned.
"Too hard?" she asked momentarily stopping and searching his emerald green eyes with her own large cinnamon ones. Harry wanted to melt.
"No, not too hard, it feels really good."
She smiled mysteriously and positioned herself behind Harry making small circular movements with her thumbs near his neck. She glided her loving hands up and down Harry's spine making the hairs on his neck stand.
"Hermione… your, amazing."
"Why thank you Mr. Potter. But we'll have to continue this session another time." She teased grabbing his good arm and pulling him over to the log she had been sitting on earlier.
"Hungry?"
"I hadn't had any breakfast yet."
"Good." She answered pulling a backpack near her feet. "Lets see, what do we have here?"
Harry grinned. This was Hermione, always prepared.
"I brought a thermos full of hot tea, ham, tomato and cheese sandwiches and a big slice of apple pie that we can split."
They ate their breakfast in silence enjoying the sights and sounds around them, but most of all, enjoying each other's company. Harry felt completely content and extremely happy just sitting next to Hermione. She would catch his eye every so often and grin.
Harry rubbed his full stomach. "That was really, really good Hermione. Especially the apple pie."
Her cheeks turned pink.
"I'm glad you approve. I made it myself."
"You're the smartest witch in our year, you give a killer message and you're a great cook… Wow, you're really going to make some lucky wizard really happy." He teased as her cheeks now flushed a scarlet red.
"Your just full of compliments today."
"I think I should do it more often." He said with a shaky voice forcing the lump in his throat downwards.
He moved his lips towards hers; he felt her steady breath brush against his cheek,
"Hey moron where are you?"
Their foreheads collided.
"Ouch." Hermione frowned rubbing her head.
"S,sorry Hermione, you have to hide, quick its Dudley." Harry panicked pulling Hermione into the trees.
"Harry wait!"
"Shh, I'll meet you back here tonight."
"When?"
"Sunset."
"Come on Harry. I know you're around here!" Dudley called out again.
"Harry," she took a hold of Harry's hoody before he could move. "My backpack, its still there." She pointed to the log.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it, just go."
Hermione hesitated for a moment before jogging away just as Dudley stepped into the clearing.