Harry Potter and the Portal of Darkness

looneylupin

Rating: PG13
Genres: Romance, Action & Adventure
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 12/12/2004
Last Updated: 09/01/2005
Status: in_progress

Harry is beginning his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Voldemort is back in full power and the wizarding community knows about it. After hearing the prophecy in his fifth year, Harry now has to face a year knowing that it is kill or be killed. After the death of his godfather, Harry is in a state of depression and shock. Will his friends be able to pull him out in time and is he really the one in immediate danger? Is one of his friends more important to him now than he has ever noticed before, and is Harry the only one who see's this? Will Voldemort attack him while he is at school and what exactly is the portal of darkness? Does it have anything to do with the veil in the department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic?

Chapters

1. Rescue from Privet Drive

2. Can Anyone See this?

3. O.W.L.S

4. In Dreams

5. Secrets and Lies

6. Just One More

1. Rescue from Privet Drive

Disclaimer: I am not J.K Rowling, nor anyone from scholastic or the other companies. I am only borrowing her characters for my own benefit. ****************************************************

The dawn outside number 4 Privet Drive was just beginning to show. The entire neighborhood was quiet, which was to be expected in a normal area. The only problem was, that this normal neighborhood held a secret, a secret that most of the inhabitants of Privet Drive didn't know about.

Vernon and Petunia Dursley were what appeared to be, a model family. A successful business man in Grunnings Drill company, Vernon Dursley was a big beefy man who kept a spotless lawn, Petunia, a tall, skinny woman, with dirty blonde hair, and a long neck, which she used to spy on the neighbors, had a son Dudley, or Dinkyduddums, he would knock you out if you said that around his friends. It was in this house where the secret was hidden, a boy named Harry Potter.

To those who didn't know him he was a normal 16 year old boy, only a little on the scrawny side. Those who did know him knew of his secret, he was a wizard, a powerful wizard, one who wasn't even normal in the wizarding world. Harry had just completed his fifth year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, this was also his fifth time he met up with the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. It was because of Lord Voldemort that Harry lived with his aunt and uncle. When he had only been a year old, Voldemort attacked his parents and murdered them, only then to turn his wand on Harry. It was Lily, Harry's mother, who saved him. Her willing sacrifice of life to save Harry protected him with an ancient magic that caused Voldemort's spell to backfire onto himself. He fled, only a ghost of what he had been.

Harry had encountered Voldemort four times since he began at Hogwarts, and in his fourth year he witnessed him returning to full strength. He had went an entire year with no one believing that Voldemort was alive, the entire wizarding community turned their backs on him, calling him a liar. Only last June Harry had met Voldemort in the Ministry of Magic, where he witnessed Bellatrix Lestrange murdering his godfather, Dumbledore and the other members of the Order had came to his aid but Voldemort fled, only not before members have the ministry had seen him.

Now, the boy Harry Potter lay in bed watching the sun rise over the roofs in Privet Drive. He had stopped sleeping because he had been having nightmares almost every night, every one of them showing his godfather falling through the veil of mysteries in the department of mysteries. Harry blamed himself for his godfather's death, but not completely, he also blamed Professor Dumbledore.

Dark circles were gathered under his intense green eyes as he fought off the drooping of his eyelids. He couldn't watch Sirius fall through the veil again, it was far to painful. He heard his uncle Vernon give a large grunt and heard a bed squeak, this meant that he was getting up to go to work. Harry didn't want to face his uncle so he jumped out of bed, dressed quickly and sprinted out of the front door before anyone could stop him.
He walked down the damp sidewalk of Privet drive and watched as his neighbors gathered their morning papers in their dressing gowns and even went outside to turn on their sprinklers. He walked around the neighborhood and stopped at the broken down playground that his cousin Dudley, and his gang had destroyed the year before.

This was how Harry spent his days, walking an thinking, he even searched in garbage bins for old newspapers that would give any sign of what Voldemort was up to. He felt like he held the world on his shoulders, and in a way he did. Only a month before he had been informed of the prophecy that was made before he was born.

The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches... Born to those
who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...And the Dark Lord
will mark him as his equal, But he will have power that the Dark Lord knows not....
And either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other
survives...The one with the power to vanquish that Dark Lord will be born
as the seventh month dies....

Harry could still see his bug eyed professor revolving around Professor Dumbledore's office as she spoke. He had learned that day that he either had to kill or be killed, the law of the jungle. His thoughts took him to the pile of letters that lay unopened on his desk in his room. All of them had been from his best friends Ron and Hermione, whom had risked their lives along side him in the department of mysteries. He just didn't have the nerve to write them back, lying to them and telling them that he was fine. The truth was he felt like he was falling apart. No one knew of the prophecy except him, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Trelawney, he hadn't told Ron and Hermione about it yet.

Harry's stomach gave a large growl, he had completely forgotten about eating, something that hadn't been a top priority to him lately. He realized he had been walking for a few hours and it was around noon. As he neared his house he saw the bushes in his front lawn tremble, as if someone had just walked through them. Harry's hand instinctively reached for his wand in his back pocket, he pulled it out and pointed it at the bush, a voice came from no where.

“Harry, don't you think you have been threatened with expulsion enough times to know not to do magic outside of school.”

Harry knew that voice. “Remus?” he managed to croak out.

In the very spot where the bushes had moved, Remus Lupin materialized out of thin air. “All right Harry?” He asked him.

“All right,” he lied. “What are you doing here?”

“Keeping an eye on you of course. Only today I am taking you back home, so why don't you run inside and grab your things. I already have a portkey set up, thanks to Professor Dumbledore.” Remus Lupin smiled at him as Harry bolted through the front doors and up to his bedroom.

He hadn't even bothered unpacking after he returned home from school the previous term, he knew they would be taking him away soon enough. His school books that had been thrown all over the floor were eventually packed tight inside his rather large trunk. Harry grabbed his trunk and his most prized possession, his firebolt, a gift from Sirius, and he started down the stairs. Remus stood at the bottom talking calmly to his aunt Petunia. Harry heard him tell her something about him returning the next summer, Harry hoped to god he didn't have to, after he muttered a struggled “see you” he walked out the front door. Remus stepped out behind him and showed him an old boot.

“Harry this is the portkey, we've got about .........30 seconds. Right then, now just touch it and we will be off.”

It only took a couple of seconds but right after Harry touched the old boot he felt the familiar tug behind his navel and soon felt his feet hit solid ground. Immediately his vision was blocked by a bunch of bushy brown hair, which he recognized as his friend Hermione's. After squeezing him to death for a moment she backed away. Then Harry spotted his tall gangly friend Ron Weasley, who seemed to have grown a few more inches over the summer. He was now at least a full four inches taller than Harry. Ron held his hand out to Harry.

“All right there mate?” Harry grabbed his hand and gave a weak smile. He barely smiled anymore, nothing seemed to want to make the corner of his jaws twitch in that way. Out of the corner of his eye his saw a flash of dark red hair before he was attacked again, this time by Ron's younger sister Ginny. She hugged Harry tightly and gave him a kiss on the cheek that made both of them blush, before pulling away.

By the time he had been greeted by everyone Harry's stomach was rumbling very loudly and Ron was trying to suppress his laughter as they walked toward the kitchen. There he saw that Mrs. Weasley had created a very lavish lunch for them all, welcoming Harry back. His memories of his godfather came back full force at that moment, he didn't want to be there, he hated Grimmauld Place.

Hermione seemed to notice that Harry tensed up as he looked around. She knew that he wouldn't be happy there, he had just lost his godfather, the only father figure he had ever had. She walked up to Harry and put her arms around him and whispered in his ear.

“Harry, it's ok. He would want you to move on, I know it's hard but you have to try.”

Harry turned to her with his deep green eyes and smiled, her heart melted. “I know Hermione, I just don't know if I can do it.”

He sat down beside Hermione and Ron and saw everyone looking at him apprehensively. “Don't worry, I'm not going to yell at anyone..... yet.” He smiled at them.
Hermione quickly darted out of the kitchen and was only gone for a few moments. She ran back in holding something in her hands and she gave it to Harry. “Harry I found this last term.... er... after you had broken it. I repaired it. I hope you don't mind.” It was the mirror that Sirius had given him the year before.

Harry looked down into the mirror and saw his own pitiful reflection staring back at him. “Thanks Hermione, but I don't need it anymore. Sirius...he's gone.” Harry laid the mirror down on the table and began eating, he had forgotten how good food could taste.

After he ate and told everyone how boring it was at the Dursley's that summer, Mrs. Weasley brought in a birthday cake and they sang Happy Birthday to him. He hadn't expected it at all, he had even forgotten his own birthday. As he blew out the candles he made a wish.

I wish I could talk to Sirius.....

He blew the candles out and ate cake with the rest of them. Everyone had a birthday present for him, his favorite was the foe glass that Professor Dumbledore had given him. On the back it said, Property of James Potter.

After the small party Harry was exhausted, he gathered all his presents and the mirror from Sirius and took them to his room he shared with Ron. After he put everything away except the mirror, he crawled onto the bed and stared into the small mirror thinking how badly he wanted to see Sirius.

“Sirius Black!” He had said before he could stop himself.

It happened in a matter of seconds, a flash of dark hair and Sirius' grey eyes looking up at him. He could faintly hear Sirius' voice calling to him......

“Harry....I'm here.”
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A/N: Hey you guys see that little message down there, says would you like to submit a review,? Well you would so do it! I need to know if this is worth continuing....

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2. Can Anyone See this?

A/N: Sorry if the grammer and spelling are off, I didn't get a chance to check it. If you see something just tell me and I'll fix it.
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Chapter 2: Can anyone see this?

Harry almost dropped the mirror to the floor when he heard Sirius' voice. He shook his head thinking he must have been daydreaming and looked into the mirror again. There, staring back at him, were the sad grey eyes of his godfather, Sirius Black.

“Sirius...? How are you doing this?” Harry managed to stutter out.

“No time to explain Harry, just listen. Something is happening soon, something dangerous and you are going to be a target. We hear things here, although I'm not sure where I am. The point is stay on guard no matter what happens, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” Sirius turned away from the mirror quickly, when he looked back he had a frightened appearance. “ They're coming.... they're coming. I have to go, I'll talk to you again when I can, keep the mirror on you at all times.” Sirius disappeared.

“Sirius, SIRIUS!!” Harry yelled, it was to late, his godfather had already gone.

Harry's yelling alerted the people sitting downstairs, they immediately ran to Harry and Ron's bedroom to see what was happening. Remus Lupin reached him first.

“Harry, are you alright?” he asked as he swung the bedroom door open.

“Remus, I......I saw Sirius. He was in the mirror and he talked to me.” Molly Weasley, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had all appeared in the bedroom now, they were watching Harry apprehensively.

“Harry....Sirius is gone. You couldn't have seen him, you must of had a nightmare.” Remus said as he sat down beside Harry.

“But I wasn't asleep. I was looking in the mirror and I said his name......he appeared in it I swear. He told me that something dangerous was going to happen, and.... and I was the target.” Harry refused to look into the face of his friends, he knew they all thought he was losing him mind from the depression.

“Harry, there is no way he could have contacted you.” Remus told him.

“I KNOW IT WAS HIM, I'M NOT CRAZY. BELIEVE ME IF YOU WANT!” Harry yelled at him.

“Harry, please, I am only trying to help you.” Lupin told him calmly.
“Help me? You are trying to help me.....well maybe you should listen to me then, instead of calling me crazy. You know what I'm going to bed.” Harry crawled into his bed and covered himself up completely hiding his body. He lay in silence, listening to the sounds of his friends leaving the room, he wanted to be alone then anyway, especially if no one believed him.

Harry was walking down a long dimly lit corridor in the department of mysteries. A door at the end was open and spilling the flickering flames out into the corridor. When he reached the door, the handle burned the palm of his hand and he slung the door open. He was in what appeared to be an amphitheater, the benches cascaded down to the center of the room. Harry walked down the stone steps to the center of the room. He spotted the veil in front of him and he stepped closer to inspect it.

Whispers were coming from behind the veil, voices of people that had died, or had the unlucky chance of falling into the veil. They were beckoning him closer to them, asking for help. Harry wanted to help them, maybe if he just put his hand through he could reach them and pull them out. He was standing in front of the veil now slowly reaching for it.

A hand reached out from behind the veil and wrapped its fingers around his wrist. The hand was burning his wrist, he was pulling at the fingers, prying them from his wrist. Soon a head stuck out of the veil, it was Sirius, he was saying something to Harry and he looked terrified. He could just hear the whispers escaping Sirius' mouth.....

“They are coming for her.... they are coming for her!!”

As quickly as he appeared, he was gone and the hand that had locked it's grip around Harry had disappeared leaving a scorch mark on his wrist. He ran away from the veil and back up the stone steps, there coming through the door were a group of deatheaters and they had someone bound and gagged, struggling to get away. Voldemort stepped from behind the group and spotted Harry and his scar felt like it had burst open.

Harry was screaming and clutching his scar while it was burning. He was sick and couldn't stop himself from retching on the floor from the pain. He could hear voices around him but the pain was blinding him, keeping him from opening his eyes.

“Is he alright? Should we get Albus?”

“No, no, I believe he has just had a bad dream”

“He hasn't done that since he saw that snake attack dad.”

“Harry, are you alright?” A calming voice surrounded him and he felt someone lay their hand on top of his that was profusely rubbing his forehead. In an instant the pain was gone and he was able to open his eyes again. There standing around his bed was Mrs. Weasley, Remus Lupin, Ron, and Hermione. Hermione was unconsciously rubbing his hair, not realizing the calming effect it had on him.

“No...yes, I'm fine,” he lied. “I just saw Sirius in my dream......he came out of the veil and grabbed my arm here.” He looked down at his wrist where in his dream Sirius had grabbed it and he could very clearly see a hand print burned onto his wrist. He tried to hide it but Hermione grabbed his hand.

“Harry what happened, how did you do that?” He didn't want to answer her, knowing anything he said was just going to cause confusion among his friends. He jerked his hand out of hers and covered it up quickly.

“Harry you have to tell us, did you have that before you went to sleep?”

Feeling defeated, he stared at the concerned looks of everyone he decided he had to tell them the truth. “No, Sirius' touch burned me in my dream when he came out of the veil. He was warning me about Voldemort coming for someone, some girl.....he disappeared before he could tell me. When I tried to run out of the door I ran into deatheaters and Voldemort,” The Weasley's flinched at the name. “They had someone with them, bound and gagged, she was trying to get away. My scar started hurting in my dream and I woke up.”

“Is that everything Harry?” Remus asked him.

Harry nodded his head in response unconsciously rubbing the burn on his wrist.

“Well, I believe we should alert Professor Dumbledore about this. I have never seen someone getting hurt in a dream and it showing up when they were awake.” Remus turned and started walking out of the room.

“Oh and Molly, I think we need to put something on Harry's wrist to keep it from hurting. I'm sure that Ron and Hermione can take care of him while you do that. I'll be back in a few minutes.” Lupin left the room and Mrs. Weasley followed him, heading to the kitchen to mix a few things to put on Harry's wrist.

After Mrs. Weasley and Lupin had left Hermione, Ron and Ginny sat down on his bed and stared at him.

“Why are you all looking at me like I am some kind of caged animal in a zoo?” Harry asked them with a frustrated tone.

“You don't have to get all huffy you know, we are just worried about you.” Hermione stated to him.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “I just feel like something big is going to happen to someone, someone we all know. Why else would Sirius have warned me in my dream?”
“How do you know it was actually Sirius Harry? Couldn't Voldemort have planted that dream, I mean think about it.”

“I know it was Sirius ok, he was warning me. Would Voldemort warn me of something he was going to do?” His friends shook their heads at him showing that they understood.

It had only been a matter of minutes when they heard Dumbledore step into the room, followed closely by Remus Lupin. He sat down on the bed beside Harry's, Ron's bed. He looked at Harry and smiled, the twinkle was fading from his eyes but it was not yet gone.

“Harry, I need you to tell me every detail of your dream...” Professor Dumbledore told him. Harry launched into revealing his dream in full, not leaving out a single step, afraid that it could be very important.

“I see,” Dumbledore smiled at him after he finished. “Now I believe that we should take Sirius' warning to heart. The dead have a way of communicating with us, we have all felt their presence at one time or another. You say you saw Sirius in the mirror today as well?” Harry nodded silently to him.

“Very well, very well. Sirius must know of something that Voldemort is planning, he has seen the girl and tried to show her to you in your dream. Someone very close to you is in danger Harry, we must take extreme precautions. Now Mrs. Weasley has prepared a dream less sleep potion and I need for you to drink it all. I will be back tomorrow if there is any news of who we think he is after. I want you all to be very careful, especially you Miss Weasley and Miss Granger, you never know when there is a traitor among you.”

Dumbledore walked out of the room and could be heard talking in hushed voices with Lupin, Mrs. Weasley was trying to force the potion down Harry, he eventually gave in and fell into a deep sleep, one he had been needing for a very long time.

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The next morning Harry awoke to the smell of breakfast wafting up the staircase into his bedroom. Ron's bed was already made, he figured that everyone had let him sleep because of what happened the night before. He quickly dressed and ran down the stairs into the kitchen where everyone else was already eating.

“Oh Harry dear, you're up. What would you like, bacon and eggs?” Mrs. Weasley asked him as he slumped into a chair beside Hermione.

“Yeah, that sounds great Mrs. Weasley.” Harry smiled at her. Hermione was the first to speak to him.

“How are you feeling this morning, better?”

“Loads, best sleep I've had in a while.”
“Well you had us all worried about you last night mate, we were afraid something terrible had happened.” Ron mumbled while he ate.

Harry saw Ginny and Hermione give Ron looks of disgust as he talked with his mouth full. Mrs. Weasley sat a plate down in front of Harry and began telling him what he had just told the others.

“I am going into Diagon Alley today to get a few things for around the house. Is there anything special you need Harry dear?”

“No thanks Mrs. Weasley.”

“Remus will be staying here while I am gone, I expect you all to stay out of trouble.” Mrs. Weasley proceeded to give them all a kiss on the cheek and a small hug before she left. Ron was mumbling under his breath when she kissed him.

After they had all finished breakfast Harry decided that they should play a game, he had already finished his summer work, as well as Hermione. Ron and Ginny still hadn't even began. So while Ron and Ginny sat in the drawing room studying, Harry and Hermione played a few games of wizards chess. She was whispering to him as they played.

“Harry, are you sure you are alright? You can tell me, I won't say anything.”

“Fine. I'm not alright, I'm worried. I just don't understand why Voldemort has to come after the people that I care about, can't he just be happy with attacking me?”

Hermione reached over and laid her hand on Harry's. To him it felt like a shock had went through him, beginning at the spot where their hands touched. He tried to shake the feeling off but it wouldn't go away, he had never felt that before when Hermione touched him. He looked up to see if she had felt it as well and saw that she was staring at their hands, she looked up at him and blushed slightly before she pulled away and quickly changed the subject to school.

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3. O.W.L.S

Chapter 3: O.W.L.S

The next morning Harry was awakened by the sound of incessant pecking at his window, he rolled over and spotted an owl. Harry crawled out of bed and hurried to the window wondering who would be writing him since he was already at Grimmauld Place with all his friends. The owl flew in and dropped a letter on his bed, and one on Ron's head as he slept, the letter stayed put until he rolled over.

Harry closed the window and ran over to his bed to see what he had received. He had two letters, the first was his school supplies list and the other was his O.W.L scores. Harry nervously pulled the parchment out of the envelope and read it. He nearly dropped it when he read that he had gotten ten O.W.L.S and he had gotten into Snape's N.E.W.T. level potion's class, he couldn't help but think that Professor Dumbledore or Mcgonagoll had something to do with it, although he didn't really care.

Harry heard someone squeal from the room below his and realized Hermione must have done very well on hers as well, as if there was any doubt. He pulled on some clothes and went downstairs to the kitchen still clutching his letter in his hands. Mrs. Weasley was preparing breakfast when he walked in.

“We got our scores today Mrs. Weasley.” Harry told her.

“Oh really, how did you do dear?”

“I received ten O.W.L.S, even one in astronomy. I didn't think I would get one in that after what happened with Professor Mcgonagoll.”

“Oh Harry dear that is wonderful, I am so proud of you and I'm sure Sirius would be as well. Do you think you could run and wake Ron up, breakfast is ready?”

“Sure Mrs. Weasley.” Harry ran back up to their bedroom where Ron was snoring loudly.

“Ron!” he yelled. Ron grunted and mumbled something in his sleep knocking his owl scores to the floor.

“Get up Ron, breakfast is ready!” Harry yelled in his ear.

“I'm up!”he yelled back. “Hey what's this?” Ron asked spotting the letter in the floor.

“School list and your owl scores.” Harry told him as he walked out of the room. He thought he heard Ron give an exasperated groan.

Harry met Ginny and Hermione on the second floor landing, Hermione was smiling widely and Ginny seemed to have just woken up.

“How did you do Harry?” Hermione asked him.

“Ten, you?”

“I got twelve, can you believe it? I can't wait to owl mum and dad and tell them.” Hermione said as they walked through the kitchen door. “I'm very proud of you Harry, I'm happy that you got ten.” Hermione said as they sat down.

Ron came bounding into the room also with a smile on his face.

“How did you do Ron?” Harry asked him.

“I got 8, didn't get one in potions or Divination though. Guess that comment I made to the administrator counted off.” Harry smiled thinking about Ron telling the tester to beware a man with a long nose, when in fact he was looking at the man's reflection.

“Oh Ron I am so proud of you...” Mrs. Weasley said as she sat plates down in front of them all. “Did you get your school list as well?”

Harry pulled his list out of his pocket and looked over it, there were a few new things including robes made of dragon hide.

“We did Mrs. Weasley, but why are we suppose to get robes made of dragon hide?” Harry asked curiously.

“I suppose Dumbledore wants you all to have extra protection. You do know that dragon hide robes absorb most simple spells, and even a few advanced ones.” Mrs. Weasley told them off- handedly.
“I'm going to Diagon Alley today to buy your school things. Remus will be here with you most of the day then I believe Tonks may drop by.”

“Alright mum,”Ron muttered with a mouthful of eggs.

“Just wanted to make sure you lot knew where I was today. Now Harry dear I hate to ask you to do this, but do you think you, Ron, Hermione and Ginny could clean out some of the dark arts books in the attic. There are a few up there that could be very useful, if you look hard enough”

“Sure Mrs. Weasley,” Harry replied lying. He didn't want to go through anything that had once belonged to Sirius, not yet anyway. Ron and Hermione would be there to help him, he supposed it would give him a little support.

After breakfast they all made their way to the attic to help sort through the many books that Sirius' family had collected over the years. There were books of all kinds, Hermione just stared opened mouthed at the room, all of these books were free and Harry knew she was itching to sit down and read all of them.
After a few hours the pile of books had diminished slightly, Harry had made his own pile for books to keep. Most were books on curses and hexes he thought he could learn. Lunch time rolled around and they went downstairs to make some sandwiches, Ron kept complaining about how hungry he was, even right after breakfast. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at him.

That afternoon they were back up in the attic again and Harry and Hermione seemed to have separated themselves from Ron and Ginny. Harry had found one of Sirius' old school books and was reading through the different things he had scribbled inside the pages. Hermione noticed how sad he looked and went over and sat beside him.

“Are you ok Harry?” She asked him quietly.

“Yeah, I'm fine. Just looking at one of Sirius' old school books. My dad wrote in it, see.” Hermione looked at the page and saw that James had in fact scribbled James loves Lily onto the page. Hermione smiled at the thought.

Harry sat the book down into his pile to keep and turned to Hermione. “You know Hermione, I'm glad you guys are here with me. I couldn't have made it through the summer without you.”

Hermione leaned over and hugged him softly, Harry wasn't surprised by the show of emotion from her, they had always shown each other how they felt. He turned his head sideways to where he could smell her hair, strawberries he thought. He found himself oddly attracted to Hermione right then and didn't want to release her from the hug, but he did. She smiled back at him and grabbed his hand in hers. He blushed at the sweet gesture and then cursed himself slightly for blushing, he didn't notice Hermione was blushing as well.

The day rolled into evening and they had finally finished in the attic. Harry was preoccupied ever since he and Hermione had hugged, he found himself staring at her and wanting to be near her more. The smell of strawberries lingered under his nose all day.

Harry couldn't get Hermione out of his mind, no matter what he thought about she seemed to always take over. He didn't know why he was feeling like this, he had never looked at her as more than a friend before but for some reason this summer was different. She seemed to have grown to him and filled out more. Her hair was still bushy but also it had tamed slightly. Harry had no idea the same things he had been thinking about had been running through Hermione's mind as well.

Hermione was lost as to why she kept wanting to touch Harry, she kept finding ways to hold his hand or give him a hug or just run her fingers through his hair. She was drawn to his deep green eyes, she had always thought that they were intense but now she felt like he was burning a hole in her, straight to her heart. She felt sympathy for him sure, who wouldn't? She also felt more, stronger feelings she had never had for him before. She wanted to just sit and talk with him alone and she wanted him to kiss her, she had never wanted that before. Hermione kept checking her appearance every time she passed a mirror, since when did she care what she looked like around Harry. Even when he smiled at her she could feel her stomach flutter slightly.

When Mrs. Weasley returned home that evening she gave all four of them their new school supplies.
Harry took his up to his room to examine the new robes that they were required to wear outside now. He couldn't help but feel slightly apprehensive about returning to school. Someone knocked at the door and he went to see who it was, Ginny Weasley walked in.

“Harry, are you ok? You seemed distant today.” Ginny was walking towards Harry slowly, she had an odd look to her face.

“No, I'm fine Gin. Just thinking today is all.” Harry told her as he stepped backwards towards his bed.

“You know Harry, I've been needing to tell you something for a while now.” She smiled at him. He was feeling really nervous now, maybe it was because Ginny was standing only inches from him.

“Really, what have you been needing to tell me?” He asked her as he fell backwards onto his bed.

“Why are you so nervous Harry, it's just me?” She asked him sweetly.

“I'm not nervous.” He replied.

“Well, I just wanted you to know that I still have feelings for you.” She leaned over to where she was right over top of Harry, neither of them heard the bedroom door open, Ron and Hermione just stood rooted to the spot watching Ginny.

“Er, Gin.....Are you felling alright?” Harry said as he tried to scoot out from under her.

“Fine. Just realized something, I needed you to know how I feel.”

“That's really sweet Ginny but I don't think of you like that. You are like a little sister to me, maybe you should leave.” Neither of them heard Ron exhale deeply from the doorway, he was scared that Harry was liking the situation.

“Do you fancy someone else? Cho maybe?” She asked as she crawled on the bed and had Harry pinned down.

“No, I don't fancy her. It's someone else,” he couldn't believe how stupid he was for letting that slip.

“Well when I'm finished you won't fancy her anymore.” Ginny leaned in and planted a passionate kiss on Harry, the entire time he was struggling to get away.

Once she pulled away Harry just stared at her. “Gin, I told you I didn't like you. Don't do that to me.”

Ginny was upset that he didn't kiss her back. “I know what your problem in, you fancy Hermione. Don't think I haven't seen the way you both have been looking at each other all day. You are all she talked about before you got here.”

“I don't.....really?”

“See, I knew it. Fine, break my heart again, I don't care.” Ginny stood up and turned to walk away and spotted Ron and Hermione in the doorway. She let out a small peep of surprise, Harry turned to see what she was looking at.

“Ginny, I think you should leave.” Ron said to her furiously.

“What if I don't want to?”

“I'll tell mum that you were trying to seduce Harry.” Ginny sprinted from the room and down to her and Hermione's room. “Harry?” Ron asked.

“Yeah,” he was nervous, what if Ron thought he was the one that asked Ginny to kiss him.

“Don't worry about Ginny, she has been a real nutter lately. Don't know what has gotten into her..”Harry breathed a sigh of relief. “Listen, did you check out those new robes we have, bloody brilliant if you ask me.”

Harry felt instantly better about the whole situation, Ron wasn't mad at him but he kept feeling someone staring at him. Hermione never spoke to Ron or Harry the entire time she sat in their room with them. She kept thinking about what Ginny had said to Harry and wondering if it was true, did she fancy Harry?

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4. In Dreams

Chapter 4: In Dreams

A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long to update guys, I was on vaction. I hope that this chapter makes up for the time I was gone and I hope you enjoy it.
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She pushed him up against the wall and pressed her lips to his own. Strawberries..... he recognized that taste from somewhere.

Her fingers were tracing lines across his chest as she desperately clung to him, digging for more. He tried to give her what she wanted but his mind was blank at the moment. The blood was rushing from his brain and filling up in places elsewhere blocking him from all rational thought.

She leaned back and smiled at him seductively, licking her lips as she ripped his shirt from him. He smiled back but soon moaned in pleasure as she began sucking on his neck. He couldn't believe this was happening to him, just a guy that no one paid attention too.

He glided her easily to the bed in the corner of the room and threw her down. She smiled up at him as she pulled her own shirt off and threw it at him. A small moan escaped his own lips as she slid her bra off easily and motioned for him to join her.

He laid on the bed beside her and watched as she crawled on top of him and began sliding his pants down, kissing him as she went. He wanted her so much in that moment, just to feel her in an intimate way, he had never wanted anyone like this before.

She made her way back up to his chest and began working her hands down his waist tracing her name as she went. She pulled his boxers down and found what she was looking for, she wrapped her hand around him and he felt pleasure run through his body.

Harry suddenly sat upright in bed sweating and looking around wildly to see if what just happened was really just a dream. He had never dreamed of her like that before, he had never seen her in a sexual way.

Harry looked over and spotted Ron snoring loudly in the bed beside him, he knew then that what he had seen was a dream.

“Hermione....” he whispered to himself, he could still feel her hands on his body and the taste of her lips.

How would he ever be able to look at her again? Why had he dreamed of her like that?

In the room directly under his own Hermione Granger had just experienced one of the best dreams in her life. She had been with someone that she cared for deeply, someone that she had never seen as more than a friend before that night. Little did she know that the object of her dream had the same dream as her, she couldn't help but feel giggly as she thought about what she had done in her dream.

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Harry was sitting in the drawing room on the first floor when someone walked in, he took no notice of who it was because he was busy reading one of the books that Sirius had saved from school. He wanted to keep it himself because he saw many comments and remarks that had been written in the book by none other than his father, it was something he couldn't explain.

Harry heard a small cough and turned to the other side of the room where Hermione had curled up in one of the chairs and was reading. He couldn't help but notice how well her hair framed her face and fell in her eyes just right. Her brown eyes sparkled as she drank in the words on the page and her pink lips moved slightly as she read. He could feel himself wanting to kiss those lips at that moment, taking her in his arms and holding her forever.

What is wrong with me? He thought to himself, why couldn't he get his best friend out of his mind.

Hermione could feel Harry's eyes burning into her soul. She knew that he was staring at her but she didn't want to look at him, she had avoided him all day, every time she got near him her face flushed and she began picturing her dream and had to keep herself from attacking him right there. She knew she had to tell someone about her feelings but the only girl there was Ginny and they had witnessed her antics the day before, she was not a likely candidate.

Footsteps echoed down the hall and Hermione caught a glimpse of Remus Lupin walking by, he smiled at her and waved and she decided that he was someone who would know what to do. Hermione quickly jumped up and tossed her book down and bolted out the door after her former professor. She spotted him walking into his bedroom at the end of the hall.

“Professor....” she said to him before he closed his bedroom door. “Can I speak to you.... in private?” She saw him smile at her.

“Sure Hermione,” He motioned for her to come in his room. “Come on in, I was just coming in to get a book.”

Remus Lupin sat down in a chair across from his bed and motioned for Hermione to sit down on his bed, he looked her to tell him what was going on.

“Professor,” Hermione managed to stutter out. “Have you ever been..... in love?” She blushed at the last word.

Remus took her comment in slowly thinking about why she was asking him something like this. He smiled at the young girl and realized she probably was in love herself. “Once.” He told her.

“What happened?”She asked him shyly. “I mean if it's not to private.”

“No Hermione. It's alright. You see when I was in school with James, Sirius and Lily I had developed very strong feelings for someone,” His smile faded a bit. “Someone I couldn't have. You see she was already taken and one thing I vowed to never do was betray a friend.”

“You mean,” Hermione thought for a moment. “You were in love with Harry's mum weren't you?”

“You really are very clever Hermione.” He couldn't believe he was telling someone this after such a long time, not even Harry knew this. “Yes I was in love with Lily, very much so. I knew how much James cared for her so I never said anything to him, he had done so much for me in the past. When Lily and James were married my heart was broken and I knew that I could never have her but the love never faded. I still love her to this day, though James did eventually figure out what I felt for his wife. It was then that Sirius lost his trust in me, it wasn't long before James and Lily were killed.”

“So that's why James didn't tell you that they had switched secret keepers...?” Hermione felt very sorry for him.

“Yes, it is. Now forget my sad story, why were you wondering if I had ever been in love?” He asked her, his smile returning.

“Oh, well. I want to know what it feels like, I think I may be in love with someone but they don't know how I feel?”

“Well Hermione,” Remus leaned forward as if going to whisper to her. “It feels as if you can't live without that person, they are in your dreams and your every thought. You would rather die yourself than put them in danger. At least that is how I felt about Lily.”

Hermione knew right then that what she was feeling for Harry was love, she had always loved him.

“Would you like to tell me who you are in love with Hermione?” Remus smiled at her.

“Please don't tell anyone but it's Harry.” She felt her face heat up again and she tried to hide her cheeks.

“I thought as much, you two are made for each other and I have a feeling it won't be long before he realizes the same thing Hermione.”

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The room was dark and very cold, so cold Harry could feel it down to his bones. He surveyed his surroundings and realized he was back in the room with the veil. Whispering was escaping the swaying cloth once again and Harry could slightly hear Sirius' voice.

Harry edged closer to the cloth trying his best to understand what they were saying to him. The veil swayed more forcefully this time and Harry saw once again a hand reaching out. It clutched his shirt tightly and Harry could feel it burning on his chest, something was trying to escape.

Sirius pulled himself free of the veil and turned to Harry, he had to warn him just let him know.

“Sirius?” Harry stuttered.

“Yes, Harry it's me. I haven't got much time but you have to know, they are coming for her, they will find her and torture her. You are the one that matters to her most though, her thoughts of you will keep her sane.” Sirius looked behind him with a frightened glance.

“Who?”

“Harry I'm sorry but I can't tell you, just know that her love for you burns deep within her heart and love is what will save her. Love can stop them Harry, tell her before you lose her.”

Harry felt Sirius loosen his grip on Harry and began backing away, several hands reached from inside the veil and pulled him back in. Harry reached for his godfather, he wanted desperately to save him but it was too late he was gone.

There was a loud click and Harry saw the deatheaters enter the room again with someone tied up. He could hear her crying and moaning in pain. He wanted to save her but he was frozen to the spot. He saw Voldemort once again and this time he spoke directly to Harry.

“She will not protect you Harry, you will lose her.”Voldemort's word slithered out of his mouth. “Nothing can save her Harry Potter, not even you.” Voldemort raised his wand and screamed curses at the girl tied up, she screamed in pain but this time she screamed for someone.

“Harry!!!!” Harry recognized her voice but he wasn't sure where he had heard it before.

Harry awoke with a start and sat up in bed and saw that it was morning outside, he was still shivering though. He quickly crawled out of bed, dressed and went downstairs for breakfast, he could smell Mrs. Weasley's wonderful cooking wafting through the house.

When Harry got to the kitchen he saw that Hermione, Ron and Remus Lupin were already down there, he took a seat beside Hermione although he didn't notice her shudder when his arm grazed against her bare skin.

Harry was deep into his food when he felt the burning in his chest again and looked down to see what was wrong, Hermione was watching him closely. Harry pulled the collar of his shirt down and vividly saw a hand print burned into his skin where Sirius had touched him in his dream, Hermione saw it as well.

“Harry,” she squealed at him. “How did you do that?”

He quickly tried to hide the burn but Mrs. Weasley and Remus Lupin had already seen it. He searched the room frantically trying to find some way of explaining away his ghostly warnings from Sirius and the realistic dreams he was having, nothing could save him.

“Sirius,” Harry muttered. “I got the burn from Sirius.”

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You know the drill, click the link down there and review... thanks guys.

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5. Secrets and Lies

Chapter 5: Secrets and Lies

Harry stared around the room as everyone talked amongst themselves, each of them whispering animatedly and turning to Harry. It didn't take a genius to realize what they were talking about Harry slammed his fists onto the table angrily, he hated it when people talked about him like he wasn't even in the room.

“You lot do realize I am still here.” Harry muttered through clenched teeth.

“Harry,” Remus Lupin responded after turning from Molly Weasley. “You don't seem to understand the importance of what is happening to you.”

“I don't understand!” Harry's voice rose. “How can I not understand, I am the one who is receiving warnings from my dead godfather about someone I am suppose to save by telling them I love them or something.... It's a nightmare!”

“Harry please.....” Mrs. Weasley tried to reason with him. “We don't understand what is going on with your dreams. We need to tell Albus, maybe he can help us figure this out.”

Harry calmed down a bit and gave Remus and Mrs. Weasley an apologetic glance. “I'm sorry, I just don't understand why this is happening to me..” Harry had no idea that Hermione had been beside him the entire time, a look of complete understanding in her eyes.

“I'm not so hungry anymore, I think I will go back up to my room.” Harry walked away from the kitchen table and ran to his bedroom. Ron tried to get up and go after his best friend but Mrs. Weasley stopped him. “He needs to be alone right now Ron.” She didn't see Hermione slide out of the kitchen.

Harry heard a soft knocking coming from the door, he muttered a low “come in” before hiding his face in his covers.

The door opened and then shut again quietly and Harry heard soft footsteps approaching his bed. He waited for them to speak but it never came.

After a few moments of complete silence Harry slid his eyes from his sheets and spotted Hermione watching him silently, she seemed to understand that he didn't really know what to say at that moment. Harry sat up and spoke to her.

“`Mione? What are you doing?”

Hermione could see the pain emanating from his emerald eyes and she wanted so badly to pull him into a warm embrace and help make everything better.... but she didn't. She moved over to his bed and wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder. Harry complied by leaning his head onto hers and they sat like this for a long time, Hermione eventually heard Harry crying.

Hermione lifted her head to face him and saw that tears were rolling down his cheeks, she lifted her hand to wipe them away. Shocks were sent through her body at the touch of her skin on his, Harry felt it as well.

“Harry, are you ok?” Hermione asked as the tears suddenly subsided.

“I.. I think so. I'm just confused.” Harry pulled his hand up to grasp hers that was still resting on his cheek.

Harry stared into her chocolate eyes and saw so much emotion reflected back at him, he felt as ease as he stared into her eyes, something was calming him.

Harry inched closer to Hermione, unconsciously trying to close the gap between their faces. They weren't even an inch apart when the bedroom door swung open and Ron stepped in yelling loudly at Ginny. Harry and Hermione jumped apart before Ron could notice what they were about to do.

“Can you believe her? She is such a little prat sometimes....” Ron was mumbling about some prank that Ginny had pulled on him during breakfast.

Hermione quickly smiled at Harry and left the bedroom, Ron smirked at him. “What has gotten her knickers in a knot?”

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Hermione ran into her bedroom and threw herself on the bed, Ginny was not in there at that moment so she took her time alone to reflect on what had just happened.

Hermione reached under her bed and pulled a large box out from it. After opening it up she pulled many things out including a few pictures she had hidden away of her, Ron and Harry at school. One of the pictures was taken the year before right before the term ended, they were standing on the platform at Hogsmeade getting ready to board the train. She watched as they all smiled up at her, except for Harry, that is until Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, she watched as Harry blushed and a small smile crept across his lips.

She quickly put the photo's down and pulled out the one's of her family that she had in there as well. These were just muggle pictures so she couldn't watch them smile and wave at her. In the first picture she was a tiny baby and her father was holding her and smiling, they were sitting in a park having a picnic, her mother had taken the picture.

The next one she found she was older in, around the age of nine. She had an award in her hand that she had received from school and both of her parent were beside her, still smiling. The last picture she pulled out was taken the morning she was to leave for the Hogwarts Express, she could see the fear and excitement etched in her own face, that was the day she met Harry and Ron, the day she realized there was more to life than just books.

Finally putting all of her photo's away she found what she was looking for, her diary, she had been writing in it ever since she got to Hogwart's. She flipped to the first empty page and rummaged inside the box for a pen, she touched the pen to the paper and began to write.

Dear Diary, August 4

I know it has been a very long time since I have written in here but so much has been going on around me that I just haven't found the time. Again we are here at the Order Headquarters, but so much has changed... Sirius is no longer here with us, hearing him laugh his bark life laugh has been one thing that I miss, I feel heart wrenched as I think of the man who perished.
The other thing I miss the most is Harry, I know that Harry is here, but it's not him... not the Harry he used to be. I know he has changed and so have I but he is depressed. There are other things that are happening now, things I don't understand. I talked with Professor Lupin earlier, he helped a little. I feel completely swallowed inside my own heart right now, these feelings I have for Harry are so strong.... they are choking me. I think I love him....

I know that it may not be completely love but I know that my emotions are pushing me in that direction. I see this man in front of me, this man who has the world on his shoulders and he can't handle it alone, I want to help him with it. How do I know what love is, it's not something I have ever really read about, sure I've picked up a few romance novels but they never explain how it happens, and why it's happening to me so fast. I think I have always loved Harry in one way or another. Now I know that our friendship has moved on to something much stronger and greater than it could have ever been before. I think he feels the same way although I am not completely positive. I think I will stay away from him for a few days and try to work out my feelings on my own, without having my heart beating so loud that I am sure he can here it... even though he is on the other side of the room.

I suppose that is everything for now, maybe by the time I write in here again I will know what is happening around me....maybe.

Hermione

Hermione finished her entry and quickly hid her diary away in the box that she placed back under her bed. She felt as though a weight had been lifted from her chest, maybe now she could face Harry and try to understand what was going on.

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Harry spent half of the day in his bedroom trying to understand what had almost happened between him and his best friend, he wanted to curse Ron for coming in at that moment, yet he also thanked him for stopping them from doing something that could completely ruin their friendship.

By the time lunch rolled around Harry was sure that Hermione didn't feel the same way he did, their almost kiss was a mistake and she would have killed him if he would have went through with it. He walked into the kitchen with Ron and took his regular seat beside Hermione, he noticed that Remus was watching him closely for some reason. Maybe he thinks I am going to yell again..... that must be what he is doing... Harry disregarded the stare as normal Lupin behavior, although Lupin was really watching for some sign that Harry had an interest in Hermione, he hated to see the girl get her heart broken like his had been.

It didn't take long for Remus to get some confirmation of the exchange of feelings between Harry and Hermione. Molly Weasley had just sat a few more bottles of butterbeer on the table for the kids to drink and Harry and Hermione happened to reach for the same one, their hands grazed each other. Remus intently watched the exchange between the two teens.

Harry stopped everything he was doing and turned to Hermione blushing, he moved his fingers over her hand slowly as if memorizing every feature. Hermione was shaking with anticipation as she watched Harry. They both felt their emotions running wildly and no longer noticed anyone else in the room. Remus Lupin watched as they both began leaning towards each other, reaching for a kiss, he knew he had to let them know that they weren't alone.

“Harry,” Remus said loudly, so that he would get his full attention. “Can you pass me a butterbeer?”

Harry and Hermione jumped apart both blushing furiously. Harry handed Remus the butterbeer and continued eating his lunch, Hermione did the same.

Remus Lupin knew that their relationship was growing they did seem to harbor strong feelings for each other. He knew that Hermione would be good for Harry but he still couldn't shake the fact that there was something wrong. He had always been able to tell that danger is coming, ever since he was bitten, he shook it off as something small that they didn't need to worry about at least not at that time.

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A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I did writing it. I am going to give you a chose now, do you think Harry and Hermione should get together before school starts or should it be after the term begins....? Please answer me in your review.

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6. Just One More

Chapter 6: Just One More

Harry paced up and down the hallway outside his and Ron's bedroom that evening thinking about everything that was going on. He didn't understand where his feelings for Hermione was coming from and why now of all times?

Harry mumbled to himself as he paced he had no idea that someone was standing in the darkness of the landing listening to every word he was saying.

“Why is it always me? How am I suppose to handle Voldemort and my emotions at the same time? Why can't it be someone I can handle, why Hermione?”

Harry slumped against the wall and fell to the floor and leaned his face in his hands. The person in the shadows made their way to Harry.

“All right Harry?”

Harry looked up and gave a small smile.

“I suppose, you?”

“Good,” Remus Lupin replied to him. “I couldn't help overhearing your inner battle, something you want to talk about?”

“Sort of, but not really. I'm just very confused right now...” Harry stood up and faced Remus, he was now the same height as the werewolf. “It's kind of strange, I like someone, a lot. I know they like me as well.... I think. I keep catching myself trying to kiss her but I know that we will ruin our friendship. All the while I am suppose to defeat Voldemort.”

Remus thought Harry looked very confused and he knew that he had to be. What was he suppose to tell him, throw caution to the wind and go for Hermione? He knew that's what he would have done but Harry is different, there more things at stake with him.

“Harry, I honestly think you should do only what feels right in your heart.” Remus turned around and walked back down the stairs.

“What is that suppose to mean?” Harry yelled after him. “Big help you've been!”

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Harry was once again in the department of mysteries and staring at the veil. He knew that Sirius was going to come out of it so he wasn't scared this time when he saw his hand come through. Harry wanted so badly to keep him out of it but he knew there was no chance. Sirius now stood before Harry looking as horrible as before, only this time he seemed to have a slight smile on his face.

“S.. Sirius?” Harry stuttered out.

“Harry, you are wasting time, you have to let her know before it is too late.” Sirius whispered to him.

“Before what is to late, and who is this girl you keep talking about?”

Sirius grabbed Harry's wrist and pulled him closer to him, the familiar burning sensation shot up Harry's arm.

“You know who it is in your heart. You have to let her know soon, you will lose her... maybe forever.” Sirius surveyed the room they were standing in and looked back at Harry, once again with fear in his eyes. “I've told you all I can Harry, we know things and we know that they are coming for her.... they will find her and it is only your love that will save her.”

“How am I suppose to save her? I don't even love anyone?” Harry yelled at his godfather's disappearing body.

“You know Harry, open your eyes!” Sirius was gone.

Suddenly the door to the room burst open and once again Harry saw the deatheaters dragging someone down the stairs, Voldemort stepped out from behind them.

“You can't save her Harry, she will die just like your parents. She would die rather than betray you.....” Harry tried to peer around Voldemort to get a glimpse of the person behind him, brown hair, that was all he saw.

Harry sat up in his bed clutching his scar again. He couldn't believe that he had another one of these dreams and he still didn't know who the girl was. He absentmindedly rubbed his wrist where Sirius had grabbed him and felt the burn. Sirius had told him that he couldn't tell him anymore, did that mean he wouldn't have anymore of these dreams?

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The days turned into weeks at Grimmauld Place and before they all realized it, it was the day before they were to return to school. Harry had packed quickly and was already downstairs in the kitchen by the time that Mrs. Weasley had it ready, he couldn't wait to get back to school.

The dinner that night was delicious and Harry couldn't believe that the summer holiday's were over. He spent the last three weeks avoiding any alone time with Hermione and he felt that it had helped his recent obsession. His dreams with Sirius had stopped and the burns from his dreams were finally completely healed, to Harry it seemed as if that week had never happened.

Harry finished his dinner and walked into the drawing room to make sure that he had not left any of his books laying around in there, before he had finished searching someone joined him.

“Harry,” came Hermione's soft voice. “I was wondering if we could talk?”

Harry swallowed hard, he knew that Hermione was going to ask why he had been avoiding her but what was he suppose to say? Yeah `Mione I've been ignoring you because every time I see you I just want to kiss you... yeah that will go over well.

Harry finally found his voice. “Er, sure.”

Hermione walked slowly towards him as she talked. “I have been really worried lately, you seem to be avoiding me, is it something I did?”

“No, nothing at all.” He could hear his heart beating faster and faster.

“Well what's wrong, if it's nothing I did?” Hermione was standing right before him, only inches from his face.

“It's complicated, I can't... I can't really explain it.” Harry could feel the sweat on his brow now, Hermione was making him very nervous.

“I think I do....” Hermione stared right into his emerald eyes. “Is it because every time you see me you want to kiss me, or whenever we are in a room together you can hear your heartbeat, you get nervous when you are around me?” Hermione smiled slightly, obviously hoping he was going to agree with her.

“S..ss. Sort of.” Harry whispered to her.

Hermione reached up and placed her hands in his hair rubbing her fingers all through it, Harry had never noticed how calm it made him before. Harry wanted nothing more than to lean down and capture her lips onto his and kiss her with the passion that had been burning inside him for a month. Hermione leaned closer to him and pulled his head down to her own whispering in his ear, he could feel her breath.

“Why are we doing this to ourselves? Why don't we just give each other what we want?”

Harry couldn't believe she had said that, his best friend Hermione was standing before him begging to be kissed. Out of all the years he had known her he never thought that their friendship would lead to this, something more... He couldn't do it though, he couldn't ruin what they already had.

“Hermione,” Harry whispered to her. “I can't do this, I can't ruin our friendship..”

Hermione backed away from him and stared into his eyes. “Is it because you don't like me? You don't think I'm worthy for the great Harry Potter...”
Hermione was suddenly cut off from the rest of her sentence, Harry had leaned in and closed the space between their lips. It was more than she had ever imagined, feeling his soft lips on her own and his tongue begging to be let into her mouth.

Without breaking the kiss Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him closer, he never wanted to let her go, she felt right, it was perfect.

Finally, both of them gasping for air, they separated and Harry smiled down at her, he knew why he had kissed her, he could see her temper rising and the fire that lit in her eyes when she was angry was too much for him to handle.

Neither of them noticed that a certain professor had wandered into the hallway where they had left the door open, neither of them expected to be wrapped in the others arms that night.

Harry leaned in again and kissed Hermione, this time with more passion and ferocity, he felt Hermione shudder in his arms and knew that he had affected her the same way she had gotten to him. Harry began letting his hands roam over her body as their kisses turned to lust after the other, now that they knew exactly how they felt. He tried to pry his hands under her shirt but felt Hermione's hand reach up and stop him, she pulled away from him then.

Harry muttered a whispered “Sorry” to her and tried to kiss her again.

“Harry,” Hermione said while trying to catch her breath. “As much fun as this is I think that we are moving way to fast. Not that your kisses aren't wonderful because trust me they are, I'm just not ready for anything more yet.” Hermione hung her head.

“It's ok `Mione, it was my fault I shouldn't have tried anything with you. I think we should go to bed, we do have a busy day tomorrow..” Harry leaned in and gave her a quick goodnight kiss before leaving the room.

Hermione made her way up to her bedroom slowly and finished packing her things away. She couldn't believe that she and Harry had finally kissed, after three painful weeks of staring at him and those couple times they almost kissed in front of other people. She knew when she felt his lips on hers that he truly cared for her, he would never hurt her.

Hermione fell onto her bed while she thought about Harry and the passionate time they spent in the drawing room. She had felt while they were in there that someone was watching them but she wasn't crazy enough to pull away from Harry and look. Nothing could have spoiled that moment, nothing could take it away from her now, she had finally found someone she loved more than anything and she would rather die than betray Harry.
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A/N: Sorry the chapter is so short but the next one will be much longer I promise!!

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