Disclaimer: Crod! I don't have to say it ever chapter so sod off! Jk, but really. You all know the drill.
This is the product of many things. Mainly trying to avoid studying for my chem final. blah. Also sleep deprivation, caffeine, and three hours of washing boarding school students dishes. I mean, what else do I have to do but write an entire chapter in my head? Don't say work, because what I do and how little I make, should constitute slave labor.
As of 1/22/05- I've added a good 300 word to the story. Make sure you read! Koldude stated they thought my 'cliffy' wasn't in a good place, and that it was rushed. So I went a reread the story and found I quite agreed with them. So I added a few words here and there, then added to the bottom. Instead of ending where she says 'I hope so' it continues.
Well enjoy!
*
I woke up Ron and helped both pack. It was as I was helping the boys pack that I realized Ron was still clueless as to the events of last night. I knew that he wouldn't be jealous or anything. We had come to regard each other a siblings in our years together and I was worried he would pull the whole over protective big brother act he was known for. Even though it was Harry. I knew he had been trying to get Harry and Ginny together for awhile but had found neither one receptive and had given up. So I made the decision to pull him aside before breakfast and tell him.
We had made our way to the common room when I decided to talk to him.
"Hey Harry could you go up and get my trunks for me. I wanna talk to Ron real quick." I said. He gave me a puzzled look but smiled and said,
"Sure Mione, But won't the stairs turn into a slide?"
"No. There's no girl up there so they'll stay normal."
"Ok then. Be back in a sec." With that he made his way the stairs to my room.
"Learned that in Hogwarts, A History I suppose?" Ron teased.
"No Ronald. That's how all the girls got around the whole thing when they wanted a guy to visit. They would do it when no one was around then they'd have the guy go up first. But that's not what I wanted to talk about."
"Ok then. What did you want to talk about."
"Me and Harry."
"You and Harry." He stated.
"Yes. We sort of... well last night... what I-"
"Bloody hell Hermione! Out with it!" Then a look of realization passed his face." Wait, let me guess. You to finally realized you fancied each other? If I didn't know Harry was such I gentleman I would say you shagged each other senseless too, but there you go."
"Ronald" I hissed, before it clicked in my head that he had guessed it. "What do you mean? How did you know?"
"Get off it Hermione. Everyone knows you to have loved each other since before sixth year. I mean the git spent have the summer with you at St.Mungo's after the DoM incident."
"Really? Well these feelings are all knew to me."
"Are you serious?! He's my best mate, and I knew he could be thick sometimes, but I never thought you were." At this I smacked his arm."OW! Sheesh. What I mean is I just always thought you knew. I was telling Luna just the other day that if nothing happened between you to before you came back from your trip I would have to help. And trust me, you wouldn't have wanted the help I was thinking of offering."
But before I got the chance to respond we heard Harry coming down the stairs with my trunks. Or at least some of them.
"How much stuff can one person have? You ruddy well have three others up there that I couldn't charm to carry."
"I'll go get them mate. And congrats on finally not being such a pillock anymore." Ron clapped him on the back then made his way up to my room. Harry looked at me puzzled. I simply said,
"I told him" And made my way out of the portrait hole and down to breakfast, a smile plastered across my face.
~
The train ride back to platform nine and three quarters was the most normal one we had ever experienced in our seven years at Hogwarts. Each previous year had some how been touched by Voldemort, thus making the train ride home almost unbearable. But this year was the exception. It was a fun last ride back home. Harry and Ron played a game of chess that lasted almost the whole trip home, and just when it looked like Harry was finally going to be Ron for the first time ever, Ron pulled a move that ended the game right quick.
We pulled into the station at two in the afternoon. Harry and I got out trunks and made our way to say good bye to the Weasley's. We would probably see them when we got back but this was the first time we were really going to be separated and it felt odd. We said hello and good bye to Molly and Arthur then made our way onto the Muggle platform to meet my parents. The minute we were out of there and saw my parents I let go of my trolley and flew into my dads arms. I hadn't seen them since the summer and I had missed them. I was so close to my parents that I always felt just a little lost when I went along time without seeing them.
When I was done I remembered Harry and turned around to see him standing a little ways off with our stuff, not quite sure what to do. I walked over to him and took my trolley and motioned with my head for him to follow me.
"Mum, Dad you remember Harry." I said.
"Of coarse. It's so good to see you again Harry. I'm glad your last year of school went without.... incident." My father said, shaking Harry's hand.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger." He nodded at both. "Thank you for inviting me on your trip. I know it was a family trip and I'm thankful your letting me tag along." Harry blushed at his statement, as though he just realized that maybe he was intruding.
"Oh Harry dear, think nothing of it." My mother said, obviously surprised that Harry felt the way he did. "You deserve a vacation, probably more then Mr. Granger and I do. So you just relax and don't worry." She then turned to me. "Hermione, now where is it we're going? The Ploo Network?" I laughed at this. It always amused me when my parents mixed wizarding words up.
"No Mum. The Floo Network. We have to get to Heathrow. They have them in the basement. It's much faster then flying. Mind you I had to pull some strings to get them to let you two on..." I just trailed off not wanting to say who I'd had to beg. If Harry had known Cho Chang was the one he would surely be in a bad mood most of the trip.
~
We made it to Heathrow and then France with out any problems. By the time we made it to Paris it was about four and we decided to just find the hotel and rest. We would all just order room service from our rooms and relax there. In the cab on the way there my mum's face light up just as if she had remember something very important.
"Oh! I can't believe I forgot, but I did, I completely forgot to tell you two. Because of such the late change in plans the hotel would only let us change Hermione's room from a one bed to a two bed room. As much as your father hated the fact that you have to share a room with a guy-don't give me that look Roger, you know I'm right- there's nothing to be done. I hope you don't mind?" Harry and I just looked at one another. My parents didn't know about the change in our relationship and I wasn't about to tell them. I gave Harry a look that said 'stay-cool-don't-talk'.
"No problem Mum. It'll be fine, weird sharing with a guy, but fine. Right Harry?" I said.
"Mhmm." He agreed, clearly not trusting his own voice
We checked in and found not only were we sharing a room, but it was also up to floors from my parents. I felt my stomach flip flop at the thought. I didn't know if I could trust myself with Harry. Thinking my parents were going to be only a couple doors down from us was one thing, but knowing they were two floors down...
Would Harry think this was the 'proper time and place'? I felt my mind saying I hope so....
~
Harry and I made our way with my parents up the elevator. We said good bye to them at the 20th floor and sat there in silence. It was awkward, not knowing what to say to Harry. For the first time ever in our friendship-or whatever we had was-I was at a total loose for words.
"So..." Harry said, obviously in the same predicament as me.
"Yeah.... Oh!" Harry jumped at the sudden urgency in my voice.
"What?"
"I just remembered that Paris has a place much like Diagon Alley, but it's much bigger and open. It has many outside cafes. Why don't we go there for dinner? It beats spending our first night in Paris eating room service." I said in a rush, afraid he wouldn't like the idea.
"It sounds like a plan. Should we invite your parents?" His voice clearly saying that he didn't.
"No. Let it just be us. It can be our first date." I said slyly, not quite meeting his gaze.
"Ok then. Lets go get ready."
It was just as he said this that the elevator stopped and opened on our floor.
"Yes. Lets."
~
We got into the room the room and immediately saw that there was a mix up. In front of, instead of two twin beds stood one large queen sized one.
"Ummm... Harry?" I asked apprehensively.
"Yeah Mione?" He asked, shocked at our dilemma.
"I'm not imagining this am I?"
"Not unless we're sharing the same mind."
"Ok then. Well..." Again I was at a complete loose for words.
"I can sleep on the floor. It's no big deal." Though his tone of voice betrayed what he really wanted.
"Well.. Lets wait until we get back to figure it out. I'm going to get in the shower first. I won't be long." I put my cases down by the dresser and opened it looking for a change of clothes. When I found what I was looking for I turned around and went to head for the bathroom when I saw Harry. He was standing in the same place, just staring at me with his mouth gaping open. A smile crept across my face and as I walked by I tipped it closed.
"You'll let the flies in doing that." And sauntered into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.
~
A/N2: What now?! I am I really teasing you yet? You know thats way I write this right? Just to torture you all! Ok, not really. But I am the only one who knows what happens next! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, you guys are awesome! It's the reviews that motivate me to continue.
I have no clue how long this will be now. I was aiming for 5-6 chapter the most. But thats not what the Muses want! So we'll see. I may just end it, and then maybe do a sequeal. I don't know. Tell me what y'all think. And I am going to reply to all the reviews. Really I am. There's just so many!
As Always~Pheniox_Girl