It was a rainy and cloudy day, and the air was sticky with humidity. Hermione was in her dorm, watching the sheets of rain pouring onto the grounds. She sighed, fogging up the window.
Yawning and stretching she turned around and wandered toward the door. She found Harry and Ron sitting by the fire as usual, playing chess.
It was seventh year, and the three of them had grown considerably. Ron was filling out finally, and was as tall as ever. Harry looked more mature and not so boyish. His black hair stayed as messy as ever, and his green eyes just as bright behind his glasses.
Hermione was filling out herself, curves and all. Of course you really couldn't tell very well behind the bagging robes she wore everyday. Her hair was more tamed, and she was happy for it. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she sat to watch the boys.
"Where've you been Hermione?" Ron asked.
"No where special." She answered.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked, taking his eye from the game.
Those green eyes always threw her off. Blinking she shook it off.
"Yeah, fine."
"Hm," he said, going back to the game. He ordered his bishop around and he knocked one of Ron's pawns to pieces.
"Ha!" He cried.
"Don't you guys get tired of this game?" Hermione asked.
"Never." Ron answered shortly.
With a playful roll of her eyes, Hermione sat back and watched Harry's ass get kicked once again.
"Damn," He said as he watched his king being crushed and attacked. "Lost again."
"Shouldn't surprise you by now." Hermione said gently.
"Oh shut up. I will beat him again." He grinned at her, those eyes catching her interest again.
"Keep dreaming." Ron said as he put away his pieces. ""Mione? Are you going to the Ball this year?"
"Ball?" She tore her eyes from Harry's.
There was to be a ball held especially for the seventh years, at the end of December.
"It's only October Ron. I don't know yet."
"Still…"
She could have sworn she saw his ears turn a shade of pink as he picked up the chessboard. He went upstairs to put it away.
"Are you going?" She asked Harry, who still sat in his seat at the table while Hermione was comfortable on the couch. A nice distance, she thought.
"Maybe. If I can find someone to go with." He got up and sat by her.
So much for that…
"Who you planning to ask?"
It's not like I care or anything, she thought to herself.
"It's only October Hermione." He mocked, resting his head on the back of the couch.
She rolled her eyes again, looking into the fire.
"Hermione?"
"Hm?" She turned back to see him sitting closer.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, I'm fine." She said with again.
"You sure?" His voice was full on concern. Something she'd seen experienced a small number of times over the years she'd know him.
She looked back into the fire, trying to ignore him, and his eyes.
She looked gorgeous, he thought to himself. Her hair was shining in the firelight.
There was something she wasn't telling him, and he was bound and determined to get it out of her. Her brown eyes couldn't hide anything.
He reached up, and was surprised when she jumped when he took her chin in his hand and turned her to him. He gazed at her intently as her eyes grew slightly wider.
"You're hiding something."
"I don't know what you're talking about." She stared at him, almost as in challenge.
"Yes you do." He said directly.
"Let go." She said defiantly.
"I don't think so."
She tried to shake him off, but he took a better grip.
He saw the fire in her eyes, and he grinned at it.
"And just what the hell are you grinning at?"
"You." He continued to grin.
"I can see that. Get your hands off me." He was making her feel things, and she didn't like it at all. He was too close for comfort.
"Not on your life." His thumb rubbed her chin, and she stiffened, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Get your hands *off* me Potter before-"
"Before you what?" he said dangerously.
His eyes bore into hers, and she found her stomach squirming. Fighting for control, she stared right back.
"Before I hurt you." She growled.
"You wouldn't."
She cocked a brow at him in a challenge.
"You better sit still." He said, getting closer.
"Or what?" She was still now. His voice had caught her attention.
He was inching forward, and she could feel his breath on her lips when the boys' dormitory door opened and Ron stepped out. She jumped back, her heart pounding.
Even after that scare Harry still had that cocky grin on his face.
It gave him a little entertainment to see her so jumpy, and slightly pale.
"Who's ready for dinner?" Ron asked, rubbing his hands together.
"Sure." Said, trying to slow her heart rate. She wouldn't let Harry know he was having this kind of effect on her. No, she would not give him that satisfaction.
Even if he already knew.
"All right. You coming Harry?"
"Yeah." He said.
Ron led the way out and Hermione followed.
A hand closed over her wrist and she spun around to meet a teasing smile that went all the way to his green eyes.
"We'll finish this later." He whispered.
He walked around her and hurriedly chased Ron out the portrait hole. She blinked a few times, regained her control, and followed Harry on shaky knees.
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