Unofficial Portkey Archive

AN: Thank you so much for your reviews everyone! And I do apologize for some small clichés in this story- ie, Ron being very helpful with Harry and not feeling slightly jealous. But this was one of my first stories, and everyone has to start somewhere.

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Harry shoved his seat closer to the table and rested his elbows against it. Hermione was getting the impression that he was about to say something. Ron however was fearing the worst so he thought it was best to stick close by. Trying to be as incognito as he could he grabbed " Quidditch throughout the Ages" from Madame Pince's desk and walked right by them covering the side of his face with the open book, heading for the nearest book shelf so he could listen.

Harry was having troubles with his voice. He opened and closed his mouth five times before finally saying something.

"Hermione, er-"

"Yes?" she said looking a little bit hopeful

"I was wondering if...if er-" This was hard.

Ron was watching behind a book shelf muttering, " Come on Harry, you can do it..."

"If er-"

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him giving him that look of 'keep going'.

"If you could...help me with my potions essay?"

Ron smacked his forehead with the book. "Idiot!"

"Oh," said Hermione, slightly surprised but at the same time a little discouraged, "of course, we'll work on it tonight in the common room, is that alright?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Harry didn't notice Ron, rush out behind him with the open book covering his face. He tossed it back on Madam Pince's desk and walked out. As soon as he turned around Harry was just walking through the doors with a look of defeat on his face.

"YOU-STUPID-BRAINLESS-GIT," Ron shouted, thrusting a pointed finger at him with every word.

"I'm SORRY!" Harry pleaded, "I froze, I didn't know what to say."

"Potions essay... really," Ron folded his arms " that's not due till next week!" he leaned his back against the stone wall, while Harry tugged his scarf off and wrapped it around his fists.

"Well, you know what we have to do know," said Ron, pushing himself away from the wall with his foot, " we have to make sure that you two are alone in the common room tonight."

"Oh yes, because that's not obvious at all."

"Well you have to get a move on Harry, you said you were going to tell her today, and you're going to."

Later that evening Hermione sat on the couch in front of the fireplace in the common room, finishing up her essay. She stopped and looked around. The common room was insanely quiet. She heard footsteps coming from the stairway and Harry appeared carrying his potion notebook and things. He was wearing a rather nervous smile.

"Hello," he said taking a seat in one of the chairs next to her.

"Hello Harry," she said and the same silly grin began to from upon her face. Hermione returned her eyes to her parchment and began scratching away. Harry however, was watching her hand move swiftly across the page, her neat and tiny writing following it. He exhaled deeply. It had to be now.

"Hermione?"

She looked up at him. "Yes?"

"Er-" he leaned in closer, his mouth feeling suddenly dry, " I er...well the thing is....I er-"

"Oh for goodness sake Harry!" Hermione shouted and made a reach for his tie and brought his lips crashing onto hers.

Even though Harry's eyes were closed his eyebrows were raised so high that they disappeared behind his bangs. His arms flailed out causing his books to fall to the ground, until he finally stumbled on to the couch and practically in Hermione's lap. When Hermione finally released him he had one hand on top of the couch's back and the other on the arm rest, pinning Hermione underneath him. They looked at each other. Hermione had a sort of dreamy look on her face, while Harry's wore a very familiar grin. Hermione straightened out his glasses, which were knocked askew, letting out a small giggle.

Ron and Ginny stood in the shadows of the stairway looking on. They looked at each other smiling and shook hands. When they turned their attentions back towards Harry and Hermione, Harry had collapsed on top of her, giving her a big hug and breathing a huge sigh of relief. Hermione had wrapped her arms around Harry's neck.

"I know the feeling," she said.

***

When Harry awoke the next morning he couldn't stop smiling. Last night was pretty fun.

Hermione kissed him.

On the lips.

As he pulled on his school robes he looked towards Ron who was running his fingers through his hair in the mirror.

"Feel free to stop giggling like a school girl anytime," he said looking at Harry's expression.

"Sorry," said Harry trying to straighten his face, but he couldn't help it, he just burst out in giggles again.

"I'd hate to see you when she comes to meet us for breakfast," said Ron straightening out his tie.

Harry and Ron walked down to the common room, Harry jumping the last three stairs, hit the ground with a flourish.

"Good Lord, Harry." Harry spun around to meet Ginny sitting on the couch, " I wonder why you're in a good mood- some potion essay huh?"

"How did you know I was doing a potions essay?"

Ron was shaking his head furiously at Ginny mouthing 'He doesn't know! Shut up!'
Harry saw Ginny looking at Ron and he turned his head in Ron's direction. Ron had snapped his hands at his side, looking somewhere in the direction of the window.

"Um...because...Ron…told me?"

Ron gave Ginny a sarcastic thumbs-up. They heard someone coming down the stairs and all three of them turned to see Hermione enter the room, her cheeks rather flushed.

Ron and Ginny were looking at them with smiling anticipation. But all Harry and Hermione could do was stare back at them.

"Er-we'll meet you in the Great Hall," said Ron pushing his little sister out with him. When they saw the portrait door close Hermione threw herself at Harry, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving his a soft kiss on the cheek.

"Good Morning!" said Harry, rather surprised by the hug.

"Come on, let's go to breakfast," said Hermione, "if we take too long they'll start talking," she laughed. She steered Harry's in front of her and then jumped on his back. Harry gave her a piggy-back almost all the way to the stairs, when a voice caught them off guard. It was Professor McGonagall.

"I understand the need for exercise Potter, but safety…now would you kindly put Miss Granger down!"

"Sorry Professor," they said in unison as he released Hermione's legs and slowly lowered her to the floor. When Professor McGonagall had carried on her way they smiled at each other and proceeded to the great Hall.

"Hungry Ron?" asked Hermione taking her seat next to Harry like she always did.

"Try the French toast Harry," said Ron trying to swallow the large amounts of food in his mouth.

Breakfast carried on like it usually did. The only difference was the increased amount of giggling Harry was doing every time his thoughts wandered to the previous night. But suddenly, halfway through his breakfast, he stopped. There was a small upset feeling in his stomach, that he couldn't quite explain. His hand became cold and sweaty as he wrenched his tie loose.

"You all right?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, just a little warm," he said fanning his face.

"You do look a little pale Harry," said Ginny," maybe you should go see Madam Pomfrey."

Hermione was studying his face with keen interest .

"No it's all right," said Harry, fanning his chest with his jumper," It's probably because of the change in weather that's all," he looked at Hermione, " I'm all right!"

When breakfast was finished they made their way down to the grounds for Care of Magical Creatures. Harry didn't feel like moving to fast, it seemed with every step his stomach felt more and more uncomfortable. Still, he didn't want this to ruin the good day he was having so far.

"I wonder what beast from hell Hagrid brought for us?" said Ron. Harry laughed but stopped immediately when he felt his stomach give a small heave.

"Got a real treat for ya today!" called Hagrid out from his cabin. Everyone gave a small groan, except for Harry who swallowed hard and exhaled heavily.

While most of the class was watching Hagrid demonstrate with his beast of the week, Hermione was warming Harry's hands with her own. He knew all she had to do was place a simple charm on them but Harry preferred this method better. And judging by the look on Hermione's face so did she. Harry turned his head to look at the creature when suddenly his vision went blurry and a cold sweat broke over his forehead.

"Harry, are you sure you're all right?" asked Hermione.

Ron turned his head to see Harry go very pale, all of the sudden Harry's cheeks inflated and he clapped his hand over his mouth making a dash for the nearest bush. The noise that followed however answered Hermione's question. The two of them looked at each other with worry and ran after Harry, who was bent over with his hands on his knees.

"Harry what's wro- ugh!" Ron made an about turn and covered his mouth.

"Oh no," said Hermione and began to rub Harry's back, encouraging him but at the same time scolding him for not going to see Madam Pomfrey.

"What's the problem here?" bellowed Hagrid as he made his way over, "Oh!" he said when he surveyed Harry and the mess he was making. Hagrid, however seemed unfazed by this as he made his way to his hut and returned seconds later with a large wooden bucket, shoving it underneath Harry's face.

"Better out than in," he continued, "what are you all lookin' at- we got a class ter finish!" yelled Hagrid at the gawking Slytherin's who turned around to face the other way. The Gryffindors occasionally peered over their shoulders to see Harry's progress.

"Hagrid, I think I might need one of those," said Ron who was standing off to the side, apparently looking a little queasy himself.

"Better stay with him you two," said Hagrid, "hate ter pass out an' have no one lookin' after ya."

"I'm not going to-" Harry didn't have a chance to finish what he wanted to say. His stomach wasn't finished emptying the morning's contents yet.

"Well just ter be safe anyway," said Hagrid and walked back towards his class.

Just as quick as it came it ended, and Harry slumped back against the trunk of a tree, panting.

"Now will you go see Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione said, but it seemed more a like a demand than a request.

Maybe you should go too Hermione," said Ron, "you might have it too after last night," Ron watched Hermione's cheeks go pink.

"Fine," she said, "but we should all go just in case."

Ron, while avoiding to look at the buckets contents, helped Harry up, and the three of them made their way to the hospital wing.

"You'll understand of course," whispered Hermione, "that I don't really want to kiss you right now...on the lips anyway."

Harry looked up and smiled at her as she went very pink again. "I'll get over it," he said shrugging his shoulders, and laughing.

Harry was laying on a bed on Madam Pomfrey's orders while Ron and Hermione sat on either side of the bed and waited for Madam Pomfrey to come back.

"Stomach flu!" she pronounced as she walked in.

"But I feel better!" Harry protested.

"You do now, but wait a few hours and you'll be running for the lavatories. You should have came to me sooner, I could have prevented this whole thing," she fussed.

"Well I don't think Ginny and I saw this coming," said Ron, " we would've waited until you were sick first," but no sooner had he said it when he wished he hadn't. He was met with two very curious stares.

"What do you mean 'wait till I was sick?' "

Ron suddenly became interested in a bird outside the window.

"Well?" asked Harry with his arms crossed.

"What?" said Ron trying to appear innocent.

"What did you mean 'wait till I was sick'?"

"When?"

"RON!" said Harry exasperated," You mean to tell me you and Ginny were playing matchmaker?"

"Well, you see the thing is er-" Ron looked at Hermione who was standing there with her arms crossed too," ...well not a first, you see when Ginny told Hermione what you said-'' Ron watched Hermione shake her head and violently wave her hands mouthing the word 'No!'

Harry whipped his head around at Hermione. "You knew?"

Hermione was able to do nothing except stand there with her mouth open looking between Ron and Harry. After opening and closing her mouth a few times and turning a distinct shade of red she finally blurted out, " Transfiguration! We got to go! Bye Harry we'll come back later!" she leaned forward and kissed Harry on the forehead then grabbed Ron's sleeve and dragged him out.

"Bye Harry!" said Ron, "don't forget about our Quidditch game tonight!"

"But-" it was no use they had already left.

Harry slumped against the head board and crossed his arms, blowing his bangs off of his forehead. Suddenly he sat up straight. A familiar feeling was creeping back up his stomach and to his throat. He flew off the bed and made a mad dash to the toilets. Madam Pomfrey watched from her office door laughing silently to herself, as she mixed the last ingredient to her potion.

Moments later, Harry trudged out of the bathroom and made his way to his bed. He slowly took off his robe and pulled off his jumper, took off his tie and un-tucked his shirt, and collapsed on the bed, utterly exhausted. Madam Pomfrey wasn't too far behind him picking up his trail of clothes carrying a large vile of a creamy coloured liquid. She placed his clothes on the chair next to his bed, and placed the potion on top of the table.

"You'll need to drink that."

"What is it?" said Harry all groggy.

"It won't make you feel better right away, as a matter of fact it will speed it up."

"What?"

"It will speed up the illness to make it go away faster. Now in the mean time I suggest you pick a bed that's closest to the bathroom- you're in for one heck of a ride."

Harry was staring at the potion with fear.

"Harry if you plan on playing Quidditch, I suggest you drink up, I for one will never speak to Professor Snape again if Slytherin takes it this year."

Harry slowly sat up and took the potion, he chugged the bottle back with the utmost disgust on his face.

"UGH! It tastes awful!"

"But it works!"

As Madam Pomfrey walked away Harry grabbed his robes and such and headed for the bed closest to the bathroom, but no sooner had he put his clothes down, he clapped his hand over his mouth and sprinted to the bathroom once more.

***

Ron and Hermione wandered in to the classroom and took their usual seats for transfiguration, when Malfoy walked up to them.

"It's a shame what happened to Potter isn't it, what with a stomach flu and all- mind you" he looked straight at Hermione, " even I could've told him touching mudbloods is hazardous to your health."

Ron shot straight up, pushing his chair away while Crabbe and Goyle flanked Draco's side. And if it wasn't for Professor McGonagall walking in, there would have been a rumble.

"Weasley, Malfoy sit down!"

Ron slowly sat down glaring at Malfoy. Hermione however was concentrating on something different.

"Ron," she whispered, " how did Malfoy know that Harry has the stomach flu?"