1001 Hogwarts Nights: No One Else by Max Rating: G Genres: Romance Relationships: Harry & Hermione Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5 Published: 12/03/2005 Last Updated: 17/03/2005 Status: Completed They say that dreams are your subconscious' way of trying to tell you something. For Harry and Hermione, it's spelling out what's been there in front of them all this time. 1. One ------ AN: This is NOT a continuation, sequel or prequel for that matter to “Proof In the Pumpkin Juice”. This is a separate story in itself, but I do hope all of you enjoy reading. And, er- I’m sorry if anyone’s lifespan has been shortened due to cliff hangers. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Hermione was having a bad day. Since her day started at 7am, she stubbed her toe on her trunk, snapped the bristles off her brush trying to get rid of a nasty tangle, spilled pumpkin juice on her shirt twice at breakfast and by 10 am she had recieved a 8 out of 10 because her potions essay was 'filled with spelling errors': "Your capitols aren't large enough to distinguish their importance," said Professor Snape when she protested, "you're lucky I marked it at all." Hermione thought things couldn't get worse...but they did. By 1:30 pm, Ron had yelled himself hoarse at Hermione because Crookshanks had peed on his shoes: "I ONLY GOT ONE PAIR! SO HELP ME IF I EVER CATCH THAT BLOODY CAT IN MY ROOM I'LL THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW!" She knew he was serious. So she made her way to her room on the verge of tears, desperately hoping that Crookshanks was still in her room. When she entered she saw his tail sticking out from underneath the bed, and with good reason- Lavender and Pavarti were having a row...over a boy. Except now it had launched into a full scale verbal assault. "KNOCK KNEES!" yelled Pavarti. "THUNDER THIGHS!" roared Lavender. "UNDER-DEVELOPED-CALVES!" Lavender, held her hand to her mouth and gasped. She always thought that her legs were her worst feature. But for Hermione however this was more than she can stand. She turned around and walked out slamming the door behind her. She stopped and leaned against it holding her face in her hands. She had never wanted a day to end so much in her life. Her afternoon classes weren't so bad, though quiet because she never once raised her hand to answer. Harry nudged her in the arm. "What's wrong?" he whispered. "Nothing," Hermione lied. Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Okay," and continued on with his notes. Hermione sat there, a little stunned. Normally people would force you to tell them. If they cared. She didn't hear a peep out of Harry. He was probably mad at her too for Crookshanks peeing on Ron's shoes. Hermione's shoulders sank. Now she was having a *really* bad day. When the class ended, she stuffed her books into her bag and took off with out them. "Wait- Hermione?!" Harry called after her, "what's wrong with her?" "Who cares?" said Ron bitterly, screwing the cap back on his ink bottle. Harry's face went straight as he turned towards him. "What did you say to her?" "Oh, so it's my fault? Her cat peed on my shoes Harry!" "So be mad at the cat, not Hermione!" said Harry, grabbing his books and taking off after her. "So why don't you just marry her then!" he yelled out to Harry's back. Hermione was desperately holding her book bag together (since it split open, giving Draco a good laugh) as she walked up to the Gryffindor tower she stopped right in the middle of the stair case. She wanted to go somewhere. Somewhere quiet so she could let out a good cry if she wanted to. As if obeying her thoughts, the stair case shifted and took her towards another landing. Hermione wobbled on her feet as the staircase shifted to the right. When it came to a stop, it brought her to a door that Hermione had never seen. Still, curiosity got the better of her and she continued forward. Clenching tightly on her bag she was positive that any moment now Mrs. Norris would come flying out of the corners to alert Mr. Filch of an intruder. *That would just be my luck to*, Hermione thought to herself. She pushed open the wooden door and observed a very peaceful room. Various windows filtered in the late afternoon's sunshine as the dust danced in the light. She turned around in a circle to look at the room completely, she was however, very oblivious the loose tile on the floor. "Oh no!" she said tripping and falling, her book bag bursting all over the floor. "Well that's just PERFECT!" she shouted dusting off her knees. She collected her books one by one, muttering to herself. She bent over to pick up her last textbook, “Potions...' the capitol letters weren't large enough to distinguish to importance,'" she said in a mocking voice. Pursing her lips together she gripped the book tight. "Distinguish THIS." Hermione hurled the book across the room and watched it slam against the wall and onto the floor. It felt good. Hermione let her shoulders drop as she sulked over to pick it up. It wasn't going to make her day any better if she came to class with tattered books. She stopped to look out the window and sighed. A sudden thought came to her as she sat against the windowsill. Why wasn't anyone looking for her? She knew why. Ron wasn't about to speak to her anytime soon, and Harry...well she was sure Harry would take Ron's side like he always did. She felt very alone all of the sudden. "This is depressing," Hermione said staring at her textbooks," and now I'm talking to myself." Hermione sighed and picked up her bag to stuff her books in. She wiped away a tear or two before turning around to walk away, when she found herself toe to toe with Harry Potter. She froze as she looked up at him. He had a grin tugging on the corner of his lips, and before she knew what happened he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug. Her arms went limp before securing them tightly around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. "Oh, Harry I was having such an awful day, first with potions and then with Ron yelling at me when Crookshanks peed on his shoes-" Harry snorted a laugh. "I know I shouldn't be laughing but, it sounds funny when you say it, you know, because you're so proper." Hermione started to laugh and before they new it they were holding onto each other for support. When the laughing died down, Harry straightened himself up. "So are you ready to come back downstairs?" "I suppose I have to don't I?" Harry nodded. "Is Ron still mad?" "A little, he'll laugh about it in a few days, besides," said Harry helping Hermione with her bag, "you still have me right?" Hermione stopped and smiled at him. "Yes Harry, yes I do." ****** It had been a few days since Hermione's bad day. Ron saw fit to say sorry for yelling at her- which was a good start, and everything seemed to go back to normal. Snape seemed to be in a better mood (whatever that was) and gave Hermione a 9.5 out of 10 on her next essay, which was the highest mark anyone could get in that class, And Hermione and Harry's friendship seemed to develop a lot more since he went to find her. It meant a lot to Hermione- but she never told him. Life went on...and so did Quidditch... Harry laid back in his bed exhausted. Quidditch had been hell, in fact he couldn't remember the last time it was fun. He had showered and changed into something soft and comfortable. He hadn't bothered drying his hair- his arms hurt to much to do so. Suddenly he heard the door open and close, must be one of his room mates- but the last he checked, none of them had curly brown hair. "Er- Hello Hermione?" Harry said straightening himself up, the collar of his shirt still wet from his hair. "Hello Harry," she said closing the door behind her. "Er- what are you-" " You know Harry," Hermione interrupted, " it's funny that we've been friends all this time, had our adventures...our heartbreaks, and yet there you are…always." Harry stared at her, it was the way she was talking, how she tucked her hair in behind her ears...how she was looking at him. It made him gulp. She walked closer towards him, bitting her lower lip. "I feel close to you," she continued. "You- you do?" he said watching her trace her fingers along his bed curtains. "So close in fact," she said slipping her school robe off her shoulders, "that I feel something growing inside of me." "Oh?" said Harry feeling his heart began to race, " really?" "Yes," said Hermione taking a seat next to Harry and leaning over. Harry's arms felt numb as she drew her face closer and closer until she grabbed the back of Harry's wet hair and forced him into a kiss. " OY! HARRY!" Harry's eyes snapped open and he shot straight up in his bed. "Wake up, Harry- you're going to be late!" "What?!" said Harry forcefully running his hand through his sweaty fringe, “Where's Hermione?" "Hermione? I don't know probably downstairs in the common room...why?" "Oh, Er- no reason." It was a dream. A dream that Harry couldn't shake out of his head. The image of Hermione kissing him was...different. He sat there covering his mouth with a concerned look on his face. "You all right?" asked Ron, putting on his school robe. "Huh? oh yeah, fine." It was an outright lie. Harry felt a pang inside his stomach as he got dressed- how was he going to be able to talk to Hermione ...or be able to look at her for that matter. As they made their way to the common room, Harry got his first glance at the real Hermione. All of the sudden- his cheeks felt flushed. Harry built himself up to look at Hermione for more than five seconds. Still, he couldn't curb his blushing. He would pass off the excuse that he was feeling a little warm. But the one thing he couldn't shake was the instant image that would appear in his mind of Hermione kissing him. He wondered if it meant something. *That's dumb,* Harry thought. It was just a dream after all. However it wasn't so dumb when he found himself wondering the bookshelves in the library after one of his classes. If any, there would be some sort of book on dreams. His eyes scanned up and down the rows of books in the divination section, "Dreams...dreams," he muttered to himself wiggling his fingers along the spines of the books. He stopped at a large green book and pulled it out: *What the Heck Was That?* : Dream interpretations and their puzzling meanings. Harry flipped the book open and chewed on the corner of his mouth as he scanned the pages. He didn't think that the book would have a section devoted to 'kissing your best friends'....but they did. Harry furrowed his eyebrows and read the passage. "Harry?" Harry snapped the book shut and spun around. "Hermione?" "You walked right by me without even saying hello," said Hermione with a small laugh. "Oh, s-sorry, Er- what are you doing in the library?" he said trying to push the book back on the shelf without looking. Hermione jutted her hip out and stared at him. "Right, " said Harry nodding, "stupid question." "What are you doing in the divination section? I thought you always make your homework up- which is very stupid to do by the way, I'm surprised Professor Trelawny hasn't said anything," said Hermione guiding Harry's book back onto the shelves. When Hermione moved her hand back it brushed against Harry's. He Froze. "You all right Harry? You're face is all flushed?" "Ye- Er...I- I Think I should go outside for some fresh air." "Oh, I'll come with you it’s nice out." "No!, It's - it's all right er-" Harry pulled a book off from the shelves and handed it to her," I wouldn't want to pull you away from your studying, I'll see you," he said and walked away with a quickened pace, touching his burning cheek. Hermione watched him walk out of the library with her eyebrows furrowed, "Honestly!" she said and shoved the book back on the shelf. Hermione spent most of the night in the library, as she usually did. Unless she was with Harry or Ron studying. Neither of them seemed to require her assistance so... Hermione lifted her tired eyes up from her parchment scribbles. She looked around and noticed she was once again the last person in the library. Except for Madam Pince who was off returning the books to their shelves. She stood up and grabbed her books to return them to the shelves, when she felt someone's presence. She stopped dead in her tracks, she slowly reached out behind her, grabbed the air and pulled hard. And there stood Harry, with his hair standing up and a silly grin plastered on his face. "Hi?" he said waving. "Harry, what are you-" "Shh," he said placing a finger over his mouth, " follow me," and he grabbed her hand and dragged her off to the corner of the library. They stopped to listen for noises. When it was quit enough Harry tossed the cloak over them both. "Harry what's-" "Ever feel like you just want to disappear?" "Sometimes," she said with a puzzled look on her face. "I-I want to tell you something," he said lifting her hands up. " You've been constantly fixing my glasses to help me see and-" "That's not a problem Harry-" Harry covered her mouth. "The thing is, I saw perfectly all those times, but I still had trouble seeing what was right in front of me." Hermione felt Her heart clench. "What?" "It's you," Harry said leaning in for a kiss. Hermione felt this overwhelming urge taking over inside of her. She had to kiss him. And she did. They stumbled backwards underneath Harry's cloak and slammed into a book case. The odd book fell and one part of Hermione brain that was still functioning properly told her that Madam Pince was going to be here any second now- "Miss Granger? Miss Granger Wake up!" Hermione snapped her head up and looked around. She was still in the library, and Madam Pince was standing over her holding a candle. 2. Chapter 2 ------------ Hermione rubbed her tired face as she exited the library. It was almost like she was trying to rub away the dream that was very fresh in her mind. She kissed Harry. Her legs were on auto-pilot as she walked towards the Gryffindor tower. Her mind was still back in the library underneath Harry's invisibility cloak. Of all things she could have dreamed of why did it have to be Harry. *Probably because he's been on my mind a lot,* she thought, walking up the last flight of stairs towards the Pink Lady. *Only because of what happened last year*, she quickly rectified. "Heffalumps and Woozles," she said, and the portrait swung open. The Common Room was deserted- or so she thought until she heard a voice call her name from a chair in front of the fire place. "Hermione?" said Ginny, her head half visable from atop the chair. "I was just wondering if- you okay?" she inquired studying the very flushed face of Hermione. "Promise you won't tell anyone?" said Hermione taking a seat next to her. Ginny immediately shut her book and shifted on her seat to face her. "Spill it." Hermione considered the floor and then looked up at Ginny, " I had a dream...a very strange dream...about Harry." Ginny shifted her eyes to the side and looked back at Hermione. "And?" "IwaskissingHarryinmydream," she said really fast, and then put her hand to her face. "Come again?" Hermione took a deep breath, " I kissed Harry... in my dream." Ginny smiled. "No.Way." "I don't know why," said Hermione becoming flustered, " I mean one minute I was returning the books and the next we were underneath his cloak...just...kissing like…we-" Hermione motioned her hand back and forth and fell silent unable to get the right words out of her mouth. " It was weird." "Might have been something you ate," said Ginny as though she gave this advice often. "I remember once I had two bowls of Ice Cream, and I had this dream where I was a cherry and Malfoy kept trying to eat me. Freaked me out." Hermione stared at her. " Yes, I completely see the connection." "I wouldn't worry about it, my Mum said that dreams are just the brain’s way of getting rid of things, you know?" "That doesn't make sense," said Hermione scrunching her eyebrows, "because my brain tends to keep reminding me of how hot it was underneath that invisibility cloak." "I bet," said Ginny under her breath. "Listen, it's past 10 o'clock-maybe if you go to sleep know you can see how far you make it-" "GINNY!" Hermione hissed "Only joking!" The next day Harry found himself wandering the aisles of the Divination section in the library, hoping to find the same book he had read before about 'kissing your best friend' in your dreams. But when he had reached it he found somebody else standing there reading the same book. "Ginny?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, "I didn't know you take Divination?" "One of the many things you don't know about me Harry," she said with a smile, "actually, I'm just looking something up for a friend." "Was your friend kissing his best friend in his dreams too?" Ginny froze." Who have *you* been kissing? I should let you know that Ron isn't like that," she said with a twisted smile. "Very funny," said Harry with a smirk. He looked around and leaned forward a little. "Promise not to tell?" "Cross my heart." "I- well," Harry opened and closed his mouth four times in an attempt to form a sentence. " Iwas in my room- just after Quidditch practice- and then Hermione came in. She was saying all this stuff about us being friends for so long, and the next thing I knew...we were...you know," Harry gave a nervous shrug of the shoulders, "just wish I knew what it meant- Er- if it means anything at all." "I see," said Ginny with a look of understanding on her face, "so you and Hermione kissed...very interesting indeed." Ginny stood there observing Harry, tapping the top spine of the book against her lips. Suddenly the wheels in her head began to turn. With a smile she handed the book to Harry. "Check out page 258, if you really want a second opinion." "What? I haven't even had a first," said Harry turning around to watch Ginny walk away. "Yes you did Harry," said Ginny calmly," your mind has already told you." Ginny walked out of the library, leaving Harry with a dumbstruck look on his face. She turned her head just in time to see Harry shove the book back on the shelf. Ginny shook her head and smiled. *You'll get it one day Harry,* she thought to herself while side stepping a few third years. As she continued down the corridor she saw Hermione walk with a rather fast pace towards her, hoisting up her nearly bulging book bag as she weaved in and out of the crowds. "Hermione!" Ginny called. "Oh, Hello Ginny," said Hermione as she came closer, she seemed rather stressed, "I'm sorry but I can't talk right now, Professor Vector just assigned us loads of homework, not to mention the foot long essay I have to do for Ancient Runes, so I really must go." "Where are you going?" "Common Room- why?" "Oh, just- wait a minute! No! Don't go to the Common Room!" said Ginny grabbing Hermione's arm and pointing her towards the library. "Ginny, what on earth-" "You should go to the library, it's more quit there and all the information is there anyway." "Are you trying to keep me out of the Common Room?" "No- yes…yes I am...Ron's on a power trip," Ginny lied and leaned in closer, " got three second years a detention and yelled at a first year till they cried for setting off a dung bomb near the Common Room." Hermione glared towards the common room. "But don't worry, I've sorted him out," she said quickly. "I suppose the library would be better, it's just around the corner anyway, but I really should be off." “Oh, of course. And er- if you're interested, your dream is in the Divination section," Ginny added with a wink. Hermione blushed furiously and with an embarrassed smile she turned and walked away. "Matchmaking is fun," Ginny said and was about to walk away but stopped dead in her tracks, smiled, and followed Hermione into the library. Hermione went straight for her favourite table, and pulled out her favourite chair and let her book bag fall to the ground with a loud THUD. "SHHH!" hissed Madam Pince for across the room. "Sorry!" Hermione whispered and began her stroll of the aisles, picking out various books. She walked straight passed the Divination section with out even looking at, trying to keep herself focused, on the task at hand. A few minutes later Hermione emerged with a pile of books stacked high enough that she could barley see over the top. It wasn't however, high enough to stop her eye contact with Harry. "Harry!" said Hermione from behind the stack of books, her eyes wide with embarrassment. "Hermione?" "What are you doing here?" they said together. "Research," they said again. There was a brief pause before Hermione spoke." I have to do- oh no!" Hermione tripped over her own foot and books went everywhere. Harry got down on all fours. "Here, let me help," he said picking up book after book. "This is really embarrassing," said Hermione picking up her share of books. "Don't worry, I don't think anybody can see past these...shelves..." Harry and Hermione looked up at each other- their faces mere inches apart. "Er-" Harry felt a little hot under the collar and Hermione felt a nervous jolt in her stomach. Flashes of each others dreams were bouncing around in their minds so clearly it was as if they had dreamed it just seconds ago, and now it seemed that their dreams would come true any second now. But still, in the back of their minds there was this slight hesitation- a hesitation that they both seemed to dwell on. Hermione's eyes flickered in between Harry's eyes and his lips, drawing herself ever closer to him. Ginny's mouth went dry as she watched from behind a bookshelf . "Merlin, I wish I was in her shoes," said Ginny quietly. Just then Luna's head popped from the side of the bookshelf. She looked at Ginny with a curious expression and wondered what she was looking at. Walking up behind her she followed Ginny's gaze from between the books. "Have they kissed yet?" Ginny jumped and accidentally knocked over a few books causing Harry and Hermione to snap back to reality and away from each other. "*Luna!*" Ginny hissed and grabbed her by the sleeve. "I like Hermione's hair like that," said Luna craning her neck to see a parting glimpse of the two before Ginny dragged her away. Hermione and Harry stood up and brushed off their robes. "I have um-" Hermione pointed to her table, unable to speak. Harry nodded. "And I have to uh- uh-" Harry pointed his thumb over his shoulder. Hermione nodded, " I'll- I'll see you." "Yeah," said Harry, his mouth going dry. They nodded at each other for another second, laughed nervously and departed each other's company, both of them holding a part of their face as if to control the furious blushing that was threatening to take over. Ginny swung Luna around in front of her. " What are you doing sneaking up on me like that, it almost worked!" "What worked? Oh, Hermione and Harry? That has a nice ring to it don't you think? Hey that rhymes!" Ginny stared at her. "Well you're getting a lot farther with them than I have. I've been trying to set them up for weeks!" replied Luna. "You have? I didn't notice." "Well that's the point isn't it? No one's supposed to figure it out." Ginny chewed the corner of her lip, she was right, " Well now I- or we, rather," said Ginny noticing the look on Luna's face," have to try something else." Harry was walking rather fast down the corridors with a single thought occupying his brain: He almost kissed Hermione. He scratched the back of his head and wondered what on Earth possessed him to get that close to her. *It's that dream*, Harry thought to himself, *that stupid dream*. He was so focused as to what was going on in his head that he wasn't really paying much attention as to what was in front of him. "OUCH!" he heard a female voice yell as books and quills came crashing to the floor. "Oh, sorry!" said Harry absently bending over to pick the stuff up. "Harry?" Harry froze, now the voice was very familiar indeed. Harry slowly stood up straight with the fallen books and quills in his hand and looked straight into the face of Cho Chang. Harry stared at Cho as she slowly grabbed her books from his grasp and gave a polite smile. "Hi Harry," she said. "Hi," he said suddenly aware of his speech, "how's Micheal?" "He's great," she said looking at the ground, "listen, I'm sorry things didn't work out for us…I really am. But," she said taking a step closer to him, "we'll always have those D.A. lessons right?" "Yeah," said Harry with a trace of a faint smile. "Maybe if the circumstances were different-" "What circumstances?" Harry interjected. "Well you and Hermione for one." "Hermione's my best friend," said Harry taking a step back. "Yes, and that's fine Harry but...I felt like I was in competition with her, for you." "Hermione and I go way back and if you feel that you're in competition..." Cho pursed her lips and sighed. "She's lucky to have someone like you, Harry. She means a lot you, I can see that. Everyone does." Harry stared at her as if she grew a second head. "I have to go... I'll be late for Transfiguration. I'll see you Harry," Cho side stepped him and walked away. Harry turned to watch her go, he threw his hands up in frustration and let them fall by his side. Suddenly the back of his mind played the events of what happened in the Library just minutes ago. He had nearly kissed his best friend. "OY! HARRY!" Harry turned around to see where the voice was coming from and saw a tall red head walk towards him. "Hey Ron," said Harry he was glad to be finally talking with someone who didn't think he liked Hermione. "Was that Cho you were talking to?" "Yeah." "Probably came to tell you how much different things would have been if you two were a couple," said Ron with a look of disgust on his face. "Not really," said Harry, "she just told me how different it would be if Hermione wasn't around." "She said what?" "She said something about being in competition with Hermione...can you imagine?" "She's probably still bitter about what Hermione did to her friend last year," Ron started to laugh," that was brilliant. But yeah, I can see why." "You think that I like Hermione?" "Never said that mate, it's just well-" "Well what?" "I can see why she would feel that there's competition. I mean, Hermione's been the only girl in your life, well there's Ginny but I guess you can't really count her. Look, Hermione's been to hell and back with you...we both have. She could have walked away from you at anytime, but she didn't. Cho could never measure up to Hermione like that." "Sounds like you put her on a pretty high pedestal," said Harry with a grin. "Sod off, " he said playfully shoving Harry," but yeah, I can see why Cho would feel threatened. Look who she has to compete with." Harry saw a brief flash of his dream in his mind and a sudden thought occured to him, "Ron are you going to be in the common room later?" "Yeah why?" "I have to go talk to Hermione about something, can I meet you back there?" "Alright, I have to keep patrolling the hallway anyways, See ya Harry." "See you." When they departed each other's company Harry found himself walking more faster than usual to the library. When he entered he found Hermione sitting at the table, exactly where he left her. On the opposite side of the library however Ginny and Luna were sitting on the table chewing on their fingernails trying to think of a new plan. Ginny did a double take at Harry and smacked Luna's arm. Luna jumped and followed Ginny's wide eyed stare. "Whoa...can Harry read minds?" Luna asked. 3. Chapter 3 ------------ AN: Wow, final chapter already! Thank you everyone again for your reviews. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Luna and Ginny watched Harry make his way over to where Hermione was sitting, just then Luna put her fingers against her temples and started to mutter under her breath. "You will kiss Hermione, you will kiss Hermione." "Let's go," said Ginny and grabbed Luna's sleeve to pull her in behind the book shelves to watch without being noticed. Harry pulled out a chair and sat in front of Hermione, who didn't even look up. Harry watched her scratch away on her parchment with her quill. "Hermione?" "Yes?" she said keeping her head down. Harry took a small deep breath. "Do you have a feelings for me?" Hermione's quill tip snapped off and there were ink blots everywhere. "Sorry?" she said looking rather nervous while tapping her parchment with her wand. The page was clean again. "I was-I was just wondering, because, well-" "If you're talking about what happened before…I'm sorry, I didn‘t-." "No, no it's not that, you see, I was talking to Cho..." "Oh," said Hermione looking back down at her work. "She said that she felt like she was in competition with you...for me." Hermione stopped writing and gave a nervous laugh. "That's ridiculous Harry...besides I don't have anything to stand up against Cho...I'm not pretty like she is, and she's in Ravenclaw so-" "Hermione I already told you that you're not ugly." Hermione gave a polite smile. "You're saying that because you're my friend," she said and continued writing. Harry frowned and stood up. "Come here," he said grabbing onto her sleeve. "Harry-my notes!" "Nevermind your notes they'll be there when we get back," he said, steering her shoulders in front of him. He grabbed her chin and pointed her face in the direction of a window, to see herself and Harry reflected clearly. Ginny and Luna followed closely behind to watch. Harry stood next to Hermione and looked at her reflection. "When people see you," he began, "they see Hermione Granger...the brainy know-it-all from Gryffindor," Hermione smiled and looked down only to have her chin pulled up again by Harry. "But when I see you...I see Hermione Granger, a beautiful girl... who's smart and funny and just so happens to be my best friend." "You think I'm beautiful?" said Hermione turning to face him. "Yes...I do." Ginny heard a crunching noise and a sigh. She looked over at Luna who had conjured up a bag of popcorn and stared longingly at Harry and Hermione. Ginny turned her head back and lifted her hand to grab a handful of popcorn. Hermione pursed her lips and looked as if she was about to cry. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry," said Harry quickly, raising his hands to Hermione's to stop her from hiding her face. "No it's not that, what you said was lovely, it's just-" "Just what?" "No one's called me that before," she said quietly. "What about Viktor? I'm sure I've heard him say it tons of times." "Yes but...to hear it from you," Hermione sniffed and wiped her eye with her free hand, "it means so much more." "Well, you deserve to hear it.” Hermione sniffed and smiled and Harry smiled back. Suddenly she started to laugh. "Wh- what's so funny?" "Oh nothing," said Hermione waving it away. "Tell me." "Well, this is the exact same place we were standing in my dream." Ginny choked on a piece of popcorn and started to cough while Luna clapped her on the back. "What dream?" asked Harry. Hermione turned slightly pink and looked at Harry's shoes when she realized what she had just said. He looked down on the top of Hermione's head. "What dream?" he asked again with a laugh. "Wha- um...the-the dream?" "Was it a bad dream?" Harry asked with a slight note of concern. "No! No not at all...It's really no big deal." "Hermione, you're blushing." "Blushing? Don't be silly," Hermione started to wrench her tie lose and fan her face, "Warm in here isn't it?" Ginny straightened herself up. "Uh oh...she's going down." Luna started digging out a piece of popcorn from her teeth. "Do you think we should make a distraction?" Ginny was looking around trying to find something, then her eyes went wide. "Madam Pince." "Yeah, I get that a lot," said Luna. "NO! Madam Pince is coming!" "Excuse me you two!" Harry turned around and Hermione looked over his shoulder to see Madam Pince standing there with her hands on her hips. "The library is meant for study purposes, if you wish to chat up a storm please do so in your OWN Common room. Unless, Miss Granger, you decide to spend another night?" "That was harsh," said Luna. Harry turned around to face Hermione. "I should probably go meet Ron." "I have to get back to my homework," said Hermione looking at her abandoned notes. "I'll see you then?" "Yes," was all Hermione could say as she watched Harry walk out of the library, "Harry?" she called out. Harry stopped and turned around. "...Thanks," she said with a shy smile. Harry grinned, gave a small nod and continued on his way. "I don't believe it!" said Ginny, "they were *this* close. Setting those two up is like trying to get Snape into a party dress!" Luna burst out laughing. "That's Hilarious!" Ginny stared at her, "Okay Luna, calm down. We’ll just have to try something else," said Ginny chewing the corner of her lip. "But what?" Harry entered the common room and found Ron sitting near the fire. "Harry, I saved a seat for you!" said Ron taking a textbook off the seat closest to him, "So what did you have to talk to Hermione about?" Harry sat down and stared at the fire. "I just wanted to know if she liked me." "Of course she likes you...you're her friend." "No," said Harry shaking his head," I mean REALLY LIKES me." "You mean if Hermione has a crush on you?" "Yeah but, I don't think it's a crush." "I wouldn't worry about it," said Ron, "She probably just feels closer to you, friend wise that is." Harry frowned. When Ron said that he had sparked something in Harry's memory about his dream, didn't Hermione say something about being closer to him? All of the sudden Harry's stomach did a back flip and he sat up straight in his chair. "You all right?" said Ron staring curiously at Harry's reaction. "Is it almost lunch time? I think I'm hungry." Ron checked his watch, "In a few minutes yeah, but by the time we get down there it should be." Harry nodded, "Let's go then," he said. He was hoping that getting food into his stomach. would push the thought of the dream actually meaning something, out of his mind. They walked instep towards the Great Hall, unfortunately they had a least 5 minutes before lunch began. With a heavy sigh Harry took his seat across the table from Ron, and looked at a bunch of first years trying to cram the last bit of homework they could do before lunch began. "Here comes Hermione," said Ron shoving his bag off the seat next to him. "Thanks," she said and met Harry's eye, "Hello Harry," she said with a warm smile. "Hi," he said returning the gesture. Hermione had only sat down for a few seconds when a tiny first year tapped her on the shoulder. Hermione turned around, "Yes?" "Er- sorry to bother you but," the shy first year looked at her fellow students who nodded desperately back at her, "um, Professor McGonagall told us to come and see you if we were having any troubles with our homework- are you good at Transfiguration?" Hermione looked at the poor first years and looked back at Ron and Harry and smiled. "I will be glad to help you, " she said standing up. "Now, what's the problem? Beetles into buttons?" "No," said the first year, "matches into needles." Harry could tell that Hermione was smiling, even with her back turned. She was the only one to turn a match into a needle during their first year. "Hello!" said Ginny and Luna walking briskly towards the table and taking a seat next to Harry, while Luna took a seat on the other side of Ron. Ron and Luna stared at each other. "Er- shouldn't you be eating with Ravenclaw?" said Ron Luna kept staring at him, "....Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes?" Harry and Ginny snorted a laugh while Ron's cheeks turned slightly pink and he looked away. There was a laugh off in the distance that caught Harry's attention. Both Ron and Harry turned their heads to the Ravenclaw table where Cho was laughing with her friends. Ron turned around and shook his head, muttering something that sounded like 'airheads'. But Harry kept looking at Cho with his eyebrows furrowed, and then he looked at Hermione, who was describing the wand movements with her hands, while the first years looked on, and others took notes. He smiled a little bit, then looked back at Cho. She tossed her hair back and the sunlight caught her shimmering hair as it landed softly on her back. He frowned a little, then looked back at Hermione, who was nodding and tucked a few strands of loose hair behind her ears. The sunlight giving her face a warm and soft glow. Harry smiled again, and watched her offer praise to one of them who had answered a question right. Hermione laughed and playfully bit her lip, Harry found himself laughing softly too. And Ginny noticed. She also noticed that Harry had stopped looking at Cho and was focused intently on Hermione, his elbow on the table and the side of his face resting in the palm of his hand. "Harry?" she asked quietly. "Mmm?" "What are you thinking about?" Harry slowly sat up straight in his chair, as if he just realized something for the first time. "I have to go to the library," he said slowly as he stood up. Ginny smiled. "The Divination section?" Harry finally took his eyes off Hermione and looked down at Ginny, "I need a second opinion," he said with a smile and started to walk away. "OY! Where are you going?" called Ron. "The Library," shouted Harry, battling his way through a crowd that was entering the Great Hall. "You just came from- you have a bad influence on him!" said Ron changing his direction to Hermione. Hermione looked up at just in time to see Harry exit the Hall. Harry walked into the completely empty library and walked straight into the Divination section brushed his fingers along the spines and stopped at the large green book and opened it to page 258. Harry moved his index finger down the paragraph labelled: *Kissing your Best- Friend* Harry took a deep breath and continued to read. *Kissing your best friend is always a good omen. If you are kissing a close friend, then it represents your respect and adoration for your friend. You are seeking some intimate closeness that is lacking in some waking relationship. You may have romantic feelings for him or her.* Harry stopped and looked up. He remembered what Hermione had said in his dream: "I feel close to you Harry." Harry cocked his eyebrow. Maybe that dream was telling him much more than he thought. He suddenly thought about what Ron and Cho had said. True, Hermione was the only girl in his life, and Ron was right about Cho never measuring up to Hermione because... Because she never left him. Harry felt his heart swell up. He snapped the book shut and tapped the spine against his chin. He thought about them in the library earlier to day when they had almost kissed, he thought about her helping those first years, her face filled with warmth and beauty. And then, he thought about what he would do without her. He pushed the book back into it's shelf. His dream was telling him that he needed Hermione. And what started out as a silly dream, was actually speaking volumes. It was what made him go look for her the day he found her in that abandoned classroom, it had told him...that he was falling in love with his best friend. Harry exited the library and walked towards the great hall. The students were starting to file out from lunch and Harry just managed to see Hermione walking out. "Hermione? Hermione!" he called out. Hermione stopped and turned around, "Yes Harry what is it?" "I need to talk to you," he said, he could feel his heart speeding up, as well as his breath. "Harry, can it wait? I'll be late for Arithmancy." "No it can't," there was a slight hint of desperation in his voice. "Harry what's wrong?" "Do you remember today in the Library? When we almost kissed?" "Er- yes," she said trying hard not to blush. "I wanted kiss you, I really did, and when I told you that you were beautiful? I meant it! Every word, " Harry tried to steady his breathing as he walked closer to her, " And when Cho said that she was in competition with you and with Ron when he said you were the only Girl in my life-" At that moment Ron had walked out, and when he heard what Harry said he turned around and walked right back in the Great Hall. "And I realised why that was," Harry continued, giving up on slowing his heart beat, "...because I didn't want any other girl in my life...I only wanted you." Ginny and Luna popped there heads out from behind the door and Ron's head slowly appeared just above Luna's. Hermione stood there blinking with her mouth slightly opened "What are saying Harry?" Harry took a deep breath and looked straight into Hermione's eyes ," I'm saying...I'm falling in love with you. I feel it, ' said Harry patting his heart with his hand "right here." Hermione felt her eyes watering and she looked at her shoes. Luna sniffed and dabbed her eyes with her robe, while Ginny sighed. Ron looked down on them with disgust and looked up at Harry and Hermione again. The bell rang and Hermione closed her eyes tightly, she looked up at Harry again and was about to say something when Professor Vector called out from behind her. "Miss Granger? Are still a member of this class or no?" Hermione pursed her lips, "I'll be right there," she called over her shoulder, " I-I have to go," she said. Harry face fell as he looked at his shoes and nodded. She began to walk away when she suddenly stopped and turned around, and started to run towards him. She jumped and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips. Harry's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the floor, the students in the hallway whooped and clapped. Ron’s jaw dropped and Ginny clapped with excitement, while Luna pushed Ron's mouth closed with her finger and smiled. They broke from their kiss and Harry slowly lowered Hermione back down to the ground. A single tear rolled down Hermione's cheek and Harry wiped it off with his thumb. Hermione smiled as placed her hand over her heart. "Right here," she said quietly. Harry gave a relieved laugh as he released her to go to Arithmancy class. Hermione began to slowly walk away, glancing over her shoulder occasionally to smile at Harry, who waved at her just before she entered her classroom. "So," said Ginny appearing at his side, " I see your dream came true?" Harry turned to face Ginny and saw Luna pull Ron away from a near by suit of armour muttering something about Nargles. "Yes...yes it did," said Harry and followed Ginny back into the Great Hall with Ron and Luna, suddenly feeling much lighter than before.