Hermione slept fitfully that night. She couldn't get what Harry had said out of her head. 'I just…miss Ginny' She groaned loudly. After lying there for a couple of hours she finally decided that there was no way she would be able to sleep. She pulled on a pair of shorts that didn't quite match her vest top, and made her way downstairs. She poured herself a glass of cold milk, thought 'relashio' and put her wand into the milk. She knew that she could have just as easily used the microwave, but she got a little thrill doing it the magic way. She supposed that twenty years from now she might not be quite this excited. She went into the living room and sat down on the couch. She had so much on her mind. She had owled McGonagall as soon as night fell, so that Hedwig wouldn't attract too much attention. Hopefully she replied soon, because they wanted to go to Hogwarts tomorrow and didn't like the idea of just turning up. They planned on staying there for a week. This would provide them with enough time to study the Horcrux and find out the best way of destroying the evil within. She also assumed that Harry wanted to stay for a week so that he could spend some time with Ginny. Bitterness swept through her. She had thought he had been looking at her differently. She hoped that something other than friendship might blossom between them. When Harry had said those four words earlier, she felt her world crashing down on her. 'WHY?' she shouted in her head 'WHY DO I HAVE TO LOVE HIM?' She dropped her milk on the floor suddenly. Love? When did that happen? She was filled with a misery beyond comprehension. She loved Harry. Harry liked Ginny and Ron liked Hermione. She knew Ron didn't love her. Ron had just always wanted to be with Hermione and after such a long time of wanting her he'd forgotten what it was that made him like her in the first place. She was sure that once he realised this, her life would be a lot easier. There are several people you can be with, but how many you love is few and far between. She gave a sob at her wretched situation and cried into one of the cushions on the couch.
Harry had been practicing different spells, jinxes and hexes in the study. He had found a book called 'Advanced defence for duellers'. It had proved to be a brilliant book so far. He just hoped that Voldemort wasn't as big a reader as he was becoming. He removed the imperturbable charm from the room, unsealed the door and extinguished the lights. He decided to have a glass of water before going to bed and headed towards the kitchen. He stopped in his tracks as her saw Hermione lying on the couch in a tiny pair of shorts crying. He felt warm at the sight of her, and yet it hurt terribly to see her cry that way. 'Leave now and go upstairs. If she needs to cry then let her. Don't go anywhere near her…' He thought to himself as he was involuntarily walking towards her. He realised that he wanted her with a sudden desperateness that it felt like a sickness. She didn't seem to notice his presence as he knelt in front of the couch. He moved a shaking hand towards her, and then pulled it back quickly. His breathing quickened as he fought to gain control of himself. 'Leave now!' a voice in his head shouted 'you're asking for trouble!' He quelled the voice and reasoned that if he were upset she would come to him. That was what friends were for; he wasn't about to let his strange feelings get in the way of being a good friend to her. It was the least she deserved.
"Hermione," whispered Harry, "What's wrong?" Hermione leapt up at the sound of his voice and practically flung herself to the end of the couch. 'Great' Harry thought 'you have a way with women Harry. You talk to them…they run'
"Uh…I just dropped my milk on the floor' said Hermione, her voice thick with emotion. Hermione could have died. 'Why is it?' she thought to herself 'that whenever you figure out you like someone you turn into a total idiot? Apparently figuring out you love someone magnifies that ten fold' She tried to get up off the couch but Harry grabbed her arm. She felt her skin shiver at his touch and she pulled away quickly.
"Hermione…" Harry began, but stopped quickly when her eyes met his. They stared at each other, his heart pounding and her hardly daring to breathe. 'What am I doing?' he thought, as he moved towards her. She looked confused as he moved his head until it was an inch away from her face. They continued to look at each other, the tension crackling around the room. Harry looked at her perfect pink lips as they parted slightly. He closed his eyes, trying to fight what he was feeling and walk away. If he walked away then he could still apologise and pretend to be fine. He moved closer and could hear her shaky breath. He suddenly felt her mouth on his and his resolve disappeared. He heard her moan as he forced open her mouth with his tongue. He ground his mouth against her and let out a deep groan as he felt her tongue sweep across his mouth to meet his. She tasted so sweet; he ran his hands through her hair, amazed by the softness of it. She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. He grabbed her and pulled her against him. He could feel her soft curves press into him and he kissed her deeper. She raked her fingers up his back and kissed him fiercely. He pushed her onto the couch and pinned her beneath him, trailing searing kisses from her mouth to her collarbone. She groaned and pushed herself against him, calling out his name…
Hearing his name coming from her was like having a bucket of cold water thrown on him. A voice in his head suddenly shouted 'STOP!' He pulled away quickly, gasping for breath. His mouth was tingling from her kiss. He stood up, trembling and tried to catch his breath. He watched her sitting on the couch, eyeing him with apprehension. Her lips looked swollen from their kiss, and he wanted to do it again, so very badly. He closed his eyes to concentrate and tried to think of what to say. He put a trembling hand to his mouth and realised there was a trickle of blood from where she had kissed him so passionately.
"Oh God," he groaned. He tried to think of what to say to her but found that he couldn't think let alone try to talk.
"Harry," Hermione began throatily, but was quickly interrupted by Harry.
"Let's talk about this tomorrow…" he said and quickly walked away. He couldn't stand the sound of her voice after they had just kissed that way. He'd felt himself start to lose control and had to get away. 'What is she doing to me?' he thought wretchedly as he flung himself onto his bed for another restless night.
Hermione sat there, shocked. She couldn't believe she had just kissed him. He had been so close to her, she could see the passion in his eyes… She put her fingers to her mouth. She could still feel the hard press of his lips, and shivered involuntarily. She hoped that he could now see the chemistry between them, that maybe he wanted to be more than her friend. She felt a flash of guilt for Ron and Ginny, then quickly banished it from her mind. She felt too happy about being with Harry just now to let her guilt ruin it. Unfortunately that didn't work. She sat on the couch for another hour thinking about her predicament. A hooting noise disturbed her reverie and she looked up to find Hedwig, with her reply from Professor McGonagall. She opened the letter hurriedly, anxious to have something else to think about.
Dear Harry, Hermione and Ron,
I am so pleased to hear from you. I confess I had been rather hoping that you three might return to your studies, maybe you can be persuaded during your stay? I would be honoured to have you stay at Hogwarts for a week; I am having rooms put aside for you as we speak (I assume you do not wish to be in your old common room?) I will await your arrival by the front gates at 5pm tomorrow. Upon arriving I will need to see Miss. Grangers patronus to assure your identity. If there are any problems, then please send Mr. Potters patronus and we shall act accordingly. Until tomorrow evening then.
Yours sincerely
Mrs. McGonagall
Headmistress of Hogwart's school of witchcraft and wizardry.
Hermione thanked Hedwig and went upstairs. She packed up most of her things so that she wouldn't have to do it tomorrow. She would probably be too busy helping Harry and Ron to pack anyway. She finally lied down on her bed and allowed her mind to think of Harry kissing her. She fell into a contented sleep, and dreamt wonderful dreams.
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