You guys are swamping me so with reviews that I can't even answer to them all! I love it! Thanks to all of you for your support. Here's the next one for you.
-----------------
The next morning, Hermione walked down her dormitory steps to find no one waiting for her.
Maybe he finally realized who he was really "in love" with, she thought as she walked to the Great Hall for breakfast. That would most certainly make things easier. He had almost driven her up the wall yesterday.
When she reached the Great Hall, she was amazed at the large number of people there. There were still three weeks before most of the students left for Christmas; there was no reason why every student from Hogwarts would be at breakfast. She had little time to ponder this event since she was nearly tackled by a large, messy-haired blur.
"Hermione, you came down! I was wondering what was taking you so long! I wanted to go up there and get you myself, but Ron and Ginny told me that it wouldn't be a good idea, but you came anyway!" he shouted.
Her face turned red from the lack of air and embarrassment. "`Arry-have to let go-can't breathe!" she choked.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" He let her go instantly. "Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"
"No," she said after catching her breath, "but I would like to sit down." And stop people from staring at us, she thought sullenly.
He grasped her hand and she had a bout of déjà vu, complete with suppressed laughter and stares. There were even a few wolf whistles from the busy tables. It hit her suddenly that the student body wasn't there for breakfast. They were there to watch her and Harry.
Sitting down was a relief and Harry finally let go of her hand to attack the scrambled eggs and sausage. Ron looked over his tall plate of food and gave her a cheery wink and resumed devouring his breakfast. Hermione simply wanted to disappear. He didn't love her, when would this torture end?
Ginny reached across the table to pat her hand consolingly. "It's alright, Hermione. People did that to me and Harry all of the time. You get used to it."
"But I don't want to get used to it! He supposed to be staring at some other girl, not me! Even if-
"Hey, Hermione."
She turned around and stifled a groan. Cormac McLaggen had come to make her morning worse.
"Hi," she said in forced cheerfulness.
Both Ron and Harry stopped eating to watch the exchange.
"I've been having a bit of problem in Arithimacy for the past two weeks. Not that I don't know what's going on," he said loudly. "I just feel that I could do better than I already am. Would you mind giving a bit of a help?"
Harry's eyes turned into slits, but Hermione didn't notice.
"Of course I'll help," she answered sincerely. "When would you like to start?"
"Tonight, if possible. In the library at six."
She was taken a little taken aback by his quick answer, but nodded yes. With that, McLaggen grinned and walked off.
Hermione breathed a sight of relief and began to eat.
"You're not doing it, are you," asked Harry.
"I have no reason not to. He wants to do well in his classes and asked me for help. I can't let him down."
Harry growled, "I don't like him. He's too pompous and egotistical-and other stuff that I don't like. You can't go."
"I am. He has specifically asked for my help. This conversation is over."
Hermione returned to her breakfast and Harry stabbed his eggs with extra ferocity.
Throughout it all, Ron chewed on his improvised sausage sandwich. This was an interesting turn of events.
* * *
Hermione laughed as McLaggen told her joke concerning two hags and a pot of witches brew. He had been pleasant for the entire night and she was actually enjoying his company. He wasn't as bad as Harry had painted him to be.
Harry had tried to talk her out of it all day to the point where he literally got down on his knees in the middle of the common room and begged. Hermione had had to pry him off her arm. She was still mortified at his behavior and made up her mind to speak to him about it.
Her reverie was broken by the sight of Ron rushing to the table, panting.
"What is it," she asked nervously.
"Harry. Sick. Needs your help," he panted.
All thoughts of McLaggen were pushed aside as she jumped from the table and bolted out of the door. Maybe he was hurt or the spell had messed up something in his body and was wreaking havoc or things much worse than she could imagine. She had to get to him before something worse happened.
"Hurry up, Ron," she snapped over her shoulder.
"There isn't any point in rushing."
She turned on her heel and stomped her foot. "Harry is in trouble! You said it yourself, how are you going to change your mind?"
"He's not sick," Ron said slyly.
"What do you mean?" she asked hesitantly.
"He's not sick at all. In fact, he's moping around the common room looking like his broom got smashed to bits by the Womping Willow again. I just thought I'd save you from McLaggen so you could go talk to Harry." He beamed and felt proud of himself for having helped his best friends.
The feeling of pride fled at the sound of Hermione shouting at him at the top of her lungs.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT? YOU SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH, RUNNING INTO THE LIBRARY LIKE A LUNATIC SAYING THAT HARRY IS SICK! YOU ARE A COMPLETE ARSEHOLE!"
She stormed off and left Ron cowering in a corner. This would not go well with The Boss.
* * *
She dragged herself into the common room at eleven, carrying a few extra books on Love Spells that she had checked out after McLaggen had left. All of her energy had dissipated after yelling at Ron and all she wanted to was read for an hour and sleep the sleep of the dead.
"Hermione, you're back," Harry said jubilantly from the couch. He jumped up to hug her and Hermione placed a hand between them. His tie and two top shirt buttons were undone, black hair extra messy, and green eyes filled with a mix of fatigue and relief. To any other girl, he would have looked positively delectable, but to Hermione, he was the source of her displeasure.
"Did you put Ron up to what he did?" she interrogated.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, arms still outstretched.
"He ran like a maniac into the library while I was with McLaggen claiming that you were sick and then I find out halfway here that you aren't sick at all. Did you make him do it?"
He dropped his arms and replied indignantly, "I didn't want you to go, but I wasn't going to get Ron to go get you if you really wanted to be there. I wouldn't try to make you do anything you didn't want to."
"You did try this evening when I left," she responded.
"You weren't listening to anything I said. I had to do something."
"That's not the way to do it. You could talk to me like a normal human being."
"I wanted to be near you."
Hermione thought, Even though I like this attention, this is creepy.
"Listen Harry, it's been a long night. I think I'll go to bed now, good night," she sighed and walked past him.
"Can't I get a good night hug?"
"Not tonight, Harry," she said as she continued up the stairs.
"Just one?" he pleaded.
She looked down the stairs and saw the pitiful look on his face. She couldn't deny him a simple hug. She went to him and gave him a small hug.
"Thank you," he said when she let him go. An adoring smile was on his face, and Hermione felt something flip within her.
"You're welcome," she replied uncertainly. "Good night."
As she walked away he called out, "Good night, my `Mione."
------------------
Review or I'll…I'll…I'll let Emerson and Melissa write the rest of this story. My cursor is on the "Send E-Mail" button!
-->