Best Friends

Disclaimer: I own nothing. It's all Jo's. No mine. Jo's. Alrighty? Ok.

Hey guys!! This is my IMPROVED version of Best Friends. I hope you enjoy it, and I'll update as fast as I can, but I don't have the right text document to post it, so I send it to my friend when she's online. So bear with me, kay?

Also, I know I'm not the best speller in the world, so their might be a few mistakes. I'm also not the best writer in the world, I'm a 14 year old girl. I'll leave all the expertise to Jo. So...here is chapter one!

~*~Best Friends- Chapter 1: The Point Of No Return~*~

We sat like that for a few minutes. Him in the lake, and I sitting on the soft green grass, just staring into each other's eyes. When finally the reality of it all had sunk in, that I had kissed Harry, I felt my stomach lurch. Whether it was a happy lurch or a nervous lurch, I didn't know.

To rewind a bit, here's what had happened. I had been studying out by the lake, nothing out of the ordinary there. Not that many people were out, seeing as how it was my off period. I found myself staring into the lake every once in a while, so I decided I'd take a break and slowly wade knee-deep into the water. That didn't turn out to well.

It seemed that the Giant Squid was getting a bit lonely. I figured that out when his tentacles wrapped around my ankle and started dragging me out to the center of the lake. Luckily, Harry Potter, one of my best friends, was coming down to the lake to ask me a question and saw the whole ordeal. So, as he ran, he took off his robe and shirt and jumped into the lake after me, his wand in the pocket of his jeans.

He stunned the squid and pulled me out of the curled up tentacle before I was dragged down into the depths of the Black Lake. He swam with his arm around me to the side of the lake, all the while I was spitting water out of my lungs. He set me on the grassy edge of the water, making sure I was alright. And that's when it happened. Right after I assured him I was fine, he leaned in and bloody kissed me. This brings us back to where we were.

I tore my eyes away from Harry, not sure if I was happy or disappointed that I did so. "Umm, I have to go," I said, pushing myself up from the ground. I turned around, the breeze making me shiver slightly, seeing as I was wearing my drenched school uniform. I hugged my arms as I walked, tears beginning to form in my eyes. Isn't this what I wanted? To be the girl Harry fell in love with?

Yes, it was, but now that it was happening, it just seemed...different. What if things didn't work out? That would completely destroy our friendship, and I cherished that too much to put it at risk. There was only one solution. Not to be.

The thought pained me; it killed me on the inside. I had suffered so long. I'd been around him every day of every school year for six years, not able to be his, to be held in his arms, only belonging to him in my dreams. And then today happens. He kisses me. And I kiss him back, possibly ruining our friendship forever with just some silly attraction that would never flare up. I shook my head sadly, a lone tear rolling down my cheek. What happened back there, it had felt so right, so...perfect. But it could never happen. Just the thought of him made me die a little inside.

It was as I heard him calling my name that I realized my worst fear had happened. I couldn't look at him, couldn't listen to him, I couldn't even think of him, without causing my heart pain and suffering. Our friendship could never be the same. It was changed, it could never go back to how it was. Past the point of no return- no going back now; our passion-play has now, at last begun...I desperately pushed the opera out of my head. I had to get away, go somewhere where I could be free, no thoughts of Harry at all.

That would have to wait. I could see Harry's shadow approaching me. I quickly wiped the forming tears from my eyes. I couldn't let him see me like this. I began to speed up, ignoring him calling to me. How could I have been so stupid? Why did I kiss him back? With that one gesture, I ruined six years of beautiful friendship! God! I am such and idiot!

These thoughts only made more tears accumulate in the hazel orbs that are mine. I hurried to wipe them away, hearing Harry's quickening footsteps. He was going to confront me. That was the last thing I wanted at the moment. I needed time to gather my thoughts, sort out my emotions. I needed at least a day, but it didn't seem like I was going to get the required.

"Hermione, wait," Harry said, stepping in front of me, his eyes pools of concern. He looked down at me, sadly, lovingly. I couldn't stand it any longer. Just looking at him, being so close to him, it drove me mad. I shook my head.

"No Harry, I-I have to go," I said, my eyes focused on the ground. I avoided looking up, whether it be at those green emeralds or that bare, muscular torso I knew was right in front of me. I hoped he would step aside and let me walk towards the castle, seeing how distressed I was. But that was not the case.

"Hermione, we need to talk," he said, his hand gently tilting my head up to look at him. My eyes, not wanting to look at his torso for fear of becoming weak-kneed again, looked into his. I felt myself melting. Why must I be in this situation? "Hermione, I've known you for six years now, and every summer, I can't wait to come back to Hogwarts, because I know that you'll be here. For the last four years, it's been driving me mad to be so close to you, but not able to hold you. It's torture, and I can't stand it for another minute," he took a deep intake of breath. "Hermione, be my girlfriend?"

That was the exact moment my heart ripped in half. I stood there, looking at him, wanting to run into his arms, crying, telling him I did. But I couldn't. Our friendship was already damaged from what had happened earlier, and I didn't want it to forever be destroyed by some silly little romance. The tears I was holding back stung my eyes. Why did I have to fall in love with my best friend? Why? What had I done to deserve love that could never happen? The hot tears threatened to escape. I had to get away quickly. I shook my head. At first, I couldn't find my voice, but it came to me in mere seconds. "No. Harry, I can't. I'm sorry, really, I am, but it's...it's..." the tears started rolling down the cheeks as I broke away, turning around to face the forest. What should I tell him? That there's someone else? No, he'd find out that I was lying. The truth? It was the best thing I had. "I value our friendship too much," I told him, my back to him. "I can't throw it away for a romance that won't last," The tears were pouring out of my eyes now.

"Hermione, who said it wouldn't last?" Harry asked, hurt apparent in his voice. "I've never felt this way about anyone before," he said, walking over to me, the grass crunching under his feet. "Not about Cho, or Ginny, only you," came a voice in my ear. It alarmed me how close he was, my heart rate quickened as I walked further away. "But I understand your decision," Harry said to me, his voice in the same spot where he was a few seconds ago. "And I guess I have no choice to accept it. Just know this, Hermione, I will never give up on you," he said. I heard his footsteps get quieter as he walked towards the castle.

After checking to make sure that Harry was out of site, I ran. I ran far, to a rock cluster on the other side of the lake. The spot was deprived of sun, and got occasional blasts of wind. It was the perfect place for anything. I threw myself down in the soft dirt, wanting to hide there and never come out. I felt like dying. The hurt reflected in Harry's voice, well, it was enough to kill me with guilt. At the thought of Harry, all my self composure collapsed. I began sobbing uncontrollably. I had just pushed away the love of my life, my best friend. He had spilled his heart out to me, and I had turned him away. I was a horrible person; I didn't deserve a person like Harry in my life.

I curled up, hugging my knees, just crying my eyes out. I was grateful that I was the only person I knew of that knew of this spot. I took no warning of the approaching storm clouds. They were moving fast, it had been sunny fifteen minutes ago, but then again, weather is a strange thing. As thunder roared across the sky, I heard many frightened screams. People were splashing around, trying to get out of the water before lightening became an issue. I glanced through the rocks, seeing figures wrapped in towels running for the castle. As I watched, my mind wandered, where could Harry be? I hoped he was inside. The picture of Harry how he had been entered my mind. His wet, messy black hair, that bare, muscular torso, and those emerald jewels that served as his eyes, filled with concern and love. Just the thought of him was enough to make me cry once more.

I lifted my head as I saw a bright flash of light in the distance. Lightening. I shuddered. Lightening was one of my biggest fears, though no body knew that...no one except Harry. It began to drizzle, so I stood up and leaned on a rock, not wanting to get muddy. I grabbed my wand, which had been behind my ear, and set off for the castle.

Tears were still flowing out of my eyes as I remembered one day last year when I had gone with Harry to watch him practice Quidditch, seeing as Ron was busy stuck to Lavender. Well, it had started raining while he was practicing. I had stood up, figuring we were going to leave, but Harry just continued flying around. l sighed, shaking my head. I had told him to get down, seeing as it looked like it was going to get worse. He had laughed and kept flying around the pitch, enjoying the rain. Then it had started thundering and lightening. I had gotten very jumpy. I had pleaded to Harry to get down and get inside, but he had laughed and ignored me. I then left the bleachers, wanting to get inside, when I heard someone calling me. It was Harry, his broom was in his hand and he was running after me. He asked what was wrong and I reluctantly told him about my fear of lightening. He had apologized and sheltered me with his robes as we walked back to the castle.

After I was done reminiscing, I realized that it had begun to rain harder. I began heading for the castle, seeing as I was already soaked, and did not feel like catching pneumonia or staying out here with lightening. I walked towards the castle, the wind whipping my hair around my face, my tears blending in with the rain drops. I like the rain, I thought, No one can see your tears.

I walked through the giant oak doors leading to the inside. There was the delightful aroma of chicken noodle soup coming from the Great Hall. Not even bothering to dry off, I walked in, my stomach growling out of hunger. I looked around for a place to sit. Seeing Ron waving me over, I started in that direction. I was so hungry that I didn't even notice who was with him. I sat down across from Ron, grabbing a bowl of chicken soup. I began eating as he talked.

"Hey Hermione," Ron said. "We were getting worried about you, didn't know where you were at. Harry said he saw you down at the lake and didn't know if you came in."

Harry. As I took another spoonful of soup, I had trouble getting it down, seeing as there was a lump in my throat. I looked up to see Ron, and next to him, Harry, his face looking sullen and serious. I quickly turned my eyes down towards my soup. "Well, I'm fine," I said. "You couldn't honestly think I would stay outside during this weather."

Even though I was still focused on the soup I was eating, I knew Ron was observing me skeptically, wanting to say something about my appearance. "Longer than I did," I added, wanting to put an end to the conversation. I grabbed a roll, breaking it in half and taking a small bite of it.

"Why where you out there so long anyway? You're soaked!" Ron said, making his comment on my appearance. I chewed the piece of bread, thinking of my answer. I used the first that came to mind.

"I love the rain," I said shrugging. "I felt like staying out there, listening to the roaring thunder. It's peaceful. And there's nothing like a good lightening show," I lied. I slowly looked up to Harry, hoping he wouldn't rat me out. He kept quiet, however, he was staring at me intently. I couldn't help but blush furiously and look down once more. "Is this the end of the interrogation?" I asked, a hint of annoyance in my voice.

Ron looked at me oddly again. "Yeah," he said. I saw him looking between me and Harry, no doubt wondering what was up. "So..." Ron said. "What do you two want to talk about?" he asked, I could tell he was feeling a bit awkward. I shrugged, continuing to stare at my soup as I ate. I heard no reply from Harry. I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see that he was still shooting glances at me. I shifted uncomfortably.

We sat there in silence for the next few minutes, all casting glances in one another's direction. I drained the bowl of all the liquid inside, the broth warming my dying insides. I stood up, still not looking at Harry. "See you tomorrow," I muttered to the two boys, starting off.

"Tomorrow? It's only noon! We've still got a whole day ahead of us!" Ron called after me, rising from his seat. As I stopped, about to turn around and respond with the answer on my mind, Harry had already said it. "She's probably going to go study for N.E.W.T.S," I heard him say.

Later that night, as I was lying in bed, tears coming to my eyes, I knew that it was too late to fix everything. Our friendship was broken, and could never be repaired.

-->

Hey guys!! Told you I'd update! First of all, I know that Year 7 takes place in the late 90s, but please just go with me on the songs. I was like, 5 when this year was going on, forgive me if I don't remember every upbeat song! =D. Well, I hope you like it! Please review! [Please no flames]

~*~Best Friends- Chapter 2: I've Got a Friend In You~*~

I sighed as I looked in the floor-length mirror before me. I was dressed in a pair of low rise blue jeans and an emerald green shirt with a pink jacket over it. My hair was straightened, as it always was nowadays, and the only jewelry I was wearing was a pair of small silver hoop earrings. I couldn't wait to go to Hogsmeade. They had opened a new club up during the summer, The Dragon Lounge, and I hadn't been there yet. Lavender, Parvati, and Padma had assured me that going to a club would take my mind off of whatever had been troubling me lately.

The piece of magic the owners of The Dragon Lounge used was amazing. They had made it to where the charms on electronically operated objects didn't apply, so they could use Muggle technology to play music the teen students of Hogwarts would apprieciate. They played Muggle music, seeing as how the owners were Muggleborn and preferred their music.

Parvati and Lavender had matured so much since last year. They were not as boy-crazy as they had been, flinging themselves at any and every available guy. No, now they were looking for a serious relationship, one that would last a while.

"Hey Hermione, you ready?" Lavender called from the stairs leading to the Common Room. The three of us were due to meet Parvati's Ravenclaw twin in the entrance hall in five minutes. I shook my head, making my hair a bit wild.

"Yeah!" I called, swiping a coat of clear lip gloss over my pink lips. I was so happy today. I had been moping around for a week, not eating much, not talking, and not leaving the dormitory. This was going to do me good to get out of the castle. I was going to dance away my Harry problems and be happy about it. I rushed down the stairs, almost colliding into the two girls. "Sorry," I muttered.

"It's fine, now c'mon!" Lavender said to me, grabbing my wrist and practically dragging me across of the Common Room. There was a line at the portrait hole, causing us to slow down a bit. "You sure this club won't be packed? I mean, look at all the people going to Hogsmeade," Lavender whispered to Parvati.

Parvati shook her head. "I'm positive, I've got connections," she reassured the girl. She stood on her toes, trying to see all who were ahead of us. "We have about nine people ahead of us, but some people are fighting over who gets to go through the portrait hole first," she sighed. "How childish."

I nodded in agreement, my eyes searching the crowded mass of Gryffindors sitting in the Common Room. Realizing who I was looking for, I turned my attention to the front of the line, which was now moving along. This is a Harry-free day, I thought to myself, moving forward in the line. You can push him totally out of you're head. He's not going to Hogsmeade today, he's practicing flying. I had heard Romilda Vane complaining about this about two days ago. As I reached the portrait hole, I turned around for some reason, my hazel eyes sweeping over the faces again, but lingering on the one I was both pleased and horrified to see. Harry.

He looked as if he had spotted me a while back. He was looking at me, more like, admiring me. I felt my cheeks go red as I realized this. I quickly reminded myself that I didn't like Harry. I couldn't. He was my best friend. Well, now it's just friend, I corrected myself sadly. I hadn't talked to him since that day at the lake. I looked at him. He was wearing some of those baggy jeans that Muggle boys often wore, along with a black T-shirt and trainers. I felt my heart slowly melting as I looked at him for those few seconds. Our eyes locked for a second before I turned away and went through the portrait hole, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

"You alright Hermione?" Parvati asked, seeing the shocked look on my face. Her head was tilted slightly to the side as she looked at me.

I nodded. "Yeah, now let's go meet up with Padma, we're running a bit late," I pointed out, rushing ahead of the two other girls. I turned a corner and leaned against the cold stone wall. I was fighting to keep my heart rate down as I remembered looking in Harry's eyes. The thought sent a chill down my spine. I quickly pushed myself off the wall as Parvati and Lavender came walking around the corner.

"Hermione! Parvati! Lavender!" I heard. We all turned our heads towards the Entrance Hall to see Parvati's double coming towards us, wearing the same outfit of jeans, a shirt, and a jacket as Parvati, only the colour of the jacket differing. "You ready to leave?" she asked us curiously.

We nodded as we headed for the great double doors. We seemed to be ahead of the crowd, because there were only a few sixth years ahead of us in line to be poked with Filch's secrecy sensor. Lavender and Parvati were nearly squealing with excitement as we began heading for Hogsmeade, the light fall breeze making us zip up our jackets a bit.

After walking for about fifteen minutes and chattering excessively about the up-coming Christmas holidays, we entered the village of Hogsmeade. I looked to Parvati and Padma knowing they knew the way to The Dragon Lounge. Lavender and I followed as they turned left, next to Zonko's Joke Shop. As we turned the corner, I saw a long line of six and seventh years, no doubt wanting to get into the club. I looked towards Parvati, wondering what her connections were. Just then, all of our heads turned to the left.

"Hey Parvati," a familiar voice called to the twin. Out of the gigantic crowd of people came the recognizable form of Seamus Finnigan. His hands were shoved in the pockets of his blue jeans.

"Hey!" Parvati squealed, running up to the boy and hugging him, planting a light kiss on his lips. "So are we in?" she asked, looking at him, his arm around her waist. "Please tell us we're in."

Seamus nodded. "Yeah, you guys are in. My brother was able to pull some strings and get V.I.P. passes," he said, obviously pleased with his connections. "We're all set. Follow me," he said, pushing his way past the crowd.

"You're brother?" I asked curiously. I didn't know Seamus had a brother. Then again, I didn't really know a lot about anyone that I wasn't close to. Padma explained to me that Bradley, Seamus' brother, was a DJ here at The Dragon Lounge. "Oh," I said as we entered through the doors, the angry line of people screaming at us, wondering why we got to get in front of them. We ignored them as we entered the room.

The main light was off, and the room was illuminated only by some strobe lights here or there, and some rotating multi-colour lights. I looked around. "Whoa!" I shouted to my fellow Gryffindors. "This is awesome!" The others nodded.

"Have fun!" Seamus said, kissing Parvati. She said something to him that I couldn't understand. "I'm meeting some of the guys here, I have to meet them outside," I heard him shout to her. "I'll see you later!" he finished, kissing her again as he ran off.

The four of us began migrating to the dance floor, the loud music blaring out of the speakers. "Sit tight I'm gonna need you to keep time. Come on, just snap, snap, snap your fingers for me..." I joined the tight circle of my friends and classmates and began nodding my head to the music, as everyone else was. I looked around the room, seeing if there was anyone else I knew there. I didn't see any familiar faces, so turned my attention to my friends, with whom I started dancing with as the chorus started. "Swear to shake it up, if you swear to listen! Oh, we're still so young, so desperate for attention! I aim to be your eyes, trophy boys and trophy wives!"

If a person were to walk in who had known me in first through sixth year, and had not seen or talked to me since then, they would have been shocked. The reason for this being, well, s my old self would have never danced how I was now. All thoughts were washed from my mind as I danced my troubles away, smiling and laughing with my friends. I checked the door every so often, only seeing some Hogwarts boys that I had seen around walk in.

After a couple of songs, the girls and I walked off the dance floor and over to the "bar". It was a non-alcoholic bar that served Butterbeer, sodas, pumpkin juice, and all that good stuff. We all ordered a small Butterbeer, drinking in giant gulps when it arrived. Once finished, we headed out to the floor again, just as a fast number had reached the chorus. "Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling. And every time we kiss I swear I could fly. Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last. Need you by my side..." I danced freely, desperately trying to push the thought of Harry from my mind as I listened to the lyrics. The others threw me strange and concerned glances as the song continued. I was grateful two minutes later when it ended and we left the floor as they announced a couple's dance was approaching.

"Hermione, you alright?" Lavender asked me as we headed over to the 'bar'. I nodded in response. "Are you sure? Do you want to leave? What was troubling you?" I was bombarded with questions as I ordered another Butterbeer. After taking a few sips, I looked at them.

"In order; Yes. No. And nothing," I answered simply drinking my drink after speaking. "I think someone's calling you Parvati," I pointed out, nodding to Seamus, who was running across the dance floor with Dean and a Ravenclaw boy whom I did not know.

"Hey Lavender," Dean said, walking up to our group. He took her hand and pulled her towards him, planting a kiss on her glossed lips. "Care to dance?" he asked her, motioning to the crowded dance area. She nodded and followed him onto the dance floor. Seamus and the Ravenclaw did the same to Parvati and Padma, both who gave hesitant glances at me, as if making sure it was alright. I nodded, and Padma went off. Parvati whispered something to Seamus before walking over to me.

"Why don't you ask someone to dance?" she asked. "Like Cormac. You went out with him, didn't you?" I nodded, not mentioning it was to make Harry jealous, even if I told him it was to make Ron jealous. "You know, I hear he still likes you," she whispered to me. I shook my head.

"I think I'm just going to sit for now, I don't feel like dancing," I told her, sitting down at the mimic-bar. I picked up my drink and took a sip as she looked around.

"You know, it doesn't necessarily have to be a boyfriend, or someone you're attracted to," she said, turning her attention back to me. "Like a friend, as a matter of fact, Harry just walked in two seconds ago," she said, nodding her head towards the door, where, to my dismay, I saw a messy-haired teen looking around the room, his hands in his pockets.

I felt my heart rate quicken and my breath get caught in my throat. No. Not here. Not now. Harry was supposed to be at Hogwarts, away from me and out of my memory all day. Or at least for a few hours. I shook my head at Parvati. "Nah, I don't feel like dancing, go on, I think the couple dance is about to start," I told her, trying to conceal my panic. She gave me a strange and reluctant look before walking to meet up with Seamus.

I continued to sit in my chair, leaning against the edge of the 'bar', looking out at the groups of couples that had begun to sway to the music. "You make me feel, out of my element, like I'm walking on broken glass..." I looked away from the dance floor, feeling that each couple of happy teens were mocking me. I sighed, not realizing that I was looking to see if Harry was talking to anyone. What I saw made my heart beat faster than it had been. I saw him staring at me...admiringly.

As the chorus started, the teens broke apart and began dancing across from one another. "Were you right? Was I wrong? Were you weak was I strong? Yeah, both of us broken, caught in a moment." I found myself staring into his eyes for the first part of the chorus, I quickly looked away, realizing that my cheeks were reddening. I lifted my gaze, looking to the left of me to see Cormac McLaggen walking towards me. I groaned, no one hearing me over the music. I looked around, hoping to think of a way to get away from him-and Harry, who was approaching me from the right side.

I stood up, finishing my drink, and slid into the crowd of dancing couples. I was able to make it to the other side of the room without being followed by McLaggen. Harry, however, had followed me and was approaching. I stood up and headed for the back door, knowing I'd be able to get back in with the V.I.P. pass that Seamus had given us girls.

The cool breeze felt nice in contrast to the over-heated club. I took a deep breath, walking at a fast pace to get away from The Dragon Lounge, and Harry. As I rounded the corner, my stomach lurched. There, walking in my direction, no doubt trying to get into The Dragon Lounge, was Malfoy. I began to walk past him, hoping he'd be having an off day and let me go. How stupid am I?

"And just where do you think you're going, Granger?" Draco Malfoy sneered, putting a hand out to push me back. "And why are you walking the streets of Hogsmeade without your little boy-toys?"

I glared at him in return. "I was about to ask you the same question. And where I'm going is none of your business, Malfoy," I spat, rolling my eyes. I pushed his hand away, trying to get passed him.

"That's no way to speak to your superior, Mudblood," Malfoy spoke with anger. "Watch your tongue. And your back. Times are changing, it's not safe for your kind to be roaming around alone," he told me threateningly, reaching for his wand.

I froze for a second in terror before reaching for my own wand. But by the time I had pulled it out and had it pointing at him, I was a few seconds to late.

"CRUCIO!" he yelled, his wand aiming in my direction, his wand emitting a red jet of light. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact of the Unforgivable Curse. But something happened. I wasn't withering on the ground in pain, screaming Bloody Murder... someone else was.

I opened my eyes and looked around. First, I looked to Malfoy, whose face was twisted in an odd sense of amusement and disappointment. The disappointment no doubt being from the fact that he didn't Crucio me. I shook my head in disgust at Draco. I then turned my attention towards the withering body on the ground in front of my feet.

Glasses. Black untidy hair. Greens eyes hidden behind the closed lids. The scar. Harry was screaming on the ground, withering in pain. He had been hit with the Cruciatus curse, not me. But Malfoy didn't have that bad of an aim, did he? No. The realization of it all hit me suddenly. Harry had followed me out of the club and had been tracking me through the few streets I had wondered. He had jumped in front of me when Malfoy fired off the curse. "Harry!" I screamed, my wand falling out of my hand as I dropped to my knees, looking at him with a panicked expression, not knowing what to do.

I ran my fingers through my hair, a nervous habit I developed since I began taming it. What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? This is entirely my fault! He was hit by it because he was protecting me. I shook my head, not knowing what to do. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, to ease the pain for Harry, even if he was screaming too much to hear me. But I couldn't. I found I couldn't open my mouth without wanting to cry with every word I spoke.

I raised my gaze to Malfoy, my eyes narrowed to a glare. "You bastard," I whispered, hate and loathing standing out in my voice. I found I could say something to him without crying, boy could I. "Why would you do something like this? Perform an Unforgivable Curse on a school trip. And aim it at a woman. Didn't your parents ever teach you any manners? Or were they too busy getting drunk and being thrown in Azkaban for services to Voldemort?" I knew I wasn't exactly helping with his temper, but I was furious, I didn't really care at the moment.

As Malfoy opened his mouth to speak, a weak voice spoke instead. Surprisingly, I had not noticed that the screams coming from the figure on the ground had stopped. "Hermione...don't provoke him," Harry warned me. He had propped himself up, looking a little drained of energy. But who could blame him?

"Harry!" I breathed. Letting out a sigh of relief, I realized that I was trembling. "What the Hell do you think you were doing?" I asked him, my eyes wide. "Why'd you do that? He could've been firing off the killing curse!!"

Harry's mouth was set into a grim line as he nodded. "Exactly," he said to me. I felt my stomach give a lurch. He was willing to throw himself in front of the killing curse for me.

"Oh, stop this now! This is disgusting! Potter and the Mudblood?" Malfoy said, his face puckering in distaste. He shrugged, smirking now, "Well, I can't say I couldn't see this coming. I mean, Potter's so desperate he'll take anything with breasts!"

"Shut up," I spat at the blonde. My eyes went back to narrow slits. "And get the Hell away from me now," I said to him, not really wanting him to hear whatever Harry might say to me.

He rolled his eyes. "Oh, I'm so scared. The Mudblood's threatening me. What ever will I do?" He began to walk past us, in the direction of the club. He stopped and turned around, looking at me. "You were lucky this time, Granger. Just be thankful your boy-toy came to the rescue, because chances are, you won't be so fortunate next time."

I watched him walk away, loathing him more than ever. I knew he walked away in fear of being caught by a teacher, for I had heard a voice, however faint it was, before Harry had taken the curse for me. I heard a grunt from next to me and remembered Harry was there. "Oh," I said quickly. I helped him stand up, seeing as he looked strong enough to walk with just a little support. "You alright?" I asked, trying not to sound flustered. I avoided looking at him, and focused at a stone on the ground instead.

"Yeah," he told me, his voice a little bit stronger than it had been earlier. "But I don't want you going back there," he said, seeing me looking at The Dragon Lounge.

"What?" I asked, a little offended. "You don't own me, Harry. You have no right in telling me what I can and can't do. I'll go back if I want to go back. I don't have to obey you."

"Hermione, I'd never act like I own you, and that's not the reason I'm telling you not to go back in there. It's because I care about you," he said, taking my hands in his, rubbing the backs gently with his thumbs. It seemed to relax me a bit.

I shook my head, pulling my hands away and hugging my arms. "Harry, don't do this. Not here. Not now. Not again," I groaned, turning my back towards him. I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to escape. The torment of loving your best friend is just too much for a girl to take.

"Then when Hermione? When we're both married to the wrong people? When we're old and gray? Tell me, I'd like to know," he told me, his voice now strong, confident, and angry. I shook my head.

"Never, Harry. You're my best friend. How do we know this isn't just some silly teenage attraction? Something like this could ruin our friendship. Just look at you and Ginny. You were so sure about her, and now where did you two end up? I'll tell you. Both chasing other people, barely speaking to each other," I told him, two tears escaping from under my eyelids and rolling down my cheeks. "I don't want that to happen to us. It won't happen to us. I'll never accept any relationship other than being your friend."

I heard him give a frustrated sigh. "God, Hermione! Why do you have to be so difficult? Stop denying the truth!" he said, raising his voice a little, making it rebound off of the brick walls of the deserted ally we were in.

I turned around sharply, my eyes open and my hair whipping me in the face. "I'm being difficult? I'm not the one being difficult, Harry! You're the one who won't let go of some silly little attraction towards your best friend!" I had given up on holding back my tears, they were now streaming down my face. My voice was raised and angry. "Forget about me! Go chase some other girl! Be a friend to me, and only a friend! Why won't you just do that for me?" I asked, abandoning not looking at him. I stared him right in the eyes. I shook my head. "Why can't you do that, Harry?" I asked, my voice softer now. Without waiting for an answer, I walked past him. I was going to head back to Hogwarts.

Not daring to look behind me, I turned a corner. It was another deserted ally. I didn't want to return to the castle just yet, so instead I pushed my back up against the wall and slid down. I crossed my arms on my knees, throwing my head down. I sat there, silently crying, for who knows how long. I couldn't believe what I had just done. I had told the only boy I had ever loved to give up on me and go after someone else. I was supposed to be happy, right? Wrong. I knew Harry, and I knew that if he put his mind to something he wouldn't give up. I had a feeling this was one of those things. After a while, I stood up, brushing off my pants as I began walking towards the castle, most of my tears gone now.

As I hit the main street of Hogsmeade, I couldn't stop thinking: What if Harry did take my advice? Would I be happy or sad? Pleased or angry? Or the big question: Would I be able to forgive myself?

-->

Hey guys! Thanks for the positive reviews! As for the not-so-positive ones, I know I'm not the greatest writer ever. I'm 14, please give me some slack. I've never had a boyfriend, and I tend to write Hermione a bit Ooc. But from here on, her denial starts to fade, so please stay with me? Thanks!

Pink_ish_Camo

~*~Best Friends- Chapter 3: I Won't Say I'm in Love~*~

I was awoken by girlish screams and someone yelling my name.

Twisted in my sheets, I tried to get up, but only found myself lying face-down on the wooden floor. "You just hate me, don't you?" I mumbled, pushing myself up. Once I got into a sitting position, I sighed and looked at the two excited girls in front of me. "Now, what is so thrilling that you had to wake me up in that way?" I asked, them, rubbing my eyes and yawning.

Lavender pushed Parvati forward, obviously too excited to say it herself. Parvati, who was changed, like her friend, into her school robes, took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "You have a visitor!" she said, her voice breaking with excitement. I gave her a strange look.

"Alright..." I said, looking at her cautiously. Why were they making such a big deal out of me having a visitor? I figured it was most likely someone from a Wizarding college, I had applied to many. Figuring that appearance didn't really matter all that much when you were applying for an academic scholarship, I stood up, went to shower, and changed into a white fitted T-shirt and some hot pink sweatpants. I pulled my hair into a messy low bun, and put on just a bit of makeup before sliding on my pink flip-flops and heading down the stairs. I looked around, there was no one that seemed to be from a college there, so I walked over to Harry and Ron.

The day after what had happened in Hogsmeade, Harry had come to me while I was studying in the library. I had ignored him at first, thinking he had come up with some clever argument to oppose my saying that we should just be friends. Boy was I wrong. After heaving a frustrated sigh when I was not looking at him, he whispered to me that I was right, and that we should keep our relationship as friends. I had smiled at him, nodding, no matter how much my heart was breaking as he said those words.

"Hey guys," I called over to them, my flip-flops hitting my heels as I walked. They looked up from there conversation, seeming a bit surprised at how I looked. "Do you two know where the scholarship interviewer is?" I asked them curiously, looking around

I saw the two boys look at me curiously. "What? What scholarship interviewer?" Ron asked, cocking his head to the left.

"I was told I had a visitor," I said, my voice questioning. I looked to Harry, hoping he would have an answer to for my confused mind. He nodded.

"You do, but its not a scholarship interviewer," he told me, both amused and...what was that other emotion...annoyed? At my look telling him to go on, he continued. "Its-"

"Her-my-own-ninny!" I heard someone exclaim from behind me. Already knowing who it was, I turned, around, plastering a smile on my face.

"Viktor!" I exclaimed, the same tone in my voice as there was in his. I walked towards him, giving him a hug, as he did to me. As we pulled apart, he gave me a kiss on the lips. I blushed a bit, but that was it. I did not feel anything in the kiss. No sparks, no magic, no fireworks, no compassion. Nothing.

"Come vith me," he said, taking my hand in his after he had broken the kiss. I followed him, looking back at the Common Room as I did so. Many of the girls were staring at me admiring, and by many, I meant all. I looked towards Harry and Ron, hoping for a thumbs-up of some sort, and received one from Ron. Harry's reaction surprised me. He was glaring at Viktor, looking sour at the prospect of me going somewhere private with him.

As puzzled as I was by my friend's reaction, I obeyed my old flame, and followed him out of the Common Room and through the castle. It was silent as we made our way to the lake, since I was thinking of what Harry's reaction could've meant, and Viktor was staring hard into the depths of the ocean, the light breeze forcing his blood red cape to billow with it.

As we neared the lake, the breeze picked up, making me shiver a bit. Viktor must have noticed this, because before I knew it, he draped his cape around me.

"Thanks," I said, smiling at him. After a moment of awkward silence, I decided to strike up a conversation. "So...what brings you back to Hogwarts? I got the impression you didn't like it that much," I said to him.

He looked out at the lake, his brow furrowed. "It's alright," he spoke, his Bulgarian accent strong and prominent. "But that's not the reason I came back," He said, his gaze turning towards me. I shifted a bit nervously.

"Err...really?" I asked, hoping my nervousness wasn't showing in my voice. I looked around, seeing that we were the only ones by the lake.

The Lake.

I hadn't been within a fifteen foot distance of the lake since that day... It seemed so long ago, when really, it hadn't even been a month. I could remember that day so well. But why? It was in the past. Viktor continued speaking.

"I have been drafted onto the best Quidditch team in the vorld," he said to me. I congratulated him and he went on. "But in order for me to join, I must move to America, across the vorld," I nodded as he paused. "And that's vhat brings me here today. I know that I haven't visited you much since the Tri-Visard Tournament, but I have kept in touch, you must admit. You have been keeping me vell informed of what has been going on in your life, and I feel as if I really know you, and that ve made a connection.

"I know that this is sudden and unexpected, but, Her-my-own-ninny, vill you marry me?" Viktor finished, getting on one knee and looking up into my hazel eyes with his fierce sapphire ones.

I stared into them, my heart beating wildly. What should I say? Viktor was a nice guy, honestly, he was, but was he the guy? Yes, it was true that we had kept in touch, but for Merlin's sake, I hadn't seen the man in three years! I could feel the back of my neck get hot as he looked at me questioningly. Alright Hermione, just make a list of pros and cons.

Pros:

* He's hunky.

* He's a sweet guy.

* Your wedding would be the public affair of the year.

* That engagement ring is HUGE.

Cons:

* He's not very intellectual.

* You'd have to move across the world.

* You'd have to move across the world in the middle of your seventh year.

* You'd be the center of media attention 24/7.

* You wouldn't have a career of your own, due to your dropping out of school.

* You haven't seen him in three years.

* You don't know him that well anymore.

* He's not the guy you've pictured yourself with.

* You don't love him.

That settled it. I was going to say no. The number of cons doubled the number of pros. I couldn't marry someone based on a physical attraction, and also someone I didn't love. That wasn't me. I shook my head, smiling sadly at the kneeling figure in front of me.

"That's really sweet and all, Viktor, but...I just have a lot going on in my life right now. I need to concentrate on my N.E.W.T.S. and just need to figure some things out. I'm really sorry, but I'm just not looking for anything more than friends right now," I said to him. I hoped I wasn't being too hard, and that he understood.

He nodded as he stood up. "Alright, Her-my-own-ninny. I understand, and I accept your friendship," he said, putting the ring back into his breast pocket. I stood up, my head coming to just underneath his chest. I looked up, my eyes reflecting the apologetic feeling I had expressed earlier.

"I wish you the best of luck in America, and hope you find someone who loves you as much as you do them," I told him, smiling. I gave him one last hug muttering things such as, "Good Luck," and "Keep in touch," As we broke apart, he kissed my cheek.

"Good-bye, Her-my-own-ninny. I hope you do well on your tests, and find a vonderful boy who deserves you much more than I do," he said after he kissed me. "Remember to vrite!" he called as he walked across the grounds, heading towards the gates leading to the magical world outside of Hogwarts.

As I walked back up to the Common Room, I thought of my lists that I had made before responding to Viktor's proposal. The last two cons I had thought of was troubling me. What is love, exactly? Is it the feeling you get when you watch your favourite movie? Is it the feeling you get when you cuddle up with your pets? Is it the feeling you get when you're with your best friends?

And who was the guy I pictured myself with? It wasn't Viktor, Cormac, Seamus, Neville, Dean, Malfoy, Ron, or Zacharias Smith, so who could it be? As I neared the portrait hole, my stomach seemed to drop as I realize that I hadn't included my other best friend on the list- Harry.

But Harry wasn't the one I pictured myself with, was it? Of course not! He's my best friend! I've just been trying to push him from my mind so much, that it's starting to work. Yeah, that's it.

"Bumbletrut," I stated to the Fat Lady as I came to the Portrait Hole. The portrait swung open, allowing me to crawl through to the Common Room. I was glad to see that there wasn't a truckload of people inside Gryffindor Tower asking me what happened. As a matter of fact, there were only a couple of people, Ron, Harry, myself, and about four other second-years. I saw Harry nudge our red-haired friend as he saw me come in.

I walked over towards the window, where they had been sitting. Ron turned around, and once I got closer, asked how things with Viktor went. What was I supposed to say? That he had proposed to me? No, I thought I'd leave that out.

"Oh, fine," I said. "You know, he just wanted to catch up, see how I'd been and stuff," I lied. I spared a quick glance at Harry, knowing very well that if I looked at him, my lies would fall apart. As I looked at him, I saw him raising an eyebrow as if he didn't believe me.

"That's cool," Ron said. He looked at me as if wanting more information, something Quidditch-related. I sighed and told him about Viktor being drafted onto a team in America. "Whoa! I've got to tell Dean and Seamus," he said, running off and out of the Common Room.

"So," Harry said, once we were alone, and Ron was out of earshot. "Anything interesting happen?" he asked, a note of annoyance in his voice. As I shook my head, he raised his eyebrows to where they disappeared behind his bangs. "Nothing? Nothing at all?"

I looked at him curiously, wondering why he was so prying. Then I realized it. "You were spying on me!" I shouted, my eyes widening, my voice accusing. Of course! He was sitting at the window that looked over the lake! He must have saw Viktor propose! I was furious.

Evading my accusation, Harry went straight to pushing my buttons, making me more furious. "So, when's the wedding Mrs. Krum? Can I see your ring?" he asked, his eyes narrow. He grabbed my left hand and brought it up to eye level. I could see his expression soften, his entire body relaxing, as he looked at me. "You didn't accept?" He asked in a whisper. I saw his eyes fill with guilt and relief.

I shook my head, still mad at him for spying on me. Why did he care? "No," I said curtly. "I'm not going to throw away my life by marrying at this age," And with that, I turned on my heel and began walking towards my dormitory, only to be stopped by Harry calling my name.

"Hermione!" he said, running towards me as I turned around. "Hermione. You know the real reason you said no to him," he was staring down into my eyes, something that made chills run down my spine.

"I said no because I'm not going to throw my life away."

"You said no because you remembered what I said about being married to the wrong people. You said no because, no matter how much you deny it, you still love me," Harry said softly, looking at me with caring and compassion reflecting in his eyes.

I shook my head lightly, not breaking the connection of our eyes. "You're wrong," I said quietly. His eyes were searching mine, he was trying to see if I was lying. Not knowing what he'd fine, I broke the connection as I stormed off. "I know what you're trying to do, Harry!" I said, my temper hot. "And let me save you the time. You're wrong, I don't love you! Why is that so hard for you to understand!" The remaining second years looked a bit frightened and scurried out to the corridor.

"Because I know that you're wrong. You do love me. You just don't want to admit it for some reason," he spoke, his voice calm. He was still looking at me. It was unnerving how calm he was.

"Well, Harry, it looks like you don't know anything, cause you're wrong, not me." How many times did I have to repeat myself? "And let's say that I did love you," I started, "I couldn't possibly tell you! Do you know what that would do to our friendship? I'll tell you; destroy it. But you know what? We never have to worry about it, because I don't love you!" I said again, nearing hysteria. Seeing Harry shake his head, I became a bit more angrier. "Harry! I'll prove it to you!" I shouted, striding over to him.

For some reason unknown to me, whether it was the hysteria, the thought of touching Harry, or just the desire to prove to him that I didn't love him, I took his head in my hands. Without warning, I pulled his head down, seeing as he was a good foot taller than me, and pressed my lips against his, closing my eyes. To my horror, I realized what I had done...and what I felt. Pulling away, I dropped my hands and shrugged as I looked him in the eyes. "N-nothing," I said a bit shakily, hoping that he didn't realize the blush that was creeping into my cheeks. "See? You were wrong. So just let me go," I said, shaking my head as I turned and walked to the girls' dorms, leaving my shocked friend behind.

As I flopped on my bed, I put my hands over my face, holding in the hot tears that threatened to escape.

That was the stupidest mistake I could've possibly made.

-->

~*~Best Friends- Ch. 4: Right Where You Want Me~*~

It was about three days later when I realized I couldn't avoid Harry forever. I hadn't talked to him since after Viktor visited, afraid what he might say about what happened in the Common Room. That one little kiss had confirmed what I didn't want to believe: I was in love with my best friend. There was nothing I could do about it, nothing I could say, nothing I could think, the facts still remained. It killed me, it really did, to know that I could never have him the way I wanted, even if he felt the same. I couldn't, I had lived with him like a brother for seven years- or was it less?

Less. I had began developing non-sisterly feelings for him since, third year, I believe. Yes. It was as we were rescuing Sirius that I realized it. But now...this was out of control! Just push the feelings away, Hermione, I said to myself as I walked out of Charms.

It was as I looked up from my feet that I saw something that made me loosen my grip. Harry had just walked around the corner, and was walking my way. He waved, and I felt my books starting to slip from my hands.

Before I knew it, Harry was by my side, taking some of the articles weighing down my hands. "Thanks," I laughed weakly. I stopped momentarily and straightened out my books, tightening my arms around them to keep them from falling again. He looked at me, his brow furrowed.

"Are you alright? You sound weak," he said to me. As he asked this, he took some more of my books, obviously thinking I was ill or something. Though it felt great not carrying around so much, I shook my head and took a book back from him.

"I'm fine," I reassured him, still shaking my head. "Just tired, is all. I've been up late-"

"Studying for N.E.W.T.S., I know," Harry finished my sentence, taking the book I had stolen from him back. "I saw you pouring over a book at three o'clock in the morning when I went in the Common Room to send Hedwig off," he explained at my questioning glance. "You really should get some sleep," he advised me as we walked.

"I know," I sighed. "But you're one to talk," I shot back, looking at him. "And just who is this mysterious person you're sending letters to at three in the morning?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"None of your business," he laughed. Seeing my mocking glare, he came clean, "It's Remus, I've been owling him back and forth for about a month," he said, not looking at me. I could tell he wasn't lying, but he was hiding something.

"Uh-huh," I said, my brows still raised. "Bumbletrut," I said, looking at the Fat Lady as we approached the Common Room. "And may I be so bold as to ask what you've been writing about?" I inquired as Harry stepped aside, allowing me to go in first. He was such a gentleman. I set my stuff on a table, getting out a quill and some parchment.

After setting the rest of my belongings down, Harry ran up to his dorm and came back with his broom. "Up for the Quidditch pitch?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Nah, I'm going to send a letter to Mum and Dad," I told him, showing the quill and parchment. "Plus, it looks like you're going to get rained on. Maybe another time?" I asked. Wow, I had actually had a normal conversation with Harry. No weirdness at all. Wow.

He nodded. "Sure. If your done before it gets dark or rains, feel free to come on out," Harry invited, walking out the Common Room. I sighed as the scent of his cologne tickled my nose. After regaining my train of thought, and remembering what I was going to do, I headed out the portrait hole, leaving the quill and parchment behind.

A good four minutes later, I was sitting on a window ledge in the Astronomy Tower, looking out over the lake. I let out a deep sigh. He was over me. I should be happy, shouldn't I? I never have to worry about a romance with him ever again.

I closed my eyes and massaged my temples. Aw, Granger, you need to get your life together, I thought to myself. There are plenty of other guys besides Harry, choose one of them!

I lost track of time sitting there, just thinking of life, my future, and of course, Harry. I actually found myself softly singing a bit of a Muggle song called Listen to Your Heart. "I know there's something in the wake of your smile..." I sang in a whisper, looking over the grounds. Harry, I assumed, was at the Quidditch pitch already, as I hadn't seen him walking across the grounds as I had everyone else.

Right after I thought this, the gray clouds let out all the rain they were holding in, making students run through the doors to safety. I smiled a bit, laughing to myself. I could picture Harry on his broom, practicing in the pouring rain. And I had to admit...he looked good.

I sat there, sticking my hand out of the window, feeling the rain splatter on my fingertips. I let out a deep sigh, wishing I could let the rain wash all my troubles away.

As the rain beat against the stone of the building, I felt myself fighting to stay awake. My eyes, feeling like sandbags, began to fall, no matter how hard I tried to keep them open.

The lack of sleep was catching up with me.

And in the worst place too. If I were to dose off, I would surely fall over the edge of the tower, and plunge to my untimely death. The sad thing was, even as I thought of this, I couldn't force my eyes up. Just as I was drifting into a sea of blackness, I heard the door swing open with a loud thud. My eyes shot open.

Draco Malfoy had come just in time to perhaps save my life.

That is...before he tried to take it himself.

"Look here, the Mudblood Granger sitting all alone," he sneered. He looked at my position, precariously perched on the edge of the tower. "Finally realized it's past time to do yourself in?"

"Sod off Malfoy," I responded, stifling a yawn. I hugged my arms, turning my attention towards the rain-covered grounds to my right. I took a deep breath, trying to get myself fully awake before shifting to more of a sitting position.

"Tut tut tut," Malfoy said from the door; I could hear the smirk in his voice. "You don't have you're boy-toys with you this time, Granger, so I'd be careful if I were you, which luckily, I'm not."

I rolled my eyes, a tad bit angry. "First of all, they're not my 'boy-toys' as you call them, and secondly, why should I be careful? The worst you can do is hex me, and trust me," I said, my voice softening as I thought about my current battle, "I've been through worst pain."

"Then I'm sure you won't mind this," he snarled, pointing his wand at me. In a quick action of reflex, I reached for my wand, only to find that it wasn't there. Wonderful.

Within the blink of an eye, I was on the floor, withering in pain. I heard an oddly distorted scream, and was horrified when I realized it was coming from me. The pain was horrible. It felt as though my skin was being punctured by thousands of prickling white-hot knives. So this is what the Cruciatus Curse felt like. I suddenly had an all new respect for Harry, that is, if it was possible to respect him more. After what seemed like eternity, I felt the pain somewhat lift, my screams subdue, and my breathing became ragged.

I felt weak. I had to support my weight on the cold stone wall as I unsteadily stood up. I glared at the blonde across the room, who was smirking the entire time he had me at his mercy. I opened my mouth to speak, but couldn't form words; I was too weak. I shook my head in disgust.

"Is the Mudbwood to tiwed to tawk?" He spoke to me in baby voices. "Let me help," he said maliciously, flicking his wand in my direction.

I felt a sudden jerk in my spinal cord, and next thing I knew, I was being pulled back, over the edge of the stone tower. I could feel the cold pellets of rain hitting my face, forcing me to close my eyes.

I reached my arms out, hoping, praying that I would grab hold of something to keep me from falling forty feet to my demise. And I was in luck.

My arms felt like they were going to be pulled out of their sockets. As I started to plummet to the ground, I had caught the sill of where I had been sitting minutes prior to my encounter with Draco. As much as I willed myself not to, I found that I was looking at the ground, which seemed a million and one foot further down than it actually was. Not wanting to frighten myself more than I already was, I looked up towards my hands. I saw a sneering Draco Malfoy looking down his nose at me.

I knew what he was going to do.

I looked around wildly. Where was a Professor when you needed one? Before I could worry about the lack of professors, I felt my stomach drop out of my arse.

My worse fear had been confirmed, and Malfoy was now plying my right hand off of the stone, and throwing it over the edge. Luckily, I threw it back up there and grasped the cold foundation before I lost my balance, but I didn't know how long my luck would last.

To top the situation off, it was now raining harder than ever, and the rain pacts were weighing me down, as if they wanted me to be gone and out of this life. Everything seemed to be against me today; my luck, the rain, my emotions, and, of course, Malfoy.

I would've screamed, but I couldn't. I opened my mouth but no sound came out. I was scared out of my wits. My hands slowly started to slip, my right one faster, I wouldn't be able to last much longer.

Just then, I heard something like a gunshot, it was the door opening and slamming against the wall. Malfoy, who had been smirking malevolently down at my struggling figure, was too slow. By the time he had turned around, he fell to the ground, stunned.

"Hermione?" I heard someone call my name. Their voice was urgent and worried. "Hermione, where are you?"

Still not being able to speak, I tried to get their attention by hitting the wall. Seeing as I was slipping, I had to regain my grip on the stone. Wasn't that the dumbest decision I ever made?

As I moved my hands, my left one got placed on a rather slippery stone, water all around it. My right one had landed on the sharp edge of a stone, and was currently being cradled at my side.

I was hanging on the building by the tips of four fingers on my left hand. I was in limbo between life and death, and would soon be plummeting to the latter. Well, as Murphy's Law has it, as soon as I thought this, my fingers came sneaking off the damn sill. My stomach clenched; this was it, my final moment. In perhaps thirty seconds, I would be lying on the soaking green grass, my limbs bent at odd angles, my eyes closed, perhaps bleeding a bit.

Who would find me? I prayed it wouldn't be Harry, I didn't want him to suffer more pain than he already had. Who would come to my funeral? Ron, Ginny, Harry, Lavender, Parvati, and who else? Had my life really been centered around those five people? Why had I not made more friends? All these unpleasant thoughts were running through my mind, on top of the fact that I was about to plummet to my death.

I could feel it. I began the Great Descent, I was on my way down.

Or so I thought.

Right as the wind started raising my hair around my face, I felt a strong, determined arm take hold of my wrist. I was staying in one spot, I wasn't falling! I looked up to see the person who had possibly saved me from untimely fate.

Reflected in his glasses, I saw that I had tears on my cheeks and in my eyes. I felt so weak and powerless not being able to pull myself from Death's tight hold on me.

"Hermione, are you alright?" He asked, his eyes pools of concern. "I'm going to try to pull you up, try to walk on the wall or something," he suggested calmly, his voice contradicting his appearance.

I nodded, willing myself not to look at the ground. I felt myself slowly being lifted, my legs slightly dragging against the stone wall. A couple of times I thought I was going to slip, but was kept up by Harry's strong determination.

What seemed like hours later, I was crawling over the sill where I would never sit again. I looked to the ground; Malfoy was still stunned on the floor. If I had not been in such a state of shock, I would've cursed him to oblivion, but I was too shaken to do anything.

"Hermione," Harry spoke softly, lifting my chin up. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice no longer calm, but panicked.

I nodded. And as though the nod had triggered buckets of water to spill, I broke down. My eyes were like water hoses, and my legs gave out to where Harry dove to catch me. I locked my arms around his neck, burying my head into his shoulder.

He gently stroked my hair, patted my shoulder, and pulled me closer. I was shaking and sobbing uncontrollably, wrapped in his arms. I couldn't believe how close I was to my death.

I was sobbing and shaking, glad that I didn't have to bottle it all up. Harry sat there with me, his arms wrapped protectively around my trembling body, re-stunning Malfoy every once in a while.

After a few moments of silent sobbing, I shuddered, stopping the flow of my tears. Harry looked alarmed. "Let's get you inside," he said quickly, helping me up, his arms still around me.

He shuffled me inside the castle, where the cold air made my soaking figure develop goose bumps. As we walked, Harry would turn around every two minutes or so, no doubt making sure we weren't being followed.

To my surprise, he wasn't headed in the direction of the Gryffindor Common Room. He led me to a deserted corridor, occupied only by a picture of a man trying to teach trolls ballet. What a fruitless task.

"Wait here," he murmured, his arms leaving me for the first time. As he walked down the corridor along the blank wall across from the portrait, I felt a sudden wave of coolness rush over me. I realized that I had been shivering all through the castle, but this was something different. This was an empty coolness. It was because Harry's arms were no longer around me.

He was walking back towards me for the third time, his face screwed up in concentration. A simple wooden door appeared on the wall across from the man and the trolls. Harry ran over to me, taking my hand and leading me towards the door. When I had closed the small gap between myself and the wall, he stood back, opening the door and allowing me to enter first.

"Wow," I said, walking into the room: an exact replica of the Gryffindor Common Room, complete with dancing fire. "Wow," I whispered again. Only this time, it wasn't about the Room of Requirement's capability to transform into a Common Room, but because I hadn't spoken a single word from the time I flew over the Astronomy Tower's sill until now.

Harry closed the door. "I didn't think you'd want to go to the Common Room right now," he explained, standing next to his favourite arm chair. I looked at him from my spot in front of the fire.

"Thanks," I croaked. I looked at the flames licking hungrily at the logs. "How'd you know where to find me?" I asked. The question had been burning a whole in my brain all through the castle.

Harry had a grin on his face. "Well, you see, on my way to the Quidditch Pitch, I made a detour in the Great Hall, and by the time I got out of there, it was already raining. So I went back up to the Common Room, and saw your quill and parchment," He smirked. "I knew you'd be at the Astronomy Tower. That's where you always go to think."

I laughed weakly. "Well, I'm glad you showed up when you did," I said, my voice hoarse, "If you hadn't, well..." I didn't want to finish the sentence, even though we both knew what I meant to say. If you hadn't, I wouldn't be here now.

"No problem," he said. As swift as a gust of wind, he strode over to me and pulled me against him. Being so close made my stomach fill with a fluttering sensation. My skin felt hot at his touch. "Never scare me like that again," he said, his voice breaking a bit. He pulled away and air rushed to fill the suddenly available spot between us. "Promise?" he asked.

I nodded in confirmation. "Promise," A small smirk played on his lips. "What are you grinning at?"

"Nothing, it's just that you have a curl starting to settle," he laughed.

I groaned as I lifted my head to my hair, I just wasn't in the mood to find the rebellious piece of blasted hair that wouldn't stay straight. My brown mane tended to curl whenever it got wet. Harry's hands grabbed my wrists gently, stopping me from correcting my hairdo.

"Come on, don't straighten it, I miss my bushy haired friend. Not that you're hair was bushy," he said, laughing at the dirty glance I gave him. "Please?" he added with a puppy dog pout that I just couldn't say no to.

I sighed. "I suppose I could keep it curly for a few days," I rolled my eyes in mock frustration. "For you I will," I bit my tongue. I did not just say that. "So, how did you know that the Room of Requirement could turn into a Common Room?" I asked, trying to cover up what I said. Had he noticed? I sat down cross legged in front of the fire, palms turned up.

Harry stared into the fire for a moment, as if pondering something. "I didn't know," he said, his voice normal. "I just tried and hoped it would happen," he shrugged, his arms at his sides.

I closed my eyes and dropped my hands to the ground, letting the warmth burn away today's events. I was still cold, but a jet of warmth was sent through my entire body, and I opened my eyes to see what had caused this.

He sat next down next to me, looking around at the dormitory steps, as if thinking we were in the real Common Room and someone might come down any second. I looked at him curiously, but he did not see me. His attention was focused on the couch, as if he was avoiding looking at me. Trying to be inconspicuous, he slowly slid his hand over mine.

I felt the colour rise in my cheeks. My near death experience had opened my eyes to a lot of things, one of them was that life was too short and that you should live life to the fullest. My heart leapt into my throat as my stomach fluttered with imaginary miniature hippogriffs. Averting looking at Harry, I scooted closer to him on the rug, gently laying my head on his shoulder.

I felt Harry stiffen at this motion and for a split second thought I had been to forward and made the wrong move. My heart began beating a mile a minute in my chest as he took his hand off mine and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

Hmm...Maybe our relationship wouldn't lead to awkwardness, despair, and destruction after all.

-->

Hey guys! Thanks for all the feedback! You know I live for that kinda stuff! So, here's chapter 5, Sorry for the wait!

~*~Best Friends- Ch. 5: Why So Silent?~*~

"Dammit! He almost caught us!" I whispered to Harry as we ran into an empty classroom on the second floor.

"Ahh...but he didn't," Harry said cheekily, grinning. I couldn't help but let a smile break out on my lips as I hit him playfully. "Remember, this whole secrecy thing was your idea," I told him. He answered by planting a quick kiss on my pink lips.

Yes, that's right. I, Hermione Jane Granger, had a boyfriend. One that I actually liked. The only downside to it was the fact that we had to keep it secret. Harry didn't want me getting hurt by Voldemort, and neither of us wanted to face the wrath of the two youngest Weasleys. Honestly, we weren't sure which one would be scarier to endure.

"Do you really think we're doing the right thing, not telling Ron and Ginny about us?" I asked, pulling regretfully out of the kiss. "I mean, shouldn't they have a right to know?"

Harry sighed. "They do have a right, 'Mione, but you said yourself, how would they react? Knowing Ron, he might not speak to us for weeks. Do you really want that?"

I sighed. "No. I suppose not, I do prefer to be on speaking terms with my friends," I told him, a minuscule smile appearing on my lips. My stomach made a faint rumbling sound. "Great Hall?" I suggested.

He answered by pulling my hand out from my pocket and squeezing it tightly. I blushed. "Now remember, even the slightest hints can give us away," I warned him. I was understood with a nod.

We exited the classroom, first making sure no one was outside where they would see us. We walked together, just like normal, with me nagging him about homework while he blamed it on Quidditch practice. We entered the Great Hall, still bickering, even though the two of us knew it was fake. We sat down on either side of Ron, who was looking rather tired.

"Tired, mate?" Harry asked, grabbing a sandwich and eating half of it in one bite. "It couldn't be the fact that you're now able to hear your own snoring, is it?" He sent me a wink behind our friend's back. I giggled a little then stopped. I couldn't give us away.

Ron sent a glare Harry's way. "Very funny, Harry. Actually, for your information, I'm trying to figure out something I saw today. It was odd," He went back to staring at his eggs. I felt my skin go hot. What was it that he saw?

"Say Hermione, do you have a boyfriend?" he asked suddenly, looking at me.

I felt my face and neck go red. He saw us. We're toast. I risked sending Harry a panicked glance. He was looking at me with a look of horror and amusement. The prat. The adorable prat.

"W-well, I find that a bit of a personal matter, Ronald, why do you want to know?" I asked him shakily. It really wasn't any of his bloody business.

"Because I was walking to the Great Hall a few minutes ago, and I could've sworn I saw you snogging someone in the corridor," he looked at me, a satisfied look on his face.

I scoffed. "Honestly Ronald, you need to get more sleep. You're beginning to see things, can't have that, can we?" I patted him on the shoulder, as if I were his mother, telling him to eat his vegetables. That had been a close one.

"I could have sworn it was you!" Ron almost shouted for some reason, as if trying to make a point. "I'd know that hair anywhere," he pointed out, his voice at a normal tone. "Which reminds me, why are you wearing your hair bushy again? I liked it straight."

I shrugged. "I dunno, I guess I just came to my senses that I shouldn't need to change myself to feel comfortable," I smiled. This was the same thing Harry told me in the mock Common Room that day when we became a couple.

Ron had been giving me the third degree since that day also, as if he sensed that I was keeping something from him. And I was, more than one thing, actually. I hadn't told him about Harry and me, and also about the Malfoy incident.

"Mmmhmm," Ron said in a disbelieving tone. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed a ham and cheese sandwich.

"I'll be in the library," I told them, standing up. I walked out of the noisy Hall and down the empty corridors until I found myself in the welcoming presence of the library. I had long since finished my sandwich, so was in no danger of getting kicked out.

I sat down at a table and opened a book on Advanced Potion Making. Harry was becoming an Auror, I was making sure of that. It was around thirty minutes of reading that I heard someone whispering my name. I looked around curiously. I didn't see anyone.

"Pssst! Hermione! Over here!" I heard someone whisper. I stood up, walking in the direction of the sound. I was turning to walk down another isle of books when I felt a hand reach out of a shelf and touch my arse. I gasped and looked around.

I broke into a grin as I saw the perpetrator. "Nice to see you too, Harry," I whispered. "How'd it go after I left?" I asked him as I walked around the shelf to him, curious.

"Oh, you know, the usual," he rolled his eyes. "'I could've sworn it was Hermione, mate! She looked just like her! And you have to admit, she has been acting different lately.' You'd think he was your stalker or something!" Harry laughed as I hit him lightly.

"Harry! He's our friend!" I was about to open my mouth to lecture him when he cut me off.

"Who absolutely fancies you!" he laughed.

"Harry, it's bad enough we're keeping this from him, don't go making fun of him too!" I said, my voice adopting a serious tone. Harry must've realized I was serious.

"Yeah, alright Hermione," he said. "Dobby must've put something in my pumpkin juice," he grinned. I rolled my hazel eyes.

"Excuses, excuses. Now come with me, I've been reading up on Advanced Potion Making, and I think I might have something you can do for extra marks. I'm sure Professor Slughorn would agree to let you do an assignment for marks."

He let a groan escape his lips as we sat down. "Extra potions? Do you want to kill me?" I couldn't help but smile.

"Don't worry, I'll help you out. I wouldn't leave you to do this alone, it looks difficult."

He was about to open his mouth and respond, but the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Looking around, I gave him a quick kiss before I stood up.

"I have to get to Arithmacy, I'll see you in Transfiguration, 'kay?" And with that, I grabbed my bag and walked out of the library, leaving Harry to read over Potions during his free period.

~*~.::.BF.::.~*~

After an hour of Arithmacy, on which I could hardly concentrate, the bell rang. Time for Transfiguration. I packed up my brown, red, and green textbooks, thrust them in my bag, and walked out of the classroom. As I weaved my way through the younger students, I felt someone holding on the strap of my book bag. Once out of traffic and in the corridor where McGonagall's classroom was, I turned around to find a boy giving me a lopsided smile.

I rolled my eyes, but my mouth curled into a smile as I began to walk after the boy, who was heading for Transfiguration. "And you call Ron my stalker," I whispered laughingly in Harry's ear.

He was in the process of retorting, but stopped when we entered the classroom.

The normal two-to-four person desks had been replaced with single ones with attached chairs. It looked just like a Muggle classroom. "What the bloody Hell is this?" Harry said under his breath.

As if on cue, Professor McGonagall swept the remaining students into the room, moving to the front of the room. "Have a seat at a desk please," she announced. "I have decided today I am going to release a practice N.E.W.T. test."

Groans erupted from every mouth in the classroom. Even mine.

McGonagall set her lips in a tight line. "You will sit down and take the test. No talking, no complaining. Now sit down, wands away, quills out. You are allowed one sheet of scratch paper."

I settled in a desk next to Harry's near the back of the class. Following Professor's orders, I took out the necessary materials and began tapping my fingers on the desk, getting a bit nervous.

As McGonagall passed out the tests, my mind suddenly went blank. I couldn't remember my name. I looked around the room in panic, hoping to come across something that would help me. As I looked to left, I saw Harry open his test and begin writing. He must've sensed my gaze, because he looked up at me and gave me a small smile before getting back to work.

A wave of relief flooded over me as knowledge flowed back into my head and I began scribbling away on my test.

~*~.::.BF.::.~*~

Hey Beautiful.

The note hit me in the head as I stared at a brick wall, having completed my test. I could've sworn the class period had been made longer, or the test had been really short, because we still had thirty minutes until the bell.

I looked to my left, making sure the note was from Harry and not some creepy bloke in the back of the classroom. He flashed me a grin, as if knowing I was asking if it was from him. I looked back down at the scrap paper and scratched a reply.

Hey Handsome. How's it going over there?

I threw the note strategically onto his desk when McGonagall wasn't watching. He grinned as he read it. After what seemed like at least a minute, he passed the note to her.

We're still a secret. I can't stand not being able to grab your bum in public, or anytime I want to, for that matter.

After my jaw dropped out of amusement and disgust, I wrote back.

Both my bum and I would thank you to try to control your testosterone level, if you can help it. I'm getting tired of all the secrets too.

I folded the note and passed it to Harry while Professor McGonagall was shuffling through some papers on her over-cluttered desk. I watched for his reaction. He let out a chuckle, which received him the whole room's attention. Nice one Harry, I thought.

"Sorry Professor, I just remembered something my friend told me, you know how you get after a test," he shrugged. The note was hidden well in his book bag. She looked at him strangely, but went back to grading her papers.

I closed my eyes, wanting so desperately to go to sleep. Just as my eyes were closing, I felt a thump on the back of my head.

Don't fall asleep!!!!! Who will I talk to through the ancient art of note passing?

I smiled to myself as I replied with a rather witty retort. Okay, not so much witty as amusing. I threw the note to him, trying to think of something I could do to keep me awake. I've got it!

Your bum? Why would I talk to your bum? He wrote back, I couldn't help but laugh silently. I handed him the note, which asked him if he could meet me in our regular spot at seven thirty.

Sure.

As I was passing back my response, which was "'Kay", Professor McGonagall swooped through the isle and grabbed the note from my hand. My stomach did ten thousand back flips. She was going to read it out loud.

"Students. It is almost time to go, pack your quills up and pass your tests to the front of the row," she announced. The bell rang as the students were passing their papers forward. With a wave of her hand, McGonagall dismissed the class. Harry and I packed our quills and stood, hoping she wouldn't hold us back.

Hoping is rubbish.

"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger, will you please come here?" she asked, sitting behind her desk, the note unfolded before her. Her eyebrows raised as her eyes darted across the page, no doubt seeing one of my responses.

I closed my eyes in agony as she spoke. This was it. My first detention since first year. I gave an inaudible sigh as I walked up the rows of desks to face our Headmistress. She did not look up from the note until Harry stood in front of her as well.

"While I am a bit disturbed by some of the things written in this note," she paused here and I turned red with embarrassment, "I will not give you detention on two accounts. One, since you were not giving each other answers to the tests, and two, on the account that you will not pass notes in my class again. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Professor," we both said in unison, my eyes examining the laces on my trainers.

"Then you may leave," she dismissed us. Harry and I quickly walked out of the classroom and into the hall.

"Merlin that was close," I muttered to myself more than Harry. We turned a corner, which was the start of our trek to the Common Room.

"Sorry," Harry mumbled, rubbing his neck and avoiding looking at me. "Didn't mean to get you a McGonagall Warning," he apologized.

I shook my head. "It's fine, really. It's nothing big. I hadn't had any 'Prior Offenses'," I laughed, putting air-quotes around the last part. "But anyway...Room of Requirement at seven thirty, right?" I asked him.

He nodded as we neared the Portrait hole. "I'll leave first. I'll go to my dorm to get the invisibility cloak and Marauder' s Map, then go. You leave about five or ten minutes after me. You have your Head Girl duties as an excuse."

"Okie dokie. Bubbletrout," I said to the Fat Lady, smiling as we entered the Common Room. I slapped Harry's hand away when I felt a small pinch on my bum.

~*~.::.BF.::.~*~

I walked to the corridor where the Room of Requirement was located. "Harry?" I whispered to the empty hall. A hand appeared in mid-air and took mine, pulling me until I was underneath his invisibility cloak.

The next thing I knew, I was cramped under the invisibility cloak, my face inches from Harry's. I gave a small smile. "Common Room?" I asked in a whisper. He nodded as we began to walk.

Three minutes later, we were sitting comfortably on the rug in front of the fire, my head on his shoulder, his hand on mine, just enjoying each other's company. Rain was once more pounding against the windows, coming from the dark unknown of the Hogwarts grounds. All was silent except for the pitter-pattering against the windows.

Until the door slammed shut.

Both Harry and I were up, wands at the ready, prepared to defend ourselves against our attacker. We heard someone curse silently before they spoke in a deadly whisper.

"When the bloody hell were you going to tell me?" Ron's voice came from the door. His appearance was a fright. He must have gone outside or something, for he was soaking wet, and his eyes were narrowed to a piercing glare as he spoke to Harry and me.

Harry moved in front of me, obviously unsure of what Ron would do, as he did look like a killer from horror movies. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. He couldn't say 'It's not what it looks like', because, well, it was.

I spoke instead. "Ron..." I thought for a moment on how to word my explanation, "We didn't know how you'd react."

Ron shook his head in anger. "Don't you think I would have reacted better if you told me straight out, Hermione? Yes, I'm not too thrilled that my best mate is snogging you, but I guess I'll have to deal, won't I?" Ron's voice rose to a dangerous level, one that made me retreat a bit.

"Ron, I-"

"Don't try to explain yourselves, Hermione, you're just going to make things worse."

"But I-"

"Shove it."

And with that, Ron turned his back to us and stormed out of the mock Common Room. I looked at Harry, tears forming in my eyes and about to spill out. It was then that I noticed a black and brown owl perched outside the window.

Wiping the unshed tears from my eyes, I walked over to it, not even bothering to try and figure out how the bird got there, seeing as the room was in the middle of the castle. I opened the window, allowing the bird to fly in out of the rain. I untied the letter from its leg and opened it before the bird flew out.

My eyes darted across the parchment at least a dozen times. I tried to make sense of the letter, it had to be a prank.

"Hermione, what is it?" Harry asked, concern in his eyes.

I looked up from the letter as a bolt of lightening struck the wet ground outside, sending a roar of thunder throughout the castle. "Voldemort's killed my father."

-->