1. Feeling Alone

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. JK owns it.

A/N: My take on the “My Two Boys” Challenge, by ZerothChild. You can find it here: http://talk.portkey.org/index.php?showtopic=26727 . Hope you will enjoy it, I feel I need to warn you that romance won't be the main focus here, but friendship will be.

Thanks to my beta Gingercat!

My Two Boys

Chapter One: Feeling Alone

It's middle of November of our sixth year at Hogwarts, and like every night, me, Ron and Harry are in the Gryffindor common room. The boys are playing chess, figures, while I'm sitting on the couch with a book in my hands, concentrating on my reading.

Who am I? Why, Hermione Granger, of course!

Bookworm, top-of-the-class, bucktoothed, bushy haired Hermione Granger. No, I'm not too hard on myself, I'm just honest.

Seriously, it's ok. I've learned to live with who I am since my Muggle primary school. I mean, it's not my fault that I like reading, studying, and doing my homework, is it?

But since then, I've always been an outcast. No one wanted to be seen with me, which is why I was always left alone. Harry has never had or beenÂ any ones friend before Hogwarts, this I know, due to the Dursleys cruelty and his cousin Dudley bullying those who dared to befriend him.

Believe me, I know the feeling. Only, in my case it was even worse, because no one bullied the other children to stay away from me. They simply did.

Harry has never had a birthday party before meeting the Weasleys, and that is something I can't truly understand, how his relatives hate him so much that they don't even acknowledge his birthday. My parents have always loved me, and I've always had family parties for my birthdays, before attending Hogwarts.

But they were just that, family parties. No friends, no children coming to play with me. At the time I didn't truly care, I was happy with my books. Or so I thought. But I could see that my parents were worried.

What really troubled me was not that I didn't have friends. That I could have lived with. The terrible thing was that I was constantly picked on. That is where most of my nicknames have come from.

Which is why I'm not bothered by Malfoy or Parkinson calling me bookworm or something like that. I'm used to it. Only the teachers seem to always appreciate me, first in primary school and now at Hogwarts. Well, excluding Snape, who is not as unfair to me as he is to Harry.

You could say I'm always been a teacher's pet, due to my studious nature. Then of course there are my parents, they truly love me. I could say they even spoiled me a bit during my childhood, but I guess it was their way to fill the void of me not having friends. They wanted to show me they truly loved me, no matter what.

I'm grateful to them. I reckon their support was really important to me when they allowed me to attend Hogwarts, even if that took me away from them most of the year, in a world they couldn't understand.

They have never tried to persuade me to follow their career path and become a dentist.

“Whatever you want to do, munchkin, we will support you” my father used to tell me, ruffling my already messy hair.

I love them so much. I don't really know what I would do without them.

The simple thought of them possibly being a target of Voldemort scares me, but I know the Order is protecting them. I can only hope it will be enough.

So, given my situation previous to Hogwarts, you can imagine how much I hoped I could make friends here at the castle. As you all know, the start wasn't so promising. I really couldn't help myself, and I guess they were right when they said I was an annoying know-it-all, looking back at those first weeks now.

But eventually, the troll incident came to be, and from then I started hanging around with Harry and Ron. My mum was ecstatic when I wrote her about it, and my dad too.

I was over the moon at having two friends, finally. I guess it's been more Harry than Ron, considering the redhead was the reason I almost got killed by that troll in the first place. However, Ron wouldn't leave Harry's side, and eventually he and I became friends too.

I still feel a deeper connection with Harry, but that's another matter. What really is important is that we are Hogwarts' Golden Trio, or so we are called, and we are happy to hang out together.

I admit their influence has been positive for me, loosening me up a bit. I needed that, just like Harry and Ron needed, and still need, someone to nag them now and then.

Wait a minute, what's happening? The two of them have stopped playing chess, and are walking toward the portrait hole. I overhear Ron telling Harry something about girls, and as they walk past the couch I'm on, Harry casts a glance at me, before following Ron out of the portrait hole.

I wonder where they are going, and why they didn't invite me to come with them. I would have probably refused, considering how I still have to finish reading this chapter on Healing Charms and their use in normal day to day life, but it would have been nice if they had at least asked.

Maybe it's something I'm not supposed to share with them, or to hear. I guess if what I heard is right and they are going to talk about girls, that is pretty much a guy thing. I know girls love to gossip about boyfriends and such all the time.

Sadly, I don't have female friends. Of course there's Ginny, and then Parvati, Lavender…but they don't qualify as best girl friends.

I should have known that a time would come when the bond between my two boys would outshine the one I have with them.

I guess it hurts a bit, though.

With a long sigh, knowing I probably won't be able to concentrate anymore tonight, I decide to head to bed. Maybe I can wake up early tomorrow and finish my reading.

A few days have gone by since that night, and Harry and Ron keep leaving me alone at times, during the day or the evening, heading who knows where and to talk or do who knows what. I really feel alone now.

They even left me alone to confront Malfoy this afternoon, when the git insulted me. Not that I fear Malfoy, I can deal with him pretty well on my own as the punch in third year testifies. But still, they have always been on my side in such events, and were ready to defend me even if I didn't really need it.

Today, even if I gave as much as I got in the confrontation with the Slytherin, he said something that still hurts.

“Have Pothead and Weasel finally realized how little you are worth?”

I tell myself it's not like that, but I really miss the days when we were inseparable, and it was just an year ago, even less if you consider how we spent most of the summer holidays together at Grimmauld Place.

Here they are, coming back into the common room, still whispering to each other, grinning, and walking up the stairs to the boys dorm without even glancing at me.

Maybe I'll just have to get used to being alone again.

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2. Girl Friends

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. JK owns it.

Thanks to my beta Gingercat!

My Two Boys

Chapter Two: Girl Friends

I don't exactly know how, but the fact Ron and Harry seemed to only hang out with each other unconsciously pushed me toward the other Gryffindor girls. Or at least, I think that's what happened.

Otherwise, I don't have a bloody idea why I would be interested in Parvati and Lavender's activities, when I usually labelled them as “useless girlish attitude”. Fact is that I, Hermione Granger, cleverest witch of my age, bookworm, and all those things, am currently sitting on the floor of the girls dorm, taking turns with the two afore mentioned girls, applying make up and working on straightening my hair.

“We will knock the boys off their feet” Parvati winks at me, coming closer with a bottle of Sleekeazy in her hands.

I giggle, something completely uncharacteristic for me, but it feels good. Maybe at sixteen years old I'm finally discovering that girlie side of me that my mother kept trying to make me see when I'm home for the holidays.

She keeps telling me I should change my dress style, that I'm not twelve anymore and boys should be made aware of that, and that it wouldn't make me less intelligent, just uncover a side of me that nobody has been able to see yet, but she knows it's there.

I guess she might be right, because I've never had so much fun staying up late at night, dressing up, and having Lavender do my nails, while Parvati works on my hair. We will take turns of course, so I'll do the same for them later, but…well, they will need to tell me how first, because I'm not really good at these kind of things.

It's time for me to learn that too.

We finally get to bed at one a.m., completely knackered, but I swear I've never laughed so much. As I finally drift off to sleep, a contented smile graces my lips, and I can't wait to hang out with them again tomorrow.

Again, Harry and Ron seem to be in a world of their own, but while it still hurts, I entertain myself in some “girl talk” with Ginny, Parvati, Lavender and other fifth year girl friends of Ginny.

I find out that Harry is not the only one the girls dream about, and I almost gasp in shock when I hear that Ron has been the male star of the wet dreams of many of those fifth years.

“Hey! It's my brother you lot are talking about” Ginny reprimands them, but a smile on her lips shows she isn't really angry.

“What about you, Hermione? Hanging out with them so much, you must know all about them. Who is the one who gets your knickers in a twist?” Lavender asks, and I feel myself blush. Surely I can't tell them…

Oh, bollocks, they are all being honest, I better be too.

With a sigh, I smile weakly at them. “Harry” I whisper, not looking up from my plate.

Squeals surround me and I feel the center of attention. So this is how Harry feels when everyone is staring at him then.

Soon, breakfast is over and we all go to attend our classes, with a promise to talk more later. As we enter the Transfiguration classroom, Harry and Ron are sitting together, and I shrug. Spotting a vacant seat near Susan, I sit there, giving the Hufflepuff a warm smile.

“You look good today, Hermione” she compliments me.

“Oh” I blush. “Well, last night Lavender and Parvati included me in one of their make-up sessions and such” I stammer, and the girl gives me a warm smile.

“Those two certainly know about these kind of things” she comments.

Professor McGonagall comes into the room so we have to stop talking, but I nod at her in appreciation.

Feels good to have girl friends. At least, now I'll have someone to talk with about things I surely can't share with the boys.

After Transfiguration, we had Charms and double Potions. Only in this last class I ended sitting near Harry, as Ron didn't get his O.W.L. in the subject. Well, not a good enough one to be accepted by Snape in his N.E.W.T. class, anyway.

I itch to ask him what he and Ron have been talking about lately, but that would be hypocritical of me, considering I just realized today that there are things you can't talk about with friends of the opposite gender.

Don't misunderstand me, having Ron and Harry as best friends is wonderful, although maybe a bit less these last days, but I start longing for a female best friend. Who knows, maybe with time Parvati and Lavender and I will be that close.Â Or Ginny. I'm quite close to Ron's sister, considering we share a room at the Burrow and at Grimmauld during the summers, but I've never truly considered her my best female friend.

Maybe because I don't feel comfortable sharing things that go on with Harry, and Ron too, with her, or maybe because I've never felt the need for a best female friend before.

Now I do though, and strangely it's a good feeling. I almost feel like I've discovered a whole new world, and I can't wait to explore it.

That night, Parvati and Lavender convinced me to work a bit on my wardrobe, to try and catch Harry's attention. Or maybe one of the other guys at the school.

“It's time you start dating, Hermione” Lavender patronized me. Till now, having a boyfriend has never been a priority, but at sixteen years old, maybe she is right. The closest thing I've ever had to that was at the Ball with Viktor two years ago, while some of the girls…well, I've heard rumours of some of the girls having already done it. Not that I want to, of course, I'm still too young for that, but a boyfriend wouldn't be bad.

So, we work all night shortening my skirts just the tiniest bit, tightening my shirts the smallest to not make my attire too sluttish, but making it more apt to show my developing curves.

“You have a very nice body under those robes, Hermione. Let us help you change how the males of Hogwarts see you” Parvati said with a giggle, I had to laugh too.

Yes, having girl friends feels really good.

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3. Humiliation

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. JK owns it.

Thanks to my beta Gingercat!

My Two Boys

Chapter Three: Humiliation

Parvati and Lavender were right. Just those simple changes to my wardrobe elicited a response in the guys.

More than once I found one of them looking at me almost in awe, and I could just blush, pleased. Parvati and Lav gave me knowing looks, and then giggled.

“You've got to get used to it, Hermione, because they won't stop anytime soon” the blonde told me with a sincere smile.

I smiled back, nodding.

“Feels nice” I admitted, while we entered the greenhouses for Herbology.

Ron and Harry still keep to themselves at times during the day, but right now I don't feel so upset. I've found someone else to hang out with, and it's much more fun than I thought.

Mum would be happy to see me stepping out of my shell and act more like the sixteen year girl I am.

I should write her about it, in fact. I think I might do that after lessons today. After all, it's been a while since I wrote home. Well, not really, just a couple weeks, but still.

Professor Sprout has finally arrived, so better keep these musings for later. Right now, Ron, Harry and I have to tend to this magical plant from Brazil, and it won't be an easy task. Just looking at it I can tell it's dangerous, we better concentrate.

After dinner I went to the Owlery to send that letter. Just imagining my mother's reaction to my letter makes me smile.

I can picture her squealing in the living room, excitedly planning a shopping spree as soon as I arrive home to get me more trendy fashions. Mum is one of the most level-headed people I know, when she focuses on her work, but at times she can be such a girl!

I giggle to myself, and shake my head. Finally managing to tie the letter to a brown school owl which glares at me for my antics before hastily leaving, I sigh, and start the long way back to the castle.

On my way, though, my good mood is spoiled by the blasted “Slytherin Prince”, no one else than Draco Malfoy.

“What do you want?” I icily growl.

“Feeling good in your new tart-like clothes, uh Mudblood?” he drawls. I roll my eyes at him.

“Come up with something more creative, Malfoy, if you want to hurt me” I tell him as I walk away. I don't even realize I just challenged him, and that he will do just that.

A few days have gone past, and a Hogsmeade weekend has come. Lav and Parvati have decided to take me shopping with them, and since I've nothing else to do, I accept.

I didn't realize what kind of shopping we would be doing though. They had me buy some lingerie I'd have never thought of wearing. Now…well, now I feel more confident, so I agreed. But seriously, lacy black bras and panties? They weren't me at all only a few weeks ago.

I must admit Harry and Ron have been a bit silly. They feel like they need to protect me from the stares of the other boys, resuming our going to class together, sitting together in class, and such. It's almost like before this whole ordeal happened, but now and then I can see them whispering to each other, not wanting me to hear them. I wonder what they are talking about.

That night, I had to check something in the library.

“We will wait for you” Harry suggested, after sharing a look with Ron, who nodded.

“Really, Harry, I don't know how long it will take me. You two just head to dinner, I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself” I say, with a smile. He grins back, and finally nods.

“If you say so” he concedes, before being dragged away by Ron, who is clearly eager to go enjoy dinner. I swear, he could eat all day and not gain a stone. I envy him at times.

When I finally leave the library, I feel my stomach growl. Maybe skipping lunch today to finish that Potions essay wasn't a brilliant idea after all.

Rushing down the stairs hoping to catch the meal still being served, I never notice someone sending a hex my way.

Completely oblivious, I push open the doors of the Great Hall and start walking toward Ron and Harry, who have kept a seat for me.

Sweet of them.

But why is everyone staring at me like I've grown a second head?

I gently sit between my best friends, and notice they too are staring at me like I've gone mad. Finally taking a look at myself, I gasp, and want to disappear.

I don't know how, or why, but my clothes vanished! I'm the Great Hall, wearing only my new underwear!

Tears start to come to my eyes, and I feel myself going weak. I can't function properly, and both Harry and Ron, realizing my shock, decide it's best for me to go back to the common room.

As they escort me away, after conjuring robes for me to cover myself with, I meet the shocked eyes of Parvati and Lavender, and the smug ones of Malfoy on the opposite side of the room.

I know it was him, when he mouths to me “Got you” before starting to laugh with his cronies.

I feel completely humiliated, and can't help crying, finally slumping on the common room couch when I reach it, curling myself in a ball.

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4. Pampering and a Question

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine. JK owns it.

Thanks to my beta Gingercat!

My Two Boys

Chapter Four: Pampering and a Question

It takes only a few minutes before Ron and Harry barge into the room and sit near me, both wrapping their arms around me and whispering soothing words in my ears.

Slowly, I start to calm down, wiping away the last few tears, and smiling shakily at them.

“Thanks” I whisper, and they both nod.

“It's nothing. What are your best friends for, if not for this?” Ron says, and we all laugh.

“Seriously though, we are here for you, whatever you might need” Harry says, his green eyes boring into my brown ones.

I nod, because I know it's true. They might have been a bit distant these last few weeks but they have always been on my side whenever I've needed them, even before we were friends, with the troll incident.

“I know” I say softly, and he grins.

“Not a bad choice of underwear though” he smirks, teasing me, and I swat him playfully on the arm.

“Well, I think this evening has been stressful enough as it is, I better go get some sleep” I announce, and both accompany me to the stairs.

“You know you two can't go a step further or you'll slide down, right?” I joke, and they both smile sheepishly at me.

“Goodnight then” Ron says, and I wish them goodnight too.

Somehow, despite the humiliation, I manage to sleep well, knowing my friends are still on my side.

Next morning, Harry and Ron are already up waiting for me in the common room when I come down. That's a rarity, and I raise my eyebrows at them.

Harry shrugs, and says, “We figured you will probably be in the spotlight for a while, so we decided to not let you deal with it alone”

Ron nods in confirmation, and I smile warmly at them.

How thoughtful of those two, they really amaze me at times! So, we walk down the stairs to have breakfast in the Great Hall, and I immediately realize they were right. All the students we meet stare at me like I was some strange creature, and I'm suddenly glad I have my two best friends with me.

The same happens in the Great Hall, but I force myself to not think about it, and keep chatting with my two boys, and with Lav and Parvati, who have just arrived.

All day Ron and Harry are particularly protective of me, and if anyone dares to whisper a comment regarding last night's show, their glares quickly shut them up. Not that I need bodyguards, but it feels good to know they care.

As we walk away from the dungeons to have lunch, Harry speaks, an apologetic look on his face.

“Hermione, we wanted to let you know that we are sorry for leaving you out lately, it's just that we had to talk about girls, and…well, you are a girl, and usually guys don't talk with girls about this kind of problem…”

I nod, understanding. “It's ok, Harry. I'm sure if I had a boy problem I wouldn't want to talk about it with you or Ron either, so I guess it's only fair” I assure them, and I can see their stance relax, like a huge weight has been lifted off their shoulders. I can't believe they were so worried that I wouldn't forgive them for such a silly thing!

Some days have passed, and the attention about me hasn't decreased. Even with Harry and Ron keeping the nasty comments from others at a minimum and scaring away whoever dares to stare at me, it starts to get on my nerves.

Finally we enter the Great Hall for dinner, and I sigh in frustration as once more all eyes are glued on me. Harry is on my right, Ron on my left, and we make our way to the Gryffindor table, ignoring the stares that even some of our housemates give us, but mostly me.

However, the attention of the student body of Hogwarts suddenly shifts when Malfoy enters the Great Hall with Crabbe and Goyle, all of them in only their boxers, a sign “I am in love with these two” on their chests.

The whole Great Hall erupts in laughter, and the three Slytherins look at each other in confusion. It's evident they don't see anything different about themselves.

I catch Ron and Harry exchanging a satisfied look, and I know then that it's been the two of them who did that, to shift the attention from me to someone else.

I don't know when they planned it, but it works, because since that moment, my humiliation is completely forgotten and everyone has a new “scandal” to gossip about.

I am very grateful to both of my boys, and I am sure no best girl friend could have done what they did, consciously knowing that if they were caught they would be hardly punished and still doing it all the same just to make me feel better.

It's then that I know I wouldn't trade my two boys for the friendship of every girl in the Wizarding world, because we have a bond that I know can't be bested.

Hogsmeade weekend is coming up again in a couple days, and I see Harry nervously looking at me since this morning. Finally, I ask him.

“Harry, what's wrong?”

He shakes his head, but I know something troubles him. “Come on, spill it” I almost order him, and he knows I won't let this go till he tells me.

Taking a deep breath, he finally locks eyes with me and says, “Hermione would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?”

“Harry, we always go together” I say, confused.

He shakes his head, and smiles. “Not as friends. I mean on a date, only me and you”

He's asking me out? Oh my…

I feel a blush coming up my cheeks and I look at him. He's nervously fidgeting with his robes, waiting for my answer, and I let my lips spread in a smile.

“I would love to” I say, and I can see his eyes lighting up in joy. He grins at me, and nods, before finally turning to go see why Ron is calling him from the dorms.

I sit on the couch and sigh contentedly, my mind already going to the weekend, and for the first time in my life I can't wait for lessons to be over.

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