Oxford Undercover

ladylaughalot

Rating: PG13
Genres: Romance, Action & Adventure
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 7
Published: 26/04/2008
Last Updated: 12/05/2008
Status: in_progress

My first foray into post-DH fanfiction. After Hogwarts Hermione goes to study at a muggle university and Harry joins the Aurors. Everything is going well until a gruesome murderer starts killing brown haired muggle born witches.

Chapters

1. chpt 1

2. chapter 2

3. Chapter 3

1. chpt 1

Oxford Undercover

A/N - Well after a long sabbatical I am officially back. In my world “The Epilogue” never happened. Yes I know I'm delusional and No I don't care. So in this little world of mine Harry and Ginny never got back together in the end and Ron and Hermione only dated for a little while before coming to a mutual decision that they were better off as friends. Everything else I suppose I'll keep as stupid as some of it was. I don't necessarily remember all of the characters that died, I only read the final book once and quickly at that, so if somebody is alive in this story who is supposed to be dead I apologise.

Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling but the inspiration is drawn from the wonderful authors at PK. I own nothing but the plot and I make no money from this.

An unexpected surprise.

It had started like any other day. Hermione got her latte as usual from the coffee shop around the corner from the flat she shared with two of her fellow students and went to her first class of the day. Being a Monday the class was Philosophy of science. It was her favourite class in a course that she loved, though not many people she had gone to high school with understood why she chose to study the Physics and Philosophy at a muggle university, Oxford actually, she found it an absolutely fascinating study with more application to magic than many would give it credit for. She'd loved her first three years and now that she was entering her fourth that didn't look like it was going to change at all.

After her first class the day continued in a usual fashion, she went to the library and buried herself in books and research for a couple of hours and then at 12pm she went to meet her flatmates, and friends, in their favourite cheep local eatery for lunch and that's when the day started to become unlike other days.

They were all just sitting around talking about the favourite subject of University students (aside from the latest parties that is)

`Well I've got Cookson again this semester and I told you both know what I went through with him last year so I don't think either of you can top that!' Gina said laughing

`Really?' Hayley countered, `Well you have little faith in our college's choice of professors then because I have The Toad again this year! I swear I expect him to croak every time he opens his mouth... I never hear above half of what he says in lectures because of it!' They all laughed at that.

`Well I'm sorry ladies but I think I can trump you both!' Hermione said triumphantly, `I not only have Mrs Pernickety again as a lecturer but you would not believe the assignment that she's already handed out, on the very first day of Semester!' Hermione lent down and rummaged in her bag for the offending assignment.

`Only you Hermione would call someone “Mrs Pernickety” as an insult!' Gina said laughing.

`You'd know how appropriate it was if you'd ever had a class taught by her!' Hermione said head still buried in her bag. She finally found the paper she had been looking for and produced it with a flourish, but oddly the two girls she was with no longer seemed interested. They both had their eyes glued to the door.

`Well would you look at that.' Hayley said softly. Hermione followed her gaze and turned towards the door to see Harry. In the entire time she'd been at Oxford he'd yet to come and visit her there not because they'd had any kind of falling out but he was busy with work and she with school and it was just easier for both of them if they caught up in London while she was on holidays. So though Hermione was sure he must be there looking for her, she had absolutely no idea why.

`Harry?' she called out standing up to draw his attention to her.

`That's Harry?' she heard Gina whisper to Hayley, `I guess so' Hayley responded when Harry waved and made his way over.

`Hermione' he said happily enveloping her in a hug.

`What are you doing here Harry?' she asked, `Not that I'm not happy to see you of course' she rushed to reassure him.

`I got some leave from work and thought I'd come visit you.'

Hermione frowned; this was not typical Harry behaviour. `Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?' he asked plonking himself down on the seat beside her. She sat down as well and only then noticed Harry's play along look. So trying to act natural she smiled brightly, `Of course, Gina, Hayley this is Harry my best friend from school that I told you about.'

`So nice to finally meet you Harry, Hermione's told us so much about you.' Gina gushed at him.

Harry smiled back at her, `Only good things I hope?'

`Of course, anyone would think you'd saved the world the way she goes on sometimes!' Hayley said laughing.

Harry chuckled and looked at Hermione who blushed uncomfortably.

`So where are you staying while you're in town then Harry?' Gina asked changing the subject for Hermione's sake.

`I've got a hotel room just around the corner; I wanted to be close enough to hang out with Hermione when she's between classes.'

`You don't have to stay in a hotel! We've got a spare room you should just stay with us.' Hayley offered her eyes twinkling mischievously.

`I wouldn't want to intrude' Harry protested weakly.

`It'd be no intrusion! Any friend of Hermione's is a friend of ours.' Gina said encouragingly.

`Well if it's ok with you Hermione?' Harry looked at her questioningly. The question hung in the air as the other three all looked at her. Hermione couldn't help but feel like she'd been set up for something but at the same time how could she refuse and why would she want to? It'd be great to have Harry around for a while visiting and since her friends didn't look like they would object she had no reason too.

`Of course its fine with me, I would have offered already if I'd known you were coming.'

Harry had the grace to blush, `well why don't you come to the hotel with me so I can get my stuff, you can show me where you live and I'll fill you in on what's been happening over the last few weeks?' Hermione knew instantly that was Harry code for “lets go somewhere we can talk alone and I'll tell you why I'm really here.” So she agreed and they left the crowded little cafe and made for the street outside.

Soon they were walking down the cobbled stone street with the sunshine in their faces and Hermione, uncharacteristically ignoring the beauty of the day, saw no reason to delay the inevitable any further.

`Ok so we're alone now, so spill, what's going on?'

`Gee Hermione anyone'd think you weren't pleased to see me!' Harry exclaimed with an expression of mock hurt.

`Well you're not anyone and you know better so spill, I'm starting to get worried.'

`It's nothing to panic about,' he saw her look and revised, `well, not now that I'm here to look after you its not.'

`To look after me?' she repeated alarmed, `Harry what is going on?'

`We've been tracking this serial killer for some time, he's killed four girls already and I was getting worried about you and wanted to keep an eye on you until he's caught.'

`Is there a particular reason you think I'm in danger or is this a Harry Potter “gut-feeling” special'

`Well a little of both. There hasn't been any specific clue to make us think that he'll be after you but...' Harry trailed off uncertainly.

`But what? Just tell me Harry, I'm a big girl I can take it.'

`But he's been targeting muggle born. Girls specifically and they've all had brown hair, two of them had curly hair. The last one in particular bore such a strong resemblance to you I ... I had to come.'

`Ok so, there's nothing to suggest that I'm an intended victim but I'm defiantly his type and until he's caught you'd rather be here to take care of me than somewhere else and worried. Is that about it?'

`Yeah basically.'

`Can I assume that since I'm sure I'm not the only muggle born brunette witch left in Brittan that this isn't Aurora sanctioned surveillance?'

`No, the part about me being on leave is true. This is my hotel.' Harry gestured to the narrow four story building on their left.

`Well let's get your stuff then.'

It only took them a few minutes to get his things and for him to check out of the hotel and they were on their way back to the apartment that Hermione shared with Gina and Hayley. Now that Hermione knew what was going on and that there was no specific threat to her or someone she loved she found that she was much more relaxed and even excited to have Harry there. So many times over the last three years she had wanted to show Harry or Ron something or share some aspect of her life here with them and not been able to. Instead she could only tell them about it later when they caught up in London during her holidays, she supposed that was how Harry had known where to find her but when she mentioned it he just looked sheepish.

`Sorry to disappoint you but I couldn't remember the name of the place where you said you always had lunch. I've just been wondering around the town this morning but I did recognise the name when I saw it.'

Hermione just laughed and then couldn't resist teasing him a little, `I think you might regret agreeing to stay at the flat though.'

Harry looked confused, `Why would I, that's what I was hoping for?'

`Yes but perhaps you weren't counting on my flat mates finding you so unutterably handsome.'

Harry laughed and blushed a little at the same time, `I have to say you're taking the news of this psycho quite well Hermione.'

She shrugged but accepted his change of topic, `I don't suppose I've really got that much choice in the matter do I? I can't very well go into hiding not with the new semester just starting in my final year. Besides,' she added looking at her best friend with a wide grin, `Of all the muggle born brunette witches in Brittan I've got the best protection.'

Harry laughed, `Yeah well it was either this or go mad with worry about you.'

`It's very sweet of you and I really appreciate it.' Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment and then asked the question that had been bothering her since he'd told her the real reason he was here. `How long are you planning on staying with me? I mean if they catch this guy quickly then it's not a problem, but what if they don't?'

`Yeah, I've thought about that. I can't stay away from work indefinitely, and as much as you think your flatmates like me I'm sure they wouldn't want me around all year.'

`Right, so what's the solution then?'

`I was thinking that with your help maybe, we could catch this guy together?' he had no desire to put her in any kind of danger but she'd been spot on when she'd said all the other muggle born brunettes in England were absolutely defenceless comparatively. He was still worried how she would take this suggestion and in her silence was hesitant to meet her gaze. When he did finally get the gryffindor to look her in the eye he was surprised to see a familiar sparkle there. Hermione was grinning and an answering grin began to form on Harry's face in response, she was in and he knew it.

`What's the plan?'

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2. chapter 2

A/N - Someone mentioned that the previous chapter had some spelling error issues. I couldn't see any and my computer assures me that there aren't any, so I'm not sure if this is an American spelling v Aussie spelling thing or not. However, I do feel the need for a Beta... so if there's anyone reading this that has read my previous work, likes my stuff and wants to volunteer for the task let me know in your review and I'll send you a PM or e-mail to get things started. I also have a bunch of fan-fiction that is partially completed that I could use some assistance with ideas for so it wouldn't be just finding spelling mistakes that I'd want help with. Anyway, enough of that... on with the show.

Oxford Undercover - chpt 2

Harry and Hermione spent the afternoon ensconced in the comfortable living room of the flat Hermione shared with Gina and Hayley in discussion about the best way to capture a psycho. Unfortunately by the time the sun was setting and their cups of tea were cold they had not been able to come up with a single plan that didn't involve, what Harry considered to be, an acceptable level of risk to his friend. After all he was there to try and keep her safe not expose her to extra risk. All of the plans that they seemed to think of were essentially variations on the same theme, use Hermione as bait in some kind of trap to catch a serial killer.

`It's no use Hermione, I'm not going to set a trap for a homicidal maniac and use you as the bait and any other plan is probably best carried out by the Aurora department. They'll have more resources anyway.'

`Ok, but just for the record this would not be something you're doing on your own. I know how to handle myself and I would be a willing participant.'

`I know, but it just seems wrong somehow. You don't go to protect your best friend from danger and then end up using her as the bait in a trap.'

`Yes but, think about all of the other muggle born witches out there that could be his next victim if we don't get him to focus on me. For one thing they won't have the personal protection of “The boy-who-lived” and for another they probably didn't have you as a teacher in DADA either, with plenty of opportunity to perfect the skills you taught!'

Harry ran a hand through his scruffy hair and stared at the wood grain of the coffee table in front of him as though it would somehow provide him with all of the answers. Of course it didn't and in the end he could only rely on his own instincts.

`We think he's using some kind of anti-magic device or charm. Every one of the witches he's killed has been tortured in the most brutal muggle way imaginable and each one of them was found with their wand in their hand unused.'

Hermione gapped at him, `Why didn't you tell me this to start with?'

Harry looked up at her, `I didn't want to freak you out. That's why I had to come, if it was just a question of magic I wouldn't worry so much. I know better than anyone how well you can handle yourself. This is different though, scary, physically I can handle myself; my training has included martial arts and stuff. You on the other hand never studied anything like that and while you're fit and everything you're not a fighter, not like that.'

Hermione looked as though she'd had the wind thoroughly knocked out of her sails; she stood up and gathered their coffee cups from the table in front of her. In a daze she walked into the kitchen and put them in the sink, her mind had gone blank with the news Harry had given her. She'd been so sure before about the right course of action and now, now she didn't know what to think. Harry couldn't stick around forever and he was right, setting any kind of trap for this psycho was just too dangerous. It seemed there was no solution.

`So what do we do then?'

Fear was as clearly written on her face as it was in her voice and Harry immediately felt the worst kind of useless. `Well my thought was that if I could teach you some self defence and maybe some wandless magic, just in case we're wrong about the way he operates.'

Hermione nodded seeing the sense in what he was saying, `I want to give you the best chance I can,' he was saying now, `and there is one other thing we can do too but I want you to think very carefully about it before you make up your mind.' She stared at him, her eyes wide, wondering what on earth else there could be.

`Do you remember those tattoos the death eaters had, where if Voldemort touched it his death eaters would know and instantly appear at his side?' Hermione nodded her head, `I was thinking we could get something like that, so if you ever need me....' he let the sentence trail of as he saw tears welling in Hermione's eyes, `I won't let anything happen to you Hermione.' He said softly and enfolded her in a hug. Hermione buried her face in Harry's chest and fought back the urge to cry. Harry didn't speak he just held her in his arms and allowed her to vent her fear. He could understand her reaction, he'd felt like doing the same when the murders began to stack up and he could no longer deny that Hermione was very likely a potential target for this psycho. After her sobs had quietened he cupped her chin in his hand and raised her face to look at her.

`I won't let anything happen to you,' he repeated, `you know that, don't you?' Hermione nodded and tried to smile.

`I'm sorry Harry, it's just a shock. After everything we've been through, I feel like I'm right back there again!'

`I know, but if we can beat him surely we can beat anyone, right?'

Hermione nodded and smiled again, a bit more sincerely this time, `Yeah, this guy at least won't have Horcrux's, we hope anyway.'

Harry smiled and released his hold on her, `so, what do you think of my plan then? Are you up for some martial arts training with a little kick boxing thrown in for good measure?'

Hermione laughed, `Absolutely, I'm ready to kick some ass!'

The front door banged open and Hermione's flat mates could be heard in the front hall talking and laughing, a moment later they entered the small dining area that adjoined the kitchen and dropped their bags on the round dining table there.

`Hey guys, how was your afternoon?' Hayley asked plonking herself in one of the chairs.

`Great, was really nice to have some time to catch up. What did you two get up to?' Hermione asked directing her question at both girls.

`We had Robson's class,' Gina began,

`I can't believe you ditched Hermione, I'd never thought you would for anything!' Hayley interjected

`And then we went to the supermarket to pick up some things for dinner.'

`Oh my god! I missed a class; I just forgot all about it, I can't believe it! Did you take notes?'

Harry grinned at Hermione's panic, `Wow Hermione, I'm honoured; you've certainly never missed a class on my account before.'

Hermione swatted him on the arm, `stuff it you this isn't funny. Did you guys take notes? Please tell me you did!'

Hayley and Gina both rushed to reassure the panicking girl and once that fuss had subsided Harry moved the topic back to something they'd said that'd caught his attention. `So you bought stuff for dinner? I can cook for you guys if you like, I'm a pretty good cook. What did you get?'

Now it was Hermione's turn to grin at her friend, `Is that a not-so-subtle hint that you're feeling a bit peckish Harry?'

Harry felt his cheeks heat at her prodding, `Well, maybe, but I'm more than willing to be the cook. It can be my way of saying thankyou for letting me stay and then you lovely ladies will be free to exchange notes about the second ever class that Hermione Granger forgot to attend.'

Hermione smiled at him, `That's very kind of you Harry.'

`You know Hermione, we can just give you our notes to go over, we don't really need to go over them.' Hayley said looking at Harry with interest.

`That's true, plus then we get to grill Harry and find out the sordid details of the first time that you forgot to attend a class!'

Bowing to the inevitable Hermione took the notes from her flatmates and began to transcribe them, while Harry cooked dinner and told muggle modified but nonetheless exaggerated tales of Hermione in high school. By the time dinner was cooked and the notes had been copied the sun had long since set and Gina and Hayley were both in tears of laughter.

`I can't believe what I'm hearing here Hermione!' Gina said wiping her eyes

`All this time you were the perfect little well behaved Miss, all we ever really knew about you at school was that you were a prefect and your two best friends were boys! Now we find out the truth, all of the rule breaking and staying up after curfew!'

`Don't forget the fist fights, got in a few of those too, my Hermione did.' Harry interjected.

`Fist fights!' Both girls exclaimed at once.

`Oh this is hardly fair!' Hermione said trying to defend herself, `It was one fight, and I would hardly even call it that, one punch thrown and that was the end of it. Plus it was in my third year, which is ages ago, and it was with a notorious school bully that you and Ron had several fights with.'

`Actually I would hate to have to correct you Hermione, because we both know that if we disagree your the one whose always right, but I can recall at least two other physical confrontations with other students.'

Hermione laid down her fork and crossed her arms over her chest, `Really, Mr Potter and when would that be?'

Harry grinned at her a sparkle in his eye, `Well there was the time with Millicent Bullstrode in our Second year and the confrontation with Ron in sixth year.'

Hermione's eyes narrowed dangerously but Harry's grin only widened. `You know there were extenuating circumstances in all three cases Harry, if you're not careful I'll start telling nasty stories about you too!'

Harry coughed and scratched the back of his neck, `Perhaps discretion is the better part of valour after all, and she's right, in her defence Hermione has never hit or otherwise attacked anyone who didn't absolutely deserve it.'

Gina and Hayley both laughed at this display and the four of them settled in to eat the meal Harry had prepared and the conversation quite naturally drifted to other topics.

`So Harry, Hermione never actually told us what it is you do?' Gina practically purred, both of Hermione's flatmates had become increasingly friendly over the course of the meal and Harry was feeling just a tad uncomfortable.

`Ah, I'm in law enforcement.' Harry said hesitating.

`So you're like a cop then?'Hayley asked

`No, I'm not a cop.'

`Ooh so it's all cloak and dagger sort of stuff, a bit James Bond then?'

Harry laughed, `Not quite, but really I'm not supposed to talk about my work.'

Hayley and Gina both looked intrigued and turned to Hermione as if expecting her to tell them. Hermione laughed and held up her hands, `don't look at me, I can't tell you if he won't, at least, not with him sitting right there anyway!'

Gina then tactfully decided to change the topic, `So how long have you got for holidays then Harry?'

`I've got four weeks off, but if that's too long for me to stay in your spare room, I understand. I can always go back and stay in the hotel I was at, it's only around the corner.'

`Don't be silly!' All three girls chorused at once.

Harry just grinned, `I don't want to be a bother,'

Hayley smiled invitingly at him, `It's no trouble at all, but, are you going to spend your entire vacation with Hermione? You don't have any family or a girlfriend that you want to spend time with?'

Harry squirmed under her question, `Well, I don't know what Hermione may have told you about me but I don't actually have any family, I'm an orphan, and I'm currently between girlfriends at the moment.'

`Oh I'm sorry Harry, Hermione did mention that but I stupidly forgot.'

`It's ok; really, I've had a long time to get used to it.'

`What happened to Edith?' Hermione asked, `I thought you were dating her?'

`We were but it wasn't working out,' Harry looked at the other two girls and chose his next words carefully, `It was the job, you know.'

The truth was that it hadn't worked out with Edith for the same reason it hadn't worked out with any of his other girlfriends, there were just too many parts of his life that were off limits for discussion and then there was the fame thing.

Hermione nodded in sympathy, `It didn't work for Gordon and I either, he said he always felt like I was holding back.'

`Well it looks like we're just going to be one big happy single family then!' Gina said brightly directing her smile straight at Harry.

Harry blushed a little and looked at Hermione, his eyes conveying quite poetically the touch of panic he was feeling. Hermione allowed herself a small grin, she'd do what she could to protect him, but really, she had warned him about her flatmates.

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3. Chapter 3

A/N - Thankyou to everyone who reviewed, I'm glad you're all enjoying the story so far. I hope this story answers some of your questions about where I'm going with this.

Oxford Undercover - chpt 3

The following morning at precisely 6:45 am Hermione was rudely awoken by her supposed best friend (whom she was now convinced was actually a Death Eater in disguise) when he cast a tickling charm on her sleeping form. After jumping about a foot in the air, and then threatening him with every painful curse known to wizard kind, she remembered that she had (stupidly) agreed to go for a run with him this morning. It was part of her training program to increase her overall fitness as well as lessons in defence that he would be giving her. Five minutes later she was up and dressed in her Lycra fitness pants matching tank top, her hair back in a pony tail, and ready for action.

Upon entering the kitchen she found Harry in sweatpants and a t-shirt with his head in the fridge.

`I put some bottles of Gatorade in here for us to take with us when we go for our jog.'

He emerged from the fridge holding two bottles of bright blue liquid and turned to Hermione to pass one of them to her, catching sight of her for the first time as he did so. His mouth dropped open and his eyes bulged.

Hermione looked down at herself suddenly paranoid that she'd forgot to do something important like put pants on. `What?'

`Nothing, it's just, that outfit is really tight Hermione.'

Hermione snatched the drink off him, `It's supposed to be Harry, its lycra. This is what girls wear when they work out.'

Harry sounded chocked, `I've never seen a girl wear something like that to work out in.'

`Are we going to stand here talking about my clothes or are we going to go for that jog?'

Harry wisely decided not to push the issue any further, `Jog'

`Good.'

So they set off, the tiny row house that Hermione shared with her two room mates was convenient not only due to it's location directly across the road from Queens College (where her course was based) but it also backed onto one of those delightful private walled gardens shared by the block of residents. It was around this garden that they took their jog; they determined that two laps would be a good way to start building Hermione's fitness, but Harry found he was not focusing on the exercise like he was supposed to. He wasn't even distracted by the beauty of the garden its serenity only enhanced by the morning frost that clung to the trees and the complete absence of any other inhabitants this early.

In fact jogging alongside Hermione in her extremely tight Lycra pants and tank was doing the exact opposite of clearing his mind; it was instead fogging it up in a way that he usually found very pleasant, but in a way that he had equally never equated with Hermione before. There was just far too much movement going on underneath all that tight Lycra. So he jogged faster to try and stay a little bit ahead of her, so he couldn't see as much, but then he hadn't considered her naturally competitive nature. Every time he got slightly ahead of her she would speed up and outpace him, leading to an all too alluring view of her rear end tightly encased in that evil material and working hard as she jogged a little faster.

By the time they completed their first circuit of the garden they were both panting and flushed and Harry was seriously debating the wisdom of a second lap. He felt was in desperate need of a cold shower, and his condition was only partly due to the exercise. Hermione was ahead of him at that moment so he couldn't call a halt to things he could only speed up again and try to stay ahead of her without killing herself. It seemed that Hermione was in far better shape than he'd given her credit for, and so the sweet torment continued. By the time they were nearing the halfway point on their second lap Harry's resolve had faltered and he instead found himself simply enjoying the view.

When they got back to Hermione's apartment Harry practically sprinted into the bathroom for his cold shower and slammed the door behind him, leaving a very bemused Hermione in his wake. He leaned against the door panting hard, jogging with Hermione every morning was going to be sweet torture, he just hopped she wouldn't wear that wretched outfit when he started showing her self defence. Or maybe he thought, as he imagined them wrestling, hot and sweaty, he hoped she would wear it. Shaking his head to rid himself of these naughty thoughts he turned on the faucets for what he suspected would be his first of many cold showers.

`Morning Hermione,' Gina said stumbling into the kitchen.

Gina's hair was tousled from sleep and she was still wearing her oversized purple flannel pyjamas and bed socks, when she saw Hermione she frowned sleepily in her direction.

`What are you wearing that for?' she asked accusingly.

`Harry and I went for a jog this morning. He's gone for a shower.'

Gina nodded, `Jogging in the morning is not something I could do even for a guy as hot as Harry. As far as I'm concerned you can have him. Hayley may want to fight you for him though.'

Hermione scoffed, `Well regardless of how hot Harry may or may not be he and I are just friends.'

`Right, and I bet if you were going jogging with me you would have worn that too? I don't think so, that was for his benefit and we both know it.'

`Don't be stupid, we were working out so I wore a workout clothes that's all.'

`Yeah and I bet he's not in there having a cold shower either.'

Hayley stumbled out of her room pink dressing gown wrapped tightly around her and hair askew, `Who's having a cold shower?'

`Harry is. He and Hermione went jogging and she wore that.'

Hayley opened one eye and stumbled over to the coffee percolator on the bench, `Were you intentionally trying to give your “friend” a heart attack or are you really that clueless.'

`Well excuse me but I guess I'm really that clueless, I thought this was what girls wore to work out.'

`It is if they're trying to score with a hot young guy at the gym.' Hayley responded dryly.

She took her first sip of coffee and seemed to perk up. `Seriously Hermione that Harry of yours is hot stuff, but I believe in the sisterhood, if you like him then I will steer clear. But,' she held up a finger of warning, `if you continue to insist that there is nothing between you but friendship then I will be forced to put the poor boy out of his misery and seduce him myself.'

Hermione looked between her two friends miserably wondering how things had come to this so quickly, Harry hadn't even been in the house for twenty four hours and already she felt like she was back at Hogwarts again, with girls asking her if Harry really was available.

`It's only fair Hermione, if you don't want him then there's nothing wrong with Hayley giving it a try.' Gina said seconding the motion.

Now she had to respond, but she felt torn. If she told them they were only friends then she would have to spend the next four weeks watching Hayley trying to seduce Harry. But if she told them she was interested in Harry “that way” it would open up a whole other can of worms, there was the possibility that Harry could find out, or that her flatmates would try and “help” her seduce him. In the end however she was saved the trouble of answering.

`Good morning ladies!' Harry said jovially as he swung into the room looking bright eyed and bushy tailed.

He was greeted rather unenthusiastically by the ladies there assembled, but pushed on oblivious. He was too busy trying to cover his own feelings of awkwardness under forced cheerfulness to notice any one else's discomfort.

`Shall I get some breakfast started or do you girls not eat in the morning? I know you used to Hermione.'

`That'd be great thanks Harry.' Gina responded smiling at him.

`Thanks I'm famished.' Hayley said brightly, then quietly under her breath to Hermione, `he cooks too? We will definitely finish that conversation later.'

`What about you Hermione?'

`Sure thanks Harry.'

Sitting there in the kitchen watching her friend make conversation while he cooked breakfast for them, Hermione found she couldn't help but think about what her flatmates had said. They were looking at him from a completely objective position and most importantly they had not had their vision clouded by any of that “Boy who Lived” nonsense and they thought he was a great catch.

Truthfully Hermione now had to say that they only knew the half of it. She would happily admit that her best friend had grown into one extremely good looking man, tall and slender but with hard defined muscles, a strong jaw, beautiful piercing green eyes and gorgeous messy black hair. That his hair never sat in any kind of order only lent a sort of little boy vulnerability to his otherwise quite rugged appeal and the glasses made him seem more mature and studious. Even his scar, even if you didn't know all that it represented, just gave him the hint of danger that women everywhere find so appealing.

But going beyond mere looks Harry was a genuinely sweet guy, his very presence here after the mere hint of perceived danger to her person was a testimony to that. He gave great hugs, always listened when she wanted to talk (even if he couldn't offer any advice), would massage tired and sore muscles, he had a good job and to top it all off (as Hayley rightly pointed out) he cooks. What more could a girl ask for? Surely, to just blithely allow some other girl to try for something more with him would be stupid. Hermione Granger was not stupid, but she did suspect she'd been rather blind where Harry was concerned.

It seemed as though in her rage to be one of the few people who considered him normal, and not fall for the hype, she had completely overlooked how special he really was. Sitting there in the kitchen and seeing her friend of nine years cook breakfast, seeing him through the eyes of strangers, strangers who knew nothing about his fame or his skill on the quidditch pitch was a revelation. She felt like the scales had been removed from her eyes and she finally saw that Harry really was a wonderful guy in his own right, without any of the wizarding stuff. She thought for a moment how she would feel if Harry and Hayley did get together or if it was Harry and some other girl, not as a teenage romance but as the real thing, how would she feel if Harry fell in love with someone else? She would be devastated, plain and simple, because for all of their talk of friendship it was actually love. It had not been planned, it had not been expected, but it could not be denied either. The question now was, what on earth should she do about it?

`One egg or two Hermione?' Harry asked hand poised over the carton.

`Two thanks.'

Harry smiled at her and turned back to his cooking. Just like that she knew, he had absolutely no idea that she might feel something more for him than friendship, anymore than she had a few minutes ago. How could she let him know how she felt when she'd only just realised she even had theses sorts of feelings? He wasn't just any guy, she couldn't just set out to seduce him, he was her best friend. The situation required a certain amount of delicacy. She thought back to her abortive quasi “relationship” with Ron. There was no way she was going through something like that again.

The conversation around the table filtered through her troubled thoughts,

`There's an amateur, ah, soccer league around here that has practice on today. I thought I'd go and check it out and I'm sure once I've done that there's plenty of other things to keep me busy around Oxford.'

`Oh absolutely, and you know if you ever get bored you can usually find us in the Library.'

Harry laughed, `Be like old times eh Hermione? You and me in the library, you studying and me trying not to fall asleep. Thanks for the offer but I think I'll pass.

The truth was Harry had already told her that he planned to tail her all day wearing his invisibility cloak. Hermione remembered Hayley's whispered comment that the conversation would be continued later and groaned silently. There was no way she could avoid the conversation and there was no way she could avoid Harry being privy to it either. In light of her recent revelation she had even less idea of how to answer Hayley's question now than she did previously.

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