Charmed

Hello again ! My new method, as of right now, is working quite well for me; this fic is currently finished. I'll do probably weekly updates, so watch out for them ! (:

*kisses*

lil_irish_girl

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JPH: Where have you been? We haven’t talked in ages.

Watching the words appear on her charmed notebook, Hermione Granger smiled. Poising her quill, she wrote a response.

GHJ: We talked this morning. And I had class, I told you that.

After a moment, he replied;

JPH: Ahh. That explains why you weren’t answering my very frequent messages.

I suppose I’m getting ahead of myself. This all began just about a month ago…

*flashback*

“But you guys!” Hermione hissed as loudly as she dared, watching the two boys race down the deserted corridors. “We’re not even supposed to be out of our dorms at night! We could get into so much trouble if we get caught…”

“Yeah,” Ron said once she had caught up with them. “If we get caught.”

“C’mon, Mione,” Harry half pouted. “Don’t you ever do things for the thrill of it?”

“Following the rules can be thrilling,” Hermione stated, crossing her arms across her chest. “Why, one time while I was on Prefect duties I—”

“La la la la,” Ron interrupted, plugging his ears for emphasis. “I can’t hear you.” Grinning, he walked up the staircase and around the corner.

Harry laughed softly as he watched Ron disappear. Turning his attention towards Hermione, he saw her glaring at the spot Ron had vanished from.

“You know he doesn’t mean to make you mad,” Harry said, putting a friendly arm around Hermione’s shoulder. She gently rested her head in the crook of his neck, and wrapped an arm around his waist.

“I know,” she sighed. “But sometimes he can be so— urgh.”

“Yes,” Harry said, smiling. “Our Ron can be very urgh sometimes.”

They stayed in that embrace, sharing a comfortable silence.

“I suppose we should go find him,” Hermione said finally. “Make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.”

“Way ahead of you,” Harry said. “I double checked this corridor and the ones around it: we’re safe. I’ll go and look for him, though.”

“I’ll stay back here,” said Hermione watching Harry walk away. “I like the silence.”

Harry turned around briefly, saluted Hermione, and then bounded up the stairs.

Hermione wandered aimlessly, occasionally stopping to read a plaque that dedicated something to the school. Passing a classroom, she noticed that the door was left ajar. Making sure the coast was clear, she slipped in.

The room hadn’t been used for at least ten years by Hermione’s guess. A thick layer of dust covered every single desk; the bookshelves had cobwebs covering them like a blanket. There was just one thing in that room that seemed as though it didn’t belong.

“What’s this?” Hermione murmured to herself as she picked a navy blue book off what looked like the professor’s desk. Opening it the slightest bit, a piece of parchment fell out. Picking it up as though it could crumble to pieces, she could just barely make out the message printed.

‘This is no ordinary notebook. I found this on accident after stumbling into an abandoned classroom. This notebook is charmed; whatever you write in here appears in the pages of the notebook which shares the charm. If you are so lucky as to find this book, don’t lose it. This helped me find my true love; she had the other notebook. I owe my happiness to this book; use it wisely.’

~ 1943

“1943?” Hermione said. “That’s well over fifty years ago. I’ve heard of charming things between two objects, I read about it in a book once. I wonder if it still has its charm- I wonder who has the other book.”

Curiosity building, she slowly opened the book to a random page. The book was pretty much empty, except for the occasional page filled with class notes.

“The other person obviously doesn’t know it’s a charmed notebook,” Hermione murmured to herself. “The handwriting appears to be male. But I highly doubt he’s my ‘true love’.”

Flipping to another page, Hermione noticed something that seemed like a journal entry. Before she could properly look at it, however, a voice startled her.

“Mione?” Harry said in a strained whisper. “Where are you? We have to go!”

Poking her head out the door, she was facing Harry’s turned back.

“I’m right here,” she whispered, causing him to sharply turn around to face her.

Hermione couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him. Hair as messy as ever, a mischievous look in his eye, and his smile a mile wide.

“Filch is coming,” Harry said. Hermione looked startled for a second, then slightly rolled her eyes.

“Ha ha, very funny,” she said dryly.

“No joke,” Harry said, putting his hands up. “He’s coming up with south corridor.”

“But…” Hermione began, her eyes widening. “We’re in the south corridor.”

“Then you see why we have to go,” Ron said, sticking his head out from around a corner. “Unless you fancy a nice long detention, or worse.”

“No, no,” Hermione said quickly. “I’ve got a perfect record and I don’t plan to ruin it anytime soon.”

The second the Trio had rounded the corner, they heard Mrs. Norris hiss.

“Has anyone been here, my sweet?” came Filch’s voice. “Are there students out of bed?”

“Well don’t just stand there, you’re not Petrified!” Hermione whispered shrilly. “Run!”

Harry, Ron and Hermione (after losing Filch and Mrs. Norris by cutting through the trophy room) sprinted back to the Gryffindor Common Room. Once they were safely inside, Ron and Harry started laughing, collapsing into the plushy armchairs.

“You—guys—” Hermione panted, her hands on her hips. “Are—lucky—Filch—didn’t—find us.”

“I was a bit more concerned with the cat, actually,” Ron said after he had stopped laughing. “Nasty little creature, don’t you think, Harry?”

“Yeah,” Harry agreed. “I was running to get away from the cat. Filch I can handle.”

Hermione laughed softly. “You two should get to bed,” she advised. “You’ve got that Quidditch match tomorrow.”

“Oh, way to remind me,” Ron complained. “Now I won’t be able to sleep.”

“You’ll be fine, Ron,” Harry said, getting up. “Thanks for reminding us, ‘Mione.”

“No problem,” Hermione said softly. “I’ll see you boys tomorrow, then.”

Slowly, Harry and Ron stumbled up the stairs. Once she was sure they had gone, and she was the only one left in the common room, Hermione sat down on the couch, quill and “charmed” notebook in hand.

She carefully opened the book to a page. The second her quill hit the parchment, a message appeared in elegant script.

Please Enter Penname

X_________

“A penname?” Hermione said aloud. “I could just put my name; but that could be dangerous. I could use my initials; which is traceable. So I’ll jumble them up a bit.”

She thought for a moment, and then entered GHJ as her penname. The elegant script disappeared quickly.

Curiosity growing, Hermione flipped through a few pages. One particular page caught her eye; a picture was appearing.

“The other person must be using the notebook right now,” murmured Hermione. Glancing up in the corner of the page, she noticed this person had a penname as well: JPH.

“It must be a boy,” she observed, looking at the labels for what looked like a detailed drawing of the Hogwarts grounds. Taking a deep breath, Hermione chose a spot at the bottom of the page and wrote;

GHJ: Hello!

She knew he saw it— the label he was writing trailed off the paper. Just below her message, she watched his appear;

JPH: Hi?

In a business like manner, Hermione wrote her next message.

GHJ: First things first, I have to ask— are you a boy?

Almost immediately came the response,

JPH: Yes, I’m a boy.

Hermione was shocked. Not about him being a boy, her hunch was correct. She was shocked because as she watched the letters become words, the notebooks temperature increased. Hermione hastily took it off her lap, blushing slightly. When he had finished writing, the book returned to normal.

GHJ: Does your notebook change temperature while I’m writing?

JPH: Bloody hell! What’s it doing that for?

GHJ: I think that’s just a way the notebook lets us know the other is writing.

JPH: The notebook lets us know…?

GHJ: Oh! Don’t you know? These two notebooks are charmed. Everything you write, I can see, and vice versa.

JPH: Everything? Does that mean you have access to everything I’ve ever written in here?

GHJ: I’d expect so.

JPH: You’re a girl, am I correct?

GHJ: Yes, I’m a girl.

JPH: Do you think there’s any way to erase certain pages in these notebooks?

GHJ: I’m sure there’s a spell. I’ll look for one.

JPH: Okay, and until then, you might not want to look at anything towards the back of the book.

GHJ: Thanks for the warning.

JPH: No problem. So, tell me something- how’d you come across your notebook?

GHJ: I found it in an old abandoned classroom. It had a note inside it saying it was charmed. Where’d you find yours?

JPH: In the Quidditch locker rooms.

GHJ: You play Quidditch?

JPH: Yeah. Do you?

GHJ: No, I prefer to watch. I’ve read all about it, though.

JPH: Ahh. A Quidditch expert, but you’ve never played.

GHJ: Something like that.

JPH: So tell me, Ms. Expert, what’s the biggest ball called?

GHJ: You mean the Quaffle?

JPH: Very good! Most girls just lie to guys saying they know about a sport when they don’t.

GHJ: Oh, no. I’m not one to lie.

JPH: I’ll keep that in mind. So, tell me more about yourself.

GHJ: Well, I absolutely love to learn…

*end flashback*

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Reviews are immensely appreciated- I'll love you foreverr. (:

My goodness, you guys are so awesome ! And I love you so much, I felt the need to update much quicker than I intended. I feel I need to mention that this story was also inspired by the movie “A Cinderella Story.” I’d like to thank the adorable little seven year old I babysit for this inspiration- she made me watch the movie. All you reviewers seem to know what the pennames mean; but the characters don’t. They’re not as smart, I’m afraid; which is that much more fun. Just a couple more clues in this chapter, nothing major. The big stuff comes later— if I get lots of reviews, I’m tempted to update faster. (; Enjoy !

*kisses*

lil_irish_girl

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Previously;

JPH: I’ll keep that in mind. So, tell me more about yourself.

GHJ: Well, I absolutely love to learn…

*end flashback*

~*~

GHJ: Yes. Very frequent. Hermione wrote, smiling. I could feel my book bag getting warmer, but I was trying to concentrate.

JPH: Concentrate, huh? That sounds like what you’re supposed to do in a classroom. What were you learning about?

GHJ: Umm, I don’t remember. I took some notes, but my friends were incredibly distracting.

JPH: That sounds like fun. What were they doing?

GHJ: Well, What was Ron doing? One of them was making faces at me constantly. And Harry was… The other one wasn’t doing much to distract me. He was just writing in a notebook. Not notes, though, I’ll tell you that.

JPH: Your friends don’t share your passion for learning?

GHJ: Not really; I’m not sure they even like it.

JPH: Well they’re not very smart, then. If they loved to learn like you did, they’d get to study next to a pretty girl.

GHJ: And who might this pretty girl be?

JPH: You, of course.

Hermione felt her cheeks redden.

GHJ: You’ve never seen me— how do you know if I’m pretty or not?

JPH: I’ve got a feeling. And my feelings are rarely wrong.

GHJ: Interesting… (: I’ve got to go study. Don’t write in this notebook, you’ll only distract me. Bye!

Closing her notebook, Hermione sighed and smacked her forehead.

“What the hell’s the matter with you, Granger?” she muttered to herself. “Tell me you did not just get all girly and draw a smiley face. What has this boy done to you?”

He makes you feel feminine and beautiful, the voice in her head replied. Whenever you think of him you get butterflies in your stomach, and you can’t stop smiling.

“Oh, shut up,” she said, attempting to look at her forehead. This earned her a “Shh!” from Madam Pince.

Putting one hand up as an apology, Hermione set to work. She had about five or six lines written on an essay for Professor Flitwick when she began getting messages from her mystery boy.

JPH: Are you really studying, or did you just not want to talk to me anymore?

JPH: … or did you die?

JPH: Blink twice if you’re alive.

Hermione just couldn’t leave him be.

GHJ: You wouldn’t be able to see me blink anyway.

JPH: Maybe not, but I knew you’d tell me that.

GHJ: Clever. Very clever.

JPH: Yeah, it took me a few nights to come up with that fool proof plan.

GHJ: Oh, I bet. I really have to work, though.

JPH: Okay. Talk to me tonight?

GHJ: Of course. Bye for now.

JPH: Bye!

Smiling, Hermione returned to work.

~*~

“Harry? Come on, mate. Get up! Dinner’s ready and I’m starving,” Ron complained, shaking Harry’s bed for emphasis.

Harry hadn’t moved for at least twenty minutes. He was just lying on his bed, looking at the ceiling with a blank stare. Ron shaking his bed had pulled him out of his trance.

“What?” Harry said, bolting upright. “Sorry, Ron, I guess I’m just really tired.”

“With all those late nighters you’re apparently pulling,” Ron said. “I’d swear you were turning into Hermione.”

“Ha,” said Harry, throwing a pillow at Ron’s head. “You’re so funny, Ronald.”

“Now you’re starting to sound like her!” Ron exclaimed, his eyes playful. “Stop scaring me.”

“Didn’t you want dinner?” Harry asked, putting the pillow back on his bed.

“That’s right!” Ron said, practically sprinting to the door. “You coming? Or are you trying to watch your figure?”

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Harry exclaimed, following Ron out the door.

~*~

“Hey guys,” Hermione greeted Harry and Ron cheerfully as they sat down and piled food onto their plates.

“Hullo, Mione,” Ron’s voice was thickened due to the food he had shoved into his mouth just seconds before. Hermione sighed softly.

“Chew, swallow, then speak,” she told him. Turning her attention to Harry, her expression softened.

“Harry, you look like you haven’t slept decently for a while,” she said.

“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” Harry said, trying not to yawn. “No big deal.”

“You seem to have had an influence on this one,” Ron told Hermione when his mouth wasn’t full. “So many late nighters,” he added in response to her questioning look.

“Harry, have you been studying?” Hermione asked, slightly impressed.

“Something like that,” Harry muttered, taking a bite of his food.

“Well I can help you,” Hermione offered. “Then you might be able to get some sleep.”

“Thanks, Mione,” Harry said, smiling softly. “But this is something I have to develop a habit on my own, you know?”

“Yeah, of course,” Hermione said, nodding her head.

“What have you been doing lately?” Ron asked, pointing an accusatory finger at his female friend. “We haven’t seen you for quite some time.

“Oh,” Hermione said. “I’ve been around. Studying, mostly.” It shouldn’t be this easy to lie to them, she thought. Taking one last sip of her pumpkin juice, Hermione stood up. “Have either of you seen Ginny?” she asked. “I need to talk to her.”

“I think she’s in the library,” Ron said. “I heard her talking about some research for Herbology.”

“Thanks,” Hermione said, smiling warmly. “I’ll see you two later, alright?” and with that she was gone.

“I wonder what she needs to talk to Gin about,” Ron muttered. “What do you think, Harry?” Turning to his left, he noticed Harry was face down in his bowl of cereal- it appeared as though he was attempting to drown himself in the milk.

“Harry!” Ron said, pulling his friend up by his hair. He then noticed Harry had fallen asleep. Ron shook Harry’s hair, still holding on to it. Harry jerked awake.

“I was having a good dream,” Harry complained, taking a napkin to wipe the milk off his face.

“Well find a better place to sleep,” said Ron. “Don’t waste good food.”

~*~

Walking down the nearly deserted corridor, Hermione found herself getting lost in a few memories of her mystery boy…

JPH: Favorite color?

GHJ: Baby blue. Yours?

JPH: Dark green. Favorite hobby?

GHJ: Reading. Yours is Quidditch, I’m guessing?

JPH: Right.

GHJ: I’ve got a question for you.

JPH: What’s that?

GHJ: What’s in the back of the book you were so quick to tell me not to look at?

JPH: Oh, well, you see; during class one day my friend and I got bored, so we started passing notes back and forth using the notebook. We drew a few… interesting pictures. It’s just probably better that you don’t see it.

GHJ: Ahh. Well now I know; no more curiosity. Any other questions?

JPH: Yes. What’s one thing about you that not many people know?

GHJ: Let’s see… I absolutely love to sing.

JPH: I bet you have an angelic voice.

GHJ: Hardly angelic.

JPH: You’re just being modest. You probably make all the other girls jealous.

GHJ: How is it that you can make me speechless?

JPH: You make me feel like I can be myself. I can’t lie to you about anything.

“Hermione? Hun, you need to watch where you’re going.”

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So, not much on what’s in the back of the notebook— I’ll leave it to your imaginations.
As mentioned earlier, the more reviews I get, the more I’m tempted to update. Fill in a few words below and click the little post button. Keep an eye out for the next update ! (:

A/N: well, i wasn't going to update for a couple of days. i am in love with those of you who reviewed. i attempted to fix the “shortness” problem- hopefully it meets your guys' expectations. one more thing- a very clever anonymous reviewer asked that if Harry and Hermione have known each other so long, why don't they recognize the handwriting ? i probably should have pointed it out earlier; the notebook disguises all handwriting. sorry for any confusion i might have caused ! enjoy chapter three. (:

*kisses*

lil_irish_girl

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Previously:

“Hermione? Hun, you need to watch where you’re going.”

~*~*~*~

“What?” Hermione came back to the present and was slightly shocked to find she was sitting on the floor. “What happened? Why am I on the floor?”

“Well, I didn’t see everything,” Ginny began. “But from what I can infer, you walked into the library with a dazed look on your face and ran into a wall.”

“Did I?” Hermione asked, rubbing her head. “I’m not myself lately.”

“You can say that again,” Ginny agreed, sitting next to the brunette. “What’s the deal?”

“Gin,” Hermione said. “I think I’m in love.”

“You think you’re in love?” Ginny repeated.

“No,” said Hermione. “I know I’m in love.”

“With who?” Ginny asked, curious. “It better not be with my brother; he’s got a girlfriend.”

Ron’s girlfriend was Lauren- a pretty blonde in Ginny’s year; she apparently dug redheads. Ginny had convinced Ron to ask her out and they had been inseparable ever since.

Hermione laughed softly. “No, it’s not with Ron.”

“With Harry then?” asked Ginny.

“Gin, Harry’s like my brother,” Hermione lied. She had had a thing for Harry back in fifth or sixth year. She’d been forced to put those feelings on the back burner, though.

“Well then who is it?” Ginny couldn’t take the suspense anymore.

“I have no idea,” Hermione said, looking directly into her friends’ eyes.

“How do you know you’re in love with someone if you don’t know who he is?” Ginny was incredibly confused.

Turning to her book bag, Hermione took out the notebook.

“Read,” she instructed Ginny. “It should explain a lot.”

Flipping through it eagerly, Ginny read most of the conversations Hermione and her mystery boy had had.

“Awww!” Ginny suddenly exclaimed, her eyes glued to a page.

“What?” Hermione asked.

“’Thoughts of you fill my every waking moment and every dream I have. I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean, but I like it.’” Ginny read. “He seems so into you!”

“Does he?” asked Hermione, hope filling her eyes. “God, I want to know who he is. But at the same time, I’m afraid he won’t feel the same way.”

“Mione,” Ginny said, putting an arm around the other girls’ shoulders. “You’re smart, funny, and gorgeous. Any guy would be out of his mind to not love you back.”

“Thanks, Gin,” Hermione said, smiling. “Only problem is, I don’t know how I might be able to meet him.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way,” Ginny reassured her. “You always find a way.”

The two of them sat on the floor together for a bit longer, listening to the slight rustle of pages.

“Gin?” Hermione suddenly asked.

“Hmm?” Ginny replied.

“Ron told me you had said something about researching something for Herbology. You wouldn’t go near anything having to do with Herbology with a ten foot pole. What’s the deal?”

“Oh, well, um,” Ginny said, blushing slightly. “I’m here because there are a lot of cute blokes who come by the library,” she said in a rush. Hermione let out a small bark of laughter, causing Ginny to give her a hurt look.

“I didn’t mean that badly, Gin,” Hermione said quickly. “I just mean you don’t have to go to a library to find a guy. You could walk down the bloody hallway and pick up a guy. You seem to be quite the talk of your year.”

Ginny gave her friend a cheesy smile. “Now, who said that?” she asked, giggling and rolling her eyes slightly.

“I’m serious,” said Hermione. “Even a few of the Seventh years are noticing you. I saw a certain blonde Slytherin giving you a few looks the other day…”

“Malfoy?” Ginny asked, scrunching up her nose. “Disgusting! He hates me and my family.”

“Give him a chance, hun,” Hermione said quietly. “The war’s changed him quite a bit.”

Ginny sighed, smiling. “You’re right, you’re right,” she said. “Maybe I’ll give the ‘bad boy’ a chance.”

“I couldn’t help but overhear,” came a voice from behind the girls. They turned around to see the subject in question; Draco Malfoy.

“Well,” Hermione said, slowly getting up. “I have to get going. Have fun you two,” smiling, she strode out the door, humming to herself.

Ginny turned her attention back to Draco, surprised to see that his hand was extended— he was offering to help her up. Smiling slightly, she took it and he hoisted her up.

The fact that my hand is tingling doesn’t mean anything, Ginny thought before she realized just how close they were: his chest was lightly pressed against hers.

“Thanks, Malfoy,” she said once she had regained her breath. For some reason, though, she couldn’t move away from him. In fact, it was almost as if she was magnetically charged to him. He was moving closer to her, as well. Their lips were almost touching, and Ginny’s eyelids had dropped slightly when she heard him speak.

“You’re welcome, Ginevra,” Draco whispered, saying her name with such tenderness it startled her. Smiling softly, Since when do Malfoy’s smile? flitted through Ginny’s mind, he backed up and walked out of the library.

~*~

“Harry, Hermione,” Ron said urgently, propping himself up on his elbows— he had been laying on the ground. “We have a very big problem on our hands.”

“And what might the problem be, Ronald?” Hermione asked, looking up from her book. Harry, who was sitting at the table with her, turned his attention to Ron.

“My Transfiguration essay is blank,” Ron stated, letting his elbows drop as he stared dismally at the piece of parchment.

“Pick up a quill, Ronald,” Hermione said, a smile on her face. “And write words. Then it won’t be blank.”

“But the words I write will most likely have nothing to do with Transfiguration,” Ron complained. “I’ll probably end up writing total rubbish. Might write a few things about Lauren here and there.”

He got a dazed look in his eye; lost in thought about Lauren. Snapping out of it, Ron noticed Harry was lost in another world, too.

“Oi, Harry,” he said, sitting upright. “You should see your expression, mate. You look so serious. What are you writing, anyway?”

Hurriedly, Harry shut his notebook.

“Nothing, Ron,” Harry said. “I was just jotting down my thoughts and goals. I seem to have a habit of doing that lately.”

“How… organized of you, Harry,” Hermione commented, staring into his bright green orbs.

“Thanks, Mione,” Harry said, looking up at her.

Glancing at the clock, she noticed that it was a little past eleven. Shutting her books, she put them in her book bag and stood up.

“I’ve got to get some sleep,” she lied easily. “I’ll see you two tomorrow, alright?”

“Okay,” Ron said, now searching everywhere on the floor for a quill. “Night, Mione.”

“Night,” Harry said, though it was hardly audible.

Smiling at Ron’s attempts to find a quill, Hermione turned her attention to him.

“Hey Ron,” she said.

“What?” Ron asked, looking up at her. Hermione gently tossed a quill from her book bag at him. He caught it with ease, smiling.

“Thanks, Mione,” he said. “Now I can try to write my Transfiguration essay.”

“Good,” Hermione said softly. With a final wave, she ascended the staircase, up to her dorm.

“She’s something, our Hermione,” Ron quietly said once he thought she was out of earshot. “Don’t you think, Harry?”

Harry didn’t answer right away— he seemed transfixed on the paper in front of him. Sitting upright again, Ron tried once more.

“Harry!” he said, causing Harry to jerk and turn in his chair to look at him. “Don’t you think Mione’s something else?”

“Yeah,” Harry agreed. “She’s always there to fix our mistakes.” Slowly, he turned his attention back to his book, scribbling away like mad.

~*~

Hermione had just opened the door to her dorm. She had, of course, heard the boys’ comments. Smiling broadly, she sat on her bed. On the top of the pile of books by her bed was the notebook. Picking it up, she noticed that it was growing warmer. Flipping through the pages, she found the one he was writing in.

JPH: Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? GHJ? GHJ? Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing, ding ding dong. Ding ding dong.

Hermione smiled, writing a response.

GHJ: The Muggle song. You’re Muggle born?

JPH: Hey, there you are! My dad was pureblood, mum a Muggle born witch. I grew up with Muggles, though.

GHJ: What happened to your parents?

JPH: They… died in a car crash. I was very young.

GHJ: I’m so sorry.

JPH: Its fine, no big deal. Where were you all this time? Avoiding me?

GHJ: Of course not. I just had a little work I needed to get done. Then I got caught up with my friends.

JPH: Ah. Sounds better than what I’ve been doing.

GHJ: What have you been doing?

JPH: Sitting here, trying to think of a way to meet you.

GHJ: You want to meet me?

JPH: Of course. You seem so amazing.

GHJ: But how would we be able to meet?

JPH: I have no idea. That was my dilemma.

GHJ: I see. Maybe we should sleep on it?

JPH: Sleep on what, exactly?

GHJ: I didn’t mean it like that! Sleep on the idea of how to meet.

JPH: I know, it’s just really fun to give you a hard time. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then?

GHJ: Yeah. Good night, JPH.

JPH: Night, GHJ. Sleep tight—

GHJ: Don’t let the bedbugs bite!

JPH: Ick. Bedbugs.

GHJ: Nice. Sleep well.

Shutting the notebook and putting it back on the pile, Hermione changed into her pajamas and slept pleasantly, her dreams filled with meeting her mystery boy.

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there ! hopefully a bit more to go on this time. now a certain reviewer can go off their hunger strike. eat something ! (: if you have time, please write a few words letting me know your thoughts.

hey there ! i just love reading your thoughts on each chapter. i seriously appreciate every review i get. but i'm done talking now- enjoy chapter four !

*kisses*

lil_irish_girl

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Previously;

Shutting the notebook and putting it back on the pile, Hermione changed into her pajamas and slept pleasantly, her dreams filled with meeting her mystery boy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Hermione!” Ginny yelled as she sprinted down the corridors. It was late afternoon the next day, and Ginny had just found the perfect way for Hermione and her mystery lover to meet. If she could only find Hermione…

“Harry! Ron!” she exclaimed, finding the boys sitting underneath a tree next to the lake.

“Ginny!” Ron said, startled.

“What is it?” Harry asked, noticing her lack of breath.

Ginny held up her pointer finger, panting. She stood there for a minute, hunched over slightly, clutching her chest.

“Where’s— Hermione?” she managed to sputter.

“I dunno,” Ron said, shrugging his shoulders.

“We haven’t seen her since breakfast,” Harry supplied.

Ginny let out a noise of anger.

“But I have to find her!” she said, throwing her hands up in the air.

“Why?” Ron asked.

“I have to talk to her,” explained Ginny.

“What is it with girls and talking?” Ron said. “I think you girls talk too much.”

“Well, whatever,” Ginny dismissed. “I need to find her. Do you guys have any idea as to where she might be?”

“I thought she said something about being in the library most of the day,” Harry said.

“The library?” Ginny asked. Harry nodded. “Thanks!” and she was off, running back towards the castle.

“Girls,” Ron said with a roll of his eyes, making Harry laugh.

~*~

“Hermione? Hermione?” Ginny whispered shrilly, poking her head into each aisle of books. Reaching the end of the aisles, Ginny turned her head and saw the brunette sitting at a table— nearly up to her neck in books.

“Hermione!” Ginny said a bit louder than intended. Madam Pince stood up, glared at the redhead, and then sat back down.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Ginny said, taking a seat next to Hermione.

“Well I’ve been here since breakfast,” Hermione said, bookmarking her page then devoting her full attention to her friend. “What do you need?”

“I found the perfect way for you to meet your mystery lover,” Ginny said excitedly.

“Really?” Hermione asked incredulously, leaning forward in her chair. “How?”

“Well I got out of my meeting around noon,” said Ginny. She worked as part of a school committee—after the downfall of Voldemort the school decided they should have a bit more fun, and the committee was in charge of just that. “I’ve been looking for you for two hours. But anyway, there’s something we’ve been tossing around for a while now. Today we took a vote, and it passed!”

“What passed?” Hermione asked. “What are we going to do?”

“Hogwarts is going to have their first Masquerade Bash!” Ginny exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

“Gin, that’s brilliant!” Hermione said enthusiastically. “That’s the perfect way for me to meet him. I’ll disguise myself thoroughly, just in case it doesn’t turn out well.”

“It’s going to be so much fun,” Ginny said. “I’m in charge of decorations, so I assure you, the place will look gorgeous.”

“It sounds perfect,” said Hermione. “I can’t believe it. Who proposed that idea?”

“I did,” Ginny said proudly, beaming.

“There’s only one problem,” Hermione murmured.

“What?”

“What’s my disguise gonna be?”

~*~

JPH: Do you know what every student at Hogwarts is talking about?

GHJ: No, what?

JPH: That we’re going to have a Masquerade Bash next week.

GHJ: We are, hmm? Interesting. That sounds like fun.

JPH: And helpful.

GHJ: Explain…?

JPH: I figured it’s the perfect way for us to meet.

GHJ: You’re right. It sounds perfect.

JPH: So is it a date?

Hermione smiled; she could sense his nervousness, even though she couldn’t see or hear him. Lately the two of them had this connection: they could sense what one was feeling, regardless of if they were talking or not.

GHJ: Of course. It’s a date.

JPH: Great! Meet me in the middle of the dance floor at quarter to eleven. I’ve got to go to Quidditch practice; I’ll talk to you later?

GHJ: Quidditch… Gryffindor has the pitch right now. You’re a Gryffindor?

JPH: That I am. What house are you?

GHJ: Gryffindor.

JPH: You learn something new every day. Bye for now, milady.

Hermione could practically see him bowing as he said that. Closing her book, she lay down on her bed, a smile on her face.

~*~

“Ginny, I’m not so sure about this.”

“What’s there to not be sure of?” Ginny asked incredulously. “You look gorgeous!”

Hermione and Ginny had gone off by themselves on their Hogsmeade weekend. Originally they would have gone to Madam Milkin’s, but instead they found a little dress shop off in a remote part of the village. After speaking to the kindly woman who owned the shop, the two girls gave her the situation and she immediately threw something together.

With a few flicks of her wand, a dress had come together, and Hermione currently had it on. Madam Greyrose (the owner) was now making small adjustments.

“But it looks so much like a wedding dress,” Hermione said, turning her back to the huge mirror; to face Ginny. The dress was made of a pale blue silky material; it would be strapless had it not been for the small sleeves that just covered her shoulders. It didn’t really have a neckline, instead it immediately dropped to just above her cleavage. There were beads and sequins along her sleeves and chest, making it sparkle even more.

The dress hugged her every curve right up until just below her stomach. A diagonal line below her stomach started about three layers of a seemingly more silky material, except it had been ruched, keeping to a diagonal pattern. It flowed straight down to the floor.

Ginny gave a dramatic sigh. “So?” she said. “It’s absolutely perfect for this! You can’t look me in the eye and tell me you don’t feel absolutely breathtaking in that dress.”

“You’re right,” Hermione said, turning back to face the mirror. “I feel beautiful. But is it too much?”

“It’s a Masquerade Bash,” Ginny stated, placing her hands on her hips. She knew she only needed to push Hermione a bit further until she agreed. “You can’t go too far into your costume.”

“You’re right,” Hermione said again, sighing quietly. She turned to Madam Greyrose. “Is this going to cost a fortune?” she asked her.

“For you, dear,” Madam Greyrose said sweetly. “I’ll make a discount. The two of you seem so sweet.”

“Oh, no, Madam Greyrose,” Hermione said, her eyes widening. “We couldn’t possibly buy this dress on a discount. You worked so hard.”

“But dear,” said Madam Greyrose. “I couldn’t possibly be paid a lot for having fun. You two have made my job today so much more enjoyable; it’s not every day I get to make a beautiful dress for a beautiful young lady.”

Hermione blushed slightly at her praise.

“Thank you so much, Madam Greyrose,” Ginny said.

“No trouble at all, girls,” said the woman, waving her hand. “If you need anything else, just ask.”

“Actually,” Hermione said softly. “I’d hate to be a bother—”

“No bother, dear,” Madam Greyrose said, smiling. “What do you need?”

“I was just wondering; would it be possible to get a mask that matches this dress?” Hermione asked.

Beaming, Madam Greyrose waved her wand and in her hand appeared the most beautiful mask. Hermione carefully took it from the woman’s outstretched hand and put it on. It was pale blue, matching the dress. Hugging her face, it just barely covered her eyebrows, and continued down, stopping at the tip of her nose. The same beads and sequins were used, so its sparkle complimented the dress perfectly.

“Oh, it’s perfect,” Hermione breathed.

“Do you girls need anything else?” Madam Greyrose asked. “Shoes, maybe?”

“I don’t have any shoes to match this dress or this mask,” Hermione confessed quietly.

“Neither do I,” Ginny said.

“But I do,” Madam Greyrose said happily. Going behind her counter, she entered a back room and emerged with a pair of three inch high heels. Slowly, Hermione put them on. They were silver in color, with three thin straps going over her feet in an abstract design.

“They fit me perfectly,” Hermione said, amazed.

“I thought they might,” the woman said, smiling. “Will that be all?”

“Yes, that’s all we need,” said Hermione happily. “Thank you so much, Madam Greyrose. For everything.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Madam Greyrose said. “I was a teenager once; you deserve to have a little fun.”

After paying for the dress, the mask, and the shoes the girls walked out of the store with a small bag. They had shrunk all of their purchases so that no one would be suspicious.

Calmly walking back to the castle, they walked into the common room and literally ran into Ron and Harry, who were just walking out.

“Hermione! Ginny!” Harry said, picking himself up off the floor. “We were just going to go out looking for you.”

“Yeah,” Ron agreed, rubbing his head. He had collided with Ginny. “You two have been gone for at least two hours.”

“More like three and a half,” Ginny corrected, shaking her hair with her fingers.

“But who’s keeping track?” Hermione added, smiling at Ginny.

“Why are you two smiling like that?” Ron asked, looking at both Ginny and Hermione.

“No reason,” Ginny said, raising her eyebrows at her brother. “We’ve got to go put this bag upstairs,” she motioned to the bag clutched in Hermione’s hand. “We’ll see you two later.”

As the girls walked up the stairs, Harry could have sworn he heard them giggling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

kay, so there's we go. and in case anyone who read this couldn't really picture the dress, here's the link for it:

(http://petticoatsandpistols.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/j1168maggie-sattero-wedding-gown-2008.jpg)

keep an eye out for the next update ! (:

alright, i'm weak. the next update for Charmed is here ! although my computer seems to dislike the document for the next few chapters, so it might be a bit longer before those come out. enjoy chapter five !

*kisses*

lil_irish_girl

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Previously;

As the girls walked up the stairs, Harry could have sworn he heard them giggling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I just can’t get over how gorgeous this dress is,” Hermione said, gingerly putting it into the closet.

“Yeah,” Ginny said. “And you got such a deal on it.”

“It was still pretty expensive,” said Hermione. “Most of my secret stash.”

“Secret stash?” Ginny asked, sitting on Hermione’s bed.

“Money that I put away for special occasions, or emergencies.”

“Ahh,” Ginny said, nodding her head. “Well you can use this dress for quite some time after the Bash. Madam Greyrose said that the dress would stretch a little bit, so it grows with you.”

“It’s amazing,” Hermione whispered, sitting on the bed next to Ginny. “Now, he told me to meet him in the middle of the dance floor at quarter to eleven.”

“The Bash is in five days,” said Ginny. “You don’t have to worry. You’ve got your dress, and your mask, and your shoes. I’ll take care of your hair and your make up. Face it, hun; this is gonna be one magical night.”

“Let’s hope,” Hermione said, crossing her fingers and smiling at Ginny.

~*~

“Guess who?” Ron asked, smiling as he covered a girls’ eyes.

“Well, I’m just taking a stab in the dark,” the girl said. “But I’m guessing it’s my boyfriend.”

“That’s right,” said Ron, removing his hands and gently tipping her head back so he could look at her. Her startling blue eyes looked up at him, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” he asked, gently stroking her cheek.

“Not today,” she whispered, smiling softly.

“You shine with the light from the sun,” Ron said quietly.

“Stop flirting with her,” Harry said good naturedly, watching the two of them from his position on the couch. “She’s already your girlfriend.”

Ron looked at Harry and childishly stuck his tongue out at him, causing Lauren to laugh.

“So what are you two going as for the Bash?” Harry asked, setting his book down.

“I’m going as one of Charlie’s Angels,” Lauren told him excitedly.

“I have no idea what I’m going as,” Ron said, shrugging.

“Ron!” Lauren said, practically bouncing up and down in her chair. “You could go as Neo!”

Harry immediately started laughing.

“That’s a brilliant idea, Lauren,” he said, grinning. “But you’d have to get him a black wig.”

“I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ron said, confused.

“It’s from the Matrix,” Lauren explained. “My parents used to watch those movies all the time.”

“Will this Neo person look good with one of Charlie’s Angels?” Ron asked.

“Of course,” Lauren said. “So you’ll do it?”

“For you, anything,” said Ron, smiling.

“Fantastic!” Lauren said. “I have my costume upstairs. I might need a bit of help with yours, though, Ron. Care to go see what we can find?”

“Why, sure, milady,” Ron said, walking around to the front of the chair and offering her his hand. Smiling, she took it and they walked out the portrait hole hand in hand.

~*~

“I can’t stop thinking about her,” a boy said softly into the darkness. Everyone had long past gone upstairs to get sleep, and he was alone in the common room. “She’s so amazing. I can tell she’s pretty. I don’t know how, but I have that feeling. The Bash is in two days. I’ll meet the girl who has been haunting my dreams in two days.”

~*~

“Ginny, where do you want this… thing?” Hermione asked, holding up a giant banner.

The two girls were in the Great Hall, decorating for the Masquerade Bash, which happened to be that night. Hermione had offered to help, seeing as Ginny couldn’t do the job all by herself.

“Just put it somewhere so people can see it,” Ginny yelled down from the ladder she was currently on. She had insisted on putting up the decorations without (much) use of magic, stating that it would be more “fun.”

The four long tables that had been there that morning were gone, and in their place a number of small round tables had been placed sporadically around the room. The one part of the room she had used magic on was to place a shimmering glow on the walls, making the whole place seem surreal.

Hermione was in charge of music. Using magic, she placed a charm that made music sound throughout the room. There were also streamers being strung from the higher parts of the ceiling- a job that Ginny was performing by standing on a very high ladder.

“How do the streamers look?” she called down to Hermione.

“They look great!” Hermione said enthusiastically, looking up.

“Do you girls need any help?” a male voice said as the doors to the Great Hall were shut. Ginny turned on the ladder to see who it was.

“Malfoy?” she said incredulously. Due to her quick turning, it caused the ladder to teeter. Ginny lost her balance, and began falling. Draco immediately ran over to where the ladder had crashed, and caught Ginny effortlessly. Breathing heavily, she turned her face towards his chest.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned.

“Yes,” Ginny said, looking up at his face. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes, Draco,” Ginny assured him. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“Would you like to come with me to the Masquerade Bash?” Draco asked, still holding onto her.

“Wait, lemme get this straight,” Ginny said, attempting to be business-like while tangled up in Draco Malfoy. “You, a Malfoy, are asking me, a Weasley, on— on a date?”

“It would appear so,” Draco said, looking directly into her eyes.

“Are you going to let me go?” Ginny asked, wriggling a bit in his grasp.

“Well if I let you go, you might fall again,” said Draco, his eyes mischievous. “And then I’d have to catch you again.” Ginny sighed.

“If I say yes, will you let me go?” she asked.

“Hmm, I don’t know,” Draco said. “I rather like you wriggling in my arms.”

Ginny playfully smacked his arm. He laughed.

“Okay, okay,” he said. “If you say yes, I’ll let you go.”

“Then yes,” she said softly. He released his grip on her, and she put her feet back on the ground.

“Ginny, I don’t know where this banner would look good and—” Hermione said, walking up to where the ladder lay, useless. “Oh,” she said, noticing Draco. “Are you two having fun? Everything PG over here?”

Ginny shot a mock-angry glare at her friend. “Yes,” Ginny said. “Draco just asked me to the Masquerade Bash, and I said yes.”

“Oh, I see,” said Hermione. “Told you!”

Ginny scrunched her nose, sticking her tongue out.

“You’re cute when you scrunch your nose like that,” Draco observed.

“Am I now?” Ginny asked, turning to face him. “Interesting,” winking at him, she turned her attention back to Hermione.

“Now, I was thinking the banner would look nice over here…”

~*~

“Hermione, would you quit fidgeting?”

Ginny and Hermione were in Hermione’s dorm, putting final touches on both of their costumes. Ginny was all decked out in a sexy bunny outfit, currently doing Hermione’s hair; she had found a charm that made it fall in loose curls down her back. Ginny had, however, insisted on doing her make up the Muggle way. Hermione was wearing mascara, a hint of blush, and a little bit of lipstick. Not much, but it accented all of her features.

“Alright, go put on your dress,” Ginny said, gently pushing Hermione out of the chair in front of the mirror. “Let me put on my makeup.”

Laughing softly, Hermione got up and took the dress out of the closet. She put it on carefully, then checked herself in the mirror. She really did look breathtaking.

“How do I look?” Ginny asked, stepping away from the mirror and facing Hermione. Ginny had lightly rimmed her eyes with a Muggle liquid liner she had borrowed from Hermione. She also put on mascara and red lipstick which complimented her black bunny suit nicely; she had bent the ears slightly.

“You look gorgeous,” Hermione said truthfully.

“Gorgeous, maybe,” Ginny said. “But is it sexy enough?”

“Gin, you were sexy enough as it is,” said Hermione, laughing.

“Trying to flatter me won’t work right now,” said Ginny, waving a hand in the air. “Save the compliments for your mystery date. Speaking of your mystery date, remember what we planned?”

“Yes,” Hermione said. “Regardless of how good or bad the date’s going, you come and drag me out of it at midnight.”

“Exactly,” Ginny said, smiling.

Hermione checked the clock on her bedside table.

“It’s a few minutes before quarter to eleven,” she said. “We should head down.”

The two of them were almost out the door when Hermione stopped.

“My voice!” she exclaimed, facing Ginny. “Everyone knows the sound of my voice. If I don't want him to know who I am, I need to not have my voice.”

Looking around the room as if it would give her an answer, Ginny looked helplessly at her friend.

“I can't think of anything that could disguise your voice,” she said. “You could just talk differently.”

“I'll forget eventually,” Hermione said, wracking her brain for some spell she had read about the previous summer. “Oh! I remember reading a spell that raised your voice by a couple tones. I'll try it out on myself.” Raising her wand, she murmured a few words.

“Did it work?” Hermione said in a voice that clearly was not her own.

“Hermione, you're brilliant!” Ginny said, beaming. “Let's go.”

Walking down the staircase, Hermione was quite the center of attention. The Gryffindors stopped and stared, as if placed under a charm at the sight of her. Walking down the halls weren’t any better; she still got those stares.

“What’s everyone staring at?” Hermione asked quietly, leaning towards Ginny.

“Well, they’re not staring at me or my bunny tail,” Ginny said, smiling softly. “They’re looking at you, Ms. Gorgeous.”

Hermione blushed, the little part of her cheeks that were exposed turning pink. When they finally got to the Great Hall, they walked through the doors to find the place full of people. At that moment, it seemed as though everyone stopped to see who the girl in the Cinderella dress was. Ginny took Hermione’s arm and led her through the throng of people; right into the middle of the dance floor.

“Good luck,” Ginny whispered into her friend’s ear. Then, turning on her heel, left Hermione standing there alone.

Hermione took a moment to take everything in; the energy from everyone dancing, how beautiful she felt with everyone staring at her.

“Hey there, Cinderella,” a voice from behind her said. Spinning around, hopeful, she saw a boy a bit taller than she, dressed in what appeared to be a Dracula outfit. “Is there a Prince in the picture? If not, you could look for the pot of gold at the end of the Wayne-bow.”

“I’m not Irish,” Hermione said. “And you’re not getting lucky.”

“Damn,” the boy said, walking away.

Hermione rolled her eyes and glanced at the giant clock on the wall: 10:47 pm.

“You’re two minutes late, Mr. Perfect,” she murmured. The second after she said it, she felt the presence of someone behind her.

“GHJ?” he asked quietly.

Hermione took a deep breath, preparing herself. It’s time, she thought. Turning around, her eyes widened.

“Harry Potter?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

there we go ! if you have the time, please leave a few words. (:

ahhh ! actually, i didn't technically fix my computer yet. i'll save the celebratory cheers for later. i sent this over to my friend before my computer totally crashed. went to her house, and uploaded. yay ! i'm gonna stop talking now. oh ! and i know it's a few chapters too late, but- i broke 100 reviews ! i love you lot so much. enjoy chapter six !

*kisses*

lil_irish_girl

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Previously;

Hermione took a deep breath, preparing herself. It’s time, she thought. Turning around, her eyes widened.

“Harry Potter?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry smiled sheepishly, running a hand through his hair nervously.

“Yeah,” he said. “I’m JPH. I suppose my costume doesn’t do a very good job at disguising who I am.”

“No, I know exactly who you are,” Hermione said. “I have to go,” she said, turning away.

“Wait,” Harry said desperately, lightly grabbing her arm. “Don’t go. Please.”

“Don’t you know who I am?” Hermione asked.

“God, I wish I did,” said Harry. “You’d think I’d remember those eyes. They’re stunning.”

Mental note: Harry doesn’t pay attention to my eyes, Hermione thought.

“Just give me a chance,” Harry said. “Please?” Hermione sighed.

“Who could resist you when you look that adorable?” she asked, smiling. Harry beamed, extending his hand.

“May I have this dance, milady?” he asked, bowing slightly. Giggling, Hermione took his hand and Harry led her to a different part of the dance floor.

Merlin! Is he a good dancer, Hermione thought, laughing as he pulled her into a theatrical dip. Spinning around in time to the music, Hermione caught sight of Ginny and Draco dancing awfully close to each other.

Catching her eye, Hermione widened her eyes and jerked her head in Harry’s direction. Ginny’s mouth dropped. She mouthed “No way!”

Hermione nodded, then tilted her head to the side, as if to ask why she and Draco were so close. Ginny mouthed her response,

“He’s trying to hide his excitement.”

At this comment, Hermione laughed loudly. Harry pulled back to look her in the eye.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“Nothing, nothing,” Hermione assured him. “If you don’t mind my asking, what are you supposed to be? Costume wise, I mean.”

“Me?” Harry asked. “Why, I’m Prince Charming.”

He certainly looked the part, too. His baby blue suit matched her dress perfectly. How odd, Hermione thought. It’s like he knew exactly what I was going as.

“We’re the perfect couple,” Hermione commented absent mindedly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“In more ways than one,” Harry whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

“Do you want to take a walk outside?” Harry asked. She nodded, and he took her hand and led her out the doors. The two of them passed Draco and Ginny on their way out.

“Who would’ve thought?” Ginny murmured. “Harry and Hermione.”

“She looks really beautiful in that dress,” Draco said.

“Careful,” Ginny said, a playful smile on her face. “I might get a little jealous.”

“Don’t,” said Draco. “I’m sure you’re well aware of how I feel about your costume.” He pulled her closer, his arms tightening around her waist. She sighed and laid her head on his chest.

Maybe bad boys aren’t that bad…

~*~

“You look so gorgeous in that dress,” Harry told Hermione as they walked outside, sitting on a bench. “I was right.”

“Right about what?” Hermione asked.

“You being beautiful,” Harry said, looking directly into her eyes. Hermione smiled softly, and she could feel her cheeks redden.

“I know your face,” Harry whispered, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. “I just don’t know who you are.”

Hermione, whose eyes had closed when Harry touched her, opened slightly to look at him.

“You know who I am,” she said softly.

“Do I?” he asked. She nodded.

“Let’s play twenty questions,” Harry suggested, taking his hand off her cheek. “To help me figure out who you are.”

“Twenty?” Hermione asked, smiling. “How ‘bout ten?”

“I’ll take what I can get,” Harry conceded, putting his hands up. “First question; Where did you get that stunning dress?”

“In a little store in Hogsmeade; it’s owned by Madam Greyrose,” Hermione answered.

“There’s no such store,” Harry said, confused. “I know all the stores in Hogsmeade, and there’s not one owned by a Madam Greyrose.”

Well, I’ve never seen it before, either, Hermione thought. I’ll have to talk to Ginny about that.

“Next question,” Hermione said. Harry got off the bench and offered her his hand. She took it, and they began walking around the corridors.

“What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?” Harry asked.

“I snuck out of my dorm after hours and wandered the corridors,” Hermione said. “That’s how I found the notebook.”

Harry chuckled. “Alright,” he said. “What’s your favorite thing to do on a stormy night?”

“Curl up next to the fire when I’m by myself,” said Hermione. “I like watching the fire flicker, and rise, and eventually burn itself out.”

“Okay,” Harry said, gently stroking the back of her palm with his thumb as they walked. “I’m not sure this counts, but will you sing for me?”

Hermione smiled softly. “Sure,” she said. “Do you want to sit down?” she asked, motioning to the bench that was right next to them. Sitting down, he looked at her. Hermione opened her mouth and began to sing.

I’m so tired of being here,
Suppressed by all my childish fears.
And if you have to leave,
I wish that you would just leave.
Cause your presence still lingers here,
and it won’t leave me alone.
These wounds won’t seem to heal,
this pain is just too real,
there’s just too much that time cannot erase.
When you cried, I’d wipe away all of your tears,
When you’d scream, I’d fight away all of your fears,
And I held your hand through all of these years,
But you still have, all of me.

Once she stopped singing, Harry didn’t move; just stared at her.

“Was it that bad?” Hermione asked softly.

“No, no!” Harry said quickly, getting up and taking her hand again. “I was right about that, too. You have an angelic voice.”

Hermione blushed slightly at his praise. “Next question,” she murmured. Harry stayed silent, thinking for a bit.

“Three things you want to do before you die?” he finally asked.

“Write a novel, fall in love, and travel the world,” said Hermione. “I think that should count as three questions; those are three very good clues to who I am.”

“What?” Harry asked, his eyes wide as he stopped walking to look at her. He sighed. “Fine,” he said. “Then let me think of my last two questions.”

They walked in silence for a bit, wandering aimlessly still holding hands. Suddenly Harry broke the silence.

“Do I have any classes with you?” he asked.

“A couple, I think,” Hermione said evasively. “And the last question is…?”

“Do you think you made the right decision meeting me tonight?” asked Harry, turning to face her and taking both of her hands in his.

“I do,” Hermione answered, squeezing his hands lightly. “And do you, Harry Potter, ever want to see me again?”

Harry let go of Hermione’s left hand, moving it up to cup her cheek again. The two of them slowly got closer together; Harry leaned in and gently kissed her. Hermione kissed back, in a daze.

I’m kissing Harry Potter, I’m kissing Harry Potter, I’m kissing Harry Potter, she repeated over and over again in her mind. Harry moved both his hands, letting them rest around her waist. She, in turn, moved her hands up his chest and wrapped them around his neck. His tongue was just about to snake across her bottom lip when Hermione heard heels clacking down the hallway.

“Sorry to interrupt your little love fest over here,” Ginny said rather loudly, making the two of them break apart. “But Cinderella has to go home now.”

“One second, Gin,” Hermione said, her eyes never leaving Harry’s.

“You’re a friend of Ginny’s?” Harry asked softly.

“Yes,” she answered. “So now you know eleven things about me. But before I go, what’s your answer to my question?”

“Absolutely,” he whispered. Smiling, Hermione gave him one last peck on the lips before running back down the corridors with Ginny; the sound of their heels slowly fading into the distance.

~*~

“Hey, Gin?” Hermione asked, lying down on her bed.

“Yeah?” Ginny said.

“You know that phrase ‘slipped on a kiss and fell in love’?” Hermione stared at the ceiling, a blank look on her face.

“Yeah…” said Ginny.

“Well it doesn’t work here,” Hermione said, pouting. “Because I was already in love with him. I'm glad we had that 'pull me out at midnight' thing. He would've figured out it was me within the next couple minutes, and that would have been bad. This isn’t fair.”

“What’s not fair?” Ginny asked, slightly confused.

“Harry can’t love me back!” Hermione exclaimed, hitting her bed with her fist. “This is a one sided relationship. When he figures out it’s me, he’ll most likely apologize for the mistake, saying that we’re best friends and that’s it and—”

“Hermione,” Ginny said lightly. “You’re rambling. Relax. He might love you back. You’ll never know until you try.”

“Stop sounding like a stupid fortune cookie,” Hermione grumbled.

“So what are you going to do?” Ginny asked.

“… Nothing,” Hermione answered. “I’m not going to do anything. I’ll try to back away for a bit,” she thought for a minute. “Actually, I think I might try to figure out if Harry could ever love his bookwormish best friend.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

ohyeah, this story gets more original after this chapter- not so much like “A Cinderella Story.” please leave a few words, if you have time. (:

hey theree ! i got my computer fixed. muahahh. yay me. so I’m working on a new fic, which has a type of plot. sortof. it’s also lots of romantic stuff. i think i don’t like to write drama cause i deal with enough of it as it is. with that fic, i just need to fix a few problems with my logic. so enjoy chapter seven, for any of you who actually read this… thing.

*kisses*

lil_irish_girl

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Previously;

“Actually, I think I might try to figure out if Harry could ever love his bookwormish best friend.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Hiya, Harry,” Hermione said happily, sitting down next to him on the couch. “How are you?”

“Confused,” Harry said, cradling his head in his hands, not bothering to look up.

“What are you confused about?” Hermione asked.

“Girls,” was the simple reply. Hermione laughed softly.

“Well, girls can be confusing,” she said.

“You can say that again,” said Harry, moving his head back and resting it on the back of the couch.

“Well, what’s the problem?” asked Hermione. “Maybe I can help. You know you can trust me with anything.”

Harry opened his shut eyes a fraction, squinting at her. He sighed. “I know, Mione,” he said softly. “Okay, here’s my problem; I think I’m falling in love with a girl I met once.”

Smiling warmly, Hermione put her hand on Harry’s knee. He jumped slightly, then relaxed.

He’s not telling me to get my hand off his knee, Hermione thought. Good sign.

“Who is she?” Hermione asked.

“Here’s the crazy part,” Harry said. “I have no idea.”

“Ahh,” Hermione said. “Mystery lover. What do you like about her?”

“She listens to me,” said Harry. “She’s smart, she doesn’t like me because I’m the bloody Boy-Who-Lived, she’s independent without being annoying, I can talk to her, and her being gorgeous is just a plus.”

Hermione smiled. “How did you meet her?” she asked.

“You’re going to think I’m insane,” Harry said, laughing softly.

“Try me,” Hermione whispered, leaning in towards him.

“I met her through a charmed notebook,” he said in a rush, closing his eyes while he said it. Opening them, he saw her looking at him, a smile on her face.

Her eyes… Harry thought. They look so familiar. But she couldn’t be… it couldn’t be her.

“I don’t think you’re insane,” Hermione said, pressing her forehead against his. “We all do crazy things for love.”

“You can say that again,” said Harry. “Any suggestions on what to do, Mione?”

“Does she know how you feel?” asked Hermione.

“No,” Harry said, shaking his head, his forehead still pressed against hers.

“You might want to tell her,” Hermione suggested. “It couldn’t hurt.”

Harry smiled slightly. “Thanks, Mione,” he said, standing up and pulling her with him. He enveloped her in a hug, his hands going around her waist. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I dunno what I’d do without you,” he whispered.

“I’m sure you’d manage,” Hermione said softly. Harry let out a quiet bark of laughter.

“Barely,” he muttered. Pulling away from her, he smiled and walked up to his dorm.

~*~

JPH: If I tell you something, will you promise to not hit me?

GHJ: I would never hit you; what is it?

JPH: I think I’m falling in love with you.

GHJ: Really?

JPH: Yes. And now I’m afraid I just fucked everything up.

GHJ: You didn’t.

JPH: What do you mean?

GHJ: I mean, I think I’m falling in love with you, too.

~*~

“Ginny!” Hermione exclaimed, sitting on the arm of the chair her friend was currently sitting on.

“Hey there, smiley,” Ginny greeted her, putting her book down. “What’s up?”

“After quite a lot of talking,” Hermione said. “He knows he’s in love with me.”

“Awww!” Ginny squealed. “And he knows you’re in love with him, too, right?”

“Yes,” Hermione said happily. “Now to find a way to show him who I am.”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something,” Ginny said, patting Hermione’s arm.

“So what happened to Mr. Slytherin?” Hermione asked curiously.

“Haven’t talked to him much since the Bash,” Ginny said softly, not looking Hermione in the eye.

“Gin, go,” Hermione commanded, taking the book out of her hands.

“But I just got to a really good part!” Ginny complained.

“Suck it up, buttercup,” Hermione said, smiling. “Go find your boyyyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyyyfriend,” Ginny said. “…yet,” smiling, she got up and walked out of the portrait hole.

~*~

“Mione!” Harry exclaimed, nearly knocking her over as he ran into her.

“Hi to you, too, Harry,” she said, placing her hands on his shoulders so as to steady herself. “What do you need?”

“I told her that I’m in love with her,” Harry said, putting his hands over hers.

“And…?” Hermione urged him.

“She loves me back!” Harry looked like a child at Christmas.

I only hope he’s not too disappointed when he figures out the girl he apparently loves is me, Hermione thought dismally, though she put a smile on her face for show.

“That’s fantastic, Harry!” she said. “I told you; there was nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah,” said Harry. “But now I have to find a way to meet her and actually figure out who she is.”

“Well, have fun with that,” Hermione said, smiling. “I’ve got to go check with Ginny on a couple things, okay? I’ll talk to you later,” with that, she walked out of the portrait hole.

~*~

“Gin? Gin?” Hermione whispered, sticking her head into each aisle of books, looking for the redhead. Looking into the last one, she found Ginny and Draco in a rather heated lip lock.

“I’m sorry,” Hermione said a bit louder than normal. “But I’m not so sure that’s PG,” she motioned to Draco’s hand, which was hovering dangerously close to her bum.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Draco said, turning to face Hermione. “I’m the innocent one here. She’s the one who came in here and practically attacked me.”

“I didn’t hear you complaining,” Ginny murmured, kissing his neck.

“She’s starved for attention from guys,” Hermione told the blonde. “Can’t you tell?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I can see that.”

“Keep her in line?” Hermione said.

“I’m not making any promises,” Draco said before moving Ginny’s face away from his neck and bringing her lips to his. Rolling her eyes, Hermione left them, going to look for another redhead and his girlfriend.

~*~

“What is this, make out city?” Hermione asked as she interrupted Ron and Lauren kissing on a cushioned bench in the Gryffindor common room.

“What?” Ron asked, blinking repeatedly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Well if you’re not snogging, and Lauren’s just trying to play hide and seek, she should find a better hiding place; anyone could find her when she’s basically underneath you.”

“She’s not totally underneath me,” Ron pointed out. “I’m only half on top of her, so there,” he stuck his tongue out at Hermione.

“Yeah, sure,” Hermione said. “Just be aware that there are First and Second years who are probably watching you two.”

When she was gone, Ron looked down at his girlfriend. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes slightly glazed over.

“My dorm?” he asked, slowly getting off her.

“Lead the way,” she said, smiling.

~*~

“Miss Mione, Miss Mione, Miss Mione,” Harry nearly sang as he plopped down in the seat next to her.

“Uh, yes?” Hermione said, putting her book down.

“I need your help,” Harry said, giving her the best puppy dog pout he could muster.

“Alright, alright, I’ll help you,” said Hermione, laughing. “Just stop with that face. What do you need?”

“I need you to help me try to find out who my mystery girl is,” he said, tilting his head to the side as he spoke.

“You do, hmm?” Hermione asked, looking at him. “Well, what clues do you have?”

One by one, Harry told her everything that she had told him the night of the Masquerade Bash. Acting as though it were information, Hermione nodded her head at appropriate times, murmured an “mmhm” occasionally, and pretended to listen intently.

“Can any of that help us?” Harry asked hopelessly, running a hand through his hair.

“Potentially,” Hermione said. Just then, she got an idea to mess with his head. “Harry?” she asked. He raised his head to look at her. “Can you remember the last thing she said to you?”

“Uhhh,” Harry said, looking up at the ceiling as if it would be able to answer the question for him. “Yes. ‘So now you know eleven things about me,’ but how would that help?”

“Eleven,” Hermione said, her eyes sparkling. “She was trying to give you a clue. Eleven. Eleven what, though?”

“Eleven siblings?” Harry tried.

“Eleven huge birthmarks on her face,” said Hermione.

“Eleven letters to her last name,” Harry said.

“Eleven ex-boyfriends.”

“Eleven nicknames.”

“Eleven countries she’s banned in.”

“Eleven… letters to her last name?”

“You already said that,” Hermione said, laughing.

“I know,” Harry said. “You’re starting to scare me, though.”

“Relax,” said Hermione. “The eleven isn’t even a clue. I was just messing with you.”

Harry mock glared at her. “You’re evil,” he told her. She smiled.

“I know,” Hermione repeated. “And I’m not so sure you want me to help you any more; I’ve got a few more ideas to scare you that I plan to execute.”

“No, no,” Harry said quickly. “That’s okay. Go find Ginny, talk to Ginny.” Hermione laughed.

“I’ll go work on some homework,” she said, getting up. “Bye, Harry!” waving and smiling widely, she went up the staircase to her dorm.

“Eleven countries she’s banned in?” Harry murmured, putting his head on the back of the couch. “Oh, Mione’s in for it.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

there we go ! i should have the next chapter up here soon. so look out for it. write a few words, if you have time. please and thank you (:

hello again ! i’m not gonna babble this time, so here’s chapter eight. (:

*kisses*

lil_irish_girl

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Previously;

“Eleven countries she’s banned in?” Harry murmured, putting his head on the back of the couch. “Oh, Mione’s in for it.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

JPH: Please tell me who you are?

GHJ: You’ll meet me soon enough.

JPH: Soon enough isn’t soon enough. I’m driving myself insane. I have to know who you are.

GHJ: I’m working on it. I’ve got a plan- we’ll meet soon.

JPH: Are you sure?

GHJ: Yes, I’m sure! Now, it’s well past two in the morning. Please get some sleep?

JPH: Fine. Work on your plan, though. I have to meet you, and know who you are.

GHJ: ‘Night, Harry.

JPH: Goodnight. Sweet dreams.

~*~

“Mione!” Harry shouted up the girls’ staircase. “Come down here! Quick!”

Hurriedly, the door was opened and there emerged Hermione; still in her pajamas, hair as messy as ever, and her eyes squinty due to lack of sleep.

“What?” she muttered, running a hand through her hair.

She looks pretty even when she’s tired, Harry thought. Wait a minute, this is your best friend. Stop that.

“You’re late,” Harry stated, looking at her. “Class started ten minutes ago.”

“You’re so funny, Harry,” Hermione said dryly, glaring at him. “I set my alarm, it would have gone off,” as she spoke, she glanced at her wristwatch: 10:10 am.

”Oh, my God!” Hermione said, all fatigue gone. “I’m late!”

Rushing back into her dorm room, Hermione hurriedly grabbed clothes and, still putting them on, rushed out her door, book bag slung over her shoulder.

“Ooh, Vector is gonna kill me,” she muttered, pulling her hair up into a ponytail. She was at the portrait hole when Harry spoke.

“And Hermione?” he said, looking up from his book.

“What?” Hermione asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“It’s Saturday.”

Hermione froze in her tracks. Looking at her watch again, she noticed SAT in the corner of the screen.

“Harry!” she yelled. “Why on earth did you do that?”

“’Eleven countries she’s banned in,’” Harry muttered, looking at her.

“This… this was just payback for my messing with you yesterday?” Hermione asked, raising her eyebrow.

“Pretty much,” Harry said, but he was unable to say anything else because Hermione dropped her book bag and tackled him, bringing him to the floor.

“Harry—James—Potter—I—can’t—believe—you’d—be—so—stupid,” she muttered, gently hitting his chest as she straddled his middle. Harry couldn’t help it— he started laughing.

“What? Why are you—?” Hermione asked, confused. But watching him laugh was contagious, and pretty soon she was laughing as well, falling on top of him.

“You have to admit that was funny,” he said softly, brushing some of her hair out of his face.

“Only somewhat,” Hermione said, listening to his voice rumble in his chest. “You know how much I hate being late to class.”

“And you know how scared I get when someone tells me that the girl I’m in love with has been banned in eleven countries,” Harry said.

“I didn’t know that,” Hermione said innocently, raising her head to look at him.

“Well now you do,” said Harry. “So don’t ever do that again.”

“I won’t if you won’t,” Hermione said.

“Deal,” Harry said, smiling. “Now, if you’d like to get off me…?”

“Oh!” Hermione said, blushing slightly as she got off him. “Sorry.”

“No problem,” Harry said, taking her hand as she helped him up. “Sorry about scaring you like that.”

Hermione didn’t answer at first; she was thinking, her mind wandering aimlessly as it often did. But this time was different- her mind was moving at speeds she couldn’t comprehend. Suddenly, an idea struck her like a ton of bricks.

“Brilliant!” she exclaimed out loud, much to the confusion of the boy who had just apologized to her. “Oh!” she said in realization. “I’m sorry, I was just thinking about something else. Excuse me, will you? I have to go find Ginny,” without waiting for a response, she rushed out of the portrait hole.

~*~

“Hermione… take a deep breath and tell me what you’re so excited about.”

Hermione found Ginny sitting on the grass out by the lake. Grabbing her by the shoulders and hoisting her to her feet, Hermione had begun babbling about God knows what. Nodding her head, Hermione took a few deep breaths and tried again.

“He knows my voice,” she said excitedly.

“Who knows your voice?” Ginny asked.

“Him,” said Hermione.

“Who’s him?” asked Ginny.

“Him!”

“Him who?”

“Harry,” Hermione whispered, her eyes wide.

“Well duh, Harry knows your voice,” Ginny said as if speaking to a five year old. “He’s been your best friend for what, seven years?”

“Not my speaking voice!” Hermione said quickly. “Everyone knows my speaking voice. Harry knows my singing voice.”

“What?” Ginny asked.

“Harry could recognize my singing voice the second he heard it!”

“You see this?” Ginny said, pointing to her face. “This is my confused face. I don’t like my confused face. Fix it.”

Sighing and rolling her eyes, Hermione leaned in and began whispering in her friend’s ear. Once she was finished explaining, Hermione moved away, looking into Ginny’s eyes.

“You’re insane,” Ginny said, laughing slightly.

“We all do crazy things when we’re in love,” Hermione said helplessly, giving Ginny puppy dog eyes. “Will you do it for me?”

“Fine,” Ginny conceded. “But only ‘cause I love you.”

“I love you bigger,” Hermione said happily, hugging Ginny. “Just make sure it happens soon, okay? I don’t think I can take it much longer.”

~*~

“What’s this load of rubbish?” Ron asked, stopping in the middle of the hallway to look at a giant poster that had been plastered to the wall;

HAVE VOICE: WILL SING ?
HOGWARTS IS HAVING A KARAOKE NIGHT !
THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
FROM: 7 PM TO ?

“It’s not rubbish,” Lauren said, squeezing his hand lightly. “I think it’s a fantastic idea.”

“Yeah, well no way in hell am I singing in front of everyone,” Ron said indignantly.

“You don’t have to,” said Lauren. “But I am making you go and listen to me.”

“You don’t have to force me to go and listen to my girlfriend sing,” said Ron. “I’ll go willingly.”

“Good,” Lauren said, standing on tiptoe to kiss him softly. “Now let’s go get breakfast; I’m hungry.”

~*~

JPH: Have you seen all the posters around Hogwarts lately?

GHJ: Yeah, a karaoke night. If I tell you something, do you promise to keep it a secret?

JPH: Sure; what is it?

GHJ: It was my idea.

JPH: Yours? That’s a fantastic idea!

GHJ: Thanks. I figured it’s the perfect way for you to find out who I am.

JPH: What do you mean?

GHJ: You know my singing voice, don’t you?

JPH: Yeah. I could recognize it in a second.

GHJ: Exactly. When I start singing; you’ll know who I am.

JPH: Just like that?

GHJ: Just like that.

~*~

“What song to sing?” Hermione murmured to herself, lying on her bed, thinking about what she could possibly sing for karaoke night.

“This is so unorganized of me,” she reprimanded herself. “Karaoke night is tomorrow night, and I have nothing planned.”

Sighing, she opened her nightstand drawer and took out her Muggle iPod; her parents had bought it for her the previous Christmas. Turning it on, she switched it to “shuffle,” listening to every song she hit. Once the first few bars of a song started playing, Hermione sat up.

“This is the one,” she said. “This song is perfect.”

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if you have a minute, please write your thoughts. (:

Hey there ! I’m back- with the final chapter for Charmed. I’ve been working diligently on my next fic. Before you read it, though, you’ll have to read the super-important authors note before it; because there are several little points I have to make. Enough rambling- if you have any comments, questions, or concerns that don’t directly relate to my fics, feel free to email me. I promise I’ll reply (: enjoy chapter nine !

xo,

michelle

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Previously;

“This is the one,” she said. “I have to sing this song.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

“All I wanna do is find a way back into love,” a Third year sang, hitting a few wrong notes.

“This is torture,” Ron whispered, leaning over so only Harry could hear. “Very very cruel torture.” Harry chuckled.

“She’s not that bad for a Third year,” he said.

“You know that I’ll be there for you in the end,” the girl finished, her last note wavering unsteadily.

There was a small smattering of applause; she ran off stage. Then a few boys came on, all around Fourth or Fifth year. They were setting up band instruments.

“This should be interesting,” Harry said.

“Move your body like a hairy troll, learnin to rock and roll,” the boy in front yelled, closing his eyes for emphasis. “Spin around like a crazy elf, a’dancin’ by himself. Boogie down like a unicorn, no stoppin’ till the break of dawn. Put your hands up in the air, like an ogre, just don’t care.”

“Can you dance like a hippogriff?” Ron sang under his breath in time with the band. “Na na na, na na na, na na na. Flyin’ off from a cliff—” he stopped when he saw Harry staring at him.

“I like this song,” Ron said simply. When the band had finished, all of their friends cheered frantically. Taking dramatic bows, they jumped off stage. Harry and Ron spent a couple minutes discussing the boys’ band tactics, but were cut off by a pretty alto voice.

If there were no words, no way to speak,
I would still hear you.
If there were no tears, no way to feel inside,
I’d still feel for you,
And even if the sun refuse to shine,
Even if romance ran out of rhyme,
You would still have my heart until the end of time.
You’re all I need, my love, my Valentine.

“That’s my girlfriend,” Ron said softly, entranced by Lauren’s performance. Throughout the entire song, it seemed as if her eyes were glued to his. When she had finished, Ron stood up, clapping like a madman. Lauren curtsied, then returned to her place beside Ron.

Harry was so engrossed with talking to Lauren about how great she did, he didn’t notice the young woman making her way onto the stage. Through the first few bars of music, he didn’t pay attention either. It wasn’t until she began to sing did he realize it was her.

I’ve never been the kind that you’d call lucky,
Always stumbling around in circles.
But I must have stumbled into something,
Look at me, am I really alone with you?

“Mione?” Harry whispered incredulously.

~*~

I wake up feeling like my life’s worth living,
Can’t recall when I’ve last felt that way.

Hermione’s eyes seemed to look anywhere but at Harry while she was singing. Harry, on the other hand, was finding it hard to look away from the brunette on stage.

Guess it must be all this love you’re giving,
Never knew, never knew, it could be like this.
But I guess some hearts they just get all the right breaks,
Some hearts have the stars on their side.
Some hearts, they just have it so easy,
Some hearts just get lucky sometimes.
Some hearts just get lucky, lucky sometimes.

“Ron?” Harry asked, nudging his friend in the side. “Who’s that singing up there?”

“It’s Mione,” Ron murmured, in a tone that suggested even he couldn’t believe it. “Who would’ve thought she had such a voice?”

It makes sense, Harry thought. She knows me better than I know myself. That hair, those eyes, her smile, everything. She’s the one. He turned his attention back to her.

Even hearts like mine, get lucky, lucky sometimes.

“She’s always been there for me,” Harry whispered to himself, hardly audible. “Never criticizing, never doubting. Always loving; no matter what.”

Some hearts they just get all the right breaks,
Some hearts have the stars on their side, yes.
Some hearts, they just have it so easy,
Some hearts just get lucky sometimes,
Some hearts just get lucky sometimes.

Holding her last note for a bit longer than expected, she finished singing and was greeted with tumultuous applause. Nearly half the crowd stood up, still clapping. Blushing crimson, Hermione smiled and waved; still avoiding Harry’s gaze.

After her performance, no one dared go after her. Karaoke Night ended somewhere around midnight, though no one left. They stayed, talked, and joked around a bit. Hermione seemed to be the center of attention; everyone kept asking her where she got such a voice.

“Were you hiding under a rock all this time?” Seamus asked, putting a friendly arm around her shoulder. “Honestly, though, that was fantastic.”

“Thank you, Seamus,” Hermione said softly.

Ginny broke into the group that had gathered around Hermione, and gently tugged on her arm.

“Mione, hun, I’d like to have a word with you, if you don’t mind,” she said sweetly, though her eyes meant business.

“Yeah, sure,” Hermione said. “Excuse me,” she said as she followed Ginny out towards the other end of the Great Hall.

“What’s the deal?” she asked, looking at her friend.

“You have made a certain boy very flustered,” Ginny said, her eyes playful. “And he has no idea what to do anymore.”

“I did that?” Hermione asked, blushing slightly. “I didn’t mean to, honest.”

“I know you didn’t,” said Ginny softly. “If I may offer my opinion, I think Harry might have already been in love with you; this whole ordeal just made the possibility of you two seem more real.”

“I don’t think he’ll be very happy with me,” Hermione said nervously. “I probably should have just come right out and told him it was me.”

“I’m sure he’ll be fine with it,” Ginny soothed. “It’s never as bad as it seems.”

“Easy for you to say,” said Hermione. “Your boyfriend just popped up and asked you out. My case- I figured out he’s in love with me through a bloody charmed notebook.”

“Relax,” Ginny said. “Maybe he won’t make a big deal out of it. You’re fine; don’t worry.”

“There you are,” a voice said, coming up behind Ginny and wrapping his arms around her waist. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“Draco,” Hermione said. “I need your input.”

“Expect sarcasm,” Draco answered, his eyes mischievous. “What do you need?”

“I fell in love with my best friend, and he was in love with me, too; but he had no idea who I was. He found out who I was tonight because he heard me sing. What might his reaction be?”

“Glad that he didn’t fall in love with some ugly oaf,” Draco said simply. Ginny hit him lightly on the arm; his expression softened. “Actually, I have no idea what his reaction could be. I’m sorry to not be any help.”

“It’s fine,” Hermione said softly. “I just hope he’s not too mad at me.”

“Uh, Mione?” came a voice behind Hermione. She turned around to see Harry. “Can I talk to you, alone?” he asked.

“Sure,” she said. He took her hand and gently led her to just outside the Great Hall. He turned to face her, but before he could speak she began rambling.

“Look,” she said. “I know what you’re going to say; that I should have just been honest with you from the start and that you couldn’t fall in love with me. We’re best friends and nothing more and even though I don’t like it I’ll come to accept it and—”

“Mione,” Harry whispered. Hermione looked up at him; he gently framed her face with his hands. Leaning in, he kissed her, giving her the opportunity to pull away. It soon became obvious that she didn’t plan to, however; her hands tangled themselves in his hair as she returned the kiss. His hands moved to her neck, occasionally brushing her cheek with his thumb. Pulling away, Harry looked into her eyes.

“I wanted it to be you,” he whispered. Smiling, she kissed him, immediately brushing her tongue against his bottom lip. He opened his mouth to her, and tongues playfully battled for dominance. Pulling apart after a few minutes, they walked back into the Great Hall hand-in-hand.

Harry took a seat on one of the chairs, Hermione in his lap. They talked; he would occasionally whisper something in her ear that made her laugh. Hermione happily thought that whoever had her notebook last had been right; she had found her true love.

Some hearts just get lucky sometimes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~