Warning Sign

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and company. The plot is mine.

Author's Note: Many thanks to all those who are reviewing! Here is chapter six. A little shorter than others but hey, it's an update right? Please review.

Chapter 6

Comfortable

I can't sleep. This is nothing new. Sleep has eluded me much of my life. Someone once told me it's because I can't turn my brain off---I think too much. This is probably true. My mind keeps going long after the rest of me stops.

Tonight though, it's not work related. It's not even saving the world related. It's just Harry. Just Harry. If only it were that simple.

The past few weeks have been both wonderful and dreadful. For two months I have seen Harry just about everyday. His twice a week lunch visits have somehow become an everyday thing. Dinner is often at his place although I do cook at mine some. Weekends are spent at the movies or exploring the city. Since he never got to see much of it growing up, I am showing him my favorite spots. Anyone on the outside would immediately assume we are together. I'm sure we look like a unit—moving together as one.

Everything had been just as it was. I'm sure this is how it would have been had he not escaped to wherever it was. We are friends—best friends who rely on each other everyday.

That's not to say there haven't been awkward moments. There have been plenty of awkward moments. Like waking up from falling asleep during a movie and finding my head on his shoulder; his hand combing through my hair. Looking up to see him staring at me with a small smile on his lips. Or reaching for the same glass in a cabinet while cooking dinner together. Sometimes we're pushed together in a crowd. All of your basic cheesy romance novel scenes. These were happening to me.

The most boring tasks are now exciting. Buying groceries was now something I looked forward to since he usually went along with me to get his. Mundane. That's what we are. We're turning into creatures of habit. No more chasing bad guys or solving a mystery together in a darken library. We're now doing simple everyday tasks together.

I begin making lists in my head of people who are assuming too much. My parents think there is something going on. Especially my mother. Ron says we act like an old married couple. Ginny just smiles knowingly at me when she sees us together. I want to, no need to, believe that nothing is going on. We're just two friends doing comfortable, mundane things together. After all, he hasn't made a move or done anything to say otherwise. We're obviously just friends….right?

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“Why is it whenever I'm home, I end up doing the dishes for my parents? And what is with the `don't use any magic'? I mean seriously?” I gestured at the task before us sighing. We were at my parents for their monthly dinner and this was Harry's third time in joining us.

“It's a conspiracy to get us alone.” Harry whispers while grinning deviously at me.

I toss some suds at him. “In your dreams Potter.”

“Obviously in yours too.”

The dish I was drying dropped back into the sink. My stomach drops and I feel my throat close up. `Oh god, oh god, oh god!' I'm not the easy to read am I? Some how my plan of being strong, aloof, and not falling back into those thoughts was shot to hell. Dreams continued to plague me every night. When it comes to Harry, my subconscious has no willpower what so ever.

“I'm only kidding `Mione. Although your reaction makes me curious now.”

I could tell he was watching me. I kept my head down and concentrated on the cleaning of the dishes. “Curiosity killed the cat Harry.” My voice was soft.

“Lucky I'm not a cat.” Smugness laced his words. I looked up to see him smirking at me. Damn him! He could be so frustrating. All this time together and nothing happens. I start to count on him being here and us remaining friends, then he starts up with this…..this flirting.

“Harry, just stop. This isn't going to work.” I started drying the dishes harder than necessary. “It might have a couple of years ago, but those days are gone. Not anymore. I've moved on.” I threw down the towel and went to the door leading outside. I couldn't stay in this small room with him any longer. I needed air and a chance to collect myself. Suddenly I felt his grip around my upper arm and was forced to turn around. He was so close and his eyes were so green.

“What do you mean a couple of years ago? Not anymore?” His brow was furrowed in confusion. I wanted to trace the line and make it disappear.

I tried yanking my arm free, but it was no use. “It doesn't matter now.” How could I have been stupid enough to say that?

“Are you saying you might have felt something for me? You use to?” The look in his eyes was fierce.

“I'm not saying anything.” I was tempted though to stomp on his foot so I could escape. Luckily he let go. His whole being suddenly seemed defeated. I began to walk away, but his voice stopped me.

“Hermione,” determination clouded his face, “this isn't over.” And with that he brushed past me and went outside to where my parents were seated leaving me with a feeling of dread at was to come.

I hope you liked it, again let me know. Thanks for reading.