A/N: Hey everyone, first of all I want to say thank you for your response, and for those people who don't like the story, I accept constructive criticism, but if you're going to say something bad then don't say anything because I won't even bother to reply next time. Seriously, if you disagree with the story move on to the next one, there are a lot of good stories here, so stop being cruel and do something useful with your time rather than throwing flames at me. I just wanted to make that clear.
Second of all, I don't think I'll be able to post another chapter next week since it will be the last chapter, it's not written yet, and I don't have time to write this week since I have 4 tests throughout the week, so I'm sorry for those of you who patiently wait for me. Anyway, I'll stop the rant now, I hope this chapter somewhat makes up for the last, since I received mixed reviews about it. Tell me what you think with a review! Have a nice week!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all recognizable characters are the property of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros, Bloomsbury, Scholastic, etc. I have no intent on making money out of this, just a way of releasing some stress.
--
"I don't understand how you do it," Emily, Hermione's classmate said as they sat down on the latter's kitchen for a cup of tea. It was 3:45p.m. of a windy November day and they had just gotten out of a particularly difficult test, "how did you even know the answer of question 35? I didn't even know what they were talking about," the girl complained.
"I told you to read with me before class that passage from the book," Hermione gently reprimanded her friend as Harry sat down with them as well.
"I guess you did well," he chuckled, referring to his long time friend. Emily bit her lips to stifle a laugh.
"I did," Hermione said, shrugging a little, "but it was because of all the hard work and studying that I did."
"Oh, as if I didn't study with you!" Emily said, narrowing her eyes.
"You did, but I told you that doing a little summary of the book would've helped a bit more," Hermione said slowly as if talking to a little child.
"100 pages is not a 'little summary'," Emily mimicked Hermione in a high pitched voice. Harry laughed.
"It doesn't matter, now you've learned the lesson," Hermione simply said, and Emily huffed.
"Don't worry, she's always been like this, you just need to be patient," Harry said with a smirk, and Hermione stuck her tongue out at him. He simply rolled his eyes.
"Very patient," Emily said, and it was Hermione's turn to narrow her eyes at her.
"Well, as interesting as this chat is, I have to go. I'm visiting the Weasleys, but I was waiting to see how you did," Harry commented and as he got up, he gave Hermione a brief kiss on the top of her head before bidding Emily good bye and heading out for the door. When the two of them heard it shut, Emily turned to Hermione with bright eyes.
"What?" Hermione asked, looking suspiciously at her new friend.
"So, you and Harry..."
"I already told you there's nothing between us," she said, clearly exasperated. They had touched that subject many times.
"Oh come on! The guy's so sweet to you, he spends most of the time here with you, and he barely goes to sleep at his own flat anymore..."
"He just stays too late here and I don't want him to go alone at such hours," Hermione interrupted her.
"He even has his own bedroom," Emily continued, completely ignoring Hermione. "And he's so devoted to you, not to mention he's incredibly gorgeous..."
"Okay, stop!" Hermione said before the matter got out of her hands. "He's my friend, my best friend. How can he not be nice to me?"
"Not nice, devoted to you," Emily said, rolling her eyes. "Come on Hermione, with a friend like that I would've jumped his bones ages ago."
"It's not that simple, I sort of dated our other best friend. Do you know how weird that would be?"
"A kiss is not the same as dating; it was a bloody kiss, get over it!" Emily emphasized with her hands. "Besides, you haven't talked to the guy in ages and you said yourself you didn't feel anything like that for him anymore."
"I know, it's just..."
"What? What's getting between you and that hunky friend of yours?" Emily asked and Hermione rolled her eyes. Ever since they'd met Emily had shown a lot of interest in Harry. She'd said that he was absolutely handsome and that she would go for him, but the minute she saw the way he and Hermione were to each other, Emily had backed off. Since then she insisted on the two of them to get together.
"It's different. Harry's been like my first best friend and I don't want anything to ruin that. His friendship means the world to me and if I'd lose it I wouldn't know what to do."
"But think of the things you would gain if you give it a try," Emily insisted and Hermione shook her head. "For instance, you could kiss him..."
"Oh stop it," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. She suddenly found the conversation pointless. "Is that all you can think about?"
"Not really," Emily answered, wiggling her eyebrows and Hermione blushed at the meaning behind her words.
"Emily!" she scolded, sipping her very cold and forgotten tea to hide the new red color adorning her cheeks.
"You asked," her friend replied innocently, mimicking her actions. "Oh, this is cold," she muttered as she set the cup down.
"Honestly, Harry and I are just friends and that's all we've ever going to be."
"But you wouldn't mind being more than just friends, would you?" Emily asked and Hermione almost choked on her horrible tea. She was definitely not expecting that question.
"What are you talking about?" Hermione answered with a question of her own as she gave a shrilly (and false) laugh.
"Oh, so you have thought about it," Emily replied, trying very hard not to smirk.
"No I haven't," Hermione said, standing up, "I'm going to make some more tea," she announced as she went over to the stove and put a kettle with water on it.
"Hermione Granger, you are such a bad liar," Emily's voice said from the back. Hermione pretended to be very busy examining the kettle. Her friend rounded on her and they were now face to face. "Look, I have an idea. I know it must be tough to have all this feelings for your best mate but it can be a good thing."
"I don't..."
"Now, I want you to do something," Emily continued talking, pulling Hermione back to her seat and sitting herself next to her, "I know how much you love experiments, and even more to research for data that will ultimately back up your original hypothesis, right?"
"Er... right," Hermione repeated, clearly confused. Where was she going with this?
"So, I want you to see this as an experiment. The question, is it a good idea to get together with Harry? The research, look for all the positive and negative things of getting into a relationship with him. The hypothesis, do you feel something other than repugnance when you snog Harry senseless? Analyze your data and make a conclusion about it. And finally, tell me, but more important, tell him why it's such a good idea, because I know those are going to be the results!" she finished smugly.
"Em..."
"Oh, don't forget to record every step of it!" her friend said excitedly and Hermione frowned.
"I can't just do that."
"Of course you can," her friend stated matter-of-factly. Now Hermione knew why people were so irritated when she talked like that, "you like to approach everything in an analytical and methodical way, so why would this be any different? Just do it and you'll be surprised with the results." Emily smiled and she looked down at her watch. "Oh, darn, I have to go, the folks are waiting for me for this ridiculous tea party with the neighbors," she said, rolling her eyes. She got up and grabbed her things. "See you tomorrow in class," she said and went for the door. She stopped and turned around. "Oh, and Hermione, don't forget to put your theory into practice, okay?" She winked and with that she was gone.
Hermione sat there motionless for a long while, thinking of all the things Emily had told her. It was a horrible idea; she couldn't risk her friendship with Harry like that, could she? But if I analyze all the variables... she thought but shook her head. This is not happening, why do I let her get ideas into my head? Hermione chewed on her bottom lip. This was a horrible idea, but it could be an interesting experiment like her friend had told her. Torn between what to do, Hermione pulled out a notebook and a pen and started to scribble down all the things.
"Pros and cons of being in a romantic relationship with Harry..." she mumbled to herself and with a wave of her wand turned off the stove when the kettle started to hiss that incessant noise.
--
"Hermione?" Harry called when he Apparated back to Hermione's place. He wasn't sure if her friend was still there, and he hoped not, he needed to give her something very important that would surely make her all teary-eyed. When he got no response he checked the living room, the dining room, the library, and he was ready to go to her room when he found her in the kitchen, sitting in the same spot she had been when he'd left 5 hours ago. She was writing down furiously in what appeared to be a notebook and she hadn't realized he was there.
"Hello?" he called again and still she ignored him. Frowning, Harry went over to her and put a hand to her
shoulder that made her jump and before he knew it she was pointing her wand at him.
"Harry, what the hell?" Hermione said, putting down her wand as soon as she realized who he was and looking at him warily.
"Merlin, relax, it's just me!" he said, looking at her alarmed. Hermione relaxed her posture and sat down again but turning around to see him.
"I'm sorry, I was concentrated in something," she said, shrugging.
"I can see that," Harry chuckled. "So, what are you working on?" he asked, craning his neck to see behind her. Immediately, Hermione turned around and closed the notebook in a quick movement.
"Nothing!" she answered and she pointed her wand at it. A soft yellow glow surrounded the book for a moment and then it vanished.
"I don't think it's nothing if you're putting protective charms on it," he commented with a grin. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Fine, if you don't want to tell me I won't ask again," he said unabashed, going to the fridge and opening it to get a bottle of juice. He failed to see the way Hermione was contemplating him. "So, the Weasleys sent their regards, they want to see if you're free next Friday for dinner," he commented as he opened the bottle and took a swig of it. When no response came, he turned around to find Hermione sitting with her back to the table, a look of concentration on her face.
"Anything wrong?" he asked warily. Hermione bit her bottom lip.
"Can I ask you something?" she said, her brow furrowed.
"Sure," he replied as he took another swig of his juice.
"I'm doing an experiment, it's kind of important. Would you mind helping me proving a theory?" she exclaimed and waited for his response. Harry finished his juice, put the bottle on the counter and looked back at her.
"Sure, no problem. As long as it's not pulling a tooth out of my mouth..." he joked but Hermione didn't smile. Instead, she got up and went over to him, a look of determination on her face.
"This won't take long," she simply said.
"Alright, what do you..." Harry started but got cut off when Hermione pressed her lips swiftly to his. His eyes opened wide enough to feel they were popping out of his face. And before he could pull back Hermione pushed herself more against him and put her hands around his neck. He stood there shocked to the very core, trying to reason what on earth his best friend was doing before she pressed her lips harder against his and involuntarily his eyes snapped shut. Harry fought hard to remain reasonable, but his friend was making it a very difficult task for him.
--
Hermione had been on the verge of a heart attack the moment Harry'd touched her shoulder. She'd thought an intruder had come inside and she wanted to reprimand herself for not having noticed this happening. But then she'd seen the scared look on Harry's face and her heart, which she thought would stop beating fast after getting such a fright, doubled its pace and she fought hard not to blush. She'd sat down and had almost forgotten her notebook, full of useless notes (because that's what they were), until he had asked about it. Horrified about thinking he could actually see what she'd written, Hermione launched herself to the table to close it and secure it with some useful protective charms she'd learned while studying at Hogwarts.
Clearly defeated, Harry then had began to talk about nonsense and she couldn't concentrate on anything he was saying because she was busy staring at his bum. Not once in her life had she stop to have a look at it, a really good look at it, but now that she was staring straight at his behind she couldn't stop doing it. And so began her inner debate, why was she suddenly looking at his bum? She'd never done that before, but she was now. And she started to blame Emily for having pointed out that Harry was good looking. Really, she had grown up with him; she'd been so used to his presence that never once had she thought about him in such a non-platonic way. She wanted to stop thinking about him, and she scolded herself for letting Emily get into her head the idea of the stupid experiment.
She'd been working on it all afternoon, neglecting her homework, and now she was almost done. She needed to prove her theory, her hypothesis, and now that Harry was here she could do just that. Taking a deep breath, she'd asked him to help her out. He'd said yes without even asking what it was about. So she'd went over to him, and without really telling him what was on her mind, she'd pushed herself against him, and now she was kissing him.
Honestly, this could be the worst idea she'd ever had, or she'd ever let someone get her into, but now she was in Harry Potter's, her best friend's arms, and she found herself enjoying it. She'd been surprised the moment their lips made contact but it was soon replaced by this new sensation. She couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly, only that it felt good, so the more reasonable thing to do was to prove her theory.
Snog Harry senseless echoed in her mind over and over again, in what was clearly Emily's voice. She would hit her hard once she was done here. For now, she would concentrate on that, and she would prove Emily how wrong she was on it.
She stopped planning how to make her friend pay when Harry's arms found their way around her waist, and her little yelp was muffled by Harry's lips as they started to move on their own accord against her.
Harry was kissing her back! She thought he'd pushed her after the initial shock, but now she was surprised that he was responding (and quite eagerly) to her little experiment. He pulled her closer to him and Hermione put her hands on his hair, combing it with her fingers and feeling its texture. Harry turned them both around so she was now pressed against the counter, and Hermione's head went reeling. This kiss was not what she had expected, not the simple and innocent and repugnant kiss she'd thought it would be, but the hot, passionate and mind blowing kiss they were currently engaged in. Harry's hands flew to the counter, pressing himself harder against her, and Hermione gasped. She pulled his head closer to hers with her hands and her eyes opened in shock when she registered Harry's tongue probing its entrance to her mouth. Without even realizing it, her mouth flew open and Harry snaked his tongue into it, the little devil tracing every tooth, every space inside it, and finally touching her own tongue with his. Hermione didn't budge; her tongue started to play with his, and soon they were engaged in this frantic battle, their tongues entwining and pushing and licking and their teeth scraping and biting.
They continued for as long as their lungs would let them, but when Hermione thought she would pass out from lack of oxygen, she pulled away, her breathing erratic and her heart beat faster and louder (or so she thought) than ever. They stood there, in each other's arms for a little while, trying to regain a normal breathing, when Hermione came to her senses and gently pulled Harry away.
"Er... thanks Harry, that would be all," she said in a shrilly voice and, as she disengaged herself from him, went to retrieve her notebook, lying forgotten on the kitchen table, and without looking back she walked to the kitchen door, went up the stairs, and shut herself in her bedroom.
Harry stood there for a long time, trying to regain some sense, and when he did, he Disapparated back home.
-->