A/N: Hi everyone! I got access to the Internet, so I thought I might as well post something.

Ahem. Anyway, Hermione is in her sixth year at Hogwarts while Oliver is in his seventh year. Yes, Oliver is actually four years older than Hermione, but for the purposes of this story, pretend he's only one year older. I don't have Book Five with me, so I won't attempt to continue its storyline when writing this fic because otherwise there might be some wild inaccuracies, and I'd rather not butcher Ms. Rowling's literary work.

Also, this is the first actual story I've written for fanfiction, so go easy on me. I welcome constructive criticism, but not idiotic comments like, "This sucks!"

This fic will have a lot of angst, fluff, and a little bit of light humor, and will eventually be accompanied by the poem I wrote, "Time is Up." Oliver and Hermione's relationship won't begin until chapter five.

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter. The idea to write a companion story for my poem "Time is Up" came from skisolie, one of my reviewers.

CHAPTER ONE: Hermione's Secret

After Dumbledore gave his start-of-the-term speech, the Hogwarts students gratefully sat down to the delicious Hogwarts dinner. Plates filled with steak, potatoes, salad, bread, chicken and fruit, covered the tables. Students dove right into the food, shoving as much food into their mouths as humanly possible. Well, at least Ron did.

A disgusted look spread across Hermione's face, while Harry grinned. "Ron, that's disgusting! Chew your food properly." Ron looked up as if to say "what?" Hermione shook her head and neatly cut a slice of steak. Between Ron's noisy "chewing" and Hermione's glaring, Harry decided to break the mounting tension.

"So," Harry began, "did you two owl your applications to Dumbledore yet?"

Ron nodded and shoved another forkful of potatoes into his already stuffed mouth. Hermione's head shot up, her large brown eyes filled with panic. "W-What did you say, Harry?"

"I asked if you owled your application to Dumbledore yet. You know, the one for the American Academy of Magic." Still seeing the puzzled expression on Hermione's face, Harry added," We all agreed to apply back in May last year."

"When is it due?" Hermione asked, her voice wavering.

Ron swallowed his food. If Hermione hadn't been so worried about the application, she would've been amazed that Ron accomplished this feat considering the amount of food in his mouth.

"It was due last Monday. You turned it in, right?"

Hermione shook her head. "Hermione!" Ron and Harry groaned. Hermione buried her face in her hands, trying to hide her tears.

"I've been planning to go to this academy since second year. I-I have to attend this school in order to be accepted at Meridian Magic University! They'll never accept me now!" Hermione wailed.

Ron and Harry patted her back, trying to calm her down. "Shh. Hermione, after dinner, we'll talk to Dumbledore. Just hand him your application and he'll probably still accept it."

More tears rushed down Hermione's face, earning her a few more stares from the students around her, including one boy who watched her with concern. "No, he won't because I haven't even written the accompanying essays." (A/N: There is actually a very good reason of why she's crying. She isn't being a wimp.)

Something was definitely wrong with Hermione. She was always the first one of the trio to complete her essays especially when it concerned her future at Meridian Magic University- the most prestigious university in the wizarding world. It was also a bit odd for her to cry over this even though it concerned her future; she rarely cried hysterically these days. The boys expected her to frown, appear disappointed, or sigh heavily. Instead, she was practically bawling.

"Er, Hermione, are you okay? It is a bit curious that you forgot something this important," Ron asked warily. This only made Hermione sob harder, which earned Ron a glare from Harry. Ron began to wonder why everyone was always glaring at him.

Harry enveloped the sobbing Hermione in a hug. "Do you want to go back to the common room?"

Hermione nodded meekly as the two boys led her to the common room, trying to ward off the curious stares. Finally, they guided her to her favorite chair and handed her a box of tissues.

Harry knelt down, so he was eye-to-eye with Hermione, while Ron patted her shoulder uncomfortably. Ron was used to her yelling at him, not crying uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Harry cleared his throat and began speaking.

"Hermione, why are you really crying? You don't need to go to some study abroad program to get into Meridian. Believe me, you are more than qualified. You are the most brilliant student, friend, and human being at Hogwarts. No, I take that back. You are the most wonderful person in the entire universe. Meridian would have to be absolutely mad not to accept you."

Another torrent of tears poured down Hermione's blotchy face. Ron glared at Harry. It was about time someone else was on the receiving end. Hmmm... this is fun. I better glare harder. I might not get another chance. After a couple of minutes had passed, Ron finally remembered why he was glaring in the first place. "Nice going Harry," he said sarcastically.

Hermione blew her nose. "No, Ron. It's quite all right. I was just so touched by Harry's speech. Thank you, Harry." She hugged Harry.

"No problem. So, why are you really crying?"

"Well-" Hermione began hesitantly.

"Go on," Ron prodded.

"I'm really tired. I'll tell you guys in the morning, all right? I promise," Hermione said as she wiped away a few more tears and ran up the stairs to the girls' dormitory. Harry and Ron exchanged confused glances and shrugged. "What was that about?" Ron asked, scratching his head.

Harry shook his head. "I don't know. All I know is I can't think on an empty stomach. Let's go back to dinner and then maybe we'll figure out what's going on with Hermione." Ron agreed and followed Harry back to dinner.

-Back at dinner-

"What do you think is wrong with her, Harry? She never acted this way before. She's not being very er, Hermione-ish," Ron asked as he shoved another spoonful of black pudding into his mouth.

Harry cut a slice of ham. "Hermione-ish?" Harry asked, amused.

"Yeah, Hermione-ish. You know, she's usually a know-it-all who finishes her assignments weeks before they're due, and now she's forgotten to write a couple of essays that could change the course of her life? Now I could be wrong, but I suspect Hermione's recent peculiar deportment is a result of years of oppression of her insecurities. Furthermore, her propensity towards academic excellence is merely a façade to conceal her obvious insecurities in order to obtain the reverence of her colleagues. Now she is no longer able to maintain this act of hers, and as a result, she is behaving in a most unusual manner." (A/N: I'm too lazy to write something analytical that makes sense. All you need to know is that Ron is actually smart, but he prefers to show is goofy side more often.)

Harry stared at Ron in amazement. Ron didn't usually speak so eloquently, nor did he demonstrate such perceptiveness in the behavior of others. Harry could feel his respect and admiration for his friend rise considerably.

Ron shoved a mouthful of steak and potatoes into his mouth, attempting to keep his mouth closed as he chewed. Bits of food flew out from his mouth when he tried to speak.

"Hewy, you wannaplaybizard'schesslater?" Ron asked as he struggled to chew.

Harry nodded dumbly, wondering how Ron could go from being an intellectual to being his old goofy self in a matter of seconds.

A/N: Well, that's the first chapter. The real reason for Hermione's crying will be revealed soon. Please review!