Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and such. The plot is mine as well as the actions of the characters(and I know some of them should have graduated but they didn't! so...)

Please R/R, no flames, just constructive criticism

H/HR

The sun shone brightly through the small window, cascading across the circular room and engulfing five beds with its warm glow.

There was a stirring in one of the beds and Hermione's head slowly emerged from under the covers. She looked like she was just waking from a drug-induced sleep, her hair matted on one side while the other side stuck out at odd angles. She had dark circles under her eyes, which she sleepily rubbed. Glancing at the clock that read 7:oo am, she pulled her legs out from under her blankets and swung them off the bed, wiggling her toes. She peered at the other four beds, recognizing the lumps under the covers as Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, Ginny Weasley, and Katie Bell.

"Hey guys…"she said," Time to get up. We've got an hour and a half till classes start!"

Slowly, the other girls moved and sat up in the same fashion Hermione had. The reason for their grogginess was that they stayed up late last night, celebrating the Gryffindor victory over Ravenclaw in Quidditch. Harry, Katie, Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and the Weasley twins, George and Fred, had been welcomed back form the game by an exuberant house party.

Hermione walked over to the bathroom and turned on the shower, closing the door behind her. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and tried to smooth her unruly hair.

No matter, she thought. I'll just wash it then put a smooth charm on it. It will keep my hair okay for a little while.

She wanted to look good for her classes since Harry was in 2 of the 3 she had today. They had potions and transfiguration together then they split after lunch and while Harry went to Divination, she went to Arithmacy. She quickly sped through her shower and dried off. Back at the mirror, she dried her hair and put the charm on it. Finally, looking presentable, she emerged form the bathroom to find the rest of the girls waiting for the shower.

"Sorry!" Hermione squeaked as she passed the line of annoyed girls.

"Next time, take your shower BEFORE you wake us up!" Lavender said." Then we could have had at least 20 more minutes to sleep."

Hermione finally reached the door and quickly pulled it open.

"See you in class." She said as she exited.

The girls just looked at her. She smiled, pulled the door closed and walked down into the common room. Some people already up and ready were doing homework in the soft chairs around the fireplace. Hermione tisked at this. A lot had already gone to breakfast also. She decided she'd see if Ron and Harry were up and ready to go to breakfast with her. Walking up the boy's stairs, she secretly hoped she'd walk into their dorm to find Harry in his boxers.

Where's my camera when I need it, she thought, as she giggled to herself.

Reaching their door, she knocked twice.

" What?" said a sleepy Ron

" Can I come in?" Hermione asked.

She could hear fumbling and trunks open and close.

" Just a second…" Harry cried.

Hermione chuckled, silently cursing herself for knocking instead of just walking in. Finally, Harry pulled open the door.

" Hey! Want to get some breakfast?" Hermione asked.

"Sure.. just give Ron a sec. He's not quite up yet." Harry answered, grinning.

She peeked around the door to find Ron collapsed on his bed, fully dressed but half-asleep. Harry walked over and nudged Ron in the side.

"Wake up sunshine." Harry laughed.

Ron looked at him with a pained expression and smiled. Finally, the 3 started down to breakfast. Reaching the Great Hall, they saw, sitting at the end of the Gryffindor, George, Fred, Ginny and Angelina.

" I don't think I'll be able to make it through Potions!" Ron cried as he sat down next to Fred." Oh the tragedy, the horror! Looks like I'll have to miss it."

" You'll survive!" Hermione laughed.

"Just poke me if I start to snore." Ron said.

They all laughed and Hermione glanced at Harry, a wide grin on her face, only to find him grinning right back. She quickly looked down, blushing furiously and wondering if anyone could tell. She loved the way his green eyes sparkled when he laughed. Hoping to catch another glimpse of those beautiful, she looked back up. This time, his head was turned toward Fred and George and they were laughing about something. She stared at his face, taking in his handsome features. He brushed his black hair away from his eyes, revealing his scar. A small smile escaped her lips as she caught herself wanting Harry to brush her hair away from her eyes that way. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair, stare into his eyes, move I and lightly kiss his…

"HERMIONE!"

"W..What?" she said, dazed

Realizing how stupid she must have looked, she peered around the table. Fred and George were laughing, Ginny was giggling, Ron was just staring, a bewildered expression on his face and Harry, well, he was blushing a little, for he had caught her looking at him.

" You okay? Or was Harry just really interesting?" George grinned.

" Maybe we should all look!" Fred cried, looking over at Harry.

Ginny, Ron and Angelina laughed. Harry just looked down, still smiling and blushing even more.

" I..er..I just spaced for a minute." Hermione quickly lied," I was thinking about arithmacy and how…I should, er, look over my homework."

Hermione stood quickly and started away.

" Wait, I'll come too." Harry said," I've got to get my stuff anyway."

Harry stood and followed her out the Great Hall doors and up the stairs.

" So..thinking about arithmacy?" Harry snickered.

"Yes!" Hermione cried, pretending to be offended." And don't be so smug!"

"Oh, I'm not being smug." Harry grinned," just curious.

Reaching the fat lady, they said the password and climbed in. Hermione ran up to her room and grabbed her things. She ran back down to find him waiting for her by the foot of the stairs with his stuff.

" Ready to go?" Hermione asked.

" I thought you wanted to look over your homework?" Harry smiled.

"I I did! Very quickly. And now I'm done. Let's go." Hermione stammered.

Harry opened the portrait for her and then crawled through himself and they set off for potions.

" This potion is very dangerous," Snape growled as he held up a bluish bottle." If a person were to drink this, they would be dead in seconds"

" We should give some to him at lunch!" Ron whispered, smiling.

" Think I'm joking, Weasley?" Snape said maliciously." Would you like to test it?"

Ron shook his head angrily and looked down at his lap.

" Didn't think so! Now don't talk out of turn in my class again! And 5 points from Gryffindor." Snape smiled evilly.

Ron just stared down, a sour look on his face, as the lesson continued. Harry and Hermione exchanged looks, both of equal loathing toward Snape. As they started to looks into antidotes, Snape had them pair up and make an antidote for a mild poison. Ron and Harry, naturally, chose to work together. Hermione worked with Seamus, next to Harry and Ron. A few times during the course of their work, Hermione's hand brushed against Harry's, sending chills up her arm. She started to do it on purpose so as to drop a hint to Harry. She was also trying to concentrate on her antidote but her mind kept wandering back to Harry. By the end of class, she didn't think she could stand Potions for much longer. Finally, the bell rang and the class was dismissed.

" We have Transfiguration next… we'd better hurry." Harry said, speeding up a little.

As they walked, Hermione tried to catch his attention by brushing up against him but still, nothing happened. She sighed and stared ahead, disappointed.

In Transfiguration, she got to sit next to Harry because Ron was talking with Seamus and Hermione had slipped past into the seat. She smiled pleasantly as she sat down, moving her chair slightly closer to Harry as she sat. She dropped hints again and, again, Harry seemed not to notice. He's completely oblivious, she thought. She glanced at the paper in front of him and looked at the drawings on it. There were Quidditch plays and little people.

A curious expression crossed her face, followed by a smile. She looked over at Harry, who looked up and smiled.

" Hermione…will you come with me after class for a walk?" He asked, noticeably nervous.

"Er, ya! Okay." Hermione whispered back.

Why does he want to go for a walk with me, Hermione thought.

Waiting for class to end was horrible. She tried to concentrate and take notes but time seemed to slow to a complete stop and she was going crazy! Finally, after what seemed like days, the bell rang. She gathered up her stuff and proceeded to the door. Stopping to wait for Harry, she saw him talking to Ron in a whisper, and Ron smiling excitedly. Curious, she walked over. They stopped talking immediately.

"Ready?" Harry asked.

"I guess…." Hermione smirked

They walked out the door and Ron started for the Great Hall.

"See you in Divination, Harry!" Ron winked and turned away, walking quickly.

Hermione cast a suspicious glance at Harry who grinned sheepishly.

" Wonder what's gotten into him?" Harry laughed.

They walked past the Great Hall and out the doors of the castle, towards the lake. Hermione was growing increasingly nervous and she suspected the same of Harry, who was wringing his hands and looking down. They reached a big, flat rock next to the lake and Harry climbed on, reached a hand to Hermione and helped her up. She started to shiver because of the cold August air.

" Are you cold?" Harry asked, noticing her shiver.

" Yeah, a little, but I'm okay." Hermione smiled

But Harry seemed not to hear the last part and he put his arm around her, pulling her up against his side. Hermione's stomach was doing flip-flops by this time but she still put her head on Harry's shoulder.

" So, what did you want to talk about?" Hermione asked, looking up at him from his shoulder.

" Well, I wanted to tell you something." Harry said slowly.

" Okay… what?" she asked

" Well, I need to see your face to tell you." Harry said nervously.

Hermione lifted her head off his shoulder and looked into his eyes. He took a hand and brushed some curls out of her eyes.

" Okay…." Harry started." For a long time, I've liked you. More than a friend. And I want to know if.. if you'll go out with me?"

Harry looked into her eyes and waited for the answer. Hermione felt as though fireworks were just set off inside of her.

" OH! Er, Harry!" Hermione stuttered." I… want to soo bad! But I thought you had no idea!"

Harry laughed and pulled Hermione into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her. Then he pulled her back, looking into her eyes and slowly lowered his head. He placed a light kiss on Hermione's lips and drew back, and looked at her. She had her eyes closed, looking very sweet.

Hermione opened her eyes, gently placed her hands on the back of hi head and pulled him toward her, kissing him back.