More Than Just Friends?

Disclaimer:  I don't own or claim to own Harry Potter or related characters, locations etc.  The copyrights for them belong to JK Rowling and related companies.  The plot however belongs to me, so fellow fanfic writers get your hands off ;) (what plot there is even if it isn't that good anyway).

Authors Note:  This is my first fanfic so be kind and don't flame me too much.  Please R&R, all comments, good or bad, are very much appreciated, now for the story.  Enjoy!

Chapter 1- The Journey

   Harry glanced out of the window of the oppressive house of the Durselys longing to see the face of Hermione as she pulled up to the house, she was meant to be here by now.  Dammit he wished she would hurry up, another moment here with the annoying brat Dudley and his parents was going to send him insane, he was sure he would've hexed him by now if it wasn't for the fact that Uncle Vernon had locked his wand away under the stairs, he cursed him silently under his breath.  They were avoiding him today, probably still concerned what would happen when they arrived although Harry promised them time and time again that it would be nothing like the events of the previous summer although they still seemed wary.  Even Dudley hadn't been taunting Harry today, he was probably too busy up in his bedroom fuming away at his diet again probably.  That was another thing he hated about this house, he was always treated like vermin, always having a pitiful excuse for a meal.

   There was suddenly a knock on the door that brought him away from his bitter musings into the harsh reality that was life.  He stumbled towards the door to open it.  When he did he saw the beautiful sight of Hermiones smiling face in front of him as all his worry and pain washed away from him as if it meant nothing.  He rushed towards her and hugged her warmly, it was so good to see her even if it had only been two weeks since they last met, five years of friendship did that to a person, you missed them so dearly when you were used to being around them all the time.

"Hi Herm," Harry said into her neck as they finished the embrace.  "God how I've missed you."

"I've missed you too Harry," mumbled Hermione, still quite taken aback.

   Harry saw the puzzled look of Mr. Granger as he walked down to the doorway of Privet Drive.

"I thought you said he wasn't your boyfriend," Mr. Granger exclaimed, he must of seen their little exchange on the doorstep.

"I already told you Dad, we're just good friends.  After all we've been through over the last few years aren't we allowed to hug each other?" Hermione said as her face flushed a deep shade of crimson.  Mr. Granger surveyed his daughter with a sceptical look and decided she was telling the truth.

"Hello Mr. Granger," Harry said extending his hand towards him.  He grasped it in a warm, friendly manner.

"Hi Harry, Hermione's told us so much about you.  But please just call me David."

"Shall we go then? I've got my trunk ready, I'll just pop upstairs and get it."

  While he was gone a whispered conversation was going on in the kitchen that went along the lines of "Why hasn't he gone yet?  I wish he'd hurry up!"

  Harry returned with a heavy trunk laboured in his arms, he put it by the doorstep.

"I'll just go and say my "goodbyes" and I'll get my wand back and then we can be off," Harry said as David hauled his trunk into the back of his car.  Harry returned a couple of minutes later with his wand and a broad grin set upon his face.

"What're you so happy about?" Hermione asked as he got into the backseat of the car with her.

"Oh nothing…much.  Just I won't have to see them again for months!" Harry said in an ecstatic voice.  He could finally get away and be with people he belonged with, like his friends at school, and wizards the world over and…Hermione and Ron, his two best friends, he wondered to himself what he'd do without them.

   They began the long journey back to Hermiones house, chatting, just chatting, on anything really, they were just enjoying each others company, because of course Hermione didn't have any brothers or sisters and Harry didn't have anyone he could talk to either so they were pretty lonely away from Hogwarts.

   As day turned to night they both started to feel tired, Hermiones head fell on Harry's shoulder as she went peacefully to sleep.  Harry too was tired but before he fell asleep as well he took time to reminisce on how they'd changed since that first year all that time ago.  Back then they had been children, both in appearance and attitude, he could vividly remember the petty squabbles they would have and he could remember falling out with Ron over the Triwizard Tournament among other things.  He thought about Ron at the moment and wondered how he was, he must be enjoying himself at the moment up in the French Alps with his family but not as much as he was enjoying Hermione's head lying on his shoulder as she breathed placidly.  Harry couldn't believe what he just thought, he shook himself mentally and just shrugged it off, putting it down to tiredness.  As his eyelids began to slowly slide over his eyes, enveloping him in darkness he let them wonder briefly over the slender form of Hermione, admiring her, observing how she had changed from that delicate little girl to a beautiful young woman.

Authors Note:  Ok ok, it wasn't that good was it?  But this is my first fanfic so ya know…  Please review it, I really want to know what people think.  I want to know if it's worth carrying on with or whether it was just a failed experiment.