So here starts the beginning of how I wished Harry and Hermione's relationship should have gone. I am planning for this story to be roughly 50k words long and I have most of the chapters mapped out. A strong beginning I hope and any criticism or ideas to make the story better are welcome. Enjoy! I don't own Harry Potter or any of it's characters, they all belong to that really nice lady who gave us an amazing world.

Arrival

Being engulfed by green flames was not Hermione Granger's perfect idea of starting out a Friday morning, let alone being hurried along the room to wake up two teenage boys who could sleep through a Howler with ease. Once she arrived to the Burrow by floo Mrs. Weasley was there to greet her with a smile and two hands full with what appeared to be a very beat up whisk, and her scratched and worn wand. When she tried to say good morning to the motherly witch she was hushed and ordered to go wake up Harry and Ron. Or as Mrs. Weasley had put it.

"Hermione could you be a dear and go wake up those two lazy boys, they've been asleep all morning!"

Hermione replied curtly with a nod and started her journey to the top room of the burrow, which included scaling more stairs than seemingly even Hogwarts had. Step by step she grew more excited at the prospect of finally seeing her two best friends, and even more than that she was elated to finally spend time with Harry after two months of communication which was limited to letters and a few pictures from her end. The pictures had consisted of the traveling that her parents insisted they do after hearing about how their only daughter was witness to what they described as a barrage of demons, which she quickly explained to them were dementors. And Harry had repelled them all protecting them both (She left out the part about flying with an escaped convict on the back of a Hippogriff). The entirety of her Summer had recharged Hermione's eagerness to return to the wizarding world and magic, not saying that she didn't love spending time with her parents, but being away from magic, books, and her friends had started to take its toll on her patience with her parents constant talk of how dangerous the wizarding world was.

Which brought her back to reality as she closed in on Ron's room which housed an individual who kept her sane throughout her trips around the world. Harry had made a deal with Hermione that he would read more for preparation on the classes that he had signed up for in the coming school year as long as she would owl him as much as possible. Hermione had been excited for the fact that Harry actually took the initiative to owl her instead of the other way around. After the Firebolt fallout (which she still contested she would do again out of the fear for his safety) she had been apprehensive if Harry and her would still be as close as the previous year. But there he went surprising her again for the better. With a smile gracing her lips Hermione reached the top door in the Burrow, and the gateway to what she suspected was a very messy room. Two teenage boys living together for two months could not breed any form of cleanliness, especially knowing her boys.

She twisted the doorknob and with a large creak she edged the wooden door open. A growing sliver of light escaped through the opening as it became wider, and her previous assumption about the state of the room was correct. What came into her field of vision were clothes, papers, and broom gear splayed across the floor like a whirlwind had just swept through it. On her left she clearly saw Ron laid out on his bed with the covers entangled with his long torso and limbs. He snored audibly and didn't even flinch as the light from the hallway hit his freckled face.

On the other side of the room Hermione could make out the shape and form of a body that was slightly shaking underneath the covers. Quietly she stepped into the room and guided her feet across the minefield that Ron would would call his floor. When she reached the left side of the quaking form she was able to view up close the heartbreaking seen in front of her.

Harry, her Harry, was having a nightmare.

His usually messy head of raven black hair was matted down to his forehead with sweat, as his face was covered in a thin sheen of it. His eyes were clenched shut as if he had been hit in the stomach by a bludger and his lips were set in a forced frown. She looked the rest of his body over and saw that his fists were clenching the covers that were pulled up only to his stomach, with his knuckles showing a visible white illustrating the strength that he was clutching them with. The entirety of his visible form brought Hermione down onto her knees as she reached a tentative hand to his forehead. Sweeping away his hair her breath hitched as her hand came into contact with his cool skin. 'He shouldn't be this cold, it feels like he's..." she didn't finish that thought. Hermione leaned a bit closer and ran her hand through his matted down hair as her other came up to his cheek. Gently caressing his cheek she spoke to him in a hushed tone.

"Harry, you need to wake up. Please Harry, you need to wake up."

Harry's brow and eyes seemingly relaxed little by little as her gentle ministrations continued. But, her voice didn't seem to rouse him from the nightmare that he was currently experiencing. Hermione leaned in a bit closer with her forehead barley coming into contact with his own. Speaking again she closed her eyes.

"Harry I need you to wake up... Please just open your eyes."

As if on cue Harry roused from his fitful slumber. At first his eyes gradually fluttered open, but after a few seconds emerald green were staring into cinnamon brown. Hermione's face warmed a bit once she realized how close in proximity that they were, also had how striking Harry's eyes were. Pulling back into a sitting position on the bed Hermione kept one hand on Harry's chest as the other returned to her lap. In a confused daze Harry spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Her..Mione.. when did you get here? What time is... yawn.. it?"

Giving him a stern look she responded "It's eight in the morning, and Ronald and yourself should have been up an hour ago. We're leaving in thirty minutes!"

Harry let out a sigh and tried to roll over, only to be stopped by a small and surprisingly strong hand. Grudgingly he made eye contact with Hermione again.

"I'll be up in 10 minutes, just a little more sleep."

Hermione shook her head "I don't think so Harry, from how you were thrashing about earlier I don't think sleep is the best thing for your right now."

He quickly looked away from her gazing randomly around the room. Hermione's brow furrowed at his strange attitude. In a higher tone then when she had entered she questioned him.

"What exactly were you dreaming about? Whatever it was it seemed like you were in pain."

Harry was quiet for a moment.

"It was nothing, just a bad..."

Hermione cut him off, "Don't give me that, Harry I've known you for four years now. I know when you're lying."

Sighing he knew she wouldn't let this go.

"I can't remember much.. There was a dark hallway, an old man, and..."

Harry paused as Hermione sat forward with her eyes slightly more wide, "And what?"

"And.. Voldemort speaking to Pettigrew.."

Hermione's eyes shot wide open on his last words.

"Voldemort!?"

Harry lurched forward placing his hand over her mouth in a vain attempt to stop the near shriek that had just escaped from her vocal cords.

"Could you say his name any louder?"

Feeling her relax a bit he released his hand from her face and laid his head back down. Hermione straightened up her body, but still held a concern expression. Voldemort was in Harry's dreams now? She knew that they shared some sort of connection, but the fact that he had been dreaming about him so vividly was troubling for her. Could this be a sign of something to come? Was Voldemort going to return? Dozens of thoughts started to fill her mind as every possibility that Harry could be harmed or worse took over her senses.

"Earth to Hermione, come in Hermione?"

She was snapped back to reality as Harry's voice repeated through her hears. Meeting his gaze again she repeated 'Sorry'.

"Look, it was just a nightmare. Nothing more alright, if we could keep this between ourselves I'd appreciate it."

She frowned "But Harry, what if it's more than that? You and Voldemort share a connection, what if this is a sign that.."

He cut her off, "It's a sign of nothing, look it was one bad dream can we just drop it? Please.."

Realizing that it was a losing battle Hermione gave in, at least he told her what his nightmare was about.

'It's a start at least..'

"Alright Harry you win, I'll drop it. But, if you have another one like that please tell me."

He nodded which had awarded him with a small smile from his favorite bookworm. Smiling himself they both just sat in silence enjoying each others presence after nearly two months of being a part. On her end Hermione was more than content to just stay this close to Harry. There friendship meant the world to her, and after three previous years of spending countless hours together he had become a large part of her life only rivaled by the hours she spent reading. She pushed down these thoughts as she remember the mission that Mrs. Weasley had sent her on.

"I almost forgot! Harry we have to be ready by..."

Sighing Harry cut in again, "I know, I know. Go ahead and wake up Ron, I'll start getting my stuff together."

Nodding appreciatively she got up from the bed and spun as her eyes locked in onto her next target. Striding over with less care than earlier she nudged Ron's torso with her hand.

"Ronald it's time to get up!"

She was rewarded with a groan.

Nearly yelling she repeated herself, "Ronald Weasley get your lazy butt up!"

He flipped over nearly falling off the bed, eyes wide as he looked around sporadically looking for the cause of the sound. He was greeted with the fleeting image of the Hermione Granger walking out the door. She paused and gave Harry a sly smile as he just shook his head fighting down a smirk. Once she disappeared through the doorway his attention was turned to a peeved and groggy looking Ron.

"She's bloody mental!"

Harry just sighed and looked back to the doorway, "Yeah, but at least she keeps us on our toes."

Hermione reached the bottom step of the Burrow and let out a belittled moan.

'Honestly how can those two sleep in so late? Though part of me does envy the fact that it takes nearly yelling to get Ronald up, instead I have to be the world lightest sleeper.. Yet, Harry's nightmare...'

She had promised to drop the subject, but that didn't meaning she wouldn't worry about him. It seemed like the world itself wanted to harm Harry sometimes, and some nights it did keep her up. How was she supposed to keep calm when Harry was constantly at the front of danger? Whether it be surviving the killing curse cast by the worlds darkest wizard, battling an ancient serpent that terrorized the castle and tried to kill her, or fending off hundreds of dementors he just couldn't seem to catch a break. Even with these dark thoughts clouding her mind a silver lining did appear. Through all of these events Harry showed nothing but courage and solidarity in protecting his friends and those around him. He took on forces that would made Hermione freeze in fear, and made it look so..so.. easy. He was inspiring and she couldn't help but smile goofily as she let herself fall into the small riviere of nostalgia. Her happy thought process was brought to an end when the strong voice of the eldest female Weasley snapped her to attention.

"Would you like ham or sausage for breakfast dear?"

Smiling politely she responded, "Ham please."

Nodding with a warm smile Mrs. Weasley returned to the kitchen and resumed her feverish cooking. From behind her Hermione heard footsteps and turned to see Ginny coming down the stairs. Locking eyes Ginny rushed and hugged Hermione.

"Hermione! I missed you!"

Laughing slightly she returned the girls hug.

"Ginny I missed you too! How was your summer?

Releasing her grip Ginny smiled, "It was great! I flew with the others, got to visit my friend Luna, and learned some new moves on my broom from Harry!"

For some reason the notion that Harry and her had spent time together didn't sit right in her stomach. But, she dropped it passing it off as nothing but irritation for not seeing him for the past few months. As the girls regaled their summer adventures to each other they ended sitting on a couch in the den. As they finished up they heard what sounded like a stampede of bulls coming down the stairs. Ginny shot up and pulled up Hermione by grabbing onto her arm.

"Ginny! Why did you.."

Ginny didn't even turn to look at her as she rushed Hermione into the kitchen.

"No time!"

When they reached the kitchen the sound from the stairs only got louder, with an added orchestra of curse words and thuds against the wall. Hermione finally understood what was happening. Taking their seats Mrs. Weasley sent plates of food floating towards the table, with Hermione appreciating the wonderful aroma that came with it. Ginny and herself started to fill their plates on command from Mrs. Weasley only to be interrupted by the mob of red and black hair that appeared in their peripheral vision.

The boys had arrived.

Fred and George were the first to take their seats giving Hermione warm and mischievous smiles. Followed by Ron who only yawned and stretched his arms as he sat down. Finally Harry took a seat next to Hermione giving her a sheepish grin and nudged her gaining a look stern look but cheeky smile from his female companion. As they all filled their plates the dining room of the burrow was filled with the laughter and talk of a lively bunch of teenagers. Mrs. Weasley stood with her back to them cooking more bacon and smiled at the sound of the happy youth. Their voices shifted to an even higher tone as they greeted the eldest male Weasley who appeared through the side door entering the Burrow.

"Morning everyone, I hope you're all ready for what awaits us today!"

Excitement filled the small dining room as Mr. Weasley took his seat at the head of the long dining table. Looking to his wife the two shared an intimate glance and both couldn't help but revel in the happiness that surrounded them. It seemed as if the world lately had been growing darker, and happy moments like these were cherished more than any amount of wealth. With breakfast fully served Molly took her seat near her husband and brought their attention to the rules that she was setting in place for their soon to be adventure.

"Alright, let me be clear! This is a privilege, and not a necessity! Your father was invited to the Quidditch World Cup by the Minister of Magic himself, so I expect you all to be on your best behavior!"

Everyone nodded in unison. Except for Fred who spoke under his breath.

"Best behavior..."

Molly shot him a glare that caused the red headed twin to sink into his seat and the others in the room to snicker before being brought back to the attention of Mrs. Weasley.

"Secondly, I expect you to stay in groups of at least two. There will be numerous witches and wizards there and getting lost will be easier than you think!."

Again everyone nodded.

"Finally I expect you all to listen to your father and to do EXACTLY what he says!"

Everyone turned their attention to Arthur Weasley who gave a them sympathetic gaze. Molly made sure to look at every single one of them to make sure they understood. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she finished.

"Also... don't forget to have fun."

They all broke out into laughter and as everyone got up with their plates to put them in the sink. Afterwards they rushed to get their backpacks on along with their trainers. Hermione thoughtfully tied her shoes and thought about the World Cup.

'I'm going to get to view other wizarding cultures at this event! Bulgaria, France, Ireland.. so many other witches and wizards will be there I wonder if any of them will have any culture specific books with them.'

In her mind the actual Quidditch match didn't matter as much as being immersed in other wizarding cultures. She had spent years traveling the muggle world with her parents, but her only experience of magic outside of England had been through her books which did alter some facts a bit. As she thought about what magic was like in different countries she failed to notice that her balance was off as she tried tie her left shoe while standing on her right foot. She started to fall backwards and with an eep she felt two large hands steady her back onto her feet. Flipping around she saw Harry standing right there with a smirk on his face.

"Having trouble with tying your shoes?"

Hermione stuck her tongue out at him and then spoke.

"Not as easy as it looks you know."

They both let out a small chuckle as Harry kneeled down to tie her shoe strings. Upon glancing down a small smile tugged at Hermione's lips.

'When Harry teases me he does it out of good fun unlike most others who decide to make fun of me just because I enjoy the more scholarly aspects of magic. So what if I prefere reading about the mechanics of flight versus the actual practice, or that I would rather spend an evening in doors reading about the history of dragons rather than being up close and personal with one? I don't see why that gives anyone the right to make fun of me.. but Harry always knows the right moments to joke with me. He's always does the right things at the right time when it comes to our friendship, I will never take that for granted.'

Harry patted her shoe and had a look on his face that said 'job well done'. Standing again he poked Hermione's shoulder.

"I don't think you'll be falling again."

Poking back she jested "I prefer my feet planted on the ground thank you."

Harry gave her a quizzical look before being brought back to the scene of the Weasley's getting their packs on. He and Hermione both slung their own over their shoulders and followed through the door, but not before missing the bear hug that Molly captured each of them in. Giving the group a heartfelt wave and goodbye they were off on the trail that was leading to some mode of transportation that would get them to the World Cup. The group of seven fell into a comfortable pace as they talked amongst themselves. Arthur led while the twins followed behind their father, Hermione and Ginny fell behind the twins with Harry and Ron bring up the rear as they were engulfed over who they thought would win the cup. Hermione and Ginny were currently in a discussion of the classes they were taking this year when Ginny changed the topic.

"Do you think Harry's gotten cuter?"

Hermione's mind did a flip.

"Wa..wait, what?

Ginny glanced backwards and then brought her attention back to Hermione.

"Harry? do you think he's gotten cuter?"

Blushing slightly Hermione couldn't comprehend what her red haired friend had just asked her. Harry? Her Harry? Cute? He was like her brother! How could she find her raven haired, green eyed friend cute?

'Harry is not cute! I mean yes he is charming, kind, intelligent, and... okay bad train of thought.'

Hermione turned her gaze behind her and took in the image of her best friend. His hair had grown even more wild if that was possible over the summer. It seemed impossible to tame, and any attempt to cut only made it grow back longer and thicker. Glancing down at his smile she couldn't help herself from admiring his perfectly white smile, or his contagious laugh that permeated from those lips of his. Slightly chapped but lightly pink... 'Moving on..' Her next target of interest was his skin, which emitted a light and healthy tan from a summer spent outdoors flying in the warm sun. He had grown, evidently, as he now stood three inches taller than herself. When she settled on his eyes her heart did a little leap. They were striking. An emerald green that she could only describe as beautifully colored irises. Tearing her gaze away from Harry she looked straight ahead and answered Ginny with a hushed voice.

"I guess you could say Harry's cute."

Ginny barely noticing her friends absence from the conversation only nodded as they switched to talking about the world cup. After around ten minutes of walking they reached the edge of old looking forest, and in front stood two figures upon close inspection were walking towards them. As the two individuals came into focus Hermione recognized the younger of the two males was none other than the Hufflepuff seventh year Cedric Diggory. Hermione made the assumption that the older man two his left was his father as they both shared similar facial features and light grey eyes. Waving to Arthur and the rest of the group Amus Diggory made a polite and cheerful introduction. As the group shook hands Ginny and Hermione were a little speechless at seeing Cedric up close and personal. He was a lot more attractive than they both had remembered and when he went to shake their hands they both sported a small blush which didn't go unnoticed by the Weasley boys and Harry.

As continued their walk into the forest Harry gave Hermione a strange glance but as quickly as she noticed the look was taken over by a smile as he talked with Cedric about the World cup. Shaking her head and chalking it up to his lack of sleep Hermione walked beside Ginny for the remainder of the treck. Hermione finally spoke up curious about how much longer they were going to walk.

"Mr. Weasley, how exactly are we getting to the World Cup? I don't surmise we'll be walking the entire way?"

Throwing an excited look over his shoulder he spoke with a laugh.

"You're quite right Hermione, walking a few hundred miles doesn't sound like the most fun way of traveling. We shall be taking a portkey!"

Hermione's eyes lit up, an actual Portkey!

'I've read about those, they're magical objects that transport you to a certain location. They're said to be powerful magic, and any item can become one."

Inwardly smiling at her knowledge on the subject she didn't tune in to the eldest Weasley male explaining the mode of transportation. They traveled in a high spirited mood as they reached the edge of the forest with the view of a large hill to the horizon. When they reached the top of the hill

(after a bit of moaning from Ron) Hermione spotted an old boot perched at the top of the hill. Keying in that this was the portkey she wondered how it would feel to travel in this fashion. Her book on The History of Magical Modes of Transportation had only stated that most on their first time traveling through a portkey had a hard time landing on their feet. Other than that revelation she knew nothing of the side effects. The group circled around the boot as Mr. Weasley took a head count to make sure all of the young teens were present. Hermione ended up standing in the middle of Harry and Ginny and spoke in a low tone to her raven haired friend.

"A word of warning, I read that most who travel by portkey the first time have trouble keeping their balance on landing."

Harry shot her a sideways smirk.

"Well then I guess you should be twice as careful."

Hermione huffed and smacked his shoulder lightly mouthing 'prat' in his direction. He playfully grabbed his arm and scrunched his face in fake pain. Viewing his expression Hermione fought hard to keep a small smile from appearing on her face, but of course she lost. Coming back to the present the group finished listening to Arthurs advice as he started to reach for the old boot. They all reached in to touch the old boot except for Harry who suddenly had a far off look on his face. Arthur screamed his name and Hermione's hand shot out grabbing his as they were suddenly pulled into what felt like a strong vortex.

In Hermione's vision the world turned into a giant tornado as everyone in the group began to stretch like a rubber hand. Her own body felt as if gravity was pulling her into a thousand different directions. The only constant was the feeling of Harry's hand in her own, and when she tore her head to look at the young wizard she panicked. Harry's eyes were scrunched closed in what looked like pain, and his mouth contorted into a hard frown. As soon as she tried to say his name the world stopped spinning, and then the feeling of falling hit her. She was dropped from about seven feet in the air onto her back. With a loud thud she impacted with the grassy earth and moaned in a little pain but more just for the entire trip.

At least the book got her first landing right...

As she tried to regain her bearings she felt her right hand being clenched by another that was larger and way more calloused. Confused for a second she turned her head to the right and was greeted with the face of Harry. Stunned for a second she sat up but didn't release his grip, instead she brought her left hand to the side of his face and slowly rubbed it trying to wake him up.

"Harry! Are you okay? Say something!"

He lazily opened his eyes and a lopsided grin appeared on his face.

"I think I'm going to trade out my alarm clock for your voice, it's impossible to stay asleep with you around."

Laughing a little she poked his cheek.

"Well maybe if you stayed conscious for more than five minutes I wouldn't have to."

Harry laughed a bit at her response as she helped him sit up, and when she finally looked to see where the others were it seemed that everyone else had the same experience that both Harry and herself had had. Fred and George faired a little better but each looked dazed. Ginny had a look of disdain as she rubbed her head in what looked like minor pain, and Ronald was hunched over with the notion that he was going to puke.

"Fun ride I assume?"

Mr. Weasley joked as he levitated down along with Amus and Cedric. The three men only chuckled as they checked to see how everyone was doing. Hermione hopped to her feet and turned to help up Harry who seemed to have a harder time standing. Motioning that he was fine to stand by himself Hermione let her grip of his arm go and turned around with the others to take in the sight in front of them. Tents for as far as the eyes could see were planted across the landscape below them. Different fireworks, kites, and flags were flying through the sky as they could hear the crackle of different spells being cast and the chatter of thousands of wizards and witches. Hermione's breath was honestly taken away at the sights and sounds before her. Everyone of the teens in the group had the same expression and before they could take it all in Arthur waved for them to follow as he descended from the hilltop. Being the only two left standing at the drop zone Harry turned his head to Hermione and caught her gaze.

"This is brilliant!"

The excitement in his eyes were contagious as he turned to follow down the hill. Hermione stood their a second longer and spoke under her breath as she watched Harry walk away.

"Definitely."

Smiling to herself she took in the view one more time before jogging down the hill to catch up to the others, when she finally caught up to harry she matched his walking pace. Wizards on brooms flew overhead as the sun shined bright for the group. Hermione only thought one thing to herself at this moment.

'This is definitely going to be the best trip ever.'

Well hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Don't be afraid to leave a response on what you thought about it, until next time! Oh and this will be 10 chapters+ so strap in for a long ride ;) Also no need to review if you don't want...