"Dragons?!" Hermione cried as her heart gave a squeeze. Her stomach did somersaults as Harry continued to describe what Hagrid had shown him.

"Yeah. Charlie was there" Harry said, his voice strained (he missed Ron) "He told Hagrid about them. There was this Hungarian Horntail that took most of them to handle." Harry ran his hand through his hair. Hermione fiddled with her hands to try and cover her shaking.

"Harry, what are you going to do?" Hermione said, her voice shrill. They had been walking round they lake and spotted their favorite tree.

"I dunno know Hermione." Harry said defeatedly as Hermione tugged him down to the ground under the shade of the tree.

"Mione, why are we in the shade, it's September." Harry gave her a puzzled look.

"Shut it Harry, I like to think under this tree." Hermione swatted his arm and ran a hand through her bushy hair. A million things were running through her mind and she had this odd feeling in her stomach she wasn't able to shake.

Hermione laid her head on Harry and she thought of solutions. Harry watched the giant squid in the lake and thought about the dragons as well.

"Ow, Hermione!" Harry was rubbing his chin as Hermione's head had given it a good whack when she whipped her head up.

"Sirius!"

"Shush Hermione. What about him?"

"You talked to him last night! What did he say?"

"Oh yeah." Harry looked away, the familiar feeling of forgetful dimness creeping up. He told her about the conversation.

"He was just about to tell me how to how to defeat the dragon when I-I was interrupted." Harry faltered as he ruefully thought about his confrontation with Ron. He loved Hermione and all but it wasn't as much fun with her. She was more about school and he missed being able to joke around. He hadn't meant anything that he had said either.

"What, why? What happened?" Hermione pressed and Harry shifted uncomfortably.

"I was interrupted. Ya know."

"By what?" Harry put his head against the tree and sighed tiredly.

"By. Well…Ya know."

"What does tha- oh." Realization dawned onto Hermione and then air suddenly became very thick and awkward. Hermione still talked to Ron but she could tell that Harry sorely missed him. It was all very ridiculous, they should just make up already. She didn't just want it because of the way Ron make her inside whirl when he looked at her or how she couldn't help but beam when he called her brilliant or, or when he would give her this look that made her blush with those blue eyes. So much like the lake. She shook herself. They needed to make up so they could be friends again. So it wasn't awkward.

Harry practically radiated misery and he glowered when he saw Ron but Hermione saw right through him. He looked longingly at Ron, they were best friends and he missed him so much. They needed to make up. They needed each other.

"You two are so ridiculous. Why won't you just ma-"

"No, Hermione! He-"

"But-"

"No! I didn't ask for any of this. He of all people should know. He didn't-he couldn't-he should've-he just!" Harry stuttered angrily. She laid a hand on his arm. He stopped and looked at her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset. It just hurts me that you're both miserable but because of your pride you won't make up." Hermione folded her arms and rest her back against the tree. Harry copied. They stared at the lake for a long time. Maybe hours, maybe minutes. The comfortable silence was soon disrupted for both of them as their thoughts inescapably veered back to the first task. Harry took the words right out of Hermione's mouth.

"Mione, what am I going to do?" Hermione glared at the blinding lake on the bright Saturday.

"I don't know Harry. We need a plan. Come on." Hermione said getting up and grabbing Harry's hands. She pulled him up and Harry knew by the look on her face where they were headed.

"Let's go to the library."