Disclaimer: I don't own shit... sucks don't it? It's all J.K Rowling's

Chapter 1: Hogwarts Express

Hermione for the life of her couldn't get her head wrapped around the nagging feeling of someone watching them. She'd met Harry and Ron at the platform and as they boarded the train, she felt compelled to look behind her.

Harry laid a consoling arm around her shoulders, catching the confused and worried look in her eyes. He'd always been able to read her emotions, her fears, her behaviors much unlike Ron who was stuffing his face with chocolate frogs, oblivious to his two best friends. He guided her farther into the train and as they stepped into an empty compartment, she caught the slightest wisp of blonde hair as it flashed right in front of her eyes and into another compartment. Shaking her head from the puzzling thoughts, Hermione turned to Harry and Ron wrestling in their seats trying to catch the chocolate frog gone rogue. She caught it easily in her right hand and chuckled as she took a seat opposite of them.

The three of them had grown so much over the years. Ron had matured into the gruff redhead not unlike his brothers. He had sprouted into a taller figure, more well-built and broad-shouldered. Hermione had gone from her famous bushy hair and buck-teeth to a slender, curvy, feminine woman with tamed curly hair that flowed around her shoulders. She smiled at her newly accepted figure and looked up to observe her raven-haired best friend. She had to admit he was quite handsome in a strong, reserved way that had her eyes twinkling with admiration. He was so tough yet sensitive and his broad figure with well-maintained muscles held no exception. She stared into his green eyes that were barely hidden behind his disheveled hair.

Embarrassment flushed rosy on the apples of her cheeks as she realized he'd caught her midway into her dissection of his features. She turned away and fiddled with her satchel to hide the smile that was creeping at the corners of her mouth. She didn't see the appreciative smile that Harry had flashed her, unaware of the way his eyes roamed over her in a way that was more than friendly.

The train roared with its horn signaling its approach into Hogwarts's grounds. Ron grumbled as he found his way onto his feet and exited the compartment seeming to forget about the two he'd abandoned, still trying to gather their things.

"Mione, I was wondering…" Harry trailed off, grunting as he lifted the heavy baggage from beneath his seat.

Hermione already having her belongings stacked beside her, stood near the door anxiously awaiting the rest of his sentence. He'd averted his eyes from her the entire trip and she feared the worst from her best friend… although she still held onto some hope of what she'd dreamed of him saying to her.

"Do you think you could ever learn to love me?" Harry turned so he was facing her, awkwardly shifting his feet in anticipation of her answer. He wasn't sure she fully understood what he was getting at until she closed the two foot gap between them.

Hermione breathed in deeply as she caught a whiff of his earthy, English scent as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck in an embrace. "No, Harry."

The answer caught him off guard as she still lingered in his arms. He stepped out of the lock and looked at her in confusion. "Pardon me?"

"No Harry, I couldn't learn to love you because I already do… if this is your way of asking me to be your girlfriend, than my answer is yes. If not, then well, I do not know." She stated this matter-of-factly and strode out of the compartment following the thin trail of students finding their way out onto the platform leading to Hogwarts itself.

Harry followed suit and caught her arm as she stepped onto the wooden platform. He quickly planted a kiss on her cheek and turned to pass her as he walked ahead to the carriages. She couldn't help mirroring the smile that had found its way onto Harry but the distressing feeling of being watched returned as she tried to keep up with the crowd.

Turning, she locked onto the gaze of Malfoy as he leaned against the doors of the Express. His lips were twisted in an almost regretful smirk. His silver eyes were ablaze with a dark expression she couldn't quite read. If she hadn't known better, she'd say he had a jealous air to his already dangerous aura. She held onto his stare for a long moment before giving into Harry's insistent attempt to lead her away from the platform.

The image of Malfoy was still fresh on her mind.