Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, it was the work of J.K. Rowling and her genius. This work is merely a fanfiction and is no way affiliated with the author.
Hogwarts in the wintertime was a beautiful sight. Ice and snow blanketed the ground, and the boughs on trees were heavy with snow. However, in a high tower a lonely Harry Potter stood as his window, as if longing for something, or someone.
In the large cavernous halls below, the once crowded school was considerably thinned out, due to the fact that the holidays were just around the corner. The Gryffindor commons was painfully empty and completely silent, other that the crack of the log in the fireplace. Breakfast had just ended and slowly in pairs or trios, students began making their way back to their dormitories to socialize and to plan the days events.
Harry sighed as another snowflake melted on the window, and created another large spot of condensation. He was sprawled on the windowsill with one leg hanging over. Sirius was dead. Dumbledore was dead. The people that meant the most to Harry were snatched away from him so suddenly.
The creak of protest from the springs of Harry's bed alerted him of Hermione's presence. Harry's loose pajamas and pajamas contrasted sharply with her sharp uniform. Normally, her curls would be springy and preppy as she was, but today, she seemed nervous and resolved at the same time. Swinging the loose leg onto the windowsill, he tucked his chin into the cleft between his knees and mumbled a greeting to Hermione.
"Morning 'mione."
"Morning to you too, can I ask you something Harry?"
By then, Harry had lost interest in the snow and slid off the sill and tossed himself onto Ron's bed. Propping his head up with one hand, he lay sideways, motioning with his other hand for Hermione to continue.
"Well, staying alone at Hogwarts with you this holiday has set me thinking" She began. "I was just wondering if maybe we could take this opportunity to get to know each other on an even more personal level. I mean, we've been good friends since first year and all, but we haven't really gotten a chance to, well y'know, trade secrets. So how about it Harry?"
"Hermione. If there was anything I have wanted to do since first year, it was to find out how that fine mind of yours works. I would love to Hermione, meet you in the common room in 10?"
Standing up, he offered Hermione his hand. Blushing slightly, she took it and adjusted her skirt. Smiling, he allowed Harry to escort her to the stairway. As she stepped down, Harry playfully bowed and headed for the bathroom to clean up. Disrobing himself, he carefully stepped into the shower letting the steaming water pour over his tired muscles. For some reason, studying everyday with Hermione was exhausting, but he had learned loads and was confident in passing his O.W.L.S. this year. While shampooing her hair, he thought about the Weasleys and remembered that Ginny had stayed at Hogwarts to catch up on some studying as well. It was quite rare that a Weasley miss something as rare as a family reunion. This mind wandered to Ron. He was faltering in his studies and Harry was worried.
While scrubbing his body, his mind wandered to his other friend, Hermione. Her parents had left for a dental conference and had invited Hermione to come along but she had turned down the offer, knowing that Harry would be terribly lonesome at Hogwarts, especially with the deaths of Dumbledore and his only mentor he felt kinship towards, Sirius. He had slowly grown closer during the past year and the holiday season, partly because of Ron's escapades with various girls from Gryffindor and partly because of their different schedules.
Turning off the shower, he stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist while toweling off his hair. Checking outside to see if anybody was watching, he crept outside and changed in the nude, a newly found privilege he had found when Neville wasn't around, the only other male Gryffindor that hadn't left for the holidays. Pulling on a sweater vest, he decided to forego the tie. Wrapping his school cloak around his shoulders, he grabbed his bookbag and headed down the stairs himself.
Much to his dismay, the common room was quiet except for the sound of Ginny gently sleeping on a table, surrounded by parchment, quill still in her hand. Dropping his bag on an empty table, he slowly walked up to Ginny and gently tousled carrot hair.
"Oh Harry …" she moaned as she slowly raised her head. However, as she turned around and saw that it was indeed Harry, she turned a deep shade of red and turned away.
Chuckling lightly, he patted Ginny on the back and commented "It's fine Ginny, we all have our fantasies."
At this she turned toward him and gave a slight grin while throwing her study materials into her bookbag and heading towards the girl's dormitory.
"Sorry Harry, and goodnight." Ginny apologized that yawning.
Harry waved at her and sat down to begin his own studies. A few moments later, a beaming Hermione entered the common room and sat next to Harry, carefully unrolling a large sheet of parchment.
A breeze from the open windows carried the pervasive smell of something sweet. Realizing it was Hermione's hair, he put his head closer for a better smell.
Hermione suddenly turning at Harry's strange behavior didn't notice that his head was so close and brushed lips with him.
Electricity ran up Harry's spine as his mind registered what had just happened. Pulling back suddenly, he fell off his chair and his glasses landed a few feet away.
"I'm s-s-sorry, Hermione" Harry explained sheepishly.