Princess Hermione

By Hoshi Nagaiki

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this. I hope JK doesn't murder me for doing this to her characters.

A/N: Never ever could the following events ever or have ever transpired in the realm of Harry Potter. I simply wrote this story to get something off my chest. I, in no way, support a romantic relationship between Harry and Hermione.

Timeline: Sixth Book

Tranquility could only reach him at night. During this time, he didn't have to deal with Dean or Snape or Malfoy or Ron and Lavender. Instead of sleeping, Harry would stare into the fire lost in thoughts of saving Princess Ginny from the evil dragon, Dean. After slaying the evil beast, Knight Harry and Princess Ginny would fly off into the distance on Harry's broomstick and live happily ever after. Each night brought a different fantasy or a continuation of another. . .

However, this night differed from others. Before Harry could lose himself in his fantasy world, footsteps creaked into Harry's ears from the girl's staircase. "Ginny," his heart raced. What would he say? Did his breath smell? Did he smell?

The anxiety halted when he saw bushy brown hair. Hermione stood at the bottom of the stairs. Though Harry could not see her face in the dim light, Hermione appeared as if she would fall apart at any moment. Harry dashed to her side and assisted her to the nearest couch.

"You've been crying again, haven't you?"

Though Hermione built a façade of indifference towards Ron and Lavender, Harry had been "blessed" to see what Hermione hid behind this shell. A heap of disappointment and tears had awaited him from inside her the moment Ron and Lavender's lips had touched. He blamed Ron.

The bushy haired girl sniffled noisily. Her face fell against Harry's chest; she clung to him for life (or so it seemed). Never before had Harry seen Hermione so weak and vulnerable. The lion emerged from inside him; he wanted to protect this virgin from all harm. Harry gripped Hermione tight and pulled her close. If she never left his arms, she would never be hurt.

Anywhere from one minute to one hour elapsed before Hermione spoke. "Don't you ever feel like this when you think about Ginny and Dean?" she hiccupped meekly.

"Men have different ways of handling their anger." Harry thought of himself slaying the Dragon Dean again.

Satiated with his response, Hermione cuddled back in Harry's chest. For the next couple of minutes, they embraced the silence with their thoughts. Harry couldn't stop thinking about his newfound need to protect Hermione. What Ron had said about Hermione having nice skin was true. . . .

"Thanks for comforting me, Harry." Hermione arose from her position on Harry's lap. "I really needed it." She stood up completely now.

Harry shivered from the cold air that embraced him now that Hermione wasn't there. He stood up too. "What if we never get who we want, Hermione? What if there's never any hope for us?"

Hermione's mouth opened slightly just as Harry's linked with it.

At first, the startled Hermione didn't respond, but the persistent Harry didn't give up. Hermione soon added her own hormonal passion to the kiss. For the first and only time of their lives, they experienced what could've occurred between them. Almost as if they were in an alternate universe.

"Good night, Harry," Hermione whispered. She ascended up the girl's staircase stronger and lighter than from when she had descended it.

Harry's heart pumped as he walked to his dormitory, and as he lay in bed later that night, it was no longer Princess Ginny who captivated his mind but Princess Hermione.