Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Any recognizable characters are not mine.

A/N: This was made for the 'Ring Around the Boyfriend' challenge.

Couple: Harry/Hermione

Prompt: Sister

Harry would be the first to admit that he wasn't very good at the relationship area of his life. First there was Cho. Who seemed to cry whenever Harry was around her. He was pretty sure the only reason she had been around him 5th year was because he had been the last one to see Cedric alive. And the weepy kiss the two had shared in the Room of Requirement did nothing for his self esteem. Sixth year brought his feelings for Ginny. After being jealous of Dean's relationship with Ginny for most of the year and trying to figure out his feelings he had finally started dating his best friends little sister. That relationship was much better then the thing he had with Cho, but it only lasted a little less than a month before he had to break it off for her safety. Spending his 7th year on the run, ending with the defeat of Voldemort, had forced Harry to mature much more than the average 17 year old. And now that he had returned to Hogwarts to redo his last year and he was free to pursue the relationship with Ginny he had prematurely ended...he didn't want her. And, continuing his horrible relationship track record, the one he did want was out of reach.

Hermione Jane Granger. His best friend. The girl who had stood beside him and been like the sister he had never had for 7 years. Never before had he had a lusty thought of the girl. But now it seemed his mind had decided to betray him. Supplying inappropriate thoughts and images at inopportune moments. And unfortunately his traitorous body would respond. So now he could barely be near Hermione without the evidence of his attraction showing itself. No matter where the three of them hung out Hermione managed to do something to peak his interest. Brushing her hair behind her revealed the elegant curve of her neck. Twisting certain ways showed off the figure he had never noticed before. Innocent touches he had never thought twice about were now off limits to him.

He could tell it was hurting the girl. The hurt flashed through her chocolate eyes whenever he jerked away from her. He wished he could tell her why he did it. Tell her he didn't see her as a sister, but as a possible partner. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. She was with Ron. They were happy together and he wouldn't do anything to ruin her relationship with Ron or himself. And this was the reason he was currently in the Room of Requirement, sitting in front of a fireplace and downing a bottle of firewhiskey. He'd disappeared just after lunch and wasn't sure quite what time it was. If it got too late he was sure someone would come looking for him. Leaning back on the couch he closed his eyes and took a swig from the half empty bottle in his hand, eyes shutting. He hung half way between sleep and consciousness when he heard the door open and felt someone sit on the edge of the couch next to him. A familiar hand on his arm caused his to jerk awake and his bleary eyes opened, lids heavy with liquor. Dark green orbs locked on the figure next to him, bushy brown hair looking like a halo with the fire as a backdrop. A goofy smile spread across his face and, for the first time in months, he initiated contact with his best friend. Taking her small hand in his.

"Hiiiiiiiiiii, 'Mione."

"Harry." His name was a reprimand, the disapproval easily detected in her tone. "Why have you been drinking?"

The intoxicated boys only answer was to burst into giggles and swing around the bottle clenched in his free hand around his head before taking another deep tug of the bottle. Hermione shook her head and stared into the fire.

"'M not drinkin' Miny. Want some?"

Harry offered the bottle and despite herself, the corners of Hermiones mouth twitched upwards. She didn't approve of his indulging with alcohol, especially on a school night, but she did have to admit he was adorable like this. He was so relaxed right now and she hadn't seen him so care free since first year. Hermione simply rolled her eyes and took the bottle from her friends hand, placing it on the table the room had supplied. Standing up she grabbed both of Harry's hands, pulling on them and trying to heave the limp body off the couch.

"Come on Harry! It's almost curfew and we have school tomorrow so I have to get you to the dorms."

One last big tug and the inebriated boy was lifted from the couch. Unfortunatly Hermione wasn't expecting for him to have virtually no control of his body, and wound up with an armful of Harry. She stared down at him in shock, not moving as his arms wrapped around her shoulders. That was no big deal as it seemed like his legs weren't going to support him. At least it wasn't a big deal, until he lifted himself to plant his lips against hers. Her mouth dropped in shock, allowing Harry's tongue to slip in aside hers, the flavor of firewhiskey bursting along her taste buds. Reality slammed into her and she shoved Harry away from her, backing up with hand lying protectively across her mouth. She stared through wide eyes at Harry, watching him readjust himself on the couch where he had fallen. Silence reigned in the room, only broken by the soft crackling of the fire. Taking a shaky breath Hermione shook her head and stalked out of the room, softly closing the door behind her.

Harry watched her leave through blurred eyes, leaning back on the couch and swiping the bottle up, downing the rest of it in one fell swoop. Shutting his eyes he tilted his head back with a sigh. So much for not ruining their relationship.