DISCLAIMER: I own the plot and only the plot. I put Sirius in because I think he's a really cool character, even though he dies in the 5th one. Just pretend he didn't die ok? It's set in their 7th year. R&R!!!!

Ps: this is NOT a song fic, just a little tune which represents the whole theme, and i may put it in the last chapter as a song fic for the LAST CHAPTER ONLY!

I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away

I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

Cause I'm broken when I'm open

And I don't feel like I am strong enough

Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome

And I don't feel right when you're gone away

The worst is over now and we can breathe again

I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away

There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

Cause Im broken when I'm open

And I don't feel like I am strong enough

Cause Im broken when I'm lonesome

And I don't feel right when you're gone away

Cause I'm broken when I'm open

And I don't feel like I am strong enough

Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome

And I don't feel light when you're gone away

(Broken by Seether ft Amy Lee)

"See you at the meeting tonight," said Harry, to his friend, Hermione, "Have a nice afternoon." She nodded swiftly in response before dashing out of the almost empty bar by the name of the Three Broomsticks.

Harry sighed. He hated watching her leave, knowing she didn't love him. It caused him so much misery to know that she still had an eye out for Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Quidditch Team's well-known seeker. Harry couldn't understand why she liked him – he was always looking very surly, with thick eyebrows and a grouchy expression. She had met him three years ago, when he was a competitor in the Triwizard Tournament.

Harry, on the other hand, had loved her from his first day at Hogwarts. Everything about her was so...perfect – there was no other word to describe it. She was slightly attractive, but to Harry, she was beautiful, from her bushy brown hair to her glowing smile. He had no chance with her though, she was mad about Krum, and as he was too nervous to ask her out, he had given up hope.

He was sitting in the Three Broomsticks, a cheery pub in the village of Hogsmeade. On his left was Ron, his best friend from Hogwarts, the school for witches and wizards he had attended since he was eleven. He took another swig of his Butterbeer, avoiding Ron's gaze. He suspected greatly that Ron knew about his love for Hermione, but he pretended that he didn't like her at all.

The meeting of which Harry spoke was the annual monthly meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been in the Order since the last term of the year before - their sixth year. They had only been allowed in it since Sirius invited them into a meeting that Mrs Weasley was not at, otherwise they would not be permitted to attend. She, naturally, found out, but could not stop them from going since then, as they already knew too much to be left out.

"So," said Ron after a few minutes silence, "Let's talk. What is it with you and Hermione? Every time you see her it's like 'Aah I'm in fantasy'!" Harry tried to suppress his ever reddening face, but couldn't. Harry was right – Ron had guessed the truth. Ron grinned at him as he tried to look away.

"It's ok mate, I know you like her, but what're you going to do about it? Cause Krum's into her, and I don't think he's going to stop liking her for a while," replied Ron in a casual tone.

"Well, I don't think I have much of a choice at all really. I mean she likes him back equally doesn't she?" asked Harry hopefully, perhaps there was a chance between them. Ron stood up and frowned for a moment, then an idea came to him.

"Ask her out! Come on Harry, you've liked her for ages now, ask her out after the meeting tonight! Go, on!" But Harry was so nervous whenever she talked to him, that was bad enough, but asking her out? It was too far. He swallowed, then shook his head and said:

"Yeah...anyway, I've got to run, you know, umm...I've got to finish that essay for Binns..." he said, awkwardly trailing off before running out the door and into a downpour of rain, soaking his robes instantly. He conjured an umbrella and trudged back to Hogwarts, occasionally stopping to pull his feet out of the sloppy mud, which carpeted the smooth village ground.

You are an idiot, he thought to himself as he walked back to the school. Why didn't you just ask her out in your fourth year, before she met that Bulgarian seeker? He was furious with himself for not taking the opportunity when he had it. Ron's advice was good, except it wouldn't work; as Harry was much too afraid to approach her on her own to ask her out. Yet he was considering it, he just needed a morale booster from someone...someone who'd done that sort of thing before...anyone...and adult, but not a teacher, like a parent. Then it struck him – Sirius. He would know all about asking girls out, what with the looks he had had when he was at school, girls must have been lining up to see him, he thought.

When he reached the Gryffindor common room, Hermione wasn't there. Good, he thought, as he pulled out a roll of parchment, a quill, and a bottle of ink from his cloak pocket. He settled into a comfy armchair next to the fire, summoned the small side table towards him, and began to write:

---------

Dear Snuffles, How are you? Hope you're feeling ok, how's everyone at your house?

I'm writing to you for advice, because I don't know anyone else who could help. I'm in love with Hermione. Viktor Krum has his eye on her and I think – I mean, I'm pretty sure - she likes him back. What should I do, because I really love her, I always have.

Thanks

From Harry

Ps: Do you think that I should ask her at the monthly gathering?

---------

He hesitated, reconsidering if he should send it, then walked out of the portrait hole and up the stairs to the Owlery, where he met someone he really didn't want to see at that moment – Hermione.

"Hi Harry, what's that you're sending?" she asked, smiling as she tied her own letter to one of the school owls' leg. He opened his mouth, but stopped as Hedwig swooped down at him and landed on his shoulder, clicking her beak expectantly.

"Umm...to Sirius, telling him," He gulped, "telling him...that my scar hurt this morning," he finished, inventing an idea on the spot. He soon regretted it though, as Hermione eyed him suspiciously.

"But you didn't tell me and Ron about it...why not?" she asked, trying to coax him into telling her the truth. He shrugged and looked away. He began to tie his letter to Hedwig's leg, but was interrupted by -

"POTTER!" said a voice behind him. He swiveled on the spot to find himself face-to-face with his least favourite teacher, Professor Snape. Snape always found an excuse to put Harry in detention, so, naturally, he expected something to happen when Snape walked past. What had he done this time?

"Where have you been? You were due in Potions twenty minutes ago. Explain yourself," said Snape, dangerously quiet. Harry swore under his breath. He had completely forgotten about his extra Potions lesson he was supposed to be taking that afternoon for his future Auror career. He waved feebly at Hermione, and then followed Snape to the dungeons.

Hermione saw his letter on the table. "Wait! You forgot your letter!" she called after him, but he had already gone. She put it down on the table, and made to tie it to Hedwig, but couldn't resist the temptation. She glanced around quickly; making sure no one was looking, and then ripped it open.

She read it and gasped. She never knew Harry had liked her for ages! She had always thought he had his eyes on Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Quidditch team's seeker! This had to be a joke, he couldn't like her, he was always telling her how annoying she was being, and making him do all his homework properly. But then, on the other hand, hadn't Harry always been friends with her, no matter how his relationship with Ron was going? It was so unbelievable – she had always liked him too, ever since the day they met! Krum fancied her, and she acknowledged that, but she never even dreamed of falling in love with him – Harry was the only one for her. Still flabbergasted, resealed the letter by magic, and attached it to Hedwig, who left promptly.

When she got back to the common room, Ron was leaning in his armchair next to Seamus, swapping chocolate frog cards. Hermione rushed over to Ron and pulled him aside, much to his confusion.

"Did you know Harry liked me?" she asked quietly. Ron muttered something under his breath and looked away. She supposed this meant yes.

"Well?" she demanded, Ron rather taken-aback.

"Umm...I think that's...nice..." he finished lamely. Hermione rolled her eyes, then pulled out her Potions textbook and a roll of parchment. Seconds later, she was sitting at the table, thoroughly into her four foot long essay. Ron joined Seamus again and they soon started up a nice game of wizard's chess, while Hermione pretended to be doing her Potions essay. She was actually thinking about the wondrous events of the past ten minutes. She had never known, or at least had a suspicion that he liked him; it was such astonishing news to her.

(At the Order of the Phoenix monthly meeting)

Sirius whispered in Harry's ear, "Go on, do it now while she's not talking to anyone." Harry smiled weakly, and then walked slowly towards Hermione, dreading every step. It seemed like years, as he weaved in and out of the crowd, gradually getting closer to her. She was facing the other way, so Harry braced himself, and then tapped her on the shoulder gently. She turned and smiled, "Harry, what's up?"

"Umm..." he glanced at Sirius, who smiled encouragingly at him, "Well, I've been meaning to tell you something for a while now, and umm..."He paused to glance at her expression, then continued, "I love you" Hermione's response was not what he was expecting. Instead of staring at him in disbelief, she smiled sheepishly.

"Well, Harry, I've been wanting to tell you something for a while also," He looked down, disheartened. She was never going to like him. He closed his eyes for a moment, waiting to be rejected, then –

"I love you too," said Hermione, eyes gleaming in the firelight. Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did she really love him, or was it just being nice?

"But – but Krum, I thought you liked him!" he exclaimed, still amazed at his luck. She shook her head, "No, he only likes me, I don't return the favour!" Harry was happier than he had ever been in his life – he could use this memory as a memory for Patronuses, it was so fantastic. He stared into her beautiful, big brown eyes as she beamed at him, both of them thrilled. He turned to look at Sirius and Ron, and they were grinning and gave him the thumbs-up. Hermione pulled him out of the hall, and into the empty corridor. Shapely lips started things.

Soon, they were kissing passionately in the hallway. Harry tasted her beauty as they caressed each other's lips. He put his arms around her, kissing her so avidly that he felt on fire, with so much energy rushing through him. They kept on going forever, it seemed, until there was a slight interruption. Snape had appeared at the doorway.

"Potter, the meeting is about-" began Snape, but stopped as he saw Harry and Hermione, engaged in a passionate kiss. Harry looked up to see Snape, standing there, completely dumbstruck. Hermione just stared at him as he walked off briskly, then Harry whispered, "Come on, we should go back to the meeting now."

"I don't think we should go-"she began, but never finished, as the whole Order of the Phoenix was standing in the doorway, staring at them in exactly the same way Snape had. Hermione blushed and Harry looked away. They walked hand-in-hand back to the table, ignoring the shocked looks on everyone's faces.

(Back at school)

"Can't believe you guys kissed right in front of Snape," said Ron, chuckling at last night's events. Harry, on the other hand, was severely embarrassed. Of all teachers at Hogwarts, why did it have to be Snape that saw him kissing Hermione? Why couldn't it have been Lupin or Sirius or someone else at least, he probably wouldn't even have minded Dumbledore seeing them, just not Snape!

"Don't worry Harry, he'll probably forget about it quickly enough," said Ron, in a highly unconvincing tone. Harry, however, had to put aside the moment as the post had arrived with the Daily Prophet. He pushed a Knut casually into the owl's pouch, then returned to his conversation with Ron, but changed the subject.

"So, when's the next Hogsmeade weekend?"

Half and hour later, they were sitting at the back of their Potions class, bored out of their brains. Hermione was with them also, jotting down notes off the board, whereas Ron and Harry were playing Exploding Snap under the table.

When a loud 'BANG' from the Exploding Snap cards ruptured the silent atmosphere, Snape was furious. He walked down to their desk and confiscated them, as well as giving them a detention apiece.

Hermione, not looking up from her work, said quietly, "You do deserve it, you know. You shouldn't be mucking around in NEWT year." Ron mouthed soundlessly at her, not believing his ears. Harry couldn't believe it either.

"So you mean I'm a slacker, do you? Why are you being so...harsh all of a sudden? What was last night, a joke?" he yelled at her, fuming. Malfoy turned around in his chair and asked, "Yeah, what was last night about? I think we'd all like to know." Harry swore under his breath, this was exactly what he needed – the whole class asking about his love life.

"Settle down, settle down, "said Snape, walking towards Harry's table. "You, Potter, keep your voice down if you don't want everyone knowing you kissed Granger last night –"he stopped as all the Slytherins laughter rang out in the echoic dungeon. Snape smiled maliciously, this is exactly what he wanted. Harry stuffed his things into his bag, and then ran out, wanting nothing more than to curse Snape into a hundred billion pieces. He dashed off to the common room and pulled out his Divination homework, figuring he'd have other homework to do later with Ron and Hermione.

The nerve of Snape was unbelievable. How could he do such a thing to Hermione and him? It was so unfair the way Snape treated him, in fact, so unfair that Harry was glad his father had taunted him when they were at school together.

DUN DUN DAH! WHAT IS GONNA HAPPEN NEXT? If you don't review, I wont add chapters, so PLEASE review and tell all ur fanfic friends about my story too!