Confusion Lies Within Her Eyes

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the creator of the Harry Potter series.

Summary: This story begins during the early months of Harry, Ron, and Hermione's 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Things are as normal in HPB, except for the small detail that Ron and Hermione are STRICTLY friends, and even though none has put it out in the open, both Harry and Hermione have feelings for each other which are about to be revealed.

Chapter One- Common Room Mayhem

((It is very late at night in the Gryffindor common room; Harry is busy finishing a report for Snape DADA, with the help of Hermione. Ron has passed-out in a nearby chair, and is currently snoring.))

"Ugh, could he possibly snore any louder?" Hermione questioned to no one unparticular.

Harry chortled, glancing over at her to give a warm smile, which she gracefully returned. Ever since they had arrived at Hogwarts, Harry had noticed a sudden change in his feelings towards Hermione. Simple things that she said either made him break-out in laughter, or shut his mouth instantly because of the burning sensation in the pit of his stomach. At first he wanted to deny it, but now he could not do anything but assume it was true: He may be in love with Hermione.

Afraid to ever tell her how he felt, Harry had kept unusually quiet when in her presence. Instead he would just reply with a smile or a nod, as he had just displayed. Unfortunately, he wasn't sure how long he could keep up his little "act". Hermione was one of his best friends, after all… if only he knew how she really felt.

"Wish I could be asleep about now," Harry sighed, continuing to write, with Hermione surveying overtop of him.

Impulsively, she slid the parchment out from underneath his lazy hands, and grabbed her own quill, hurriedly scribbling away.

"Hermione, really…"

"Harry, it's fine," she protested. "At least you've managed to stay awake; you honestly do need to get some rest."

Hermione caste an annoying glance at Ron's sleeping corpse, draped across one of the common room chairs. Harry, meanwhile, proceeded to stretch further down the couch, resting his head on the edge of the armrest.

Look at him, lying there so peacefully, Hermione thought. NO! Stop it, Hermione. You're confusing yourself just like you've been the past few weeks. Harry is your friend, just like Ron… well, maybe not exactly like Ron.

((15-20 minutes later; Hermione has just finished reviewing/writing Harry's report, and now both Ron and Harry are sound asleep))

Hermione rolled up the parchment, packed the various quills and bottle of ink in a few small bags, and then turned to Harry. She must have been so intensely concentrating on the report that she had been completely ignoring him, and he had apparently found time to doze off.

Carefully, hovering above him now, she leaned down to whisper, "Harry!"

Suddenly, he popped up, his chest combining with Hermione's rather rocky one, and they met, their faces' molded together as one. Without thinking, or stopping what had happened, their lips enveloped each others', and they shared an irresistible kiss. Struggling on the couch, Hermione, who was on top, let her legs dangle off the coach, where they immediately hit the bags full of ink, which fell onto the floor, shattering and making quite a ruckus.

On the other side of the table, Ron's body popped up instantly, and he quickly stumbled to his feet. Rubbing his eyes, he scanned the room, expecting to find a mess, but all he could watch was the pair on the couch, entwined in each others' arms.

"BLOODY HELL!"

They both heard the shout, and heaved themselves off the couch, being careful not to trip over the shattered bottles. Frightened and shocked at what event had just taken place, they nervously stared back and forth from each other to Ron's petrified face.

"What-the, the… what were you doing to her?"

"Me! She was on top!" Harry shouted back.

Disgusted, Hermione gave him a look and scolded, "Harry!"

Ron stared angrily at the floor, fuming, "And after everything I told you about her…"

Hermione's head shot up, "Told him about what?"

"I-I, Ron, he… he kind of likes you…" Harry trailed off, receiving a glare from Ron, which most likely would have been accompanied with another argue, but it seemed he was too shocked for words.

Finally, Ron managed to shout, "Well I guess it's liked now, since you two have apparently snogged your way into a new relationship!"

Hermione's face blushed scarlet, "I-I didn't know, Ron… but, I've never had feelings for you that way, and I don't think I ever will. Can't we just remain friends? That's what I've always considered you as..?"

"Besides, Ron.. It was simply an accident, I'm not sure if we're looking for anything more… just consider it a one-time thing," Harry began.

Hermione shot him a look, "Harry! We never discussed…"

He cut her off again, this time whispering, "Hermione, later."

Turning around to confront Ron again, he was surprised to see nothing, but to only hear the sound of stomping footsteps hurrying up the common room stairs,

"Harry, what exactly did you just mean?" Hermione stared at him blankly.

"I-I didn't mean it, I just meant that it all happened so fast… I mean, there are so many things that I need to tell you," he pleaded.

She gave a small smile, "Okay, then. I guess we better be off to bed."

"Yea, by now the whole tower's heard us," he replied, grinning.

It was an awkward moment, seeing as they had just shared an intensely romantic kiss, and were now parting for the night. Harry wasn't quite sure if it was inappropriate, but seeing as Hermione had just had a sudden outburst at the fact that Harry hadn't considered their "moment" important, he went ahead and gave her a hug; rubbing her back, and ending with a small kiss of the top of her head.

"G'night"

They both climbed the separate staircases, and silently closed the doors to shut out a chaotic night.

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Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my first chapter. This isn't exactly my first fanfiction, I've written quite a few on the t.v show "Friends". I hope you enjoyed, and there will be more soon to come. Please review, it really keeps my going!