Chapter 1

"Honestly, Harry," Hermione exclaimed exasperated. "I can't believe you said that! That was so insensitive, you are really going to have to try and make up for that now." It had been two years since Cedric's death and Harry and Cho had decided to try giving their relationship another go. Unfortunately, he had to deal with Cho's insecurity - the conversation they had was frustrating him.

Harry had played the conversation he had with Cho many times over in his head the last few days.

"Hello, Harry. How are you?" Cho greeted.

"Good," The reply came. "And how are you?"

"Oh, I've been better, to be honest."

"Why is that?" asked Harry, baffled.

"Today is the second anniversary of Cedric's death," Cho sadly responded.

God, here we go again thought Harry. He could not understand it - it had been two years after his death - could she not just move on?

"Look," Harry said, "there's no good crying over spilt milk; what's happened has happened. You cannot bring him back by grieving, and to be frank I am getting tired of your constant moping. It seems as though you spend more time thinking about him than you spend with me."

Cho sat there with a stunned look on her face as Harry stood up and walked out on her. Why can she not just move on thought Harry. Most people move on within a couple of months and get on with life, but not Cho... and Harry had to put up with this. Since the first time she mentioned Cedric's death, he had had enough of it and realised where their relationship was going. Nowhere, why did he bother?

He had thought he was in love with her. He had fallen into that trap of feeling sorry and gotten too close to her. He would have to tell her the way he felt. He knew he never really loved her.

"Harry," Hermione snapped "do pay attention to what you are doing!"

"What?" asked Harry "Oh sorry" Harry exclaimed he had dropped the pot that he was supposed to be levitating, narrowly missing Hermione's foot.

There was only one person he truly loved - his best friend - and he did not want to ruin their friendship. She said she was not interested but she was constantly looking at him in class, which for Hermione is remarkable - she was usually on task.

She had constantly insisted that she wanted no more than to be friends. The problem was whenever she was around him she acted differently; she was consistently flirting with him. Therefore, Harry was sure something was up.

Right he thought,tomorrow I dump Cho and pursue Hermione. what he needed to do was somehow attract Hermione's attention to him more and more without seeming too conspicuous. That could prove difficult. He could help her with schoolwork, but she is the smartest which in about a hundred years. Maybe if he started small - opening doors for her and things of that nature.

First, he needed to talk to Cho; he would do that first thing tomorrow. She was, after all, in his Care of Magical Creatures class. This year they were not in the same class as the Slytherins, thank goodness. Harry had his plan of attack sorted out regards to dumping Cho. He supposed he should also apologise about the incident at Hogsmeade.

It was a beautiful summer's day and Care of Magical Creatures was down near Hagrid's hut as usual. They got there to find Hagrid had not turned up, which Harry thought very odd. The only other time Hagrid was absent from his class was when he tried to make an alliance with the Giants. He failed and turned up some months later looking rather battered and tired.

Harry was sure there was some logical reason for Hagrid's absence. They all waited there about half an hour until Dumbledore strolled down to the class.

"I have an announcement to make," He said "Hagrid is away and we could not get a replacement, so today's class has been canned." Right thought Harry, time to implement part one of my plans.

"Hey, Cho," called Harry. "Can I have a word, please?"

"Ok, sure." She turned to her friends on either side of her and said, "I'll see you at lunch." Looking back at Harry she called, "What is it?"

"Not here, Cho." She had been dreading this moment all of last night and just wanted to get it over with. They walked down to the lake and sat down under a tree

"First of all," Harry started, "I must apologise for my horrible comments I made at the Hogs Head I realise how hard it must be to lose someone that close to you..." She was a little surprised; this wasn't the conversation she had expected. He was apologising to her.

This is great she thought, It means he still cares.

"However," he continued, "I really don't think our relationship is going to work out. I'm sorry, but I can't continue on like this."

Oh great she thought, I did not realise that apology was a precursor to him dumping me She somehow managed to remain composed and just shrugged it off hiding her feelings. After all, displaying her emotions was what had gotten her into this whole predicament in the first place.

Thank God that is done thought Harry. He could finally start pursuing a relationship with Hermione and not feel guilty about it. He would never cheat on anyone he just was not that type of person. Well now that was finished, he had to think of a plan to try to win Hermione's heart.

Harry Went to look for Hermione, he though the most obvious place would be the library, but she was not there. Oh well he thought, heading up to the common room, time for a rest. Harry plonked himself down in the chair next to the fire and had a little snooze.

Just as he was waking up a person who he could not make out because of the sleep in his eyes entered the room. "Hello, Harry." The familiar voice he had been longing to hear came, his heart leapt into his throat.

"Hello, Hermione," Harry replied. He lifted his eyes to see the familiar figure of his best friend. She was beautiful - she had the prettiest face he had ever seen, gorgeous brown eyes, and the most stunningly curly brown hair that ran halfway down her back.

"Look, I was wondering whether you'd like to come…."

"Down to the library," Harry finished the sentence for her.

"No, Harry, I was wondering whether you fancied a walk around the castle grounds. It's such a lovely summer's day, we wouldn't want to waste it, now would we?" she said with a serene smile. Harry nodded. Hermione not studying for tomorrows in class test; what has gotten into her?