A/N: My crack at an H/Hr story.

Chapter One: Meeting

Harry Potter sighed as he looked out the window of his flat he shared with his best friend, Ron Weasley. It was yet another dreary day in the wizarding world with heavy rain pouring down and lightning lighting up the gray sky.

The wizarding world looked depressing even though Voldemort had been defeated when Harry was still at the tender age of seventeen. Ron was stuffing his face with cookies his girlfriend, Luna Lovegood, had baked. Of course, Harry was still single. He couldn't find a solitary girl who didn't goggle at him like he was some extinct dinosaur or one who didn't treat him like some prize trophy.

Suddenly, an idea lit up in his head. "Hey Ron," Harry said, entering the kitchen. "How about we get out of here?"

"Huh?" Ron asked, his face full with cookies.

Harry grimaced at his flat mate. "Let's get out of here. You know, let's go around muggle London. No one will even know who we are."

"I don't know. Where will we go? And how on earth are we supposed to leave here?" He asked, wiping at his mouth with his sweater sleeve.

"We could go out through the Leaky Cauldron. I got inside to Diagon Alley when we were in our third year. I'm guessing we can go out the same way I went in."

"Well, we could do that and all, but I promised to meet up with Luna earlier."

Harry checked his watch. (Despite the fact that he lived in the wizarding world, he still kept some muggle things, much to Arthur Weasley's delight.) It read two thirty-three. "What time did you say you'd meet her?"

"Around three. I should start getting ready. You know she runs the Quibbler, right?" He asked, leaving the kitchen and going into his bedroom.

"Yes, Ron," Harry replied, rolling his eyes. "You've told me that for the past few months."

"Right, right. Maybe we can head out tomorrow?" He suggested, poking his head out of the room.

"Nah, it's alright. I'll head out by myself. Maybe I'll check out the London Eye."

"Whatever, mate. So, I'll see you later then." He said.

Harry nodded and slipped his jacket on. It wasn't before long when he was finally in muggle London, taking his sweet time.

* * *

Hermione Granger sighed as she ran out of her flat. It was nearing three already. She promised her mother that she'd go to the London Eye with her. Although she lived with her mother until eighteen, she still met up with her and it was only recently did she find out that in all their lives of staying on London, neither of them had been to the London Eye. Her mother had immediately arranged to meet her at the entrance at three.

Hermione's father had died when she was thirteen. Of course, she and her mother had gotten over it. Despite the years, her mother was still a pretty woman. She never went on dates, believing that she didn't need anyone. She was a widow living by herself. Hermione often spent time with her on weekends, since the rest of the days would be occupied by her schooldays at her university, the London Metropolitan University. She was currently taking a course in education. She was only in her second year.

She pulled out her mobile phone. Three text messages were all from her mother. Two of which were asking where she was. The last one was saying just to meet her at the London Eye at three.

I have got to stop leaving this thing on silent all the time; Hermione thought as she paid for the entrance and flipped her phone close.

All of a sudden, her phone rang. (Yes, she managed to put it on the general profile.) The screen on the front read "Mum". She flipped it open.

"Hello?" She asked into it.

"Hermione! You've finally answered!" Her mother's voice rang, jovially.

"Hello, mum. Where are you? I'm already in the line. I think we'll either be in pairs of groups of three. Not a lot of people are coming today." Hermione observed, looking ahead.

"I see. Well, I see the top of your head. I don't think we'll be in the same group, dear."

"Oh. Well, I'm sorry." Hermione sounded sincere. She was rather disappointed. Hermione was never one to stay with a couple of strangers. Even in school, she kept to herself. Hermione was dreadfully shy. She didn't have any friends. She only had one friend, but she was in a different class.

"It's alright, Hermione. Don't worry about it, honestly. And I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Alright, I've got to go, mum. I think I'm going to be with just one person." Hermione said, climbing into the huge passenger car.

"I'll see you soon, Hermione." Hermione bid, then the line went dead.

Hermione flipped her phone close and sighed. The other passenger was staring out the window, while Hermione sat on the seat. She felt her heart pound loudly. She was never good with unfamiliar persons. He was standing by the window, the elbow of right arm resting against the railing of the window and his hand to his chin. His other arm was resting fully on the railing. He was dressed, like he was going to attend a funeral, in all black. His pants were slightly lighter than his jacket. He was wearing trainers, which were white with black highlights. His hair was black as well and incredibly messy.

Hermione stood on shaky legs and approached the opposite side of the passenger car, clutching the railing tightly. Another reason Hermione had hoped her mother would be with her was because of Hermione's great fear of heights. She looked over the familiar sights of her home. She recognized her university from afar and the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. She managed to see the famous London Bridge and the busy Piccadilly Circus. She smiled, remembering the earlier years of her life when her father would lead her through the crowded streets.

Unexpectedly, the Ferris wheel came to an abrupt stop. Hermione toppled forward and hit her head on the glass, falling backwards onto the floor. "Ow." She murmured, rubbing the damaged spot on the side of the top of her forehead.

"Are you alright?" A deep, tenor voice asked from right behind her.

"Oh! Yes, I'm quite fine." She stumbled over her words, nervously and avoiding his worried gaze. "Just a tad bit of bruised skin on my head. Nothing's wrong, really."

She was babbling now: a sure sign of nervousness from her. She stood up shakily, only to fall back on the ground. Her foot had fallen asleep, rather quickly at that. "I'll help you." The man suggested, taking her clammy hand.

"Really, there's no need. My foot's just asleep. And I'm quite comfortable here on the ground." Hermione replied, pulling her foot from under her. She straightened her legs in front of her and bent them so they looked like an upside down "V".

"I'll join you then. A passenger car is no use with only two people who aren't talking." He said, sitting in the same position she was in except resting his folded arms on top of his knees.

"To all passengers," A voice coming from the speakers said. "The Ferris wheel has been momentarily stopped for technical difficulties. The machine has suddenly stopped working and will be fixed in about half an hour or less. Please remain calm."

Hermione sighed. Just what she needed, half an hour or less trapped with a complete stranger in a Ferris wheel. It didn't help that she was at the top as well.

"Looks like we'll be trapped in here for a while." The black haired man beside her said, quietly.

"Looks like," Hermione agreed, sighing.

"I guess I should introduce myself. Harry Potter." He said, extending his hand.

"Hermione Granger. It's a pleasure." She replied, shaking his lengthened hand.

There was a short, tense silence, then Harry spoke, "Is this your first time on the London Eye?"

"Oh, yes. I've lived here all my life and I haven't even been here. My mother suggested we come here." Hermione replied, feeling a bit at ease with him.

"Where is your mother?" He asked as they both stared out of the large glass windows.

"She's in a different car. She came later than I did on accident. I was led into a different car." Hermione answered.

Before Harry could say anything, Hermione's mobile rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and checked the screen. It read "Mum" on it.

"Excuse me." She said to Harry then she flipped her phone open.

"Mum?" She asked, softly.

"Hermione! Oh, thank goodness you've answered. Are you well? I mean, you're alone with a stranger and on one of the highest Ferris wheels of the world!" Her mother exclaimed.

"Mum, I'm fine. Honestly, I'm not a child anymore. I've quite grown-up since then." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Yes, I know. But your have fears of a child. I mean, fearing strangers and heights! These are all irrational!"

"Goodbye, mum. I'll see you in half an hour." She closed her phone in mid-rant and sighed.

"Sometimes I wonder if my mum's ever seen me now. She treats me like I'm still ten. But they're mothers. They'll never stop worrying." Hermione said, laughing.

"I've never really experienced with all the worrying from mums. My, um, my parents died in a car crash." He replied, nervously.

"I'm so sorry. Truly. I never meant to imply anything. It's just that—"

"It's alright really. You shouldn't know everything." He said, unnoticeably scooting closer to her.

"Most people who know wouldn't say that." She chuckled.

"Why? Know-it-all, are you?" He teased, grinning.

"Just a bit. I take my studies quite seriously at the university."

"If I may know, what university are you going to?" Harry didn't quite know anything about London and he was more than ready to know about his country.

"I'm going to the London Metropolitan University. I'm plan on becoming a teacher."

"I see."

"What's your course?"

"Oh, I'm not in a university. I've already got a job. I'm sort of like a part-time… thing."

"Thing? I've never heard of that kind of job."

Harry nudged her shoulder with his playfully, now sitting right beside her. "I meant that I work in the law department."

"A cop?"

"Well, sort of. Not really."

"I see. That's quite interesting."

"Well, it's only part-time."

"Still. It's quite honorable that you risk your life. I think you're very brave to choose such a profession."

"That's the first time I've heard someone actually tell me that. It makes my job a lot worth doing now."

Hermione turned to look at him. "Surely some people must thank you."

"Yeah, well, not a lot call me brave."

Harry gave her a grateful smile and she returned it. Then the Ferris wheel started moving again. They remained on the floor.

"We've got fifteen minutes left." Hermione said, checking her watch.

"Might as well appreciate the time we have left together." Harry whispered, mostly to himself. Before either of them could figure out what he meant, the speaker crackled and a voice spoke telling them they were back on track.

In mere moments, they were going off the passenger car.

"So, I guess I'll see you soon?" Harry asked, wondering slightly at why he said that.

"Sure." Hermione replied, with ease.

"We can meet again. Maybe here at around mid-afternoon?" He asked, eagerly.

"Of course. I'd love to meet with you again."

"So, I'll see you?"

"See you."

Harry smiled at bid goodbye to the pretty girl before taking off in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron.

* * *

Hermione watched Harry's retreating figure and smiled. He was a nice man. Not many people nowadays would behave like Harry did back on the giant Ferris wheel.

"Who was that?" Her mother's voice sang out, curiously from behind her.

Hermione spun around and faced her mother. "Mum! I didn't know you were here! I mean, I knew you were here but I mean here as in right behind me." Hermione blathered.

"I see. Who was that young man you were talking to?" Her mother prodded her with the question again.

"He was the guy with me on the passenger car. Quite nice, he was." Hermione replied and they began walking together towards the café they usually went to whenever they headed out in that area of London.

"Mmm, you've gotten over your fears?" Her mother asked.

"Well, no, not exactly. He was very genteel, though."

"Not a lot of men nowadays are like that, you know. But still, it might not be safe to trust such people right now."

"He sounded and looked very sincere." Hermione was instantly reminded of the look in his emerald green eyes when he asked her if she was all right after she fell.

They entered the slightly crowded café and sat on their usual window booth. They once again resumed their conversation.

"Did you exchange numbers with him?" Her mother sounded concerned.

"No, we didn't. He wanted to see me again, though."

"And you made plans to see him again?"

"Well, yes. But, really, mum, I can take care of myself!"

"I know, I know. I wonder though…"

Hermione looked up from the tiny menu and at her mother. "Wonder what?"

"Nothing, dear, nothing. Do you think I should get the beef stew?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow but ignored her mother's behavior. "Um, maybe. I'll just get the chicken parmigiana."

"As usual."

"Right." Hermione looked out the window, hoping to see if Harry would pass by. "As usual."

* * *

Harry opened the door to his and Ron's flat and quietly crept in, hoping Ron wouldn't wonder why he was thirty minutes late than his agreed time arrival.

"Harry?" Ron's voice asked from the kitchen. "That you, mate?"

Harry cursed under his breath before replying, "Yeah, it's me." Harry came into the kitchen to find Ron sitting there with a cup of coffee in his hands.

"You're a bit late than usual. Held up or something?" Ron observed, sipping his black coffee.

"No, the Ferris wheel had some malfunctions. Nothing serious. How was your thing with Luna?" Harry asked, hoping to drive away the subject.

"Oh, it was short-lived. Something came up with the Quibbler and we had to cut our date short. Anyway, did you meet anyone?"

"Oh, no one." Harry said this rather quickly to his mistake.

"Liar. Who'd you meet?" Ron asked, narrowing his eyes.

"No one! I didn't meet anyone!" Harry defended himself, yelling.

"Don't yell, mate." Ron said, reprimanding. Then he smirked. "Who'd you meet?"

"Okay, okay. I met this… girl." Harry replied, scratching the back of his neck and avoiding Ron's gaze.

"And?"

"And she was really nice."

"Nice? That's it?"

"Well, I didn't talk to her half of the time. So I didn't get to really evaluate her." Harry rolled his eyes.

"How'd she look like?"

"Well, she had bushy, brown hair. She had the brownest eyes—"

"'Nuff said."

"Eh?"

"Oh, come on, Harry. This girl's right up your alley. I mean, she's already got the brown eyes. And everyone knows how bad you fall for brown eyes."

"Do not!"

"Do too! D'you even remember Alice? Clarissa? Eleanor? They all had brown eyes."

"Yeah, well, so what? So, I've got some fetish for brown eyes, big deal."

"You made plans with her, didn't you?"

"So?!"

"Muggle, isn't she? Just don't dig a hole too deep. I mean, don't dig a hole you can't climb out of."

"What? What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"I'm just saying don't fall for her too quick. She's a muggle. You know we wizards can't fall in love with muggles. Things get messy."

"I know, I know. We're just meeting each other. Jeez, you act like I'm marrying her." Harry rolled his eyes.

"Just being cautious, mate. You never know. I mean, what if you end up falling in love with her?"

"No way. I know better that to get things serious with a muggle."

"Just being sure, mate."

"I'm sure."

* * *

A/N: Please review!