DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter, J.K.R. does, although I am a big fan of her, almost as much as I am of Emma Watson. Still I want to declare I am not making a profit through this fan fiction and I don't have much experience in writing a disclaimer.

And I am a die-hard Harry/Hermione fan too.

CHAPTER 1: The Ritual

"RON, YOU MORONIC BASTARD, CAN'T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT. I SAID TO BRING A HEALING DRAUGHT NOT A CALMING DRAUGHT.''

Those were the first words Harry heard, A shiver ran down his spine, a feather touch at his forehead, his body felt leaden, he slowly opened his eyes and looked into brown pools, he blinked, and shook his head then looked again, beautiful and warm face of his female best friend came into his focus, then he realized how close their faces are, he leapt back and banged his head against the bedstead.

Eyes brimming he heard Hermione asking, "Harry, are you okay?" He shook his head and asked, "What the hell happened?" Hermione shot Ron a withering look, "Apparently Ronnikins can't even perform a magic sustaining spell right. He knocked you out in the middle of ritual." She handed him a glass of red cool red liquid which he drank, feeling some life return to his body.

Harry sighed, it was the fifth time his ritual has failed. He heard Ron saying, "I think we should take a break, you alright mate?" He looked guilty enough that Harry decided to save him from Hermione's wrath.

He nodded, then he noticed that he wasn't wearing any clothes under the sheets and only the covers preserved his modesty, he immediately pulled the covers up to his neck and shouted, "Where are my clothes?"

Ron replied, "Mate you burst into fire there is no way your clothes could have survived, thankfully the spell damage shield protected you from becoming roasted Harry."

Harry tried not to think which one had brought him to his rooms from the basement.

A blushing Hermione handed Harry his wand and he waved it, "Accio," summoning some clothes.

She gave him a look, "Harry, are you sure you want to go through this?"

He sighed while pulling on a white shirtover his torso,

they were back at this argument, He said, "Yes Hermione I am sure, the last battle took a toll at the wizarding world, only 40% of the people at the last battle survived, ministry is in shambles, we would never be able to recover from this setback, I have preparing for this task since Voldemort's defeat two years ago, I would have dropped this if the Wizarding world had recoverd."

"So, you think going into the past and anonymously taking down you know who is the solution to our problems," Ron grumbled.

"Harry, I think we should think this through." Hermione said.

Harry relented and said, "Both of you go to the kitchen, and ask Kreacher to serve dinner, I will be along shortly, after that we will think about it."

Ron immediately brightened, he seemed to have left behind his animosity for the old elf in favour of elf's delicious cooking. He looked at Hermione, and extended his hand toward her, "You coming?" She bit her lip, "You go ahead, I need to talk to Harry." Ron visibly deflated, he withdrew his hand and stalked out of the room looking sour.

Hermione looked at the floor shuffling her feet.

Harry looked at Hermione quizzically, he had noticed their awkward behavior before, "Is something going on between you two?"

Hermione shifted on his bed, and Harry became aware that he wasn't wearing anything below his torso, only the covers hid his glory from being visible. Hermione looked at him and hastily looked at the picture Harry had at his bedside table of the trio, she said slowly, "I don't think it's going to work."

Harry exasperated, "For god's sake Hermione don't bring it up again."

Hermione looked at him, "what do you mean again?"

Harry started, "The ritual…"

Hermione cut him off, "No Harry not the ritual, I don't think Ron and I can make it work out."

Harry digested it, he couldn't fault her, he and Ginny had broken up weeks ago after deciding that they were not compatible with each other, as Ginny enjoyed the lime light, Harry hated fame. Not that Ginny wanted him for fame, but she loved the attention, going out in public, Harry on the other hand always lurked in shadows.

He had always wondered about his two best friends, they were both opposite in personality just like him and Ginny. Whereas Hermione was Intelligent, graceful and studious Ron was gangly and epitome of rudeness. Hermione was more like Harry, even their names were in Harmony for crying out loud.

He looked at her, "So…"

"We are always arguing about one thing or the other Harry, I don't think we can make it work out."

She looked at him as if wanted him to understand it, "Harry, he is very different than me, and he is disappointed that I don't let him ...touch me."

She started to become teary eyed, he just extended his hand and took hers, she sniffed, "Mrs. Weasley is trying to push the two of us together, she had her mind set on a big happy weasley family."

Harry thought Mrs. Weasley always tried to order everyone around, indeed she was heartbroken when Harry and Ginny broke so she has decided to 'save' Hermione from consequences of her rash decisions.

She continued, "Don't I have any say in the matter Harry, Can't I choose who I want to go out with, why is everyone trying to move my relationship with Ron to the next level, when I don't even love him, Harry I feel alone when I am with him, there is no romance between us, he is just a friend, when I try to talk to him he just tries to kiss me as if it would make the issues go away."

Harry looked at her as tears brimmed her eyes, "I want to break up with him, but I can't because I fear, I would lose you as a friend too."

Harry leaned forward and caught her in his arms when she broke out sobbing, she buried her head in his shoulders and broke down completely. Harry was surprised he wasn't aware that things have accelerated so far.

That's when he became aware of the state of his clothing, or lack of clothing in fact, He was sitting propped against the bedstand, his legs stretched out, and Hermione sitting by his side, still sniffling into his shoulder, he observed that she fitted in his arms quite nicely, he started caressing her back whispering nothings in her ear.

"Nobody can make you do anything against your wishes Hermione, and I will always be your friend." he whispered.

She backed away from the wet spot on his shoulder a wild look in his eyes, "What if Ron takes it badly, Harry you know how he will react, what if he decides he doesn't want to be my friend anymore." She hiccuped.

He caressed her back again and replied, "You have still got me Hermione, I will be there for you, always I promise."

Harry desperately tried to stop her sobbing, brushing her tears away, he kissed her on cheek and hugged her again.

He kept rocking her gently back and forth till her tears subsided, he noticed she looked very cute while she was crying, her nose looked red and eyes a little misty and swollen, he looked into her deep brown eyes, and found himself enchanted. She had her hands wrapped around his neck, and he saw insecurity, helplessness and frustration in her eyes.

He can feel her body touching his softly, her breasts pressing into his chest due to how close he held her, he can feel her breathing against his chest, his heart began to beet faster, his arms curled protectively around her, pressing her into his chest, he felt her breasts heaving against his chest going up and down with her breathing.

He looked at her face and found her staring at him, a blazing look in her eyes, he could feel her coming closer, so close that he could see the tears clinging to her eyelashes, she tangled one hand into his untidy hair, and he caressed her waist, her full cute lips just inches from his. He had an urge to capture her rosy lips, she closed her eyes the moment he leaned forward, their noses slid past each other.

Barely a centimeter away from her lips her intoxicating aroma filled him, fogging his brain, her soft body giving him great pleasure, their arms wrapped around each other perfectly, as if they were meant to fit nicely, her lips so soft, red and perfect. It was as if her lips were the lock and his were the key, he pressed forward and brushed his lips against hers and as he was about to devour his trasure….

"HARRYYY, HERMIONE ARE YOU TWO COMING DOWN OR NOT? DO YOU WANT ME TO START BY MYSELF, COZ I AM HUNGRY!"

Hermione immediately shot from his arms and stood up from the bed, Harry once more banged his head against the wall, but he shouted, "coming" to his other best friend. He looked at Hermione who was looking flustered.

He sighed then as he looked down he noticed his erection was painfully visible, making a tent in the sheets due to his lack of clothing underneath the covers, he immediately caught a pillow and hid his erection from sight, though he was sure Hermione had caught a glimpse of it, because she was crimson in the face and was determinedly looking at the wall.

"So" he began rather hoarsely then cleared his throat and then tried again, "You go downstairs I will come after I put on…" he trailed off, now feeling heat creep up his face.

Hermione blushed and nodded and proceeded to go, she stopped by the door and turned around as if to say something then shook his head and she was gone.

Harry groaned and lay back on his bed, wasn't it bad enough that his plans to go back in time were in disaster, he broke up with his girlfriend and now he was having such thoughts about his best friend. Not to mention he would lose Ron's trust, and have to endure Mrs. Weasley's wrath if something were to happen between him and Hermione.

And so it came to pass that Harry cursed Ron loudly for his untimely interruption, so close, so close, Harry shook his head, no Hermione is still with Ron, control yourself.

Harry potter, the boy who lived, savior of the wizarding world, the boy who cannot die, winner of the order of merlin first class, pulled on his boxers and jeans and proceeded to go to the kitchen, his head lost in the thoughts of a brown eyed girl.

He stepped out of Sirius's rooms which he had decided to claim, and stared at the crystal chandelier, free of the cobwebs and shining brightly, Kreacher had done a fantastic job on the house, gone were the pests which infected the house, and the house was now gleaming, the stairs didn't even creak under his feet, his footsteps muffled by the thick rug on the stairs, he came to the kitchen door the polished snake handle gleaming in candlelight.

He entered to find Ron sitting at the kitchen picking on the crackers and cheese Kreacher gave to him, (the elf never served food unless Harry was present), Kreacher hurriedly came to his side, "Master Harry should wash his hands, and take a seat, Kreacher has prepared his favourite dish for dinner."

"Thanks kreacher," Harry sat at the head of the table, and looked around, "Where's Hermione?"

"She was with you mate." Just as Harry began to stand again, Hermione came into the kitchen looking proper like … herself. Looking at her nobody can know that she has just been crying her heart out at her best friend's shoulder or was about to kiss the same best friend while her boyfriend was downstairs shoveling crackers in his mouth.

She came and sat beside Harry who was surprised, he thought she would sit with Ron, nonetheless he nodded at Kreacher who began serving the dinner as Ron grunted, "finally," and loaded his plate with everything. Soon the only sounds in the room were clinking of silverware or in Ron's case gulping monstrously.

Hermione was only playing with her food, Harry himself was not eating much, he sipped his butterbeer as he and Hermione sneaked glances at each other.

Kreacher came to his side, "Master didn't finish his food, would master like treacle tart which is master's favourite dish?"

"No thanks, Kreacher, I am just not hungry." Soon the dinner was over and Ron was leaning at the back of chair looking content.

Harry took out his wand and pointed it at the fireplace, to make the flames a little less bright. And cleared his throat, "I think we should talk about what went wrong with the ritual this time."

Hermione immediately tore her gaze away from fire and Ron looked a little alarmed.

Hermione started, "Harry are you sure …"

Harry cut her off, "Yes Hermione I am sure, I am going to the past, as soon as find out a way to super charge the time turner."

Hermione shrugged, "Well I think the problem I is that only your magic or your magic with Ron boosting it isn't enough to go years back in time."

"So what now," Ron replied, Harry always found it annoying when he always asked them for what to do never giving an opinion himself, he was pretty competent if he decided to pit in effort.

"Now we resort to plan B," Harry said, Hermione's eyes widened, Harry had told them that if they were not able to send him to the past, He will send only his consciousness and will awaken as Harry Potter a few years back with all the memories of this timeline.

"But Harry it will require an even larger reservoir of magic to rip your consciousness and send it the past, with the runes you drew up from God knows where, we always knew you were pants at runes, but coming to the point even if Ron and I both try to charge the runes, we CAN NOT send your memories into past."

Harry smiled, "Take a breath Hermione, are you following the news about the eclipse."

Her eyes widened, "Of course, when the eclipse will occur it will cause a magical influx, and the ambient magic will be strong in atmosphere."

Harry grinned, "Exactly, and the ritual will absorb the magic from atmosphere and I can separate my memories and send them to the past with my own magic."

Harry got a glimpse of the bookworm when Hermione shrieked and ran out of the room to return a minute later carrying two heavy looking tomes and turning its pages feverishly. Harry exchanged amused glances with Ron. She looked at Harry and nodded, "That might work, but I think you should think about taking us with you, you might need help in that timeline."

Harry sighed, they were back at this, "you will be there Mione."

"But, Harry we don't even know from where you got a time turner, runic ink, the information about ritual, and tutoring in runes, you just tell us what to do. I think we should go with you just in case something goes wrong, and you end up inside Voldemort."

Ron interrupted her, "I don't want to go back, and live through all that again."

Hermione glared at him, "Really Hermione I am done with all the homework and danger I am enjoying my life here with my girl and I wont let you go Mione."

Hermione growled, "you WONT let me go? And don't call me Mione"

Harry reflected that she sounded sexy when she growled but kept his opinions to himself.

Ron shouted, "But Harry calls you Mione."

Hermione ignored him.

"Since when do I need your permission to do anything Ronald Weasley?"

"I didn't say…"

"If you think you can order me around, you are in one hell of a surprise Ronald Weasley!"

"Hermione…."

"I am not going to let you push me Ronald Weasley …."

Harry excused himself, mumbling about giving them some privacy, and proceeded to the bathroom, while Harry was washing his hands he looked in the mirror and reflected how much time it will take before Hermione and Ron fell apart much like he and Ginny did.

He confessed to himself that he did miss the physical contact, although he was much closer to Hermione than to Ginny emotionally.

He began thinking about Hermione, she certainly had grown up into a beautiful woman, gone were the bushy hair, now lying in elaborate curls on her shoulders, she looked and felt soft but she had a toned figure, rather different from Ginny. Just then a shout came from the outside and Harry burst into the kitchen to see Ron having pinned Hermione against the wall and trying to kiss her.

Before Harry can move a purple flash blinded him and Ron flew across the room to being dumped against the wall.

Hermione bristled with electricity and shouted, "I said it's over Ron, you can't kiss and makeup every time you act like a fool."

Ron took out his own wand to parry another yellow hex Hermione sent at him, and shouted back, "I can kiss my girlfriend anytime I want."

Hermione exasperatedly shouted, "I am not your girlfriend anymore you moron, and I told you not to kiss me."

Ron looking smug replied, "You struggle at first, but you will see reason after a little kissing, every girl does."

Harry was revolted, "Ron if Hermione wants her space you should back out."

"You stay out of this Harry, this is between me and my girl"

"Your girl?" Hermione shrieked and sent another yellow bolt at Ron which Harry quickly deflected with his wand.

Ron grunted and shot a hex at Hermione just as Harry shouted, "Protego," deflecting the body-bind jinx.

Hermione fully aware that physical objects can't be hindered by protego shield pointed her wand at a Frying pan which flew towards Ron's head who ducked, and shot a purple leg locker at Hermione as soon as Harry's shield flickered and went out, simultaneously Hermione shot another frying pan racing towards Ron's head who was too late to duck.

Harry cursing himself for using temporary shield, warded off Ron's spell and redirected the pan towards the kitchen door which missed the Elf peeking inside the door by inches.

Two quick, "Expelliarmus" and both of them were disarmed, Harry cast full body bind on Hermione and Levicorpus on Ron who was pulled upside down in air by his ankle shrieking.

Now that the things were a little quiet only Ron yelling, "LET ME DOWN HARRY."

The Elf edged into the room and snapped his fingers, casing the upturned chairs to align themselves, dented pans to repair themselves and fly to their original positions.

Ron shouted again, "HARRY LET ME DOWN."

Kreacher croaked, "Master this is why Kreacher asked you not to bring blood traitors and mudbloods in the noble house of…"

Harry glared at him, "I told you not to call anyone blood traitor or…"

He trailed off as Kreacher jumped towards the fireplace to punish himself and Hermione shrieked, "STOP HIM HARRY."

Ron shouted, "LET ME DOWN HARRY."

Harry immediately immobilized the elf and shouted, "Shut up all of you."

But nobody heard him over the chaos, Kreacher mumbling, "Sorry for disobeying Master…" immobilized near the fire.

Hermione also immobilized, near the table shouting, "Harry I don't understand why you don't stop him from punishing himself, just free the house elf."

And of course Ron shouting, "HARRY, LET ME DOWN," from where he was hanging upside down in the air.

"SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU."

"HARRY JUST FREE KREACHER AND BE DONE WITH IT."

"LET ME DOWN HARRY"

"SILENCIO, SILENCIO, SILENCIO."

Harry silenced all three of them then stopped his tears of frustration, he wanted to hex all of them, he took a deep breath and controlled himself, ordering the elf to not to punish himself, and told him to go, lifting the curse, the ancient elf bowed and went out of the room mumbling about, "Nasty brats, besmirching the noble house of Master….."

Harry sighed (again) , then levitated Hermione to a chair and sat her down, brought Ron down and seated him across from Hermione, hexing the two of them immobilizing them from neck down.

He told them, "I am going to my room, taking your wands with me, I will return in half an hour, you two TALK about your relationship, either make up or break up but do it . Tomorrow is the eclipse, I will be performing the ritual with a colleague and I don't want your petty fight in the way."

He went out stopped at the door lifted the silencing curse and they immediately shouted,

"Harry how dare you…"

"Harry release me…"

"Harry give back my wand…"

He shut the door, locked it and silenced it for good measure, when Harry entered his rooms previously his godfather's he reflected on the events of the day, thinking how in the world things escalated to this. When he sat on the edge of the bed however, he wasn't thinking about the ritual, or eclipse or their fight, he was thinking about, the feel of Hermione in his arms, how he felt complete when she filled out in his arms and her intoxicating aroma filling his mind.

He also felt something upon his lips under the flavor of treacle tart that he associated with her taste and so forgetting about his two best friends bound in the kitchen he fell asleep thinking about brown eyes.

FLASH-FORWARD (A hint about upcoming chapters)

The Unspeakable raised its right hand and fire surrounded the hand, white molten fire twisting, and binding its hand in red hot ropes, the fire merged in in itself and in another blink the fire cooled in a long black shape extending from its hand, a wand appeared pointing at Harry.

A/N: Introducing the 3R's- Read, Review and Repeat.