Authors note; Soul-bounds aren't common in this story. There is no books of soul. This will be about Harry and Hermione trying to deal with the new change in their friendship and not letting it tear them apart. Will they succeed in finding out what's going on between them? Will they remain friends or move on to more? How will their new gifts of curses help or hinder the upcoming battle with Voldemort?

December 13

The flickering of the flames from large fireplace in the Gryffindor common room illuminated the two teens who sat close to the hearth. The raven haired boy stared into the flames lost in his own thoughts. His fifth year at Hogwarts was shaping up to be the most horrible one of them all between the return of Voldemort, the annoying toad woman and his schoolmates treating him like an attention seeking loon he was really looking forward to the beginning of Christmas break that would be taking place in the next few days. Taking off his glasses he rubbed his eyes tiredly, he longed to go to his bed and embrace the sweet reprieve from his life that was sleep. He was so tired but the idea of falling asleep and revisiting the troubling nightmares that accompanied his slumber soured that fantasy slightly, he decided to stay up a little longer. Letting his head fall back against the sofa he decided to think of more pleasant things like the kiss he had shared with Cho Chang a day ago. Wishing to discuss some of his concerns about his budding relationship with someone he turned his attention to his close friend.

"Hermione is it normal for a girl to cry during a kiss?" Harry asked avoiding all eye contact with Hermione.

Hermione being so engrossed in her book had forgotten that Harry had not followed Ron up to bed. Placing her palm over her racing heart she turned her startled face to her friend and studied him closely. Noting Harry's pink cheeks and ears Hermione decided to not ask what brought the question on, seeing how uncomfortable he was with the entire conversation. She was just glad that he was talking to her about what was on his mind.

"I guess it depends on why she was crying, but yeah I suppose it's normal. She could be crying because she was happy about the kiss...or sad." Placing her book down she waited for Harry to expand on why he was curious about kissing and crying but she had an inkling that it might involve Cho Chang.

"Could I kiss you and you can let me know if it's okay? " he said his voice heavy with worry.

Hermione blinked owlishly at him, of all the words he could have spoken to her that would not been the one she guessed. She mulled over his question, it wasn't like she had a vast amount of experience herself only ever having kissed Krum and them kissing might complicate their friendship. But a part of her was curious about her own abilities, Viktor not being very vocal in general had never really told her weather he enjoyed kissing her or not.

Not waiting for an answer Harry ploughed on nervously trying to explain where the sudden request had come from, " I was going to ask Ron but he was already in bed and you are honestly the better option, seeing how you know more about how girls think," he said hurriedly.

Hermione raised an eyebrow in amusement, "you were going to ask Ron to check your kissing abilities?"

Seeing his very red and shocked face at her statement Hermione burst out laughing. Calming down she said, " Harry I'm guessing this is to do with Cho?"

Seeing him nod she continued, "okay, she might just have been crying because she felt guilty for kissing you and trying to move on from Cedric. She is very sensitive at the moment Harry, you should be careful with her."

Nodding in understanding he mulled over her words, he had never really considered that her tears might have involved Cedric. "So will you still help me? I really like her and don't want to mess this up so could you please help me with this?"

Trying to seem not phased by his request she squared her shoulders before standing up. "okay but it's a one time thing understood?"

Picking himself off the floor Harry stood in front of Hermione. "No telling Ron." they both said in unison. Staring at each other nervously they inched closer lips brushing together timidly before Hermione pressed her lips against his harder. She swiped her tongue against the seams of his closed lips waiting for his invitation, understanding what Hermione was asking for he opened his mouth slightly moving his tongue against hers.

The kiss was awkward, both teens aware that they were kissing a longtime friend who neither had any romantic feelings for. It wasn't unpleasant though. Hermione thought Harry had soft lips and his tongue didn't invade her mouth as she had other girls in her dorm complain about. Harry was beginning to enjoy the kiss once he stopped associating it with Hermione. He was kissing a girl, he could feel feel her breast against his chest. As long as he didn't equate any of it to Hermione it as a very enjoyable kiss.

The air was heavy with magic as the air crackled with the thrum of their magic as it rose above their skin and swirled together. Harry's arm wrapped around Hermione's waist pulling her closer as his own magic danced across his body to Hermione's. While Hermione's magic laden fingers delved into Harry's hair musing it up more and spreading her magic across every inch she touched. Breaking away from the kiss they stared at each other dazedly both thinking what an incredible kiss it was. Chocolate brown eyes locked on emerald green Harry opened his mouth to speak but before he could get any words out he let out a blood curdling scream clutching his head and dropping to the floor. Hermione stared at Harry's form as he writhed on the floor in pain, coming to her senses she knelt beside him, placing a pillow under his head.

Just as quick as the whole incident had begun it had suddenly ended. Hermione looked at Harry's prone form on the Gryffindor floor. His breathing was laboured and his face red and etched in pain. Brushing his sweat soaked bangs from his forehead she noticed how red his scar was. Rubbing her thumb across the famous scar it begun to ooze a dark substance. Pulling her fingers away in alarm she watched as the black goo run down Harry's forehead. Taking the sleeves of her school sweater she rubbed the substance off his face.

"Harry...Harry, are you okay? I need to go get Madame Pomfrey." Hermione spoke worriedly to the boy laying in the floor.

Harry saw Hermione's lips move as she spoke but her voice seemed to be on mute, he couldn't make out what she was saying, his head was killing him. He felt as though someone had bashed his head in. Trying to regain his senses he felt Hermione getting up, grabbing her arm to stop her he horsley said, "Help me up."

"I don't think you should really get up. You looked like you had some sort of seizure."

Sighing in annoyance as Harry rejected her advice she looped his arm across her shoulder and helped Harry off the floor. Placing him on the sofa near the fireplace she looked down worriedly at him. "You should really go see madame Pomfrey."

Harry knew Hermione meant well but he wasn't really in the mood for her nagging. With his already short temper in play and the agony that was his head he snapped at her, "Unless the next words out of your mouth Hermione is goodnight, please stop talking."

Affronted by his rude tone Hermione spun on her heal grabbed her bag and marched upstairs to bed. She was getting really tired of Harry's constant mood changes and him regularly biting her head off at the drop of a hat. Casting a worried gaze at her friend who was currently lying on the sofa eyes closed she entered her dorm room.

Harry lay on the couch head pounding and feeling slightly guilty for how he spoke to Hermione. He didn't mean to snap at her but that was all he seemed to be doing lately. His mood changed with the weather, he never knew what he would be feeling from one moment to the next. Sighing in frustration and anger he got comfortable on the couch knowing he wouldn't be able to make it up the stairs without probably passing out or vomiting Harry decided to use the couch as his bed for the night.

Review and let me know. How do you see this going?