A/N: This is an AU love story. Definitely an H/Hr. They're on their seventh year. Luna and Ginny are on the same year as Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville only here in my story okay so don't get confused.

Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter characters.

CHAPTER 1: The First Encounter

"You mean you fancy a guy from our class?" asked Luna with a tone of disbelief.

"Yeah I even remember the first time I saw him at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop when we were in 6th year," said Hermione distractedly.

This is a flashback of the scene at Madam Puddifoot's

"Who's that guy Ginny?" Hermione asked intriguingly and stared at him intently.

"The tall guy near the glass window?" Ginny asked suspiciously looking at the direction where Hermione is gazing at.

"Yes," replied Hermione, actively.

"He's name is Harry Potter and I happen to know him and the name of the girl beside him is Cho Chang in case you also want to know," said Ginny, teasingly.

"I heard that Cho had an illness that's why she got delayed for one year she's supposed to be ahead of us," Ginny explained.

"I also heard that he waited for her until she came back to school, he never broke up with her and did not entertain anyone who comes on to him, they were an item since they were 3rd year up to now," Ginny retorted.

"He's cute alright but I'm not interested," Hermione replied and crossed her fingers when Ginny was not looking.

"So he has a girlfriend," said Luna teasingly. "Fat chance!"

"Anyway I completely forgot about him after about a week because my feelings towards an old fling came back," she said indifferently.

"He's name is Victor Krum surprisingly he wrote to me one night after about a year of not hearing a word from him," said Hermione modestly.

"Why?" Luna asked looking really interested.

"He's from another school we went out for about a month but we never became official but I really liked him though," replied Hermione.

"Why didn't you tell him?" asked Luna frowning.

"I wasn't ready for a relationship and I'm not sure if he likes me, I kind of pushed him away, sending him wrong signals," said Hermione miserably.

"I'm not a pro in dating plus he's the first guy I ever dated believe it or not, Sometimes Viktor would write to me until he never wrote to me ever again so I sort of assumed and accepted that it's really not going anywhere," Hermione said unhappily.

"You know how I feel about her, come on help me out," pleaded Ron.

"Okay, I'll help you out, leave it all to me," boasted Harry and he patted Ron on the shoulder.

"You know Hermione I swear to you the guys behind us is checking you out, especially the freckled guy, I always catch him taking a glimpse at you," said Luna mischievously.

"Who?" asked Hermione and almost turned her back when Luna grabbed her hand.

"Don't look!" snarled Luna.

"Hermione please don't panic, he's coming over here, just breathe and relax," Luna said anxiously.

"Who's coming?" she asked Luna nervously.

"Harry," Luna whispered to Hermione.

"Please tell me you're lying," begged Hermione.

"Er… Hermione do you want to join us? We're heading to the library and that includes you too Luna," A tall, well groomed, handsome guy with jet black hair asked her.

"Well you see---"

"No sorry I can't join you I'm meeting Neville right now actually Hermione's going there too she was just telling me something really important," explained Luna sheepishly and nudged Hermione so she would stand up.

"I'll be with you in a minute, I just need to leave a FINAL MESSAGE for Luna," Hermione said with her eyes opening in a completely unusual way towards Luna.

"He's the guy that I was talking about Luna! Now you put me in a completely awkward situation, I swear I'll get you for this someday," she said warningly.

Hermione walked towards Harry and Ron and smiled at them. She can't help but blush as girls eyes were prying on her while they were making their way to the library because she was with the most famous Quidditch player of their year.

"So Hermione aside from studying what are your other hobbies?" asked Harry teasingly.

"Nothing much but I love listening to music every once in awhile," she replied.

"I also love listening to music," said Ron eagerly and turned scarlet when Hermione looked at him.

And then Ron suddenly stood up and went to the farthest book shelf he could ever go to. Harry grinned and Hermione looked dazed.

"You know he's not really comfortable around girls that's why he never had a girlfriend," said Harry sympathetically.

"Well I never had a boyfriend," she said and blushed after saying it. Her heart was beating so fast.

"I mean I almost had one but---"she stopped and turned slightly pink. She knew it was too soon to share her boring love life with him.

"That's impossible weren't you with that guy Cormac?" asked Harry curiously.

"No he's just a friend anyway, Isn't Cho your girlfriend?" asked Hermione. Her heart almost beating normally again.

"We broke up 2 days ago," said Harry, miserably and looked at the clear sky outside.

"Ah let's not talk about it, you said you almost had a boyfriend what happened?" asked Harry pushing the topic Hermione was avoiding. He didn't want to talk about Cho Chang.

"Both my parents are muggles," said Hermione trying to change the topic.

"And I think I've seen you somewhere last summer near our house," she said gladly.

"I lived with the Dursley's do you happen to know them?" asked Harry.

"They're just a few blocks away from where I live," said Hermione, cheerfully. She was relieved that Harry already dropped the subject.

"Really then maybe I could come over your house sometimes," said Harry and waved at Ron who was observing them from afar.

"Listen Uhm… if you want to hang out with us sometimes just go here okay same time," he said casually.

Ron came back and the three of them fell silent as they started doing their homework.

Months passed and even Luna, Neville and Ginny started hanging out with them. The library became their meeting place especially now that N.E.W.T.S. is coming. They were inseparable. Harry now has a habit of resting his head to Hermione's lap when they're talking or doing Hermione's favorite past time which is the question and answer portion wherein Harry asks them questions while she answers almost all of the questions leaving them to laugh uncontrollably all throughout the night.

Hermione on the other hand couldn't help but blush yet she could still manage to have a proper conversation with Harry.

It was the happiest moment of her life getting close to Harry. Ron just stared longingly at Hermione hoping she would finally have a little interest on him knowing that Harry was his bridge to her.

Hermione didn't know that Harry got back with Cho five days after their first conversation in the library. He never told anyone about it. Cho was aware of Harry being Ron's bridge to Hermione so she wouldn't get jealous if Cho sees him hanging around with Hermione.

"I'll ask her to come with me and Ron to Hogsmeade, hope you're alright with it," asked Harry looking like a toddler asking for a lollipop. They were in a deserted classroom.

"I still don't understand why she can't see us hang out," asked Cho, childishly.

"She'll stop hanging around with me. And Ron will be left alone with her and he'll be graduating from Hogwarts not being able to ask Hermione out, not even once," said Harry humorously and kissed Cho.

At the great hall……….

"Do you want to come with me and Ron tomorrow to Hogsmeade?" asked Harry cheerfully and blinked at Ron.

"Okay… I guess," said Hermione tentatively.

"You want to join us you lot?" he asked and reached for a roasted chicken.

"Only if Neville will come too," Luna replied and wrapped her arms around Neville.

"I'm in," said Neville and grabbed another chicken and plunged it into his mouth.

"Sorry can't come Dean already asked me," Ginny interrupted.

After dinner they went back to the Gryffindor common room. They spent the night chatting and doing their homework. Soon one by one they bid their goodbyes. Harry, Ron and Hermione were the only ones left. Then a tall blond guy came down from the boy's dormitories and approached them.

"Er…Hermione do you mind if I talk to you alone outside?" a tall blonde guy asked her.

"Well…yeah," she said, slightly bemused.

Ron was glaring at him while Harry looks like he was about to say something but decided on the last minute not to instead he just stared at the two of them as they made their way outside.

"What do you reckon?" Ron asked Harry as soon as the door closed.

"I think that Cormac guy has romantic intentions for Hermione," Harry said grumpily.

"It's a good thing you already asked her to come with us tomorrow to Hogsmeade, smooth move mate," Ron said looking pleased.

"Yeah it's a good thing I asked her first," Harry said casually but he seemed to be distracted because of something.

"I was waiting till everyone sleeps and I knew that you usually sleep late especially now that N.E.W.T.S. is coming near and so I sort of---"Cormac said weakly.

"What do you want Cormac?" Hermione interrupted. "Do you want me to help you on your homework again?"

"No actually I was wondering if you wanted to come with me tomorrow to Hogsmeade, it's my way of thanking you after all your help," he said timidly.

"I'm sorry but Harry already asked me to go with him," she said briskly. "Together with my friends of course," she replied defensively.

"Oh, how about next weekend?" he asked staring blankly at the floor.

"I guess I'm free, but seriously it's not really necessary," she said indifferently.

"I know it's too early for this but I really want to be clear with my intentions to you, I… I like you," he said softly.

"You see Uhm---"

"You don't have to say anything to me now, but please think about it," he pleaded. "I'll go ahead now,"

With that Hermione stood there for a few minutes took a deep breath and entered the common room again.

"What was that about?" asked Harry curiously.

And Hermione told them what happened. Ron opened his mouth a few times but nothing came out. Harry on the other hand was silent all throughout Hermione's explanation. He just glanced at the fire and frowned.

"Good night," she said to them and yawned.

"Good night Hermione," Ron said briskly.

Harry just glanced at her pretending to be really sleepy and was yawning wildly.

Hermione can't help but get excited to her trip tomorrow it was her first time going to Hogsmeade with Harry. She usually goes there with Ginny and Luna. She also thought about what Cormac told her but she knew he doesn't stand a chance especially now that her heart is beating for Harry.

'I can't believe a bookworm like me would actually attract someone like Cormac McLaggen,' she thought.

Hope you like it. Please review. I want to know your comments.