The trip to Diagon alley was rather uneventful except for running into Hagrid who was sticking out like a sore thumb in the crowd. They all got the same amount of books in Flourish and Botts (except for Hermione of course) and groaned at the weight of them and the prospect of carrying them around all year.
As they headed back to the ministry lent car to get back to the burrow, Harry saw Ron slip his hand inside Hermione's. For some reason, this made Harry's stomach flip, and he suddenly felt a very big resentment towards Ron.
What is happening to me? Harry thought. Everybody was always practically demanding for them to be together and I've NEVER thought of Hermione as anything more than friends so what is going on? I cant possibly like her. No, it's absolutely impossible. I wish Hermione held my hand like that. No I don't! Yes you do right… that'll happen any day now.
As soon as they were back to the burrow, they saw mrs.weasley preparing a feast for them to eat. "Good, you've got all your supplies," mrs.weasley said. "Yep," Ginny responded.
Harry followed Hermione up the stairs, noticing as he went, that her hair smelled like strawberry. Why am I smelling her hair? He asked himself, shaking his head.
Harry sat down on Ron's bed while Hermione started to write some epic letter to only god knows who.
He went through the things in his trunk, trying to find a place to set his new books, and found the remains of Sirius' mirror. When Harry had smashed it, he had just shoved it back in the trunk, too hurt at that time from losing Sirius, to care. During the summer, his trunk hadn't been touched and he was finding the outcome of a month of depression resulted in this trunk.
The only things that had kept him from doing anything rash, was the letters he had received from Hermione all throughout his summer at privet drive. She had been encouraging, and hopeful, though not sympathetic, as though she pitied him, which was the last thing he wanted at that time. She always had seemed to know how to handle situations.
Just looking at the broken shards of mirror in his hands caused him to have silent tears running down his face.
Hermione turned around to find Harry sitting on the bed, clearly upset. She came over and wrapped her arms around him, to soothe him. Harry noticed his stomach do yet another back flip and as usual was shocked by it.
Every time she had smiled at him, laughed or touched him lately, even if it was just a small brush of the arm or something, it caused him to jump.
It still shocked him, and at times pissed him off, knowing only too full well that Hermione had a boyfriend.
She sat next to him, holding on, hoping that his tears would stop. Time and time again she had wished to take away all this pain that he had to suffer, that he didn't deserve. But she could do nothing for him. Nothing except watch from the sidelines, and pray for a happy ending.
Harry felt comforted by this gesture and pulled down one of her hands from around him so as to hold it. Hermione was shocked by this, but liked it. She leaned into him.
"It's okay." She spoke into his ear silently.
He wanted at that moment to hold onto her and never let go. To feel as though she was his forever and Ron didn't exist.
Harry turned his head slightly to his left, to find Hermione's face nose to nose with him. She blushed and made to move away but he still wanted her to be there. He reached out and lightly ran his hand through her hair. It was soft, delicate, and not bushy anymore. It had stopped being that way during fourth year.
She moved closer and there lips touched, soft and sweet, both feeling there hearts skip a beat. Harry had never felt this way about Hermione, but he was now, and he liked it. Hermione fought to keep her thoughts straight.
This couldn't be right. She thought. It has always been me and Ron but I've never had this feeling kissing him.
Both held onto the others lips and both opened their mouths so as to explore. The kiss became passionate, and in a short amount of time, they were laid out on the bed, Harry on top of Hermione.
She clung to him, and ran her hands along his back and through his shirt. Harry slipped his hands under her skirt and jacket and felt along her curves, shocked that he had never actually seen Hermione as the women she was.
The kiss was flaming between them, and they both started sweating. Hermione was panting as she slid Harry out of his shirt. His bare chest felt hard and nice against hers as Harry threw off her jacket and shirt.
They continued to kiss, the kiss becoming better, and they more entangled into each other with each second that passed. Hermione felt fully connected with Harry was she wound her arms and legs around him, never wanting to let go.
She moaned as Harry reached for her last article of clothing when all of the sudden they heard footsteps.
Both of their heads whipped to the doorknob, which was slowly turning.
"Hey, what are you guys doing in there? We haven't heard a sound coming out of here for ages" Ron's voice came through the door.
"Holy-"Hermione gasped as they both realized, horrified at what they were doing and what would happen if they were caught. Hermione thinking quickly ran as fast (and silently) as she could across the room and locked the door before Ron had fully turned the handle.
Hermione gave Harry a look clearly saying "buy us some time", and Harry thinking quickly said "oh were just working on homework Ron. We'll be right out." "Say no more" Ron replied. "I'm using summer to its advantage. We'll all be outside playing Quidditch. Join us if you want".
At that they heard him trudge downstairs and from a corner of the window, could see Ron crossing the backyard to the place where Fred and George had once again erected goal hoops.
Hermione and Harry quickly threw on their clothes, neither one looking at the other. They both knew that the experience had felt great and would love to complete it, to give themselves to one another, but they weren't willing to get caught. As Harry was wrapped up in his thoughts Hermione left the room, still horrified at what a close call it was.
