Disclaimer: I wish I owned HP, but alas, the brilliance that is JK Rowling does.....bitch.

Watching her, Watching me

Chapter 2

Hermione's thoughts were bouncing and she didn't like it.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it all to hell. I'm such a fool it's not funny. Why did I react? Why couldn't I play the ignorance card, play it cool? Damn my defence mechanisms, for reactions that are suppose to protect me, they don't help my much. I'm saying damn a lot these days." I continued my rant in this direction for quite some time, except inside my head. I was in shock at both the conversation that had just happened and my stark reaction to it. Nothing gives you away like a bad reaction, and I was so sure that my slight obsession with the Italian wasn't obvious. Apparently not. I didn't stalk him or anything. I didn't follow him places, or map down his timetable and purposely go there in the hopes of running into him. No, I wasn't that desperate, nor did I have the time to put in such effort, just to get him to notice me. I just noticed when he was around, and I couldn't help but watch him when he was. He was so, mysterious. He has that who, tall dark mysterious thing going for him. And of course the prettiest eyes ever. Well, second prettiest, Malfoy gets the solid-gold kewpie doll when it comes to beautiful eyes. Pity they're in the face of an ass.

I continued walking, in a direction quite unbeknown to me, and quite unhappy in the continuing thoughts about Zambini passing through my head. I liked Blaise Zambini, a lot. But I couldn't help but think that I only like the idea of him. Of course, this didn't help my predicament, if anything it made it worse. It made me want to get to know him more. It was like I had drawn him from a description, and now I wanted to compare them and see how close I was. I liked him, without knowing what he is really like, when he's away from the pressures of his house, family and friends. I liked him, without knowing whether he was really a good guy, without really knowing anything about him in general. I knew I was a fool to like him at all, knowing that he was a Slytherin and aware that neither Harry nor Ron would be happy about my feelings. But I didn't care, furthermore, I wasn't about to let those two dictate who I could and couldn't like. But alas, I probably will never have to face that problem anytime soon, seeing as I doubt that Blaise would ever like me as anything more than a friend. Pfft, I doubt he sees me more than an acquaintance who he occasionally speaks to, whether to inquire after some help on an assignment, or when he is bored, and wants nothing more than to be entertained, by someone he knows he can get a reaction out of.

I was so engrossed and confused that I decided to do something about my current predicament. No, I wasn't going to go confront him, which would be ludicrous. Could you imagine the uproar? It would be like the apocalypse. The animosity between the houses would be, unfathomable. It's almost tempting just to see the reactions. No, bad idea, Ron would probably die from shock. He still had feelings for me, but had yet to act on them, for which I was thankful. Ron is a great friend, but quite frankly the thought of us together, in that type of way. Well, maybe we shouldn't think about that. Harry and he are like my brothers; my immature, overprotective, ever so annoying brothers, whom I love dearly, most of the time.

I decided to go talk to Ginny, who was sympathetic to my problem, having had feelings for the gorgeous Italian herself not last year. When she told me, I was in shock, I thought she loved Harry. However, her infatuation with the Slytherin didn't last, as Harry finally grew some balls and asked her out, after pining after her for several months. Hypocritical much? So she is the only one I've told about my feelings, she's more receptive then Harry or Ron would ever be. After what they've been through, you'd think they would have grown out of such stupid prejudices, but apparently not. I headed towards the Gryfindor tower knowing I'd find Ginny there.

...................

"Ginny help me...."

"You're such a whiner; the boys don't come even close to your level. In fact I'm sure you've accumulated the status of the master of whiners, with the way you're acting."

She gives me an amused slash exasperated look. I just spent the last twenty minutes explaining what happened, and this is all she can say to me. I don't need an assessment of my whining capabilities. I have spent a hell of a lot of time around Ron to know I have mastered it incredibly well. Instead of pointing this out I reply,

"But he's so annoying to like."

"Oh hush, don't act like I don't know, I know. At least he talks to you. I've never seen him speak to anyone but Nott. Plus, I can't help you with your current problem. You're going to have to figure it out for yourself." Ginny tells me happily.

I can tell she loves this. Hermione bloody Granger, master of all that is bookish slash educational related, who can rationalise nearly anything, is reduced to a bumbling, whiny, hormonal teenager, because of a boy. I can't help but glare, as she relishes my dilemma.

"I love it when you act like a girl, it's such a rare sight to behold."

"Oh do shut up, Gin!"

And she laughs, as she gets up, pats me on the head, like a hapless little dog and skips, yes skips off to find Harry before dinner.

"Devil woman, I bloody swear." I mutter under my breath as I pick myself up off the floor and head down to the Great Hall for dinner. If I get there early enough, I may be able to get a spot that has a clear view of him. Yep, go my stalker skills.

............

Clear view my ass. He wasn't even there.

"Stop looking around like that you fool, you look bloody ridiculous." Ginny hisses to me as I look up at the Slytherin table, swivel my head to look at the door, and then back to my food for maybe the twentieth time, this hour. Well I look and feel ridiculous, apparently. I'm resolved not to look again. I have the will power, to eat this meal without looking around for the missing man. I can do this.

"Hermione!"

"Ok, fine, talk to me, distract me you fool. How was practice?" I cry out, defeated. I'm such an idiot for him and I don't even know him.

"Like you care, and I know what you're doing, and I'm not falling for it." She sends a glare my way and proceeds to turn her back on me as Harry sits down next to her. Traitor, as soon as Harry is around, no one else matters. Okay, so I'm overreacting. I can't help but giggle at myself, and look down at the curious looks being sent my way. Go Hermione, smart, a stalker and crazy, all in one. I feel like I've accomplished so much in my short lifetime. I smile to myself and decide to head to the library once again, after dinner.

Author Note:

Yeah, so this is Chapter 2. Let me know how you like this type of Hermione, whether she's annoying and whatnot. Feel priviledged, I updated. Lol.

Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter.

So yeah,

Read, Review and Enjoy.

Kat.