***Once again, this story is in no way connected with JK Rowling.***

Chapter 2: The Truth Comes Out

It had been four days since they had all arrived at the Burrow. Tomorrow was the day they all went to Diagon Alley. Everyone was anxious to get back to school. They had all had a fun week together. Now Harry, Ron, Hermione and Samantha were piled up in the cozy family room. Ron, Harry and Hermione were telling Samantha all about Hogwarts.

"It sounds great." She said dreamily. "I'm so glad I get to go."

"I am too." Ron said smiling.

Ron and Samantha were laying on the couch together, Harry lay on the floor, Hermione was laying across a huge, fluffy, worn out chair in the corner.

Samantha reached up and gently stroked Ron's red hair. Hermione smiled. She wished she had someone's hair to stroke, and someone to cuddle with. While watching them, she couldn't help but look at Harry. He was lying on his back on the floor on top of the rug with a big pillow under his head. He had already had a shower and his hair was still wet. He had been running his hands through his wet hair, so it was messy, but Hermione thought it looked good like that. She closed her eyes and made herself think of something else.

"So," she began. "Is there anyone who any of you have particularly missed this summer? Anyone you are looking forward to seeing?"

"I've been kind of wondering how Neville's been doing." Ron said. "His Gran was in the hospital last I heard."

"I didn't know that!" Hermione gasped.

"It's nothing very serious." Ron continued. "She fell and broke her ankle and was having to stay in the hospital. Neville was staying with one of his aunts who he swears is crazy."

"Oh. Maybe we should send him an owl." Hermione suggested.

"We'll probably see him tomorrow." Harry pointed out.

"That's true."

"What about you, Harry?" Ron asked. "Anyone you're looking forward to seeing?"

Harry shrugged and a small smirk appeared on his face. He tried to hide it by turning his head sideways and pretending to be very interested on a mark on the wall.

"Harry?" Ron said suspiciously. "What haven't you told us?"

Harry chuckled. "Nothing really. I'm not even sure if anything is going to happen. It was just a little…umm…thing."

"What?! What was just a little thing?" Hermione questioned. She sat straight up and stared at Harry.

"Harry has kept a secret from his two best friends?" Samantha said in an exaggerated shocked voice.

Ron sat up too. "Harry! Would you like to tell us what you're talking about?"

Harry shrugged again. "It's not that big of a deal, Ron."

"What's not that big of a deal?"

Harry laughed uncomfortably. "Hermione, really, its not worth talking about."

Samantha joined in. "Come on Harry! Tell us!"

"It was just that I got an owl from Madeline Wallace this summer and…….." he trailed off.

"What?!" Ron got impatient. "and what?"

"She just wanted to know if I had a girlfriend and if I was planning on seeing anyone this year."

"No way! Madeline Wallace?" Ron shouted.

Samantha had stopped listening and was worriedly watching Hermione. Hermione had gone pale and gotten very solemn. She noticed Samantha was watching her and tried to act normal. She tucked some hair behind her ear and swallowed hard. Then she looked back up at Samantha who was still watching her.

"Umm, I think we should leave you boys alone to talk about this." She squeezed Ron's knee and stood up. "Hermione, why don't we go up to our room for a while?"

Hermione nodded and stood up. "Yea, we'll leave you boys alone."

Samantha met her going out the door and put her arm around Hermione's back. They walked up the stairs together, Hermione beginning to shake.

"Bloody Hell, Harry!" Ron said hitting the couch beside him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because there's not much to tell." Harry insisted.

"Well, what did you say to her?"

Harry didn't respond.

"Come on, talk to me!" Ron snapped.

"Calm down!" Harry stood up and joined Ron on the couch.

"Have you already seen her?" Ron asked.

"No. I've just owled her a few times.

"Are you going to…you know…go out with her?"

"I don't know. She's really nice, and very pretty."

Ron nodded. "Yea she is. She's –"  he stopped and then laughed. "Well,  I cant really say that now."
"I think I might like her." Harry said slowly. "But I'll just have to wait and see how we get along when we are actually together."

Meanwhile, up in the girls' room, Hermione was still pale, and her hands had begun to shake.

"Are you okay?" Samantha asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine, I just wasn't expecting it, that's all."

It was quiet for a moment. Samantha finally spoke.

"You like him don't you?"

Hermione and shook her and head and her face flushed. "No, I don't. Like I said, it just surprised me.

Samantha reached out and took Hermione's shaking hand.

"Look, I want to be friends with you. As a matter of fact, I'm counting on you to be my new best friend. I hope you want to be friends with me too."

"I do want to be friends with you, and I would love to be your best friend!"

"Well, best friends tell each other everything. Everything Hermione. Why not start now?"

Hermione looked at Samantha and sighed. She hesitated before saying, " I just don't know what I feel. I usually know exactly what I'm talking about. You know what's it like. Everything comes from a book. Everything is fact. I'm not used to dealing with emotions like this."

A single tear made its way down her cheek as she told Samantha everything. About wondering why, if she liked Harry, she didn't know before. About wishing she had what Samantha and Ron had.

Samantha hugged Hermione.

"I'm sorry you had to hear what's been going on with Harry. I know it's difficult to hear. I wish I could change it, but I cant. Just know that I am going to be here for you no matter what, ok?"

"Thanks Sam." Hermione said smiling. "I'm really glad Ron met you."

"Are you boys done talking?" Samantha and Hermione walked in where Harry and Ron were sitting on the couch.

"Yes, we are." Harry chimed in before Ron could answer. Harry was still sitting on the couch next to Ron, so Samantha and Hermione sat on the floor in front of them. They all sat there without speaking for a while. Hermione played with her shoe buckle and stared down. Samantha was looking absently out the window. Ron and Harry were both looking around the room. Harry's eyes landed on Hermione. He realized he hadn't really noticed her reaction when he told them the news. Or rather, when the news was forced out of him. He knew that Samantha had seemed very eager to get herself and Hermione out of the room, but he just thought she knew he would be more comfortable talking only to Ron. She was right. Now, Harry noticed that Hermione was very solemn. He wondered what she thought about all this. Her opinion mattered to him. She was, after all, one of his two best friends.

"Hermione." He whispered, breaking the silence. "What do you think about this? I mean, do you know Madeline? What do you think of her?"

Hermione was caught off guard, but she didn't even hesitate when she said, " I think it's great that you are talking to someone." She stopped and then forced herself to say, "It's about time." 

Harry and Ron laughed. 

Hermione continued. " I don't really know her that well. We've spoken a few times. Mostly in the library."

"Hey, she can read! That's a good sign." Ron teased.

"Anyway, I am willing to get to know her. Especially if she is going to be the newest member of our group."

Harry nodded, apparently very satisfied with Hermione answer. Hermione's attention returned to her shoe buckle. Realizing it was late and she was still wearing her shoes, she took them off and sat them by the chair she had sat in earlier.

There was more silence. Then, " Ummm… No offense Harry," Ron started. "But can you maybe trade seats with Sam?"

"Oh! Sorry, Sam!" Harry jumped up.

Samantha giggled and got up out of the floor. She sat down next to Ron on the couch, and Ron patted his lap. Samantha smiled, lied down on her back and laid her head in Ron's lap.

Harry joined Hermione on the floor. He lied down on the pillow again.

"I really can't wait to get back to school." He said, mostly to Hermione, knowing Samantha and Ron were in their own world now.

"Me either. I always miss it in the summer. And I miss you and Ron too. It's just not the same without you two."

"I always miss you and Ron too."

They looked back at the two on the couch. Ron was leaned over, over Samantha's face and she was running her hands through his hair again. Her other hand was intertwined with his. They were both smiling and giggling occasionally.

"I've never seen him like this before." Harry said shaking his head.

"I know!" Hermione said giggling. "It's a little strange, but sweet at the same time."

Ron bent down further and kissed Samantha's forehead. Then he kissed her nose and then moved down to her lips. They were each just sweet little pecks. Harry and Hermione became a bit embarrassed at this, and glanced at each other, grinning.

"Wonder what would happen if Mrs.Weasley walked in now?" Harry said.

"Oh, I think she can respect a little romance.  Even if it is her youngest son."