Last Time:

"What!" Harry exclaimed. "What are you on Hermione, I can't talk to him. I probably just ruined this guys whole life by falling into his pond!"

"River," Hermione corrected still pondering, "We should still go. Do you think he even knows you are his mate yet?"

Harry looked like he was about to faint, " Hermione he is not my..." Harry felt suddenly horrible about what he had almost just said yet tried again," He's not my..." and again he couldn't finish. He looked up at the mousy girl horrified. "He's my Mate."

Chapter 3:

"Harry hurry we're going to miss 5th period. This is the only time we have to do this and the sooner you tell him the better!" Hermione yelled her black robe fluttering in the summer breeze.

"Hermione I can't just walk down there! What would I say, "O sorry I didn't mean to fall into your pond, I was just walking along, and the water looked nice so I thought I'd go for a swim." Yeah Hermione I'm sure he'll love that!" Harry was getting a pulling in his chest that got worse the closer they were to the river.

"Lords Harry, I thought you were the one who stood up to Voldemort six times! Now you can't even stand up to your future bond mate! And it's River, R-I-V-E-R!"

"Whoa, Hermione you said his name! " Harry gave her a look of disbelief.

"No shit Sherlock," Hermione covered her mouth and turned dark red, uncovering her mouth she whispered, " Almost everyone is saying his name now, and stop changing the subject, and stop making me say things I shouldn't you and Ron," She shook her head. "O good were almost there!" Hermione finished cheerfully.

Harry groaned, "dammit," he muttered, as his heart did a summersault.

Hermione approached the shore, looking down into the crystal clear waters.

"Umm… how are we supposed to you know talk to him?" Harry asked looking around worriedly.

"I was reading, and it said they sense their mates and they will come to them." Hermione stated bluntly.

"O really," Someone laughed, though it wasn't a normal laugh, it sounded like the trickle of water, "Even I didn't know that I just smelled something interesting so I came to see what it was. I guess you shouldn't believe everything you read; I didn't sense anything. O," The stranger stopped, his light hair flashing in the sun, as he looked in Harry's direction, "You must be my mate," He smiled warmly, and Harry nodded dumbly. Harry was in awe he had never in his life seen a being any more…what was the word…beautiful.

Harry held out his hand, "It's nice to meet you…Um…didn't catch your name?"

"Harry why so formal," The stranger sighed. "My name is Kohaku River, well it's actually changed to the Henry River, but if you don't mind I'd rather be called Haku. Henry just doesn't really suit me, if you get what I mean." Haku then reached out and took Harry's hand, "I guess if this is all you'll give me I'll take it." In a way to Harry, Haku actually looked a little taken aback that he hadn't like run into his arms or something. Harry smiled, at first he had actually thought about it.

"Harry umm…we better be getting back now lunch is almost over." Hermione whispered blushing.

"What but we just got here?"

"Actually Harry we've been here for ten minutes." Hermione said blushing and looking towards the boys hands.

Harry looked down to see he was still holding Haku's hand, pulling back with a start, he muttered something under his breath that sounded like, "why me."

Before they could go Haku asked, "So this school is for magic users right?"

"Yes," said Hermione and Harry at the same time glancing at each other, they gave nervous laughs.

"Do you think," Haku scratched the back of his head and shuffled his feet, "that maybe I could take a few classes?"

"I don't see why not," Hermione said cheerfully, "Though you and Harry might have to explain your situation to the Headmaster." Both boys blushed. "What if he did start going Harry you know the secret would be out anyway, after a week you will be all over each other, I read that to," She looked at Haku.

"She does have a point there," Haku laughed.

Harry's jaw dropped, "You would do that to me!"

"I know you want me Harry," Haku teased, " I can read your thoughts remember?"

"But Harry took that advance thing with Snape you shouldn't be able to do that, could you?" Hermione asked bewildered.

"Whether either of us like it or not, we are joined now, if Harry would loosen up he could also read my mind."

Harry was just a little to late with his last thought, " Would you really spend that much time with me Harry? You know eternity is a long time." Haku got a far off look on his face.

"That's enough we have to get to 5th period," Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and drug him towards the school.

Harry relaxed, as they got further away. "Hermione you were right, I was a little nervous, but, I felt like I had known him for a long time."

Hermione smiled, " I'm so happy for you Harry, to tell you the truth I thought this was going to be bad." She giggled. "I thought from what I'd read you two would start shagging each other the second you had eye contact."

Harry didn't look amused. "You know I have quite a bit of self control and I don't think Haku would do that to me…"

"You barely know the guy!"

"Yeah but I just know okay it's like a sixth sence now it's really awkward…"

" You know Harry you've been a lot more open with me lately," Hermione looked sad for a moment. "I really missed you…," she blushed, "I mean we all missed you talking to us and we all feel horrible that you have to go through stuff like this all the time…I'm just digging a hole." She sighed, "You know what I mean?"

Harry smiled for the first time in a long time a good natural smile, "Hermione I'm really glad your there for me thanks."

Hermione blushed again, "Someone's got to look after you!" she punched him playfully.

Ron looked everywhere for his two friends and couldn't find them anywhere, "where are they!" he yelled aloud. "I've looked everywhere." Seamus Finnagan passed him in the hall. "Hey Seamus have you seen Harry or Hermione?"

"Yeah actually I did they were headin off towards the river mate. Why you askin?"

Ron moaned, "I knew it they like each other Not good!"

Seamus gave him an odd look, "what you talking bout mate?"

"They're headed off to that sweet little cove everyone talks about! You know the one where all the lovers sneek off to! I knew it!"

"You've gone soft in the head Ronald? Those two I doubt it!" Seamus laughed. "Plus lad come on we all know Harry's gay anyway." They both laughed.

"I guess your right, no worries huh mate. Okay I'll see ya round." Ron pulled a face as soon as seamus left. "Those two are getting harder and harder and harder to keep track of. I'm going to have to report this to the master."