The next morning was business as usual for both Harry and Hermione. Neither mentioned what had happened that night, and an outside observer might have almost believed that nothing was different. Almost. There were subtle hints, from the pair's actions alone and together, that things were changing between the two best friends.

Unlike their usual mornings, neither seemed very desperate to leave their quarters. Up until then, every morning had been a rush to get out the door and go down to the Great Hall, shielding themselves from awkwardness by finding other students to talk to. This morning, though, both Harry and Hermione seemed to linger. Each realized, even if it was only in their subconscious, that something was happening. The other wasn't as far out of reach as he or she had initially seemed.

Harry had recently been having very raunchy dreams about his brunette best friend. Initially, he had tried to disregard them, convincing himself that they were just dreams and that she was his best friend. He tried not to think about her or look at her in that sort of way. However, after being paired with Hermione and going through last night, Harry's mind started to consider the possibility of being with Hermione. During the night, he hadn't really thought much about her reactions. When he looked back on them now, he wondered why she hadn't been angry. She had in fact remained quite calm. Or at least acted that way. Regardless, it was the things Hermione hadn't done that made Harry start to wonder if something was happening.

Hermione had come to terms with her feelings for Harry much earlier than the beginning of Fifth Year. Ever since First Year, she'd looked up to him. After he had gone on alone to retrieve the stone, Hermione had seen Harry in a different light. Harry wasn't the smartest or most powerful wizard in the world, but he had something more. That night, Hermione had seen a boy who was determined to push for what he believed in. She'd seen a brave young man who, when faced with danger, pushed on ahead so that others could be safe. Harry didn't fight Voldemort merely as revenge for his parents' murder, like some might have. He fought to keep himself and others safe.

Hermione still wasn't sure how Harry felt about her. Fourth Year had been a massive low for her, both because of the conflicts Harry was in (with the Tournament and Ron) and the lack of interest he seemed to show at the Yule Ball. Nothing about Harry, from what Hermione had seen, seemed to show any change in his thoughts about her. His actions in their quarters, she had reasoned, were either typical, expected awkwardness or generic male behavior.

Both Harry and Hermione left the quarters a little later that morning, coming down just as breakfast started. Neither said anything to the other, both waiting for the other to start the conversation.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully for the most part. Hogwarts never really was a normal place in Harry's opinion. There still wasn't a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and some of the students were beginning to wonder if they would even get a new one. With Voldemort and the Death Eaters gone, some students claimed that the class was unneeded. Harry disagreed. There would always be bad people in the world, he knew. Pretty soon someone like Voldemort, or maybe even worse, would emerge. People always needed to know how to defend themselves.

Friday night, thankfully enough, was equally uneventful. Knowing now that Hermione didn't like Harry pushing himself all the way to the edge of the bed (and since he couldn't find the pillow he normally used to separate Hermione and himself), Harry settled on some quick relievement right before going to bed. It seemed to do the trick, and it let him sleep a lot more comfortably.

Harry slept in Saturday morning, and when he awoke he saw that Hermione was gone. She'd said something about going to library the night before, so Harry figured that she was probably there already. No doubt she doing enough research to write three Charms papers instead of the one they had due within a week.

On his way to lunch that day after studying in the library (he hadn't seen Hermione, but she had probably been in another section), Harry realized he'd almost forgotten about Quidditch tryouts, which were scheduled for that afternoon. "Angelina would have my nuts if I forgot about that" Harry thought to himself. Deep in thought, Harry almost ran straight into Neville. He managed to avoid a direct collision, but in the process dropped the bag he was carrying. Books, quills, parchment, and ink went everywhere.

Neville bent down to help Harry pick up his things and remove all the ink.

"Thanks, Neville" Harry said, "I appreciate it."

"Well if I hadn't been here, you wouldn't have had any problems," Neville replied. Harry couldn't argue with that.

"So how've you been, Nev? Haven't seen you much recently. Seem to be doing a lot better in class."

Neville shifted his feet a bit. "Yeah, I've had a bit of help. I think I'm finally getting some of the material. Helps that Snape's gone now."

"Yeah, I don't think anybody's been missing him too much lately," Harry added.

"So how are things with you and Hermione?"

"Um, what do you mean?" Harry was a little nervous about Neville's comment, but he didn't think anybody knew anything about his and Hermione's pairing. Neville was probably just asking about how their friendship was doing, what with all the new things happening this year.

"Well, you're paired up, aren't you? Is that going all right for you two?"

Harry could only stare open-mouthed at Neville. He was tempted to deny it, but Neville looked pretty confident. The weird thing was, he seemed to be merely asking out of curiosity, as if Harry and Hermione's pairing was nothing out of the ordinary. How did this happen? Had a whole bunch of rankings and pairings been posted without he knowledge?

"Neville, how...when?"

Neville shrugged. "Well, it's not as if it's a big secret that you two are friends. You're still quite close, despite all that's happened. Except now, you act a bit differently together. Those of us who've known you the longest see it most easily. Everyone in our group always assumed you two would get together at some point, pairing or not."

Harry could barely believe what he was being told. Were his feelings that obvious? Was it really that clear to his close friends that he and Hermione might o end up together at some point? For a good portion of his time at Hogwarts, he hadn't even consciously noticed Hermione in that way! How many people knew about this? Then another, much more important thought entered his mind. Did this mean that Hermione had feelings for him too? Had he really been that blind?

Sighing, Harry turned to Neville. "Was it really that obvious? Have I just been blind this whole time?"

Neville smiled. "Well, I can only speak for myself, but what gave it away for me was your shared use of the old Gryffindor Head Student quarters." Harry stared, confused, and Neville continued. "I mean, did you guys think we wouldn't notice that you no longer slept in the dorms? I mean, you've only been in there, what, a couple times a week in the afternoon? From what I've heard, you didn't even leave any of your stuff in the dorm."

Neville turned to walk away, and Harry could only shake his head. They thought they'd been so clever, so subtle! And apparently, not only was their sleeping location known, but people had even seen a spark between himself and Hermione before Harry was even aware of his feelings.

"Hold on, though," Harry thought to himself. "From the way Neville talked, it sounded like he wasn't spending much time in the Common Room either. Why…?" Harry suddenly smiled, the connection made. He quickly caught back up with Neville.

"So, Neville, where are you sleeping if not in the Gryffindor Common Room?" Neville turned, wide-eyed and confused. Then he relaxed and sighed.

"Slip of the tongue. Oh well. I knew you'd all figure out eventually. I've been given the Hufflepuff Head Student quarters."

"You must be pretty high up," Harry remarked. Neville smiled.

"Yeah, I was ranked second. I'm guessing you and Hermione are both first?"

"Yeah," muttered Harry, a bit embarrassed.

"I don't care," Neville added. "I'm happy with where I am, and the ranks you guys have shouldn't really be a surprise to anybody. Plus, I've got a pairing, too."

"Hannah?" Harry asked, smiling. Why else would Neville be hanging around with her and staying in the Hufflepuff Head Student quarters? Neville nodded.

"She's been helping with my studies. Really helping me get the hang of the classes and new material."

"Is that all she's getting a hang of, Nev?" Harry couldn't resist the wisecrack, but Neville didn't shy away from it like he would have in years past. Instead, he merely smiled.

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say, Harry." With that, Neville walked away. Harry was left marveling at how much Neville had changed, no doubt in part due to his new "friend."

Harry stood on the Quidditch pitch, looking at all the rookies hoping to play for Gryffindor. There was still half an hour before tryouts officially began, but Angelina had instructed everyone to show up plenty early and ready to go. It was ironic, since Angelina wasn't even there yet. Neither were the twins. Harry was left to watch Second and Third Years trying balance on broomsticks.

"I still can't believe you convinced me to do this." Ron had returned from the locker room and was shaking his head. "I'm just going to make a bloody fool out of myself." While speaking to Hermione about how he had tryouts in the afternoon, Harry had realized that maybe Ron could replace Wood as Keeper. Ron hadn't been too keen on the idea, but Harry insisted. He and Ron had flown together enough times over the summer for him to see that Ron, while not as good as Wood, could still be quite a good Keeper.

"Ron, you'll do fine. If you're still worried, just look at your competition." One of the Third Years had managed to hover so that he was just above the heads of his peers, who cheered loudly. Then he came tumbling down. Harry and Ron winced.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"So why've you been so, you know, depressing lately?" Harry ventured. He didn't want to anger Ron, but the red-haired wizard had been acting quite dreary since coming back from the holidays.

Ron sighed. "I guess I should probably tell you. Learned the hard way last year that there's no good in just wallowing in my own feelings." Ron took another deep breath before quickly spitting out, "FredandGeorgegothigherranksthanIdid!"

Harry stared at him a moment, eyebrow raised. "What?"

"Fred and George got higher rankings than me." Ron's eyes were focused on the ground.

"How do you know?"

"Well, they found out my rank after they stole some of the papers I got. When they saw that I only had 10th, they started laughing and told me that they'd been ranked 7th."

"Ron, 10th isn't bad at all! You do realize that there's got to be, I don't know, around 160 eligible students? That means you're in the top 10%!"

"I guess that's true. But still, beat by Fred and George!"

"But even if they-wait" Harry stopped and thought a moment. "You said they both got 7th?"

"Yeah, so 7th beats 10th. That's why-oh." Ron suddenly realized the oddness in Fred and George's claim. He shrugged. "They're identical twins. Maybe that's why?"

"Ron, either way, does it really matter? Even if they beat you, it wasn't by much. Fred and George are popular people, pretty smart in their own way. You've got talents of your own that they don't have."

Ron seemed to think this over. "I guess you're right. Thanks, Harry!"

"Was that really all that was up?"

"Well, I was a little annoyed that I didn't get a pairing like you and Hermione did," Harry nearly choked on the water he had been drinking, "but I guess that means I'm just more of a free agent, which I think I'll like better anyway. Better to choose for myself who I go with than have somebody tell me. I'm just waiting to hear about some pairing nightmare that ends horribly."

"Wait wait wait...hold on...you mean you knew we were paired up?" Harry couldn't believe this. First Neville and now Ron.

"Well...yeah. Why wouldn't I?"

Harry just shook his head.

"Mate, I've known you since the first day of First Year. I've seen how you and Hermione act, even if you guys didn't. I may not be that observant when it comes to these things," Ron admitted, "but give me some credit."

"You're not, I don't know, mad?"

"Mad? Nah. A little jealous, but more just for the generic getting of the girl. Have you seen me and Hermione? Blimey, we're practically at each other's throats every year. I'm just too...me...and she's to her. Wouldn't be right."

Harry smiled. Of all the people he'd been nervous about, Ron was definitely top on the list. To hear Ron say what he had made Harry even more confident about himself and Hermione. Maybe this could work out after all!

Checking the time, Harry realized that tryouts should have started five minutes ago. Rolling his eyes and wondering what Angelina and the twins were up to, Harry turned to face the rest of the people on the pitch.

"All right, listen up everybody. Just because Angelina's not here doesn't mean you all can slack off. Now, how about you all get on your brooms and let's do a few warm up laps around the pitch."

To Harry's surprise, all the students did as he instructed. Some, admittedly, couldn't actually carry out the instructions, but everyone at least tried. It made him feel like some authority figure. Turning to Ron, who was already mounted, Harry grinned, and they shot off into the air.

About fifteen minutes later, Fred, George, and Angelina showed up on the pitch. Angelina was both surprised and grateful for Harry's leadership.

"These morons here," she gestured toward the twins, who were hurriedly getting their brooms and bats, "thought it'd be funny to turn a bunch of First Years into birds with some stupid candy." She sighed. "Problem was, they started having trouble changing back. The three of us had to get them all back to normal before any of the teachers found out. So, what've you put them through?"Angelina asked.

Harry explained how he had separated the students based on the position they were trying out for. He'd made them fly around a bit, getting an idea of who might actually stand a chance. Then he'd sent them to work in various areas. The Chasers were practicing together, trying to score against the Keepers, and the Beaters tried to hit at specific targets near the pitch. Interestingly, no one besides a few Second Years who could barely hold a broom was trying out to be a Seeker.

When Harry had finished explaining, Angelina nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, Harry. This'll help immensely with the tryouts. Unless I see a miracle, and it's looking like I won't, all we really need this year is a Keeper. I think your friend Ron has that one in the bag based on the rest of the competition. Anyway, Harry, thanks for the help. I can take it from here. You might as well just head back to your dorm."

Harry turned to her, surprised. Was Angelina really letting him go? Maybe she wasn't going to be the new Oliver Wood.

"Don't get a swelled head, Potter," she added. "I just want you in top shape for workouts and practices. Can't risk you getting hurt in some pointless tryout. Just go back and stay healthy. Get some R and R with Hermione."

Harry stared at her for a moment and then just shook his head.

"What do you think actually made her come to our games? Nevermind. Just use your Seeker skills and get your hands on that Snitch!"

Harry simply walked away, not wanting to be the butt of another poorly used Quidditch pun.

On his way toward their quarters, Harry was thinking over how he could talk to Hermione. If three people he knew relatively well saw a spark between them, then maybe he wasn't stupid to hope that she might have feelings for him. People could always be wrong, he knew. Things were never set in stone. However, up until quite recently he'd been trying to tell himself that there was no chance Hermione felt anything more than friendship toward him. Now a small worm of doubt had wriggled into that belief, and both his heart and mind were desperately clinging to it, unwilling to let it go.

Harry wasn't quite sure, even if Hermione did feel the same way about him, how to bring the subject up in a conversation. He couldn't simply mutter that Gryffindors charge forward and declare his feelings for her on the spot. Harry was too shy.

"Funny," Harry thought, "I've faced werewolves, dementors, basilisks, and even Voldemort himself. Now I'm worrying about talking to my best friend."

As silly as it sounded, Harry couldn't shake his nervousness. What if everyone was wrong? What if Hermione just saw him as a good friend? What would happen to that friendship? He almost envied Neville, who hadn't really known Hannah much until their pairing. Almost.

The portrait swung open, and Harry walked quietly up the steps. He didn't want to startle or disturb Hermione if she was trying to study or take a nap.

What could he say or do to find out how Hermione felt about him? He could ask other people, but that would be kind of weird. Three of his friends had already given their opinions, and he didn't want to try and find out second hand. That would merely delay his talking with Hermione. What if he eased into it, gradually asking innocent question? That might work, though Hermione would probably catch what he was doing long before Harry was able to learn anything. He could wait things out and let Hermione make the first move, but that didn't feel right either. Nothing Harry could think of seemed plausible.

"Harry…"

Harry heard Hermione's voice, which sounded muffled and a little strained, as he entered the quarters. Curious, he looked around. She didn't appear to be studying in the main area of the quarters, where she normally was when Harry was around. He thought she'd been calling him, but Hermione was nowhere in sight. Odd.

"Oh, Harry…"

Harry heard Hermione's voice again. It had come from the bedroom. She was definitely in the quarters. Harry smiled, slightly. Maybe she was sleep talking. He'd heard her once at night asking a teacher to make an assessment really long and hard. At least, that's what he thought she'd been saying. Something about making something really long and hard. Her voice had been muffled somewhat by the pillow. Harry quietly went to the bedroom door. He reached for the knob and slowly opened the door a crack, checking to see if Hermione was indeed sleep talking. Harry was quite thoroughly shocked when he looked in.

Harry had been expected to see a pajama-clad Hermione resting peacefully under the covers. This was nowhere near the truth. Hermione was lying on her back in the middle of the bed. She had taken a pillow, which looked mysteriously like the one Harry had misplaced, and propped it against the front board of the bed. This way, she could comfortably lean against the board and be somewhat upright. Her hips were firmly pressing into the bed, and one hand was holding an open book. Even though she had a book, her eyes were tightly shut and her face was quite flushed. Hermione's other hand was between her legs, which were spread widely open. And she was completely naked.

All Harry could do was stare. Here was Hermione, his best friend since First Year, who helped him with his homework and admonished him and Ron for being immature, lying naked on the bed, and Harry couldn't get enough of it.

The rational Harry would have felt guilty for staring at Hermione. However, the rational Harry wasn't in right now. Harry's mind was on overdrive, trying to take in everything that his eyes were showing him. Hermione's curly, brown hair, casually lying on the bed and covering her shoulders. Her face, flushed and strained. Her bare skin looked pale and soft, and Harry could only imagine what it felt like. Her breasts, a bit larger than his imagination had led him to believe, were firmly standing on her chest, slightly jiggling with her quick movements.

Her nipples were so hard and pointy they looked ready to poke someone's eye out. Harry watched in awe as the Hermione hand, which had previously been holding her book, reached up to clutch one of her breasts and began stroking and rolling the nipple.

All these fantastic sights, plus Hermione's deep breaths, sighs, whimpers, and suppressed cries, caused Harry Junior to become extremely interested. Harry felt like his second wand was going to burst free of its bonds of clothing any minute now. However, as his gaze descended to adjust (or maybe appease) Harry Junior, Harry looked for the first time at where Hermione's second hand was.

Hermione's fingers were furiously rubbing at a pair of swollen, pink lips. Both her slit and her fingers were nearly dripping with arousal. Every so often she would pause and either pay special attention to a little nub, rubbing and almost pinching it, or stick one (or even two) fingers all the way up inside herself. As she continued fingering herself, her breath started getting shorter, coming out in amazing little gasps and moans. Harry tried to lean in farther, his nose almost sticking out the crack between the door and the frame.

Unfortunately for Harry, there seemed to be a bit of dust in between the door and frame, and Harry's nose quickly snuffed them up. The moment he took a breath, Harry knew it was coming. He tried to fight it, but the odd, tingling sensation wouldn't back down. He tried to back away, hoping to find cover or a hiding spot, but it was too late.

"A-A-ACHOOOOOO!"

Harry's sneezed echoed throughout the quarters, immediately startling Hermione and bringing her back down to Earth. As if that wasn't bad enough, the force of the sneeze carried Harry forward. Right through the door and into the bedroom.

Hermione stared at him, unbelieving and in total shock, before quickly attempting to cover herself.

"Hermione, I-"

"OUT!"

"I'm sorry, I was just-"

"HARRY JAMES POTTER, GET OUT OF HERE NOW!"

Hermione's face was bright red and it looked like tears were welling in her eyes. Ashamed and unable to apologize, Harry realized that he was making things worse with every second he remained. As quickly as he could, he ran out the door, down the steps, and through the picture frame. As he ran, he could have sworn he'd heard muffled sobs coming from the bedroom.

/:Note:/ Another chapter completed. I wonder who's in more trouble: Harry for catching Hermione, or me for stopping the chapter right there. Sorry but not! Thank you so much for reading this, guys! I can't believe that this story already has well over 100 follows! Anyway, right now the Harry/Hermione ignorant pre-Romance stuff is close to wrapping up. I was trying to think of more plot ideas and pairings on my own, but then I decided I might as well turn to you guys. What do you want in terms of plot? I've got some ideas, but I can always use more of them. I'm also considering a separate Neville/Hannah one-shot to make in my spare time. Let me know if that sounds worthwhile. As for pairings, I have a few characters I'd like to write about, but I don't really have much of a preference on who they end up with. Harry/Hermione and Neville/Hannah are set, but that's about it. I'll give you guys some time to give suggestions on characters and pairings, and then I'll try and have some sort of vote or poll for the final decision. Keep in mind, though, that Harry won't steal or take advantage of girls already in a relationship with another guy. This means no Harry/Hannah as a start. So if you don't want any Harry/Ginny, for instance, instead of complaining about it, give me a good suggestion for who Ginny should go to. As always, if you have any critiques or compliments, I'd love to hear them. See you soon (maybe)!