I looked over at Athena lying in my bed and smiled. James had been right about the name it was perfect for the little kneazle I had purchased. She was currently lying there staring at her witha knowing look in her eyes.
"Oh stop it already. We are just friends!" I said heatedly studying the creature. I jumped slightly at a knock on my door. "One moment." I shouted before grabbing my cloak and opened the door revealing James.
"Ready to head down to the Great Hall?" He asked offering me his arm. I nodded and placed my arm in his as we made our way out of our common area. It was finally the first and the rest of the students would be arriving and I would introduced to the all at the opening feast. My heart was pounding and I was terrified of what would happen.
We made it down rather quickly, or it may have just felt like that. James stepped away and squeezed my hand before offering me a reassuring smile. Looking at him I knew that it would all be ok. He opened the door and I walked in. The hall silenced at our entrance and I sighed before making my way up to the staff table. As head girl I would be required to sit there during some of the meals. Well pretty much for all the main feasts. James and I sat side by side as we waited for the sorting to begin.
I couldnt pay attention. I was far to nervous about what would come after the sorting. I knew the moment it was done my uncle was to stand and introduce me to the school as the new head girl. I scanned the great hall and my eyes locked with Lily's. It had to be her. I recognized those bright green eyes and it made my heart ache. I missed Harry so much. It hurt to be here without him. To be sitting beside the father he never had a chance to know. But if I was successful he would know his father. I felt a hand on my knee and almost jumped. James was looking over at me a smile on his face then he looked over at Albus.
"Students. Now amongst the normal announcements for the year I have another exciting, if not odd announcement." Albus paused and looked out at the students his blue eyes twinkling. "We have a new seventh year student that I am very excited to have amongst us. Hermione if you would please rise." Albus said looking over at me. I felt the entirity of the great hall staring at me as I stood up and walked over to my uncle. "I am very pleased to introduce Hermione Evangeline Dumbledore to the school. My neice has greatfully accepted the position of Head Girl after Lily Evans had to turn it down for personal reasons. I hope everyone will do there best to make her feel welcome." There was some light applause as I walked back to my seat a blush tinging my cheeks.
"Now as usual the Forbidden Forest is off limits to ALL students." He said looking over at James then the three remaining Mauraders sitting at the Gryffindor table. "Also in the entrance hall is a list of forbidden items. Anyone caught with an item on that list will serve at the minimum a weeks detention with Mr. Filch." There were groans at this and I had to fight back a smile. Some things it seemed were the same in the past as in the future. "Also this year the fourth floor eastern corridor is off limits. I will give no reason for this but being caught there will result in immediate expulsion. Now with that note lets eat." He said before waving his hands and smiling as food filled the tables.
I sat in the common room staring at the fire Athena resting on my lap. James was off with the marauders doing Merlin knew what and I was sitting here alone trying to figure things out. Neither of us had mentioned the kiss. It was something that I had decided to ignore. But I always felt him watching me. I knew that he was thinking about it. But I had to ignore the feelings that I was beginning to have for him. I couldnt allow myself to care for James Potter. I had to keep it at friendship. But it was going to be hard. I heard a door open and close, it could only be James. I turned and couldnt stop the smile that spread across my lips at the sight of him. He ran a hand through his hair and smiled back at me.
"I was wondering if you would take a walk with me?" He asked nervously.
"I suppose." I said with a smile to reassure him. I put Athena down and sighed when she let out a pitiful meow. She was quite a needy creature, but I adored her. "Where to?"
"The clock tower?" He suggested with a shrug. He hadn't expected her to agree, so he hadn't planned past asking her.
"Alright." I agree with a nod. "I have never been there." I lied. In truth I always went there when I needed to get away from everyone else. It was the perfect place to be alone, as most students tended to avoid it. I stood up and walked over to him. "Is everything alright James?" I asked softly, concern in my eyes. He wasn't acting like himself, well at least as far as I could tell.
"Everything is great." He said with a smile. "Lets go." James took my hand and practically drug me out the portait and down the hall. He didn't say a word as we walked and I was getting more nervous by the moment.
"Slow down." I said with a laugh. "We dont need to run there. We are the head students. We wont get in trouble for being out after curfew."
"It isn't that. It's just well I need to talk to you, in private preferably, where no portraits can overhear." He said looking at the walls. The portraits were notorious for being gossips. This made me even more nervous. I didn't understand why this needed to be so private, there could only be one reason and the reason could not be good for me, or the future.
We made it to the stairs and walked up slowly in silence. Now that we were almost there I wasnt sure I could go through with the talk. I wanted to hear what he had to say, but I wasn't sure it was for the best at the same time. I watched as he opened the door and walked in letting out a soft gasp. On the ground was a blanket with wine and dessert. And the whole room was softly lit by candles.
"Hermione would you care to join me?" He asked softly gesturing at the blanket.
"Alright." I said not trusting myself to speak further. It was a romantic setting and I knew then that he fancied me. But he couldn't, he had to end up with Lily. But looking at the look on his face I knew it was hopeless. I couldn't wouldn't be able to reject him. James in a way already had captured my heart. I sat down on the blanket and smiled as he offered me a glass of wine. I looked down at the clear red color and swirled it in its goblet. I raised it to my lips and inhaled the scent before taking a sip of it. The flavor was perfect for a Cabernet, and I was sure it had been aged.
"It is 18 years old." James said softly. "My father bought it the day I was born and gave it to me before I came this year. He told me to save it for my birthday and to share it with someone special. I chose to share it with you." I blushed and took another sip of the wine. I hadn't realized it was his birthday or I would have gotten him a present. "I made the boys keep quite about what today was."
"Well Happy Birthday then." I said with a smile and brushed my lips against his cheek. "Though I am sure there was another more deserving girl than me to share this with."
"Hermione it will always be you." He whispered before taking a sip of his own wine. "Before you arrived I was focused on Lily I thought she was my soul mate. But then I looked into your eyes and realized that all the rejection was leading me to you." He set down his glass and cupped my chin in his hand. "Will you go with me to Hogsmeade this coming trip please?" He asked softly.
"James, maybe she is your soul mate and I am just the intriguing new girl." I whispered. "Alright I will go with you."
He smiled at this and brushed his lips against mine. "You are so much more than the intriguing new girl. You are quickly becoming my everything." He watched as I drank down my wine quickly. I was nervous and wasn't quite sure what to say to him.
"We should probably get back soon. We have class in the morning." I said sadly. All I wanted was to spend eternity sitting here with him. But it couldn't be. I had to keep my mission in mind. But there was that voice at the back of my head telling me that this could be the answer we needed. This could be what changes the course of the future. I felt him scoot closer and wrap his arms around my shoulders.
"I dont want to go anywhere. I want to stay here with you." He said before kissing me again. This was nothing like our first, or second kiss. The press of his lips was firm against my own and I gasped softly. The moment my lips parted his tongue slipped into my mouth and caressed my own. I returned the kiss for a moment before pulling back.
"We can sit in the common room and enjoy the fire." I suggested with a smile. After that kiss I didnt want to leave either. "We dont have to sit here to be together." With that I stood and offered my hand to James. He took it and stood up looking down at the wine and untouched food.
"I guess I should gather this all up." James took out his wand and shrunk down the items before tying it into the blanket, now the size of a handkerchief, and put the bundle in his pocket. We walked back to our dorm in silence hand in hand. Things had changed that much was obvious but neither of us wanted to define it. Not yet at least.
"James I am not ready for a relationship." I whispered looking at him. "We need to know eachother better first." And if I put it off there was still hope of getting him together with Lily.
"That is fine. But I will keep trying." He said with a smirk. "Enchanted." He said to the portrait and we were admitted to our rooms. "We need to think of a better password."
"Indeed, but that can wait." I went over to the fire which was still roaring and looked into the flames, looking for anything to help me sort out my feelings. But the blaze held no answers for me. I felt James wrap his arms around me and couldn't help but lean back into his embrace.
"The others told me that they could tell the moment I looked at you that I was lost." He whispered in my ear. I shivered slightly. "You stole my heart with one glance. With one word. You claimed me Hermione."
"I didn't mean to." I said sadly. "This isnt how it was supposed to happen James. I wasn't supposed to care about you. Not like this." I bit my lip softly to stop myself from saying more. But sitting here lying to him was so hard. And I hated it. I just wanted to be honest with him already. "I can't afford to fall in love with you, to much is at stake."
"What are you talking about Hermione?" He asked softly brushing his lips against the top of my head. "What is at stake?"
"Everything, everyone." I said still looking at the flames. I felt him pull me closer and relaxed slightly in his embrace. "But now that I am here with you, it doesnt seem to matter so much."