A/N: Sorry for the long delay (been a busy summer), but here's Year 3! This is set somewhere in the middle of PoA after the Firebolt dilemma. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter.

It was a pleasant spring day, and Harry, Ron, and the Weasley twins were spending their Saturday afternoon playing Wizard's Chess and Gobstones outside on the school grounds.

"Checkmate," said Ron.

Harry moved his king and was now trapped on all sides by Ron's knight and queen.

"And that's game!" exclaimed Ron as his queen obliterated Harry's king.

"Aw, shoot," said Harry. "Okay, I think I'm done playing for today. I'm going back to the common room to finish up Trelawney's assignment."

"Just do it tomorrow, Harry."

"Can't, I've got Quidditch practice with the team all afternoon."

"Right, okay, see you later then," said Ron as he turned to join Fred and George's Gobstones game. Harry picked up his bag and headed towards the castle.

He was really looking forward to practice tomorrow as Wood told him that he would be running the team through some new drills that would be perfect for his Firebolt. Upon entering the castle, however, his thoughts about the Firebolt shifted to Hermione. He felt guilty for shunning her away the past couple of months when she only meant it for his safety.

Harry stopped abruptly on the first-floor landing. He decided he would go make-up with her and see how she was doing. He pondered where she might be and set of in the direction of the library first.

It was fairly empty when he entered. He knew Hermione's favorite spot was towards the back corner by a window, and sure enough, when he had passed the last shelf, he saw her sitting alone at a table with a large book open in front of her.

Harry walked slowly up to her as not to startle her.

"Hey," he said hesitantly. Hermione looked up.

She surveyed him for a brief moment with her brown eyes before responding. "Hey."

"Can I sit down?" Harry asked.

Hermione sighed audibly as she shuffled her belongings off of his side and said, "I suppose so."

"How's it going?" Harry asked her after sitting down.

"Fine," she responded in a strangely high-pitched voice, not looking at him.

"No, it's not. Look, Hermione, I'm really sorry about the Firebolt situation. I know you were doing it for my own good and safety. Do you accept my apology?"

Hermione surveyed him again with her brown eyes as if to check whether he really meant it or not. Then, "Apology accepted."

"So, are we friends again?" Harry grinned.

"Alright, Harry, but not with Ron just yet," she smiled.

Harry was glad to see that she was at least back to smiling. "Well, I'll try to talk some sense into him but no guarantees … You know, it's a really nice day outside. Want to go outside?"

"Thanks, Harry, but I really have to finish this chapter by Monday."

"What is it you're reading?"

"Oh, it's over Arithmancy! You really should check it out."

"Er, that reminds me, though. I've got some Divination homework to do." Harry reached into his bag and pulled out his parchments over palmistry.

"Divination," Hermione scoffed. "What a joke of a class."

"I reckon you're right … 'My dear, you have the Grim!'" as Harry tried his best Professor Trelawney imitation.

Hermione laughed and followed along, her eyes wide like Professor Trelawney's, "'Hm, there is something here, something moving … but what is it?'"

"Loads of fog that's for sure," chuckled Harry. He looked at his Divination homework and read aloud the directions, "'Predict your future and fate through palmistry.' … You know, I'm just going to write the Grim for all of these. I'm sure she'll accept it."

"'Oh, broaden your mind, Harry. Use your Inner Eye to see the future!'" Hermione ridiculed.

The two burst out laughing so loud that they didn't even notice Madam Pince suddenly storming towards them.

"This is a library — not some kind of Saturday social! I'd like you both to leave. Now."

Hermione was mortified, and Harry spilled his bottle of ink all over his homework in fright. The two friends hastily gathered their belongings and rushed out. They didn't speak until they had turned a corner and were well out of earshot of the librarian.

"Oh, Harry! Whatever are we going to do? I can't believe we just got kicked out!" fretted Hermione as she struggled to shove several books into her bag. "Will she let us back in? Do you think we should apologize, Harry? Harry?"

Hermione turned to see Harry doubling over on a wall trying not to laugh. Harry took one look at Hermione and burst out laughing again.

"Harry! This isn't funny!" Hermione scolded. "What if I can't use the library anymore —"

"What the hell is a Saturday social?" sniggered Harry. "You should've seen your face."

"Very funny. At least I wasn't the one who jumped in fright, ruining my homework," smirked Hermione.

Harry looked at the Divination homework in his hand and pondered it. "Actually, this is even better! I'm sure she'll take all of this as dark omens … omens of death."

The two friends chuckled as they made their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Harry didn't realize how much he had missed having Hermione around the past couple of months. Hermione, on the other hand, was wondering when she had become the kind of girl to be kicked out of libraries. Probably the same day that troll nearly killed her, she reasoned, and two boys, who she couldn't stand, changed her life.

Thanks for reading. I still plan on doing all years but it might be a while haha :P