Hi guys! I'm so sorry that this chapter took me so long! The Writers Block really got me on this one :/ If anyone has any ideas or suggestions or theories about this story please send them to me in a review, or a PM, because they will help me with the next chapter (which I am also struggling with). I WILL NOT ABANDON THIS STORY. I promise. I hope you enjoy this chapter! :) Love you all!

Hermione shifted in her seat, her shirt was sticking to her and it was making it incredibly hard to concentrate. Sighing for what felt like the millionth time in the last hour Hermione gave up and turned her head towards to Harry. She barely had to look at him before he had turned to her, concern on his face.

"Are you alright Hermione?" His voice was low, almost inaudible.

"My shirt is sticking to me Harry; of course I'm not okay!" Hermione closed her eyes briefly. "Plus my head is killing me, my eyes hurt." Before she could say anything else Harry had his hand in the air. "Harry, what are you-"

"Yes Mr Potter?"

"Can I take Hermione to the Hospital Wing Professor? She isn't feeling well." Professor McGonagall turned to look at Hermione, her eyes roaming over the girl and taking in the paleness of her skin. She looked back at Harry.

"Yes Mr Potter, you may. Make sure you get the homework assignments from another student." Harry nodded at her, already out of his seat and packing Hermione's things back into her bag. So focused on this task he was, that he missed the small smile that McGonagall sent in his direction.

Harry managed to get Hermione out of the classroom within seconds, and once out of the room Hermione turned to him, gold glinting in her eyes.

"Harry! Why did you do that?" Harry was distracted by her eyes.

"Do what Hermione?" Had she always been this dazzling? How had he not noticed before?

"Take me out of class!" He gave her an odd look.

"You weren't feeling well, and it was kinda obvious that you couldn't concentrate Mione." He gave her a look. "You need to go to the Hospital Wing." Hermione rolled her eyes, but allowed him to take her arm and lead her in the right direction.

"I hope Madame Pompfrey isn't busy…" Hermione worried her lip with her teeth.

"Mione, even if she is, she told you to go to her if anything was wrong." He rubbed circles on the back of her hand hoping to calm her down.

"Yeah I guess so…I just haven't needed the Hospital much before, it kind of makes me uncomfortable." Harry laughed.

"Well, I have my own bed, so you can have that if it'd make you feel any better about it Mione. Pompfrey is great; she hasn't let me die yet!"

"Harry! Don't joke about that!" Seeing how distressed the idea made her, Harry instantly stopped laughing.

"Sorry Mione…"

"You aren't invincible Harry, one day you might not…" She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "You might not always be so lucky." When she opened her eyes, Harry noticed that faint lines of gold were more pronounced now.

"I know. I'll try to be careful." He knew if he promised that he'd be fine, he would be lying, so he didn't bother. "Hey Hermione, did you know your eyes are kinda turning gold?"

"What?!" Her hands flew up to her face, the pads of her fingers feeling along her eyelids as though she could feel the colour of her eyes.

"Don't freak, we'll just mention it to Pompfrey…besides, it uh, looks good." Harry flushed red before the words were fully out of his mouth; he was comforted by the fact that Hermione flushed as well.

"Thanks Harry." He smiled at her.

They entered the Hospital Wing in silence, as was becoming habit, and Harry directed Hermione to sit on one of the beds further down the ward. When she glanced at him in confusion, he just grinned and indicated a small plaque on the frame;

'Harry Potter – Trouble Magnet'

"I told you I had a bed." With a wink, he was gone, disappearing into Madame Pompfrey's office. Hermione stared at the plaque for a moment, before laughter bubbled up and practically exploded from her mouth with a loud, and unladylike, snort. Clapping a hand over her mouth, but still laughing, she lay down on the bed.

Madame Pompfrey came bustling over just a minute or so later, her wand already clutched tightly in her hand. Harry walked beside her, surprisingly managing to keep up with the rather fast elderly witch.

"I see you have found Mr Potter's bed Miss Granger, he's spent nearly as much time in that than in the one in his dorm I'd wager!" The witch was smiling warmly at him, and Hermione realised that the relationship between the Matron and Harry was probably akin to something between a nephew and aunt. The way it is supposed to be.

Hermione felt anger bubbling in her stomach, thinking about Harry being forced to spend any time with his so called family made her blood boil.

"So, what is the problem Miss Granger?" Hermione snapped her attention back to the Matron.

"Uh, well my shirt is sticking to me, and it feels incredibly uncomfortable. My head is hurting as well, right behind me eyes; I'm finding it nearly impossible to concentrate for long periods of time."

"Hmm." Pompfrey began waving her wand, Hermione felt a warm tingling start in her toes and spread up to her head. "Well, I'd say the headache is coming from your eyes changing; though I don't know how they will change. Your shirt is sticking to you because of the…slimy nature of your scales dear. It's nothing to worry about though I can see how it would make classes difficult." She smiled when not only Hermione relaxed, but Harry did too. "She'll be fine Mr Potter, don't worry yourself."

"Yes Ma'am!" He grinned at her cheekily. With an affectionate smile, she turned back to Hermione.

"I would suggest a nice cold bath might be beneficial dear, Harry can head back to class and get notes for you if you wish." Harry nodded and was about to gather his things.

"No!" The outburst was unexpected, even Hermione looked surprised. Her hand pressed against her mouth. "I mean, I don't think- I want… I want Harry to stay with me." The nurse looked at her for a long moment, before nodding her head.

"Very well, I will notify your teachers that you will not be attending classes for the rest of the day. I suggest you head over to the Prefects bathroom dears." With a final nod of her head, she turned and walked back into her office, no doubt to wait for the next student to come rushing in in a panic.

Harry looked at Hermione, noting the lines of her forehead that told him she was tired and reaching the end of her rope.

"C'mon Mione, let's get you cleaned up." He ignored the pink hue that was flooding her cheeks as she thought over the last few minutes.

"Yeah…okay Harry." She stepped off the bed, picking up her bag and heading for the door. "I don't want to be too long; we've got to start that essay tonight." With a roll out of his eyes Harry followed.

OoOoOoOoO

The walk to the bathroom was silent, the halls were deserted and Hermione remained a step ahead of Harry the entire time instead of walking beside him as she normally would. By the time they reached the door Harry was worried.

"Plush." Honestly these passwords were ridiculous.

By the time he had stepped through the door Hermione had already started the water, which filled the huge bathtub tremendously quickly. Harry swiftly removed his shirt, and bent to remove his shoes.

A soft squeak made him look up.

Hermione was staring determinedly at the wall, her face bright red. "Mione? You okay?" she nodded her head shakily.

"Fine Harry…just, um-"She took a deep breath. "I don't know if I'm comfortable…" she trailed off, but Harry already knew what was bothering her.

"Hermione, you're my best friend, absolutely nothing is gonna change that." He watched her carefully, abandoning his idea of undressing.

"I know that! I really do!" She spun to face him, her eyes staring resolutely at his face. Why was she…? A mischievous grin grew on his face.

"Hermione…look at me." Her eyes widened.

"I-I am looking at you." He grinned at her.

"I mean look at the rest of me; you've walked in on me changing several times, so why can't you look at me now?"He was genuinely curious.

"It's different when it's on purpose Harry!"

"I've seen you in the shower, just a few days ago; that was on purpose but I don't have any issues with it." She huffed.

"That was an emergency! I wasn't thinking about modesty!" Harry shrugged.

"Then don't think about it now." He started taking his trousers off. Another squeak came from Hermione; he stopped with his trousers around his thighs.

"Really Hermione? You've seen me in less!" Her eyes stayed on the wall. "It's not like I'm going to take my briefs off."

She went Scarlet.

"Unless of course, you want me to?"

"H-harry!" She faced him, mortified. He shrugged at her again.

"Well with the way you're acting it's the only thing I can think of. Tell me what's bothering you Mione, and I can fix it."

"I-it's just…I didn't want you to leave. It's why I shouted…in the Infirmary I mean." Harry nodded. "It was…weird. I wanted you to stay with me, I wanted…" She trailed off, her face turning an odd mix of red and pale.

"What did you want Mione?" She shook her head at him.

"I don't know…"

"Okay, let's just get you cleaned up then okay? I don't even have to get in if you don't want me to."

"No its okay, just turn around for a minute." He smiled at her.

"Course Mione!" He spun around and stared at the wall. There was a brief rustling noise as she got undressed and then a splash. He didn't turn around.

"Okay Harry." He turned, dropping his trousers to the floor at the same time and jumped into the water without warning.

Hermione shrieked with laughter as he landed next to her, immediately splashing him back.

I hope you liked it! Once again I'm sorry it took so long! Please review and let me know what you think! Ideas and suggestions for the story are welcome and encouraged! :)