Disclaimer: Honestly, do you really think that *I* would be able to come up with something as huge as Harry Potter?

A/N: I'm glad you guys enjoyed chapter 3! And thanks for reviewing! Sorry if this chapter kinda sucks..and it's not as long as the others. I haven't had time to write that much, and I went to a funeral today so I'm pretty drained. But that was 8 hours ago, and I kinda got bored, so I decided to finally write chapter 4 anyway...Here it is. Review it please. Make my day. I could really use the encouragement. : )



Fire and Rain



Chapter 4

The Good, The Bad, and The Very Confused



A whole month had already gone by, and Hermione's head was about to burst. Harry's attitude toward her changed so often during that last month that she had long ago lost count. One minute he would be all sweet and flirtatious with her, and the next minute he would become distant and cold. And, to make matters worse, they were going back to school now, and Hermione would be faced with, as Ginny had called it, her competition. It was really starting to annoy her.

"Why is he doing this to me, Ginny?" Hermione asked, once Harry and Ron had left their compartment on the Hogwarts Express to seek out sweets.

"What did you expect? Boys aren't like us girls. They don't know how to just let it all out. Especially Harry...he's never really had anyone to lean on, so he ends up with all these emotions bottled up inside of him that he doesn't know what to do with," Ginny explained. "Besides, he's probably scared out of his wits and just as confused as you are."

"Gee, you sure know your stuff, Gin. Have you ever considered becoming a therapist?" Hermione asked, a grin forming on her lips.

Ginny laughed. "Well, that's what you get for having six brothers."

Hermione sighed and absent-mindedly watched the scenery outside flying by the compartment window. "So, you really think he's just scared?"

"I'm sure that's what it is," Ginny replied, resting her elbows on her knees. "You know Harry wouldn't do anything to hurt you, especially on purpose...don't you?"

"Of course I know that. He's told me enough times already...," Hermione said.

"Oh really?" Ginny mused. But before she could say anything more, the compartment door slid open, and Harry and Ron walked in, their arms filled with all sorts of candy and chocolate.

"You girls gossiping again?" Ron asked as he awkwardly tried to sit down without spilling his sweets.

"Uh...yeah...something like that," Ginny replied, winking at Hermione, who, in turn, tried to stifle a smile.

"You know, you guys are going to ruin your supper by eating all that junk," Hermione said, inspecting the food Harry had brought back with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, 'Mione," Harry began. She loved it when he called her that. "You sure you don't want a bite of this?" he asked, holding a very delicious looking chocolate bar in front of her face.

Hermione could feel her tongue lick her lips as she pondered whether or not to give in. She'd been craving chocolate for the past few days...and she could sure use some right now...

"Ah, what the hell," she exclaimed, grabbing the bar from his hand. As she did so, her fingers brushed up against his, sending shivers up her arm. Harry simply smiled at her, then turned back to his pile of candy. Hermione felt like sighing; that smile...Harry's smile...it made her melt every single time. Sometimes the feeling was even a bit overwhelming. She wasn't used to being so attracted to a guy, especially one that was her best friend.

Ginny didn't need to watch them eating away for very long before she got the urge to join in.

The rest of the trip to Hogwarts was filled with munching sounds, the occasional joke on Ron's part, and a few stolen glances toward Harry, on Hermione's part, of course.



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The Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop, and everyone on board got off the train. The older students watched as the first years reluctantly followed Rubeus Hagrid toward the lake for the traditional boat ride to Hogwarts. Ron chuckled as he watched a red-headed boy running to catch up to the moving crowd.

"Ahh...I remember my first day here like it was yesterday," he sighed.

"Yeah, me too," Ginny replied, also watching the first years. "I feel so old all of a sudden.."

"Don't we all," a soft voice from behind said. Something about that voice sounded oddly familiar. She turned around and was hit by instant recognition.

"Draco Malfoy?"

"The one and only," he replied with a slight smirk.

"What do you want?" Ginny asked, her harsh voice clashing with his gentle one, and she instantly regretted it. Though she didn't exactly want to be 'graced' with his presence, she couldn't help noticing how, well, less evil he looked. She couldn't really put her finger on it, but it was quite evident that Draco Malfoy had changed over the summer as well.

"Well, I just wanted to..." he began, but was unable to finish his sentence.

"Malfoy! Get away from my sister!"

"Hello to you too, Ron," Draco replied calmly without moving away from Ginny.

Ron was temporarily shocked. "W-what did you call me?"

"Uh...I didn't call you anything. But I could if you wanted me to," Draco told him.

"No...no, if I can recall correctly, you said 'Hello to you too, Ron'.." he replied, emphasizing his own name.

Draco momentarily stared at him in disbelief, but quickly recovered. "Well, if you prefer being called Weasel, I suppose I could make an exception for you..."

"What are you on about, Malfoy?" Ron asked, getting very annoyed, very quickly.

"Absolutely nothing," Draco shrugged.

"Yes, well, I'd suggest you get as far away from me and my sister as humanly possible before I decide whether or not I should beat the bloody hell out of you," Ron told him, taking a threatening step forward.

Draco threw his hands up in defeat. "Fine, I'm leaving." Before turning to walk away, he glanced over at Ginny, a look of...what was that? Longing? No, it couldn't be...could it?

"Come, Ginny," Ron said, guiding his sister toward the others. "Malfoy won't be bothering you anymore. Not if I have anything to do with it."

Ginny remained speechless as they made their way toward Harry and Hermione, who were both on the tips of their toes, searching the crowd for a certain someone.

"Do you see her?" they heard Hermione ask Harry as they approached.

"See who?" Ron asked, also looking around.

"You know...Anika," Harry replied.

"Oh! Right. Her," Ron said, remembering quite clearly Hermione's little remark. He was dying to see if he would really like her as much as Hermione had predicted.

"Well, we're bound to bump into her sometime tonight," Harry said. "In the meantime, we better start making our way to the Great Hall or we'll be late for the feast."

The others quickly agreed (though they weren't that hungry after eating so much on the way there) as they entered one of the horseless carriages that would bring them to the castle.



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The Sorting Hat ceremony went by. And no Anika. Dumbledore's welcoming speech went by. And no Anika. The feast went by. Still, no sign of Anika. And even though she didn't really know her, Hermione began to worry.

"Harry...what if something terrible happened to her?" she asked as they made their way toward the Gryffindor common room.

"Don't worry so much, 'Mione," he replied, placing his arm around her shoulders. "I'm sure everything's fine."

Hermione flinched slightly at this gesture. She wasn't used to having him so close to her. But it wasn't like she was complaining or anything....

"I suppose..." she said, though unconvinced.

As they continued their journey toward Gryffindor House, they passed a group of third years. Extremely 'giggly' third years.

"It seems as though you've gotten yourself a new fan club," Hermione laughed as they turned down another hallway.

"Just what I needed," Harry groaned. "And this year seems to be worse than any other..."

Hermione smiled as she realized that maybe she wouldn't have so much competition this year after all.

"Well, you know, you could hide under your bed from them for the entire year, but I don't think the dust bunnies will be too happy about that," she teased. "Besides, you'd probably starve or something..."

"Not if you bring me leftovers every day."

"I see. And how would I possibly gain access to the boys dormitory?"

"I'd let you in, of course. But only you...no one else from the female species."

"Aw...I feel so special!" Hermione exclaimed, sarcastic.

"You are special to me, Hermione. And don't you ever forget that," Harry told her, seriously. Hermione felt her cheeks go red (yes, again). There was nothing she liked more than to be complimented by Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, her very best friend in the whole wide world...

Her thoughts were interrupted by his voice.

"I'm sick of walking...let's race the rest of the way," Harry suddenly said, taking his arm off of her shoulders.

"Harry, you know we can't..." she began, but Harry had already taken off. She took a long deep breath, and, knowing that if they were caught, they'd be in very deep trouble, started running after him.





A/N: Ok...I'll leave it there before I totally screw it up. I'm litterally falling asleep at the keyboard as I am typing this. Anyway, please review! Thank you! And who knows when chapter 5 will be done...some time this century, I hope. *joking* Ok...I REALLY need to get some sleep now. Ta-ta!