A week of mixed feelings grew more intense everyday. Mainly infatuation, because of her three dreams and their first two kisses. The fact that they all happened in one day didn't help in overcoming it. Every time she will look at him her insides seem to empty itself out. The feel of his lips on hers never left. It itched more each passing day. And one fact that she hated the most to think of is that she wanted more.

She wanted more though she knew Harry had someone else. She wanted more though she knew Harry kissed her only because she needed comfort. The bookish and platonic type of Hermione and the infatuated one right now are both suffering this Valentine's Day. From the words of Gollum, a creature she read from a muggle book: "It burns! It burns us!"

All giggling girls of Hogwarts from House to House seemed to dominate this day. Everywhere one would see hearts and almost all the ghosts are telling their past love lives which ended up in a tragic incident. Even Professor Sprout has a special lesson for the special occasion. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw went to the greenhouses almost all of them too sleepy as Herbology was the last subject for the day. Hermione spotted the fence where the hidden daffodil arrangement is placed. If she just didn't have the heart for the "florist" she would have burned it all up. Three heart-shaped and mushroom-like plants of different colors greeted them as they entered the greenhouses.

"Okay, everybody group your selves around these plants at the center. Now, who could tell me what these are?"

Hermione shot up her hand a little too much making her shoulder blade crack. Harry, who was standing beside her, sniggered as she spoke.

"These are Coronils. Distinguishable because of their shape, while on the contrary, their smell differs to everyone. This is because it is the main ingredient of Amortentia; once dried and powdered. While its syrup could be used for temporary love potions."

There was a collective buzzing of students that followed her recitation. Some were very excited about it. She continued on.

"These are very rare plants and are very hard to dry for the most complex of potions. It causes obsession, loss of self importance, and very high sexual innuendo."

Again, a collective buzz transcended but louder this time and was followed by annoying giggles. Professor Sprout gave her twenty-five points for the "well-excerpted monologue" as Ron calls it. And they were asked to sketch the Coronils assigned to them. These really were odd plants as their mushroom-like shells open up every three minutes and give out a passionate smell in the air. Hermione stared blankly on the space before her for she smelled too much of daffodils that her head was somehow filled with drowsiness.

She opened her eyes and saw a red haired girl sketching a three feet tall Coronil. The girl had no face but her features were very familiar. A boy with messy black hair sat beside her as she continued to sketch. The boy was inching his way towards her very slowly almost kissing her hair. She was as if completely oblivious to the boy's closeness. He was rubbing her left palm very tenderly. When the girl finished sketching, she stood up and led him to the back of the greenhouses. There, a two and a half hectare of land filled with blossoming daffodils. They walked towards the center and laid there. Putting their arms around each other and their heads met. Hermione's sight darkened and it rained, the couple, though dimly colored, continued to be attached to each other. Her ribs contracted, her eyes stung. And her ears were filled with the sound of the rain splattering. She jerked up as something tapped her elbow.

"Hey, wake up. The class is over, everyone's gone to the castle, Professor Sprout said we can pass it tomorrow. Get up I have something to show you."

"Hunh? Harry? Oh my, I fell asleep! I'm sorry, but I still have to sketch!"

She hurried to get in front of a three feet tall Coronil fumbling at her quill and parchment. She tripped on a couple of vines. Her head landed on the Coronil, smashing it up. She got up and her face and neck were covered with blood-red syrup. Her face was wearing the most horrified expression she could give. Her knees sent her down seating on a marble chair. Harry was laughing hysterically at her that after scowling at him, she laughed along with him.

"Here, let me fix you up," Harry said as he walked toward her. "But first, come with me."

He led her to the garden, it was raining and already dark so they lit up their wands while being sheltered on a small arched pathway filled with vines. Harry held her hand and rubbed it all the while, inching towards her almost kissing her hair. He was about to cast a Cleaning charm on her when he stopped and said: "You smell good."

"Oh, what? I smell…? Harry it's the syrup, it's giving out a…" she stopped speaking when Harry kissed her nose.

He opened his mouth and sucked the tip of her nose entirely coated with syrup then proceeded to kiss her on the cheek. He licked her like a dog, slowly, lavishing and liberally. She froze. Her mind blanked out.

His teeth were grazing her jaw, munching hungrily down her neck. He followed a trace of syrup up to her lips and kissed her upper lip then her lower one and back up again. She stifled a moan and started to kiss him back. His breath smelled like fresh parchment, an aromatic ember and just plain… well, Harry.

Hermione wanted to cry, but she held onto his shoulders for dear life. Harry backed her on the wall, wands laid forgotten on the ground, and it was bliss.

Please, don't let this be a dream anymore. Please… this is what I've been waiting for.

Harry stopped and hugged her for a long time. She hugged him back as tight as she could as they both rested their heads on each other's shoulders.

"Do you see that arrangement there at the front?" Harry asked and she nodded not letting go as they panted for cold air warmth engulfing between them as they held each other, "It's for you, just thought that I needed you're opinion, guess that was the wrong thing to do. And might I add stupid? You are so beautiful Hermione, more than anything at all."

"Thanks, you are the sweetest! Care to sit down?"

They picked up their lit wands and cuddled up on each other on the bench.

"You know," Harry spoke his breath back to normal, "I might steal those Coronils. How long does it take to brew Amortentia by the way?"

"About twenty-two weeks, and drying Coronils take up about thirty-five days by the way," she replied grinning at him.

"Oh. Well, I just want to say 'I love you' since I know that I can't wait for that long 'Mione," he whispered at her ear.

"I love you too Harry, but something's holding me back."

"What? Do you have another bloke in mind?"

"No! Look, I'm really happy. But the thing is, you'll be my first ever boyfriend and I don't think I could be anything more than the 'Little Miss Perfect and All-Time Best Friend of the Boy Who Lived.' I don't think I'll be someone who'll be there with you all the time in a deeper relationship like this. I mean, I have tons of books to read! N.E.W.T.S. are scheduled for next year!"

Harry kissed her full on the lips and massaged her back.

"I know Hermione, but I don't care to be your first, I just want to be your last."

To be continued
Disclaimer: Refer to chapter one. And yes, Gollum no doubt is from Lord of the Rings, a character created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Amortentia is the strongest love potion by Rowling. While Coronils are created by me and its brewing time.