Chapter 4

Hermione brushed her teeth while laughing at herself in front of the bathroom mirror.

'I cannot believe I almost presumed I was starting to feel something for Harry...again. I'm with Viktor now. What do I care if Harry is with someone. It's not like I like him.'

This conclusion of her runaway imagination made her feel silly. It was absurd to think she could develop yet another crush on someone she hasn't seen in two years, especially when she had a boyfriend whom she cared for. That was something love-crazed girls did. Not Hermione Granger, never. She was too levelheaded for that nonsense.

Ginny walked in on her psychotic episode of self-laughter. "What's so funny?" Ginny asked, feeling an obligation to join her. She knew that psychotic look in Hermione's eyes. She'd seen it for the most part during their Hogwarts days before a test or a major project was due.

"Nothing,"mumbled Hermione as she spat out the remaining toothpaste in her mouth.

When everyone had gotten dressed, they traveled back to the burrow by floo powder except for Bill and Arthur who took the car home carrying the presents in the back seat.

Upon ariving, they all sat down for breakfast while waiting for Bill and Mr. Weasley to arrive.

"Mum, how come Charlie didn't show up? He olwed me a week ago, said he was gonna make it." Ron spoke out while chewing his eggs.
Hermione shook her head and gave him a disapproving stare. How he got a girl like Hannah was beyond her.

"No, he said he was only gonna show up for the reception." George cut in.

"Yes but he obviously found out about Fred's irresponsible actions so he stayed put." Mrs. Weasley finished, her face turning sour at the mention of Fred's name.

"What about Percy? I don't remember seeing him either." Hermione inquired before taking a big sip of her pumpkin juice.

At that moment, everyone turned quiet and stared at her. She could feel her cheeks burning wondering what she'd done wrong. "What?"

Mrs. Weasley's face was both disappointed and understanding. "Hermione dear, Percy-" she began softly but was cut off by George.

"He wasn't welcome." George stated unaffectedly. "Dad disowned him."

Hermione's mind flashed back to the unfortunate events of fifth year, and Percy's betrayal to the family. She felt stupid for even bringing it up, wishing she hadn't said anything at all. Now all she's done was pour salt on an open wound.

"I-I'm so sorry. I can't believe I forgot."

Harry reached from across the table and lay a hand on Hermione's. "Don't be so hard on yourself. I think it's something we'd all like to forget."

Hermione looked over from Mrs. Weasley to Ron to Harry, who all grinned at her reassuringly. She smiled back weakly.

Harry always knew what to say to ease the tension in her shoulders. When she looked up at him again, her gaze drifted to those amazing green eyes of his. His light-hearted smile gave her a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach which was hard to describe and she couldn't tell why.

After breakfast was through and Bill and Arthur arrived at the burrow, all the guys including Ginny went out to play quidditch while Hermione and Hannah watched from the ground. Hermione's eyes wandered back and forth but somehow always found their way back to Harry. In her mind she lectured herself over and over, then forcing a conversation with Hannah to drift her thoughts elsewhere. When the boys tired of quidditch they decided to rest for a bit and continue their game later. Ron and Hannah sat down on the grass together, looking very comfortable alone. George had taken Ginny inside so as not to get her worked up on Potter. Harry and Hermione were the only ones left.

He approached her, sweat beads glistening off his forehead, and plopped down on the grass beside her.

"Hey Herm," he said casually, flashing her a smile. Even tired and sweating, he still looked radiant in her eyes. "Wanna go for a walk?"

She found it hard to refuse him, as he lay there on his back, his elbows propping him up. They strolled around a nearby field, never running out of things to discuss.

'Why can't I stop staring at him? Am I under a curse or something?'

She continued staring at his face as if memorizing his features as he kept on talking like Hermione was listening intently.

'I can't be. So why do I feel like a silly school girl? Okay, so what if I do like him. It's not as if I love him. Now that would be worse. Alright, thats good progress. I like him, I'm not "in-love" with him but I do love him.'

She quickly clapped her hands over her mouth feeling as if the words had floated from her mind out of her mouth.

"Mione?" Harry stopped and looked at her with confused eyes. "Are you alright?"

Hermione kept her mouth cupped with her hands, not sure what she was just thinking. Could that have been... a confession? Was she finally realizing the long-hidden emotions she'd harboured for Harry? It had to have been a mistake. But it wasn't. She knew it was real because as soon as she thought it, she felt a huge weight lifted from her that she didn't even know was there. So now Hermione's admitted it to herself, what was she going to do about it? The logical answer rapidly came to her like common sense: nothing. In any other case she would do nothing since she was attached and so was Harry. Her chance to be with him had passed and she just had to accept the fact she lost. On the other hand, Hermione was not the type of person to accept defeat. She was a fighter, and a winner. And if she believed in her love for Harry enough, she knew she could win his heart, too. Of course there was the matter of her relationship with Viktor and Harry's with... whomever she was. Still, Viktor had never made her feel the way Harry could with a simple touch of his hand. And as for Harry's girlfriend, as harsh as it sounded, Hermione was sure Harry would choose her over the other girl if she professed her feelings. After all, she had the advantage of knowing him longer than that other girl could ever compete with.

"Hermione, you in there?" Harry waved a hand in front of her face shaking her back to reality.

She had made her decision. She was going to tell him, now.

"Harry, I have something to tell you." she said gravely, her hands shaking.

"What is it?" He leaned closer, aware of the seriousness in her voice.

"Umm, I don't quite know how to say this..." She took in a deep breath and collected herself. "...okay here goes. Harry I-" She stopped, noticing his eyes were not on her anymore but concentrated on something behind her.

"Harry, what-"

"She's here!" He ran past her to a wide clearing.

Hermione followed him and traced his eyes to a figure flying in closer and closer. "She?" Hermione asked, dreading the answer.

"The girl I was telling you about." His face lit up eagerly in anticipation of her landing.

Hermione felt a tinge of jealousy and anger.

'Just calm down Hermione,' she told herself while biting her lip. 'A little competition never did you any harm in the past. It's what makes the game fun. This girl will be gone by the end of the week.'

The two friends waited together as the girl landed her broom and spun around to face them. As the girl's face came into view, Hermione's eyes widened and her stomach dropped to her knees.

'Cho... ?'

A/N: ok i need ur opinions here...do u think i shouldnt put in so much detail coz im realizing my chapters are getting longer than wht i intended them to be. or should i just leave it the way it is? well its up to u please review...