Hello! I'm back! My apologies for neglecting this story, college has been crazy. I've missed Harry and Hermione and I am determined to get the rest of this story posted. Unfortunately Slughorn's Christmas Party will be posted in March and not December...but better late than never. Thank you so so much to all the lovely people following this story, hope you're still here and that you enjoy the rest :)

A/N: Only the plot is mine, everything else is J.K.'s!


Chapter 7: Dating and Dresses

Harry was surprised by how natural the couple act with Hermione had become. It had been awkward at first, but now it seemed completely normal for her to greet him with a kiss on the cheek, or for him to reach for her hand when walking through the halls. It had only been a week since that kiss in the Astronomy Tower, but being affectionate with Hermione now seemed simple. Obviously he didn't get the same swooping sensation in his stomach that he got when Ginny so much as smiled at him, but he couldn't help but enjoy holding Hermione close. It was all an act, of course. They hadn't kissed again, but he found caresses came easily now – kissing her on the forehead before sitting beside her in the library, putting an arm around her in the common room, smiling at her in classes.

They were spending more time together than ever before. Harry was even getting all his essays written on time. After all, being with Hermione meant being in the library. She was a patient teacher, and he was doing better in his classes than ever before. Madame Pince no longer looked shocked to see him in the library, he was becoming a regular visitor. He didn't actually like doing homework, Hermione hadn't influenced him that much. Still he had to admit the library was quite a peaceful place to be. It was a great spot for a nap, but Hermione always prodded him with the end of her quill when he dozed off.

'We have a lot of work to do before you get with Ginny, you'll be distracted then. And the NEWTS are next year Harry, you have to start preparing!'

He was helping her relax more too. He was yet to convince her to try Quidditch, but they had been taking walks around the grounds, bundled up in winter cloaks and carrying one of Hermione's portable fires. Overall, the past few weeks had been the happiest he'd had in a long time. He had always admired Hermione, but now he truly saw how caring and supportive she was. And she could be great fun too, he missed messing around with Ron less and less. Hermione was never going to be one to pull pranks, she regarded rules too highly, but they'd had plenty of laughs together. Soon things would change, and he couldn't wait to start dating Ginny, but he hoped this friendship with Hermione would stay strong. He tried not to think about the party too much, it made him feel strange. Probably just nerves, he reckoned. After all, getting together with Ginny was a big deal. He'd never felt so strongly about another girl. Obviously, it wasn't going to work out smoothly. Dean wasn't going to give up on Ginny easily, and getting Ron from Lavender's clutches seemed even tougher. Ron had stopped talking to him, and whenever he saw Harry and Hermione he got an odd look on his face, like he couldn't quite grasp the concept of them being a couple. He was keeping his anger at Harry under control, but only just. It was hard to imagine everything working out well, but Harry had faith in Hermione's plan.


Slughorn's Christmas Party was fast approaching, and there was a buzz among those invited and they wondered what the event would be like. The exclusivity of the Slug Club only added to the excitement. Hermione had arranged to meet up with Ginny to shop for dresses on the next Hogsmeade weekend. She had decided it would be a good chance to show Ginny what a wonderful boyfriend Harry made. She had to admit (very quietly, and only to herself) that if she didn't like Ron so much, Harry would be perfect, really. His sweetness was very endearing, and she loved the way they could talk for hours. There was no other person she was so at ease with. There were no arguments, and they weren't all over each other like Ron and Lavender always were. The one upside of her fight with Ron was getting to spend so much extra time with Harry. She was really enjoying getting to know him better. But only as a friend, of course.

'Sooooo...' Ginny said, once they'd left the castle 'how's Harry?' She winked at Hermione, whose cheeks instantly went red. Why did she always blush so easily?

'Oh, he's well. Thank you.'

'Oh come on, Hermione! You have to give me more than that! It must be weird, to be dating him after being friends for so long.'

Hermione hoped there had been some envy in her friend's voice, but it was hard to say. Ginny seemed far too enthusiastic about the whole thing, but maybe she was hiding how she really felt...

'It's nice, I like being with someone I know well and can really talk to. I'm comfortable with him.'

Ginny nodded. 'But is he a good kisser?'

Hermione blushed harder. 'Um, yes. He is.'

Ginny raised an eyebrow. 'More information? You don't know how long I've been wondering about this! Actually, you do. Everyone does. That bloody Valentine's Day poem!'

'His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad' Hermione sang. Ginny elbowed her, grumbling 'I was eleven, for Merlin's sake! I wish everyone would just let it go.'

'How are things with Dean?' Hermione knew she wasn't off the hook yet, but at least that distracted Ginny until they got to the shop.

An hour later they emerged with their purchases, and Hermione charmed their shopping bags to fit in their pockets.

'You're absolutely sure my dress will go back to its normal size?'

'Of course.' Hermione huffed. She wasn't called the brightest witch of her age for nothing, after all.

'Harry is going to lose it when he sees you!' Ginny cried, and Hermione had to remind herself that it wasn't Harry's reaction that she cared about.


Thanks for reading, please review :) The next chapter shall be along shortly! Thanks to Ruinus, SherWatsonLocked, Luvliacd, Suzululu4moe, silent rider7, WelcomeToTheAsylum, Vegasman59, cokeerr and YoMamaJokes for their reviews on chapter 6 - much appreciated. Also welcome to new followers, your support means a lot :)