A/N: Ok, I am finaly getting better. Instead of pneumonia I now have severe bronchitis which my doctor said is a step in the right direction. I really wanted to kick him when he said that.

Chapter 10 is hopefully as good as I think is. Review to tell me what you think

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It was hard to concentrate in class with his copy of the Quibbler in his bag. Luna had run into Harry on his way to class and just sorta shoved it in his hand with a bright smile. With the way Hermione's attention kept slipping away from the notes they were taking Harry was sure that Luna had also run into his girlfriend.

When class ended they headed for lunch both of them started talking at once. Laughing they each told how Luna had stopped them in the hall. Down at the house table Harry pulled out his copy and started reading as Hermione also read quickly. It was just as Hermione had planned it out to be. Smooth and calm and stating the facts.

"That odd Ravenclaw girl told me I should come over here." Harry looked up to see Draco standing behind him.

"Yeah, Look at this." without thinking about and acting the way he would have with anyone else, Harry scooted over to make room for Draco to sit between him and Hermione.

With the slightest hesitation Draco sat.

"It's just like we wanted it to be." Hermione said brightly, sliding her paper over in front of the blond.

Draco read it, looking bored as everyone in the room craned their necks around to look at Malfoy seated beside Harry. Draco didn't seem to care so Harry tried to also ignore it.

"Brilliant." Draco nodded his head in aproval as he finished the article, "And you two have made it into the paper aswell." he pulled out the daily prophet from within his robe and handed it to Hermione.

Her frown made Harry wonder what had been said but when she snorted Harry and Draco both raised their eyebrows at her.

"She really is desperate for a story, isn't she?" Hermione slid the paper over to Harry, "That picture is from Hogsmead but the article has nothing to do with us realy. It just states how you are the Boy who Still Lives! and how I am just the girlfriend, tagging along for the spotlight glamor and what have you."

"But you aren't." Harry frowned down at the picture, thinking how it was actualy a pretty good one of them.

"We all know that, Potter." Draco stood suddenly and took the paper back, "See you around."

"What was that about?!" Ron sat down across from his best friends and glared over to where Malfoy was now sitting.

"We were showing him this." Harry pushed the Quibbler over to Ron, "And he showed us the Prophet."

"Oh, Seamus said something about that. I was going to tell you." Ron shrugged like it wasn't a big deal but still didn't look happy that Draco had been over at their table.

Hermione picked up on Ron's feeling and sighed, "Ron, he's changed. Malfoy is actualy sorta our friend now."

"Tell me she's joking?" Ron turned to Harry.

"She's not." Harry looked back to see Draco sitting next to Pansy, "He's almost nice."

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With the air growing colder by the day the common room was usualy very full during breaks and at night. Harry, Hermione and sometimes Ron would sit by the fire place and do their homework where it was the warmest in the room.

Everyone seemed use to the idea of Harry and Hermione dating and even with the article about Hermione being with Harry only because of his fame no one in their own house, aside from a few, could ever believe that of Hermione Granger. Most people didn't believe the article but there were those who would always rather hear a bit of gossip than the truth.

It had become a joke between Harry and Hermione and whever Ginny was about to say soemthing to eighter of them they always replied the same way.

"Yes, Ginny, I am worthless and only after Harry for his money." Hermione say with a sigh, "You found me out."

Or if it was Harry who Ginny had her attention on, "I've heard it all Gin." he would shake his head and try not to smile, "I love her even if it is my money she's after."

Having heard this for seven days in a row whenever she aproached one or the other, Ginny began to ignore them. If she happened to see them in a hall or in the common room she would turn on her heel and stomp in the other direction.

"I do believe we've annoyed her." Hermione whispered with a grin.

"You think so?" Harry asked with a smile as he pulled Hermione close.

"Yes, I think so." she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his chin.

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Harry was seated on the floor of his room back in Grimmauld piling logs into his fireplace. It was very early in the morning but it was too cold for him to continue sleeping. No sooner had he gotten up than Kreature came into the room with an armfull of firewood.

"Let's start Hermione's fire for her." Harry smiled, "That would make her happy."

"Yes, Master." Kreature handed Harry log after log untill the fire was high and warm.

"Thanks." Harry stood up slowly, wrapped in one of the blankets off his bed.

"Of course." Kreature bowed his head and then pointed to the window, "It seems to have started snowing, Sir."

Harry hurried over to the window and smiled out at the white ground and rooftops, "How much are we going to get?"

"Kreature would guess six inches or so, Sir." the house elf followed Harry to the door and then down the hall to Hermione's room.

With a finger up to his lips, Harry opened the door and watched as Kreature silently made his way over to the hearth, the wood floating along behind him. They had the fire going in just a matter of a minute or so and when they finished Kreature left, telling Harry in a whisper that he would bring up some tea.

Harry smiled at the elf in thanks and then made his way over to where Hermione was still soundly sleeping. She had pulled the blankets up till she was barely visible beneath them. Her face and some stray stands of hair was all Harry could see.

Feeling playfull Harry reached out one finger and lightly flicked at Hermione's nose. When she made a sleepy noise he drew his hand back quickly and watched as she snuggled deeper into the pillows.

Next he lightly traced her ear, watching as she made a face before opening her eyes.

"Was that you?" she asked, rubbing her ear.

"I've no idea what you are talking about." Harry smiled as Kreature returned to the room with not only tea but a few muffins as well, "Ah, look. Breakfast."

Hermione smiled, shaking her head slowly as Harry bit into a muffin.

"First snow of the year." Harry said and watched as Hermione froze.

"Really?" she asked, her eyes large.

"Yes, why?" Harry jumped as Hermione flew out of bed and over to her window. Her hair wild and one of her pant legs rolled up, the sight of her had Harry grinning.

"Can we go out today?" she asked, bouncing a bit she wrapped her arms around herself. Even with the fire it was still chilly in the room.

"As long as we don't freeze to death." Harry pulled back the blankets and motioned for her to get back in bed when she smiled his way, "After you get warm we can head out. Where ever you want to go." it was too early for th estore to be open but he would go where she led. Even if it was in the middle of a snow storm.

Harry was looking down at the half eaten muffin in his hand, grinning to himself when Hermione's arms wrapped around his neck and her lips found his cheek.

"Where ever?" she asked, pulling back.

"Where ever." he nodded, wondering just what he gotten himself into.

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Harry was content to follow Hermione from one muggle store to another in the large mall. He really didn't have anyplace he was interested in and besides watching Hermione hunt through shelf after shelf of merchandise was amusing.

It had taken a bit of talking to keep Hermione in the house long enough to even drink a cup of tea but Harry had managed by pinning her in his lap untill she quit squirming. A muffin had been completely out of the question. As she drank her tea he could see the gears all working and knew she was planning out their day.

It was rather nice to be going from store to store and not have one person turn to stare. In the muggle world no one knew who they were or that they had saved the world just a few months back.

In the fourth or fifth store, it was the second bookstore they had gone into, Harry heard something that had him laughing.

"What?" Hermione looked around and then down at her outfit like she thought there was something there.

"Is your stomack growling?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as she blushed, comfirming it, "That was your stomack!"

"Maybe." she muttered, turning her attention back to the book she held in her hand.

"Put that down." Harry reached over and took the book out of her hands, "We'll come back later. Let's get some breakfast into you."

"Harry, it's after noon." Hermione pointed out as he dragged her towards the door.

"Then, we'll have lunch." he said lightly, smiling at her as they exited the store and headed towards the food court.

Even without the see the signs that led the way it was easy to find because of the wonderfull smells. Harry saw Hermione brighten up when they came to one of the first food counters.

"This looks good." she smiled when he looked back at her.

It was just a soup and sandwich place. Nothing fancy but it did smell incredible. Harry stood back and let Hermione order and then he ordered the same thing as she did before reaching into his back pocket and paying for it all.

"Since when have you had muggle money on you?" she whispered when the guy at the register looked away.

"Since after last year when we were starving but unable to buy muggle food cause we only had wizard coins while we were on the run." he said quickly, hoping the woman behind him hadn't heard any of that, "As much time as I use to spend in the Muggle world I thought that maybe it would be a good idea to just keep some of that money on hand."

"Not a bad idea really." Hermione admitted as they recieved their food on trays and headed to a table, "Maybe I should see about carrying more Wizard coins. It is a pain to always have to do guess work about how much to have for Hogsmead trips."

Harry almost told her to just ask him if there was something she wanted or needed but knew she would fight him on that. Like today he would just have to be quicker than she was when they were at the counter.

"Can I ask you something?" Hermione was suddenly very serious and she looked almost nervous. They had been eating in content silence. So, her sudden question had made Harry jump.

"Of course. Anything." Harry was worried. He had said anything and he truely meant it but with the way she was looking at him had him wishing he had held off on saying it just then.

"How do you feel about the Dursley's?" she was leaning over their nearly finished meals and whispering.

Now he really was scared.

"They aren't all that bad. I mean, now that I'm not living with them. And Dudley, seemed to have improved..." he saw how she was looking past his right ear and biting her lip.

He turned quickly and his eyes landed on his Aunt, Uncle and Cousin just as they seemed to spot him aswell. Petunia and Vernon froze but to Harry's surprise Dudley actualy started coming towards them with a bit of a smile on his face.

"Never thought we'd see you again." Dudley said by way of a greeting and again surprised Harry by extending his hand, "Heard you stopped that crazy nutter."

"Yeah, we did." Harry stood and shook his cousin's hand as his aunt and uncle walked over. He looked at them, nodding to each before remembering that Hermione was still there, "Oh, uh, I'd like to introduce my girlfriend." he took her hand as she came around the table, "Hermione, meet the Dursleys."

"It's nice to finaly meet you." she smiled but Harry thought he saw her hand twitch towards where her wand was hidden inside her jacket sleeve.

"You?" Dudley looked from Harry to Hermione and then back again, "You have a girlfriend?"

"She's the head of our class in school." Harry said proudly and saw Vernon wrinkle her nose, "There's not a curse or spell out there she can't do." he added a bit quieter and saw his uncle's mouth tighten.

"Ah, one of them, eh?" Dudley shrugged his massive shoulders, not expecting an answer.

"We should be going, Popkins." Petunia's hand shook as she reached for Dudley's arm, "Lots of things to do before we head home."

They walked away without a word.

"That went better than I thought it would." Harry admitted as he plopped back down in his seat.

"They didn't even talk to you." Hermione frowned at the Dursleys' retreating backs.

"That's why it went well." Harry smiled but saw that his girlfriend was annoyed, "How about we keep shopping and pretend we never saw them?"

"Probably a good idea." Hermione gave him a small smile before taking her tray over to the trash can, "If I think about them I'll end up hunting them down in the mall and cursing them till they're fat slimey toads."

Harry grinned at the mental image that gave him and wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders, pulling her close, "I love you."

"I love you too." she raised an eyebrow at him but didn't ask any questions.

As they walked hand in hand Hermione started talking about Christmas shopping and what she'd been thinking about getting her parents. Harry let her talk and gave his opinion when it was needed but his mind was elsewhere. He'd noticed that they were being followed. He didn't recognise the small group of guys and girls but their eyes weren't on him. They were watching Hermione.

"Do you know them?" Harry asked at last, unable to take the stress. If she didn't know them then it would be a sprint for the doors and then a quick apperation home.

"Who?" Hermione turned and her hand tightened on his when one of he girls waved, "I use to go to school with them." she said quietly, glancing back at Harry, "But we were never friends."

"Today is just the day for running into people we'd rather not see, isn't it?" Harry also spoke quietly because the group was closing in on them.

"Hermione!" A pretty blond at the front of the 5 person group beamed and actualy hugged Hermione before she could react, "How are you? It's been so long!"

"I'm good, Lucy. How about you?" Hermione fidgitted and Harry squeazed her hand.

"We've all been good." Lucy beamed at Harry this time, "I'm Lucy Bellsom. I went to school with Hermione when we were little. We even rode the same bus. Do you go to that Advanced learning place aswell?" she said this all so quickly that Harry just found himself nodding.

"This is Harry Potter, my boyfriend." Hermione introduced Harry and everyone exchanged glances.

"We go to the same school." Harry finaly found his tongue and pulled Hermione close to his side as he smiled at the 'audience', "Actualy, we live in the same dorm and have a ton of classes together."

"Is she just as pushy as she was when we were younger?" one of the guys asked and Harry glared at him, "She never really was one of the class. You'd never think she was the type to date."

"She's the smartest person I know." Harry said lightly, turning his glare to the others in the group. So that was why they came over. They just wanted to see if it really was Hermione with a guy holding her hand, "And the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Lucy made a face and Harry wanted to curse her where she stood. He could just picture what she would have been like when she was younger and with those looks she was no doubt more spoiled than Dudley ever dreamed of being.

Hermione was clutching his side now and Harry tried to relax by loking down at her and pushing some curls away from her face. He didn't want her to think of memories of her childhood that made her look that way.

"Well, if you are all done staring and being rude." Harry said with a smile, "We still have to pick out a christmas tree." he used his grip on Hermione to turn her when he turned and they were a few yards away when Harry heard Lucy's outrage.

"Can you believe that guy?!"

He just chuckled and kept walking, rubbing a hand up and down Hermione's arm.

"Are we really going to get a tree?" she asked, ignoring what had just happened.

"I was thinking about it." Harry shrugged, "I was never allowd near the one on Privet drive."

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The tree was finaly in it's stand and they had just given it a bit of water because they had nothing else to do right then. They hadn't bought any ornaments or lights and thankfully Kreature had found the tree stand in the attic because they had also forgotten one of those.

Hermione beamed at the tree even though it was completely bare and Harry thought about the uneasy look she had worn at the mall around her old school mates.

When her parrents had arrived for dinner Hermione talked on and on about their trip out and the tree and all the ideas she had for gifts for aunts and uncles and cousins of her own. Not once did she tell them about Lucy or the others. Harry played along but it bothered him. No one had the right to be mean to his Hermione.

After the Grangers had left Hermioen had gone back to admire their tree and Harry felt he had to say something because it was on his mind.

"About today, at the mall..." Harry started but Hermione stopped him.

"Everyone has bad times at school no matter how old they are." she shrugged, "I didn't know how to interact and they took it as being snobby. They were mean but from the few things you've said about growing up with your relatives I think I had it easier than you did."

Harry nodded, not wanting to push her or talk about the things he had been put through as a child. Hermione deffinitely would have hunted down his aunt, uncle and cousin if she had known the full extent of how they had treated him. And he was rather sure being toads would have been the least of their worries.

"How about we go out tomorrow to buy ornaments?" Harry asked as he walked up behind Hermione and wrapped his arms around her.

"I thought you'd be sick of shopping." she smiled.

"Well, it won't take us long. Just a walk to the muggle store on the next street and we'll have everything we need." he kissed her ear, sliding his lips down to her neck, "Or we could stay home." It wouldn't be the first time they had spent the day kissing and cuddling in one of their rooms.

Harry couldn't help but grin as she leaned back into him, tilting her head to give him the advantage.

"Home wouldn't be so bad." she sighed as his lips moved to her shoulder.

One of her arms snaked up and around his neck, her fingers grasping his hair as his hand found it's way under the hem of her shirt and across her stomack.

He understood why adults hated the idea of teenagers living together alone. He really did because it took all of his controll to not pick her up and toss her onto the couch. At first he didn't understand the looks Mrs. Weasley had been giving them but now he avoided her gaze for fear he'd blush and confirm all her worst nightmares. They'd never gone far in the touchy feely department. Being alone in a house together was too much of a temptation so Harry tried to keep things under control.

"Weshouldstop." he forced out quickly. Hermione seemed to always be testing that controll.

"If you say so." Hermione sighed and moved to step away from him but Harry pulled her back to him, holding on tightly as her back and legs molded against him.

Hermione turned slowly in his arms after a minute and forced his face up so she could see his eyes, "Will you sleep in my room tonight?"

He nodded at once. They had slept next to each other every now and then but it was usualy when the other person was stressed or if Teddy was staying the night. They had never just decided to stay together in one bed all night.

Harry's heart was pounding as he brushed his teeth and changed into his pj's. It was the first time he wished he had owned a pair of his own sleep pants. The ones he was wearing had belonged to Dudley and had a few holes in them. He had to tie the drawstring as tight as it would go or the pants would slid off his nonexistant hips. He had a pair of Ron's or George's that had been given to him when they had been out grown but search as he might he couldn't find them. He'd never actualy worn them before because they had cats on them and all he could think of was Miss Norris.

There was nothing he could do about it now. Not that Hermione would even care. Before the wheather had gotten so cold he had always slept in his boxers. She had seen him then so there really wasn't a reason to freak out over the worn out, too big sweat pants he had on now.

Hermione was standing by her window when he came in, looking out at the seven inches of snow they had recieved during the day. her pj's were nothing special. A pair of black sweats and a t-shirt with a palm tree on it.

"It's so pretty out." she motioned for him and he tore his eyes away to go stand beside her.

"It is very pretty." he agreed. The street lamps made the snow glitter and look like something more than it was. The sight was even prettier because there were no reporters outside their door and there hadn't been for two weeks.

"I like living here." she said, moving past him and over to the bed, "At home my parents were always worried about how much I was missing the wizarding world and when I was in the wizarding world they were always worried that something would happen to me. Here it's a happy medium. They get to see me on the weekends when they want and I still have you. You were what I always missed when I went home." she climbed into bed and blushed as Harry stood there staring at her, "I was happy to be home but you were all I thought about. I worried about you all the time and was happy whenever I had the excuse to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays."

"I thought about you too." Harry admitted as he slid into bed next to her, "It was an odd feeling knowing you weren't there." he laid on his back and tucked his hands beneath his head, "It's just normal to have you near and it's comforting."

As Hermione put the lamps out with a spell Harry wondered if he'd even be able to sleep. He slipped his glasses off and laid back again, feeling Hermione snuggle up to his side

"I know this seems odd." she said in the dark, "But I just want you next to me." she laid her head on his chest and by the heat coming off her Harry knew she was blushing again, "I haven't had much experience in the whole dating thing."

"Me either." he brought his hand up slowly untill he found her hand on his chest, "And don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." he whispered, relaxing even though he had thought it would be impossible.

He listened to her breathing and felt it when she finaly dozed off. Relaxing was no longer the problem and he was quickly asleep. In the morning through Harry realized that the problem now was that Hermione was going to have to get use to him being in her bed. He didn't think he'd ever sleep as well anywhere else.

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A/N: I'll be 23 on the 12th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then Scott will be home on the 13th and he's home for an entire month!!!! I love college vacations. We go a few months of being apart and then he's home every other month for one vacation or another.

I'd be even more excited if I could stop coughing.

Anyways, I probably won't have time to update untill after Christmas due to work picking up and all that. So happy Holidays and enjoy the Solstice!