Harry sat down at the small desk in his room a week later and took out some parchment to write a letter to Hermione. He could have called her, but this seemed like the thing to do. There had been so many times he had told her he would owl her and he hadn't because of his relatives. Now he would.

Dear Hermione,

How is the homework coming along? I've begun working on mine which I'm sure surprises you and makes you happy. I know you don't like having to remind Ron and me to do it ahead of time. I know both of us appreciate all the help you do, fixing our mistakes.

I'm really sorry again about the stupid prank Dora and I pulled on you. I know you said you forgave me. Just know that I still feel terrible about it. Hopefully you aren't still mad about it. You probably aren't. You always were quick to forgive me for being dense.

I liked your idea of us studying together. Would it be alright if I stopped by tomorrow? Maybe we can hang out after we are done studying? There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.

Well, Hedwig seems to be getting impatient for me to give her something, so I'll just end it here.

Your best friend,

Harry

He folded the letter into an envelope and handed it to Hedwig along with a treat. She hooted in delight at the treat and being able to fly again. With a great flap of her wings, she was gone.

Harry spent another morning at Gringotts with Gruknot. The magic was beginning to flow through him easier each day and he was learning more about the incredible feats that wandless wizards had performed in the past. One had fended off ten Dark Wizards at once although he lost his right arm in the battle. Another used his wandless magic for research and discovered six healing spells, the Bubblehead Charm and temporarily reanimated three bodies which he called Inferi.

Despite the long days, Harry still looked forward to learning and hoped that it would be enough to avoid any other accidental magic. Gruknot had been teaching him Occlumency as well to help him keep control of his emotions and build up defenses against any invasion of his mind.

Harry had just sat down at his desk after a grueling day at Gringotts when Hedwig floated down to rest on his shoulder, a letter from Hermione in her talon. Harry quickly opened it after giving Hedwig a treat.

Dear Harry,

You know me so well. I'm about halfway through the summer homework, but I've hit a snag on the DADA portion. Maybe you can help me with it, because the book seems to contradict itself. I would love for us both to be able to study together. Would you be able to come over today or is that too soon? I know you mentioned tomorrow, but I'd like to see you today if your schedule works.

As for the incident from last week, don't worry about it. You're right about me being quick to forgive. I think this especially applies to you. Ron seems to be driven to dig his own grave. It still hurts that you did that to me, but it's fading. I'm sure I won't feel anything more about it in another week. I do really accept your apology so don't beat yourself up about it.

I hope you don't have bad news to share with me. That doesn't mean you shouldn't tell me. Just know that I worry about you. I'm really looking forward to seeing you today or tomorrow, whichever is convenient.

Yours,

Hermione

Harry grinned and felt that familiar warm sensation in his chest. Making his way downstairs, he found Andromeda seated in an armchair by the fair. The light from a nearby lamp made her eyes flicker with a hint of mischief that reminded Harry very much of Dora.

"What is it, Harry? Come to read more books? Have a seat."

"No, I just wanted to ask you something." He fidgeted with side of his shirt.

She placed book down, all mirth gone from her eyes. "Something wrong?"

"N-no," he stammered. "I wanted to know if . . . if I could go see Hermione today."

"Oh." Andromeda chuckled. "I thought . . . well, nevermind. Of course you want to see your girlfriend."

Harry's cheeks burned. "She's not my girlfriend!"

"Give it time. I'm sure she will be."

As she put on her shoes, Harry asked, "What do you mean?"

"I mean that I saw the look she gave you when you bumped into her in Diagon Alley. Dora told me about what happened last week and it certainly sounds like she was more upset at you because she feel something very strong for you."

"Maybe that's just because she's my best friend," he suggested even though he hoped that wasn't it. The thought of her being his girlfriend made his heart race.

"Figure out what you feel for her first and when you do, tell her," Andromeda said.

"What if she doesn't feel the same? What if it ruins everything?"

Andromeda gave him a sad smile. "It took me a long time to figure things out with Ted and even longer for him to pluck up the courage to ask me to Hogsmeade. I said yes and it caused quite the stir among my fellow Slytherins."

"You were a Slytherin?"

"What's wrong? Don't want to live with a Snake?" Her lips curled into a sneer that would have made Malfoy proud but the mirth was back in her eyes.

He sighed. "If only other Slytherin's had your sense of humor."

"Yes, I know." She stood. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." He took her hand and they disapparated.

They apparated around the corner and strolled up to the Granger's house. Harry knocked on the door while Andromeda waited patiently beside him. When the door swung open, Harry felt a little intimidated by Dan Granger standing there. He had hoped that Hermione would answer the door.

"Harry?" He seemed a little puzzled to see him. Did Hermione not mention that he might be coming over? With a grimace, he realized that he hadn't called to confirm that he would.

"Um, Hermione invited me over, but if she's busy, I can come back tomorrow."

"No, please, come in. Sorry, she didn't mention anything about it to me. I'm sure Emma knows though."

Once they were in the door, Andromeda exchanged pleasantries. Emma stepped out of a side room, looking smart in a knee-length skirt and blouse.

"Why Harry, I wasn't sure you'd be here. Forget how to use a Muggle phone?"

Harry narrowed his eyes but smirked. "I just forgot."

Hermione dashed down the stairs with an easy smile and gave him a soft hug. It felt so different from her usual hugs that he wasn't sure that she was hugging him until it was over. "Harry, it's so good to see you."

"Yeah, you too."

"Well, we were just headed into the office to finish to deal with a mix-up with paperwork," Emma said. "Do you two want to just stay here and work on your schoolwork?"

Dan's frowned at his wife. "I'm not sure that that's entirely appropriate, dear."

"Nonesense," she replied. "I'm sure Harry will be a perfect gentleman. Won't you?" The last two words had a dangerous sweetness to them. The expression on her face was the same one that Hermione had when she reminded them to do homework that was due the next day.

"Yes ma'am."

"Ugh, come on, Harry. Let's get started and we might be able to finish on the Defense homework that's been plaguing me." She led him upstairs and stepped into her room.

Harry paused, unsure of what to do. He was here, in her house and about to walk into her bedroom. It seemed strange somehow to even be at the threshold of it.

The room seemed to be just another expression of Hermione. Books lined the walls and a large desk held a stack of more books along with a jar of quills. An equally large jar of pens sat next to it. Creme-colored walls and two lamps made the room have a warm ambiance that reminded him of the Libary at Hogwarts.

That's probably intentional, he thought.

"You going to stand there all day?" she asked, snapping him out of his reverie.

"Oh, yeah. I mean, no." He stepped into the room.

"First time in a girl's room?" she teased.

"Not exactly," he said. "I had to go into Ginny's room once at the Burrow, but this is different."

"Why?"

"Oh, she forgot something and Ron asked me to get it for her," he explained. "She still couldn't talk to me last year, you know."

She rolled her eyes. "No, why is it different?"

"Well, because it's your room." He shifted uncomfortably. "You know. You're Hermione and uh, you're in it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She put one hand on her hip. "My room not good enough? Well, I suppose we could go study downstairs. It does probably remind you of the Library at school, doesn't it?"

Damn, she practically can read minds, he thought.

"No, here's fine. I like your room," he said, trying to dig himself out of this hole.

"Just not with me in it."

"That's not it. I like your room with you in it." He blushed.

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "Then why are you so uncomfortable?"

Because I bloody fancy you! his mind screamed.

"It's just different with the girl in the room at the same time as me," he answered.

"That doesn't really explain why it's different with me," she pointed out with evident irritation. "I mean, you obviously know that I'm a girl, right?"

"That's the problem, Mione." His shoulders sagged in defeat. "I know that you're a girl."

"That makes zero sense, Harry. Boys!" She threw her hands up in exasperation.

"It'd be different if you weren't beautiful," he blurted before clamping his mouth shut.

"What?" she squeaked. After a long moment of deafening silence, she repeated, "What?"

"N-nothing, Mione. We should get to that DADA homework."

"No, Harry." She stepped closer to him, and he could feel the blood thundering in his ears. "I've never been called beautiful by anyone other than my parents. Why did you call me that?"

"Because you obviously are," he snapped and winced. "I just don't like it when you tear yourself down like you always do. You're not just someone who's brilliant and clever. You're beautiful and I just had to say it I guess."

She took another step closer and before he knew it, they were inches apart. "Thank you, Harry."

He gulped silently. "You're welcome."

Before he could convince himself not to, Harry leaned in and placed his lips gingerly on hers. She stiffened just a little before melting into the kiss. It lasted only a few seconds before they both pulled away.

"Wow," she breathed.

"Yeah," he gasped. "That was . . ."

"Amazing." After a moment, worry filled her eyes. "Why did you kiss me?"

Oh no. She didn't really mean it. She liked the kiss but regrets it. Now she'll hate me.

"Harry." Her face was now approaching the look that he knew would lead to her crying.

Summoning all of his Gryffindor courage, he reached out and took both of her hands in his. "I fancy you, Hermione. A lot. I can't make it a single day without thinking about you. I know you may not feel the same but after that kiss, I really think you do."

"Of course I do, you silly boy!"

Harry grinned. "Well then . . . would you be my girlfriend?"

Her answer was kissing him fiercely and running her fingers through his hair. His heart hammered in his chest, and he felt his magic swirl all around them. Her touch was like fire but filled him with more power than he had ever felt with his wandless magic. It wasn't the same but it was a mighty magic in itself.

Is this what being in love feels like? Do I love Hermione?

Finally, they broke apart with gasps as their lungs struggled to regain oxygen. They were grinning at each other like two Cheshire cats.

"I think this is exactly what your dad was afraid would happen if we were left alone," Harry said.

Hermione giggled softly. Wait. Hermione Granger could giggle? What else was she hiding? That train of thought quickly sped on through was she hiding beneath those clothes. He blushed furiously.

"What were you just thinking?" she teased.

"Um, something that I hope to find out someday," he replied, hoping she wouldn't press him.

"Anything to do with me?" Hermione inquired.

"Yeah. It does."

"You'll tell me someday."

"Count on it."

She nodded with a small smile. "I'm going to hold you to that, Mr. Potter."

"Hermione, there something else you should know. Well, a lot of things you should know. Before anything else though, I need to tell you, I don't have any clue how to be a good boyfriend. So, um, considered yourself warned."

She gave him a quick peck on the lips. "I've never had a boyfriend. Just be yourself, Harry. All that will change will be how we feel about each other and maybe some snogging."

"Sounds too good to be true," he remarked.

She smirked. "Well, I think that you and I will be able to work through anything."

Harry sat down on her bed, his face suddenly serious. "Hermione, there's something really big I haven't told you. I keep running through the conversation in my head, but I can never see the outcome."

"You're starting to worry me," Hermione said as she sat next to him.

"I would be worried if you weren't," he said with a light chuckle.

"Does this have anything to do with why you were in Diagon Alley that day?"

"Yeah, but it started at the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry."

Hermione blinked three times. "Why were you there?"

"I spoke to the two Chief Unspeakables about my accidental magic."

Her eyes big as saucered, Hermione urged, "Well, keep going."

"They did a ritual with some runestones and found out that I'm a special kind of wizard and my magical core had been blocked by something. The basilisk venom broke the block and now I have full access to my magical core. There was just too much magic for me to control and that's what was causing my accidental magic."

"Who would have put a block like that on you?"

"I think . . . it might have been Dumbledore."

"What? Why would he do that?"

"Think about it, Hermione. Dumbledore's the most powerful wizard alive. I'm told that my magical core could be equal to his. Who else could have done it?"

"You . . . could be more powerful than Dumbledore?" Hermione gave him a skeptical look. "How is this possible?"

"I don't know. The lead scholar of the goblins is looking into it for me. I've been training with him."

"Why don't you train with the Unspeakables or get a tutor?"

He hesitated. "This is the thing I'm scared to tell you. I'll understand if you don't want to be my girlfriend anymore, but please you mustn't tell anyone."

She reached out and squeezed his hand. "I'm not going anywhere no matter what you say."

"Okay." He took a deep breath. "I'm a wandless wizard."

Hermione cocked her head to the side. "What do you mean? Did you lose your ability to use your wand?"

"No. I can use my wand just fine, I think. I just can do magic without one. Any magic. Some magic that can't be done with a wand too, but I haven't figured that out yet."

Her jaw dropped. "Y-you're not kidding, are you?"

He shook his head slowly.

She wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, I wish you didn't have to be burdened by more things. First the prophecy and knowing Voldemort is after you personally. I suppose the universe is against you."

"Well, at least Voldemort doesn't know I'm a wandless wizard."

She straightened and pecked him on the cheek. "You should keep it that way."
"Do you think we should tell Ron?"

"Why wouldn't you tell Ron?" she asked with a quizzical look.

"It's just that he thinks I already have it too good with being rich and famous already. This might push him over the edge, and I don't want to lose his friendship. I mean, he was my first friend."

Hermione was quiet for almost a minute. "You should tell him. If you don't, and he finds out later on, you will lose his friendship. If he won't accept you for who you are, then he isn't a real friend.

"I guess that makes sense," Harry said.

"I think he'll be okay with it. We've been through a lot together, the three of us."

"Well, you're the brilliant one. If you say it will work out, I believe you."

"That's what's so great about you, Harry." She kissed his cheek. "Even when you are so doubtful, you believe in the best out of people."

"Yeah. It doesn't always work out though," he reminded her. "Quirrell turned out to be the bad guy and Dumbledore might have done more harm than even I know."

She frowned. "How bad is it?"

With a sigh, he said, "I know for sure that he never checked up on me at the Dursleys. If you could see I was malnourished, why couldn't Madam Pomfrey? I'm sure she told Dumbledore. Maybe they really were too busy to see it, but that doesn't make it right."

"No. It doesn't." She stood and grabbed her Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook. "Enough of this depressing stuff. I need you to explain this bit about Hinkypunks and ghosts."

"Oh, that reminds me." He handed her the wrapped book. "I got you something as another way of saying how sorry I was for the other day."

"Harry, you didn't have to. I told you I forgave you. I'm not even mad anymore. You made me happier than I've ever been today."

"Still, I want you to have it," he said. "Think of it as your boyfriend's first gift to you."

She gave him a radiant smile as she tore the wrapping paper. When her eyes fell on the new edition of her favorite book, tears glistened in her chocolate eyes.

"You're wrong, Harry. You know exactly how to be a good boyfriend."