Disclaimer: Yeah I wish…

A/N: Reviews and critique if you wish…

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Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table looking ragged and nodding off. I couldn't help but think about how cute he looked. His hair was always falling into his face in an adorably messy way and his glasses were always bent at a weird shape or cracked on the lens. Today however Harry looked plain whipped. It was probably due to his late night quidditch practices and that dream two weeks ago about Mr. Weasley being attacked by Nagini in the Department of Mysteries. I walked down the length of the aisle and sat on the bench across from Harry. He looked up at me from his plate of pancakes, bacon, toast, eggs, and potato cakes. I smiled at him as he attempted to act like he hadn't been half asleep ten minutes earlier. He returned my smile graciously and I was breathless for a moment, then I found speech again.

"Good morning Harry." I said brightly.

"Good morning 'Mione." He replied with a little less brightness.

"Another long practice?" I asked smiling.

"Yeah. I wish the new players were a little bit better. Ginny is great though."

I felt a pang in my heart as Harry got that familiar look on his face. It is what Fred and George call his I-love-Ginny-with-all-my-heart look. I looked away for a moment and caught Draco Malfoy's eye. He smirked and I glared then looked back at Harry with my emotions in check. Harry smiled sadly. I looked at him worried.

"What is it Harry?"

"I'm just worried about Sirius. He is all alone."

"We'll all be there in a matter of days. Besides you know that Lupin stops by all the time with Tonks."

"I know I just really wish I could stay with him over summer holidays."

"I know you wish he would ask you Harry. He will just be patient."

"Yeah I guess. I'm going to Hogsmeade today. Do you want to walk together?"

"Sure." I said cheerfully.

Harry and I walked out of the castle together. We talked about how badly we wanted the holidays to get here. I told him that I had already got all my shopping done except for two which were arriving by owl sometime before we leave for headquarters. I might be crazy for loving Harry Potter but I have good reason.

****

We arrived in hogsmeade in little under twenty minutes. We wandered for a couple of hours buying candy and joke toys. As it started to get dark we passed the little date spot in the village. You could see the couples in the window and all I wanted was to be one. With Harry smiling at me and holding my hand across the table. I let out a sigh and looked down. Harry must have noticed because he touched her arm lightly and she looked up.

"Are you alright Hermione?"

"Yes Harry. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"I don't feel well. Can we go back to the castle?"

"Yes. We can."

Harry wrapped an arm around my waist as if he was afraid I would fall over. I just might if he let go. I really didn't feel all that well. As we entered the common room Ron came rushing over throwing his potions book on the floor. I was appalled he would do such a thing. Harry and Ron started fawning over me.

"Are you comfortable Hermione?"

"Do you need anything?"

"I'm here at your beck and call."

"I can get you anything you want."

"Really Ron?"

"Yes Hermione."

"Then pick up your potions book and leave me alone." I said.
"Bu-"

"But nothing. You march right upstairs and do your homework."

"Okay." He said and went to the stairs.

Harry smiled at me and asked if I needed anything. I couldn't help returning the smile and nodded. He looked on the edge of his seat at what my answer would be. Being head girl I had my private dorm.

"Will you take me to my room?"

"Yes. Of course."

Harry helped me up the stairs and into my bed. He smiled and tucked me in. I smiled and thanked him. He kissed my forehead in compassion and then turned to leave. MY heart surged with panic of letting him leave.

"Wait." I said.

Harry turned expectantly toward me.

"Please stay." I said sitting up.

"I don't know Hermione." Harry almost looked nervous.

"Please Harry. I don't like being alone when I'm sick."

"Oh alright."

Harry pulled his shirt off and pulled off his shoes. I couldn't stop staring at his chest. Harry was really built. I suddenly wondered exactly how much free time Harry spent working out over the summer. I shook my head with the thought of it.

"Hermione? Are you hungry?" Harry asked.

Reluctantly I dragged my eyes to meet his. "What? No. Why?"

"You suddenly look ravished and I figured we missed dinner and lunch too. So you must be."

"Oh no I'm not hungry."

"Oh okay."

I could tell Harry felt self conscious. I bit my lip as I discovered I was more than just crushing on Harry. I scooted over to one side of the king sized bed. Harry crawled in the other side. I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes. Pretending Harry wanted to be in my bedroom sleeping in my bed. With that dream I drifted off to sleep.

****

I looked at Hermione lying next to me with her hair flowing around the pillow. I smiled in spite of myself. I have always loved her hair. Even in our first year when it was just a hopeless bush, it was unbelievable beautiful on her. My second favorite feature on Hermione however was her hazel eyes. She rolled in her sleep and put an arm over my middle. I shook with silent laughter. Hermione was such a cuddler. She always wanted hugs. As I sat there staring at her I suddenly remembered why I had wanted to go to hogsmeade today. I still hadn't gotten her Christmas present! I silently tried to remember what she had wanted this year. Necklaces, earrings, rings, books. Everything Hermione had said looked or sounded good seemed so common so usual. I wanted to get her something special. Tomorrow was a scheduled class trip to the village so I would find it then. I lay down with Hermione snuggled next to me and fell asleep.

****

"Harry!" I turned around to see Ron running toward me. Hermione was walking ahead with Ginny.

"Hello Ron." I said warmly.

"What do you want to do in the village today?" He asked looking ahead at Hermione and Ginny.

"I have a few more gifts to get." I said making it seem like his was one of them.

"Oh well I will leave you to that then." He said and headed of to honeydukes.

I wandered stores for a few hours and still hadn't found a gift perfect enough for Hermione. I stopped of in the three broomsticks and sat at the bar. Madame Rosemerta came up all smiles as usual.

"Good day Harry."

"Hello Madame."

"You look a little down." She said.

I shrugged

"Tell me." She said.

"I'm trying to find this special girl the perfect gift. She likes books and jewelry and well I want to get her the perfect gift. Those are all too usual and I want mine to stand out." I said looking longingly at my bottle of fire whiskey.

"I know just the thing." She said and disappeared in the back of the bar.

She emerged with the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I smiled and asked where I could get one. She put it in my hand. I looked at it for a moment and knew it was perfect. It made me think of Hermione.

"It's yours Harry. I don't have a use for it and my daughter doesn't want it. You may have it."

"Let me pay you for it, please." I said.

"Harry you give this to that girl. It isn't how much you spend on the gift, its how hard you thought about it. I don't want money for it Harry, I assure you."

"Well what do you want for it?"

"You bring that girl in here when you guys get together."

"Yes ma'am."

"Have a good day Harry."

"You too Madame Rosemerta and I can't thank you enough."

"Oh phish posh."

I walked out of the three broom sticks with a huge smile on my face and met up with Ron on the walk back to the castle. Ron blabbered on about the gifts he decided on for Fred and George. His mum would love her gift he hoped. I smiled.

"So what did you get?"

"I can't tell you yours but I can tell you what I got Hermione and your mum." I said.

"Okay."

The rest of the walk I explained Hermione's gift and his mums. Ron grumbled about how he wished he'd found gifts as good as that. I smiled and patted his back.

"It's okay Ron we can't all be good at gift shopping." I joked.

"Oh, shut it you Git!"

I started laughing and we trudged into the great hall for dinner. Hermione was sitting at the table already next to Ginny in a very animated conversation. I caught the jist of it as we sat down. It was about the holidays.

"… said we could fly on Buckbeak."

"Oh that will be so much fun! Hello Ron. Hi Harry." Ginny said.

"Hello Ginny. How are you feeling Hermione?" I asked concern lacing my voice.

"I'm feeling much better Harry thank you."

"You should have some soup." I said filling up a bowl and handing it to her.

"Oh okay. Thank you Harry."

"You're welcome Hermione."

I sat there eating my bread and my chicken. I had no idea where the whole protectiveness thing came on but I had no clue. I just wanted to keep her healthy and safe. I suddenly was worried about the thought I might be more than crushing on Hermione.