Well, this doesn't end in cliffhanger, at least, not a big one! I hope you enjoy the chapter!
"Exactly," he whispered, leaning against the oak. "And I don't know if it's against the rules; you're seventeen, aren't you? Then it shouldn't be against the rules to do this…"
And leaning forward, he kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Oliver, I just want you to know, that I wasn't lying. I really do feel that way about you, and well… I don't care if caring for you might tarnish my reputation. Remember in my third year, when no one could see me over my stack of books? I never want to be like that again; I want to have fun." And saying this, she pressed her mouth gently to his, for an instant, an instant where she melted and her mind became clear: She loved him.
Then she turned around and walked back to Hogwarts.
°
The feast was just ending when she entered, and Professor Dumbledore motioned for her to come to the front, where Justin Finch-Fletchley, the Head Boy, was standing. She ran to stand next to him, cursing herself for forgetting to put her badge on.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Justin exclaimed, his smile wide.
"Please, prefects, take the first years to their Common Rooms! And remember, detentions to any prefect who leads the students the wrong way. Seriously! So, anyway, we hope you enjoy learning more magic!" Hermione added, feeling distinctly stupid at this rather generic statement.
She had dated Justin for awhile last year; he had given her the first French kiss of her life. But in March, whatever she had seen in him had somehow faded. It didn't help that he had followed her around for the rest of the year, giving her puppy-eyed looks. Lavender had thought her a fool, but Parvati had somehow understood Hermione. Of course, Hermione helped both of them in Transfiguration, Potions, and Astronomy, but they were kind to her, helping her with makeup, boys, and other social things Hermione had never before considered.
The hand on her shoulder made her look to see Justin almost leering at her. "Hermione, you've grown even prettier!"
"I have?" she replied, trying to think of a way to get away quickly.
"Yes you have! I love you, Hermione, damn it! I'm going insane without you!" And he pulled her to him, obviously attempting to make her kiss him, when he stopped, remembering that there were still students in the Great Hall.
"You idiot! How dare you even begin to tarnish my reputation? I do not love you; I love someone else! You make my feelings utterly worthless by acting upon animalistic instincts, and you expect me to still love you? I despise you!"
And with that, she strode out of the Great Hall, head held high, and bumped into Oliver.
°
"I've spoken to Professor Dumbledore, Hermione," he told her, pulling her into a dark corridor and putting his arms around her waist. "He seemed a bit distracted, talking about some tarts, but he seemed to say it was all right. But if you don't want to, then, then I accept that. It's your decision."
"Oh Oliver," she whispered, turning her face up to kiss him, "Yes!"
And, kissing soundly, neither noticed the other two who had found this corridor the perfect place for lip contact.
°
Lavender and Parvati didn't believe her when she told them. They went on about how handsome he was, and how nice he had been to everyone, but they kept warning her about his great obsession with Quidditch.
"He loves the game more than any person, Hermione! I'd be warned; he might only want some eye candy to cling to him and get him a promotion!" Lavender whispered, turning out the light.
And, as Hermione thought about it, he never had told her why he loved her, but he had explained Quidditch to her, and gone through the trouble to ask Professor Dumbledore about a relationship with her, and he had even asked her again… And didn't that show that he cared for her? Justin had never done that; he'd assumed that she wanted the same things as he wanted: Kisses, passion, a companion…
Drifting off to sleep, Hermione made a mental note to ask Oliver two questions tomorrow: How he was spying on Voldemort, and why he loved her. And then she fell into a contented, dreamless sleep.
There ends Chapter Two! I'm having fun writing this; I know I'm getting detailed, but I really wanna develop Hermione's character, explain this rather fast-paced relationship, and make it rather realistic. And, to thank my reviewers:
JSUChic: I'm glad you liked it! Hermione/Oliver romances are almost as fun to write as they are to read, by the way! Thanks for the comment on my writing; this is done without a BETA reader to insure speed, so I'm trying to be careful… And peace to you as well!
Oliver's Chick: This was a flame. I respect that you don't think Oliver would fall in love with Hermione; you are entitled to the opinion that Ron/Hermione is better. I am a Harry/Hermione shipper myself, but please, I like constructive crit., but flames are annoying and unnecessary!
Thanks for reading; please review!