Title: Beyond Friendship

Chapter thirteen:

Authors: Jaycee and Marga

Disclaimer: We know, we know. These wonderful characters don't belong to us. They belong to J.K Rowling. But we do own Maria Chestnut.

Note: Marga here. We're very sorry for the late update! I was supposed to be the one to write this chapter, but I got a little blocked in the middle of it so I had a little help from my big sis. Thank you to all those who reviewed! We love hearing comments from people, good or bad we appreciate it.

I guess all of you heard about the fifth book being released in June. We were so excited that we arranged for a reservation when it came out. So it's up to saving money for it! And we heard right from Rupert Grint's (Ron Weasley) mouth, that they have started filming for the next HP movie this February, and that it would be released sometime early next year. Now, enough about HP news.

Jaycee here. Thank you again to everyone who reviewed – especially to the ones who told us all the Harry Potter news that they all know of. There are others who left their email add so I could send them the link to the HP and the CoS screencaps – I'll post the link soon, all right? And for those who I have already given the link to and you tried to access it and you couldn't find the page? I transferred to a new web space provider so I've currently taken down the HP page – sorry about the inconvenience. J

I'm going to be the one who will write Chapter fourteen – so please review so I could put the next chapter as soon as possible – all right? And we promise, the Harry/Hermione shippiness is coming soon – just be patient! Remember – patience is a virtue! J

Enjoy!

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Hermione closed her Defense against the Dark arts with a slam and buried her face in her hands. She was studying in her room on Thursday night, no – make that spacing out in her room.

Her chest felt incredibly heavy, like the weight of the whole world was upon her. Ever since that talk she had with Ginny – or maybe when she had shouted at her? She couldn't think straight, she was distracted all the time, and most of all, she didn't have the courage to face any of her friends. She just couldn't stand the fact that Harry and Ginny were hanging out all the time.

Sighing wearily, she picked up her mug of hot chocolate and took a sip. The cold temperature of the upcoming holidays was really bothering, but exciting at the same time.

She picked up her book again and forced herself to read, and gave up after ten minutes. She couldn't even read past the first paragraph, much less go over the whole chapter. The image of Harry's smile swimming in her was just too distracting.

She lay back on her bed and stared at the ceiling, like the Great hall, it was bewitched so that it looked like the sky outside. And the view couldn't be better. The stars were twinkling like diamonds in the endless sea of blue. A hint of a smile crossed her lips as a shooting star streaked across the beautiful scenery.

A knock sounded from her door and had a fleeting thought to just ignore it and pretend that she wasn't here. She wasn't up for some company tonight.

The knocking became persistent. "Hey, Hermione. If you don't open this door I'll tell Professor Sprout that you used a spell on your project!" Ron's muffled voice came through the door.

Hermione shot up from her bed immediately and opened her door hurriedly, shoved him in and closed the door. "Keep your mouth shut, Weasley!" She hissed at him, her brown eyes blazing.

Ron held up his hands in mock surrender. "What did I do?" He asked. Hermione's eyes flashed and Ron grinned. "Okay, okay. I promise!" He held out a box of chocolate chip cookies to Hermione. "Here. Mom sent it, I wouldn't give them to you in million years but I figured you needed a little cheering up." He said softly.

Hermione's scowl disappeared and was replaced with a full-fledged smile. "Thanks, Ron." She bit into one and her eyes lit up. "Wow! This is good!" She retreated back to her bed while Ron seated himself on a chair by her desk.

"So… how are things with Viktor Krum?" Ron asked.

"Oh, everything's fine." Hermione answered and forced a smile on her face. Actually, everything was wrong. But it wasn't Viktor's fault; she was just a little confused with this whole Harry-Ginny thing. A part of her wanted to break things off with Viktor, but another part of her wanted to stay.

Was it because she didn't want to be alone?

Or was she trying to prove that she didn't have any feelings for Harry?

"Are you sure?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. Everything is fine." She repeated.

Now, if only she could convince herself that.

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"C'mon! Hurry up! We have to meet them in 5 minutes!"

"Oh my gosh! The seam ripped!"

"No! No! That's not a good color!"

"What if he doesn't like me?"

"Have you seen my other shoe?"

Hermione sighed and squeezed her way through the hallway of the dormitory. The night of the Christmas ball has arrived, and people were rushing everywhere trying to find their dates or whatever it is that people do at the start of a major event.

She finally made it into her room and slammed the door shut behind her. She breathed in a sigh of relief and rolled back her shoulders. She was already tired and the ball hasn't even started yet!

Her eyes roamed around the room, and they fell on the beautiful white dress robes that she's going to wear for the night.

Hermione fingered the exquisite fabric of the clothing, imagining herself dancing the night away with Harry.

She quickly opened her eyes and shook her head. "Viktor. I'm imagining myself dancing the night away with Viktor." She told herself firmly.

But it was too late. It was as if her imagination has a mind of its own. In it, she was held snugly in Harry's arms, the two dancing slowly in the beat of the soft music, her hand entwined in Harry's while his head rested atop her head.

Hermione sighed in exasperation. She gave her head a firm shake, stood up and started to get ready for the ball.

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Harry looked down at his black dress robes, wondering why he was suddenly dreading this ball tonight. He felt like he just swallowed a Bludger, his stomach twisting with an uneasy feeling.

"Harry? What's wrong?"

Harry turned around and saw Ron looking at him strangely, already all decked out in the new midnight blue dress robes that George and Fred bought for him over the summer. "Ron. Looking good." Harry complimented his friend, a half smile on his face.

Ron nodded his thanks and sat down on a chair in the dorm room. "What's up with you? You look like you're about to go into death row."

Harry sighed and shook his head. "Nothing, Ron."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. I've been your friend for like – what – forever? I know when something's bothering you."

"I wish my date for tonight is Hermione." Harry told his friend, who nodded sympathetically.

"I really don't know what to say about that anymore, Harry. I think I've told you everything that I need to tell you." Ron told his friend.

Harry had to laugh at his friend's words. "I know Ron. Thank you so much for always listening to me."

Ron laughed at that and clapped his friend at the back. "Anything for you, best friend. Now let's go and get our dates before this turns out to be a tear fest." He jested.

"I'm happy that Maria Chestnut decided to go to the ball with you." Harry commented as he picked up the single red rose that he was going to give to Ginny.

Ron blushed fiercely. He shook his head and avoided Harry's teasing smile. "Well, I guess we have a lot in common too." They waited just beside the portrait of the fat lady. About a dozen other boys were there, probably waiting for their dates.

"You ready, mate?" Harry asked nervously. Going to a ball wasn't new to him. At one time for the Triwizard tournament a Yule ball was held, and he was required to dance. He shouldn't be bothered much, but the anxiousness was there all the same.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Ron affirmed. He ran a hand through his hair, arranged his robes and did it again.

"Don't worry, Ron. We'll live through this." Harry clapped a hand against his friend's back.

After a while, Maria Chestnut came, her black shiny hair in a French braid and donned in a pretty indigo robe. She is a very pretty sight.

"Hi, Ron." She greeted, she had a faint blush across her cheeks and she was smiling at Ron shyly.

"Hi. You look…great." Ron returned. He held out a hand to her, flicked his wrist and suddenly, a beautiful red rose appeared in his palm.

"Oooh! It's so beautiful!" She exclaimed and took the rose. She caressed the petals carefully and looked up at Ron, her eyes shining. "Thanks."

"No problem." He held out his arm and she took it gratefully. "So, shall we go?" She nodded and he turned to Harry.

"Are you going to be alright, Harry?"

Harry nodded and ushered them out through the portrait. "Go ahead. We'll just catch up with you." He waved at them as they disappeared down the stairs. When they were gone, he sagged against the wall in relief. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.

A squeal broke through his thoughts and he opened his green eyes quickly. His breath hitched as he took in the sight before him.

Hermione was descending down the stairs, looking like a gentle angel in her white, flowing robes, and hugging her curves in all the right places. Her hair was sleek and shiny and it fell down gracefully down her back. She was wearing make-up too.

She was breathtaking. Harry breathed in air into his lungs desperately, and he leaned against the wall for support. He could've been standing on legs made of jell-o.

He finally realized that he was staring and tried to tear his eyes away. But before he could, Hermione looked up and their eyes met. Her face broke out into a smile and she came over to him.

"Hi, Harry." She said softly.

He suddenly felt tongue-tied and he commanded his mind to think up something to say that wouldn't sound stupid.

"You look beautiful." He blurted out the first words that ran through his head. When he realized what he said, he smiled weakly and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "You really do." He added.

A graceful blush adorned her cheeks and she looked down at her hands. "Thanks. You look handsome tonight too." She replied.

"Thanks." He said and was about to say more when a voice rang through the air.

"Hermy! Veer you are!" Viktor Krum ran over to them. He smiled at the both of them and took Hermione's hand in his own.

"Vow! You look great!" He nodded approvingly. He started to lead her out through the portrait hole. Hermione smiled at him in delight.

Hermione looked back at Harry. "Are you going to be alright, Harry?" She asked.

That's the second time tonight. He looked at the couple's entwined hands and he felt his stomach constrict as a feeling of jealousy enveloped him. "I'm fine. We'll catch up with you." That too, he shook his head in amusement.

Hermione nodded and she walked through the portrait hole with Viktor.

Harry stood there and watched as Hermione's beautiful head disappear down the stairs and he suddenly felt alone.

Again.

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