Note to disclaimers: Hello people! I do not own Harry Potter, so please don't sue me. J.K. Rowling owns everything. Oh, and Luther Vandross owns the song, all right? Thank you! *Calima*

Complicated Logic (Part 3)

Hermione yawned lazily. 'What time is it?' She glanced at her bedside clock. She wanted to laugh, but her throat would not cooperate. Instead, Hermione giggled in her mind. 'I am still a muggle.' She sighed silently before she swung her legs over the side of her bed. With a small shove, Hermione was off the bed and fixing her hair in front of the girls' mirror. To the side of her, Hermione could hear Ginny mumbling in her sleep. Hermione stifled her laughter. Ginny was talking about Draco. Tiptoeing over to her sleeping friend, Hermione smiled a mischievous smile. Disguising her voice as best as possible, in way that she would sound like Professor McGonagall, Hermione spoke. "Ms. Weasley, what is this talk of Draco Malfoy?"

Ginny bolted up in bed, her eyes wide with confusion. "I'm sorry, Professor! I don't know what I was…Hermione? Where's Professor McGonagall?"

Hermione was rolling on the floor with laughter. "You should've seen your face!"

Lavender, who had woken up when Hermione had begun to speak, was giggling quietly. Parvati and Katie were shrieking with laughter. "Whoa, Ginny! We didn't know you thought of Draco in THAT way!" Lavender and Parvati said.

"Shut up, all of you!" Ginny wailed. "You can't tell anyone, especially not my brother or Draco! I'm speaking to you, Lavender!"

"Ok, I get you, Ginny. Stop freaking out, I won't tell anyone." Lavender nodded in truth. She stood and began to walk towards the door. She stopped right before she exited and turned to Hermione. "Hey, Hermione, remind Harry that he owes me five bucks for our deal."

"What deal?" Hermione questioned curiously. "Lavender Brown, get your ass back over here and tell me what you are talking about!"

"No can do, Miss head girl." Lavender replied. "See you later. Bye everyone."

And with that, Lavender was gone. Hermione felt like chasing after her just to find out what Lavender had been talking about. Of course, Parvati, Katie, and Ginny prevented her from doing such. Hermione struggled to get away, but her three friends did not relent. Hermione began to whine, which was something she did not do very often. "Oh come on you three, let me go! I just want to ask Harry if he wouldn't mind going to Hogsmeade this weekend!"

"Honestly, Hermione, how lame can you get?" Ginny said in an exasperated tone.

Hermione sighed. "Well, it was worth a try, wasn't it?"

"Anyway, I think we should go to breakfast, then maybe we can ask the guys if they want to go to Hogsmeade." Parvati said in an urgent voice.

"Parvati Patil, why such urgency in your voice?" Katie teased.

Parvati ignored her and began to dress. Ginny went to her four-poster and grabbed her clothing. Hermione ran back to her trunk and pulled out her wand. She was going to try and fix her hair in a special way. For some odd reason, Hermione was sure that her new hairstyle would impress Harry. After about five minutes of trying to think up a nice hairstyle, Hermione gave a frustrated groan and gave up. When she was done throwing on her normal robes, her head girl badge, and a pair of comfortable shoes, Hermione made her way down to the Great Hall with the rest of her friends. Her hair was in a messy bun and she felt somewhat embarrassed. Luckily for her, she didn't really care about her appearance so badly-she didn't mind that it was messy.

As they were entering the common room, Hermione noticed that Harry and Ron were missing. "Do you think that they are already at breakfast?" She asked Ginny, trying to sound inconspicuous.

Ginny seemed to not care. "I don't know. Let's just get over there soon. I'm so hungry!"

When they arrived in the Great Hall, Harry waved to them. The girls bid their goodbyes and went in their separate directions. Ginny and Hermione headed towards Harry and Ron. Harry moved over so Hermione could sit next to him while Ron moved so that Ginny could sit next to him. Ginny liked this for she was able to look at Draco from where she sat. Parvati and Katie headed to where Dean and Seamus were. Hermione noticed four people missing. "Harry, where are Lavender, Neville, Fred and George?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't see any of them this morning, well, except for Lavender. Come to think of it, I don't even remember where she went."

Ron arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean YOU saw her this morning? I haven't seen her since last night!"

"Calm down, Ron," Harry poured himself some pumpkin juice, "she and I made some bet and she won, all right? I must admit that Lavender Brown is a stunning girl and possesses a lovely personality, but I am not interested in your girlfriend."

"Oh really, Harry?" Ron grinned slyly. "So, who do you like if you don't like my Lavender?"

"Um…I don't think that's any of YOUR business, Ron." Harry warned in a playful voice. "Besides, isn't that Miss Lavender Brown I see walking over here right now?"

That statement alone did the fatal trick. Ron's head steered in Lavender's direction and he instantly became engrossed with her. Harry figured he was safe; that is until Ron noticed him again. He snorted. 'That'll happen in the next century!' He smiled. 'Thank Merlin for that.' What Harry had failed to notice was the fact that Hermione had been staring at him oddly. She let out a small squeak when he caught her looking at him. She blushed quickly, but then looked back up. "Harry, what was this bet that you and Lavender made?" She asked innocently.

"Oh…um…well, basically, she wanted to know who I like and I said I'd tell her if she'd promise not to tell." Harry replied slowly but calmly. "Why do you want to know? Are you interested or what?"

"No, I just thought that you could tell me since she didn't." Hermione stated factually. "Can I ask you something, Harry?"

"Yes, go ahead." He replied while giving her his full attention.

"Do you think that we could all go to Hogsmeade this upcoming weekend? I know you took me last weekend and believe me; I did have fun. But I was thinking it'd bee nice if everyone else was there with us, especially since Ginny didn't go last time." Hermione said in a hopeful voice. "Well, what do you think?"

In truth Harry was somewhat disappointed. He did want to go with Hermione to Hogsmeade, but he wanted to be with her, alone. He let out a small sigh. "Sure, Herms, we can go as one big group. I'll ask the guys and you ask the girls, all right?"

"Sure thing! I'll get back to you after Potions." She said and scampered off to the girls' dormitories. On her way up, she ran into Professor McGonagall who stopped her midway up the staircase. "Can I help you, Professor?"

"Ms. Granger, I need you to come with me, to the headmaster's office." Professor McGonagall motioned for Hermione to follow.

"Yes, Professor." Hermione answered. 'Why am I going to Dumbledore's office? It must be really important if I am going to miss part of Potions class.'

When they arrived, Professor McGonagall said the password, shooed Hermione in, and left to her previous tasks. Hermione sat down in the chair; she fidgeted with her skirt, smoothing the edges every so often. Finally Dumbledore emerged from behind his chair. He smiled at her warmly and said hello. Following the formalities were the statistics of the task she was to perform. "Ms. Granger, I have to request that you keep this top secret and not share with anyone, not even Ms. Weasley, Ms. Brown, Ms. Patil, or Ms. Bell."

"Yes sir, I understand completely." She nodded. "Shall I go now sir? I'm sure Professor Snape will be most displeased if I am later than, well, late."

"Do not worry, Ms. Granger, you will be excused from potions today. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley can pick up your assignments. That is all. You may go."

She nodded and exited. When she arrived in the common room, Harry and Ron were sitting comfortably on the couch, both engrossed in a game of Wizards' Chess. Seeing that she wasn't even noticed, Hermione strutted over to her friends and plopped down on the floor. She grabbed her Transfiguration book, as well as her Arithmancy book, and started to work on her essays. It wasn't until Ron had defeated Harry that either boy noticed she was there. Ron winked at Harry before exiting the common room in search for his girlfriend. No one else was in sight. Harry continued to watch Hermione from the corner of his eye. The fire was burning brightly, each flame casting elegant shadows over the cold windows. The snow was falling softly outside the clear windowpanes. Hermione sighed and set her quill down. She turned to Harry, who at that moment was resting his head on the arm of the chair.

'Harry, you look so peaceful…yet I know you are disturbed. You aren't telling me something, dear friend.' She thought with some sadness. Deciding that he might want some downtime, Hermione gathered her books and began walking to the staircase. She stopped abruptly when she heard Harry calling her. She looked at him; he was lying down. Hermione walked back to him. His eyes were closed, and a peaceful smile was spread upon his lips. He whispered her name again. She leaned over him, just barely, so that she could peer into his eyes. "Harry, are you all right?"

"Never been better, Hermione." He replied softly. "Please, sit down, I want to talk to you."

A look of bewilderment placed her face before she took a seat by Harry's feet. He sat up slowly, his eyes watching her the whole time. "Well, Harry," She began calmly, "what is it that you needed to talk about?"

"First of all, I wanted to know if the whole Hogsmeade thing has been arranged." He smiled again. "Secondly, I was wondering, why weren't you in potions today? Snape was awfully foul about the fact that you were missing."

"Yes, all the girls would love to go and I was called to Dumbledore's office, Harry." She stated simply. "Is that all? I think it might be a good idea to go upstairs and rest a while before Charms class."

"Sure, Herms, I'll catch you later." Harry turned his gaze back to the fire.

On her way up the stairs, Hermione could not help but think how weird Harry had just acted. 'One minute he's subdued and calm; the next minute he's normal and nonchalant.' This puzzled Hermione greatly for she was one of Harry's best friends and she knew him like a book. 'Something is going on and I am going to find out.' With that thought still in mind, Hermione continued her way up the stairs. She set her books down on her bed and walked to the bathroom. 'A bath would do nicely, yes indeed.' Lately, Hermione found herself interested in taking baths to soothe her aching nerves. It wasn't that she was stressed about school, but it was more of an emotional stress. She couldn't place it just yet, but she knew that she had to figure it out or the feeling would nag her until she gave up. This caused her to laugh lightly; she smiled wistfully. 'I think know what it is…I just haven't exactly wanted to accept it, yet.' Gradually, Hermione became aware of the water and its temperature. She wrapped a towel around herself and made her way back to the dormitories. On her way, she noticed Ginny leaving again. She chuckled. 'I guess that girl never gets enough of Malfoy.'

She entered her room; silence greeted her. This did not bother her in the least for she was tired and was glad to be alone. Hermione dried off, changed, threw on her robes, and headed back downstairs. 'Hm…only 30 minutes left till charms class begins. I think I'll take a walk.' As she was exiting the portrait hole, Hermione realized that Harry was still on the couch; he hadn't moved a bit. This worried her. She walked over to him and took a seat. Placing a hand on his arm, Hermione lightly shook him. "Harry, are you all right?" He nodded while Hermione sighed in relief. "Would you like to go with me for a walk?"

He nodded again, this time with more enthusiasm than previously. He seemed to be in a state of shock, but from what, Hermione had no clue. They walked down to the lake while the silence occupied most of the time. When they reached the water, Hermione sat down next by the edge for a better look. The water was murky, yet held a sense of beauty that she couldn't quite place. Nonetheless, both youngsters found that they were drawn to its depths. Harry didn't sit down; he just continued to stare at the dark water. She didn't know how long they'd been there, but Hermione knew it was late. 'Did I zone out for hours? What is going on?' She glanced around, her eyes searching for some trace of Harry. Joy washed over her when she spotted him resting by an oak tree. He was asleep, arm thrown across his eyes and the other behind his head. 'He must have been blocking out the sunlight. I think I should wake him up.' Although she really did not wish too, Hermione gave in and went to wake up her friend. Harry was groggy, but conscious, so they made their way up to dinner.

"Oh no, what was I thinking?" Hermione gasped in the middle of dinner. "I completely forgot about Charms class today!"

"Calm down, Herms." Ron said with a chuckle. "Classes were cancelled for the rest of the day. Didn't you hear about that? Or were you off reading?"

"Ron Weasley, leave her alone!" Lavender demanded. Ron flinched but Lavender smiled. "Now, where were we, Ronniekins?"

Hermione gave her second sigh that day, a sigh of relief. 'How could I have forgotten about Charms class?'

"It will be all right, Hermione. If Dumbledore cancelled the classes today, shouldn't you be happy?" Harry interrogated. "Oh, by the way, I was thinking that we should go visit Hagrid, then Professor Lupin. What do you think, Herms?"

"I think that sounds fine." She responded quietly. "Um…I have to go for a while. I'll be back in the common room in twenty minutes."

Harry, Ron, and Lavender nodded. Hermione departed from her friends. She didn't mind that she would be alone in the dorm. AT least it would give her time to listen to some "muggle" music before Parvati, Katie, Ginny, Lavender, Michelle, Geena, and Sally invaded her personal space. She selected a CD from her case and set it in the CD player. A smile spread across her face while she listened to the soft, calming lyrics. She listened to the singer sing his words.

'If this world were mine
I would place at your feet
All that I own
You've been so good to me
If this world were mine

I'd give the flowers the birds and the bees
And it'd be your love beside me
That would be all I need
If this world were mine
I'd give anything

Hermione smiled once more before she joined in. She sang:

'If this world were mine
I would make you a king
With wealth untold
You could have anything
If this world were mine

I'd give you each day so sunny and blue
And if you wanted the moonlight
I'd give you that too
If this world were mine, oh, baby
I'd give you anything

Hermione continued to sing, even when the singer, Luther Vandross joined in. They sang in unison:

Luther: Oh, baby, you're my inspiration
And there's no hesitation
When you want me
Honey, just call me, oh

Hermione: Oh, baby, your are my consolation
And I feel so much sensation
When I'm in your arms
When you squeeze me

Luther&Hermione: Oh, the way that you do
Oh...the way that you love me, boy
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, the way that you do
Ooh, the way that you love me

Luther&Hermione: Oh...oh...every sky will be blue
As long as your loving me, baby (Ooh....)
Whoa...whoa...ho...
When I'm in your arms
Life is so wonderful, my love

Luther&Hermione: Oh...oh...give me pretty lovin', baby
Give me pretty lovin', honey
Keep on lovin' me, baby
Whoa...oh...oh...
You know I need you, honey
You know I need you, baby
Keep on loving me

Luther&Hermione: Lovin' me the way (The way) you do (You do, oh)
My love
I love the way that you, the way that you love me, baby
Oh...and I don't wanna let you go, wanna let you, wanna let you go, my love, no
I love the way, the way that you love me, baby
Mmm...Ooh...
You know (Woo...hoo...)
The world, the world would be yours
Yeah, yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yeah...hea... (Mmm...hmm...)
Yes, it would (Yes, it would)
The world would be yours (Yeah)
Baby (Baby)
Ooh...hoo...
It would be yours
If you'll believe

"That was beautiful, Hermione." A voice from the doorway said and applause followed.

"Lavender! What are you doing here?" Hermione flushed and shut off the CD player. "I…I thought I said I'd be down there later! Did you follow me?"

"What did you expect? You stuttered when we were down at dinner. Of course we came looking for you!" Ginny answered in concern. "Are you all right? By the way, who was that singing?"

"That was Luther Vandross, a muggle singer; and I am fine, thank you." She said to her friends, all who were crowded around the doorway. "Wait a minute, why exactly were classes cancelled today?"

"You mean Ron never told you?" Katie asked. Hermione shook her head. "Well, Dumbledore announced that there is a Yule ball this Saturday. He wanted to give us time to prepare. Are you going to go?"

"Yeah, why not?" Hermione thought for a moment. "Do you think that Dumbledore would let me sing something?"

"Sure, but why don't you ask him?" Michelle suggested. "We can all do a musical act."

"No thanks, I'd rather not." Ginny declared as she exited the room. "I'll be down in the common room. See you all later."

"I say we go talk about this downstairs." Geena pointed to where Ginny was almost down the stairs. Hermione nodded and they followed. They joined the rest of the Gryffindors around the warm fire. Harry was seated next to Ron, both in an argument about who was better. Hermione didn't care to listen until Ron made a particularly loud comment about who he might go to the ball with, though Ron didn't think it was loud at all. Neither did Harry.

"Well, excuse me, Harry, but I don't want you to be in the dark when the Yule ball comes up." Ron replied. "Look, why don't you ask Hermione? She'll say yes. Besides, don't you like her, Harry?"

"Um…do we have to talk about this now, Ron?" Harry squirmed in his seat. In a sarcastic tone, he leaned over to Ron. "Excuse me, my friend, but Hermione is right over there. Would you mind keeping it down?"

"Oops, sorry Harry." Ron laughed and quieted.

Hermione felt her heart leap out of her chest. 'He doesn't like me.' The way he had told Ron to quite down was a clear signal-to Hermione, that is-that he shared no interest in her, other than the friendly kind. Hermione stood silently and made her way to the Great hall. A couple seventh year Ravenclaws sniggered as she passed them. Hermione could feel them staring at her, pointing at her too. She tried to ignore them, but what the said stuck in her mind.

"Can you believe, that Ms. Know-it-all bookworm has a crush on Harry Potter? Is she stupid or what? Does she really think that she has a chance with him?" One said.

Hermione was about to retort, but what the second girl said made her stop dead in her tracks. "Well, she definitely won't when Cho comes back. I heard Cho still likes Harry and is interested in going out with him. It is too bad that she won't make it in time for the Yule ball."

At this statement, Hermione walked quickly down the rest of the corridor. She didn't feel like stopping for anything. She was too hurt inside. Hermione began contemplating her situation. She could keep her feelings for Harry bottled up or she could tell him before Cho came back. She finally made up her mind. 'I'll tell him…at the Yule Ball. She was glad that Cho wouldn't be back until after the ball. 'I'll sing to him.' Satisfied with her decision, Hermione walked back down to the common room. The first person she spotted was Ginny…with Draco. Amazingly, people had slowly begun to accept Draco and Ginny as a couple, well, except for Ron. She sighed in relief. 'Thank Merlin Ron is gone.' She figured that Ron was out snogging with Miss Brown. She laughed. Ginny and Draco waved to her; she waved back and proceeded to sit down across the fireplace. She'd been sitting there for no more than two minutes when she felt someone's breath on her ear. She would have turned around had the person not spoken.

"Hey, Herms, want to go with me on a little adventure?" Harry asked.

"Last time you told me that, you scared me out of my wits." She responded. "How do I know you won't do it again, Mr. Potter? Is there anyway you can prove it to me?"

"Look Herms, it would please me if you decided to go with me." He said.

She was about to shrug it off and say no thanks when the two Ravenclaw girls ran up to Harry and started chattering with him. He nodded and they left. He breathed in. "Wow, Cho is coming back here…too bad it is after the Yule Ball."

When Harry said this, Hermione's eyes burned with tears. "What was it that you wanted?"

"Do you want to go with me?" Harry asked. Hermione sat there, emotionless and deadpan. "I don't think I'm asking that much of you if I ask you to join me, Herms. Why are you acting so edgy lately?" Harry said in an irritated voice for having to ask twice.

Hermione's head shot around. "It would please you? Since when should I care about what pleases you?" She jumped up from the couch; she was now shrieking in anger. She headed towards the exiting doors "Leave me alone! I don't want to hear what you have to say!" Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "Just leave me alone, Harry!"

"Hermione, wait!" Ginny called after her leaving friend. She apologized to Draco and went after her.

"Looks like your friend isn't too thrilled to go with you, Harry." Draco said stating the obvious. "What did you do? Were you being a prat?"

"No, I wasn't being a prat, Draco." Harry said thru clenched teeth.

"Maybe you should go after her." Draco pointed to the door. "I'll go with you; I need to reclaim Ginny."

"Fine, let's go." Harry waved for Draco to follow him. When they exited the doors, Draco spotted Ginny; the red head was hugging Hermione. They were sitting outside the entrance to the forbidden forest. Ginny looked confused and Hermione appeared to be distraught. Harry ran over to find out what was wrong. When Hermione saw him coming, she tried to pry herself free of Ginny's grasp but Ginny held on until Harry reached them. Harry seized Hermione's wrist and pulled her up from the ground. Ginny moved back so that Harry could talk to Hermione. She and Draco headed behind a tree so that Harry and Hermione would receive their privacy. Hermione struggled against Harry's grip, but the youth did not relent. He held her wrist fast; he was determined. Finally Hermione screamed at him.

"LET ME GO, HARRY! LET ME GO NOW!" Hermione yelled at him with tears streaming down her face. Since Harry didn't let go, Hermione gave up and sobbed loudly. Harry cradled her to him. She whispered, her voice barely audible to him, but he heard what she said. "Let me go, Harry, please…"

He figured that she was too weak, in her present state, to fight with him. He rubbed her back affectionately and rocked her back and forth. She hiccupped once before sighing. "Herms, what is wrong? Why did you just run out of there like that?"

"I don't know…but I know. I mean…never mind." She said quietly.

"Tell me what's on your mind, Hermione." He persisted.

"All right…Harry, I will." She looked up at him; tears stains were forming on her cheeks. "Harry, for some time now, I've…"

"You've what?" He asked as both of them stood.

"Ever since fourth year…I've…" She never finished.

"HARRY! I'VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER FOR YOU!" Hermione's heart broke once again at the person who called Harry's name. 

(Well, that was all right but I think it could've been better, I guess. That does it for the third chapter. Sorry it took so long. I hope you're not too disappointed. Later people! Please R&R!) *Calima*