A/N I'm sorry it took soo long to get up, but I've been working primarily on To Last All My Life. I really hope to get more reviews on this chapter then on the last one. So disappointing!!! Le sigh.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Hermione was chasing Lavender around the great hall, when she saw the other object of Lavender's taunts. Harry was standing just feet away from Lavender, who was running and looking over her shoulder at the same time. Consequently, she tripped and fell at Harry's feet. Hermione's eyes flitted to his face once before realizing that he was looking at her. She blushed scarlet and turned away quickly. Her face, however snapped up again at Lavender's next words.

"I can see why you think he's so hot, Hermione! He's an absolute dream boat, just like you said!"

That did it. Hermione ran out of the great hall, but no one seemed to notice. As if from far off, she heard Harry's voice saying, "I thank you for..." but after that, she was too far away to hear him talking.

She ran. Conciously, she didn't know where exactly she was running to, but her feet seemed to know where they were supposed to turn, go up stairs, go down stairs, and go through hidden passages.

Suddenly she felt a blast of cool morning air. Somehow she had managed to weave her way to the Astronomy tower. There were several chairs placed along one wall. It was a beautiful morning, and she sat down to enjoy the view.

As she sat there looking at the newly-risen sun, Hermione became aware that tears were streaming down her face. She leaned her head back and thought about her predicament.

She only looked up when she heard the tower door open and close behind her.

"Go away Harry," she moaned helplessly. "I'm too embarassed to talk to you."

"Why would you be embarassed?" he asked, sounding genuinly puzzled. "Did those stupid songs upset you that much?"

"No."

"Oh. May I sit down?" he asked politely.

"Knock yourself out," she replied dully.

"OK," he said uncertainly. "I can tell when I'm not wanted. I'll just go then, shall I?"

Hermione looked up at him, almost smiling. "It's an expression Harry."

"Oh!" he said, sounding a bit relieved. "Well in that case."

He flopped down next to her and looked her straight in the face. "What's wrong Herm...ione," he added quickly. "*Did* Lav's little production bother you that much?"

"Not really, no," she said quietly. "I'm more upset about you."

"Me?" Harry asked, sounding v. surprised. "Wha'd I do?"

Hermione said nothing for a few minutes. Then, "Are you mad about that poem?"

"Not really," Harry replied softly. "But I do think you might've had the decency to tell me about it."

"Harry," she said consoleingly, "I didn't write that. I told Ron this morning that Lav reciprocates his feelings. She wrote that poem for him. Not me. She's asked Prof. Dumbledore for permission to play it for him tonight. It's from a muggle movie, but I helped her change some of the words around a little so she could sing it to Ron. I've never liked Ron that why. He's my best friend. One of my best friends," she amended.

Harry smiled. "Then why did you kiss him this morning?"

"I didn't kiss him!" shrieked Hermione indignantly. "He kissed me! I-" but she stopped when she saw Harry laughing.

"I know," he said. "I was only joking."

"Cad," she said rudely.

Harry made a pained face, and placed his hand over his heart. "You hurt me deeply Hermione," he said dramatically, "You have placed an unhealable wound in my heart."

Dispite herself, Hermione began to giggle. Harry joined her with his deep chuckle. Soon they were leaning on each other for support.

"Why..*giggle*..are..*giggle*..we....*squeal*" Hermione wheezed in between laughs.

"I..*chuckle*..don't..*chuckle*..know..*chuckle* But stop squealing!" Harry panted.

Hermione couldn't stop however, and Harry got up and attacked her. "Ah! Harry! Stop it! Aah!" she screamed, as he reached her most ticklish spot. "Harry! Quit it! I mean it!"

Harry didn't stop however, so she thrashed some more, and finally caught Harry's wrist, bringing him toppling down onto her. All the air flew out of her, and by the time she had caught her breath, she realized that Harry was laying on top of her. She looked into his eyes and saw that he was looking at her as well.

They just laid there for a while looking into each other's eyes. Afterwards, neither was quite sure who had initiated the, um...initial kiss, but their lips were suddenly touching. Barely, it was true, but they were still touching. Hermione's head sprang up and her eyes flew open. She wasn't even aware that they had closed! Harry was just laying there, looking down at her, with a strange expression on his face. It took Hermione a moment to place that look. It was fear. Harry was afraid of what she would do!

"I-I'm sorry," he stuttered nervously. "I didn't mean-I shouldn't've. Are you mad?" he finished, not quite meeting her eyes.

Hermione quickly squished his worries for him. More specifically, her *lips* squished his worries for him. She kissed him hard on the lips, and she saw his eyes widen in surprise. Doubt suddenly filled Hermione. What if this wasn't what he wanted? She had just made a fool of herself in front of her best friend!! What kind of idiot was she?

Harry must've seen the worry in Hermione's face as well, because he too mushed her doubts with his lips. Hermione sighed quietly into Harry's mouth, and she felt him smile against her. Somehow, they managed to stand up without breaking the kiss.

When they finally had to pull away for air, Hermione said, "Wow. That was...wow."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," agreed Harry. Hermione began to giggle softly. "What?" Harry demanded. He did not like being laughed at without knowing why. "What is so bloody funny?!"

"Don't swear Harry," said Hermione placing a soft kiss on his lips. "Sunshine Blossom becomes you Harry."

"What?" said Harry, most definitely confused.

"My lipstick," said Hermione between giggle's. "You're wearing my lipstick. Here, let me get it for you." she pulled out a hanky and wiped his lips. "There. Good as new!"

"I think I'm ready for another coat then," said Harry, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"So do I."

As they leaned in for another kiss, they heard footsteps coming up the stairs. "Quick!" said Harry.

They dove to the chairs, and Harry began to pat Hermione's back doing what he seriously hoped was a convincing representation of a comforting friend.

Just then, Ron burst through the door and said, "Ah-ha!"

Harry and Hermione looked up and Hermione said, "'Ah-ha!' what?"

Ron's face fell, and he said, "You aren't kissing?"

"Yes," said Harry sarcastically. "we're in the middle of a passionate kiss. It's *so* passionate, and we're moving *so* fast that you can't see our lips touching."

Ron turned red, before saying sheepishly, "Uhh...right. I think I'll go now then, shall I?"

Ron turned around and walked out the door. They waited for his footsteps to fade away before they looked at each other. Then they burst out laughing.

"Oh man!" panted Harry when they had finally gotten control of their giggles. "That was close."

"Tell me about it," replied Hermione, still grinning.

Harry cleared his throat. "Um, so what just happened? Here? With the kiss? Es?" he added.

"Well," said Hermione. "If you mean what did we just do, then you answered that question yourself, but if you mean, what are we..." she trailed off.

"Are we a couple now or something?" Harry asked gently. "I mean, that's a little silly, we're graduating in a matter of hours. We may not see each other or Ron for a long time after this. We may never-" but Hermione silenced him by pressing a finger to his lips.

"Please don't say that," she whispered. "I don't want to think about that."

"But are we a couple?"

"I don't know. Doesn't kissing in the Astronomy Tower qualify us for Couple Status?" she asked, grinning.

"That, madam," pointed out Harry. "was not 'kissing in the Astronomy Tower'. That was a snog-fest in our own private world."

"Good point."

"I thought it was."

"So modest."

"I try."

"What are we talking about again?"

"I don't know. I thought you did."

"I think we were talking about snog-fests."

"A worthy subject."

"Always."

They leaned in again for a softer kiss, which soon became much fiercer. (A/N Now listen, because THIS IS IMPORTANT. They are just kissing. Harry and Hermione WILL NOT FRENCH KISS UNTIL MUCH LATER IN THE STORY!! Thank you. Back to the story.)

Several minutes later, when they broke apart, they were both very much out of breath, but smiling.

"We should get back downstairs," whispered Harry. "Ron'll get suspicious."

"Yeah," agreed Hermione breathlessly.

"Do you think we should tell him?" asked Harry uncertainly.

"I think he'll figure it out on his own," replied Hermione. "I have just discovered how good you taste, and I will be needing a dose every few minutes."

"I think I can do that," said Harry, grinning drunkenly. "I will be needing several doses of you as well, Ms. Granger, or I shall begin suffering Hermione withdrawal."

"Sounds like a good plan to me Harry," said Hermione slyly. "So..." she trailed off. "Are we like...?"

"A couple?" finished Harry for her. "I don't know. But it'll be a bit obvious if we need to keep leaving the room every few minutes for our-" he was cut off by Hermione, who proved his point by kissing him hotly on the mouth. "-medicine." finished Harry as Hermione finally let go of his face. "I think I may need you to up my prescription on that one Dr."

"You usually need to go through the nurses, but I think I can make an exception for you," said Hermione sweetly.

"Thanks, what'll it cost?" asked Harry suggestively.

"Oh about ten."

"Galleons?!"

"No kisses. And not skimpy ones either. Nice, long ones please."

"I'm not sure I can afford that, but I'll figure it out somehow."

Conversation continued in this rediculous manner for a few more minutes, until they finally ran out of stupid things to say.

"Okay," said Hermione. "Is it just me, or was that the strangest conversation we have ever had?"

"That one definitely took the cake," replied Harry. "Well, let's go back downstairs."

"But this might be the only time I get you all to myself for the rest of the night," pouted Hermione. "One more kiss?"

"Alright, one more kiss."

Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, so he could not get away, and crushed his lips with hers in a bruising kiss. He wrapped his strong arms around her waist, and returned the kiss. Hermione moved her hands to the back of his head, so she could play with his hair. Her fingers moved through the silky raven strands. They pulled away for a breath of air, and dived back into each other, this time with Harry's hand in Hermione's hair as well. "Mmm," he mumbled. "Hermione, as much as I enjoy kissing you, we need to go downstairs."

"Why?"

"To get the second ballroom ready for tonight," Harry replied, grinning.

"What?"

"Remember?" prodded Harry. "We're on the decoration commity."

"Oh yeah," said Hermione sadly. "Just one more kiss?"

"I suppose one more couldn't hurt."
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A/N I've finally gotten this chapter up! Just for the record, I finished this on the 16 of June, 2002. However, due to the crash of the ff.net hardware, I was unable to post it. The reason I did not post it on the 21 of June, is that I had to spend that day packing for my trip to Worlds of Fun on the 22, 23, and 24 of June. I did not return until late on Monday, and on Tuesday I slept in, and had to immediately get up and go to work at the Childrens' Museum in my town. So basically, what I'm trying to say, is that IT IS NOT MY FAULT THAT THIS TOOK SO LONG TO GET UP!

(Signed) Thanks to:

duckies-Thanx, and of COURSE there will be fluff in coming chapters!

ECR Potter-OK, if you don't like it, than you should've told me what I should've done. I got absolutely ZERO reviews on the last chapter that gave me any help whatsoever.

Satans Little Princess-Thanks!

bookworm4ever-Thank you.

Emili Potter-Thanx!

hermioneharry4ever-It was rather odd, but it was all I could come up with. Hmm, Hermione still red at the ceremony, interesting....

Augurey-V. interesting name, btw. I don't want Lavender to die, she has a cute lil' bit near the end.

Usotsuki-I learned the car one in like, 3rd grrade or sumthin'

PiPPen's Gurl-Okeeee. Are you feeling well? I have a question for you-Are you on AIM? I looked up your e-mail, and it said you were mallcrawled2, or something like that. Once again, thank you for that Sweet Valley review.

Never In Ur Wildest Dreamz-Thank you, that's the most interesting review I've gotten in a long time.

leogrl-I'd tell you that it's finally up, but you're probably too busy with English summer school to read it.

Sara Hillen of Gryffindor-Jeesh! DOn't spaz on me girl! Here's your daily dose, I hope you calm down now.

Kneazle-*Warning:This is me spazzing out. Do not read if you are faint of heart.* OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! YOU READ MY STORY!!! I LUV YOU! (NOT IN A BAD WAY OF COURSE!) OK, I'm over it. Not really, but.... Yes, I think someone should read my stories, and make a movie out of them. I personally think, J.K. Rowling should use my idea of Peg, so I can blackmail her. Then she'll have to let ME play Peg in the fifth, sixth, and seventh books, so I can get close to Rupert Grint, and make him fall for me.

I LOVE PEOPLE WHO LOVE R/-Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

phoenix-flames-Yes, I am eville. Don't you love it?

(Unsigned)Thanks to:butterfly_grl4, gundamhardcore, Charisma, betty_blue, Chrissie, *Herm*, Cassi Hunter, Magui, Angela, Mariah, Mystery, Mark Slade,