It was a beautiful weekend at Hogwarts, a hogsmede weekend to be precise. Harry walked into town with his friends. It was Harry's 5th year. Ron looked eager to get to Zonko's Joke Shop. Hermione on the other hand, seemed to be taking in the day like Harry was. She did look good Harry had to admit to himself, why there was no denying it! Harry knew today he was going to tell her. But where?
"There's Zonko's!" Ron yelled," Meet you in 30 minutes at the Three Broomsticks!"
Before Harry could acknowledge him, Ron was jogging up the street to Zonko's. Harry was alone with Hermione! But not alone enough. Students where milling up and down the street. Where could they go where they would be COMPLETELY alone? Then Harry had an idea.
"Want to go to Honydukes?" Harry inquired. Hermione turned to Harry and gazed at him with her brown eyes.
"Ok," she agreed.
They entered Honydukes and felt the cool breeze from the shop on their faces. Harry looked around but saw that his plan would not yet work. A third year was gathering large handfuls of acid pops. Harry wasn't sure why he needed so many and he wasn't about to ask him. Harry watched, with his hands in his pockets, as Hermione selected some jelly slugs and grabbed two chocolate frogs. Hermione went to pay and then started to go.
"Hold up," said Harry, "I'm still trying to decide."
Hermione laughed a little and waited. Suddenly a girl knocked over a box of Fizzing Whizzbee's and a huge commotion of shrieks and whizzing began. The shopkeeper ran to help and Harry seized his chance.
"Come on," Harry urged and he grabbed Hermione's wrist. She reluctantly followed.
"Where are we going?" She questioned. Harry didn't answer. He looked for a moment and then got down on his hands and knees.
"Harry!"
"Shhh! Follow me." Harry suddenly lifted a trapdoor. Hermione stared for a second and then started down the ladder after Harry.
"Close the door." Hermione closed it quietly.
"So this is the secret passage you used in our third year here!"
"Yah, it starts in the witch's hump back at school."
"Clever," murmured Hermione, looking up the tunnel, "But why are we down here?"
Harry gathered a breath and then spoke, " I wanted to tell you that I liked you."
"Harry! I've hoped you would tell me that!"
Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
" Do… do you want a chocolate frog?" Hermione asked timidly.
"Sure," Harry whispered and smiled. Hermione took out the frogs. She handed one to Harry and he opened it. Instantly a frog jumped out of the box and down the passage. Harry pounced on it and bit it's head off. It twitched and then fell limp.
"Nice catch!" Hermione commented. Harry smiled and leaned in.
"You've got a bit of chocolate just there," Hermione giggled. Harry wiped it off and then continued in. Their lips touched and Hermione pulled away.
"What?" Harry asked surprised, "I'm a bad kisser aren't I? I knew I…"
"No, you're a great kisser, it's just that…well… I'm not ready." Hermione sighed, "We had better go." Harry looked disappointed and gathered his things.
They climbed up the ladder and in Harry's disappointment it didn't even occur to him that he had to be careful when raising the trapdoor. He flung it open and the shopkeeper stared at Harry.
"How did you… what are you…" the shopkeeper was stunned. Several kids who held bags of candy and suckers turned their heads turned towards Harry who had suddenly burst out of the floor. Hermione emerged.
"Run," Harry breathed.
"Why do…" Hermione glanced up and saw what Harry was talking about. Her eyes widened and she streaked out of the shop with Harry close behind. Some of the kids gathered around the trap door and peered inside.
"No show here," the shopkeeper urged and he shut the door.
***
That night, back at the castle, Snape was fuming.
"Someone found passage 9!" He raged to Filch.
"I'll close it up immediately, Sir," Filch growled and started upstairs.
"You there! Longbottom! I'm onto you!" Snape hissed. Neville looked shaken and whimpered as he entered the Great Hall.
"I know you did it!" Snape whispered to Parvati. She looked confused and kept walking. Then Snape spotted Harry.
"Potter, It was you wasn't it?" Snape growled menacingly.
"I assure you it wasn't me," Harry weakly returned.
"I'm watching you boy!" Snape spat and swept off.
Harry entered the Great Hall. He sat down, next to Hermione (of course), and noticed Neville was dramatically re-telling the story about what had just happened outside the Great Hall. He even used a menacing voice for Snape.
"Harry, It hink Snape knows it was us!" Hermione worried.
"I don't think so," Harry tried to reassure her, "He's accused quite a few kids outside."
Suddenly Snape burst into the Great Hall followed by Goyle. Harry had never seen Goyle without Malfoy before. Goyle sat down at the Slytherin table next to Crabbe and Malfoy and started talking very animatedly to them. They, in turn, began to laugh and looked up at Harry.
Harry then noticed Snape who was talking quietly to McGonagall. She sadly nodded her head. Snape turned and walked briskly towards Harry with a sickening grin on his face.
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. Someone has just informed me that it was you two who were in the…you know." Harry suddenly remembered Goyle's face among the students in Honyduke's.
"It's detention for you two." Snape finished.
"No!" Ginny Weasly suddenly shrieked. She had been sitting across from Harry and he didn't even know it.
"Ms. Weasly! Sit down right…"
"NO! You shut up you fat pig! Harry doesn't deserve…"
"A WEEK'S DETENTION FOR YOU WEASLY AND…" But Ginny wouldn't stop,
"HOW DARE YOU…"
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore's voice rang out and even the ghosts in the Entrance Hall stopped talking.
"Severus, please take your seat," Dumbledore said coolly.
"You'll get a letter," Snape whispered dangerously.
"Now," Dumbledore continued. Snape walked to his seat. As he did his footsteps rang out in the silent room. He sat down and Harry could swear he saw a hint of embarrassment on Snape's face.
***
The next day Harry woke to Hedwig tapping on his window. Harry groaned and opened the window. She flew in, dropped a letter on Harry's bed and flew into her cage, hooting happily at the scraps of meat Harry had put in there for her. Harrywent to his bed and ripped open the letter. He read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
Your detention will be tonight.
Please meet in the Entrance Hall
at 6:00 p.m.
Professor McGonagall
