Chapter Two: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

Disclaimer: My friend just told me that I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter. DAMN!

A/N: Ah, the second chapter! I actually wrote it. YAY! Anyway, read on my friends.

"I love you," whispered the young woman to the boy beside her. They had just finished their dance and were currently sitting by a table, drinking a butterbeer. The girl was looking expectantly at the boy, obviously hoping to hear the three words she just said to the boy.

All of a sudden, an evil laughter erupted at the table. Everyone at the dance turned to see what had happened. All they saw was a girl running from the table to the doors into the entrance hall. As the girl ran back to her dormitory, she could still hear the laughter echoing in her head.

********

Hermione was enjoying her day with Ginny and her husband. For once in a very long time, she was relaxing and enjoying herself with her friends. They even watched a movie together but it was just a little awkward for Hermione. Ginny and Ryan were a so together – they had the uncanny ability to read each other's mind and so forth. It was even a little scary but Hermione was happy for them. She just could help it; their happiness makes everything around them seem so wonderful.

If only the same could have been said for Hermione. If only the boy seven years ago had said, "I love you" back instead of laughing. If only that boy wasn't such an idiot. If only Hermione could be in his arms. Oh, how happy she would be! Hermione probably wouldn't have turn out to be such a workaholic. She probably would feel good about herself too. Unfortunately, if only are the words for dreamers and Hermione was passed the stage of dreaming. She had even lost hope in ever finding love in her life. She knew she found him already – it wasn't her fault that he didn't feel the same way.

******** An hour later.

"Excuse me sir? Can I have your autograph?" asked a young lady in an awfully shrilly voice.

"Certainly" said Harry, who was inspecting his Firebolt 900. The girl handed him the piece of parchment and quill and he glanced quickly at the girl, giving her a quick smile. 'She looks oddly familiar' thought Harry as he was scribbling his name. 'Maybe she comes here often. Maybe, she's in my fan club.' Harry smirked at his thought. "What's your name by the way?" asked Harry.

The girl chuckled. "Don't you recognize me, Mr. Harry Potter?" It took a few seconds for the voice to register in his brain.

"HERMIONE! What are you doing here? What about your work? Why didn't you give me an owl or something, then we could have had lunch together!" cried Harry.

"Hi to you too Harry! What? Can't a friend take a day off to see a friend?"

"Ha! Well, I never thought I'd see the day when Hermione would get off work to visit a friend! Something's up! I know it!"

"Fine Harry, I'll tell you. I'm on holiday right now, because apparently, I was working too hard." Harry gave Hermione a funny look.

"Well, don't you like your surprise?" replied Hermione.

Harry gave Hermione his million-dollar smile. The one smile that billions of his fans drool over. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"C'mon Mione, why don't I give you a ride around the field," said Harry, "this baby goes really quickly!" added Harry proudly.

Harry dragged Hermione to the Quidditch pitch. Harry mounted on his broom and waited for Hermione to sit behind him. He waited for a few seconds. 'What's taking her so long?' thought Harry, 'I'm only asking her to sit on the broom, it's not like she's flying or anything.'

"Hermione?" Harry said out loud. "I'm still waiting," he added impatiently. Harry turned to see what was the matter. Boy, did she look really unhappy.

Speaking in a gentler voice, Harry asked, "Hey, Hermione? Are you all right? Why the sad face?"

There was a pause. Harry was still on his broom, but staring at Hermione's face trying to figure out what's wrong. Then, a timid voice replied, "You called me Mione. He used to call me that"

Normally, Harry would have been sympathetic and apologized for he knew it was her sore spot. However, Hermione had been brooding over him for seven years. Seven whole years. Harry had enough.

"That was seven bloody years ago Hermione! Get over it! Good lord, aren't you ever going to get over him?" cried Harry.

Hermione was too shocked to speak. Not in seven years had anyone talked to her like that. After all, she was the one who got rejected and horribly embarrassed in front of her entire graduating class, and the teachers. Suddenly, Hermione felt a burst of anger coming from within. Instead of yelling at Harry however, Hermione started to cry. Harry didn't know what to do. As often as he had seen his friend cry, he just never knew what to do. Back at school, it was Ron would did most of the comforting. 'Maybe I was just a little too hard on her' thought Harry.

"Um, Hermione? Don't cry. I'm sorry. C'mon, why don't we fly a bit! It always makes me feeling better."

Hermione looked up at Harry. He gave her a weak smile. She nodded. After all, she came to spend some quality time with her friend, not to be reminded of him. She mounted on the broom behind Harry. They took off and suddenly, Hermione felt much better. It was as if her problems were left behind on the ground and the sun setting sky welcomed her. She finally understood why Harry loved to fly. She felt so free and wondered why she didn't enjoy flying before. Harry, sensing that Hermione had relaxed, smiled and decided to fly a bit faster. With a shriek, Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry's wrist just before he decided to fly a loop. After a few more loops, Harry decided to land. He was happy to see that Hermione really seemed to enjoy the flight. He smiled to himself. Perhaps he did something right for once.

After the blissful flight, Harry and Hermione decided to have dinner. Harry insisted that they went to an expensive restaurant for a nice dinner, so they both apparated quickly back to their apartments to take a quick shower and put on some formal clothing. Harry took his time because he was sure that Hermione would take a much longer time than he would, and would do a lot more too.

He was certainly surprised to see Hermione half an hour later by the restaurant before him. 'Some things will never change,' thought Harry, 'Hermione will never be late, but wow, she looks incredible!'

"Wow, look at you! You look great Hermione!" Harry said truthfully. Hermione really did look stunning in her simple silky midnight blue dress.

Hermione blushed a little. "Thanks Harry, it's a nice place so I thought I'll try my best to look good too. You look quite handsome yourself. I bet that fan club of yours will surely be around soon so why don't we go in and get something nice to eat?"

At this, it was Harry's turn to blush. He was certainly honoured to have a fan club, but since they were all girls and they all loved him more for his charming smile than his talent as a seeker, he really didn't care too much. Besides, they were getting to be a nuisance. As soon as Harry entered the restaurant, the manager literally skipped at the sight of him and immediately gave them the best seats in the house. Then again, sometimes it really does pay to be famous.

*******

"Umm, that was delicious Harry! Thanks for taking me out for dinner," said Hermione. Harry smiled.

"No need to thank me Hermione, thank the chef!"

"Well, thank you anyway," said Hermione. Although she was talking to Harry, her eyes were wondering behind him. He turned to see what she was looking at, and found her staring at an old couple, dancing happily. Harry could see the longing in Hermione's eyes. They were so dreamy-like; it was as if she was on another planet.

"Hermione?" asked Harry. At this, Hermione finally looked back at her friend.

"Yes?"

"Would you like to dance?"

Hermione was confused for the first few seconds. Harry thought that she was getting upset again and was about to say something when she suddenly started giggling. For some reason, Harry blushed. Then, Hermione got up and walked to the dance floor. It took awhile for Harry to register the fact that Hermione had said yes, in her own way, and was waiting for him to get up and dance with her. Harry had a silly sort on grin on his face as he took her hands in his, and Hermione starting giggling again. It was really nerves but Harry was too nervous himself to notice. The pair had a few dances, and then decided to head home. Before the separated, Hermione thanked Harry again with a peck on the cheek and apparated home. She missed the dazed look Harry had on his face, while he stood there for a few minutes, then finally snapping back into reality and apparated to his own home.

*******

Hermione opened her closet for a towel to dry her hair. She had just taken a nice long shower and was feeling quite happy about the day's events. Most of it anyway. Perhaps it was because she was a little tired from the long but fun day she had, or perhaps it was because she was thinking about the dance she had with Harry but because of this, she dropped her towel and it landed on a box. She bend down to pick up her towel when she noticed that it was his box. The box where she put everything that he gave her, everything that he touched, or everything that reminded her or him. Hermione stared at the box for a long time and then she did something she hadn't done since she packed the box seven years ago. She picked up the box and opened it. As soon as she opened the box, a picture fell out.

********

Harry had just gotten home from the restaurant. He was really happy and he was still smiling as he sat on the couch, taking off his shoes. He was so oblivious to the fact that someone's head was floating in the flames of his green fireplace that the person had to cough three times before he knew that she was there.

"My oh my Harry, you sure look happy. Last time I checked, your Quidditch team is still second, behind the Arrows?" said Ginny.

"Well, Ginny, if you must know, I just had a wonderful dinner with Hermione," said Harry, somewhat proud of himself.

"Wow. That's great. I'm glad to know Hermione had a really good day today. She deserves it."

"Well, there was this incident at the pitch today," said Harry, somewhat guiltily. "I call her Mione."

Ginny nodded knowingly, then she simply said, "Let me guess, it was about Ron."

A/N: You liked it? I hope you did! I hope I'm not confusing anyone. So, was it kind of weird when I wrote it kind of through Hermione, then Harry, but I wanted you guys to know how Harry felt. Anyway, please read my friend Twilight Fantasy's Twister! It is so good! The fluff, it has GOOD fluff. I love good fluff, if ya know what I mean. So… go on, read it and review my story all right? Thanks!