DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT JK ROWLING, THESE ARE NOT MY CHARACTERS, THEY NEVER WILL BE, SO DON'T SUE ME, YOU WILL LOSE!
A/N: Thank you, thankyou to all who reviewed. While I am nearly buried under work, even though the vacation has just ended, (well, funny story about that, we had one day back at school, then Friday was a snow day...), the reviews that pour in really motivate me! So here is the next installment, I know it's a little short, but bear with me, please!
dmunchkinb: thank you for your support! I happen to think so too. What really confuses me is, I personally like the R/H ship, but when this story came to me in the shower I felt like I had to write it.
Gods fire angel: sorry I disappointed you, that the characters sound like me, but see my disclaimer above: I am not JK Rowling, and as hard as I wish, it will definitely never happen -- so the characters do sound a little like me, naturally. I hope this chapter is more to your liking.
legano-san: oh yeah, believe me, he is definitely liking this!
Ellie Love: About the pie lady -- she was a concotion of my mother's when I was about six, and I decided to write her in just for my own amusement. I'm glad you like her too!
kerkaloomy: wowzers, you should be amazed, keep reading!
Estrellita: thank you!
lil lupin: well, we get to find out what Harry thinks about that! About the pie, see my answer to Ellie Love.
Claire Starling: Aha! Cheese! the ultimate answer! Sorry, no, no cheese here. You are very sweet but absolutely no way I would outshine YOU!
Phoenix72389: Glad you like it, now it has for chapter and it's amazing! (Well, I hope...) Let's all pray I can make money off writing when I grow up, I think it might be the only talent I have!
Amanda H Weasley: I am happy to know I have supporters!
Sorry, guys, that was almost a page! But I like to let you guys know that I read every review and they give me warm and fuzzy feelings to know that my work is appreciated... So keep them pouring in, and I will keep feeding you chapters. I fear my fairy may be leaving again soon, but maybe you guys can help her stay another few days! Love you!
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CHAPTER FOUR
Harry continued to sit on the stool, but was suddenly very aware of himself. He could feel each individual hair stand up on the back of his neck, could feel a hotness seep up behind his ears.
Suddenly realizing that Hermione was still there, looking at him, he stood up jerkily, letting the package with his own robes in it fall to the ground, forgotten.
Harry advanced toward Hermione, and noticed that her back had turned a shade of pink that he was sure matched his ears. He grasped the zipper carefully and began to pull it upward. His fingers brushed her skin for a moment, and it was like fireworks had exploded from the tip of his finger, and a warm, tingly feeling worked its way up his arm. He hurriedly finished zipping her up, and she turned around to face him.
Well, what do you think? Should I buy it? she asked nervously, smoothing a wrinkle in the dress's gauzy fabric.
Harry stared, dumbfounded, at his best friend. He had never actually looked at Hermione this way. The dress accentuated Hermione's figure, clinging and giving in all the right places. Hermione's figure. She couldn't have developed this much in the past seven weeks that he hadn't seen her. Why hadn't he noticed it before, at school?
I think- I- you- stammered Harry, searching for the right words. Wow, Hermione, he finished lamely.
You don't think it's too... revealing? she asked tentatively, gesturing toward the neckline, which plunged in a graceful V down her front. I don't look like one of those - oh, what does Ron call them - scarlet women?
Harry could think of nothing farther from the truth. he said hurriedly, you look... very beautiful. These last words came out in a little gasp. He couldn't believe what he was telling her, what words he was letting escape his mouth: words, that until now, had just ricocheted around his brain like BB's in a boxcar.
Okay, then, Hermione said, let me go change, and I will be right back out, and you and Ron can go run around like little boys in the Quidditch store. She floated away, back into the dressing room.
***
As Harry and Hermione walked towards Florean Fortescue's ice cream shop, Harry tried to pretend everything was normal. It was normal, wasn't it?
They found Ron reclining under a large, striped umbrella, spooning peanut butter-banana ice cream blissfully into his mouth.
Done already, then? he asked as he saw them approach out of one half-open eye.
Er- yeah, said Harry, with a large grin he had glued on his face just moments earlier. He signaled to the waiter to bring them two more sundaes as he and Hermione joined Ron in the shade of the umbrella.
Hermione once again commenced her running history of her trip to Bulgaria. Harry felt the familiar sinking in his stomach. Ron's face was contorted into a grotesque mask.
I TOLD YOU THAT GIT'S NO BLOODY GOOD! Ron yelled, purpling.
Ron, Hermione can spend her holiday wherever and with whomever she pleases, I think she is completely capable of making those decisions, said Harry, surprising himself with the calmness in his voice. In actuality, he felt like he was being torn apart inside as images of Hermione and Viktor Krum walking hand in hand down a cobblestone street danced inside his head.
Um- well- I- Ron seemed to realize that Harry had made a valid point, and he calmed down a bit. Well, he did give me that autograph at the end of last year... I suppose he can't be all bad.
Right, then, said Hermione, trying to sidestep the topic, we had better get over to the bookstore, we'll need a ton of new books this year! Don't forget, this year we take our O.W.L.s! She looked positively ecstatic at the prospect of studying for the hard tests that all fifth year students at Hogwarts had to take.
Yeah, yeah, you and your books, Ron grumbled, but he stood up along with his friends and they set off towards Flourish and Blotts.
***
Inside the bookstore, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were dashing among the bookshelves, trying to get all of the books they needed and get out before the lines became unbearable; after all, they were not the only Hogwarts students in need of school supplies.
The shop swarmed with other students who obviously had the same thing in mind. Harry waved to the familiar faces he passed.
Seen the new Firebolt 150? asked Seamus, Harry's and Ron's roommate and Hogwarts. He seemed very excited. Harry nodded and flashed him a grin as he searched for Predicting Prophecies on a shelf filled with thick, dusty books.
Harry finally found the volume he was looking for, spotting the title in gold foil on a particularly thick and dusty book on the top shelf. Stretching, Harry just managed to graze the leather spine of the book. He saw a stool next to him. He hesitated, surveying the stool's rickety structure. The warped wood looked like it had seen better days, and nails were sticking out at odd angles. Harry didn't much feel like asking anyone for help, however, so he decided to risk standing on the stool for a few seconds to reach up for what he needed.
That was a mistake. A big one. Just as Harry was able to grasp Predicting Prophecies firmly enough to lift it, he heard a sickening crack beneath him and felt his stomach drop as he tumbled downward. He landed in an undignified heap on the floor, and the book came down after him, conking him on the head as if for good measure.
Well, well, Harry heard an icy voice drawl lazily, surprised to see you would sink that low, Potter.
Harry raised his eyes to see a pair of polished black loafers. He lifted his gaze further until he was looking right into the cold eyes of a rather nasty looking blond boy.
Get up, Potter, said Draco Malfoy, staring down at Harry in disdain, The floor is dirty enough already.