Harry awoke early, too excited to sleep any longer. He dressed quickly and headed for the kitchen. He wanted to have a big birthday breakfast while everyone else was sleeping ( His relatives never starved Harry but he always got less than Dudley). There where no owls of his friends yet and when Dudley entered the kitchen to make his own breakfast before he would go training. Dudley's behavior towards Harry increased a little the last few weeks since they were training together. Harry eventually got some stamina and after training he wasn't drechned at all, but healthy and strong. But at the moment Harry was wondering why Dudley was up so early, it was just after sunrise and his training sessions were usually sheduled for the late afternoon.

"Already up?" Harry was still somewhat tired.

"A good morning to you too!" Dudley answered and Harry frowned but said nothing else, he wasn't risking their silent agreement.

They sat together eating silently but suddenly the window bursted open and three owls went flying into the room. Harry cursed himself, he was dead sure Dudley would ran out of the room, screaming. And his Aunt and Uncle would her him and that would mean only one thing: Harry would be punished for making Dudley scream.

But to his amazement Dudley was utterly quiet, and said simply: "About time."

Harry couldn't believe his ears. What happened to Dudley? Did he know that it was Harrys birthday? The Dursleys never gave him a birthday present, nor did they mention his birthday at all (except for his 10th birthday, and Harry received a pair of old socks). But Dudley smiled at him and that he was actually smiling amazed Harry, and even frightened him a bit.

"Happy Birthday, Harry." He said after Harry still looked at him, flabbergasted.

Harry was still gaping at Dudley, but the sharp pain in his shoulder told him that one of the owls was about to send its claws into his flesh.

"You should really open these, er, letters." Dudley said tensely.

Harry thought this might be a joke, but Dudley wouldn't be able to get wizard owls. The first owlf looked like a Hogwarts school owl, and the other one was Hermes, Percys owl he got for becoming prefect in Harrys First Year. That means Percy finally allowed Ron to use it. Ron usually had to use Errol, and Errol was ancient. And his own owl, Pig was way to small to deliver anything but letters. The last owl looked strong and lean, but it was a little bit smaller then Hermes. Harry wasn't sure whose owl this was, it wasn't Hermione's owl, her only pet was Crookshanks and the furball couldn't handle letters. Maybe she sent her present with Hermes, who knows. Harry took the paket from Hermes and opened it.The Weasleys sent A great collection of his favourite sweets including Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans and Chocolate Frogs, a birthday cake, a birthday card from Ginny ( with some ink drops on it) and a book with - Harry opened his eyes wide - his picture on the cover! The Harry in the picture smiled feebly at him and tried to hide behind the frame. The book's title was 'The Boy who Lived'.

After he could tore his eyes from himself he found a note pinned to the front page.

Gee, a book just about YOU! I haven't read it, but after they saw this book everyone in Hogwarts (at least every girl) would like to have one. Ginny already read it, I would avoid her for awhile. The man at Florish and Blotts told me that the books are charmed that everything happening around will be written down and copied into the book at once.

Happy Birthday, Ron

Harry groaned and threw the book on the kitchen table. Ron thought the book was funny, and the thought about Ginny (who already had a crush on Harry) acting oddly in front of him wasn't helping, either. Harry already saw the Creevey brothers reading the book and trying to react everything Harry had done. Harry hoped that some, er, private things (like his crush on Cho he had last year or that he had to wear old clothes from Dudley) were still hidden. And top secret things like the whole Sirius topic should kept hidden, too. But no one except for Dumbledore, Snape, Remus, The Weasleys and Hermione knew about him. They had to free him, they must catch Wormtail!

Dudley grabbed the book from the table and held his breath. Harry saw him stare at his picture. Dudley nearly fell off his chair, the Harry in the picture again tried to hide behind the frame.

"H-How?" Dudley asked stupidly.

"People within pictures always are moving in the wizarding world." Harry said that like it would be the most obvious thing in the world.

"And there is a book about you?" Dudley asked him, still looking clumsy.

"Seems like, huh?" Harry felt miserable, he hoped that Ron was the only one who bought this book, he couldn't stand the whole school reading his biography. Hopely the book is sold somewhere far away, or it could be unique.

Dudley read the book while Harry untied the paket from the strong but small owl and Harry saw that the paket was from Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper. Hagrids present was a wooden wandcase and on top his name was written in golden letters. That case wasn't just a simple case but could clean and polish Harys wand Hagrid added in his letter. Hagrid had send some stone cakes, too, but Harry wasn't to keen to try them (he had too much expierience with Hagrid's cooking).

Harry put the case on the table to untie the last parcel from the last owl. Hermes and the other owl were gone already and the last one was following them quickly. Harry broke the wax seal and read:

Der Mr Potter,

You are named a Prefect elected by our other prefects and our Head Boy and Girl, Alicia Spinnet and Roger Davies. You have now privileges and responsibilities and I hope you will not take them lightly. The first meeting of the prefects will be at September the 2nd, and you will meet the other prefects in the chamber just behind the Great Hall.

Attached is a list of books you will need to have for you Fifth-Year.

A Happy Birthday and refreshing holidays to you!

Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress

Harry beamed at his prefect badge. He was elected a prefect! And McGonagall had congratulated him to his birthday! Even though she was very strict, she was also his Head-of-House. He put his letter away and eyed Dudley suspiciously, who had his nose in the Harry-Book. He frowned at Dudley and then it struck him: He hadn't got any letters from Hermione or Sirius! What happened to them?

Harry hoped they were alright and he thought back, Hermiones letter right in front of his inner eye. When she had written it, were she okay? Or was she already in danger? And maybe Sirius is trying to rescue her, keeping it quiet to Harry so he wouldn't be worried. He would send a letter to Sirius later, to know what's going on.

While unwrapping presents Harry totally forgot the time and when his aunt came in she demanded that Harry had to put his "weird stuff" up into his bedroom. He picked up his parcels and walked to the stairs grumpily. The bell rang and Harry walked grumpily to the front door. He opened it and this sight surely surprised Harry.


***


"Oh Harry, I've missed you so much! Happy Birthday!"

Shorty after Harry opened the door she had flung her arms around him and had kissed him on the cheek. Harry stumpled backwards a bit, but then he saw a smiling Hermione in front of him, and he relaxed.

She looked completely different. Her hair was not bushy but neatly organised with some muggle accessoires, and it had to be shorter, too. She wore a short light blue top and tight bluejeans, Harry could see her belly button and pretty much skin under the belly button and he grasped. Was that her slip? Hary shuddered and tried to think of something distracting. He looked up to cloud his mind and then it struck him: Hermione never looked that mature! That grownup, that female. Harry was sure she had grown a bit and there were curves Harry was sure he never ever saw before. Or she could hide them very good. But as busty as Hermione now seemed to be she must have worn elephant skin all the time to hide her gift of god. Did I just think that? Damn!

He looked up to her face, and saw that it was beautiful and symmetric, just like he appreciated it. Their gazes met and they looked down, both blushing scarlet. It seemed that she looked at him the same way he looked at her.

Sure, Harry had changed, too. He had some facial hair, his voice darkened (an his adam's apple was bigger, too) and he had now some muscles after training with Dudley every day. He got a pretty muscular belly and chest, not like weeks ago, where he was pale and skinny and without muscles. He still looked at Hermione, even though he pretended not to. Who was Cho Chang? Harrys heart was given to the pretty Hermione Granger.

He baded them inside and he saw a black shaggy dog coming inside.

"Snuffles?" The dog seemed to nod. Harry sighed with relief.

Mr and Mrs Granger both shook Harrys hand and after Harry closed the door Sirius changed back immediately and hugged Harry firmly. The moment was interrupted by an impatient "ahem". Vernon Dursley was standing in the doorframe of the living room, his little eye looking at them with hatred.

Sirius let go of Harry and approached his uncle, holding out his hand to shake Vernon's which Vernon took very slowly.

"You must be Harry's aunt and uncle! I'm Sirius Black, Harry's godfather. I'm here to ask you if Hermione Granger could stay for a night. She's here with her parents to celebrate with Harry. You know it is his 15th birthday, don't you? The Grangers and I will spend the night at a friend's house, but I think it would be better for Hermione to stay here. I hope you will allow it."

Vernon wasted no thought and already started to disagree but was cut short by Dudley, who just came out of the kitchen and let out a loud 'wow!' . Everyone stared at him, even Vernon. Dudley became bright scarlet and Hermione blushed, too, but just in a satisfied way. Dudley stared at her and it seems that looking at her was the only thing he needed (and maybe some breathing, but nothing more).

Sirius used the confusing and approached Dudley, grasping his hand. Dudley was looking right at Hermione, and Sirius was squeezing his hand pretty hard. Hermione looked at Harry, giggling.

"And you're Dudley! Harry told me much about you! I'm Sirius Black and this is Hermione Granger with her parents. We just asked your father if Hermione could spend the night in here because we haven't enough space at the place we're staying and it would be k-"

Dudley interrupted and babbled: "Don't worry, Hermione can stay, she can stay whenever she wants, she could stay for the rest of the holidays, or fore-"

But this time Vernon Dursley interrupted, and his anger could be heard:

"Dudley! What's gotten into you lately, first you getting well with that, THAT and now you want to allow one of them, THEM to stay for the night???"

Now it was Harrys time to get angry. He had watched them laughing his head off at Dudleys behavior. He had to stifle a laugh while Dudley droopled all over suggesting her to stay. But Vernon yelling at Dudley, his Duddy-dums, his ickle Dudlicks, it was a miracle.

Harry and Dudley simultaneously started to yell at Vernon with very rude words.

"That's not fair! The first time someone visits me and-" Harry bellowed but Dudleys voice rose higher.

"What's the deal with wizards? I mean, they're human beings like you and I. Does she look dangerous or something? What will she think about u-" Now it was Harrys voice which rose higher than Dudleys.

"I'm doing all these ridiculous chores Aunt Petunia wants me to do, and you won't even allow me to have a visitor at my birthday to have a little celebration? And wh-" But a loud bang stopped Harrys outburst and everyone looked at Sirius, who fired a blast out of his wand to stop the conversation (or bellowing).

But Petunia fainted and Vernon had to catch her before she hit the ground. Harry looked around, Dudley still had a red face of the noisy yelling, the Grangers shell-shocked except for Hermione, who looked like she didn't mind at all. Well, probably good actor.

Vernon Dursley glared with his small, watery and mean eyes, first at Harry then at Hermione. Harry could almost see his uncles brain working, and the conclusion was spat out.

"She may stay, but only for ONE night! You (looking at Harry) and You (looking at Dudley) will get your punishment for yelling at me!"

Harry wasn't depressed, punishment was nothing, but spending his birthday with Sirius and (a very attractive) Hermione was something. He would enjoy that special day. Even Dudley seemed not to mind the punishment, he was back goggling at Hermione.

"He-He- Hi, my na-na- I'm Dudley. Nice to-to- meet …" Dudley stepped forward and tried to enngage her into conversation, but he only stammered and stuttered. He still goggled, scanning her body like something to eat. His stare stopped moving. He stared right at her busty chest and you could get a good peek because her top was not that tight. Harry thought that he never saw Dudley that dumbstruck (and he had seen Dudley dumbstruck many times).

Hermione had to stifle a laughter and leaned forward casually.

"Hello, Dudley. Harry told me a lot about you."

She pecked his cheek and his face expression changed from stupid stare to stupid grin.

Vernon slapped him on the shoulder to break his stare and dragged him away to do some more yelling but Dudley freed himself and offered himself to carry her things and to show her the room she could use. He lifted her trunk and almost Hermione, too. Harry laughed, but he could see why Dudley acted like this. Harry had the wildest thoughts what he would to with Hermione if they had some time alone with each other (damn! She's your friend! Let's hope noone saw me gaping at her.).

After Dudley was gone an ashen-faced Petunia and Vernon left the entrance hall and entered the living-room. Harry led his guests into the kitchen and Sirius started laughing. Harry furrowed a brow and saw why Sirius was laughing - the book about him was lieing on the table! Sirius picked it up and looked at it closer and Harry could her Hermione babbling excitedly to no one in general ('Oh, it could be interesting, maybe there are some facts we were never aware of') but Harry was sure she was only that excited because the book was written by Gilderoy Lockhart (that was written in bright golden letters at the first page and Harry had groaned), her former crush. Was she still crushing? Sure, she was still a girl but she was looking more woman-like than every woman he had ever seen.

But Sirius rose his voice and Harry listened.

"Well, since today's your birthday, here's your present!"

Harry frowned, the shape of the package was very neutral, there was no way to see what was hidden inside. It's weight was average, even it's size was average. Sirius smiled at him, as did Hermione (Harry felt himself turn red). He opened the package.

He frowned again, but still both of them were smiling, almost grinning. The package was full of crumpled parchment. He searched through the whole box but only parchment. But wait - that was different. He stretched his hand again and felt it. It was parchment, but it was not crumpled, and it felt like Harry knew it, or it knew Harry. Harry grabbed the parchment and looked at it. He finally got it back. The Marauders Map! He aquired it in his Third-Year and he borrowed it to Barty Crouch Jr disguised as Alastor Moody. He beamed at Hermione und Sirius and she flung her arms around him, and he was aware of every part of her body, maybe he was too aware, since Sirius and her parents were looking. He looked at Sirius and saw a big grin, and he saw the Grangers looking at Harry with jealousy, like they wanted her small nerdy girl back. But it was hard to think with her embracing him that tight. Just before she wanted to back away she whispered in his ear: "You'll get your present later."


***


Harry expierienced fun he never had at privet drive. They played wizarding chess and exploding snap (Dudley lost most of the times, but he did not mind at all). Dudley stared at Hermione most of the day, but she seemed to like it and smiled back. Sirius laughed about this and Harry was kind of jealous - she was flirting with Dudley!

Later that day Dudley planned to do his training workout evidently to impress Hermione, even though it looked like Dudley was spending the whole day just staring at her. Harry participiated, he wanted to impress her, too. But he had to make sure that she was not impressed by Dudley. Everything is allowed if you are in love or in war.

Dudley made generous breaks to show Hermione his muscles and how strong he was. He told her that his training was very hard and that Hary could only do it because Dudley was his mentor. Harry himself was jealous and he wanted to show his muscles, too. This childish game of who is stronger/better played itself till Harry realized that she was only smirking at Dudley like she wanted to make him believe she liked it.

As Harry was showering his emotions were mixed up worse than ever. Dudley had stayed with Hermione to show his sweating body to her but he had seen her eyes go with him when he went upstairs to shower. 'Hah, she looked at me not at you, git' Harry thought.

After his quick shower he was in his room thinking hard. How did Hermione become so grownup, so womanlike? She was definetly not a girl anymore, she looked and behaved like an adult. Did he just fancy her body but wasn't there anything else? Harry was not sure but he thought there was a feeling in his chest that was more than physical atttraction, and even more than friendship. The kiss at the end of his 4th year came into his mind. She had kissed him on platform 9 ¾ , on his cheek but she still had kissed him. He did thought it was a friendly kiss, but now he was not sure anymore.

Harry heard a soft giggle and looked around. He had forgotten about his surroundings and now he saw himself looking for proper clothing while only wearing boxers. He looked around some more to see what was giggling. His trunk, his desk, his bed with Hermione sitting on it, his chair in front if the desk. His bed with Hermione sitting on it??? Harry spun around and saw her giggle and what seemed to be a amused one. Her eyes were gleaming and she looked at his body in a way Harry couldn't name. He frowned, had she waited for him? He hadn't looked in his room when he came from the bathroom, but she could have said a thing, or at least avert her eyes or something. She would only look at him if she wanted to. His mind stream was cut by her voice.

"You didn't tell me that you've trained with Dudley. Looks different."

She looked at his legs, for a small moment on a spot right over his legs just to adjust her gaze at his chest. He was not pale and skinny anymore, he had some muscles and Harry was sure that he did not look bad, he even was somewhat proud of himself. His whole body changed a lot since he started training but he was still sure that Hermione had changed more.

"I haven't expected anything, just some more stamina, but it is fine anyway. But Dudley's obsessed in sports and I think it does good to him, even he uses his body mostly to impress girls. You have changed, too. You look more marvelous than ever." He blushed slightly and succeeded to look at her instead of looking intendly at his feet.

"Thank you. I think you are handsome, even more handsome than Dudley. He has somewhat too much of muscle mass, like if he was full of air or something. You look pale, though. You'll need some sun." Harry blushed some more and agreed, the only part of his body with a slight suntan were his arms. He again looked at her and saw that she got a nice tan, not too pale and not too dark. While he looked at her arms and legs she began to speak and he fixed his gaze at her beautiful face.

"Sirius and my parents already left to their place and Dudley said that he would cook dinner. I just hope that he doesn't try to invite me in a private romantic dinner." She laughed out loud but Harry was oddly silent. He stared at her, sucking her beauty into himself. Her laugh was beautiful, too. Harry was sure that even her snores were beautiful.

"Harry? Harry!" she looked in an amused way, obviously reading his minds which were quite easy to read at the moment.

"Huh? Sure, sure, dinner. What do you want to do till then ?" he tried to sound casually but he failed terribly. He was nervous and he knew that she could see it. He was standing there in just his boxers and he was sure that he could see a thin line of fabric right over her jeans which must be her slip. Alone the thought that she would sleep in this very house was driving Harry nuts.

"There are still some hours time so I thought it would be nice to brighten my tan some more. Maybe you want to join me? You would look even more handsome with a nice suntan." She winked at him and laughed out after she saw the dull look on Harrys face. Harry was shocked at how open-minded and superficial she was. But still Hermione, and he liked it. But wasn't looking forward to the sunbathing, lying at her side and seeing her in a bikini or something would be a torture. Maybe he could just lock his brain in here so he mustn't think about it. Dudley seemed to do that when he was young.


***


Harry prepared everything for himself and Hermione. Dudley was gone buying integrediens for dinner. He wanted to make a very special meal, trying again to impress Hermione.

Harry wore boxers longer than the ones he had worn in his room. They weren't actually swimshorts or something because his Aunt and Uncle never allowed him to go to the beach or water park. Harry was sure that once Sirius was gone Vernon would lock him up like in his 2nd Year. Vernon just resisted because he knew Harrys godfather was not far away. And maybe because they had a guest, even though he detested everything magical, it was still a guest.

Harry brightened the towels and sat down. There was exactly a metre between his and Hermiones place and Hermione wass still upstairs changing. Harry had to think about other things, the thought of Hermione changing was not a thing he should think about. If he was aroused then it would be clearly visible through his boxers. Another problem was that he hadn't found any sunmilk. He knew that the Dursleys hardly went on vacation and the few times they did they bought the sunmilk right there. No need for sunmilk at home. And maybe, he thought, it would be a good excuse to return into the house. Maybe it won't be that bad after all.

While Harry was thinking about how long he would stay outside Hermione appeared at the back door of Privet Drive Nr 4. Harry looked up and his mouth went dry. She was wearing a bikini, and a very formfitting and small bikini. Harry thought that she didn't look like the old Hermione anymore, she looked more like these women in the magazines Uncle Vernon read, Voque or something. Harry swallowed and hoped that his heart would stop being that loud because he had the odd feeling it was as loud as drum and that she could her it, too. After a very long second Harry was quite sure he was in control of his body again, just in time because Hermione already walked towards him. Her chest was moving in a way Harry liked, and he wasn't sure he ever thought about things like that. He realized that he goggled and dropped his gaze quickly, but he could see her smiling. She had removed her sunglasses and he tried to smile back. Thank heavens she's wearing a towel around her waist, I could not stand it he thought fervently.

She laid down right next to him and started to rub sunmilk into her beautiful skin. Harry tried to lock his gaze at a flower behind her, thinking it was interesting. But it wasn't. He just stared at that flower, not even aware what kind of flower it was. Hermione' voice brought him back into the present, and he looked at her uncertainly.

"Harry, what's up with you? Where's your sunmilk? You can get a sunburn very easy in this heat, here, take some of mine." She looked at him the way the old Hermione would look. Concerned, and a little bit stern. He nodded and put some sunmilk into his palm. This is quite easy, Harry thought to himself. He tried to hold on the picture, the old Hermione lecturing him, and it worked. He started to rub the surprisingly cold sunmilk into his skin and just thought of things like his first year when Hermione lectured him and Ron very often.

The next half hour was gone pretty fast. Hermione hardly opened an eye, and Harry imitated her. But his inner eye was fixed on the old Hermione, and he had to be careful, because in seconds the picture could change into the new and sexy Hermione. He tried to think about other things. Dudley was not back yet, he surely tried to impress her. Argh, again. He heard Hermione beside him move slightly, but he remained where he was, eyes closed. Thinking about anything but Hermione now seemed extremely difficult, nearly impossible, as he could feel her warmth beside him.

"Harry, Could you do me a favor? Could you rub some sunmilk into my back, I cannot reach." Her voice was pleading, he could even hear a little bit joy in there. Did she enjoy torturing him?

"er, yes." He said simply as he got up and looked for the bottle. Just focus on your hands, that will do it. Yes, just focus on your hands, his brain told him.

But now he had to look at her, to see where to start. His jaw dropped again (though Hermione couldn't see that) and he saw how much skin she had. And how beautiful every spot was. And - oh my god - she was wearing a G-String! Harry blushed furiously and his brain told him to focus on his hands, and he tried to think of the old Hermione again.

He started rubbing the sunmilk into her soft skin, and soon he realized that he had to stop feeling anything with his fingers. Her skin was soft and silk, and he had the hardest time ever to ignore the fuzzy feeling in his palms, and more oddly, in his stomach. Not looking at anything else except his hands, he brushed her bra strap several times. He tried to avoid it, but she was faster and just unhooked it. She smiled at him and told him to continue. He tried not to think about what she just did. Damn, where is the bloody switch to shut off my brain?

He eventually finished the rubbing session and she rehooked her bra. He started to raise but she spoke again.

"Could you do my legs, too? You're damn good, Harry."

Harry cursed the day and wondered if she was doing this on purpose. But his brain showed him a fictional scene where she asked Dudley to do it and Harry's dicision was made. He would continue, just to beat Dudley. Even if it means to ignore everything around him for a short time. She had beautiful legs, too, and Harry had the feeling that it was somewhat faster done than her back. She just sighed contended every so often and Harry was halfway sure she did enjoy this. This is not that bad, he thought again and he started to allow his palms to feel again. It was a nice feeling, the cold sunmilk on her soft and hot skin. That's not torture, that is in fact wonderful! Why was I so worried? She's beautiful and I got the permission to rub sunmilk into her skin, I am lucky, that's what I am! He tried to imagine Ron or Neville rubbing sunmilk into her skin and how awkward they would behave, and he nearly had to laugh. He imagined some more people and after what felt a long time he could hear her voice.

"Ah, that's bothering you, I should remove it, right? Wait a sec…"

Harry frowned, lost in thoughts his hands had wandered around quite alot. He looked down and saw where they were.

They were exactly placed right over her butt, and Harry removed his hands quickly. But he was more shocked as he saw her starting to remove her g-string, and he yelled out loud "No!".

She looked frightened and somewhat hurt up to him, he could slap himself, he had yelled way to loud. But he had to but a stop on it, he accidently touched her in the wrong place, and now she thought … he could wait no longer and started to run away, back into the house, into his room, to his bed, throwing himself onto it and hiding under the blankets. Damn! He just touched his best friend in a very private way, why had he done this? At first he had been sure that she enjoyed doing this, but her look made him change his decision pretty fast. He vowed that he would do nothing like that ever again, just see her like he used to did. The old Hermione, one of his best friends, nothing more.


***


After a few seconds he regained control. We can handle this like adults, he thought. He would talk to her and everything would solve itself. He just had to say her that he didn't do this on purpose, he was just in thoughts that moment. Running over his plan again he quickly dressed and descended the stairs. He heard laughter coming right from the kitchen. He approached the kitchen door quietly, listening to the giggling and guffawing.

He stood in the doorframe, looking at her. She was laughing with Dudley, who apparently raised her mood a great deal. A big knot in his belly seemed to undo but it his stomach was knotted once again. She had realized that he stood in the doorframe and her happy face expression changed to a less happy one. He could see the hurt expression in her eyes and he wanted to comfort her, but he knew it was no good. She had dressed in the same way she had earlier, and she looked beautiful as ever.

"I'm helping Dudley with the dinner preparations, why don't you tell your Aunt and Uncle that dinner will be ready in half an hour?" She tried to calm her voice, but it had a quiver in it and Harry knew that she had cried even though she did a great job hiding it.

Harry nodded, unable to say more. He walked slowly towards the living-room.

"Dinner will be ready in half an hour." He said simply.

Harry heard a loud grunt, and he knew that this meant 'understand' and started to back away, but his uncle began to speak.

"You had great fun today, hadn't you? But if you dare to charm Dudley again then I will lock you up till the the end of your days!" Harry sighed, he hadn't charmed Dudley, it was Hermione's Charm, and no spell. Breaking a charm which is not a spell at all could be difficult, if not impossible. After today he lost every hope he had that Hermione might be interested in him.

Harry ran up the stairs to his room, flinging himself on his bed. Today was his 15th birthday and he felt utterly miserable. Well, to be honest he never had a decent birthday, but since he attended Hogwarts he had friends, and they had sent him presents, and Harrys mood had raised a great deal at these days. But his relatives, the Dursleys, never treated Harry like a human being, more like a shabby old carpet, kicking him and using him to clean their shoes.

But today it was his fault. It was entirely his fault, and he knew and deserved it. His skin was burning of a new sunburn. "Damn, should have put more sunmilk on it", he muttered under his breath. He tried to ignore the pain.

After a while he looked at his alarm clock, seeing that it was nearly time for dinner. I should stay in my room, should stay out of Hermione's way, he thought to himself. But then another voice in hix head said 'that's the way of a coward. Gryffindors are no cowards'. 'And', the voice said, ' you wanted to talk to her, to explain your behavior. And hiding up here won't help.'.

He got up and looked into his small mirror. His facial hair was still small and flimsy, but the hair on his head was still long and wild. He never minded his untidy hair, but with his new feelings and teenager hormones coming through he thought desperatly how he could make his hair lie flat. Maybe he could cut it, but maybe it will grow back again.

He tried to flatten his hair a bit (failing, of course) and then descended the stairs.

He entered the kitchen and saw Hermione and Dudley bustling over pans and steaming pots. He asked if they needed a hand (in the nicest voice possible) but they both shook heads. Darn, being ignored is the treatment I prefer, but today it is not what I want, he thought. Even a yelling Uncle Vernon would be a pleasure, maybe I could do something about this later he thought insanely.

Dinner was finally ready and Dudley made Harry sit at the front of the table. 'All this birthday business, really' his brain shot back. Dudley also made his parents sit at Harry right and Hermione and Dudley would sit at his left. The two of them were busy placing the food on the table. Dudley insisted that this dinner should be perfect because today was Harry's birthday. Vernon gave Harry a bad glare and Harry sighed. Dudley wanted this dinner as perfect as possible because of Hermione.

She avoided his gaze, and after everyone was settled they began. It was delicious, but Harry was that miserable he probably liked to eat mud at the moment, because he felt that he deserved something bad. Uncle Vernons mood increased a lot after he solved the clue in his head, Hermione was avoiding him and Dudley was trying to impress her. 'Well, she's a witch but as long as Harry is miserable everything is ok' Vernon's mad brain told him.

Harry continued staring at her. He tried to meet her gaze, but she looked either at Dudley or her plate. Bad Luck, today he finally admitted that he felt something for her, it could be love. And today he ruined everything. Dudley deserved her, he did everything right and I did everything wrong.

After every single thought Harry felt worse and his uncle looked happier with every thought, as if he could read Harry's thoughts. Vernon was positively skipping and offered that he would clean the dishes with Petunia so that Harry could spend some more time with his 'guest', knowing that Harry would probably commit suicide in some minutes.

After Vernon and Petunia left Dudley got up and grasped Hermione's hand. He asked her if she wanted to see his room, and just before reaching the stairs he shouted back.

"Oj, Harry, if you want to come along, hurry up!" Harry hurried after them, even though he knew it wouldn't make a difference.

After they entered Dudley's room he started his tour. He showed her his computer, his state-of-the-art sound system, his cd collection, his cups and medals he had won in athletics at school. The tour went on and on, and Harry was dead sure that she had not noticed him once.

He again sighed and threw a soft 'night' at them while leaving the room, walking to his.

He reached his door and pulled it open. After he did the first step inside he felt a hand on his shoulder. He saw her face and wondered what she wanted. His face expression was strained, he wasn't angry, he was just sad and disappointed. But he was disappointed of himself, because he did such an awful thing. He should have been more aware of what he did! But now it is too late, she is probably here to tell him that she wanted to be with Dudley and not with him.

"What is? Do you need something else? I'm sure Dudley will be pleased to get it for you." He snapped. She ignored it.

"Harry, I wanted to give you your present."

"Er, Yes. Come in." He was utterly surprised. First of all he hadn't expected her to be the one tapping him on the shoulder. He had expected Uncle Vernon telling him that he would lock him up if Dudley would be together with Hermione, or even Petunia, screeching that he had to do all the chores he had not done today plus a new list, or rather oddly he even imagined Dudley tapping his shoulder, pointing at him and yelling "Haaa Haaa!". But it was her, and he was also surprised that she still wanted to give him a present. Well, even though she likes Dudley better that doesn't mean she cannot give me a present.

He switched on the light and Hermione closed the door behind her.

He turned around and looked at her. He really looked at her, the first time after her arrival, really looking at her, not goggling at her. His gaze met hers and he could see her eyes. There was no hurt expression, no sadness, no joy, just a nice glow. He wanted her, he really loved her. He was not sure but anyone with two eyes could see this, Harry was too obvious. She stepped towards him, and stopped right in front of him, two feet away. Harry frowned, what was she up to? But before he could continue to think about it, she spoke.

"Harry, my present is this."

Harry wondered where the present was, was she hiding it behind her back? But instead of revealing a parcel she leaned forward, pressing her lips softly on his, like if she was afraid he wouldn't like it. But he liked it, no he loved the feeling of her tender lips on his lips. He embraced her waist slightly and she threw her arms around his neck, kissing him more deeply. He opened his mouth to breathe and she let her tongue slip in his mouth, playing with his teeth and his tongue. Harry felt like there was no ground or anything else, just Hermione in front of him, her tongue playing with his. He kissed back passionately, each tongue brushing each others teeth and tongue. This was the best feeling Harry ever had, and it should never end in his opinion. But that was impossible, and after a long time they ended the kiss, and she smiled at him. The first smile since the sunbathing. Harry thought that this was the best reward he ever had. He couldn't explain what he was feeling at the moment, he was probably the luckiest bloke around.

She whispered, her mouth close. He had to resist, his mouth wanted to kiss her again.

"Tha-that was just an encouragement, I wanted to tell you something, Harry. I-I…" She looked down for a second, obviously at loss for words. Harry smiled at her, trying to encourage her. She embraced him again, her face right in front of his, and then she spoke softly.

"Harry, I love you." His feet lost ground again and they kissed, faster and deeper this time. Harry feared that this might be a bad dream and she could just disappear, and the way she clutched at him she could think the same.

After a while they ended the kiss, and she had a small tear running down her face. He caught the tear, smiled at her and spoke softly.

"I love you, too. Hermione."

After a nice session of kissing she had to leave, but he never wanted her to leave. She walked back into her room and Harry was grinning dumbly. The last thought before his mind drifted into slumber was that Dudley could be aggravated by this unexpected twist. But what would happen to their friendship with Ron? Would he be jealous? Harry remembered that Ron was interested in Hermione since he knew what this was, but he never said something to her. Harry hoped Ron's feelings changed and that his best friend wouldn't turn on him because he wanted Hermione. But he never thought further because he was already in deep deep sleep.

Phew, finished translating this one. Hopefully someone reads this because I'm tryoing to do a good job. If no one reads it, then why should I continue? Please review if you are reading!