Disclaimer: Many of the characters, thoughts and ideas that are in this fan fiction are not of my own design. Though this story is from my imagination, I realize that this is the property of Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling. This is not J. K. Rowling's work. I also read many FFs and if you see something similar to another work it is entirely unintentional. I have posted this on harrypotter.com as well…. There it is complete and filled with cliffies… hence my screen name Princess of cliffies on the Harry Potter boards I go by the name of rebcschult in case you would like to read it in it's original form…. Also this was written preOotP hence the name…. but I decided after much deliberation and coercion from my on line friends who wanted me to post it here that I would finally do so! I am also writing a year six to follow this year five on the boards, which when I'm finished over there and done editing it I will post here as well…

Becky(rebcschult and PrincessOfCliffiesRCS)

P.S. Please read and review! Thank you for your comments and compliments, Tim and Lilly!!! I am so glad you like it!!

CHAPTER FOUR – DIAGON ALLEY

The last three weeks before Harry was to meet up with the Weasleys went quickly. Harry had never had such a good summer at the Dursley's. Though the feeling of being watched and followed when he was out of the house had never faded. Petunia was skeptical about letting Harry go with Mrs. Figg, not because she was concerned about him, but because she was concerned that he would act out. Petunia had tea with Mrs. Figg on the last day before Harry was to leave. Mrs. Figg made Harry appear to be working that day, just to keep up appearances to Harry's Aunt, but Harry didn't mind.

"Are you sure, Amelia? Vernon and I can always take him next week. I really don't want to saddle you with such a rotten boy," said Harry's aunt silkily. She put her hand up next to her mouth and leaned in as if to say something that she didn't want Harry to hear, who was raking out Amelia's garden just a few feet away, "I wouldn't want you to be hurt by him."

Amelia smiled sweetly, but her eyes had a fire that Petunia chose not to see. "No, I've got some shopping to do in London. If you say that Mr. Potter's warden from St. Brutus's is going to be there to get him early, because of his need for extra hard labor, then why not just let me take him. Now what was his warden's name again?"

"Weasel, I think."

"Okay."

"I'll have him pack his bags tonight and you can pick him up tomorrow bright and early…"

"Nonsense. I won't hear of that. He will be packed tonight and come here to sleep. I just wouldn't feel right waking you at the ungodly hour of four in the morning to get him ready to go."

"Amelia, do you realize what you are saying? He is not safe. He could rob you blind overnight. Or worse he could harm you while you sleep."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. He and I have this… arrangement where he does what I tell him or else…." Amelia had said the last part of her statement through gritted teeth. Petunia thought that she did that for Harry's benefit, when in fact it was more that Amelia despised having to say the words. "Besides, the room that I will have him stay in has boarded up windows and a lock on the door."

This seemed to satisfy Aunt Petunia. "Fine. I'll have him come home with me right away to pack and I will have him back here within the hour."

"Good. That way I can get the most work out of him."

"I wouldn't recommend giving him too much for dinner though, unless he completes the tasks that you want him to."

"I agree." Amelia grabbed her cane and stood up. She limped with Petunia to the door. Harry just stood there and waited for his signal. "Come boy!" Amelia yelled. Harry sprinted to her side.

"You must tell me how you get him to do that," muttered Petunia to Amelia before she walked out of the house with Harry. Petunia drove them back to the house and as she explained her discussion with Amelia to Vernon, Harry ran upstairs and collected all of his things. He threw everything into his trunk except for Hedwig's cage. He dragged his trunk out to the car and put it in before Petunia was finished explaining everything to Vernon.

Harry stood by the door waiting. Dudley, who had overheard some of the conversation between his mother and father, came over to Harry and said, "So, you were finally whipped into shape by someone. He, he. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall to see that."

"That can be arranged," muttered Harry under his breath at his cousin. Dudley's eyes widened and he ran into the kitchen clutching his bottom, not sure if Harry was telling the truth, but not want to find out either. Harry had to hold back a laugh, not wanting to alert his aunt and uncle about what had just happened.

Shortly there after Petunia and Vernon left the kitchen and came out to where Harry was standing. "Mind your manners at Mrs. Figg's house, boy. I don't want to hear anything about her being harmed in any way. Or I will find a way to take you out of that freakish school of yours and find a school like St. Brutus's, only much worse than that, to send you. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal."

"You had also better be very convincing to her that that-that man is your warden!!" spat Uncle Vernon with a look on his face as if her were tasting something terrible.

"Don't worry about that. I have already sent my owl ahead to let Mr. Weasley know that he was going to have to act the part," Harry lied.

"Well then, Petunia, I will return shortly. Let's go, boy."

When they reached Amelia's house again, Harry jumped out and pulled out all of his things. Amelia was waiting for Harry at the door. Vernon conversed with Amelia while Harry took his trunk and Hedwig's cage to the guestroom. When he returned his uncle was about to leave. He gave Harry one final look of loathing and warning before leaving the house.

Harry and Amelia enjoyed the rest of the afternoon and evening.

"Amelia, thank you so much for getting me out of there a night early."

"Your welcome."

"But… you weren't serious about leaving at 4am. Were you?"

Amelia laughed, "Not at all. But I figured that it would be the only way to convince your aunt to let you stay here. No, we'll be leaving at five…." Amelia laughed when Harry's eyes widened with surprise. "I'm just kidding. We'll leave at eight tomorrow, by floo powder. My sister added my fireplace to the network just last week…"

Eight the next morning, Harry had everything ready and waiting by the fireplace. He was feeling a little nervous. He had never like floo powder as a means of travel, but he knew that if he were going to get to Diagon Alley quickly that he was definitely going to suck it up.

Amelia came down after Harry. If anything she looked more nervous than Harry, but mixed in with the nervousness was excitement. If Harry hadn't known that she was nearly 60 years old, he would have mistaken her as a first year student about to be sorted at Hogwarts with that look.

"What's wrong, Amelia?"

"Nothing really. I'm just a bit nervous. I've never traveled by floo powder before."

"Oh. Well there's not much to it. Just keep your elbows tucked in and your eyes shut. Don't fidget because you could fall out. And don't get nervous and step out too early. Above all speak clearly when you step into the flame," said Harry echoing the advice that the Weasleys had given him just three years prior. "Oh, and just one more piece of advice take a deep breath and hold it before you step into the flame. You wouldn't want to get a mouth full of ash so that you can't speak clearly." He added the last bit due to his own experience from the first time that he used the floo.

Amelia smiled nervously at Harry. "Okay and how am I supposed to remember all of that?"

Harry laughed. "I know it may seem a little overwhelming, but if I can do it, anyone can."

Amelia gave him a smile that said that she appreciated his attempts to make her feel better, even if it hadn't worked.

"Now, where are we going?"

"Well, my sister said that the Leaky Caldron was best, so that you could drop your things and join your friends before heading over to Diagon Alley."

"Okay, but what about you?"

"Me? Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"But I was kind of hoping to be there when Mr. Ollivander fitted you for your new wand."

"Oh, don't worry, Harry, you're not going to get rid of me that easily…. Besides Arabella is going to meet me there as well."

"Well then, I guess we had best be off then."

"I agree. You go first."

Harry nodded. He threw a bit of floo powder into the fire, took a deep breath, dragged his trunk and Hedwig's cage into the fire, and said very loudly and clearly, "The Leaky Caldron!" He held on tight to his things with his elbows tucked in as the breakneck ride began. He began to feel the usual dizziness just as he fell forward out of the fireplace onto the floor next to his trunk in the Leaky Caldron. He looked up and saw five people with flaming red hair all staring down at him smiling.

Mrs. Weasley helped him up and brushed him off then pulled him into a tight hug. Fred and George took his things up to the room that Ron was staying in. Ron looked at Harry half-smiling. When Harry was able to escape Mrs. Weasley's tight hug, the flame in the fireplace turned green and Amelia popped out and landed on the floor with her legs in the air.

Mr. Weasley helped her up out of her very compromising position. He shook her hand and said, "Amelia Figg, I presume."

Amelia nodded fearing to speak. She did seem to be a little green around the gills. Harry sympathized with her. He recognized the look that must have been on his face when he got up after his first ride. He smiled at her sympathetically. She returned a weak smile.

Mrs. Weasley pulled out her clothes brush and swept the two of them off. Then she suggested that once Arabella got there that they head over to Diagon Alley. At that very moment, Arabella appeared with a faint pop.

Harry was surprised to see that with her was….

"Hermione!" both Ron and Harry yelled at once.

The two of them ran over to the girl with bushy, hard to manage, light brown hair. She gave them a weak smile and hugged them both individually; something that Ron was not quite sure how to handle at first. He gently patted her back unsure if he should put his arms around her or not. His face was almost the same shade as his hair. Just at that moment Fred and George returned from dropping Harry's things upstairs. They looked at each other and smirked.

When at last Hermione broke apart from Ron, she blushed too. Harry glanced around and noticed two people were missing. Trying to cover up his friends' embarrassment, he said, "Where's Ginny and Percy?"

"Percy has his own flat here in London now and is at work. Ginny should be on her way down, if George told her that you had arrived, like I asked him too," said Mrs. Weasley.

"You didn't ask me, Mum. You asked Fred," said George seriously.

Mrs. Weasley folded her arms and raised her eyebrows at the twins.

"No, really, Mum, you did," said Fred in the same serious tone that his brother had used.

"I think that you two have used that trick on me enough now. George, did you tell her or not?" asked Mrs. Weasley to George.

"Can't fool you any more, can we, Mum?" said George with a sly smirk. She shook her head. "Yes. We told her. I think she might just be freshening up," he said glancing at Harry.

Just at that moment she came bouncing down the stairs behind the twins. She looked at Harry and quickly glanced down at the floor, face almost as red as her hair.

Harry looked at her, as if for the first time noticing that she was actually quite pretty. He swallowed hard realizing he was thinking this in a room that held three of her older brothers, including his own best friend. Not to mention that her parents were there, as well. He turned quickly and headed toward the door to the back of the pub, hiding a blush.

"Well, we should get going," he said, trying to change the fact that everyone in the room was staring at him. Everyone agreed and followed him out. As they waited for the wall to open, they discussed what was going to happen that day. They decided that once they had visited Gringotts Bank they would go their separate ways. Harry wanted to be there when Amelia got her new wand. As they walked, Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged stories about their summer. Ron and Hermione were happy that Amelia had helped Harry have a good time. They decided that they too wanted to go with Harry and Amelia to Ollivanders.

When they finally reached Gringotts, Hermione headed toward one of the unoccupied goblin tellers. The goblins ran the bank. They were not the friendliest of creatures, but very crafty. Hermione looked unusually nervous. Though she had not said anything to any of them they knew that she would like to have their support so they stayed with her. She swallowed hard and explained to the goblin that she wanted to open an account with Gringotts.

The goblin looked up slowly as if annoyed by the intrusion. "Why do you not have an account here currently, Miss?"

"Because I am Muggle born."

"Where are your guardians? You cannot open an account without a guardian's signature, if you are under seventeen."

"Erm…"

Arabella spoke up. "I have been given the authority by Albus Dumbledore to sign for Miss Granger."

The goblin now turned his head very slowly to Arabella, "And who are you in relation to Miss Granger?"

"I am a trusted friend of the family…. That is all you need to know."

"And where are her parents?"

"Deceased. And I would appreciate if you would not bring that up again, as it is a fresh wound," said Arabella with a fury that could match a dragon. The goblin diminished a bit.

"Very well." The goblin teller looked around and saw a transport goblin that Harry recognized as Griphook, the one who had taken him to his vault for the very first time a little over five years prior, standing waiting in the corner.

"Griphook." The little goblin waddled over. "Please, escort Miss Granger and Mrs. Figg to an available vault and have them sign the appropriate papers." They followed Griphook to one of the doors that lead off of the hall. The rest of them stepped up to the counter and made their requests.

Hermione and Arabella were back before they had completed their separate vault requests, as there were five of them. They all decided to go together. Hermione had two bags of jingling coins that she held onto tight while they went on their roller coaster ride to the several different vaults.

Both Harry and Hermione looked very uncomfortable when they noticed how little was in the Weasley vault. Mrs. Weasley felt into the very dark corners and pushed every last coin she could find into her worn leather moneybags. They then went to Amelia's vault, which had not been touched since she left the wizarding world. There was quite a pile of gold in it. She filled her moneybags and they went onto the three vaults for Harry.

He quickly filled his money sacks, trying to block the contents of the vault. He felt very uncomfortable at the fact that he had so much more money than the Weasleys. Griphook then lead them to the next vault. He opened it up and turned over the key to Amelia. When the door opened, he stood there in awe. There, in a single beam of light on a small, high altar, sat a ring. Harry walked over to it with both Amelia and Arabella close behind. He looked at the ring. It was very simple with one large polished and rounded ruby stone. There was a "GG" engraved into the side of the stone.

Harry said, "I can't accept this. This is far too valuable."

"Harry, you have to. This was given to me by your father, for safekeeping. He told me to wait until the right time to give it back to you. And that time is right now."

Harry picked up the ring and placed it on his finger without further question. It seemed too large at first, but it seemed almost to shrink to fit his finger. He shuddered a bit. He looked at the ring being unsure about it at first. There was something about this ring….

He stepped out of the vault with Amelia and Arabella. Walking slightly ahead of the others with Amelia, Harry asked, "So what can I expect in the other vault if this is in the first?"

"Nothing that spectacular, I'm afraid. The other vault can be transferred to your own vault. It is basically all of the money that you earned this summer."

"What? I thought you gave that to my aunt."

"Well, I did, but… I thought that it was only fair that you get some money too."

"But I don't need this. Surely you need this more than I…"

"Harry, I'm no spring chicken as you well know. I never was able to have children. To be honest you fill a void in my life. You are like the grandson that I will never have. This money is a gift to you, because you have done so much for me in these past two months. I feel more alive now that I ever have, and it's all thanks to you." She wrapped her arm around Harry's shoulder and gave him a squeeze. When Harry looked at her, she had tears shining in her eyes. Harry smiled.

"Surely, though, you have a better use for this money…"

"I'm very comfortable with what I have been left from my parents. I do not need this. However, I saw that you have enough in your vault to last you for a while comfortably, as well. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that you can do with it whatever you wish." She gave him a meaningful look and then whispered in his ear, "You can have it transferred where ever you wish. Just give the key to Griphook and tell him where it needs to be placed."

"How much is in there?"

"Well, I had an agreement with your aunt for two hundred pounds a week so I gave you the equivalent of that. I'd say about 346 Galleons, 14 Sickles, and 18 Knuts."

When they got to the vault everyone waited outside as Harry went inside with Griphook. He looked at the small pile of money. He didn't know quite what to do at first. Then he made a decision. Even though he had saved Ron and Ginny, he still felt responsible on some level for the Burrow being destroyed. He turned, handed the key to Griphook, and quietly stated, "Please place this into the Weasleys' vault anonymously."

"Yes, sir."

When they got back outside, they decided to meet up later at Flourish and Blotts to get their books. They went their separate ways. Harry, Ron, and Hermione went with Arabella and Amelia to Ollivanders wand shop. A young boy was walking out of the shop when they got there, obviously very pleased with his new wand. Harry had to look again. He stared at the boy momentarily. There was something familiar about the boy, but Harry was unsure what. After a few moments he realized that he had been left outside, staring after the boy. He ran inside not wanting to miss anything. But the boy wasn't far from his mind….

When they walked in Mr. Ollivander was standing at the counter putting some wands back into their boxes. Mr. Ollivander looked up as Harry joined the group. As his wide, pale eyes surveyed the group that had entered the shop, a slow smile spread across his thin lips. "Well, well, well, Mrs. Amelia Figg. I had been wondering when I would see you again."

"Again?" Harry asked quietly, as Mr. Ollivander greeted each of the rest of them by the wands that they now owned.

"I came in here with my sister when she got her wand. He had seemed very disappointed when he couldn't fit me for a wand too," Amelia whispered to Harry.

"Oh," mouthed Harry.

"And of course, Mr. Potter – holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple. Always a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Potter." Harry smiled sheepishly and nodded at Mr. Ollivander. "Yes, yes. Come, Amelia. Let me measure you." Mr. Ollivander's magical measuring tape went to work while he walked out back. He pulled out several boxes.

As Amelia tried out several wands, Harry move over to Ron and Hermione.

"Did you notice that boy that was leaving when we came in?"

"Yeah, what about him?" asked Ron.

"Did he seem somehow… familiar to you?"

"I'm glad that I'm not the only one to notice that," said Hermione. "Who do you think he is?"

"I'm not sure…"

"Me either."

"Well, we'll probably see him at Hogwarts this year. So we will find out then, won't we?" said Hermione in a very superior way.

The pile of wands that were not compatible with her grew.

Finally, he said, "Seems that you are going to be almost as tricky as Mr. Potter was… Okay, let's try this…. Oak and phoenix feather. Nine and a half inches. Sturdy but supple." Amelia waved it in the air and blue and copper sparks emitted from the wand. "Oh very good! Interesting…. You should be very pleased with this wand, Mrs. Figg." He took the wand from her hands and placed it back into the box. He wrapped it up and handed it to her. As they left the shop, they decided to go over to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

They sat and talked for a while. When they finished, Amelia and Arabella decided that it would best if they left, as they had other errands to run. Harry and Amelia hugged. "I'll see you next summer, Amelia," said Harry. "I hope that you find that this wand gives you better luck."

"Me, too. You take care of yourself and don't take any unnecessary risks. Do you understand me, young man?" she said in a mock harsh tone.

Harry smiled. "Amelia, thank you."

"For what?"

"For being so kind for me. I look forward to coming home next summer, just to see you. You have filled a void in me as well. You are like the grandmother I never had."

Amelia smiled, tears entering her eyes, and hugged Harry again. "Yes, well. I think that you have had enough horrible things happen in your life…. You're welcome."

Arabella smiled and said mysteriously, "Don't worry, Harry. I think you'll find that you will see her again before you know it." Harry gave her a confused look. They then said their last good byes and the two Mrs. Figgs left.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked around for a while. The boys stopped at the Quality Quidditch Supplies to look at what was new, while Hermione went onto the Apothecary.

Harry and Ron saw in the window the next new model of broomsticks. "The Lightning Blast" was rated second best behind the Firebolt. Harry smiled at the fact that he still had the best broom in the world. Ron was envious of all of the various supplies in the shop. "I am going to get on the team this year, if it the last thing that I do," he muttered under his breath.

When Harry had had his fill of the crowded little shop, he dragged Ron out of it. They met up with Hermione in the Apothecary and got all of the supplies to replenish their Potion's Kits. Then they met up with the others at Flourish and Blotts. As soon as they had finished getting their books, Fred and George abducted Ron and brought him to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where they kept their promise to Harry and bought Ron some nice dress robes.

They had him try on several types and told Ron to choose which ones he liked the best. Ron settled on the deep navy blue ones that brought out his eyes. Ron was ecstatic that he was finally going to get rid of the awful second-hand maroon robes that he had ripped the frills off of. "Where did you get the money to buy these for me?"

"It was from an anonymous donation…" said Fred. When Ron's eyes grew dark with anger thinking correctly that Harry must have been the one to donate the money to the cause. George, seeing Ron's look and knew that he probably suspected Harry, through a look at Fred and came in with a sarcastic comment, "Come on, Ron. Do you really think we are going to tell you where we got the money? You might go off and tell Mum."

"Don't you trust me?"

George rolled his eyes and looked at Fred, again. Fred nodded. George sighed and moved in close to his brother. He spoke in a lowered tone, "We have been getting some money for our joke designs. So if you so much as breath a word of this to Mum…"

"I promise. I won't."

"Good." George and Fred then shared a look of mischief as they left the shop. "So, 'ikle Ronniekins, whose the lucky girl to see you in your new robes?" asked Fred.

"I'll bet it's Hermione," George piped in.

Ron blushed furiously.

"Oh look, 'ikle Ronniekins there's your girlfriend now. Maybe she would like to see you in the robes that you will wear to the formal with her this year."

"Oy, Hermione!" They ushered her over to them.

"No! Don't do this! Remember she just lost her parents! She doesn't know how I feel about her yet!" hissed Ron. When he realized what he had just admitted to his older brothers, he turned about ten different shades of red and slapped his forehead. Fred and George smirked at each other and laughed.

Hermione made her way over to where the twins were laughing hysterically and Ron was blushing furiously. She smiled at Ron and asked the twins what was up. The twins just doubled over with laughter and staggered away. Ron breathed a visible sigh of relief.

"What was that all about?"

"You don't want to know, Hermione, believe me…. Where's Harry?"

"Erm, he went back to the Leaky Cauldron with your parents. I volunteered to come and find you."

"Oh." They walked in silence back to the Leaky Cauldron. There was unusual tension between them. Neither of them seemed to know what to say.

As they reached the small courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione tripped and knocked over a trash can. Ron caught her and set her on her feet again. They were standing close. Ron couldn't see anything but her sad, brown eyes. He realized suddenly that he was staring at her. He smiled slightly and nervously. He stepped back from her and dropped his gaze to the ground. "A-are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine." Suddenly the door to the pub flew open and they both jumped further apart. They both walked quickly and quietly into the pub, their faces both red with embarrassment. Fred and George, who had just returned were standing there as they came in. Ron knew what they were thinking, it was written all over their faces. Great, he thought, I'll never live this down. And I didn't even do anything!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry walked into his and Ron's room. He was pleasantly surprised to see that Hedwig was there, sitting on his bed. He patted her and she nipped his hand affectionately. Hedwig flew to her cage and curled up on the perch, her head in her wing. Harry threw himself down on his bed and picked up his Strategies for the Game of Quidditch book and began reading it.

Ron didn't stop until he reached his room. He threw himself onto his bed without even noticing that Harry was already in the room and laying on his own bed. "I can't believe I just did that!" Ron ranted quietly out loud. "What was I thinking? I can't tell her how I feel, I just can't. But I want to. Will she laugh at me? Does she suspect anything? Oh, why am I so stupid…. I've gotta do it." Ron suddenly flew up off the bed and ran from the room still without noticing Harry lying there. Harry shook his head and chuckled.

A few moments later there was a knock on the door. Harry opened the door and there stood Hermione. Harry said, "If you're looking for Ron, he's just left."

"No, actually I'm here to see you." Harry stepped aside and let her in. Once the door closed Hermione looked at Harry and with tears in her eyes she asked, "Harry, were you serious about this?" She pulled the letter that he had written to her on his birthday out of her pocket. "Were you serious that I could come and talk to you whenever I needed to?"

Harry nodded. She threw herself into his arms and began sobbing into his shoulder, catching him off guard. If it hadn't been for his quick Quidditch reflexes, he would have been pushed over. Through her sobs Hermione was obviously talking, too, but Harry did not understand a single word that she said. Harry was sure that she had not been able to do this with anyone since her parents had died, so he just held her and rocked her, rubbing her back. He said some soothing words to help to calm her. They stayed like that for a long time.

After a while some of her words began to make more sense. Harry caught a few here and there. "Thanks…. Should have gone to Ron…. Didn't think he'd understand…. I'm sorry to bother you…"

"You're not a bother, Hermione. I thought you might feel more comfortable talking to some one who understands, for the most part what you are going through…."

Hermione hiccoughed, trying to calm herself. Harry just continued to hold her. Soon she felt that all of her emotions were spent.

Ron, after searching for Hermione for a while and having no success finding her returned to his room. He heard Harry's voice inside the room. He seemed to be trying to sooth someone. Ron opened the door quietly and peered into the room. What he saw broke his heart. He saw what he thought was Harry and Hermione dancing in the middle of the room. Ron shut the door quietly and ran quickly from the area.

As he ran he thought bitterly, Figures second to my best friend again. The famous Harry Potter wins again. I concede. I give up. You always will get what you want Harry. Before he knew it he was in the little courtyard behind the pub again. His temper flared and took over. He kicked the trashcans around and punched the brick wall, which he instantly regretted. Then trying to shake the pain out of his hand, he sat in the corner and let his sadness at the fact that Hermione would never be his girlfriend, overcome him. He cried silently, feeling like his heart had been ripped from his chest and thrown down onto the Muggle streets below, where it was run over by every car that passed.

After a while he totally let go of the possibility that he would ever get a chance with Hermione. First it was Viktor Krum, the seeker of the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team that had participated in the Tri-wizard Tournament for the Durmstrang school. Viktor had asked Hermione to the ball last year. Ron hadn't minded much then, but now that his feelings had grown….

And what was worse was, now it was Harry, his best mate. He made the decision that being her friend would be better than nothing at all. But it would take him a while to be totally okay with it on Harry's part. He felt somewhat betrayed by Harry, though he had never actually told Harry that he liked Hermione more than just as friends. He felt that Harry must know on some level that Ron liked Hermione.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione broke away from Harry, finally. "Thank you, Harry," she croaked, her eyes and face all puffy. "I really needed to do that. I haven't cried since…. I was at Viktor's house for less than a day when I had found out. Thank you for telling Mr. Weasley where to find me too…. Viktor was nice and all, but he just had no clue what I was going through. He decided that he and I wouldn't work out because I wouldn't even talk to him about it. I came home and stayed with my aunt after being there for only three days. And I haven't heard anything from him since."

"Hermione, I'm so sorry that this happened to you…." Hermione looked quickly at Harry. She looked into his brilliant green eyes. They were starting to fill with tears. Hermione could see guilt there that she had never expected to see.

"Harry, please tell me you don't blame yourself for this."

Harry pursed his lips and looked to the floor. Trying to hide and blink back the tears of guilt that he felt welling up in his eyes.

"Harry, you had nothing to do with this."

"But, Hermione, you're my friend. Voldemort attacked your family because of that…."

"So, that's Voldemort's fault. Not yours. Don't ever blame yourself for this. You didn't do it." Harry continued to look at the floor trying to hide the tear that had just escaped his eye and fallen down his cheek. Hermione lifted his face and wiped away the tear. "Really."

Harry smiled sadly at her.

Just then Ron opened the door. Hermione's hand dropped to her lap. She got up quickly and walked over to Ron. "Sorry. I-I know that this is your room. I'll leave."

"No, you don't have to leave like that. I just came to tell you that dinner is going to be in a few minutes." Ron turned on his heel and left the room slamming the door.

Hermione and Harry shared a confused look. Then some how at the same moment it seemed to dawn on them what he might have thought he had seen. Hermione pushed that thought away though, thinking that she had made her feelings clear to Ron earlier, even though she had never actually told him. Harry had a bad feeling. He thought that Ron probably thought that they were sharing an intimate moment. They looked at each other, neither suspecting what the other was thinking, before they quickly followed after Ron.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The rest of the week Ron was very cold to both Harry and Hermione, more so to Harry than to Hermione. Hermione spent her time that week either burying her nose in a book or talking to Harry. She felt that she needed to be near someone who would understand where she was coming from. Ron kept walking in on them all over the place. Harry could see his friend getting frustrated. But every time that Hermione would go to try to talk to Ron, he would say he was busy and leave the room. This hurt Hermione even more.

Harry had considered asking for his own room to let his friend brood in peace, but had overheard Tom, the innkeeper, telling a person who wanted to stay there that there were no more rooms. So Harry stuck it out, knowing that somehow Ron must feel that Hermione liked him and that he, Ron, was being noble by staying out of their way.

On the last day of their vacation, Harry and Hermione went to Florean Fortescue's, while Ron sulked in his room. Hermione told Harry how upset that she was about how Ron was treating her. She had confided a lot in Harry in that week and had talked about all sorts of things, including how she truly felt about Ron.

"I think the other reason why Viktor and I never work was because I realized, while I was visiting him, where my heart truly lies." She paused and looked at Harry, who somehow seemed to show that he knew what was coming next. There was a twinkle in his eye that made her realize that he had known about it all along. "How long have you known?"

"Known what?" he asked innocently.

"Harry Potter, do not pretend that you don't know what I'm talking about."

"Oh, come on, Hermione. It's so obvious how you feel about him. I've known for quite some time, actually."

"Is it really that obvious?"

"Yes. The only two who have seemed not to take notice, up until this point, are you and Ron. I'm surprised that Rita Skeeter didn't even pick up on it to write about it last year."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, don't bring up that horrible woman. I'm just glad to be rid of her meddlesome ways."

"Yes, well, have you read any of her recent articles? They have been quite good actually. What did you say to her to make her change so much? I mean, I know that you threatened to expose her but what else did you say?"

A sly, mischievous smile slowly spread over Hermione's face. "Oh, I just told her that if she could keep her nose clean and do legitimate stories, as well as rescind all of the negative articles that she wrote last year about all of us, that I would, of course, keep her secret. And…."

"And what?"

"That I would give her the opportunity of a lifetime. Well, two opportunities, actually."

"What opportunities?" asked Harry with eyes wide and stomach churning.

"All will be revealed in good time," said Hermione with an air of intrigue.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll just have to wait and see…." She flashed a winning smile and quickly changed the subject, "Now back to Ron and me…. Why do you think that he's acting like such a prat?"

Harry rolled his eyes, knowing he wasn't going to get anything more out of her about Rita. He smiled slyly as he thought of a way to give a bit of angst back to her. "Honestly, Hermione, don't you read?" he asked throwing one of her favorite questions to ask him, back into her face.

"And what exactly do you mean by that, Harry? Because you know very well that I do read," she said indignantly with a small pout.

Harry laughed. "Come on, Hermione. Think about it. I'm not talking about reading a book, though Ron sometimes is an open one, but…. Haven't you read the signs that Ron has been giving you?"

"Apparently not, if you think you know more than me."

Harry smirked, "For once in my life, Miss Granger, I can honestly say that I know more about something than you…. Now let's see if I can break it down for you, so that you can figure it out yourself." Hermione stuck her tongue out at Harry and Harry smirked. "Ron is ignoring you…. Ron is ignoring me…. Ron keeps walking in on you and me when you have needed to talk about your parents…." At each pause Harry waited to see if Hermione had picked up what he was getting at. Finally with the last phrase it seemed to hit her like a ton of bricks.

"You don't mean…"

"Uh-huh."

"He doesn't think…"

"Yep."

"You and me?"

"Dawn breaks over marble head…" Harry burst out laughing.

"Not funny, Harry," she said dangerously, narrowing her eyes at him.

When his laughter died down, Harry looked at her as seriously as he could. "Oh, come on. You mean to tell me that you didn't have an inkling as to the fact that he would suspect us?"

"Well, no… Because it's always been strictly platonic with us."

"I know that. But obviously he doesn't."

Hermione put her arms onto the table and dropped her head into them, speaking barely audibly, "I've made a mess with this, haven't I?"

"Mm hmm. But don't worry about it. I think I have a plan that will work when we're on the train…"