Jae: Yes, I know this is late posting again, but I was just VERY busy yesterday… At least I'm posting it now, right? It's better than not posting at all, right? Yes yes…

* Amy comes in and takes Jae away from the computer *

Amy: I'm sorry, but you must excuse Jae. She's not feeling well right now, after losing a rather dirty quidditch match against Slytherin… * looks at Jae again * poor Jae…

* T.J. comes in *

T.J.: Amy, how's she holding up?

Amy: T.J., I think it's best if you leave right now… She's still mad at you

Jae: GO AWAY YOU STUPID GIT!!!

* T.J. immediately leaves *

Amy: Oh boy… Anyways, here's chapter 6!


Chapter 6: The Tension Thickens


Harry:

"It's not working!"

"What do you expect? You're not exactly good at charms."

"Who asked you Thomas?"

"Hey! No fighting!"

"Shut up Malfoy!"

"I will if you let me get Harry's voice back."

"In your dreams!"

"That's it… Out of my way Weasley!"

"Want a piece of me?"

"Hey! No fighting!"

"Shut up Thomas!"

Harry sighed and buried his face in his hands. Harry and his friends were currently in the Common Room, trying to break Cho's spell. Ever since Harry came in and told them all about his encounter with Cho, they've been trying to break the spell without much luck.

Probably because everytime they do something new, they end up fighting, Harry thought miserably. Out of all the people, why him?!

Harry looked at his friends once more. Ron's currently bickering with Draco while Draco would bite Dean's head off. Dean, in turn, is yelling at Ron. Harry shook his head.

I can't take this anymore, he said and stood up to go to the boys' dormitories. On his way though, the portrait opened revealing Neville carrying a sleeping Hermione. Harry stopped on his tracks. He was vaguely aware that the bickering had stopped.

"Oi Neville, shouldn't she be in the Hospital Wing?" Ron asked. Neville shooked his head.

"She just got out," he replied. He stared at the sleeping girl in his arms.

"I was passing by the Hospital Wing when Madame Pomfrey told me to escort Hermione back to the Common Room. Along the way though, she said she felt tired and fell asleep. So I carried her." Then Neville grinned.

"Hey boys, did I tell you I have permission to go in the girls' dormitories to put Hermione on her bed?" Harry saw his friends' jaws toppled to the floor.

"Say Neville, did I ever tell you you're my best friend in the whole wide world?" Dean said. Neville chuckled.

"Nice try Dean, but it's not working," he said before heading off to the girls' dormitories.

"But where are the girls?" Draco asked. Neville turned.

"They'll be coming in shortly," he replied before going up the stairs leading to the girls' dormitories. Harry looked at him, a tinge of jealousy in his eyes. He shooked his head. He shouldn't think much about it. Neville and Hermione's relationship is fully platonic. The sound of the portrait opening once more broke Harry's thoughts and watched with amusement as Hermione's friends stumbled to the door, carrying huge amounts of chocolates, flowers, stuffed toys, and many things.

"I CANNOT believe we got stuck carrying these things!" Parvati exclaimed. Ginny wasn't listening. She was staring at Lavender.

"Lav, are you eating Hermione's chocolates?" she asked. Lavender looked at her.

"No," she said, her mouth full. Ginny stared at her dully.

"So what's that in your mouth?" she asked. Lavender shrugged. Ginny sighed and looked down.

"So you're the one leaving those chocolate wrappers on the floor!" she exclaimed. Lavender tried to look innocent.

"That wasn't me!" she said lamely. Ginny scowled at her.

"If Filch comes in looking for the culprit, I'll strangle you for him," she threatened.

"Need help carrying those things to your dormitories girls?" Draco asked, a sly grin on his face. Ginny gave him a disgusted look.

"You're such a pervert!" she shrieked. Draco only grinned wider.

"You guys look like you do need help," Dean added. Parvati glared at him.

"One more step and I swear I'll throw Hermione's things at you," she threatened.

"We're only trying to help! Is that a crime?" Ron whined. Lavender shot him a look.

"Yes," she replied. Then all three girls went to the girls' dormitories, but not before shooting Harry a death glare. Ron sighed dreamily after the girls left.

"Is it just me or that the more they fight back, the more they seem irresistibly beautiful?" he asked. Draco slapped him on the back.

"I couldn't have said it better myself," he replied.


Hermione:


"Good morning everyone!" she said as soon as she woke up. She couldn't believe how much she missed her bed. It was much more comfortable than the Hospital Wing's beds. A silent reply met her ears, and Hermione looked to see Parvati and Lavender sleeping as if there's no tomorrow. Hermione smiled and picked up her pillow, throwing it at Parvati.

"5 more minutes mum," Parvati mumbled, turning over. Hermione giggled. She got off her bed and went over to Parvati, snapping her pajama pants. As soon as Parvati yelped and scolded Hermione while Lavender wakes up to Parvati's shriek, Hermione laughed. It's good to be back where she belongs.

~~**~~

Hermione one of the best days in Hogwarts. Everyone had welcomed her back, and Roger Davies even came over to her and gave her a hug… IN FRONT OF EVERYONE IN THE GREAT HALL! Hermione sighed dreamily as she entered the Common Room. She didn't want this day to end at all. So, deciding not to end her day just yet, she went over to the couch and made herself comfortable. As soon as she did, she realized she wasn't alone.

"Hey Potter," she said. She realized after his weird reaction to her at their last encounter that maybe she shouldn't be that mean to him. Just a little. Harry, who had his head in his hands, looked up at Hermione after giving her a nod and burying his head back into his hands. Hermione frowned. That's not a typical Potter behaviour. The typical Potter behaviour would be him trying to flirt with her.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Harry nodded, this time, not looking up. Hermione's eyes narrowed.

"Look Potter, if this was about the time you visited me in the Hospital Wing, I'm sorry for being so rude. I guess I was just surprised to see you. I admit that you were the last person to visit me there," she said. Harry looked up this time, his eyes unreadable. Hermione fidgeted under his gaze.

"Aren't you going to say something?" she asked. Harry just kept staring at her. Hermione returned his gaze this time.

"Okay, I just said sorry, and the least you could do was forgive me," she said. Harry held up his hands.

"All right, all right, I'll talk," he mouthed. Hermione frowned.

"You know, you have a voice. Use it," she said. Harry rolled his eyes.

"I don't have a voice," he mouthed. Hermione chuckled.

"You're joking, right?" she asked. Harry looked at her dully.

"No, I'm not," he mouthed. By now, Hermione's getting irritated.

"Enough with your games Potter. I, for one, am getting tired of it," she said. Harry sighed.

"I'm not playing games!" he mouthed. At this time, Hermione was very annoyed.

"POTTER WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? TALK YOU STUPID PRAT!" Hermione yelled. Harry silently groaned in frustration.

"I CAN'T!" he mouthed. This time, Hermione groaned.

"Well I'm not going to waste my time talking to a dolt like you!" she exclaimed before stomping off. Harry grabbed her arm, causing her to turn.

"POTTER, LET-" she was cut off because Harry had pulled her to him and smashed his lips on hers.

Hermione was shocked. Suddenly, she felt her feelings for Harry since 2nd year resurface and was about to kiss him back when she remembered what he did. She felt tears in her eyes as the memory played once more in her mind.


Harry:


Harry tasted something salty on Hermione's lips, and realized that she was crying. Alarmed, he pulled away to see Hermione crying. Harry wiped a tear away, causing Hermione to open her eyes. For a minute, they just stared at each other. Harry saw pain, hurt and anger in Hermione's eyes, and knew that she remembers what he did to her in 2nd year.

"Hermione-" he mouthed, reaching for her hand, but before he could, Hermione bolted, leaving Harry standing, his eyes watching her retreating back.


Amy: Oh man! This is a depressing chapter! I can't believe Jae wanted something like this! Well anyway, please be good readers and review!

Jae: * mumbles something inappropriate while turning over *

Amy: * giggles * yes, she's asleep. Don't worry though, that's normal. Until next time!

* Preview of the Next Chapter *

"Do you really love her?" Ginny asked. Harry closed his eyes.

"So much that it's starting to hurt," he replied. Ginny smiled.

"Then you know what you have to do, right?" she asked. Harry looked at her, confusion written in his eyes.

"You've got to convince Hermione that you're not the guy she thought you were," she replied. Harry smiled at Ginny.

"You know, you're better at this than Ron," he said, causing Ginny to laugh.

"As long as it involves my best friend, I'm here to help," she replied.