Jae: I know, I know, late posting again, but Herbology got me tied down for the whole weekend! I was working on it on Friday, and I only got to finish that stupid project on Sunday! I wanted to cry SO MUCH because I wanted to continue my fic, but NNNNOOOOO…. Herbology just HAD to get in the way! Oh, by the way, I patched things up with T.J., and guess what? He bought me a broomstick! * grins widely *

I guess you guys weren't that happy with Amy's writing. * laughs * well, she did barely pass History of Magic, and we had to do a lot of essay writing in that class. But give her some credit, will you guys? She's been there to continue my fic while I went into my temper-mental crisis. But I'm sure you guys will be glad that I'm back to do my fic. I'm sure Moonlight and Midnight is * winks *

* T. J. comes in *

T.J. Hey Jae-

Jae: * throws a stuffed toy at him * GET OUT!

* T.J. rolls his eyes and leaves *

Jae: * smiles cheekily * hey, just because I've patched things up with him, doesn't mean I've forgiven him completely.

* Someone knocks *

Harry: Jessica! Throw your stuffed animal at your brother and it's back to being locked up in the room with you two again!

Jae: * sighs * life is SO unfair! Okay guys, here's chapter 8 while I go and settle things with my brother once and for all!





Chapter 8: Starting over





Harry:


Harry entered Potions class and went over to his seat with his friends, but not before glancing over at Hermione, who was talking animatedly with Lavender and Parvati. He looked away and plopped on his seat, sighing. Ron, hearing his sigh (probably because it has become Harry's favourite hobby, which annoys the bloody hell out of everyone within 10 feet from him), looked at his best friend.

"Come on mate, cheer up! At least Potions is only one hour, right?" he said, grinning cheekily. Draco slapped him on the head.

"That's not why he's sighing for you dolt! It's because of you know," he said, jerking his head at Hermione's direction. Lavender, seeing this action from Draco, gave him a weird look before whispering something at Parvati and Hermione. Ron, while rubbing his head, glared at Draco.

"Did you HAVE to hit me on the head?" he cried out! Draco smirked.

"Of course! It was to get your head straight," he replied. Ron was about to open his mouth when Dean cut him off.

"Oh no, you two aren't going to fight again! Not when I'm here!" he exclaimed. Dean caught sight of Harry, who was now staring off into space.

"Can we focus on the task at hand? And right now, that's Harry, not you two prats fighting," he said. Both Draco and Ron looked down guiltily. Dean turned to Harry and was about to say something when Snape entered the classroom. Instantly, everyone stopped talking. Snape turned to the class.

"As you all know, tomorrow is the end of the project. I want you all to present what you have found out about the potion you have, and guess who'll be the first to present?" At this, he smirked at Harry's reaction, who stiffened. Snape saw this and smiled, satisfied that he made Harry uncomfortable.

For the rest of the class, Harry didn't hear or see anything. The only thing that was going in his head is that he has to present his work with Hermione. And that would mean talking to her. Which means they have to talk about… the kiss….

"Class dismissed," The words Harry has been hearing woke him up from his thoughts. By then, he made a decision. It was killing him that Hermione wasn't talking to him, so it will be him that'll end all this. Quickly gathering up his things, he bolted out of the door after Hermione.

Harry finally reached Hermione and grabbed her arm. Hermione turned and was surprised to see him.

"Harry-" she said, and Harry would've noticed that Hermione called him by his first name if he wasn't focused at what he wants to say to her before he loses himself in her eyes.

"Look Hermione, I'm sorry about all the things that I've done to you, and that includes that incident in 2nd year. I was a prat then and I wasn't thinking. I never meant to hurt you and I'd rather die than hurt you. I'm also sorry about taking advantage of you. I never meant to do that, so PLEASE Hermione, forgive me." By the time Harry finished his little speech, Hermione's mouth was hanging open. For a moment, they were silent. Hermione kept staring at him, her mouth still open while Harry looked back at her uneasily. Finally, Hermione snapped back.

"I forgive you," she said quietly, but enough for Harry to hear. Harry's heart leapt at her words.

"You do?" he said. Hermione nodded and was about to walk away when Harry grabbed her arm again.

"Wait," he said. Hermione stared at him, her eyebrow raised.

"Why don't we start over?" Harry asked, stretching out a hand. Hermione bit her lip, then smiles and takes his hand.

"Deal," she replied. At that moment, Cho pulls Hermione away from a scowling Harry.

"Hermione, if you ever date that guy, you'll just end up with a broken heart, so STAY AWAY FROM HIM," she said. Hermione smiled at Cho.

"I know Cho. Don't worry, I don't plan on dating him," Hermione said. Little did she know that Harry heard everything she said.

Hermione:

The best part of being a prefect is going around the halls late at night without getting in trouble, Hermione thought as she walked around the empty hallway of Hogwarts. Hermione turned the corner and turned back as fast as she could. There, in the hallway, were Harry and Cho. And they didn't look like they were there to meet with each other. In fact, it looked like they were ready to hex each other.

"Look Cho, why can't you just leave me alone? Stop messing around my life and stop telling people not to be with me!" Harry exclaimed. Hermione never heard him this angry before. Sure, he screamed at her one time, but it wasn't the same as how he was screaming now.

"Well you brought this to yourself! I was just looking out for Hermione," she replied. Hermione's heart went in her throat. They were fighting because of her?

"You don't understand Cho, I care about Hermione," Harry said. Cho laughed.

"I remember you saying that about me too, and after we went on our first date, you dropped me like a hot potato," she said. Harry let out a frustrated groan.

"I'm sorry if I didn't come to you after our date okay? Is that what you want from me?!" he cried out. Cho laughed again.

"No, I just want Hermione as far away from you as possible," she said casually. Hermione can tell that it was taking Harry all his self-control not to do something to Cho.

"You don't get it Cho, I'M IN LOVE WITH HER!" he exclaimed. Hermione's eyes went wide. It wasn't what she thought she heard… was it?

"Oh and you weren't in love with me? So why bother asking me out?!" Cho cried out. Hermione's heart beat rapidly. No, she heard right.

He's in love with me, she thought, not knowing whether to jump for joy or to cry. Hermione wanted to go back to the Common Room so badly, but it seemed like her feet were frozen.

"I was always in love with Hermione, but YOU would never get it because all you think about is yourself!" Harry yelled. Cho laughed again, irritating Harry even more.

"And YOU don't think about yourself? Oh please Harry, don't let me kill myself from laughing," she replied. Harry growled.

"I'm telling you now Chang: STAY AWAY FROM ME AND HERMIONE," he said before walking away. Realizing that he was heading towards Hermione's way, she ran to the Gryffindor Common Room as fast as she could, all the while thinking, He's in love with me. By the time she reached the girls' dormitories, she felt more confused than ever. Harry's in love with her, and she's in love with him, but is she really ready to give him a chance?

"I need to sleep," Hermione muttered, feeling a headache coming. She went over to her bed and laid down. Why is it that everytime she solves something, a more complicating situation shows its ugly face to her unexpectedly?

Jae: All right! That's Chapter 8! I'm REALLY sorry again for not posting this up sooner!!!! Well guys, you know what to do right? R+R! See you guys next time!

* Preview of the Next Chapter *

"Wait, you're telling me that you knew all this time that Harry was in love with me and you never bothered to spare a minute to tell me?!" Hermione cried out. Ginny flipped a page in her Witch Weekly.

"Yup," she said, not looking up.

"WHAT?!" All three girls screeched, hurting Ginny's ears.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU BOTHER TELLING ME?!" Hermione yelled out, her face red. Ginny flipped a page again, still not looking up.

"Simple. I wanted Harry to do it himself," she said and leaned to her left when a pillow came sailing towards her head.

"You might want to work on that aim Vee," Ginny said and smiled cheekily, irritating the girls.