Chapter 3

Night Before

Harry stayed up for a while trying to think of what to tell Ron. If I step a side and let him date her… no, I can't think like that, I'm too into her just to give up. Ron's my friend but maybe for once I can put my feelings first instead of others. Harry beat himself up mentally. After a while of thinking he managed to write something.

Dear Ron,

         I didn't know you liked Hermione as well. I should let you know something to mate, I like her just like you do. I won't write anything else because I know your going to be up-set with me.

Harry

With that he tied his letter to Pig and sent him off to Ron. Harry changed into his nightclothes and crawled into his bed thinking about what would happen between Ron, Hermione, and himself. The next morning at breakfast, Hermione and Harry's Hogwarts letters had come. Hermione opened her letter and a little silver badge had fallen out.

"Oh my, mum, dad, I have been made Head Girl!" Hermione jumped up with excitement, both of her parents had hugged her and congratulated her. Harry opened his letter and found a little silver badge as well.

"What is this?" Harry picked it up and showed it to Hermione.

"Harry! You were made Head Boy! I told you Dumbledore would have picked you! You're just like your father!" Hermione was more excited now that Harry and her were both Head Boy and Girl.

"Harry we should get our school stuff next week because I have planned loads of things for us to do." Harry just nodded, he was still not sure if Dumbledore had made the right decision.

Hermione ran up to her room to get some money and change into a different outfit. Harry thought she looked fine, but she thought she needed to change into something comfortable. Harry was just wearing a light blue t-shirt, black jeans, and plain black shoes. His jet-black hair was messy, it was hard for him to keep it nice, and he looked like a normal muggle boy. Hermione came back dressed in a white tank top, blue jeans, white shoes, and she kept her hair down. To Harry she looked beautiful, it didn't matter if she kept it curly (before she straighten it out), either way she would still be gorgeous.

"You look great. Ready to go?"

"I just look like a muggle, no big deal." She stared at the ground and tired not to let Harry see her blushing.

"Where are we going? Or is everything a surprise?" Harry grinned at her.

"Oh I was going to take you out and show you around, I bet you have never been to the mall? Have you?"

"No, the Dursleys never take me out, I have told you many times."

"Well you are with me and we will make the best of our time together." They both smiled and left her house. They walked to the mall, talking about silly things, and making fun of Harry's cousin. Harry was just happy being with her. He didn't know but Hermione was actually glad for once it was just the both of them without Ron. Sure Ron was a good guy, she liked both of her best friends, but there was something about Harry that she was attracted to. Ron was just cute too, but he wasn't Harry. What's a girl to do? She wasn't sure if either of her best friends felt attracted to her. Just drop it Granger… best friends don't date each other. She told her self that many times over and over again.

They looked all around the mall stopping at different stores. Harry wasn't on planning on buying anything because all he had was wizard money and he liked spending his money in Diagon Alley. Hermione show him around, she bought some new books and clothes for school (when they didn't have to wear their school robes), she asked him what looked better and he helped pick out clothes with her (isn't it cute how a guy goes shopping with a girl and helps her pick out clothes?). They had fun together and never once did they talk about Ron. Harry didn't want to show Hermione the letter he got from him the night before; he was scared she might return the same feelings towards Ron.

A week before term started they went together to Diagon Alley and got new things for school. They went first to Gringotts, Harry got some more gold Galleons, silver Sickles, and bronze Knuts from his vault and Hermione exchanged muggle money for wizard coins. Harry made Hermione stop at his favorite store, Quality Quidditch Supplies, just so he could see the new brooms, he didn't need one since he still had his Firebolt. Together they went to Apothecary to restock in the potions ingredients they needed for Snape's class. Next was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions; Harry's school robes were too short for him. Hermione didn't really need any new ones. Last was Flourish and Blotts, they both only needed The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Seven, Hermione did buy some more books, she did love her reading.

"At least we are done with school stuff, I got everything I need, are you missing anything?" Harry looked at Hermione.

"Not at all, I think I got everything, books and ingredients. I think I'm ready for our last year."

"Wow, I really don't believe the last six years went by so fast."

"Yeah I know what you mean, seems like only yesterday that Ron, you, and me had become best friends."

"Yeah Ron." Harry said a little sadly.

"What's wrong. Something is wrong, seems like you miss Ron hanging out with us."

"Not at all, well just a little, don't get me wrong, I love spending time alone, you know just us. But I feel a little bit guilty."

"Why on earth would you feel guilty? You have no reason too."

"Yes I do, see Ron wrote to me last week and told me something I never knew."

"What he say?"

"Well, I don't know if I should tell you."

"Harry I'm your best friend, you know very well you can tell me anything."

"OK. Ron likes you, like he wants to be your boyfriend."

"Oh, don't get me wrong he is a great guy, I like him too, I just never knew he fancied me." She blushed a little.

"So if he asked you out you would say 'yes'?" Harry hoped to hear 'no, never. Harry don't be silly I like you not him.' But he was wrong.

"Yes I would say 'yes,' unless… never mind."

"That's great news for Ron, I'm only happy if you are happy." He lied; deep down inside he wished she would pick him over Ron.

******

The night before September 1st, Harry and Hermione spent their last day together outside under the stars, looking at them and talking about meaningless things that weren't important. The night sky was nice and cool, still felt like any other summer night. The both laid on the blanket Hermione had brought outside, next to each other. Hermione loved the fact that Harry was lying next to her and being able to feel him was just wonderful. Harry was still a little bit miserable. Why? Well the girl he likes doesn't like him because she likes his best friend. The two people he cares about the most might be an item soon, and he wasn't sure how or if he could handle it.

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Well remember what you told me about Ron?"

"Yes. What about it?"

"Well, you never told me why you felt guilty about spending time with me."

"It's really no big thing. Just forget it."

"Why? Is there something else you think I should know?" She sat up looking down at him.

"No, not really. I told you everything."

"Are you sure? I think I know you when something is bugging you."

"Nothing Hermione, I will be fine."

"What does that mean. Are you okay?" she looked concerned.

"Well you see, I know about you and Ron. He is my best mate and you're my best friend. I wouldn't want to get in the way of your happiness."

"Ron and I aren't even together, you talk about us like we are a couple. You swear it's official."

"I know he is going to ask you out and well I want you to be happy, even if I don't get to be your boyfriend."

"What does that mean?" she looked more confused then ever, which was a first since she never gets confused about anything, but feelings are not something you learn in books, they are something you learn with experience.

"I don't know." Harry stood up. "I think I will go to bed, we have to be up early for King's Cross." She looked up at him.

"You are right." She stood up and looked at him. "I don't know about you, but I'm having mixed feelings about Ron and you." Harry just stayed quiet. "You see I know I like both of you. I know Ron will return my feelings. But I don't know about you."

"Goodnight Hermione." Harry turned his back on her and began to walk to the house.

"Harry!" She grabbed his arm and turned him around. "Harry, I don't know about you. I like you too, but will you return my feelings?"

"Hermione, please… I just want to go to bed."

"Is my question that hard to answer?"

"Yes it is."

"Harry, if you don't like me, just say it."

"It's not that I just don't want to ruin my friendship with Ron."

"This is about you, not him. Just answer me."

He stayed quiet once more.

"Harry."

Nothing.

"Harry Potter answer me."

Nothing.

"Harry James Potter, I need a answer."

Nothing. Harry just gazed at her; his eyes were full of sadness. Hermione couldn't take it anymore she had to risk it. She got close to him and looked up at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in and kissed him. Oh my lord, I just kissed him! Harry was just stunned but he kissed her back and she opened her mouth and let him in. They broke away both needed time to breathe, both smiling and feeling odd. Hermione was embarrassed that she took action and made the first move.

"Goodnight Harry." He was grinning.

"Goodnight. See you in the morning, wake me up?"

"Yeah, I'll wake you up." They both went in the house not saying anything else to each other. Harry was in his room thinking about what just had happened. Does this mean she picked me over Ron? After all she did kiss me first. Hermione was lying in her bed trying to go to bed. I need to sleep but I can't, what just happened was no mistake, I like him and I think he likes me back after all he didn't pull away. But what about Ron? Hermione just thought about her feelings towards both boys and that kiss she shared with Harry.

*****

Who is she going to pick? She has 2 great guys to pick from. Well I hope you guys are enjoying this, just as I am writing this. I'll up-date soon. Bye!