Disclaimer: no. I don't own anything. Just rub it in, okay?

Chapter 3

Times Have Gone

A/n: manichka—thanks so much for the review! I really appreciate it. Also, Ron and Hermione's characters are a little out of whack, because, well, they are both slaves to lust...haha. They'll become more in character soon enough. Here's your guys' next chapter!

Harry lay in bed, still thinking about what he had heard from Ron and what had happened that night. His two best friends were hooking up. He was lovesick for a girl who probably thought him a child. It was only the first night back at Hogwarts, and already things were pointing downwards. He couldn't figure it out. This was supposed to be his best year, and already he was left depressed and alone. Tossing and turning, he realized he wouldn't be able to sleep. He rose from his four-poster bed, and walked to the single wall length window they had in their room. The window he had looked out of so many times. He watched the rain fall. That's weird, he thought. It wasn't raining before. Lightning flashed before his eyes and thunder shook the whole wing. He watched the trees sway violently with the strong wind. There were no more stars, only black storm clouds filling up the sky. Figures, he thought. That the stars, which he thought so enchanting and beautiful only a couple hours ago, would disappear in a matter of minutes. He sat down quietly on the couch facing the glass and curled up, knees to chest, to contemplate. He thought for a long time, about life, about Ron and Hermione. A streak of lightning hit somewhere in the sky and he could swear that he saw Paris, with her violet eyes and soft features, in the sudden light. He felt a burning sensation in his eyes. She was so beautiful. So perfect. And yet, he couldn't have her. There was no way he would ever get her, ever be hers. He would never experience the love he so badly needed. She was too good for him, and that was it. He would live...

As soon as he thought that, he started doubting it. Would he really live if she didn't love him like he loved her? Would she kill him before Voldemort got the chance? He couldn't be sure. Right now, he felt like dying. And only because she didn't look back when she walked to her dormitory. He stood there until he couldn't see her anymore. And still she never looked at him. He sighed, softly so to not wake any people up. And so he sat, for hours. And hour after hour, he thought, maybe I should sleep now, but dismissed the thought and keep sitting.

Ron awoke with a yawn. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He looked at the bed next to him, and realized that Harry was not in his bed. "Harry?" he croaked in a hoarse morning voice.

"Mmm...yeah...over here, Ron." He called, from his spot on the couch.

"Harry! What are you doing over there?" Ron said, incredulously.

"Couldn't sleep...watched the sunrise...must've fallen asleep over here about an hour ago." Harry muttered.

"Oh. Well, breakfast is in 10 minutes. You might wanna get up now." Harry got up from his spot, unwillingly, not feeling any better than he had been all night. He threw on clothes over his crumpled boxers, and robes over his clothes. He stumbled down the stairs, clutching the banister in an effort from falling asleep. He got to the Great Hall just as Dumbledore had begun his speech about the first day of classes. Harry snuck to his seat next to Hermione Paris was nowhere to be seen. He was disappointed and had lost his appetite. He stared at his plate of food until she appeared, like a fairy, seemingly out of nowhere, and slid in the chair next to him. Their gazes locked for a split second, his green eyes on her violet ones, and she looked down. He noticed dark circles under her sparkling eyes, like she hadn't gotten any sleep. She didn't seem to be hungry, either, as she let her gaze drift anywhere but his eyes. Why won't she look at me? he thought, sadly. Once people were finishing up with their meals, she got up and vanished through the doors. Harry racked his mind for a reason to follow her. He looked down at the table. Her schedule lay there, next to her completely full plate. He was thrilled for an excuse to be alone with her in the corridor.

Paris's POV

She had to get out of there. There was no way she would last another moment sitting next to him. They had made eye contact at the beginning of the meal, and she had felt herself slipping more and more in love with him. She couldn't let that happen again. She couldn't fall in love with him, she would be putting him in fatal danger. But there was something about him. He was beautiful, that's for sure. She could stare at him for hours and never become tired of looking at him. She loved his earnestness, his politeness, his shy nature. Oh, what she would give to be in his arms right now! She felt è soft hand on her arm, and like God was reading her mind, he was standing behind her, holding out her schedule, somewhat sheepishly. "You left this in the Great Hall," he said, quietly, awaiting her reaction to his sudden appearance.

"Did I?" She said, tentatively. "Thank you," she said, taking it from him and beginning to walk away.

"You know, I couldn't help noticing that-"She turned sharply as she heard his words. Was he going to mention the dark shadows under her eyes, a reminder of her sleepless night? "-We have Potions together first period," he finished, as she let out a silent sigh of relief. "Would you like to walk with me?"

She hadn't expected this. "Err..." She stalled for extra time to think. "I..I left my quill in my dormitory. I have to go get it."

"Then I'll wait for you, if that's all right," he told her, looking into her face for an answer to why she was trying to avoid him.

She saw the earnestness she admired so much in his eyes, and felt herself relenting. "Okay," she agreed. She ran up the stairs, mentally kicking herself for giving in. In truth, she hadn't left anything up in her dormitory, but since she had told him she had, there was nothing left for her to do but retrieve the imaginary forgotten quill.

Harry's POV

As she came down the stairs, she gave off the illusion that she was floating, as if on a cloud. He wondered distractedly if she was really from this earth, and not from heaven. He smiled shyly at her, and together they walked towards the Potions wing.

Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione were experiencing major sexual tension still lingering from the night before. They walked silently out of the Great Hall. "Hermione," Ron started, haltingly, "are you mad at me? Because, well, you haven't spoken to me once since last night."

"No, Ron, I'm not mad at you." Hermione grinned bashfully. "Actually, the only reason I haven't talked to you is because if I did, I'd feel the overwhelming urge to kiss you, and I had a feeling that would have been a bit inappropriate. "

Ron blushed profusely and pulled her around a corner when no one was looking. He kissed her hard on the mouth, and stuck his tongue between her soft lips. Their tongues played games in their mouths as Ron quickly unbuttoned her robes and slid his had under her crisp white shirt, up to her lacy bra. He felt her smooth, flat stomach and her round, voluptuous breasts and began massaging under her bra. She moaned at his touch and undid his jeans. She put her hands in his pants, in his boxers, and brought them around the front working on his erection. He just grew harder with her every move and pressed her against the wall. No longer satisfied with her upper body, he slid one hand down her jeans and began to touch her most sensitive area. She squealed with pleasure. They continued until they both came to, and pulled part, adjusting their clothing for their first class of the year.

A/n: chapter 4 is halfway done, that should be out tonight or tomorrow. Keep reviewing!