To all Reviewers: Thanks so much for your comments! They have kept me hard at work plotting out this story which may run to about 15 chapters or so. Look at the end for what's next in the series. A lot of your questions will be answered there.

Chapter 3 Realizations? NO! Maybe? Yes. A Little Bit.

Here we peek into Hermione's reaction to her talk with Viktor at the end of GOF. Any sentences in Italics is her heart arguing with her mind. What was she thinking of that led her to do "something she'd never done before?"

When Hermione returned to the carriages she tried desperately to keep her expression neutral. Her thoughts, her emotions were in such turmoil. She couldn't bear anyone asking her what was wrong for she felt she might emotionally crack.

Throughout the train ride home she tried to act normally but inside herself she was struggling with Victor's implications about her feelings for Harry. They couldn't know- not Ron and Oh Dear God especially not Harry what Victor had spoken to her about. The very thought of it made her face burn with embarrassment which she tried to hide by burying her face in her book.

She did not like Harry that way! She didn't. He was her first friend; he'd rescued her from the troll in first year even though he hadn't particularly liked what he knew of her-Miss Bossy Boots and all, sticking her nose in his business. She blushed at her younger self's nosiness.

Second year she'd been so afraid; after all she was a muggle-born and she was worried for her safety. But if she stayed by Harry, she knew he would keep her safe. He would protect her; his friend. Even after she had been petrified, her mind unable to communicate as she lay locked away in frozen body she had fiercely believed that Harry would figure out her clues and save everyone. Ron would help too of course. But it was Harry she had silently willed to find the scrap of paper in her hand, to decipher the horror in the Chamber of Secrets. She had been so glad to see Harry at the feast; he'd done it, just like she known he would. He had saved her and heart was so filled with delight and pride in him that she had run to him and he'd met her with his arms open for a hug. The best ever hug she'd thought at the time.

Third year with the Firebolt fiasco Harry had hurt her deeply, Ron too of course. They had both ignored her for awhile making her miserable and she had often gone to visit to Hagrid, needing to talk out her loneliness and misery. And then Harry, her dear best friend had tried making amends; he'd known somehow that she had only reported the broom because she was so worried about him. However her constant tiredness with using the time turner for all her extra classes had made her sharp with Harry when he had logically pointed out the evidence did seem to point out that Crookshanks had something to do with Scabber's disappearance and she had felt incredibly guilty afterwards for shouting at him. She shuddered remembering the horror she'd felt when they had all thought Sirius, Harry's godfather, would try to kill him. She could not, would not let anyone hurt Harry; he'd already lost so much with both his parents dead. Ron too had been determined that Sirius would have to go through them before they'd let any harm come to Harry. Then with the truth revealed but dismissed by all but Dumbledore she and Harry had rescued Sirius on Buckbeak. She had clung tightly to him, feeling giddy because she hated flying but knowing, trusting that Harry wouldn't let her fall.

Hermione thought back over the recent events this past year. She had been shocked by Ron's reaction to Harry being chosen for Tri-Wizard Championship but after a night's sleep had realized how all the overshadowed, jealous and insecure feelings Ron had been repressing somewhat over the years had taken the final blow when Harry's name had come out of the Goblet of Fire. She knew Ron had been angry with her as well, because in his mind she had chosen Harry to support. But it hadn't been a choice for her. Hermione knew Harry. He had no need for more wealth, and certainly he had no desire for further fame or notoriety. Given how deadly the tasks were expected to be there had never been a doubt in her mind that someone else had placed his name. Someone whose intentions were getting Harry badly injured or killed. Just as it had been every year since they had started at Hogwarts, only this time the danger seemed worse.

She had been so stressed out with trying to help him. The lovely long walks around the lake where they talked not just about the upcoming First Task but of themselves as well, followed by all the early mornings and late nights studying various books, and the practicing in empty classrooms. She had missed those times spent alone with just Harry after he and Ron had made up. Harry had kept her safe so many times and she finally had a chance to repay that debt.

Oh really. Please, you know it was more than repaying a debt behind your actions.

'I don't know what you're talking about' She sniffed

Yes you do. Viktor was right. You haven't been listening to me; your heart. That brain tries to keep you out of touch with your true feelings. Come on, admit it! You were glad to have Harry to yourself without Ron constantly taking jabs at you and making fun of you, always trying to get your goat. With Harry there was just an unexplainable contentment in your quiet moments together. Even with all the admittedly fruitless and boring hours in the library it made you happy because it was Harry there with you. Would you really have gone so far out of your way if it had been Ron who was chosen?

'I . . . yes. Of course I would have'

Yeah, that sounds sooo- convincing. Quit it! Quit lying to yourself. How long do you think it would have lasted; helping Ron without constantly being annoyed, angered, and just plain frustrated with his thick-headedness?

Silence.

Well?

'What?' She snapped angrily.

You were flattered when Victor asked you to the Yule Ball, but you and I know you wished someone else had asked first. Someone whose green eyes unfortunately seem to affix themselves quite frequently to that Ravenclaw girl. You know you loved that look of sheer surprise and admiration on his face when he saw you with Victor. Take that Cho Chang! That's what you were thinking when he kept glancing over to you and grinning. Of course Ron had to go and spoil it all, first by firmly stating his intentions to avoid getting a troll as a date, finally realizing you were a girl after four years of knowing each other, insulting you by thinking you were lying about having a date, then the worst; implying you were consorting with the enemy. You were even scared for a minute that Harry might believe it to be true. That stupid blow up in the common room afterwards when Ron wouldn't quit nettling you about betraying Harry really made your fur fly with your anger at him in ruining your night.

'He embarrassed me in front of Harry! Of course I was furious with Ron, who wouldn't be by your supposed friend not even acknowledging you as a girl, completely dissing you as a possible date until he couldn't get anyone else!'

Supposed friend or should that be friends? So who were you really angry at? On the surface you say it's Ron, but I think you were just a tiny tad bit mad and hurt by Harry as well.

Silence.

If you look back over the years you'd admit you have been a little jealous yourself. You've been jealous of the times Harry has spent with Ron without you, especially the summers. You were thrilled this summer, hopping around with excitement when Ron owled you that he was inviting Harry and you to spend time at the Burrow.

'Stop it! I can't . . . I just can't. I don't know, I'm so confused.'

I told you. Listen to me. Listen to your heart.

The train was pulling into the station and they were through the barriers. A flashback of the third task suddenly struck, she'd been terrified when Harry and Cedric had disappeared. She hadn't know if she'd ever see him again, and this time there had been no last good luck hug before he entered into danger. And later when he'd returned with Cedric's dead body, she had seen the horror in his eyes. He would have nightmares now, she could almost sense the grief, the guilt, the pain he felt about both Cedric's death and Lord Voldemort's return.

She would later swear to herself that she didn't know why she had done something she had never done before; why she had kissed Harry on the cheek before his relatives took him away. She wasn't sure what exactly she felt towards Harry. She had known since first year that she loved him, however being in love with any boy, even Harry. . . She just didn't know. Maybe she did love him as more than her first real friend. Maybe she should see what the coming year would bring. There was always the chance that she would see him again before school started. And as she fell asleep she relived the warm scent of him as she stepped close, the sensation of his cheek against her lips and the odd ripple of something different running through her as she kissed him. Something she had never felt before and the words seem to follow her into her dreams; I told you. Listen to me. Listen to your heart.

Author note: There will be a much more detailed chapter or two based on Hermione's point of view during 5th year and the summer after later on in the story. But for now expect Colin Creevy's talk with Rita Skeeter, McGonagall's thoughts on her two favorite students, as well as many other characters; Neville, the Twins, Molly, Sirius, Lupin, Hagrid, Cho, Ron ( in two chapters as well), Dumbledore, Ravenclaw House, Hufflepuff House, maybe Snape/Slytherins's view of our favorite Trio, and of course The Boy Who Lived.