Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter and this does not (to my knowledge) contain any spoilers to Harry Potter 6 or 7. I also apologize to those readers how are able to look at the chapter titles of DVDs they've never seen and predict the whole plot; you may realize most of the plot before it happens but it's still worth reading.

A Forest Full of Truths: Chapter 1 Out of the Frying Pan into the Ice

(Hogwarts: three days before Christmas break)

"Three more days, then freedom!" Ron exclaimed as he leaned back in a stretch.

"Yep, ahh, so what are we going to do over Christmas?" Hermione asked.

"Just hang around the Burrow I guess." Ginny replied.

"We could also get in so practice, with two seekers, two old beaters, a keeper, another seeker and a chaser, we could almost get a game on." Ron said excitedly.

"That's the last thing I want to be doing over break." Harry said looking up from his book, as Harry was team captain this year he was looking forward to break in practice.

"Well then you can watch with me," Hermione smiled hopefully.

"I just might." He smiled and she laughed. Harry knew Hermione didn't enjoy Quidditch but she put up with it for him. She was like that, she did things she hated for her friends Harry loved that about her.

"I'm bored, who's for up for a walk." Ginny said half yawning.

"As long as there's a snowball fight involved." Ron jumped up and retrieved his and Harry's jackets.

After Harry pulled his on he noticed that Hermione hadn't moved. Ron and Ginny were already in the hall, when he asked, "Aren't you coming?"

"Naa, you guys go ahead." She said pulling up a book. Harry pushed the book aside.

"Come on it'll be fun I promise." Harry smiled his special smile that was reserved for the very purpose of trying to convince Hermione to do something. Damn you and your look.

"Okay," she sighed. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out the portrait hole, she barley had enough time to grab her own jacket off the coat rack. At the stairs he released her hand so she could put on the jacket only to take hold of her again and run down the stairs. At the door to the entrance hall they stopped to catch their breath. "Tired already?" she teased.

"Tired enough not to hit you but I've got enough energy to tickle you." Harry rapped his arms around her tickling her sides, Hermione tried to run away but Harry held on, he side stepped and Hermione fell up against a wall, Harry right in front of her, still with his arms on her sides starring right at her. They had been close like this before but it felt different somehow having her starring at him. It took a moment for Hermione to break the gaze she was afraid to get lost in his eyes. Why can't I look at him like that, I'm always afraid he'll see through me?

"You win," she said still looking at the floor.

"I think it's a tie." She nodded, Harry tilted her face up to look at her, she's so beautiful, Harry stepped aside. Wondering, why did I do that, why did I think that, why did I feel that way when she looked at me? They walked through the entrance hall side by side and were about to leave when a menacing voice yelled out.

"Potter, come here." Harry turned and saw Professor Snape walking towards him. "Well what do you have to say for yourself, Potter?"

"Say for what sir?" For once Harry wasn't sure what Snape had to complain about.

"Gillyweed, Potter you were the last in my store room, I came in this morning to find my Gillyweed supply totally ruined, someone purposely let them sit out now they're totally worthless," he yelled slamming a hand full of dry Gillyweed into Harry's hand. "Don't think I don't know it was you and I will be taking this up with the head master." He turned on a heel and stormed off. Harry was left with a hand full of Gillyweed and a confused Hermione.

"What was all that about," she asked.

"For once I have no idea." He shoved the Gillyweed into his pocket as they went out side to join Ron and Ginny.

After a vicious snowball fight involving a dozen other students Harry and Hermione collapsed in the snow. They sat side by side leaning against a makeshift snow wall. At the edge of the cliff that overlooked the lake.

"See, I told you it would be fun."

"Ya it was but now I'm cold." She was shivering so Harry pulled her close and rapped his arms around her. This feels so right, not just because she's my friend. His embrace surprised her, it was comforting but odd, he had never held her this way before. Why is he doing this, though I'm not complaining, Hermione thought. They stayed like that for awhile until they heard a high pitched screech come from behind them. Both shot strait up looking over the wall they could see I giant birdlike beast circling about at the sight of Harry and Hermione it swooped down with its beak open. Instinctively both went for wands but it was to late the bird was to close Harry was able to evade it by dropping to the ground but Hermione wasn't so lucky, the beast pushed her right off the cliff then dove down to catch her. Harry followed jumping right off the cliff using a wind spell he pushed himself down faster passing the beast and grabbing Hermione then a handful of feather from the beast. It pulled up to evade the lake but its feathers were too slippery for Harry's grip. After seconds he and Hermione fell into the icy waters of the lake.