Chapter the Sixth

Silent Chuckles and Tears

Harry sat in potions class with Ron and Hermione in their usual seats in the back. Ron and Hermione were bickering again.

"Hermione, you're mad."

"I still think tha-"

"That you're mad?"

"No, that your mums right, Ron."

"Right about what?"

"About Sirius...you know...living through us...?"

"HERMIONE! FIRST MY MUM, NOW YOU! THE WHOLE WORLD IS STARK RAVING MAD!!!!"

"Mr. Weasley, 10 points from Gryffindor!"

Harry chuckled (something he rarely did) at this memory from last year. Ron and Hermione had been picking at each other since the beginning of their first year. It was terribly easy to tell that they fancied each other. Harry knew that they would eventually confess to each other and he thought he would be happy for them. He had no idea they would ignore him.

He looked around. No one in the common room. No noise coming from the dorms. He pulled out his Exacto-knife. He started to cut. He always made sure that none of the cuts ever, EVER looked like a lightning bolt. Ever.

As he was on the about 3rd or 4th cut, he heard someone come through the entrance. He began to panic. What if they caught him? What would he do, what would he say?

"Harry?! What are you doing to yourself!? Harry looked up and saw Hermione looking down at him. She was about to burst into tears.

"Ohmygod! Harry! Are you alright? What's wrong?" Suddenly, it dawned on her what was wrong. "Oh, Harry." She sat down and sighed deeply. "I told Ron we should have spent more time with you. He such an ignorant pig! What did I see in him in the first place!?"

"You saw the same thing I did. A loyal friend, you just saw him as more than a friend. He is always going to be my friend; we just drifted this year...which was the last time I needed someone to drift away from me."

"Why didn't I see it? Everything was there. You not talking, secluding yourself from everyone. The only time I ever saw you smile this year was at Quidditch matches." Then she burst into tears.

"It's ok, Hermione. I won't do it anymore, I promise." He stroked her hair whist she cried on his shoulder. She looked up at him.

"I hope you keep your promises."

Then Harry saw Hermione like he had never seen her before. He eyes were so soft and kind. She felt just right in his arms. Then he did something he wasn't sure he was allowed to do. He kissed her. It was different from when he had kissed Cho (except for the crying). There was no emotion. It was just a kiss. This was more than a kiss. It was pure emotion.

After words, Hermione looked shocked, not at Harry, but at herself.

"What have I done......?" She began to sob again.

"You just said that you didn't feel that way about Ron anymore. Why does it matter?" Obviously, this was the WRONG thing to say.

"I'M ASHAMED AT YOU HARRY! RON HAS EVERY RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT JUST HAPPENED HERE!?"

This made Harry panic. "What?! You're going to tell him?"

"NO! OF COURSE NOT! DON'T BE STUPID! I am however, going to break-up with him. It's not working." Only Hermione can make a break-up statement sound matter-of-fact.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it all started whe-HEY! I should be talking to you! You're the one cutting yourself up!" She then realized that Harry was no in the best state to be yelled at. "I'm sorry. I was being insensitive."

Harry had forgotten about that. "Well, I promise I won't do it again. You can tell Ron, and you can make sure I keep my promise."

"Ok. As long as you promise, I believe you. You always keep your word. That's what I like about you most. I need to get Ron and tell him." Harry began to walk off "And YOU'RE coming with me!" She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out of the common room.