disclaimer: if I owned Harry Potter, do you think I would be sitting here at home doing absolutly nothing? I don't think so...

first off, let me say how sorry i am for taking so long to update. i apologize. it's just, my life is nothing short of lousy right now, and things are just not good for me at the moment. but apart from that, i am sooo happy people reviewed anyways! keep reviewing, and i promise to make it a point to update sooner, i'll try my best! thanks a bunch!

thanks to:

actingflicka: well, im glad you said that. i tried to think what Hermione would say and all, but i wasn't sure if i got it. thanks though, it really helped!

Queeqegg:thanks for the tip. i thought about breaking up the paragraphs more while i was writing, but it slipped my mind when i was finished. one of those things you mean to do, but never get around to doing it. but im glad you said something! you're one of the few who has pointed something out to me, or suggested something. i really appreciate it!

kitimat-born: glad you like it, and i promise to update sooner!

mayfairchild14: wow, thanks for adding me to your author alert! that really means a bunch, even if it is just to keep up with my story and when i post. but hey! ican't complain! thanks!

trumpet-greek: thanks! and so far, no one has dissed it, so i can't complain!

:mimi-san: "Oh my... what an amazing story! Please, please, please update as soon as possible. I absolutely love the plot! Wonderfully written, with an amazing plot in the making and tastefully humor scattered on like sprinkles on a hot fudge sundae! Superbly written...please update soon"

WOW....i am seriously grinning right now, and i can't stop! thank you so much for you review! you almost made me cry i was so happy! im still grinning...you made me sooo happy, i didnt think people would like it so much! thanks!

the-biggest-harry-potter-fan: i really wish you would tell my english teacher that, i have yet to get an "A" on one of my stories...sighs...oh well, thanks for the compliment though!

bad to da bone: thanks! and im trying to update sooner....i promise!

thank you all for reviewing! well, here's chapter five:

chapter five...Get your head out of the clouds Harry...

 When Harry awoke the next day, he had to look around for a few minutes before he realized where he was. It took him a while to register the fact that he had his own room now, and he wouldn't be waking up to the old dorm filled with his fellow Gryffindors. Getting up, he headed to the bathroom to take a shower before classes started. He was about to go in when he remembered to knock first. The last thing he wanted was to walk in on Hermione...he didn't even stop to imagine how embarrassed he would be. Holding out his fist, he knocked three times on the wooden door. When no one replied, he let himself in.

After a refreshing shower, Harry headed down to the common room. When he arrived, he found Hermione waiting for him. When she saw him, she gave him a big smile.

" I thought I'd wait for you,"she said.

"Oh, er, thanks.."Harry wondered why she was waiting for him. She had never done this before, and when she did, she always waited for Ron too.

"Well, shall we go?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure," said Harry, leading the way out of the portrait hole. The men in the frame were having a conversation among themselves when Harry and Hermione stepped through the portait hole.

"I've never had a worse hangover in my life..."

"YOU? I can't remember when I've felt worse..."

"Mmmm..."

"So, are we up for tonight?"

"Same time, same place?"

When Harry and Hermione entered the Great Hall, they headed over to Gryffindor Table. Ginny was talking to Dean and Seamus, apparently arguing over something and Ron was once again talking to Lavender. Harry took the empty seat next to Ginny and surprislingly, Hermione sat down next to him. After filling his plate up with food, Harry began to join in on Ginny's argument with the two boys.

" I'm telling you Thomas, no matter what you say, The Tornadoes will not win the semi-finals for the world cup," Ginny said huffly.

" And I'm telling you, Weasley, no matter what you say, yes they will, after all, they have Bazzler on their team! How could they not win?" Dean shot back.

" Just because that git's father has loads of money and can buy his way on the team doesn't mean anything! He still lost the last three games of the season last year because he can't play to save himself." Ginny had now set down her fork and was glaring at Dean. Ginny and Dean had dated for a while back at the end of fourth year, but it didn't last long. They argued alot, mostly over quidditch, something that hadn't changed much.

" She does have a point there mate, he did lose the last three.."said Seamus.

"THAT was because that bloke from the other team kept cutting him off when he would try to get the snitch!" said Dean angrily.

"Come up with whatever excuse you want, we'll see who owes who ten galleons be the end of semi-finals won't we Mr.Thomas?" Ginny said this in a final way that ended the conversation. Picking up her fork again, she turned to Harry.

"So, speaking of quidditch, when are we going to start practice? You know this is your last year and I know you want the cup to finish off you winning streak for the past two years.."

" I was thinking about that. I think we'll start practice this weekend. You know, give everyone time to get use to going to classes again. Besides, I don't think Snape is going to slack on the homework this week,"said Harry, starting on his bacon.

"Great, I can't wait to get back in the air..." said Ginny, in a much happier tone. Harry had made her a chaser last year when Angelina, Katie, and Alicia had left. Dean and Seamus were beaters and weren't too bad either. The other two chasers were Karrie Thompson and Brooke Fields who were in fourth year. They made up the rest of the team along with Ron, who still remained keeper.

"Yeah, me either. Which means we'll be having much more quidditch practices this year. And with Malfoy captain, things are going to get pretty brutal..." said Harry, thinking if Malfoy was captain he was sure to come up with some reason to pick a fight with Harry.

Ginny nodded at this and returned to her breakfast. Hermione however, was looking at Harry with a worried expression on her face.

"What?"asked Harry looking at her.

"Nothing, it's just, I don't want you to get too caught up in all this," she said, still looking at him.

"What? Quidditch?" he asked.

"Not just quidditch, everything. Your homework, classes, Head Boy duties, and now quidditch. Are you sure you're up for it all?" she asked.

" Of course I am. I can handle it," Harry assured her.

"Well..." she still looked unsure.

"Hermione, lay off him. He's a big boy, he can handle it," said Ron, who was now joining in on their conversation. Lavender was now talking to Parvati.

Hermione looked as if she was going to interrogate Harry some more but she was now more interested in the schedules Proffessor McGonagall was passing out. Everyone was anxious to see what classes the others were taking. But this did not interest Harry. He knew he, Ron, and Hermione would be taking the same classes just like they did last year. All three of them had planned on being Aurors at the beginning of sixth year. Harry knew even after he defeated Voldemort that they would still become Aurors.

"So what does our schedule look like this year?"asked Harry, looking over Hermione's shoulder.

"Pretty much the same as last year, only I think we'll be taking more advanced classes this time,"she replied looking down at the schedule in front of her.

" I can't believe we have to take potions still. Why would anyone need potions when they're becoming an Auror?" whined Ron.

" Ron, you still have to pass all the test it requires to be an Auror. So even if you don't pass the tests, you still have the oppertunity to get another very good job refering to the classes you took," said Hermione.

"Are you saying you don't have confidence in me? That hurts Mione, it really does," said Ron. He looked alarmed that she would even suggest that he wouldn't pass his tests but Harry knew he was only joking with her. They hardly took her serious when she told them things like that. When Harry and Ron would get behind in schoolwork, Hermione would constantly tell them they would fail. But they took these words lightly, they knew she would always be there to make sure they passed. ' This was another great quality in Hermione, you could always count on her', Harry thought. She would never let you down; she would always be there for you, no matter what. Then he shook himself mentally. There he goes again, thinking of Hermione. Would he ever get through this year without having to wake himself up from daydreaming about her all the time?

"Harry, if you don't stop daydreaming, we won't ever get to Charms..."Hermione said in his ear.

"What? But I haven't even finished breakfast!" He looked at his unfinished bacon and eggs.

"Well, if you're head would stay out of the clouds, maybe you could find time to eat!" she said as she got up from the table and stood waiting for him next to Ron.

"Yeah mate, you seem to doze out a bit at times..got something on your mind?" Ron asked.

"Umm, just quidditch,"Harry replied.

"Right, well, let's go, Flitwick will be wondering where we are," said Ron.

Harry noticed Hermione give him another look before going after Ron.Harry grabbed his bag and followed Ron and Hermione through the doors and then headed to Charms class, his mind still on Hermione. Was he actually falling for his best friend? No, he couldn't be. She was only his best friend, well, one of them. Maybe his feeling toward her were only those of a best friend. Naturally he was going to be protective of her, but was he too protective? No, he was only looking after her. Yes, that was it. He was only looking after her. Or at least, that's what he wanted to believe.

Thanks again, and keep reviewing! I know nothing much has happened yet, but it will in the future! Just bear with me for now...i promise to update sooner.

Ashton