disclaimer: must we?

A/N: hey guys, i wont be home this weekend, so im gonna go head and post the next two chapters before i leave, since they go together anyways, so enjoy and hopefully i'll have lots of reviews when i get back! when i have reviews, it modivates me to write more and update sooner! thanks all...

thanks to everyone who reviewed, i dont know what i'd do without you all! thanks too:

trumpet-greek: welll, i wanted to make it something a bit more exciting, but what i wanted to say, i couldnt put into words, so i was stuck with the lousy werewolfe bite and the cure, but i guess it'll have to work! thanks though! oh, and too bad our world can't advance and become more like the wizarding world...bummer..

tamar-shaki- thanks! and i'll try and post more..

ok, i know this chpter is long, but i figured it'd make up for the boring chpter before this one. this is one of my favorites so i hope you enjoy reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it! have fun!

ok, now, the chappie.....

chapter seven...So, who is she?

 Harry sighed and sank into a couch in Gryffindor Common Room. (not the one in the head's common room, his old one)He had just gotten back from patrolling the halls making sure no students were up past nine o'clock. This first couple days back had been total torture. Snape had not failed to give them a ton of homework, and along with McGonagall's essay and Flitwick's two rolls of parchment due on Friday, Harry felt as though he were back in fifth year, studying for the exams. The really sad thing however, was not the homework, but the fact that it was only Wesnesday, and not a Saturday. Harry sighed and rubbed his fingers over his eyes. He was extremely tired and wanted nothing more than to go to sleep but he knew he couldn't. Sighing, he started to pull his homework towards him. Just as he was starting on his essay, Hermione popped down on the couch next to him. Harry's insides began to squirm. Stop it, it's only Hermione. She probably only wants to talk, don't make a big deal out of it.

"Hey Mione.."Harry said, concentrating on his essay, not sounding like himself at all.

"Hey Harry. I was wondering, me and you are suppose to be planning the Prefect's meetings and since we have to decide together, we have to plan it. So when you would like to have it? I know you're busy with homework and all, but I have to know when it would be easy for you because we both have to be there.."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. What are we suppose to do anyways?" said Harry, still not looking up from his essay.

"Oh, nothing much," said Hermione, picking up a Chocolate Frog off the table and helping herself to one." You know, just make sure they know the rules, tell them when to patrol the halls, and what they'll be helping us with this year when we organize the party's and ball's we'll have this year. Stuff like that. I was thinking maybe we could have it this Friday night, if that's okay with you." She looked at him to see if he would object to the meeting times she had chosen.

Harry looked up from his homework. Hermione sat there, looking at him, waiting for a response from him. As Harry continued to look at her, she began to blush. I wonder why she's doing that, he thought. She looks so cute when she does that. Harry began to smile.

"What are you laughing at me for?"she asked, looking at him.

"Nothing, I was just...... nevermind. So, this Friday? Sounds good to me. What time?" asked Harry.

"Oh I dunno, around 8:00. That way it's after dinner and then we can just go straight to patrolling the halls. I guess the meeting will take about thirty minutes or so. So I'll go and put up the notices if it's okay with you. We have to let the other prefects know"

"Do you need help with the notices or anything?" asked Harry.

"No thanks, I think I've got it." She got up and headed towards the door.

"Okay then, see you later." said Harry, feeling slightly dissapointed she didn't want him to go with her.

Hermione waved over her shoulder and crawled out the portrait hole. Just as she was walking out, Ron came in. Spotting Harry, he made his way over to the couch, plopping down next to Harry. He looked over his shoulder to see what Harry was working on.

"Awww man! I still haven't started on that essay," Ron growled and started to pull his bag towards him. Then he paused, thinking. "Oh well, I still have tomorrow night." he decided.

"Yeah, well, lucky you. I can't. I have patrol duties,"said Harry.

"Now you know how I felt last year," said Ron.

"Yeah, now I feel sorry for myself..." said Harry.

Ron laughed and took a chocolate frog off the table and bit into it. He sat chewing for a second, looking around. Harry, giving himself a break from his essay, took a chocolate frog from the table and leaned back on the sofa. His thoughts began to drift back to Hermione. He wished he would have gone to help her with the posters, he rarely got to spend time with her alone, unless they were patrolling the halls together. Wait, he asked himself, why do I want to spend time alone with Hermione? Because she's my best friend and she's easy to talk to, thought Harry. She listens to you, and she's there for you. Harry remembered back to the summer before sixth year after Sirius had died and Harry wouldnt' talk to anyone. He had kept his anger inside and blamed himself for Sirius's death. He refused to eat for days and experienced grief beyond anything he could ever imagine. Things Harry had never considered kept comming to his mind. He had actually considered not going back to Hogwarts until he had gotten Ron's letter inviting him to the Burrow. He said Hermione and the Weasleys were anxious to see him. Ron said they were all worried about him and how he was taking the death. Harry had declined Ron's invitation but two days later the Weasley's had come to get him to take him home with them. Harry only went because he didn't want to spend anymore time with the Dursleys than he had to. Still not wanting to go with Ron and the twins, Harry still packed his stuff and headed to the Burrow. When he had arrived, he found Hermione there. But there was something different about her. Not her looks, but something else. It was as though she understood Harry. She had given him a hug and welcomed him back as usual, but with a look other than concern in her eyes; a look Harry could not explain.

Harry thought back to that concern he had seen in her eyes. He sometimes still saw it, whenever he got lost in his own thoughts or started to think about Sirius. He never told Ron or Hermione what he was thinking about, he felt as if it was something he wanted to keep to himself. But whenever he looked at Hermione, he knew she knew what was going on inside his head. It was that look that had brought Harry and Hermione closer, closer than Harry and Ron perhaps.

Flashback:

Harry was sitting on the swing in the garden of the Weasley's house. He was lost in his thoughts, remembering back to the night when he had led his friends to what could have been their death's and what ended up in being Sirius's death. He had been replaying this through his mind all summer. If only he hadn't been so stupid.... If only he had stayed in Umbridge's office.... If only Sirius was here.... All summer he had been dwelling upon this. Harry was feeling more miserable than ever before. Why had he been so stupid? For once, why hadn't he listened to Hermione and learned Occulmency? Why? Why Sirius? Why him? Why Harry? Why not Neville?

"I can't believe I was so foolish. Why didn't I listen? I was so stupid! You here that Harry? You messed up again. The only thing you ever had close to a dad is now gone because of your stupidity." Harry said to himself. He had picked up a rock and threw it at the fence in front of him. "WHY????" he yelled. He raised his head to the sky."WHY ME? WHY THE HELL DID YOU PICK ME? WHY COULDN'T IT BE SOMEONE ELSE? I DON'T WANT THIS! IM TIRED OF IT! DO YOU HEAR ME?? IM TIRED OF IT!!!" Harry did not know who he was talking to, all he knew was it felt good to yell at something, even if it was a couple of birds.

Just then Hermione had come around the corner. Harry jumped at whirled around, bringing out his wand. When he saw her however, he just sat back down. Hermione walked over and sat next to him on the bench. They sat for a second in pure silence before Hermione spoke.

"Harry, it's not your fault."

Harry did not move or speak. He felt beyond words. He didnt want her here, he wanted her to leave, to go away, to let him be.

"He went because he loved you, you know that."

Still, Harry said nothing. He just sat staring at a point on the fence.

"You meant everything in the world to him and if he didn't go, he couldnt' have lived with himself and he would have done anything to save you -it wasn't your fault he went that night-"

Harry couldn't take it anymore.

"YEAH? IT WASN'T MY FAULT? GET REAL HERMIONE. IT WAS MY FAULT. I SCREWED UP OKAY? I KNOW I DID. I SCREWED UP EVERYTHING AS USUAL.NOW HE'S GONE BECAUSE OF ME! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW? I ADMIT IT-I SCREWED UP! I LED HIM THERE. IT'S MY FAULT HE'S DEAD! IF IT WASN'T FOR ME, HE WOULD STILL BE HERE! IF ONLY I HAD LEARNED OCCULMENCY, HE WOULD STILL BE HERE! I ONLY-"

But Harry could not go on anymore. The sobs that had threatened to escape him now him now shook him from their force. Tears were blinding him. Words failed him as he gasped for breath to stop the tears. Hermione didn't think twice. The next thing he knew, he was in Hermione's arms, crying his heart out. Harry couldn't remember if he had ever cried like that, but he didn't care. He didn't care Hermione was seeing him so weak, it didn't matter anymore. 'As the tears came freely, Harry's body rocked with sobs. He choked on his tears as Hermione rocked him back and forth. She too was crying, but Harry didn't notice. He just lay in her arms, letting his emotions get the better of him.

Neither knew how long they sat there, all that mattered was that Hermione stay there and comfort Harry. When he finally pulled away, he just sat there for a second. Then he turned to Hermione, his tear-stained face all puffy and red. No words were exchanged as they sat there and looked at each other. Then Harry grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. At that point in time, nothing else mattered to Harry. Hermione was here. She was here for him, and she wouldn't leave him. She cared.And that was all Harry needed, was someone to care for him, someone who wouldn't let him deal with the pain on his own. She was there for him, and always would be, he could tell by the look in her eyes. He pulled away once more and looked her in the eye.

"Thanks Hermione." Harry knew she understood. He didn't need a "your welcome" She said it all with her eyes. She knew he needed a shoulder to cry on, and she had provided that for him. And Harry was beyond grateful.

End of Flashback

Harry smiled thinking back to that day. From then on, he had opened up. It took a while to talk about his death, but soon it became easier, and Harry had Hermione to thank for this. Thats another thing about her, she's so great to talk to, she was there for me when no one else was. She's so trusting and caring, and so, loving.....

Then Ron's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Whats that smile on your face for?" he said, also smiling.

"Just thinking..."

"Yeah, you seem to do alot of that. So, tell me, who is she?" asked Ron.

Harry looked at him like he was crazy.

"What are you talking about? Who is she? " asked Harry, compleatly lost.

"Harry, you have been spacing out all week. Now, a person can only think about quidditch so much. So, who is she?" Ron asked again.

"There is no sh-"

"Harry, you're like my brother, I know you. Now tell me before I hex you.." smiled Ron, drawing out his wand.

"Ahhh, but must you forget Mr.Weasley, I am Head Boy. And you leave me no choice but to take away points if you hex me..."said Harry, playing along with the game.

"Yes, that is quite true, Mr.Potter, but how can you take away points if you can't speak?"asked Ron.

"YOU WOULDN'T-"

"Silenco!"cried Ron.

Harry opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Ron laughed himself silly. Harry looked like a fish out of water, or better yet, a frog. Rolling around on the floor like a madman, Ron continued to laugh.

"Whats going on here?"came a voice from the portrait hole. Hermione had just arrived looking around at Harry who was apparently yelling at Ron, though no noise was comming from him.

"Ron, what did you do?" she asked turning to Ron, who now had tears coming down his cheeks.

"Uhh, just practicing our Auror skills Hermione..thats all.." choked Ron, still laughing.

She turned to Harry. " Speakify!" she said, pointing her wand at Harry.(A/N: i know, cheesy counter curse, but work with me here,,,)

"-GET YOU FOR THAT RON, I PROMISE I WILL-"Harry stopped yelling. Pulling his wand up, he pointed it to Ron.Ron stopped laughing almost instantly.

"Bubblemonit!"shouted Harry.

Ron opened his mouth and a several stream of bubbles came out of his mouth. Looking frustrated, he opened his mouth, attempting to talk. More bubbles escaped his mouth. Harry and Hermione hit the floor from laughing so hard, meanwhile scaring some third years in the corner. Ron once more tried to speak, but the bubbles coming from his mouth made this impossible. So instead he went over to Harry and pointed his finger at him while opening his mouth to shout, but failed once more.

"Whats that Ron? I can't seem to hear you? What is that your saying?" asked Harry, gasping for breath.

Ron glared at him.

"Okay, I get the point."

Harry performed the countercurse and the bubbles stopped instantly.

"Very funny Harry..." said Ron.

"Sorry mate, couldn't resist..."

They all sat down on the couch, Harry and Hermione still chuckling from Ron's bubble incident. Hermione was laughing still, holding her stomach. Harry looked over at her.

"So, did you put up the notices'?" asked Harry, looking at her.

"Yes, I'm sure they'll all be there.."

Calming down from Ron's bubble attack, Harry once again set to work on his essay. Hermione went up stairs and came back down with her bag also, and began working. Ron, figuring he might as well work too, got out his essay. After a while though, he looked up at Harry.

"So, are you going to tell me then?" he asked.

"What?" asked Harry, not paying attention to a word he was saying. He was trying to think of the wand movement to perform the Shrinking Spell Proffessor McGonnagall had mentioned in class yesterday.

"Who is she?" Ron asked once more.

The scratching of Hermione's quill stopped.

"I told you Ron, I have no idea where you would get the idea there's a 'she' " said Harry, returning to his essay.

Ron heaved a sigh.

"OF course. Denial is the first sign. You might as well tell, I will find out sooner or later you know..." said Ron.

"No you won't . You cant find out sooner or later if there is nothing to find out now can you?" said Harry, getting slightly annoyed.

"Whatever you say mate. I suppose it isn't my bussiness anyways...."

They continued to work for a few more minutes before Hermione all of a sudden grabbed her stuff so quickly Harry and Ron jumped, bid them goodnight and practicly ran up the staircases to the girl's dormitories.

"Wonder what sparked a fire under her to move out of here so quick?"asked Ron.

Harry did not reply. He had sensed Hermione was upset, but over what, he didn't know. He was positive he had seen tears in her eyes, but didn't say anything. He and Ron shortly got up after Hermione's departure and went up the stairs to Ron's room. Getting up to the dormitories, Ron began to change into his pj's. Harry gave a yawn.

"Well mate, I guess I'll see you in the morning.." said Harry.

Ron grunted from under his t-shirt he was pulling over his head. Harry stepped up to the painting of the man on his horse, tapping him so he would wake up. Harry gave the password and emerged into his room, but did not go to bed. Instead, he went throught the bathroom and knocked on Hermione's door.

"Hermione? It's Harry, will you open up? Please?"

The door opened and Harry walked into the room. Hermione stood by the door, looking at him. Harry couldn't tell if she had been crying or not, it was hard to tell. She did seem angry though.

"What do you want Harry?" she asked, rather coldly.

"Uhh, I was just checking on you....you looked kinda upset earlier and I wanted to make sure you were okay..so, umm, are you?" said Harry, taken away by her coldness towards him.

"No, I'm fine. Is that all?" she asked.

Harry took the hint.

"No, I'll leave now, sorry..."

Slowly he made his way back into his room. Pulling on some pj's, he began to wonder what had caused this sudden change in Hermione. Only a while ago she had been laughing with Harry at Ron and now all of a sudden she was practically throwing him out of her room. What was up with her? he thought. Did I do something? Was it him and Ron hexing each other? yes, It must have been that. After all, Hermione is strict on the rules. That must be it, Harry thought. But as he slowly drifted off to sleep, something told him thats not what brought the sudden change in Hermione.

thanks guys, sorry it was so long, but this should make up for the chapter before it, hoped you enjoyed it! DONT' FORGET TO REVIEW!!!! thanks,

Ashton