disclaimer: We all know I don't own Harry Potter.....this is just a waste of my time writing this..
Oodles and oodles of love to my reviewers!
tein: I know Im dragging this thing out and Im sorry. Im ready to post the chapter where the two make up but I have to put some things first. But don't worry, it's coming up. Thanks for reading!
c-dog: Thanks! And Im glad your addicted, I love addicted readers!
retarded monkey: Im glad you like it!
vampiric soul666: As I told tein, Im sorry im dragging this thing out. Please stick with me, I promise things will get better.
gldnsunsprite21: dont worry, they're not going to get together. Im sorry it takes so long to update but im sure you have an idea of all the things going on right now with school, homework, and all that other great stuff. Im trying to update more often but as you see, it's not going over so good with my schedule. Anyways, thanks for reviewing and keep reading!
I'm still Drizzy: I know the dullish chapters are sucky, Im sorry! I wish I could type faster and get all of my ideas posted but I have to include all the boring stuff in-between. I know I was a bit straight forward with Ron but my readers were getting anxious to see Harry and Hermione make-up and I wanted to give a hint somewhere that it would be happening soon. Im glad you like the story and im thrilled you think my writing is wonderful. Thanks so much!
Drazil: I know, Alexa is evil. I don't like her either. And I know everyone is anxious for Harry and Hermione to get together. Dont worry, it'll happen soon!
HHromancefreak: So sorry, I know it's evil to let you all hanging like that. Im glad you decided to look past the evilness and keep reading!
Shinji-Higurashi: Im glad you like it!
kay#4orlandoandhplvr: Im glad you're anxious to see what happens! All I can say is keep reading!
Cecilia DevilAngel: Im glad you saw I was trying to hint in a possible make-up between Harry and Hermione. But there will be some obstacles before- ah, wait, im giving too much away. keep reading and I promise to try to update sooner!
Samantha Rodriguz: calm down, it will be Harry and Hermione....I think...JUST JOKING! I promise it wont' be Harry and Alexa for too long but there will be some interaction..can't say more here, just keep reading..thanks again from one of my best reviewers!
orly23: Thanks! And since I didnt write a ff for the sixth year I figured I had to make up for some time lost. (( Grawp and Winky)) There will be more of an explanantion later on that. Anyways, thanks for the review!
Gurlsboy: Well, it's cool you came back to read my story. I hope it's not boring enough where people forget about it or anything like that. Thanks though, it's nice to know Im doing ok on it. Im trying to update sooner so check back sometime soon for the next chappie!
sweet-as-hunny: Im glad you like it! I know, it sucks to see Hermione watching Harry with some other girl and all but it is necessary in the story. Dont worry, Harry will soon end-well, Harry and Alexa wont be together for much longer. Im trying to give hints without giving my future chapters away and it's harder than expected. Just keep reading and thanks again for the review!
SilverBelle: I know, don't you feel bad for her and even worse for Harry? Things just aren't fair! Anyways, thanks for reviewing!
Tamar-shaki: Thanks! Im glad you like it, and dont worry, Harry and Hermione can't ignore their feelings for much longer..
once again, thanks for reviewing.
chapter nineteen...A Near Miss
"Come on Potter, I know you can do better than that!" and with that she flew off to the end of the pitch and started circling the goal posts, waiting for him to chase her.
The sooner I get this over, the sooner I can talk to Hermione..
Harry flew down the field to where Alexa was waiting. She gave an excited squel before shooting off in the other direction.
"Come on Harry!" she shouted.
Without enthuasium, Harry followed. As he watched her, he was sure of the fact she didn't need flying lessons at all. She was a good flyer.
So I guess Ron was right. Alexa does like me. So she probably thinks I like her too, and thats why I agreed to come out here today...
Great, I've got one girl who hates my guts and one girl who wants flying lessons from me..
Maybe I should put Ron's offer to use and call him up here to finish the lessons...
No, you cant do that...said a voice.
And why not?
You dont want a repeat of the whole Cho thing now do you?
That was true. Maybe the whole reason Harry didnt go on many dates in sixth year was because Cho had taken it upon herself to tell everyone Harry had cheated on her and 'poof' there goes Harry's dating life. Well, it wasnt completely bad, he thought. I did have a couple dates in sixth...Not many of them turned out to be the best..
Looks like you could do with some dating tips from Sirius...After all, he was the ladies man when he was in school...
The familar pain swept across his chest. Latley it had been harder to think about Sirius, with the reacurring dreams. It was like losing him all over again. Harry was missing him more and more.
Shaking his head, he flew off to join Alexa at the end of the pitch, who was constantly calling his name. If I ever do date her, Im getting some ear plugs first...
Harry was hovering in mid-air wondering how Alexa had persuaded him she needed flying lessons. As he watched her move swiftly on her Firebolt, he felt stupidity overtaking him.
And I actually thought she needed help..
Harry was about to join Alexa at the end of the pitch where she was practicing diving when he saw the doors of the Great Hall open. As soon as he saw Ron's red hair, he knew Hermione was with him. Relief covered his worry from before. Ever since he had left Ron, he had felt uneasy about not seeing Hermione all morning. But as he watched her brown curls blowing behind her as she and Ron walked across the grounds, he realized how worried he had been. In fact, he was tempted to go himself. I dont know what I would do if I lost her...
Harry gave himself a mental shake. What was he saying? He and Hermione were just friends, thats all.
So you need to start acting like it..said the voice.
He made to fly off but not before he looked back once more. Ron apparently was talking to Hermione as they walked near the forrest.They must be going to Hagrid's...Harry desperatly wanted to be with them instead of being here with Alexa.
"Harry!"
Well, speak of the devil..he thought.
Alexa flew up beside him, smiling.
"You know Potter, you're not so bad.." she said, refixing her hair into a pony-tail.
" I thought you needed flying lessons," accused Harry.
She smiled mischievously.
"Well, I had to get you out here somehow, now didnt I?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"What? You couldn't tell?"
"T-tell what?" Harry stuttered.
She giggled.
Alexa was slowly leaning forwards on her broom, looking Harry straight in the eye.
"Harry, I really like you."
"Well, that's great Alexa. I like you too. I think we could be excellent friends-"
She smiled. "You know what I mean."
She leaned in closer...
Oh Merlin, she's going to kiss me...shes going to kiss me...SHE'S GOING TO KISS ME! STOP HER! STOP!
Her breath was warm on his face...
STOP! STOP! YOU BIG BAFOON, STOP HER!!!
"Harry, I really-"
"Well, I guess I'll go get the quinch-uh-I mean, sauffle-quaffle! Yes! I'll go get the quaffle, and, uh...we can uh..practice..snitching, no kissing.. NO! No, I mean...uh.. Scoring! We can practice scoring..thats it!" Harry zoomed to the ground as fast as his firebolt would let him, heading to the quidditch shack and signing out a snitch and quaffle in his use, the whole time replaying that scene in his head. Alexa Boloy just tried to kiss me and I didnt let her..why? Get a grip on yourself Harry, she tried to kiss you...remember what happened last time someone kissed you? Complete disaster..but still...SHE TRIED TO KISS ME....
But why didnt I let her? There was no reason not too..
No. I shouldnt kiss her. I dont even know her.
But still, it's not like Im making a commitment or anything by kissing her..
Shaking his head, Harry grabbed a quaffle and snitch out of the crate next to his feet. Putting them under his arm, he began to mount his broom once more, but not before he saw a curious head looking through Hagrid's window. Harry knew who it was.
Suddenly he became worried.
She didnt see that almost-kiss did she? Please, dont let her have seen that...Please...
Harry thought back to fifth year when she had asked him if Cho kissed him..
Her face had a worried look on it as he took his time to answer, but when he did, it was replaced by a slight frown. Harry always wondered why it had seemed why she was upset..
Well, if you saw Krum kissing her, you'd be jealous wouldnt you?
The thought of someone kissing Hermione made Harry's face heat up with anger. Thats Hermione...how dare he...
Hold up Harry, you're making assumptions. You're not even sure if they did kiss...
Still not sure if he should be mad or upset but still confused, Harry mounted his broom and sped off to join Alexa once more.
When he arrived in the air beside her they looked at each other for a second and then, as if remembering what had almost happened, looked away rather quickly. An awkard silence took place of conversation. Harry stared long and hard at the handle of his broom, trying his best to appear interested. Alexa was biting her bottom lip and was looking into the forrest with an embarrassed look on her face. After a moment she starting swinging her foot and turned her attention to her broom handle.
"Um, right then...so, uh..I'll uh..give you the quaffle and you can practice snog-uh, I mean, scoring..and I'll uh...well, I'll stick around I guess.." Harry said. He still wasnt looking at Alexa, and from what he could tell, she wasnt looking at him either.
"Right.."
Alexa suddenly looked up at him and Harry felt his face heating up.
"Harry-"
"Okay then so we'll just-"
"Harry, just listen to me-"
"No, really, we should practice-"
She opened her mouth to speak again but Harry quickly took the quaffle from under his arm and passed it to Alexa before she could say anything more.
"Harry-" she tried again but stopped as Harry passed the ball to her.
As Harry handed her the quaffle, his hand brushed aganist Alexa'a arm. Automatically Alexa covered his hand with hers. Not thinking, he looked up at her. She was looking straight into his eyes, a pouting but determined look on her face. Harry found it hard to look away. They sat there for a minuter longer before Alexa's expression softened and she was looking at Harry with a slight smile on her face.
You're not making a commitment...just go for it..
Suddenly Harry found himself leaning into her, his face growing steadily closer to hers..
Alexa's smile widened. Leaning in, she closed her eyes, her lips parted slightly..
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Ginny walked quickly down the corridor fuming. How dare Boloy even talk to Harry..As if she had a chance with him! Harry doesnt even like her..
But Ginny did know who Harry liked..even if he was too thick to admit it..
True, Ginny was long over Harry and her crush, but she wasnt so sure if someone else was over Harry..
Sometimes it was so frustrating knowing the two of them were perfect for each other but were in complete denial. At one point she had tried to persuade Hermione to admit her feelings for Harry but Hermione absolutly refused to reveal any feelings besides friendship towards him. But Ginny wasnt stupid. She saw the way the two of them looked at each other when they thought no one was looking and the way Harry smiled when talking about her. She was near the three of them on the first day back, just as the carriages were unloading. The look on Harry and Hermione's face when they exchanged a hug wasnt just friendship. And Harry, no matter how hard he tried, couldnt hide the look of affection he showed towards her..
Something more was going on there..
"And now little Miss 'I Need Flying Lessons' is going to ruin it all.." said Ginny in a discusted voice. She put on a high pitched voice and pretended to be talking to someone next to her, batting her eyelashes in a ridiculous way.
"Oh I'm so excited! I can't wait! I mean, lessons from such a good quidditch player like you. You were the youngest player in a century, weren't you? Ah ha! Watch me prance around Harry and flirt with you like mad! Oh I jus wove you so much!" Ginny snorted. "Give me a break..If Harry doesnt have any more sense than to push her off her broom today then I regret ever liking him.."
"AH HA ! I knew you liked him! See, I told you so..you just wouldn't admit it.."
A girl about the age of sixteen stepped out from a tapestry in front of Ginny. She had a smile on her face as she walked towards her friend. Her blonde hair was short, about to her shoulders, with blonde highlights. She had freckles splashed across her nose and brown eyes that twinkled with laughter. She had the innocent look of a child covering her angelic face.
"You know Erin, if you keep hiding and listening to peoples conversation's, I will be forced to curse you.." Ginny smiled.
"Well, last time I checked talking to yourself wasnt considered 'conversation'. But I might be wrong.." The girl smiled as she and Ginny set off down the corridor. "So, now that I know you did like Harry, do you mind telling me why you are mocking Alexa? I know you didnt like her, but what's she done to make you dislike her even more?"
"Ah well, long story.."
"And its a Saturday and I have nothing better to do!"
Ginny explained what happened at breakfast. When she finished, she looked at Erin to see her reaction. She had a worried look on her face and she was biting her lip in concentration.
"Um, Gin? You dont like Harry anymore do you?" she looked at her.
"OF Course not! I stopped liking him at the end of fourth year. That is long gone. Why did you ask?" Then a look of comprehension dawned on her face."OH NO! You dont like him do you?"
"No! Dont be ridiculous!"
"Well, then, why'd you ask?"
"Well, dont get me wrong Gin, but isnt it up to Harry who he dates? I mean, it is his life and all..NOT that I like Alexa Boloy or anything, Im just saying.." Erin looked at Ginny to see her reaction.
"Well, yes, technically you do have a point there and all..but thats besides the matter.." said Ginny.
"Oh really?"
"Well yes! You see, Harry really does like Hermione, he's just afraid to admit it-"
"And he told you this?"
"No..but I know it's true. Everyone knows. Well, except for Harry and Hermione, they're clueless as to what's happening. I think Hermione knows whats going on-she's starting to realize she has feelings besides friendship for Harry but she won't admit it because she's scared of ruining the friendship. As for Harry..well..we know the feelings are there but he doesn't.I think he thinks he's only allowed feelings of friendship towards her and nothing more-"
"Well I don't see why they wouldn't tell each other all this. I know if it were me I would. Especially since Harry is starting to get all this attention from everyone. I wouldn't want someone else claiming him before I could. Wouldn't Hermione just tell Harry she likes him?"
"Of course not! Do you expect Hermione to prance up to her best friend and confess her feelings for him? For one, she won't admit it even to me, and another, she isnt sure if Harry will return the feelings."
"But Harry likes Hermione. I mean, its kinda obvious isnt it? Have you seen the way he looks at her?" asked Erin, a smile playing on her face.
"And the way she looks at him? They're totally smitten and dont even know it-And it's up to us to show them!" Ginny proclaimed.
"And how are we suppose to do that?"
"Oh, uh..I dunno.."
The two girls emerged out onto the grounds and sat on the edge of the lake. After a moment, Erin took off her shoes and started walking in the shallow water. Ginny was casting her mind around for anything that might help her convince Harry and Hermione they liked each other when she heard a shrill of laughter in the distance.
Rolling her eyes, she tried to focus her mind on what she was thinking before, but Alexa's continous laughter and shouts of Harry's name interrupted her.
"Does she ever shut up?" asked Ginny angrily as she stood up, glaring in the direction of the quidditch field.
Erin looked up to see what Ginny was in a huff about. Then she spotted Alexa.
"Guess hanging on Harry and shouting his name for the world to hear is only two of her favorite things to do.." she said.
"Well, we'll just have to put a stop to that, now wont we?" asked Ginny.
"Ginny? Ginny, what are you doing?"
But Ginny was already sprinting off to the quidditch field. Sighing, Erin grabbed her shoes and followed. The two girls came to a stop just behind the stands that lined the stadium. Ginny peeked her head around, searching the sky for Alexa.
"Oh this is horrible, I feel like a spy..." Erin complained.
"Oh shut up! We're not spying, we're just chaparoning. Making sure that twit doesnt do anything she shouldnt.."
"Honestly Gin, you sound like Harry's mother!"
Ginny glared at her.
"Just come here and help me keep an eye out.."
Erin did as she was told and poked her head out just above Ginny's. From where they were standing, they could see Harry and Alexa perfectly. Apparently they had taken a break because they were both suspended in mid-air.
"Doesnt look like she's doing anything wrong to me.."
Ginny ignored her.
"Now, if I can just get to the other side I can make sure she-OH MY GOD!"
"What?What?"
Ginny stood in shocked silence as she stared at the two. Erin strained her eyes to see what Ginny saw but at that moment, Harry was coming their way at an alarming fast rate. Grabbing the back of Ginny's robes, Erin pulled her behind the stands so they were out of sight. Then she turned to her friend, who no longer looked shocked, but furious.
"What?"
Ginny just sputtered words that didnt make sense and shook her head furiously.
"What?!" Erin pressed on. "Tell me!"
"I knew that-that-that-evil twit would try something like that! I cant believe it! She had the nerve to-"
"WHAT? What did she try to do? TELL ME!"
Ginny turned her furious face to Erin.
"That-thing-tried to kiss Harry!"
Erin took in a breath.
"She didnt! Did he kiss her back? What happened?"
"No he did-"
But at that moment Harry came out of the quidditch shack, a quaffle and snitch in his arms. Erin and Ginny whipped around to watch him fly back up.
Ginny looked outraged.
"I cant' believe he's going back up!"
The two girls sat in silence as they watched the couple in the air. They watched as Harry studdered over his words and then Alexa's hand on his.
"Get your hand off him! I cant believe her!" Ginny fumed.
Then the couple in the air leaned closer. Suddenly Erin let out a gasp and quickly grabbed Ginny's arm, squeezing it tightly.
"OH MY GOD! They're gonna kiss! Ginny!"
But Ginny was no longer in Erin's hold. Seizing a rock off the ground, she ran out from her hiding place and threw the rock in the direction of Harry and Alexa.
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She's so close...
Alexa's long eyelashes were pressed aganist her skin, her eyes shut gently. A few wisps of hair that had escaped her pony-tail fell on either side of her face. Her breathing was slow and warm on Harry's face as she moved closer..leaning in..waiting for him to kiss her..
Harry closed his eyes and leaned forward..
Suddenly something small and hard came in contact with the side of Harry's head.
"OW!!"
Jerking his head back, he rubbed the spot that was now throbbing horribly.
"Harry what is it?" Alexa asked. Her eyes now open, she was looking at him with a concerned look upon her face. Suddenly he was reminded of what he was about to do and at that moment he couldnt be more grateful for the throbbing pain in his head. Harry stared at Alexa with the realization he had almost kissed her. What was I thinking?
Alexa continued to look at him."What hit you?"
Harry quickly thought of an excuse.
"My head..uh..the snitch got lose and uh..hit my head.."
Even to Harry's ears it sounded ridiculous.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine.."
"If you're sure..."
She was looking at him worriedly. Realizing this was a perfect oppertunity to escape, Harry made his move. He raised a hand to his head as if it had just started hurting again.
"Well, my head kinda does hurt..do you mind if I cut this short and head to the hospital wing?" asked Harry.
Alexa looked slightly upset but wasn't going to keep Harry here with a pounding headache.
"No, not at all. Do you want me to go with you?" she asked.
"No. No thanks, I'll be fine.."
"Alright Harry, I guess I'll see you at dinner then?" she asked.
"Yeah sure.."
Harry slowly headed back to the ground, his brain reeling.
What was I thinking? Was I actually going to kiss her?
Harry dismounted his broom and headed back to Gryffindor Tower, still very confused.
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"ARE YOU CRAZY?"
Ginny, who was still standing in the same spot, looking utterly surprised at her luck, heard Erin yell at her but chose to ignore her. She couldnt believe it. Harry was actually going to kiss Alexa. She just stood there, looking completely stunned.
She saw Harry rubbing his head and then, upon her shock, she also felt guilty. She hadn't meant to hit Harry in the head, but at least she had stopped the kiss. Well, he deserved it, he shouldt' have tried to kiss her.
But what if thats what he wanted? What if he wanted to kiss her?
Ginny frowned. What if Harry had wanted to kiss Alexa?
No, surely he didnt..
But what if he did?
Ginny ignored the thoughts pouring into her mind as she turned her attention back to her best friend who looked both surprised and admiring.
Ginny halfway laughed at her expression. After all, the shock of seeing Harry almost kiss Alexa still hadn't worn off. She stood for a moment thinking about what she had just seen. Erin had obviously sensed her shock and went over to her.
"Surprised?"
"More like shocked and angry. I can't believe he would do something like that. I mean, he doesnt even know her!" Ginny's face was nothing short of shocked.
"Well, it shocked me too, believe me, but-well, maybe he wanted to kiss her..maybe he does like her.." Erin said in a tentive voice, as though scared of Ginny's reaction.
Ginny stared at her.
"I know he doesnt like her. He-he cant-he likes Hermione. Doesnt he?" Ginny looked at her friend for support.
"Gin, maybe Harry did like Hermione. But maybe now he has feelings for someone else. Im not saying its a bad thing you care or anything, but maybe you should let things happen as they should. You cant make them like each other, no matter how hard you try.." Erin said in a quiet voice.
Ginny sighed. "So are you saying I shouldnt have thrown the rock?"
Erin let out a snort of laughter. "Only you would throw a rock at someone to stop them kissing.."
Ginny couldnt help but chuckle as she watched Erin laugh, her eyes streaming from tears of laughter. Soon the two girls were laughing hysterically. After they had calmed down a bit, Ginny spoke.
"Too bad I didnt hit her though.." she snorted. "Maybe she would have fell off her broom.."
Erin gave her a look.
"Okay okay, that was horrible. I take it back.." Ginny said. The two girls looked at each other. "Not!"
Laughter overcame them once more.
"We should really be getting back to the-oh stop it Ginny!" Erin said. Ginny was doing imitations of Alexa falling off her broom, making her friend laugh even more. Wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, Erin continued. "We really need to get back to the castle..Dinner will be ready soon and I have a ton of homework.."
Still laughing slightly, the girls made their way back to Gryffindor tower.
Im not a big fan of this chapter. I dont care for the way I made Ginny sound so interested in Harry and Hermione's relationship and I tried to fix it but it didnt work. And I wanted to get this chapter up as soon as possible so I didnt have time to re-write it.
And for all those who are waiting for Harry and Hermione to make-up, don't worry, it's coming up in the next two chapters. I know most of you are waiting for it and I know I've been dragging it out but it will come up soon.
Anyways, make sure you review, and I'll give you oodles of love! Oh, and just so things dont get confusing in the next chappie, MAKE YOU SURE YOU READ THIS- in the next chappie, the time will still be Saturday after Harry's flying lesson. So, so no one gets confused, it will take place after the flying lesson. Until then-thank you all so much for taking time out of your uber-busy schedules to read my ff! GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Ashton