A/N: Sorry guys, for the wait. I took a two post break to sort out my thoughts. In actuality, I had a bit of writers block with this chapter. I hate writing conflicts between characters, and that's why. But I'm back now! Thanks everyone for the reviews. Read the author's note at the bottom with review replies for the last couple chapters!

A few chapters ago, I used the word hazel in the wrong context. I'm sorry about that. Please just ignore it and replace hazel with a word that means brown.

Disclaimer: I don't own the concept of Harry Potter. The only thing I own is the plot. So, don't sue! Oh, and since the plot is mine, don't steal it!
Chapter Five: A Visit Unexpected

Hermione seemed to be in complete denial of the entire kiss the next day. It was neither mentioned nor remembered on her part.

To Harry, though, it seemed that that was all he could think about.

"Harry... do want a smooch with your pancakes?" Hermione asked, holding up the bottle of syrup.

Harry did a double-take. "W-What?!" he asked, his heart pounding faster and faster.

"I said do you want syrup with your pancakes?" she repeated calmly.

Beneath her calm facade of peace and tranquility, Hermione was having a very good time with the entire situation.

Her mind had been reeling the entire night and she'd finally realized the cause: She had a crush on her dear old friend Harry Potter. Simple as that — no questions asked.

"Harry... we need to talk."

She set down the bottle of syrup. Harry tried to eat his pancakes calmly, smoothly, suavely, but somehow the way she was looking at him made his fork fall to the plate with a clatter.

She took his hand and squeezed it between both of her's trying to make eye contact with him, not that Harry would agree with that, for he was looking anywhere but at Hermione.

"Harry I —" she started, until she was abruptly cut off by a loud clatter coming from the living room.

Hermione released Harry's hand and they both made their way to the sitting room.

Hermione gasped in surprise, and her hand grabbed Harry's in astonishment.

Harry looked down at their entwined hands, then back up at Hermione who was looking at the fireplace with an intense stare.

"Ron..." she muttered.

"What a welcome," Ron said sarcastically, though his heavily-freckled face held amusement and his cerulean eyes were twinkling with mirth.

"Come here, Ron," Hermione said, getting over the initial shock. She released Harry's hand and embraced Ron in a hug.

"Gin's on the way," Ron explained, and as if on cue Ginny tumbled through the fireplace.

Harry greeted the two of them, and hugged Ginny.

"You're back... early," Hermione commented. Harry and Hermione led the other two teens to the couches and they sat down.

"Yeah... well, actually we're leaving tomorrow for Canada," Ron replied.

"Oh," Harry replied nervously.

There was a long pause.

"You guys want something to eat... drink, maybe?" Hermione asked.

Both Ginny and Ron declined, saying they'd just eaten.

Ron ran a distressed hand nervously through his bright red hair.

"So, what have the two of you been up to?" he asked, looking back and forth between Hermione and Harry who were shifting uncomfortably.

Finally, after another moment of silence, Hermione began to explain the entire Kreacher ordeal, as well as Tonks's visit, leaving out the important parts of her and Harry's... growing intimacy over the last five days.

Something that Ron said brought Harry out of his stupor. "So, can we crash here for the night? Ginny and I? Mum and Dad are doing something undisclosed for the Order until we leave tomorrow."

Hermione glanced at Harry briefly. "Um..." Harry began.

"Yes, of course," Hermione finished, glaring at Harry.

Ron looked back and forth between his friends almost able to see the fog of tension between them. Something had happened, even though he wasn't sure what it was... something had definitely happened.

Ginny smiled softly. "Alright then, it's settled. Thank-you!" she said cheerfully.

Hermione nodded with a forced grin and stood up to lead Ginny up the stairs, leaving the boys alone for the moment.

Ron turned to Harry with a grin on his face. "Got something to tell ya, mate," he began.

"Oh?" Harry asked trying his best not look too nervous. He had a vague idea as to what Ron was going to say and he knew he wouldn't feel so good about it.

"You know Hermione?"

Harry gave him a look.

"Well... I uh... um, you see..." Ron paused here. "I have a bit of a crush on her."

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Oh?" he ground out through clenched teeth.

Ron thought for minute.

Deciding to be blunt, he asked, "Did something happen between the two of you?"

Harry shook his head, though his eyes were still closed. He felt, rather than heard Hermione and Ginny walk back into the room.

"Well, I suppose we should finish breakfast, right Harry?" Hermione asked.

He opened his eyes, silently thanking Hermione for the moment of privacy she was buying them.

"Oh, yeah," he mumbled, standing up.

"I need to shower, so I'll do that," Ron said, still looking skeptically between Hermione and Harry.

"I'll just spend some time doing my summer homework," Ginny added.

The four friends split up, going in different directions.

"What the hell was that all about?" Hermione asked, once they were in the safety of the kitchen. She closed both of the kitchen doors, and leaned against them.

"Our dear friend Ronald has a crush on you," Harry said straightforwardly.

Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Yeah, same reaction I had," Harry mumbled. "Hermione... look, I don't care who you go out with... but I just — I think you and Ron wouldn't make too great of a couple."

"Harry I already know this. The one time I kissed Ron I felt like he was a blood relative of mine I was snogging," Hermione replied, nodding in agreement to Harry's words.

He walked closer to her so that there was only a foot of space between the two of them.

Changing subjects quite abruptly, Harry whispered, "Why'd you do it?"

Hermione opened her eyes, and sucked in a breath when she locked her chocolate gaze with Harry's jade one.

Harry reached out and caressed her cheek. Hermione's heart was pumping faster and faster, not unlike Harry's own.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the doors that Hermione was still leaning against.

"Oh hell," Hermione whispered. Her face burned up, starting at the base of her neck and going up.

She moved out of the way of the doors and glancing at Harry, opened them.

To her surprise, it wasn't Ron or Ginny standing there...
A/N: I apologize profusely for the length of this chapter, but like I said, I had some writer's block and I needed to end it here to get the full of effect of the cliffhanger. No worries, though, cuz I shall post soon! If I can, I'll post tomorrow again so I can get in the gist of things again! Talk to you all later!

One question to my readers: Should I make this story a full-blown Hogwarts Seventh-year story, Voldie and Snape included, or should I end it at the end of summer, therefore making it a shorter story? Answer in your reviews, thanks!

Review replies for chapters 3 and 4:

Elfobsession2931: Yes, I am a sucker for Harry/Hermione stories. My friends luv em too. I don't think the rating will change. I'm only 13 and I don't write R-rated stories or watch R-rated movies yet, lol. I'm sorry to disappoint, but thank you for leaving your wonderful review! I'm totally flattered!

JaimeyKay: Yes yes, of course they wouldn't. They would be very daft if they did in fact leave Harry and Hermione alone like that, and for the purpose of this story... the Order is daft, hahaha. Thank you so much for reviewing!

BlindJedi: Oh, but if I do recall correctly, Harry only cooked breakfast for them... if I am correct. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks a lot for reviewing!!

gl2004: Oh I hate when people do that! It's like BAM, "Hermione I love you!" The End. I think relationships don't work that way (though I've never been in a serious one myself). Feelings evolve naturally and you can't change them. That's why love sucks sometimes, because you can't control it. Thank you for your thoughts, as well as for your review!

Lunatic Pandora1: I'm horrible with description. I've always felt that my writing has WAY too much dialogue and not enough monologue or description. I know it's not an excuse, but I guess that's just my writing style. And I sweeearrr I'm trying to make the chapters longer, but it's tough in this story. I'm sorry! Thanks for your criticism and your review!!!

HarryNDracosDarlin: Oh yes yes! Me and my guy friends are always fighting like that, and so that's why I put it in the chapter. Looking over it now, I'm laughing, but when we're arguing you don't want to get in my way, lol! Thanks for reviewing.

Usha88: I think Kreacher was my most hated character. Him and Pettigrew, they just annoyed me soooo bad! Very interesting... my parents and I moved to Florida when I was four, and I don't have any siblings. Email me sometime, or IM. :) Thanks for the review!!!

Admiral Lily: Wonderful piece of advice. I totally agree. I'm a big organizer/planner myself. It feels good to just go with the flow in this story. Thank you!

Lady Priestess: Not long, I assure you, lol. Thanks for the review!

ray1: A little problem, but it shouldn't be a problem for this dream-couple, am I right? Thanks for the review! Much appreciated.

Cypria: You never know what's coming. Hell, I don't even know what's coming, lol. Thanks for reviewing.

Jakia: Fanfiction does have a problem with that. It takes 24 hours for each update to get posted permanently, but until the 24 hours are up, the post isn't permanent, so you may see it at one point, and not at another. It's just Fanfiction, because I always post mine once-and-for-all, and I don't take it down. Thank you for bringing that to my attention, and also for reviewing.

snosamie6: No no, this story is far from ending. Glad you likey! Thanks for the review!

katie: Yes yes! I messed that up horribly. I looked up the definition of hazel after I read your review. I don't think I will replace it, but I will put a note up. Thank you for bringing that up, I really appreciate it. Thanks for your review as well!

Emily: Oh yes. Somehow my characters tend to always turn out OOC, but that, I think, was expected in this situation. JK Rowling would never write something of this nature, so the entire story is out of canon. Sorry for that, but you do agree don't you? P.S. I'll email you as soon as I get the chance!! Thanks for reviewing!

AND EXTRA THANK-YOUs TO THESE REVIEWERS!!!

moonlightwitch, ladybird2256, Trumpet-Geek, Gryffindor620, sarah, Hermione, grantsbeetle, AL, bade03, fanjimmy, Dbish403, eat paper, Bandit, DanFan, Chelsea Frog, coyote/spike, ANDTORR, ShimmeringEvil, Ashley Potter13, ladybird, daniellover12, twinkle25, snuffles91, Red-Gold-Phoenix, jessi, potter-crzy, faerie, HHromancefreak, leviyl.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALLLLL THE REVIEWS!!!


Next Chapter: What the hell? Why is HE here? Harry and Hermione one BIG problem to deal with when they open the kitchen doors to find...