Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to get this Chapter up. I had no time
during finals. Plus, I don't own anything having to deal with Harry
Potter.
Chapter Five: A Moment Like This
Forehand. Backhand. Volley, and then the slam. Ron raced back and forth across the tennis court, trying to return the shots that Harry was making. Unfortunately for Ron, Harry was far better, and he easily smoked him with a backhand down the line.
"I hate it when the coach makes me play against you during warm-ups," Ron whined.
"Why? Because I kick your ass every time?" Harry asked with a smile.
"That and it isn't fair to you, because you should be warming up with someone who can play better, you smart ass," Ron retorted.
"Well, I think I get a good enough warm-up playing with you, Ron. Plus, playing against Malfoy would only warm me up with a lot of anger."
Draco was on the court next to them, hitting back and forth with Crabbe and Goyle, his two flunkies. Harry didn't know why Crabbe and Goyle had tried out for the tennis team, for they were both very plump and could not run very fast. And for a reason unknown to Harry, Draco still found it amusing whenever he smoked them both during warm-ups.
"I'm glad that you play #1 singles and not that slime, Harry," Ron said before taking a drink from his water bottle.
"Challenges come up next week though, Ron. And if Malfoy beats me, he'll get to play that position at the finals instead of me."
"You don't have to worry about it, Harry. You can beat Malfoy any and every day."
"Thanks for the uplifting words," Harry joked.
"You're welcome. So, do you know who you have to play in today's final round?" Ron asked.
"Nope. I haven't been told yet, but I bet it will be that one guy whose name I can never remember."
"Krum?"
"Yeah, that's him," Harry replied.
"You'll have a hard time then, Harry. Viktor Krum is supposed to be very good and very hard to beat," Ron explained.
"I'm not worried, Ron."
After picking up their water bottles again, Harry and Ron got off of the court they were on because some other people needed it.
"Was Padma going to come today?" Harry asked.
Ron took another drink from his water bottle. "She had to go to work, but she said that she'd be here in the afternoon, which should be anytime now. Plus, she's bringing a surprise along."
"What kind of surprise? And for you or me?" Harry asked.
"For you, and you'll have to wait and see," Ron said with a smile. "I'm starved. Let's go over to our team table and get some food."
Harry followed Ron and Ron's stomach over to their team table. Seamus Finnigan was chowing down on a huge slice of pepperoni pizza, and he encouraged harry and Ron to dig in.
"It's very good. Even better than last year's Chinese food banquet we had out here," Seamus said in between bites.
Harry was about ready to take Seamus' advice and get a slice when Coach Lupin suddenly ran over. "Harry!" he called. "You're up. You're going to be playing Viktor Krum. Since we are already going to the finals, you don't have to win, but please do anyway."
"Which court am I on?" Harry asked.
"Court #6. Go get him," Lupin said before he went away, off to organize the score sheets.
"Good luck," Ron said when Harry looked at him.
"Thanks," Harry replied as he picked up his water bottle and tennis racquet yet again, heading off in the direction of the tennis court he was to play one.
Ron stayed by the food table, piling six slices of pizza on to his plate before sitting down to inhale it all.
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The wind rushed by as Padma peaked 65 miles per hour on the freeway.
"I think...you're going...a little too fast!" Hermione cried as she frantically tried to keep the papers in her notebook from flying about. Padma was driving her mother'' convertible, a rare opportunity.
"Loosen up a little!" Padma cried back.
"Well, I find it a little bit too hard to 'loosen' up when I'm about to die!" Hermione screeched as Padma flew past a semi-truck.
"We're going to be there in a few minutes, so you might want to calm down before you see Harry," Padma said as she got on the exit ramp to get off of the freeway.
"You know that you're a very evil person, right?" Hermione asked.
"Me? Now why would you say that?" Padma replied with a quirky smirk.
"I'd say it because you waited until now to tell me that Harry and Cho broke up the night we all went to the club, and what I really want to know is why he didn't tell me at school during this week. He had plenty of opportunities since I'm in practically all of his classes," Hermione said.
"Maybe he was waiting for the proper or correct time to tell you, and it just hadn't come yet."
"True, but now I'm going to be so nervous around him."
"Especially since you've been flirting with him like crazy this past week," Padma commented.
"What? I have not!" Hermione explained, her face flushing red.
"Oh please. 'Harry, I love your eyes. Harry, I love your lips. Please let me kiss you and take you back to my bedroom so we can have some naughty fun.'"
"Stop right there," Hermione interjected quickly. Her face was as red as an apple.
"Just admit it already."
"Admit to what?" Hermione asked.
"Admit that you like Harry Potter," Padma said.
Hermione was speechless for several minutes, struggling to find any words that could help her. Before she could come up with any reply, Padma pulled the car into the parking lot, the tennis courts right next to the area of the lot.
"Let's go find them," Padma said as she got out of the car. Hermione frantically grabbed her notebook and all of her papers before Padma put the top up and locked the car. They found Ron sitting on the top row of some bleachers that were situated by court #6. After climbing up the steps, Padma and Hermione sat next to him.
"Finally, you two are here."
"How's Harry doing?" Padma asked.
"He won the first set 6-4, and he's having a little trouble with the second set. He's tying Viktor Krum 4-4," Ron replied.
Hermione waved at Ron, who waved back, before opening up her notebook. The pages inside had no lines. They were blank sheets of white paper. It was the private notebook that Hermione kept all of her art in, for she had been drawing since she was a child.
"What'cha got there?" Ron asked.
"My notebook," Hermione replied.
"Can I see your work?" he asked again.
"Maybe later," Hermione muttered. "I don't want any loose papers to blow away in the breeze."
"Alright," Ron said.
Carefully holding the loose papers down, Hermione slowly began to sketch on the paper with a charcoal pencil while watching Harry play tennis, but after a few minutes, she set it aside. Harry's match was getting intense.
Down on the court, Harry breathed in deeply, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. He had just won that game, putting himself up 5-4, and now it was his turn to serve, hopefully for the match. Tossing the ball up into the air, Harry brought his tennis racquet around, slamming the ball straight down the middle for an awesome serve. It went right past Viktor, making Harry one point closer to winning his match.
"He's three points away," Ron whispered.
Harry's next serve was not as good, and Krum returned it cross-court with a forehand. Harry sprinted to get it, hitting it just out of Krum's reach, getting him one point closer again.
Krum won the next point, but Harry put himself one point away from the win with another ace down the middle. Everyone around them was cheering at the proper moments. "Come on, Harry," Hermione whispered.
Taking another breath, Harry decided to get it over with. He tossed the ball high into the air, slamming it down the middle, where Krum was weakest.
It all happened within the time span of a few seconds. Krum dove, lobbing the tennis ball into the air. Harry ran forward, aiming carefully. Within the blink of an eye, Harry brought his racquet down, slamming the ball right down the line, winning the match.
Hermione could see Draco Malfoy scowl and walk away with his two cronies as the rest of the team rejoiced and ran on to the court. Hermione, Ron, and Padma soon joined them, carrying Harry out on their shoulders. Once Harry was put down, he and Ron hugged lightly, but Harry stopped before he went to hug Hermione and Padma.
"Maybe I should hug you two later, when I'm not covered in layers of sweat," he murmured.
"Good plan," Padma replied, backing away.
"In celebration, I want us four to go out together tonight," Ron said heartily as he strolled back up to them from the rest of the team.
"Sounds good. I'm pretty sure I could get out," Harry said, wiping his face with a towel.
"Me too," Padma added.
"How about you, Hermione?" Harry asked, smiling.
Hermione's face tinged red lightly. "Sounds good."
"Great! So, what do we all want to do then?" Ron asked.
Padma glared lightly at him. "You invited us to do something, so you figure it out."
"Fine. How about a movie?"
Everyone agreed on seeing a movie, especially Harry. He was beginning to plan something extra besides the previously discussed plans.
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After the tennis team got back to the city, Harry went straight home to shower, wanting to get all of the sweat and grime off of his skin. Hermione went with him, still not 100% familiar with the Big Apple.
"Here we are," he said as he opened the door to the apartment, letting her step through first.
"So after we get ready, we're going to meet Ron and Padma at the movie theater?"
"Correct. My room is on the third floor, so I'm going to head up there. You can look around all you want, maybe grab a snack in the kitchen. Pretty much, just make yourself at home," Harry explained.
'Easier said than done,' Hermione thought. She was extremely nervous, because not only was she in Harry's home for the first time, but there was the possibility that she might meet his parents.
"By the way," Harry called as he climbed the stairs, "my parents are away in court right now, so you don't have to be nervous about meeting them today." He smiled at the small look of relief on Hermione's face.
As Harry climbed the stairs, eventually getting to his bathroom to shower after peeling his clothes off, Hermione slowly began to walk around, first heading into the sunroom. To her, Harry's home was wonderful. It was not only large, but so far, it was decorated beautifully and was in perfect order. 'Probably due to his mother. No wonder he's so proper and kind,' she thought.
The first floor was amazing, and Hermione soon found herself going up to the second floor, and soon the third floor. Harry never said that she couldn't, and Hermione was willing to satisfy her own curiosity.
Walking down a narrow hallway, Hermione came to a pair of oak doors. They were shut firmly, but weren't locked so she easily opened them. At first, she didn't know she was in Harry's bedroom. It became apparent, however, when Hermione turned and Harry came into view, a small towel wrapped around his waist, the rest of his body slick with water. She quickly turned away, her face brighter than the sun.
"I'm so sorry, Harry. I didn't know this was your room," she choked out, extremely embarrassed.
"Really, it's alright, Hermione. A little embarrassing, but alright."
"I'll just wait for you downstairs," she said before quickly ducking out into the hallway, closing the door behind herself. Her cheeks burned with warmth, and she couldn't get the image of Harry in a towel out of her mind.
Hermione quickly descended the stairs and decided to wait in the sunroom. After waiting another twenty minutes looking at all of the various plants and flowers, Harry spoke up behind Hermione. "Ready to go?" he asked softly. He smiled when she turned towards him. "I hope my attire is just as pleasing as my previous attire was to you," he said with a small grin.
Hermione blushed furiously once more. "You look very nice," she replied. Harry wore a pair of jeans, probably purchased at Hollister or the Gap, with a blue polo shirt and brown dress shoes.
Hermione ignored her embarrassment and tried to talk to him again. "Did Ron mention what movie we would see this afternoon?" she asked.
"No. He said we'd decide when we got there."
"Then shall we go?"
"After you, Miss Granger," Harry said smoothly as he grabbed his jacket and opened the door.
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Ice-skating was probably one of the best things that could calm her down. As she skated across the ice rink in Central Park, Cho could already feel herself relaxing, letting all of her troubles disappear. It was the first actual time that she had been able to relax since her breakup with Harry. All week long, endless amounts of her popular friends had inquired about him, and the only thing that she told them was that it was over, and to leave him alone. Surprisingly, even those troubles began to fade away as she twirled on the ice.
Not many people were ice skating, so Cho had plenty of room to do some tricks spinning in the air and carefully landing once again. After going around the rink several times, Cho decided to take a small breather, heading inside to get a nice warm cup of hot cocoa, completely unaware of a certain blonde young man, hair slicked back, who was following her.
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The movie that they ended up seeing was called Underworld. One of Ron's favorite actresses starred in it, and he was practically salivating over seeing Kate Beckinsale on the big screen, clad in tight black leather. Padma had to slap him every once in a while so he didn't start a collecting pool of saliva in their box of popcorn.
"It's interesting," Hermione whispered to Harry.
"What is?" he whispered back.
"A vampire movie that is finally not about killing humans and screwing each other left and right."
Harry stifled a laugh before looking back to the screen in time to see Kate Beckinsale shoot several werewolves.
Throughout the whole movie, Harry was fighting an internal battle. Hermione's hand was resting on the armrest just next to his own hand. He had wanted to touch it, maybe even hold it, but his nervousness got to him, and he withheld from doing it. Just as the movie was coming to an end, Harry had finally built up enough courage to do it, but the credits began to play and Hermione, Ron, and Padma suddenly stood. Harry abruptly joined then.
"So, what did you think of it?" Ron asked as they left the theater.
"Obviously, you liked it," Hermione said. "Wipe your chin off."
Ron had some dried spittle on his chin, and he quickly brushed it away.
Once outside, Ron and Padma caught a taxi, leaving Harry and Hermione behind.
"I guess you plan on walking me home?" Hermione asked Harry.
Harry looked up at the sky. The sun had set, and night was slowly spreading. "It's a nice night, so why not?"
After walking for a short period of time, talking about the movie, Harry noticed that Hermione was shivering lightly. "Here," he said, "take my jacket." Harry carefully put it on her.
"Thanks," she whispered, pulling it close around her. Hermione lightly inhaled, smelling Harry on the jacket, and it was a smell that she really liked. Wearing his jacket almost felt like he was holding her in his arms, minus the physical contact.
"Harry, where are we going? I don't exactly know my way around this city yet, but I don't think we're heading in the right direction."
"We're not," he replied. "I'm taking you somewhere else."
"Where?" Hermione asked, slightly nervous.
"You'll see," he said as they come to a clearing of trees. "Through here."
Harry led her through, moving in about the trees, until they came to a large opening.
"And what did you plan on us doing, here in Central Park?" she asked him, smiling softly.
"Have you ever been ice skating before?" Harry asked her with a grin on his face.
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It was pretty obvious to Harry that Hermione had never been ice-skating before. She squealed lightly when they went out on to the ice, the sharp blades guiding their way.
"I'm going to fall down," she kept saying as she wobbled every so often.
"No you're not. Here," Harry said as he took her hand in his. "As long as I am holding on to your hand, you won't fall down." Harry was nervous about holding her hand, but relaxed when he realized the feeling was mutual between the two.
"It isn't so bad now," Hermione commented as they slowly glided on the ice.
"You're doing good, but I'm going to let you go now."
"No, please don't, Harry."
"Hermione, you'll be fine."
"If you let go, I'm going to fall!" Hermione cried.
Harry ignored her pleading and slowly let Hermione go, and he was right. She was doing fine on her own, until another skater accidentally ran into her, both falling to the ice.
"I'm so sorry, miss," the other skater said as Harry helped Hermione to her feet.
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
"I'm alright. That hurt a little," she said, wincing lightly as he helped her to her feet.
"What hurts?"
"My legs were hurting," she said as she looked up at him, "But I'm fine now."
Harry smiled softly. Both Harry and Hermione's hearts pounded lightly as Harry moved closer to her. The distance between them became smaller, and soon enough, Harry pressed his lips against Hermione's, gently kissing her. Despite her nervousness, Hermione responded, kissing him back.
The two stood there for a few minutes on the side, kissing each other slowly as a light snow began to fall.
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The hot cocoa had warmed Cho up pretty fast, and she was ready to go back outside to skate some more when she saw something that made her drop her cup. Harry and Hermione were outside. They were skating together, until Hermione was knocked over. But what made her drop her cup was what happened next. The two began to kiss, and Cho didn't stick around to watch anymore.
Cho stormed into the girl's locker room, locking the door behind her so no one else could get in. She didn't cry, though she wanted to. Stuffing the extra clothes into her bag from the locker she was using alleviated some stress. But Cho stopped worrying about the stress when she heard sounds that suggested someone else was in the locker room, when she was sure that she was alone.
"Hello?" she called out, walking around to the other side of the lockers. The room was empty.
'Leaving fast would be the best thing to do right now,' Cho thought as she went back around towards her locker. Just as she reached for her bag, someone grabbed her arm and pushed her back up against the lockers. Cho cried out and looked up into the cold gray eyes of her attacker. Except the eyes were radiating warmth.
"Draco, what are you doing in here?" she asked, trying to pull herself out of his grip. Malfoy held on strong, not letting her go.
"I'm tired of waiting for you to get over Harry. I have urges that need to be satisfied," he said before kissing her passionately, his tongue invading her mouth. Cho tried to fight back, to push him away, but he was much stronger than she was. Plus, something inside her did not want to push him away.
Cho gave in, kissing back, responding with her own tongue. Draco let go of her right arm and allowed his free hand to travel down. His left hand slowly went under her skirt, soon reaching the line of her underwear. She tried to push his hand away, but he quickly pushed a few fingers under her underwear.
Cho moaned loudly, realizing how badly she wanted Draco. But she quickly stopped him, pushing him away from her.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to? You sounded like you wanted it."
Cho's face flushed red as she picked up her bag.
"Goodbye, Draco," she said before quickly leaving.
Draco sighed, looking down at his pants, aware if the hardness that had occurred
"Down boy."
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Once getting home after Ron dropped her off, Padma quickly ran to the bathroom. According to the calendar she kept, she was supposed to be starting her monthly ritual, but it hadn't yet come all day long. She hadn't even experienced any cramps yet, which was strange, and yet, Padma was horrified.
Shat sat on the floor of her bathroom, her knees held to her chest as sharp breaths escaped her, a few tears slipping down her cheeks.
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The walk home was quiet. Harry's hand was intertwined with Hermione's. Neither of the two could quit smiling. Shortly after kissing for the first time, they had decided to leave because Hermione was getting cold. Harry couldn't tell if Hermione was still getting chills from the cold night or from his own lips upon hers.
"What does this mean, Harry?" Hermione asked as they slowly entered the lobby of her apartment building.
"I'm not sure, but it means a lot. You mean a lot, Hermione, especially to me."
Hermione blushed, and then stopped outside of her apartment door. "I know what it really means to me, Hermione," Harry said as he pulled her close to himself.
"And what does it mean, Harry?" she asked, her heart racing.
Harry smiled softly. "It means that I want you to be my girlfriend."
A small grin spread on Hermione's face. "And what if I say no?"
"Then I'll make you say yes," Harry replied.
"Please do."
Harry laughed, pressing his lips against hers once more, kissing Hermione deeply.
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Chapter Five: A Moment Like This
Forehand. Backhand. Volley, and then the slam. Ron raced back and forth across the tennis court, trying to return the shots that Harry was making. Unfortunately for Ron, Harry was far better, and he easily smoked him with a backhand down the line.
"I hate it when the coach makes me play against you during warm-ups," Ron whined.
"Why? Because I kick your ass every time?" Harry asked with a smile.
"That and it isn't fair to you, because you should be warming up with someone who can play better, you smart ass," Ron retorted.
"Well, I think I get a good enough warm-up playing with you, Ron. Plus, playing against Malfoy would only warm me up with a lot of anger."
Draco was on the court next to them, hitting back and forth with Crabbe and Goyle, his two flunkies. Harry didn't know why Crabbe and Goyle had tried out for the tennis team, for they were both very plump and could not run very fast. And for a reason unknown to Harry, Draco still found it amusing whenever he smoked them both during warm-ups.
"I'm glad that you play #1 singles and not that slime, Harry," Ron said before taking a drink from his water bottle.
"Challenges come up next week though, Ron. And if Malfoy beats me, he'll get to play that position at the finals instead of me."
"You don't have to worry about it, Harry. You can beat Malfoy any and every day."
"Thanks for the uplifting words," Harry joked.
"You're welcome. So, do you know who you have to play in today's final round?" Ron asked.
"Nope. I haven't been told yet, but I bet it will be that one guy whose name I can never remember."
"Krum?"
"Yeah, that's him," Harry replied.
"You'll have a hard time then, Harry. Viktor Krum is supposed to be very good and very hard to beat," Ron explained.
"I'm not worried, Ron."
After picking up their water bottles again, Harry and Ron got off of the court they were on because some other people needed it.
"Was Padma going to come today?" Harry asked.
Ron took another drink from his water bottle. "She had to go to work, but she said that she'd be here in the afternoon, which should be anytime now. Plus, she's bringing a surprise along."
"What kind of surprise? And for you or me?" Harry asked.
"For you, and you'll have to wait and see," Ron said with a smile. "I'm starved. Let's go over to our team table and get some food."
Harry followed Ron and Ron's stomach over to their team table. Seamus Finnigan was chowing down on a huge slice of pepperoni pizza, and he encouraged harry and Ron to dig in.
"It's very good. Even better than last year's Chinese food banquet we had out here," Seamus said in between bites.
Harry was about ready to take Seamus' advice and get a slice when Coach Lupin suddenly ran over. "Harry!" he called. "You're up. You're going to be playing Viktor Krum. Since we are already going to the finals, you don't have to win, but please do anyway."
"Which court am I on?" Harry asked.
"Court #6. Go get him," Lupin said before he went away, off to organize the score sheets.
"Good luck," Ron said when Harry looked at him.
"Thanks," Harry replied as he picked up his water bottle and tennis racquet yet again, heading off in the direction of the tennis court he was to play one.
Ron stayed by the food table, piling six slices of pizza on to his plate before sitting down to inhale it all.
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The wind rushed by as Padma peaked 65 miles per hour on the freeway.
"I think...you're going...a little too fast!" Hermione cried as she frantically tried to keep the papers in her notebook from flying about. Padma was driving her mother'' convertible, a rare opportunity.
"Loosen up a little!" Padma cried back.
"Well, I find it a little bit too hard to 'loosen' up when I'm about to die!" Hermione screeched as Padma flew past a semi-truck.
"We're going to be there in a few minutes, so you might want to calm down before you see Harry," Padma said as she got on the exit ramp to get off of the freeway.
"You know that you're a very evil person, right?" Hermione asked.
"Me? Now why would you say that?" Padma replied with a quirky smirk.
"I'd say it because you waited until now to tell me that Harry and Cho broke up the night we all went to the club, and what I really want to know is why he didn't tell me at school during this week. He had plenty of opportunities since I'm in practically all of his classes," Hermione said.
"Maybe he was waiting for the proper or correct time to tell you, and it just hadn't come yet."
"True, but now I'm going to be so nervous around him."
"Especially since you've been flirting with him like crazy this past week," Padma commented.
"What? I have not!" Hermione explained, her face flushing red.
"Oh please. 'Harry, I love your eyes. Harry, I love your lips. Please let me kiss you and take you back to my bedroom so we can have some naughty fun.'"
"Stop right there," Hermione interjected quickly. Her face was as red as an apple.
"Just admit it already."
"Admit to what?" Hermione asked.
"Admit that you like Harry Potter," Padma said.
Hermione was speechless for several minutes, struggling to find any words that could help her. Before she could come up with any reply, Padma pulled the car into the parking lot, the tennis courts right next to the area of the lot.
"Let's go find them," Padma said as she got out of the car. Hermione frantically grabbed her notebook and all of her papers before Padma put the top up and locked the car. They found Ron sitting on the top row of some bleachers that were situated by court #6. After climbing up the steps, Padma and Hermione sat next to him.
"Finally, you two are here."
"How's Harry doing?" Padma asked.
"He won the first set 6-4, and he's having a little trouble with the second set. He's tying Viktor Krum 4-4," Ron replied.
Hermione waved at Ron, who waved back, before opening up her notebook. The pages inside had no lines. They were blank sheets of white paper. It was the private notebook that Hermione kept all of her art in, for she had been drawing since she was a child.
"What'cha got there?" Ron asked.
"My notebook," Hermione replied.
"Can I see your work?" he asked again.
"Maybe later," Hermione muttered. "I don't want any loose papers to blow away in the breeze."
"Alright," Ron said.
Carefully holding the loose papers down, Hermione slowly began to sketch on the paper with a charcoal pencil while watching Harry play tennis, but after a few minutes, she set it aside. Harry's match was getting intense.
Down on the court, Harry breathed in deeply, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. He had just won that game, putting himself up 5-4, and now it was his turn to serve, hopefully for the match. Tossing the ball up into the air, Harry brought his tennis racquet around, slamming the ball straight down the middle for an awesome serve. It went right past Viktor, making Harry one point closer to winning his match.
"He's three points away," Ron whispered.
Harry's next serve was not as good, and Krum returned it cross-court with a forehand. Harry sprinted to get it, hitting it just out of Krum's reach, getting him one point closer again.
Krum won the next point, but Harry put himself one point away from the win with another ace down the middle. Everyone around them was cheering at the proper moments. "Come on, Harry," Hermione whispered.
Taking another breath, Harry decided to get it over with. He tossed the ball high into the air, slamming it down the middle, where Krum was weakest.
It all happened within the time span of a few seconds. Krum dove, lobbing the tennis ball into the air. Harry ran forward, aiming carefully. Within the blink of an eye, Harry brought his racquet down, slamming the ball right down the line, winning the match.
Hermione could see Draco Malfoy scowl and walk away with his two cronies as the rest of the team rejoiced and ran on to the court. Hermione, Ron, and Padma soon joined them, carrying Harry out on their shoulders. Once Harry was put down, he and Ron hugged lightly, but Harry stopped before he went to hug Hermione and Padma.
"Maybe I should hug you two later, when I'm not covered in layers of sweat," he murmured.
"Good plan," Padma replied, backing away.
"In celebration, I want us four to go out together tonight," Ron said heartily as he strolled back up to them from the rest of the team.
"Sounds good. I'm pretty sure I could get out," Harry said, wiping his face with a towel.
"Me too," Padma added.
"How about you, Hermione?" Harry asked, smiling.
Hermione's face tinged red lightly. "Sounds good."
"Great! So, what do we all want to do then?" Ron asked.
Padma glared lightly at him. "You invited us to do something, so you figure it out."
"Fine. How about a movie?"
Everyone agreed on seeing a movie, especially Harry. He was beginning to plan something extra besides the previously discussed plans.
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After the tennis team got back to the city, Harry went straight home to shower, wanting to get all of the sweat and grime off of his skin. Hermione went with him, still not 100% familiar with the Big Apple.
"Here we are," he said as he opened the door to the apartment, letting her step through first.
"So after we get ready, we're going to meet Ron and Padma at the movie theater?"
"Correct. My room is on the third floor, so I'm going to head up there. You can look around all you want, maybe grab a snack in the kitchen. Pretty much, just make yourself at home," Harry explained.
'Easier said than done,' Hermione thought. She was extremely nervous, because not only was she in Harry's home for the first time, but there was the possibility that she might meet his parents.
"By the way," Harry called as he climbed the stairs, "my parents are away in court right now, so you don't have to be nervous about meeting them today." He smiled at the small look of relief on Hermione's face.
As Harry climbed the stairs, eventually getting to his bathroom to shower after peeling his clothes off, Hermione slowly began to walk around, first heading into the sunroom. To her, Harry's home was wonderful. It was not only large, but so far, it was decorated beautifully and was in perfect order. 'Probably due to his mother. No wonder he's so proper and kind,' she thought.
The first floor was amazing, and Hermione soon found herself going up to the second floor, and soon the third floor. Harry never said that she couldn't, and Hermione was willing to satisfy her own curiosity.
Walking down a narrow hallway, Hermione came to a pair of oak doors. They were shut firmly, but weren't locked so she easily opened them. At first, she didn't know she was in Harry's bedroom. It became apparent, however, when Hermione turned and Harry came into view, a small towel wrapped around his waist, the rest of his body slick with water. She quickly turned away, her face brighter than the sun.
"I'm so sorry, Harry. I didn't know this was your room," she choked out, extremely embarrassed.
"Really, it's alright, Hermione. A little embarrassing, but alright."
"I'll just wait for you downstairs," she said before quickly ducking out into the hallway, closing the door behind herself. Her cheeks burned with warmth, and she couldn't get the image of Harry in a towel out of her mind.
Hermione quickly descended the stairs and decided to wait in the sunroom. After waiting another twenty minutes looking at all of the various plants and flowers, Harry spoke up behind Hermione. "Ready to go?" he asked softly. He smiled when she turned towards him. "I hope my attire is just as pleasing as my previous attire was to you," he said with a small grin.
Hermione blushed furiously once more. "You look very nice," she replied. Harry wore a pair of jeans, probably purchased at Hollister or the Gap, with a blue polo shirt and brown dress shoes.
Hermione ignored her embarrassment and tried to talk to him again. "Did Ron mention what movie we would see this afternoon?" she asked.
"No. He said we'd decide when we got there."
"Then shall we go?"
"After you, Miss Granger," Harry said smoothly as he grabbed his jacket and opened the door.
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Ice-skating was probably one of the best things that could calm her down. As she skated across the ice rink in Central Park, Cho could already feel herself relaxing, letting all of her troubles disappear. It was the first actual time that she had been able to relax since her breakup with Harry. All week long, endless amounts of her popular friends had inquired about him, and the only thing that she told them was that it was over, and to leave him alone. Surprisingly, even those troubles began to fade away as she twirled on the ice.
Not many people were ice skating, so Cho had plenty of room to do some tricks spinning in the air and carefully landing once again. After going around the rink several times, Cho decided to take a small breather, heading inside to get a nice warm cup of hot cocoa, completely unaware of a certain blonde young man, hair slicked back, who was following her.
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The movie that they ended up seeing was called Underworld. One of Ron's favorite actresses starred in it, and he was practically salivating over seeing Kate Beckinsale on the big screen, clad in tight black leather. Padma had to slap him every once in a while so he didn't start a collecting pool of saliva in their box of popcorn.
"It's interesting," Hermione whispered to Harry.
"What is?" he whispered back.
"A vampire movie that is finally not about killing humans and screwing each other left and right."
Harry stifled a laugh before looking back to the screen in time to see Kate Beckinsale shoot several werewolves.
Throughout the whole movie, Harry was fighting an internal battle. Hermione's hand was resting on the armrest just next to his own hand. He had wanted to touch it, maybe even hold it, but his nervousness got to him, and he withheld from doing it. Just as the movie was coming to an end, Harry had finally built up enough courage to do it, but the credits began to play and Hermione, Ron, and Padma suddenly stood. Harry abruptly joined then.
"So, what did you think of it?" Ron asked as they left the theater.
"Obviously, you liked it," Hermione said. "Wipe your chin off."
Ron had some dried spittle on his chin, and he quickly brushed it away.
Once outside, Ron and Padma caught a taxi, leaving Harry and Hermione behind.
"I guess you plan on walking me home?" Hermione asked Harry.
Harry looked up at the sky. The sun had set, and night was slowly spreading. "It's a nice night, so why not?"
After walking for a short period of time, talking about the movie, Harry noticed that Hermione was shivering lightly. "Here," he said, "take my jacket." Harry carefully put it on her.
"Thanks," she whispered, pulling it close around her. Hermione lightly inhaled, smelling Harry on the jacket, and it was a smell that she really liked. Wearing his jacket almost felt like he was holding her in his arms, minus the physical contact.
"Harry, where are we going? I don't exactly know my way around this city yet, but I don't think we're heading in the right direction."
"We're not," he replied. "I'm taking you somewhere else."
"Where?" Hermione asked, slightly nervous.
"You'll see," he said as they come to a clearing of trees. "Through here."
Harry led her through, moving in about the trees, until they came to a large opening.
"And what did you plan on us doing, here in Central Park?" she asked him, smiling softly.
"Have you ever been ice skating before?" Harry asked her with a grin on his face.
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It was pretty obvious to Harry that Hermione had never been ice-skating before. She squealed lightly when they went out on to the ice, the sharp blades guiding their way.
"I'm going to fall down," she kept saying as she wobbled every so often.
"No you're not. Here," Harry said as he took her hand in his. "As long as I am holding on to your hand, you won't fall down." Harry was nervous about holding her hand, but relaxed when he realized the feeling was mutual between the two.
"It isn't so bad now," Hermione commented as they slowly glided on the ice.
"You're doing good, but I'm going to let you go now."
"No, please don't, Harry."
"Hermione, you'll be fine."
"If you let go, I'm going to fall!" Hermione cried.
Harry ignored her pleading and slowly let Hermione go, and he was right. She was doing fine on her own, until another skater accidentally ran into her, both falling to the ice.
"I'm so sorry, miss," the other skater said as Harry helped Hermione to her feet.
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
"I'm alright. That hurt a little," she said, wincing lightly as he helped her to her feet.
"What hurts?"
"My legs were hurting," she said as she looked up at him, "But I'm fine now."
Harry smiled softly. Both Harry and Hermione's hearts pounded lightly as Harry moved closer to her. The distance between them became smaller, and soon enough, Harry pressed his lips against Hermione's, gently kissing her. Despite her nervousness, Hermione responded, kissing him back.
The two stood there for a few minutes on the side, kissing each other slowly as a light snow began to fall.
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The hot cocoa had warmed Cho up pretty fast, and she was ready to go back outside to skate some more when she saw something that made her drop her cup. Harry and Hermione were outside. They were skating together, until Hermione was knocked over. But what made her drop her cup was what happened next. The two began to kiss, and Cho didn't stick around to watch anymore.
Cho stormed into the girl's locker room, locking the door behind her so no one else could get in. She didn't cry, though she wanted to. Stuffing the extra clothes into her bag from the locker she was using alleviated some stress. But Cho stopped worrying about the stress when she heard sounds that suggested someone else was in the locker room, when she was sure that she was alone.
"Hello?" she called out, walking around to the other side of the lockers. The room was empty.
'Leaving fast would be the best thing to do right now,' Cho thought as she went back around towards her locker. Just as she reached for her bag, someone grabbed her arm and pushed her back up against the lockers. Cho cried out and looked up into the cold gray eyes of her attacker. Except the eyes were radiating warmth.
"Draco, what are you doing in here?" she asked, trying to pull herself out of his grip. Malfoy held on strong, not letting her go.
"I'm tired of waiting for you to get over Harry. I have urges that need to be satisfied," he said before kissing her passionately, his tongue invading her mouth. Cho tried to fight back, to push him away, but he was much stronger than she was. Plus, something inside her did not want to push him away.
Cho gave in, kissing back, responding with her own tongue. Draco let go of her right arm and allowed his free hand to travel down. His left hand slowly went under her skirt, soon reaching the line of her underwear. She tried to push his hand away, but he quickly pushed a few fingers under her underwear.
Cho moaned loudly, realizing how badly she wanted Draco. But she quickly stopped him, pushing him away from her.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to? You sounded like you wanted it."
Cho's face flushed red as she picked up her bag.
"Goodbye, Draco," she said before quickly leaving.
Draco sighed, looking down at his pants, aware if the hardness that had occurred
"Down boy."
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Once getting home after Ron dropped her off, Padma quickly ran to the bathroom. According to the calendar she kept, she was supposed to be starting her monthly ritual, but it hadn't yet come all day long. She hadn't even experienced any cramps yet, which was strange, and yet, Padma was horrified.
Shat sat on the floor of her bathroom, her knees held to her chest as sharp breaths escaped her, a few tears slipping down her cheeks.
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The walk home was quiet. Harry's hand was intertwined with Hermione's. Neither of the two could quit smiling. Shortly after kissing for the first time, they had decided to leave because Hermione was getting cold. Harry couldn't tell if Hermione was still getting chills from the cold night or from his own lips upon hers.
"What does this mean, Harry?" Hermione asked as they slowly entered the lobby of her apartment building.
"I'm not sure, but it means a lot. You mean a lot, Hermione, especially to me."
Hermione blushed, and then stopped outside of her apartment door. "I know what it really means to me, Hermione," Harry said as he pulled her close to himself.
"And what does it mean, Harry?" she asked, her heart racing.
Harry smiled softly. "It means that I want you to be my girlfriend."
A small grin spread on Hermione's face. "And what if I say no?"
"Then I'll make you say yes," Harry replied.
"Please do."
Harry laughed, pressing his lips against hers once more, kissing Hermione deeply.
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