After a couple of days, Harry had become reasonably comfortable around Hermione's friends. They were a nice bunch of people and were loads of fun.
On the third day of Harry's stay, the gang was quietly hanging out at Daphne's house. Harry had just told a joke about a Japanese golfer and everyone was laughing hysterically. Daphne took her chance, seized Hermione's arm and dragged her upstairs to her room.
'Hermione, I gotta talk to you.' She released Hermione's arm and sat down on her bed.
'Sure, Daf, what's up?' Hermione sat next to her friend, gingerly rubbing her arm. 'You almost pulled my arm out the socket by the way!'
'Sorry, look, Hermione, I want to apologize. When you came back for summer from your first year at boarding school, I wouldn't talk to you. I'm sorry.'
'It's fine, really.' Hermione had long forgiven her friend. 'After all, it was really horrible for me to leave you with the lovebirds. It was only a matter of time until Jeff and Bel got together'
'Yeah.' Daphne agreed, much happier now Hermione had forgiven her.
'So, you guys have taken a real shine to Harry. Thanks for that.'
'Oh, well, it wasn't hard. I mean he's really nice, and funny…' she trailed off with a dreamy expression on her face.
'Oh my God!' Hermione muttered. Realization dawned on her face.
'What?' asked Daphne, now confused.
'You fancy Harry.' Hermione said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
'No I don't' Daphne said defiantly. 'He's just…' she trailed off again and gasped with shock. 'Bloody hell, I do like him!' Hermione smiled. 'Don't tell anyone kay 'Mione!'
'Cross my heart.' Hermione followed Daphne downstairs. Daphne quickly grabbed her book, sat down and hid herself behind it. Hermione made her way over to Eric, still grinning.
'What's up with Daf?' He asked her quietly.
'Oh nothing, she's just realized something.' Hermione looked meaningfully at Daphne, then to Harry, who was deep in conversation with Jeffrey. Eric got the hint.
'Ah, I thought as much.' They both grinned at each other, kissed, and kept watching the rest of the gang.
'Is it just my imagination, or does Harry seem to be looking at Daf heaps?' Hermione whispered to Eric several minutes later.
'Oh, no it's not your imagination. I think it's time we started playing matchmaker. Whaddaya think?' he smiled mischievously at Hermione. Who, in return, kissed him.
'You are so cheeky. What are we gonna do?' they sat and started devising a plan.
Later that evening, Hermione tentatively knocked on the spare bedroom door.
'Hey, 'Mione, what's up?' Harry asked as he let her in.
'Oh nothing, I just feel like we haven't talked in ages. You having fun?'
'Yip. Heaps.'
'So, you like my friends?'
'Yeah, they're cool.'
'Anyone in particular?'
'What are you getting at?'
'Nothing, I just noticed that you seem to be paying a lot of attention to Daphne.' Harry suddenly started blushing.
'Yeah. So. What of it?'
'Nothing.' She paused. 'Do you like her?'
'I might like her a bit. Yeah.' He turned a deeper crimson.
'Don't worry Harry, I'm not here to embarrass you.'
'Sure you're not.'
'Honestly. I just thought you'd make a cute couple, that's all.' She grinned Cheekily and left, giving Harry a lot to thing about.
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