Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
A/N: Hey everyone. Sorry the last chapter sucked. I know they moved things a little fast with the whole I love you thing. But you have to admit it is entirely possible for them to have a fling. Anyway here's the chapter you've been waiting for, well sort of. They finally find out. R/R! Please, I'm desperate.
Whisper~Mad~Crazy Chapter 8-A New Beginning
Hermione felt that familiar falling sensation as she walked through the barrier onto Platform 9 ¾. She had had barely enough time to catch her breath again before a pair of strong arms enveloped her. She turned around smiling brightly.
"Eri…Harry!" She said catching herself. He hugged her tightly and whispered into her ear.
"I missed you so much. I haven't been able to breath fully without you."
"Harry I missed you too." Hermione said trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. 'Why doesn't this feel right?' Hermione thought to herself. 'Why do I miss Eric so much?'
"Hermione?" Harry said snapping her back to reality.
"Hmm what?" She said quickly.
"I was just asking you how the cruise went. It was you and your friend Emily right?"
"Oh, yeah…right. It was great. Of course it couldn't have been that great you weren't there."
Harry smiled sadly. "I know love I'm sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you. You don't know how bad I feel."
"Harry, really it's ok. You don't have to feel bad."
"Well I still want to make it up to you."
"Oh and how do you plan on going about that?" Hermione asked smiling up at him.
"I'm going to start with this…" He slowly lowered his head to hers and cupped her cheek in his hand. He kissed her gently on the lips; Hermione fell back in love with him instantly. 'Oh yeah, this is why I love him so much.'
The slowly broke the kiss, looking constantly into each other's eyes. Hermione rested her head on Harry's shoulder.
"I never want to let you go." Harry said squeezing her tightly as the train whistle sounded.
"I know but it looks likes you're going to have to." She said smiling. He laughed and kissed her again on the forehead.
"I love you." He said softly.
"I…I love you too." Hermoine said as she drew away. "Come on," she said grabbing his hand, "let's go find some seats." They made their way onto the train and quickly found Ron and Ginny in one of the compartments near the end of the compartment.
"Finally!" Ron stated faking annoyance. "I thought you two lovebirds were going to miss the train!"
"Oh Ron!" Hermoine said exasperatedly.
"Only joking Mione. Well come here and give me a hug. We can't let Harry have all the action." He said giving Harry a wink.
She embraced him in a big hug.
"We missed you over the summer Mione." Ginny said from behind Ron.
"Hey you," she said hugging the younger girl tightly. "How are you doing?"
"I'm ok. Just remind me never to fly a broom ever again."
They all laughed as they took their seats. Harry snuck an arm around Hermione's waist and pulled her closely to him. She sighed and leaned into him.
"What's the matter love?" He asked, concern showing in his emerald green eyes.
"Oh nothing, just tired that's all." She said quietly.
"School hasn't even started and you're tired already?" He asked laughing.
"Yeah imagine that." She smiled and closed her eyes. Before she knew it she had drifted into a peaceful sleep.
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"Hermione? Hermione come on wake up. The train has stopped." Harry said shaking her. She opened her eyes slowly.
'Where am I? Oh of course Hogwarts! How could I be so stupid?' Her eyes shot open. "We're here!" She said jumping out of her seat.
"We'll yeah that's what we've been telling you the past 5 minutes." Ron said smartly.
"Oh shut up Ron, come on it looks like everyone else has already gotten off the train." She went to look out the window. She was about to turn away when she saw him. Well at least she thought she did. She scanned the crowd. She could have sworn she saw Eric. 'No, that can't be remember? He's just a muggle.'
"Who are you looking for Hermione?" Harry asked. Hermione still stood staring out the window. She turned slowly.
"Nothing, it was nothing. Let's just get up to the castle. I really want to know who head boy is."
The other three in the compartment gave her a sideways glance but followed her silently out of the compartment and off the train. They made their way to the carriages that took them up to the castle.
As they entered The Great Hall they were greeted with a wall of noise. The chatter of students filled the hall all the way up to the ceiling twinkling with bright September stars. The four made their way to the Gryffindor table and sat down waiting for the sorting to start. They watched knowingly as the frightened first years marched into the hall and up to the sorting hat. It went by rather quickly as there weren't very many new students, at least not as many as usual. After the sorting was done Dumbledore rose and gave his usual beginning of the year speech.
"Welcome, welcome to all the new students and hello to all the returning. I hope you all will have a fantastic year here at Hogwarts. Without further ado let the feast begin."
Ron waited anxiously for the plates of food to fill. As soon as they did he grabbed as much food as his hands could hold and piled it onto his plate.
"Ron don't you ever get full?" Hermoine asked laughing. He shook his head and stuffed a chicken leg into his mouth.
"Ron there are ladies present." Harry said taking a small bite from his own plate. Ron just shrugged and kept eating. All in all it was a pretty good feast. The boys all had third helpings and the girls enjoyed catching up with everything that had gone on during the summer. When it was over they all stood up to retreat to their common room but they didn't make it far before Professor McGonnagle came bustling up to them.
"Ms. Granger?" She asked sharply.
"Yes Professor?" Hermione asked turning to her.
"The Headmaster would like to have a word with you."
"Yes professor." She turned to Harry, Ron and Ginny. "You guys go on I'll catch up." They nodded and headed for the common room. Hermoine turned to go to the Head Table.
"You wanted to speak with me Headmaster?" She asked upon reaching it.
"Yes Ms. Granger. First of all let me congratulate you on the position of Head Girl."
"Thank you sir." She said blushing. "But who may I ask is Head Boy?"
"You will find out soon enough Hermione. As soon as you get to your new dormitory."
"I…I get my own dormitory?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes, you and the Head Boy will be sharing a common room this year. Professor McGonnagle will show you the way."
Hermione turned to McGonnagle.
"Follow me Hermione."
She led her out of the great hall and up many staircases. Hermione had never been to this part of the castle. It wasn't out of the way; in fact she couldn't believe she hadn't ever ventured here at least once. Finally they reached the end of the hall. There was a large portrait of a young man; he looked to be her age. He was wearing a dark blue robe and was carrying a staff and a large book. He seemed to be in mountainous terrain, there were rocks and steep cliffs all around him. A silent bolt of lightening struck in the background.
"Wow," Hermione said quietly, it was quite a painting.
"Your password is Quaere Verum." McGonnagle addressed her.
"Oh that means seek the truth, in Latin if I'm not mistaken." Hermione said proudly.
"Yes you are correct." Hermione turned to the young man in the painting; it was he who had spoken. "You are quite clever, I can understand why you are Head Girl."
"Thank you." Hermione replied blushing deeply. There was something about this painting that reminded her of someone.
"I'll leave you to it dear." Professor McGonnagle said turning to let Hermione enter the common room.
"Thank you Professor!" Hermione called down the hall. She turned back to the painting. "Quaere Verum."
"As you wish milady." They portrait said bowing deeply as he swung open.
Hermione entered the Common Room and had the breath taken away from her. It was absolutely beautiful. There was a large fireplace with a couch in front of it, a table with a few chairs around it for homework and such things but the thing that really caught Hermione's attention was the massive bookcase that was behind the table.
"Oh my gosh! This year is going to be great!" She said going over to the bookcase and running her finger along the book titles. "Now where is that Head Boy?" She didn't have to wait long for an answer to her question. The door to the bathroom opened with a creak and a figure came walking out. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and he was running a towel over his head trying to dry his hair.
"Um hi." Hermoine said uneasily.
"Ah!" He jumped back whipping the towel off his head. Hermione gasped.
"E…Eric?" She stuttered.
"Nicole?" He said still breathing heavily.
"Oh my god!" She said running over to him, capturing him in a hug.
"I thought I'd never see you again." He said quietly, wrapping his arms around her. "What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I go to school here, and to think I didn't even know you were a witch."
"Well did you just transfer here?"
"No I've always come here."
"Well so have I. Then how…" They were interrupted by the Headmaster entering the room.
"Headmaster." They both said quickly.
"Well I see you two have acquainted yourselves quiet well. It looks like these arrangements are a good idea after all and let me congratulate you both Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy."
A/N: MWA HA HA HA HA!!!! Now you have to read the next chapter no matter what! Ha, ok well read and review and tell me off for stopping right here.
