They didn't speak much, which made Hermione a little bit uncomfortable, she didn't meet his gaze when he looked at her, though when he glanced out of the widow to the street outside, she would stare at him and savour it. She finished her drink and turned her attention to her carrot cake. Harry didn't have anything to eat himself and she felt a little guilty.
"Would you like some?" She asked as she made to cut half off for him. He glanced at her distractedly, having being pulled from his concentration on something else.
"No thanks Hermione, I don't eat very much." He said truthfully. Ever since he had defeated Voldemort Harry hardly seemed to eat at all. It wasn't that it was a problem, that he was starving himself for some reason, it was merely a case of something that night had changed in him.
"So what would you like to do after this?" Hermione asked him as she bit into the cake. It was delicious and creamy and she knew she would enjoy watching Harry eat it. Maybe he could get a little bit of icing on his lip and she could wipe it off…with her tongue! She scolded herself once again.
"I think I might just head back to the castle if you don't mind. I have some Transfiguration I'm falling behind on. You don't mind do you?"
Hermione bit her lip mainly to stop herself shouting at him. Of course she minded. She was here on a sort of date on Valentines Day with the man of her dreams. How dare he abandon her for homework, especially Transfiguration, it was easy!
"No you know me." She lied. "I don't mind. Besides it's not like we are on a date or anything." She said as she tried to keep her tone light and her eyes dry.
"You sure?" He asked as he looked at her curiously. She could feel herself giving into her emotions, being a stupid pathetic girl. A tear broke from her hold and rolled down her cheek. She was looking down at her empty plate so she hoped Harry couldn't see.
"Just go." She told him angrily. She didn't want him to see her crying, to see her upset over something, and see her being weak. She had always tried to be strong for Harry, but it was so tough when she was constantly being disappointed.
Harry hesitated for a moment as he stared at Hermione worryingly. He couldn't see her face for her hair hung down obscuring her features. He had a slight hunch though, perhaps due to a sixth sense of some sort, that Hermione wasn't quiet as happy as usual. He wasn't sure about girl stuff, so he decided he had best leave as she said so. It wasn't a good idea to defy a girl, especially one called Hermione.
Harry got up from his chair, pulled his coat on and bid her farewell.
"I will see you back at the castle later." He said.
"Ok she responded as she continued staring at her plate, hoping the tear wouldn't fall from her cheek. As Harry turned and walked to the door Hermione very quickly wiped it away and dabbed her eyes, and as Harry walked past the window, she smiled and waved him goodbye, making him doubt his sixth sense powers after all.
Back at the castle Hermione sat in her private head girl bedroom crying. She had been hoping to catch up with Harry, and maybe he would let her help with the homework. Just being in close proximity had its pleasures. He must have walked quickly for she left to return back to school only a few minutes after he did, and she didn't see him at all up the slope.
"Well what did you expect?" Ginny asked as she sat on Hermione's bed, giving comfort.
"If there is one thing I know it is that boys are stupid. They don't have a clue about girl's feelings. If you want Harry to know that you like him then you will most probably have to tell him in actual words.
"But I'm not sure if I do want him to know…" Hermione conceded as she played with a bouncy ball from her pocket. "What I want to know is if he likes me or not. That way if he doesn't I don't have to have said it, and have ruined the friendship.
"Well that's a pity because he isn't going to tell you, boys don't." Ginny said wisely. "He might invite you for sex though…" She muttered under her breath as she rolled her eyes. Hermione considered for a moment before deciding she would happily settle for that even.
"So you think I should tell him then?" Hermione asked as she turned to face her friend. "And risk the friendship between him and me?"
"It's already at risk!" Ginny said in dismay. For the brightest girl in Hogwarts Hermione could certainly be a little dim at times.
"Look, you're sad Hermione, so obviously this friendship isn't that great as it is. "I know you well enough, that you could never just be with Harry, you could never just be a friend, watching form a far, never speaking your true intentions and never showing your true face. It has been working away at you for all these years, and I know that if you don't tell him soon then something bad will happen…"
"I will die?" Hermione hazarded. Ginny gave a small laugh.
"No! Of course you won't die. What will happen is, you will be all depressed and lonely and one day when you are sitting doing homework you will probably end up trying to hump him or something."
"I would not!" Hermione said with wide eyed shock. Ginny was always so lewd about things… "Ok I might do a little bit, but it wouldn't be that bad would it, I expect it would be quiet nice." Hermione said with a straight face before they both burst out laughing.
Twenty minutes later after the Harry conversation had died down, and Hermione had made herself appear suitable for presentation, they both agreed to go down to the hall for lunch. It had started half an hour ago but there was no rush, they always had more than enough time to eat. They made their way down to the hall, and as Hermione spotted that Harry was sitting on the Gryffindor bench alone, Ginny parted from her and gave Hermione a shove in the direction. The Weasley girl went to sit with some of her fellow sixth years, whilst Hermione took one of the many vacant seats next to Harry.
