A/N: Hi everyone. May I first apologise for the late arrival of this chapter. I have spent this last month sitting exams  People who have sat exams will know how I feel and I am really sorry that I couldn't get this chapter up any sooner – sorry!

The speech used in this chapter is similar to the one said by Josie in "Never Been Kissed" but I have obviously had to change it to fit this story – so I'm just warning that it isn't exactly the same and that I have added extra bits and bobs in. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The lack of cash in my purse relates strongly to the fact that I do not own Harry Potter or anything related! Just the plot is mine (which is sadly worthless!)

"Never Been Kissed" - Chapter 3

Never Been Kissed

Hermione woke up with a start, after a very restless night's sleep. She was still sitting in the common room, in the same position as she was when she had sat down all those hours ago.

She had never felt so guilty and upset in her whole life. She just kept thinking about what she had said to Harry – and how nasty and selfish it was. She knew one thing – her friendship with Harry was definitely over.

"I've destroyed almost a six year friendship in practically six seconds…"

She turned to face her pile of schoolbooks and looked away almost instantly in disgust. If she had listened to Harry and Ron; if she had lightened her load – this would never have happened. The tears were still flowing silently down her face as she roughly flung her books back into her bag. She kept on going until one final piece of parchment was left – McGonagall's letter.

Hermione sighed in frustration and placed– especially Harry the letter into her robe pocket. Outside she saw the sun begin to rise, meaning that students will soon be up. So she silently made her way up to her dormitory to wash her face – hoping that she will think of something that will solve all of her problems.

"Fat chance of that," she thought.

Monday Late Afternoon

Hermione sat uncomfortably in her bed as she sat staring at a blank piece of parchment. She was supposed to turn this parchment into a front page story for the school's newsletter, but she still had no story.

The last two days had been a nightmare for Hermione. She was certain that Harry had told Ron about what happened because he had been giving her nasty looks all day –and he hadn't done that since they had fallen out in third year. To say that things were bad was an understatement.

Even tying to talk to Harry had been impossible for her.

Flashback to Sunday evening

Hermione was sitting having dinner at the Gryffindor table and Harry was sitting unusually far away from her. He was deep in conversation with Ron but he looked as if something was bothering him and Hermione knew exactly why that was.

She had and played with her food, waiting for the best moment and she found it when Ron left the table, thus leaving Harry alone. She jumped out of her seat and walked slowly up to him. Harry noticed her approaching and he got up and began to walk away.

Hermione quickly caught up with him and grabbed his arm so he turned around. He looked at her impatiently.

"What?" he sighed?

"You know what Harry. Please can we go somewhere quiet I need to speak to you."

"Oh sorry," he spat. "But I have a lot of transfiguration homework to do which I really must make a start on."

That came as a hurtful blow to Hermione. "Harry please don't do this-"

"Why not? I mean you were allowed to do that all this year so why can't I? So if you will excuse me."

Harry released his arm from Hermione's grasp and left, leaving Hermione standing in the Entrance Hall. Even though dozens of students were all around her, she felt completely alone.

Present

Since then Hermione had noticed that Harry had gone to great lengths to avoid her: getting up earlier in the morning, going to meals earlier or later than normal, spending less time in the common room. It was hopeless.

She jumped suddenly as she heard a light tapping on the door.

"Hermione, are you in there?" It was Ginny.

"Yeah come in,"

Ginny entered the room and sat next to Hermione on the bed.

"I didn't know if you were asleep or not," she said smiling.

"Chance would be a fine thing," said Hermione "I've got too much work to do."

"School newspaper?" asked Ginny as she looked at the blank piece of parchment on Hermione's lap.

"Yes,"

"Look, the reason I came up here is to ask you something: Is anything going on between you and Harry?"

Hermione jumped at the sound of Harry's name. "What do you mean?"

"Well I saw him and Ron come into dinner earlier without you so I asked them where you were. Ron sort of sighed and Harry narrowed his eyes and said 'Probably studying since she has so much work to do'. He seemed quite angry and upset."

Hermione sighed while trying to fight back tears. "Oh right,"

"Hermione what is going on?"

Hermione didn't want to tell the whole truth to Ginny, she didn't want anybody to know that.

"Let's just say I haven't exactly been a great friend to them this year – especially Harry"

She then went on to explain to Ginny about her workload this year and the advice that the boys had given to her about working less (deliberately leaving out what she had said to Harry). By then Hermione was in tears and Ginny had out a comforting arm around her.

"So why didn't you listen to them?" asked Ginny.

"I did and I tried to cut down I really did – but I just kept on thinking that I would fail and I didn't want to let any teachers down."

"Look Hermione, normally I would tell you to ignore advice from boys but this time they're right. Doing too much isn't good for your health, trust me. And since when has work been more important than a life-long friendship."

"I know Ginny, but it's too late now I've blown it."

"It's never too late Hermione," said Ginny. Harry is in the common room now – talk to him."

"I will Gin but I've got this news story still to write which is vital that I get finished."

Ginny sighed and shook her head. She got off of Hermione's bad and walked to the door.

"Hermione you and I both know that your relationship with Harry is much more important than some stupid news story."

Ginny closed the door behind her, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts. Ginny was right...Harry was more important, of course he was! Then suddenly an idea hit her. She grabbed the spare piece of parchment and scribbled frantically.

It was nearing 9pm by the time she had finished. That was part one done but for part two of her plan, she needed to see Professor Dumbledore. In less then ten minutes she had made her way from Gryffindor tower to the entrance to Dumbledore's office – but she didn't know the password.

Five minutes later she was still trying to think of a password.

'Please please I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore. I have to.' she thought.

"Miss Granger?"

Professor Dumbledore was making his way towards her, almost as if he knew she needed to speak to him.

'I swear it's unreal how he does that,' she thought.

"Is there something you wish to discuss with me?" he asked.

"Yes professor, I was wondering if I could talk to you regarding the Quidditch Cup match this Saturday."

"Why yes, do continue Miss Granger,"

So that was part two sorted. She couldn't believe that Dumbledore had said yes! It was as if he knew exactly what she was planning to do.

She knocked on the door of Professor McGonagall's office and quietly entered to see Professor McGonagall sitting at her desk.

"Ah Miss Granger, I am guessing that you have come about the newspaper."

"Yes professor," she said. "After weeks of searching there have seemed to be no big opportunities for front page stories."

"Yes I agree," said Professor McGonagall. "But you have found something I presume?"

"Well yes. I would rather not cancel this month's addition so I have written a story very close to my heart and I am hoping that you will please let me publish it."

Hermione handed her story to Professor McGonagall and sat down as she read it through. Hermione sat with her fingers crossed and she swore that she saw McGonagall's face soften as she read it.

"Miss Granger, I would normally not allow such personal matters to be shared throughout the school in such a large public fashion."

Hermione nodded sadly and began to sit up.

"But…I feel that this story will indeed catch the attention of many pupils in the school and it may indeed relate to some."

"You mean I can publish it?"

"Yes but you must take full responsibility for any comments made by the article and realise that this is your own choice."

Hermione nodded.

"Well there is also the matter of sorting arrangements out for – "

"Oh no that is all sorted Professor Dumbledore had given me permission to do so."

Professor McGonagall smiled weakly. "Very well I should have this published by first thing on Saturday morning but I must warn you that this story will be the only one of its kind."

"I assure you it will be Professor. Thank you so much."

Hermione almost skipped her way out of the office.

"Oh and Miss Granger?"

Hermione stopped just outside the door.

"I hope everything works out for you."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you Professor. I hope so too."

Saturday Morning

Nearly all of the school were making their way to the Quidditch Stadium for the cup final – even thought there was three hours to go before the match. In the Entrance Hall pupils saw the familiar sight of the school news stand with the new paper being sold for 4 Knuts each.

Ginny had noticed in particular that the stand was extremely crowded. Guessing that it was an exciting story, she made her way to the front and purchased a copy. While walking to the stadium she opened out the paper to see Hermione's picture in the centre of the front page with a very interesting title:

Never Been Kissed – By Hermione Jane Granger

Someone once told me that to write well, you have to write what you know – this is what I know. I am seventeen years old and I have never really kissed a guy.

A geek to the core, my last school years have been spent doing extra homework I requested from my Professors. Nearly all male interest in me has turned out to be very cruel jokes just to hurt me – I have never fully recovered from them.

Yes, it is embarrassing to share this with the school, but it would be hard to explain what I learned and how I learned it without sharing this humiliating history.

As I entered 6th year I volunteered to create my own assignment – a school paper delivering relevant and crucial information to the people who need it most – us. Surprisingly I also discovered some things about myself – about my limits both emotionally and physically.

Nobody can do everything and it is important for us to know where our boundaries lie. Even if you do not know it yourself, your friends just might. So listen to them, please.

Despite the horrific events surrounding the school, I have learned that the internal factors of Hogwarts have not – and probably will not change.

There is still that one teacher who appears to be in a world of her own.

There is still that one ghost which loves to create havoc around the school, much to our annoyance!

There are still those girls who – even as they get older – will still be the most beautiful, sophisticated and elegant girls you have ever seen. Everything I am not.

The smart kids are still there. Known to most of the school as the geeks, the teachers' pets, the weirdos – but to me I saw them as part of me, my friends.

Yes, friends will always remain a part of Hogwarts life. In particular there is that one best friend (or in my case two) who are there for you no mater what and who support you through thick and thin, regardless of the consequences. To them, I owe you my life. Thank you.

And finally there is still that one very special person; his or her mysterious characteristics make them seem perfect in every way. You admire them, you respect them. For some people, they are the reason why you get up and go to class in the morning. Hogwarts would not be the same without them; I would not have been the same…without him.

So whatever you do, do not let that person go. You never know what you really have until it is gone and I have learned that in the worst possible way.

From my school experience, I have learned that nobody can go through school without having at least some regrets. Most of these regrets have to be pushed away so you can get on with your life and look forward to the future. But I have one major regret which I must fix in order to look forward…

A certain pupil was hurt on my path to discovering my boundaries and even though this article does account for something, it in no way makes up for how I hurt him. To this guy (you know who you are): I am so deeply sorry and I would also like to confess…I think I am in love with you.

So therefore, as a conclusion to this article and perhaps hopefully a beginning to a new chapter of my life – I propose this.

I, Hermione Jane Granger, will be at the Quidditch stadium this afternoon where my house team, Gryffindor, will be playing Slytherin for the Quidditch Cup. Prior to the match, I will stand in the middle of the pitch for five minutes. If this guy accepts my apology and returns my love, I ask him to come kiss me.

My first real kiss.

Harry was feeling extremely nervous at this point. It was his fist Cup Final as captain and he desperately wanted to prove to himself and to the team that he could lead them to victory.

Today would have been a better day for him if Hermione was cheering him on. Even though he was still angry with her, his heart wanted her to be there for him.

'She will probably forget, just like she did last time," he thought.

He made his way alone down the stairs to the Entrance Hall where he saw some students packing up the news stand. He quickly ran towards them.

"Hey guys, can I grab a copy before you pack up."

"Sure Harry," said the Ravenclaw student as she handed Harry the paper."

"Thanks," he said as he placed his money on the desk and made his way outside. It was a beautiful day, perfect Quidditch conditions.

He began to open up the paper when he noticed Andrew Kirke – one of the Gryffindor beaters - running towards him looking quite worried.

"Harry you better come quickly, we caught Malfoy and the Slytherin Team looking through our locker room. We don't know if they've found out our tactics or not."

Harry sighed, this was the last thing he needed right now. "Alright I'm coming."

Without a second thought he folded the paper in his hands, stuffed it into his schoolbag and ran with Andrew towards the locker rooms.

A/N I know I know quite a big cliffy there but it's a good place to leave it I think.

Seeing as I have only one exam left, the final chapter will be up soon. And to be

honest I won't be able to leave the story like this for long anyway!

I love hearing form you all so please review but no flames thank you! Toodles

Stephy xx