(A/N: I know, I know…you would think Hermione would be Headmistress and Ron just a professor, I just wanted to make it interesting and give it a twist. Do you like? Please Read and Review!)

Chapter 2

The first few weeks of term went by fast and October was creeping up on them. Hermione still hadn't told Harry. She had avoided him like the plague. She couldn't figure out how to tell him, without giving into him. Wanting so much, to crawl up into her dormitory and lock herself in, she slowly got out of bed and dressed, Thursday morning.

Hermione left her dormitory and went into the Transfiguration classroom, to wait for her first class to arrive. When the third years got there, she started them out, by letting them try and turn a kitten into a teakettle. As they were trying the transformation, she sat at her desk, going through some of her plans for the day. She only had to do three lessons today, but one was a double. She was really looking forward to some lunch today, as she had skipped breakfast.

When her first class was over, the second class came in right after. It was the first years. She again gave them their instructions, which were to turn a rat into a goblet and then she sat at her desk again, occasionally walking around the room to observe. After that class, she went to the Great Hall for lunch. She sat down next to Ron and hadn't even noticed that Harry was on Ron's right as usual. When a snowy white owl flew down onto the table, when the mail arrived, that's when she noticed Harry. He removed the small scroll from Hedwig's leg and sent her off with a piece of toast.

Reading the letter to himself, he found it was from Ginny Weasley. His eyes widened as he kept reading.

"Ron…it's from Ginny."

"Ginny?" Said Ron. "When did you start writing her?"

"I wrote your mum last week, Ginny must have found out." Harry answered. "But…that's not the point, Ron…I don't think your going to like this."

"Why not?"

Harry handed Ron the letter.

Harry,

It's so nice to hear from you after so long. Mum's a bit angry, but I think she'll get over it. Anyway, how have you been? I think it's marvelous that you got the Defense Against the Dark Arts job. Mum's absolutely thrilled that Ron is Headmaster now. I was surprised myself, I always imagined Hermione in that position.

I have some great news though…don't get mad…Please! I'm marrying Draco Malfoy. Ok…go ahead…yell at me; I know you're going to. I expect Ron will too, he didn't even know I was dating Draco. Anyway, I'll send your invitation as soon as mum and me have them made out. Please write again soon.

Ginny

Ron looked furious when he was finished with the letter. He wadded it up and threw it at Harry. He got up and left the Great Hall, obviously going to write Ginny a letter…probably send a howler.

Hermione hesitated, but asked anyway. "What's wrong, Harry?"

Harry's head snapped up at the sound of Hermione's voice. She hadn't spoken to him in so long, he hadn't expected it. Not wanting to say anything he would regret, he just handed her the letter and went back to his breakfast.

Hermione read the letter quickly, but wasn't at all surprised by the news. "Oh…well, I've known about this for ages. Ginny made me promise not to tell Ron or anyone else."

Harry looked up at her, he wanted to say something, but didn't know what. She was actually smiling and he didn't want to ruin the fact that she was actually on speaking terms with him again. So, he just smiled faintly and the started at his breakfast again. They both remained quiet for the rest of their meal, only speaking when another professor or student spoke them to. Hermione left first, she went back to her office to make sure she had everything ready for the next lesson, which was the double lesson.

Harry went back to his office to do the same, he was to be teaching fourth years.

When his class came in at about one, they were all quiet, unlike usual. They were looking at him differently and whispering a little to their friends. After about twenty minutes into the lesson, he stopped.

"What's going on?" He asked the class.

One of the students raised their hands. She reminded him much of Hermione, when she knew the right answer to a question. The girl was waving her hand in the air and looked like she was going to explode if she didn't get to answer the question.

"Yes, Ms. Garret."

"Well, it's just that…you, Professor Weasley and Professor Granger use to be really close friends…right?"

Harry gave her a quizzical look. "Yeah…but what's your point?"

"Well, " piped up another student. "We've noticed that you haven't really been speaking to Professor Granger very much…like you aren't friends anymore."

"Yeah…" said a boy in the back of the class. "You and them vanquished You-Know-Who together…Why aren't you as close as you use to be?"

Harry was surprised that they had caught on, but wasn't about to tell them about his personal life.

"We have our reasons…" Harry said. "But, why don't we get back to work. Now…as I was saying—"

"I'm sorry, Professor Potter, but I don't understand…" Said the Garret girl again. "If you've been friends since you started school here, how can you just stop talking one day?"

"I get your point, but really, I don't think this is something you need to know." Harry said to her. "Now, if you would all please turn to page 87 in your textbooks, and take notes on—"

"But, Professor—"

"Am I going to have to give out detentions?" Harry interrupted. At that, the entire class was quiet again. "Now please…take notes on chapter five. If you have any questions…pertaining only to the chapter, then don't hesitate to ask."

Harry sat down at his desk. He had never been grilled by one of his classes like that before and it was quite annoying. Although, they did have a point…

When the bell rang for the students to leave, Harry gave them an essay over the chapter. Even though he knew they didn't like it, cause he knew he hated getting essays in school. Now he understood what the teachers went through. When the seventh years came, some of them asked similar questions about him and Professor Granger. Again, he didn't let it get to him. At the end of the double period, he gave them a twelve-inch essay on Patronuses, seeing as how that's what they were studying. He still didn't understand why the students had this sudden interest in him and Hermione. But, it did get him thinking about her more. As soon as the seventh years left, he went into his office. He couldn't get her out of his mind. Deciding that it was time to try and talk to her again, he got the Marauder's Map out and looked for her. She was in the Great Hall, obviously having dinner. He would have to wait until after dinner. He would wait in the Transfiguration classroom until she got back.

Harry waited for what seemed like hours. He sat on one of the many tables in the Transfiguration classroom, just staring at the wall and waiting. Finally, at sometime past seven, she came in. She looked surprised that he was there waiting for her.

"Harry…what are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you." He answered, standing up.

"Oh…well, good!" She said, now walking over to her desk. "Ron and I missed you at dinner…I was really hoping to talk to you."

"Were you?" Asked Harry. He moved closer to her now, but still keeping a distance between them.

She nodded. "There are so many things we need to clear up."

"Yeah…" Harry said, eying her suspiciously. "Like what?"

Hermione hesitated; she started messing with the front of her robes. Harry could tell she was nervous.

"About us." She said finally.

"Good…" Began Harry. "That's what I wanted to talk about."

Hermione stood in front of her desk, leaning against it. They were quiet for a long time. Harry just looked at Hermione. He didn't know where to start but at the beginning. But, doing that would only bring back things that Harry didn't want to face. The fact that he stopped writing her, for one.

"Harry…I really only have one question." Hermione said suddenly.

"What's that?"

"Why…why did you tell me you loved me, if you didn't mean it?" She didn't know why she asked the question. She had overheard him talking to Ron and telling him that he did love her and that he still did. Maybe she just needed it confirmed.

"Hermione, I did love you. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't."

"Then, why didn't you say anything about it in your letters? And why haven't I heard from you in five years?"

Harry didn't know how to answer. He didn't really know the answer.

"I didn't say anything, cause you didn't. I was afraid that I had scared you or something. I didn't want to scare you away." Harry explained. "As for the other…I really don't remember why I stopped writing you. Then, I got busy with Quidditch…I just lost track of everything."

"You mean…you forgot about me?" Hermione asked, scared of what he was going to say.

"No! Hermione…I never for one minute forgot about you. You were always on my mind."

"Then why didn't you just sit down and write me a simple letter?" Hermione asked. She was now on the verge of tears. She tried to hold them back, she was tired of crying, she had been doing too much of it lately.

"I really don't know…I was stupid, Hermione." Harry pleaded. "If I could go back and change it, I would."

"It's to late for that, Harry." She turned and started walking to her office, but Harry caught up with her and held her back.

"Hermione, I don't care if I'm too late. Nothing's going to stop me from loving you forever."

Hermione looked up at his face and she knew right away that he meant it.

"Stop it, Harry. I can't hear this anymore." The tears began to fall, for what seemed like the thousandth time that year.

"Hermione…dammit!"

He let go of her. He was doing it again; he was causing her more pain. Why did she do this to him? Turning around, he wiped a tear from his eye, hoping she hadn't seen.

But…she had. She had never seen Harry cry before. And now that she had, she didn't like it, because she had caused that tear. She wanted now, more than ever to just hold him. Hold him in her arms and take away all the pain he was feeling. But, she was feeling that pain too and right now, she didn't know how to deal with it.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm so stubborn. All I ever wanted was your love. But now, I know I can't have it." Harry said. "And if I can't have that, I at least want you to be my friend again."

He paused, to give her time to think about what he said. When she didn't say anything, he continued.

"Hermione, I'll do anything to keep you in my life. And, if just having you as a friend is how I'm going to have you, than that's all I want." Harry explained. "Hermione…please, I can't live without you. I can't stand seeing you almost every day and you won't even talk to me. It kills me to know that I did that to you."

Hermione was perplexed. She didn't know what to say, so she said nothing. She only looked at him. Seeing more tears in his eyes only made it worse.

"I'm going now…" He said. He started walking to the door, but she stopped him.

"Harry wait!" She called.

Harry stopped and turned around. "What?"

"I'm scared…"

"Of what?"

"I'm scared that if we're friends, then it'll happen all over again." She said.

"I won't let it, if you won't." He said. "It may kill me inside, but If that's the cost of seeing you happy, then that's what I'm gonna do."

Without another word, Harry left. Hermione just stood there and watched the door, hoping he would come back through it. He never did. She just let him go. The only person she ever loved and she let him get away. She hated herself for doing it, but it was the only option.

The next day went by so slow; Hermione thought that it would never end. She hadn't said a word to Harry yet, and he hadn't attempted to say anything to her. When Ron sat down with them at lunch, he began talking, and they got into a conversation. Hermione hadn't said anything to him about the previous night, but she was pretty sure Harry would have. But, Ron didn't seem to acknowledge anything, so Hermione just kept quiet about it. When Ron left, Hermione and Harry were left with nothing to say. So, Hermione attempted at conversation.

"Did you sleep well last night?" She asked him.

"No not really." He answered. "You?"

"No…"

Well that certainly was a waist of time, she thought. She picked up her copy of the Daily Profet and began to read, so her eyes weren't drawn to Harry. When she heard him leave, she put the paper down and watched him go. Then, she got up and strode off to her office.

Over the next couple of weeks, things started getting better between Harry and Hermione. Harry told Ron what happened between them, and he seemed ecstatic about it. He was glad they were able to work it, so they could all be friends again. He even said, "I told you so," to Hermione. But, she didn't seem to thrilled, so he let off the subject.

Harry still couldn't stop thinking about Hermione. Even thought they decided just to stay friends, he still loved her. He would always love her…not matter what. He wasn't really sure that Hermione ever loved him and he wanted to know, but he didn't ask her, he went to Ron.

Ron told him he didn't know, but Harry knew different. It was one of those promises. Ron promised Hermione that he wouldn't tell. Harry respected that, so he didn't press on Ron to break his promise with Hermione.

Harry had been asked to be the new umpire for Quidditch games. Madam Hooch had suffered a very bad injury and finally gave it up. Harry was thrilled to be out playing Quidditch again, he had missed it.

November passed just as fast as October, and soon the grounds of Hogwarts were covered in snow. As usual, being more than a week into December, the professors started putting up the Christmas decorations. Harry now understood what took so long. It was when Hagrid asked him to help with the twelve Christmas trees that he understood what not having magic was like. So, Harry helped Hagrid, by levitating the trees into the Great Hall. Things went a lot smoother after that.

Hermione, was making a list of who all would be staying over Christmas break, as Professor McGonagall use to do. She looked relieved that the break was soon, as she had had a very agitating start of term.

When Christmas break finally rolled around, Harry was going to have a lot more time to spend with Ron and Hermione. Though, Ron, being Headmaster, had a lot of things to do, and couldn't spend as much time with them as he wanted. He was in his office most of the time. So, Hermione and Harry would spend nights in the staff room, or in one of their offices talking about off things. The even relived some of their adventures from when they were students. But, they did what they could to stay away from their seventh year. They didn't have many good memories from that year. Though, they enjoyed talking about the events of fourth year, but they never talked about the maze, or the end of the year. A bad feeling always came to Harry whenever they talked about Voldemort. Mostly, it made him think of his parents. Then he would go off on a rampage about the Dursleys and that made him feel even worse. So, Hermione tried to stay away from that subject.

It was Christmas Eve and Ron was in and important meeting with the governors of the school. Harry and Hermione again found themselves alone. They decided to go to Hermione's office and have some hot cocoa.

When they entered the office, Harry frowned.

"What?" Asked Hermione.

"I'm going to have to talk to Ron about my office…" He explained. "I don't have a couch."

Hermione laughed at him as he went and sat on the couch against the wall. Hermione conjured up two cups of hot cocoa and brought them to the couch, sitting them on the coffee table in front of it. She sat down at the other end.

"I'm serious." Harry said. "Your office is much more comfier than mine."

"You know Harry, it doesn't take much to conjure up a couch." Hermione said matter of factly.

"Yes I know…" Said Harry. "But I never thought about it."

"Well…now you have."

Hermione smirked and then they laughed. Hermione was very easy to get along with, when she was relaxed. Harry watched her take a drink of her hot cocoa. She gave him a quizzical look.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing." Said Harry, taking a drink from his own mug.

It was quiet for a while. The just sat drinking their hot cocoa and enjoying the quietness. Then Hermione jumped up.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked her.

"Nothing…I just remembered." She said running over to the window.

"Remembered what?"

"The lake is frozen…"

"So…what about it?" Said Harry.

"We can go ice skating." She piped.

"Ice Skating? Hermione, I'm not much of a skater."

"I'll teach you then…" She ran to her dormitory and got her cloak. "Come on."

Harry hesitated, but saw how happy she looked, so he followed her. She led the way through the corridors, out the big oak front doors, and down to the lake. When they got there, there were already a few students out there, who seemed to be really good at skating. They were couples holding hands, skating around the lake. Harry got a weird feeling, when Hermione handed him a pair of Ice skates that she had conjured up.

"Hermione…I'm not so sure about this." Harry said as he put on the skates.

"Oh Harry, its so easy." She said, stepping out onto the ice.

Harry watched her skate forward a little ways and then she skated back to him, where he was standing at the edge of the lake. "See simple."

"Yeah…for someone who's done it before."

"Ohh…come on." She said. She came up and grabbed his hand and pulled him out onto the lake.

"Hermione, wait…I told you I can't do this."

But she had already pulled him about ten feet away from the edge of the lake. She let go of his hand, which was a bad idea, cause he knew if he moved he was going to fall.

Harry stood as still as possible, while Hermione started skating circles around him, just smiling the whole time. The falling snow around her only made her look more beautiful. Harry reached out his arm and caught her.

"You know, you're not a very good teacher."

"You're going to have to learn to walk before you can skate." Said Hermione.

"If I move, I'm going to fall."

"No you won't, now move." Hermione demanded.

Reluctantly, Harry took a slow step forward. When he didn't fall, he took a couple more.

"Good." Said Hermione. "Now do this." She skated forward a couple of strides.

"You're kidding me, right?"

"No…just do it." She said.

"Ok, ok."

Slowly, Harry took a couple of steps, before taking one stride. He managed the first one, but when he was in the midst of the second one, his feet slipped out from under him. He landed on his ass, hard on the ice.

"Oh, Harry." Hermione shrieked, skating over to him. "Are you alright?"

"Harry groaned. "Perfect…now that my ass is one big bruise."

Hermione helped him to his feet. He looked over to the edge of the lake, and some of the students were laughing at him. He looked at Hermione, who was trying her hardest to suppress her own giggles. It wasn't working to well.

"I'm sorry, Harry." She said through her giggles. "It's just…"

"Oh, you think it's funny do ya?" Said Harry.

"Yes…I'm sorry." She covered he mouth with her hands, trying to stop from laughing. "But, that was very good. Why don't you try again?"

"You're crazy, you know that. I'm not trying again, cause I'll just fall."

"You won't." Said Hermione. "Uhhh…give me your hand." She grabbed his hand and started moving forward again, slowly.

Ignoring his protests, she dragged him along, around the lake. Harry noticed that all the students had gone in and they were quite alone. He also noticed that it was almost completely dark and the only light was coming from the moon and stars.

After dragging him around for a while, Harry finally got the hang of it and was skating along beside her fine. Thought, she still hadn't let of his hand, but he didn't think anything of it.

They skated around the lake a few times, and then Hermione just suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" Harry asked her.

"Oh…nothing. Just getting cold." She answered.

"Maybe we should head back in." Harry suggested.

"Yeah…"

Then they started skating back to the other side of the lake, Hermione still gripping Harry's hand tightly.

It happened in an instant. Harry was skating along fine when he hit a small clump of ice. His feet came out from under him, yet again. He fell hard on his back, bringing Hermione down on top of him. The wind was knocked out of him and he groaned loudly. His head was aching from where it hit the ice and he could tell there was a large lump there.

"Harry…are you ok?" Hermione asked, leaning over him.

"Do I look ok?"

Hermione started laughing again.

"Really Hermione, I don't know what's so funny."

She stifled her laughing and looked at his face. His eyes were closed.

"Hermione…could you please get off of me." He asked, opening his eyes to look at her.

But she didn't move. She just continued to look at his face. Her eyes flickered down to his lips and then back to his eyes. She licked her own lips.

"Hermione…"

Her face was inching closer to his. He wasn't sure what she was going to do. Her face was only a couple of inches away when Harry leaned his head up and pressed his lips to hers. They were soft and warm, and she tasted so sweet. Harry's mind went blank and now he couldn't remember who kissed who. But, he didn't care, as long as she didn't move away.

Harry's hands moved around to her back, pulling her close. His tongue slid along her lower lip. Hermione parted her lips and his tongue dipped into her mouth, exploring hungrily. As Harry's tongue slid along Hermione's, he felt warmth spread throughout his body. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew it was a good feeling. Finally, when they pulled back to breathe, Harry looked up and Hermione. Her eyes widened.

"Oh, God!" She shrieked. She stood up and started skating away as fast as her legs would carry her.

"Hermione!" Harry shouted, getting to his feet. He tried to skate after her, but he slipped and fell again.

Harry threw off his skates and got up, running across the lake after her. She already had her skates off and was running across the grounds by time Harry made it to the edge of the lake.

"Hermione!" He shouted again. But she just kept running, up the steps and through the big oak front doors.

Harry kept running after her. When he went through the oak doors, she was already up on the second floor, heading for the Transfiguration room. He ran across the Entrance Hall and up the Marble Staircase. He saw her run through the door at the other end of the corridor. Running as fast as he could, he reached the door and ran in. She wasn't in there, but her office door was ajar and Harry ran in there. She wasn't in her office either, so he ran to her dormitory door and tried to open it. It was locked. He took out his wand and muttered, "Alohamora." The lock clicked and Harry threw open the door.

Hermione was curled up on her bed, crying.

"Hermione…" He said, rushing over and kneeling beside her bed.

"Hermione, please…" Harry said, turning her over.

"Leave me alone, Harry."

"No." He said firmly. He lifted her, pulled her into his arms and held her.

She didn't resist, but wrapped her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder.

"Hermione…what's wrong?" Harry whispered.

"I'm sorry, Harry." She muttered into his neck.

"Why Hermione? Why are you sorry?" He asked. He pulled her away from his neck, so he could look into her eyes.

They were puffy and red. Tears just kept falling, all the tears she had held back over the last few weeks.

"Why are you sorry?" Harry repeated.

"Because…because I love you, Harry." Hermione muttered and curled back up on her bed.

"Hermione, it's ok." Harry said, pulling her back to him. "You don't have to be sorry."

"Yes, I do." She said. "All I did was push you away when you loved me and all the time I loved you back." She wiped some of the tears from her face. "I'm sorry, Harry."

"No, Hermione, don't be. It doesn't matter. I still love you more than I ever have." Harry said, holding her again.

"But, Harry—"

"No." He interrupted her. "Shh…don't do this to yourself."

Hermione leaned into Harry and just cried. She pulled him onto the bed with her. For the longest time, they just lay there holding each other. Hermione's tears finally stopped after a while and now they were only quiet sobs, though her face was still tear stricken.

Harry didn't make any attempt to let go of her. He didn't understand whey she had gotten so upset. He didn't care that she had pushed him away, now that he knew she loved him. But why didn't she tell him before?

"Hermione…" Harry whispered.

She looked up at him.

"Hermione…why didn't you tell me?"

She didn't answer right away, but looked at him for a moment.

"I was so mad at you. I didn't want you to know, but then I did." She paused. When he didn't say anything, she continued. "One thing you'll never know, Harry…is how hard it was not to tell you. All I wanted to do was hold you in my arms and tell you that…that…I love you, more than life itself."

Harry looked into her eyes as she spoke. He couldn't believe she just told him that.

"Hermione…I love you, too." Harry said, and then leaned down and kissed her lightly.

Hermione sighed into the kiss, letting it become deeper and more passionate. Her arms curled back around his neck and her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. Harry plunged his tongue into her mouth, to taste her sweetness. When he pulled away, he could see a longing in Hermione's eyes, a longing that he felt.