Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

A/n: sorry for the long wait again, and for last time. I promised myself I wouldnt do that, and I have. Once again, very sorry. Also, this chapter will focus a little more on Harry. Also..I've..well..sped up some things..some of you might get mad about what I've done..saying I was rushing along too fast..but if you think about it, the last few chapters weren't going anywhere..and you're definitely going to see a different side of Hermione..so I hope you enjoy, and please review!

Chapter Eight

Harry was angry. Okay, maybe not angry...frustrated was more like it. But anyway, he really didn't understand what Hermione's problem was. If he was such a pain...then couldn't she just tell him already instead of making excuses, or just running out of the classroom? He didn't seem to understand why she was being like this. Sure, he had to admit, he had been mean to her in the last couple of weeks. But he didn't intend to go overboard with it. And his bad demeanor was the cause of Ron's death. She should have known that. It's not like he was a girl or anything, and people could just asume -- Nevermind. It didn't matter. All he knew was that Hermione was angry with him and he intended to either find out why, or put a stop to it.

As he was thinking about all this, he realized that his feet had taken him to the Potion's room. He could vaguely hear a quill scratching against parchment, and a few mutters in between. Sighing, he opened the door, ready for his detention.

"Ah, Potter. Glad to see you've decided not to skip," Snape said, the same deadpan tone he'd been using since the first time Harry had walked into the dungeon. Harry tried not to roll his eyes or say anything that could cost him another night's worth, and slipped into the left side of the desk. Apparently Hermione wasn't here yet. That was good. It meant that he could take some time to think about what he was going to say to her, and how he was going to say it. Too bad Snape was in a sort of teasing mood tonight. Ah, well...

"Potter?"

Harry looked up. "Yes, sir?"

"I suspect that Granger is going to be late tonight, right?"

"I dunno, sir. Maybe." Harry quickly looked down. He didn't want Snape to see the smile in his eyes.

He could hear Snape sigh heavily.

"What do you mean, maybe? Yes, or no?" Snape stood. Harry looked up, and sat back.

"Yes, sir. Sorry. I wasn't sure..." He stopped. Better not to have Snape lose patience quickly.

"Well, Potter, I think that you better stop all this supposing nonsence, and -- "

The door opened. Hermione walked in, eyes on Harry. He couldn't read what he saw there, but he knew she saw the relief flash in his eyes.

Snape glanced at the small clock on his desk. "Granger, you're - "

"Late. I know. Sorry Professor," Hermione apologized, and slid in next to Harry. Snape sat down, and, with a glare directed in Hermione's direction, went back to work.

"Hermione...can we talk?" Harry whispered.

Hermione at him for a few moments. He had a sudden feeling that she was going to say no. He looked away, ready for it. "Fine."

He looked at her, surprised. "Really?"

She nodded. "Yes. But...don't make a big deal out of it."

"Okay," he said. Finally, he had at least made some progress. A small smile appeared on his lips.

"But," Here she leaned towards him, her body heat causing a shiver to run up and down his spine. He brushed it off. "Come along quickly and don't walk beside me. I don't want there to be -- a scene."

He looked at her, question in his eyes.

"Do as I say. We've got twenty-five minutes. Can you hold that long?" She teased, smiling. When was the last time she smiled? He tried to think, but couldn't. Too long. That's when.

"Yea, I can hold. Can you?" He waited for an answer. It didn't come.

"Okay," Harry said, sitting down next to a silent Hermione on the couch by the fire. "Are you gonna tell me what's bothering you?"

Hermione let out a breezy sigh, and turned to face him. "I guess I just miss him. I've been pretty stupid about it. You know, stomping around and everything, acting like -- a total..."

"I know what you mean," Harry told her with a small smile.

"Yea." Hermione turned away.

"So why are you acting like this? Why are you doing this?" Harry asking, making her look at him again. He slid a little closer.

"I dunno, really. Maybe its because I -- well...I just thought that we couldn't be friends anymore. I always thought that Ron held our friendship together. And when he died --" She cut off sharply, and brushed away a tear. "I thought the connection was broken."

"But not in fourth year, when you helped me..." Harry protested.

She let out a dry laugh. "You don't even know how many times I would try to talk to Ron. But I cherished all the time that we had spent together, because sometimes Ron just...didn't really suit my taste, I guess."

"I understand," Harry said, grabbing her hand.

Hermione let out a sob. "I'm sorry, Harry...really..."

Harry hugged her, and tried whispering comforting things in her ear. She hiccuped, and her sobs melted into deep breaths.

"Harry?"

"Yea?"

She pulled away a little. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you too."

Harry looked at her tearfilled eyes, remembering the kiss with Cho. Was this the same thing? No, he told himself. Cho was...Cho. This was Hermione. And Hermione...But he never got to finish the thought. Their lips met in a kiss. Not a friendly peck, or a brush on the lips. No, this was like, amazing. It was...perfect.

Hermione wrapped her arms tight around Harry. She didn't know a kiss could be like this. Her whole body was on fire. And she didn't know how to act. She was suprised at herself. Usually she knew exactly what to do...how to act. But with Harry it was different. It was better. So much better...

A/n: Yea..I know..one of the crappiest endings to a chapter..but whatever..tell me what you think..and give me some ideas as to how I should carry on..I have a few..but I wanna see what you guys would do..kthnx..oh and they don't have sex if that's what you're thinking, you perve..if you were wondering if they were going to..I'm not that dumb..haha