A/N: YAY! I have loads of ideas now! Not every detail of this story, mind you. But enough to go on until i get more ideas. I only recieved oen review so far on the last chapter, i'll respond to that and any others i recieve in the next chapter, so don't feel unloved! Enjoy.

Chapter 4

Hermione's POV

(going back to right when Dumbledore let the out of the meeting)

When Malfoy, Cho, and Greggory walked out of the great hall without Harry, I asked Cho where he was.

"Dumbledore asked him to stay back," she replied then walked off.

"Oh, Weasley, tell your sister I'll see her tomorrow, okay?" said Malfoy casually.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron asked. This doesn't look good.

"Are you that dense? Tell – Ginny – That – Draco – Will – See – Her - Tomorrow," he said slowly like Ron was mentally slow.

"Why will you see her tomorrow?" Ron asked, getting angrier by the minute.

"She is my girlfriend, Weasley. Whether or not you are man enough to accept it," Malfoy said with a smirk. This definitely is not going to end well. I can see it now.

At the moment I was thinking that, Ron lunged at Malfoy. He managed to get him to the ground, but Malfoy easily pushed him off and began to get up. Ron jumped at him again causing them both to topple over. They were throwing punches.

"Stop you immature little-" I began, as Harry walked out.

"Stay away from my sister!" Ron yelled. Harry and I pulled them off of each other and Malfoy walked off. So did Harry. He went out onto the grounds.

"Harry! Wait!" we called, but it was no use.

Ron then went to what, I'm assuming, was the common room. I stood there for a moment, sorting out the scene I had just witnessed. Harry had looked rather upset when he walked out- maybe I should go talk to him.

I went out onto the grounds and saw him in the distance near the lake. Seeing as calling to him didn't do anything, I just hurried and caught up. When I did, I put my hand on his arm, making him jump.

"Sorry. Harry," I said, quickly putting down my hand. He didn't say anything.

"What's wrong?" I asked as we walked the perimeter of the lake.

"Nothing," he replied.

"Harry, come on. I can tell that something is bothering you. I could see it when you walked out of the Great Hall, it was in you eyes. I can't help you if you don't tell me-" I started to say, but he cut me off suddenly.

"You can't help me, Hermione. Nobody can help me. Not unless you can bring back the dead," he snapped.

"Oh, Harry. I'm sorry. This is about Sirius, isn't it?" I asked. I should have guessed he wouldn't be in that good mood after he talked to Dumbledore. I don't know why, but Harry had been rather annoyed with the headmaster ever since the day after we went to the Department of Mysteries. I tried several times in my letters and when we were all at Grimwauld Place over the summer to get him to tell me, but he refuses.

"It's more about bloody Dumbledore," he said darkly.

"Why are you so mad with him?" I asked, cautiously taking his hand. I know this is wrong, with him being so upset, but I really enjoyed my hand in his.

"Nothing," he insisted, as he had for the last three months.

"Harry," I said as I stopped walking and stood in front of him, looking directly up into his gorgeous green eyes. "I know there's something wrong. You've been pretty angry with Dumbledore ever since the end of term. Please tell me what it is."

"I found out at the end of last school year that Dumbledore had been lying to me for my entire life," he said solemnly.

"What did he lie about?" I asked, stunned. As far as I knew Dumbledore never lied. Neither did Harry. I can see why he's upset, if I had been lied to as much as he had, then find out one of the people I trusted most had been lying to me for almost 16 years, I'd be angry too.

"I'll tell you some other time, Hermione. Just not now."

"Okay. I'm sorry all this happened Harry. I really am."

He dropped my hand and hugged me. Not his usual, friendly hug that I normally got. Oh no, this hug felt different. Like there was something more between us now.

Harry's POV

As I stood there, out in front of the lake, hugging Hermione, I couldn't help but think about why. Why was she hugging me? Well obviously because I hugged her first. But normally, she'd pull away. This time, it's different though. The fact that I've told her more than anyone else has brought us closer together, closer as in friendship wise, and literally with the hug. When I hugged her, it wasn't because I like her so much; it was because I just needed some one. Now though, that I am just hugging her, I like hugging her. Weird to think of at a time when I'm this upset, but I really, really like her. I have little idea why, but I do.

Harry pulled away after a minute or two and looked down at his best friend. The person who had always been there for him, whether or not he had realized it. Ron was his best friend as well, but Harry had always been more open with Hermione. Perhaps it was simply the (not trying to be sexist) fact that she was a girl. It can be hard for one guy to openly talk to another guy about more personal stuff, it can get awkward. She took his hand once again, and they continued around the lake in silence. After about an hour of just walking and being with one another, it began to get dark.

"Maybe we should go in," Hermione suggested.

"Yeah, I guess so," he agreed. They walked back to castle without another word. By the time they got back, dinner had just begun.

"Hey guys. Where have you two been?" Ron asked as they sat down across from him.

"Walking around the grounds," Hermione replied.

"Oh. Harry, are you alright?" Ron asked.

"Yes, Ron, I'm fine," he lied.

"Alright, if you're sure, mate," Ron said vaguely. Throughout dinner, Harry noticed Draco glaring at Ron's back. Both Malfoy and Ginny were sulking.

"Ron, what happened between you and Malfoy earlier?" Harry asked.

"He was making comments about Ginny and stuff so I attacked him," Ron said simply. Harry glanced down at the other end of the table where Ginny sat. She was getting up and began to leave the Great Hall. Hermione caught on to what Harry was seeing and excused herself.

"Ginny!" she called as she got out of the Great Hall. Ginny stopped walking and waited until Hermione caught up with her.

"Hey Hermione," she said.

"Ginny, what's going on with you and Draco? You both looked a little upset during dinner.

"I broke up with him," she responded.

A/N: Argh. I know they keep getting shorter but that's where i wanted to end it to leave you all hanging a bit. I'm sure I could have lengthened it, but I like it how it is. The next chapter will be longer I PROMISE. Please read and review my pretties and you will be rewarded. Well, I'll mention you in the next chapter in my reviwer responses, but still. You'll be somewhat recognized, if that helps any. Thank's oodles to Deirdre for helping me make Harry less queer sounding. (no he's not gay, i just wrote one part where he seemed to be and she helped me fix it). I don't know what our world would be like if Harry Potter was gay. I am not against gays but, you know. Okay, i'll stop babbling now. Bye.