Chapter. 3

I raced down the steps toward the common room where Harry and Ron where seated. Harry as usual was seated in the large arm chair next to the fire. Nether of them noticed that I had approached. Ron looked as if he was asleep, but Harry was busy scribbling away on a piece of parchment. I stood there looking at him. His face giving off a glow from the fire. He looked quite into his work and determined to finish. It looked like he was working on Snape's essay on werewolves. He stopped writing for a moment and sighed. I would have sighed to if Sirius Black were after me.

"Hey" I finally spoke causing Harry to jump and knock his quill out of his hand.

"Oh hey" he smiled

I took a few steps closer to him and the fire taking a seat across from him.

"So how's the essay coming?" I asked casually

"Alright I guess" He shrugged his shoulders

"Let me have a look" I said holding out my hand to retrieve the paper. I took it into my hands and began to read. Harry sat there waiting for me to correct the mistakes. But there were none. "You did a nice job maybe Snape will give you an A"

"I doubt it" Harry sighed for a second time.

"Don't be so hard on yourself" I tried to sooth.

"So what have you been up too, I haven't seen you around much?"

"Oh nothing just been doing my homework in the library to avoid Ron" at the mention of his name Ron suddenly gave a great snore.

"Can't you guys at least be civil? I don't know Hermione it's just there is a lot on my mind and then you and Ron have to be at each others throats all the time" Harry sighed again which caused me to feel slight remorse and guilt.

"I'm sorry Harry" I say my eyes beginning to fog over "I want to help…but I seem to just make you worse. I'll try to be civil with Ron I really will" I say turning my head to the fire so he could not see the tear that had some how slipped down my cheek. Harry was silent for a few moments but then he spoke.

"Don't cry Hermione your not to blame Ron was not so nice to you this morning"

"Please don't remind me" I say another set of fresh tears burst out of my eyes. I don't hide them this time.

"Hermione please I'm sure Ron didn't mean it he was just angry and…and" Harry stopped talking and rushed over to hug me. His embrace was warm and soft some where I felt safe. "Please don't cry…I'm here its ok" he said and began to rock me back and forth.

My face suddenly flushed. Why was he hugging me?

Because he likes you!

No he doesn't he is just my friend!

Hermione don't kid yourself the boy's crazy about you!

No he just doesn't like to see me cry!

Look at how he is with you and today he kissed you!

It was on the top of the head need I remind you!

He still kissed you!

Oh SHUT UP!

My mind finally lets the argument go as I jump up from Harry's embrace. My cheeks were burning now. I stood there for a split second and then darted out the portal and down the marble staircase. I was almost to the bottom when Filche's cat came scrambling after me. I tripped over the red eyed fur ball and went down tumbling head first. MY scream pierced the sky as I fell into complete darkness.

A/n: Hey all! Thanks for the lovely reviews. Sorry the chapter is so short. I have been meaning to update on this one. But I do have a lot of Days fics so it's hard to work my way to it. I hope you all liked the chapter. Sorry for the cliffie but I plan on updating very soon so don't worry :-D I think you will all be pleased with the next chapter. Please review if you get the chance. And thanks again for all of the kind reviews.

Khloe