Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine... blah blah blah...

Lock and Key

Chapter 2

"So Dean and I are the only ones, then?" Seamus questioned while putting on a white T-shirt.

"Trying to rub it in?" Ron snapped, pulling on his robes.

"I'm not going out with her! We're only talking right now." Dean Thomas insisted. They were on the subject of girlfriends. Seamus was dating Lavender, as of the previous summer. (They had kept in contact through Owl Post). Dean had his eye on a pretty girl from Hufflepuff named Bethany King. The other three currently had no one.

"But remember Seamus, you've got Ron's sloppy seconds." Harry advised, tying his shoe.

"Oi—watch it Potter!" Seamus cried, throwing his socks at Harry. The others laughed heartily and Ron grinned smugly. During their sixth year, Lavender and Ron had gone out for eight weeks. When their relationship ended, mutually and friendly enough, Parvati Patil had hounded Ron. She got on his back, having no problem verbally abusing him in public (and loudly). She seemed to take more offense to the break-up than her best friend did. The embarrassment lasted Ron a month, and whenever someone mentioned Parvati, he got a particularly sour taste in his mouth.

"Jealously mate, is all." Dean assured Seamus, winking at Harry. Last night, his roommates had been thrilled at the news he'd been made Quidditch captain; Ron had been ecstatic.

"He has no need to be jealous, from what I hear," replied Seamus.

"What do you mean?" Neville and Ron asked in unison.

"Someone may like Mr. Potter."

"Who?" Ron demanded.

"Parvati." Harry glanced suspiciously at Seamus, who smiled.

"I'll say it again—those Patil twins are extremely good looking," nodded Dean.

"And you did go to the Yule Ball with her, Harry. Parvati's nice." Neville pointed out.

"Yeah, up until the point you want out. Then she's a fire breathing monster." Ron cryptically said. They all broke out in laughter.

"I'm gonna do it mate." Ron announced to Harry as they walked into the Great Hall.

"Do what?" Harry wondered.

"Tell Hermione how I feel. I mean, it's our last year and all.... It'll be difficult, I know." Harry didn't reply. He felt as though someone had hit him in the stomach. He truly did not want to hear about Ron and Hermione, or visualize it. They sat down at the table across from Hermione & Neville and greeted her. As Harry poured his glass of juice, someone spoke to him.

"Hi Harry." Parvati cheerily said, grinning at him. She sat on his right, separated by a half asleep third year. Lavender and Seamus were next to her.

"Hi, Parvati," he responded, setting down the pitcher.

"How are you?"

"Fine."

"I heard you're captain."

"Yep."

"That's great," she noted, smiling again. He noticed she had a pretty smile, "Did you have a good summer?"

"Yeah, I guess," he said.

"That's good. I did. I went to the Philippines."

"That's pretty... wicked."

"It really was. And gorgeous." Parvati smiled one last time and returned to her own affairs. Harry looked questioningly at Ron, who shrugged but gave a knowing chuckle. He then looked up and saw Hermione's head quickly turn to her right, rapid words (meant for Neville) pouring out of her mouth.

Harry studied her for a moment. Had she just been watching his conversation? Or was he imagining things? And was she beginning to turn red? The schedules then made their way down to their part of the table. They all grabbed their own eagerly. Harry studied his seriously. Four classes, all in favor of making his Auror goal come true: Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, all of which were double. Perfect.

"What'd you get Harry?" wondered Ron, looking over, "Only two classes together... Defense and Transfiguration."

"How'd you get Divination?" Harry asked his best friend.

"WHAT?!" bellowed Ron, apparently having missed that.

"Unfortunately Ron, you've done well in that class and it appears you've forgotten that. Remember how many O.W.L.s you got?" Hermione explained, noting her own classes. (Charms, Muggle Studies, Arithmancy, and Transfiguration).

"But... I could have sworn I did horribly in that class! And I don't want it as a N.E.W.T class!" Ron insisted desperately.

"It's fair. You've got Trelawney, I'm stuck with Snape." Harry flatly noted.

Before breakfast ended, Harry rounded up the—his—Quidditch team to tell them he was now captain.

"That's terrific Harry!" Ginny, a Chaser, beamed.

"Brilliant!" Colin Creevy added, Beater one.

"Thanks. I wanted to meet on the field at the beginning of lunch so... that's what's going to happen. Bring your brooms." Harry announced.

"And don't be late, BURNSTONE." Ron (still the Keeper) menacingly said. Matthew Burnstone was Beater number two, a sixth year, and had been said to fancy Ginny. He blushed. The seven departed and Harry & Ron walked to Transfiguration together, where Hermione already was.

Harry hurried down the staircase, Firebolt in tow. Defense Against the Dark Arts had ended some 10 minutes earlier and now Harry was rushing to get to the pitch.
"Dumb second years and their dumb accident in the corridor," he growled. He then spotted Hermione on a sofa, preparing to open a book, "Hermione! Have you seen Ron?" She looked up at him, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"He already left. Said he wanted to fly before you got there," she reported.

"Right... so the prat left me," Harry said, sighing, "Would you mind walking with me? You don't have to. You don't have to stay for the meeting either, I just—"

"Of course," smiled Hermione, standing up. They walked to the portrait and out of the common room. They talked about how their classes went for a while before silence engulfed them. Why'd you ask her to walk with you if you're not going to speak to her?! Harry scolded himself. So I could look at her, he offered up, stealing a glance.

"Um... if you wanted to see the Head Room, I could show you. Tonight." Hermione told him.

"Do you have rounds tonight?" he inquired.

"Yes, but they're at ten. There's plenty of time before that. Is nine okay?"

"All right." Harry shrugged. He wanted to know more about the details of the rounds in general, but a moment later they were at the Entrance Hall.

"Right. So, I'll see you at lunch, maybe. If not, in, er, Charms," he commented, awkwardly.

"Yeah." Hermione simply stated, catching his eye.

"See you." Harry trudged down the steps and onto the grass. She stood there for a minute, watching his progress. God, he was adorable when he was unsure of things. Hermione's eyes widened and a hand flew to her mouth as though she had spoken instead of thought. Dear Merlin, what was she thinking? Had she not been aware of what precisely had crossed her mind, and about whom?

"Get a grip," she mouthed.

"Uh... Hermione?" came a voice. She turned sharply to her right. A tall boy with fair hair and misty light blue eyes stood next to her. She was aware she knew vaguely of him but couldn't place his face to a name at the moment.

"H-hello," she greeted.

"I'm not sure if you exactly know me, but I'm David Rice," he proclaimed, holding out a hand. She shook it, comprehension dawning.

"From Ravenclaw, right?" Hermione pondered.

"Yeah," smiled David.

"Seeker on the Quidditch team?"

"Right again. My, you are a genius." They both grinned lightly.

"I know I may seem mad or something, but I was going into the Great Hall and I saw you standing here by yourself. So I thought I might introduce myself and give you some company." David noted.

"How thoughtful."

"And it might be a good way to get on the Head Girl's good side." He mischievously half smiled. His eyes then traveled to the field.

"So... were you going to eat lunch?" wondered Hermione, noticing she hadn't been planning to.

"Yes."

"Care if I join you?"

"Not one bit." David replied.

Harry stormed out of the common room, barely noticing an entering group of fourth year girls. They giggled as he passed. It was ten minutes to nine. He was headed towards the portrait of the fruit. Harry hadn't seen Ron since dinner ended, so suspected he was already with Hermione. Harry was in a foul mood; he had been ever since Potions. (Ron as well had a towering temper, naturally from Divination. Harry had been glad to have someone with whom he could be irate). Things had gone all right during class until Snape asked them to turn in the 12 feet essays they had written over the summer. Harry and Malfoy had arrived at the desk about the same time, papers in hand. Malfoy then knocked over a flask of a dark blue potion, most of it consuming Harry's essay. Malfoy smirked broadly when he saw it dissolved Harry's work, and claimed it was an accident. Snape did nothing to hide his conspicuous smile, telling Harry he'd have to write it over and turn it in next class session. Harry was beyond infuriated, seriously deliberating whether or not to severely jinx Malfoy right then and there. However, Snape commanded them back to their seats. So, as of now, he was still seething. Having told Ron and Hermione about it had only made him angrier.

"Harry?" someone questioned. He snapped out of his stupor. He had apparently made a lot of progress because he was now on the first floor, facing Parvati.

"Oh. Hey... Parvati," he mumbled.

"I just wanted to see if you were okay after Potions today," (She shared the class with him), "It was really low what Snape and Malfoy did."

"Tell me about it," he growled.

"Well if you need help on it, I'll be happy to help," she offered.

"A-all right. Thanks." He noticed how considerate and generous that had been.

"Anytime. Later." Parvati smiled and kept walking. Feeling a good deal better, he continued his journey. When he got to the painting, Hermione was already wating.

"Hi Harry," she smiled.

"Hey. Where's Ron?" he responded.

"Ron?"

"Yeah, he's coming right?"

"Oh. Uh... well, er, not—"stuttered Hermione, looking uncomfortable.

"You didn't invite him along?" Harry asked.

"No." She had turned slightly red.

"Oh," Well, fine—no Ron. Harry got time alone with Hermione, right?, "Let's go then." She looked relieved.

"It's on the same floor as the prefect's bathroom," Hermione announced, "So... are you still upset about—"

"I was, but not as much. Parvati was the one who sort of made me feel better," answered Harry.

"Parvati?"

"Yeah. She said she'd help me rewrite it."

"Oh," she sharply stated, looking straight ahead. Harry felt a sudden need to explain himself.

"B-but I didn't accept or anything. She just said she'd be there for me," he blurted out. Hermione shrugged, trying to be nonchalant.

"That's nice... if not a bit odd. I usually help you with your work. But Parvati is just as capable, I guess. She is in your Potions class," she noted.

"Maybe I'll give you a rest, you know? You must be sick of Ron and me begging for help." Harry bleakly smiled. Not you, she thought. Nothing more was said until they reached the Head Room.

"I'm warning you now Hermione, if Malfoy's in there, I may actually kill him. I don't care how many points you take from Gryffindor." Harry said, before she gave the password.

"Oh Harry!" she exasperatedly sighed, though there was something else in her voice he couldn't place. Hermione uttered the password and in they walked. (Malfoy was not present). The room was splendid and rather round in shape. There was a second floor, which was solely lined with an enormous bookshelf full of books. The first floor, the one on which they currently stood, had a slight incline, which contained the sitting area. A long, mahogany coffee table was surrounded by two sofas and two squashy chairs (rather like beanbags), one purple and one black. Above the sitting grove was a chandelier and two fireplaces on opposite ends of the room. High backed chairs, black and purple, sat near them.

"The bathrooms are near the fireplaces and there's a study room upstairs," Hermione commented, "My bathroom's over there." She pointed to the one on their right. Harry nodded, remembering the portrait that admitted them had been the Hogwarts crest.

"Oh yeah, and there's a place to play chess over there, board, pieces, and all," she remarked, pointing to the other said of the room (directly across from where they were).

Hermione sat down on a sofa as Harry made out the two chairs and small table. He looked at her. She had her eyes shut and head thrown back. He took the advantage to look—all right, stare—at her. Her brown hair hung onto the sofa (and went past it), her right arm was cradled in her lap, and her neck was bare. God, she looked so... so.... Perfect? Irresistible? Stunning? Yes. Harry's eyes then moved to her lips. He wondered what it would feel like to kiss them. More importantly, he wanted to find out. To his horror, his foot moved out in front of him. What was he doing?! Harry forced himself to stop moving and then thought: Okay, it's time for you to leave, Harry ol' boy. You've proven you can't be alone with her anymore. Your hormones have done enough for one night. He moved back a few paces and announced:

"Er, I'm leaving Hermione." Her eyes immediately shot open and her head snapped up. She looked in front of her, expecting to see Harry on the other couch. She turned when he wasn't.

"What? Why?," questioned Hermione, "It's only ten after nine!"

"I know. I j-just wanted to go start my Potions essay," And then he added, "May I can still catch up with Parvati." Hermione's eyes seemed to flash for a second.

"Oh," she airily said, crossing her arms, "Well if you want to go spend time with her, go right ahead. I'm sorry I took up your time."

"No, you didn't!," he retorted, knowing he had offended her to some extent, "I don't want... I just thought—"

"I understand Harry, it's all right. It is 12 feet, after all. Goodnight then." Hermione said, now looking dead ahead. Harry stayed where he was for a moment, feeling lost and confused. When she continued to remain silent, he left, noting something terribly odd had just occurred.

A/N: Well, that was chapter 2! How is it so far? I'll post again soon, probably on Wednesday. R/R!