Harry and Millie walked alone and silently for a few paces. Millie would steal a few proud glances at Harry, her new hero. But when Harry would shyly turn his head to look at her, she would avert her eyes to the pavement.

Harry felt that he ought to say something to her. But what was the right thing to say? And when and how should he…Damn! Millie still made him so nervous.

"So, Millie, do you feel safe enough, walking at night, with just me to protect you. I mean, now that 'big, strong Dudley' has left?" Harry asked, half silly, half serious.

Millie didn't respond how Harry had hoped. Instead, she burst into giggles.

"That wasn't really a question, was it? Harry, come on, I know what you want me to say to that" Millie said with that wicked little smile.

"No! I want to know!" Harry said defensively, feeling sort of desperate.

"You mean you don't just want me to say 'oh Harry, my big strong, tough Harry! You are twice the man Dudley is even if he is twice your size!' and then you want me to swoon and fall into your arms" Millie said in a high pitched, extremely girlish tone.

"Well, that would be nice" Harry admitted, with a sly smile.

"I knew it! Harry, you are transparent sometimes" Millie said, laughing.

Harry was fine with that last little insult, because he knew it wasn't true. But he better let her have the upper hand on this one. Besides, Harry had to smile because Millie and Harry were back to flirting!

They barely made it around the next corner because Millie had invented a tripping game to play. It was fun, lots of contact!

Once around the corner, however, the mood damped a bit because the bus stop was in sight.

Harry only had until the bus stop to kiss Millie. It was time to stop fooling around.

Harry and Millie had both slowed down to a very slow walking pace. Neither was too anxious for Millie to go home.

"Millie, you do look really nice, tonight" Harry complimented

Millie gave him a smile, "You, too"

Harry thought he should try to be deeper than that. If he commented on looks alone, she might think him shallow.

"You are pretty on the inside, too. Not just on the outside, but um, you have a nice… um… soul" Harry said, hoping that was deep and meaningful.

"A nice soul?" Millie repeated. It sounded so dumb when she said it back, "You, too Harry."

Uh oh, thought Harry. He was striking out majorly. Majorly

"Millie, what I want to say is that I really like you and I would like to um…" Harry's voice trailed off with nerves.

"What?" Millie asked, with her wide eyes completely on him. Staring at him, watching his every move.

"Would it be ok if I kissed you?" Harry blurted.

"Well, you could try and see" Millie said coyly.

"What does that mean?" Harry asked. He stopped walking, Millie did the same.

"It means that you are killing the mood by talking so much about it. The only things you should be saying are things about how lovely I am. That is what really prepares a girl for a kiss."

"You are so smart" Harry said immediately.

"That was nice" Millie said blushing.

"Millie, the way the moon reflects off of your skin is just…amazing" Harry whispered, stepping closer to her.

"Wow, Harry, even better" Millie was stilling holding his steady green stare.

Harry moved in very close, Millie didn't move away, but she had to break the eye connection. Harry's eyes were intense when they were so close.

"So, so beautiful" Harry only had to whisper.

Millie didn't respond, her eyes were closed now.

"So did I say the right things?" Harry joked.

Millie opened her eyes, "What did I say about talking and killing the mood?"

Harry laughed a little. He thought about saying more, but then he thought better.

He ran his hands quickly through a strand of her hair. And then he leaned in for the kiss.

The moment their lips touched, Harry realized that magic could exist in the muggle world. What was a good use for Hogwarts and wands if he could do this?

They broke apart for a moment to look at each other. But then neither wanted to be so far apart.

This second kiss was intense. Captivated with emotion Harry had a hard time standing. They held onto each other for support.

About five minutes later they heard the bus coming. Millie pulled away reluctantly.

"I…I should go" Millie stammered, slightly out of breath.

"You don't have to" Harry pleaded; he started to run his hands up and down her back.

Millie shut her eyes. She couldn't think and look at him at the same time, "Well, I need to um, get home."

"The next bus will come soon. We could wait for it on the grass" Harry suggested. He couldn't believe he had just said that. This was so unlike him. He was being a smoothy, a ladies man, a guy who actually had a girl in his arms. It felt so good, so cool.

"How soon?" Millie said hopefully; she was still breathless.

Harry didn't really know, but he had to say something to get her to stay, "Oh, the next bus should come in like ten minutes."

"Ten minutes! Is that all? Are you sure?" Millie sounded doubtful.

"I'm almost positive" Harry lied, and kissed her forehead.

Millie took a deep breath in. This was unlike her, too. To be swept away by some guy. Just some enigmatic guy she barely knew. But since she would only be ten minutes later…she kissed him, "Then let's go to the grass."

Harry took her hand and led her over to the grassy little hill along the sidewalk by the bus stop. The grass was damp from the cool night air.

"I'm sorry I didn't bring a blanket to lie on" Harry said, "We will get a little wet"

"Its ok, I'll take your jacket"

Sorry this took a while, but I have a really good excuse: I graduated high school!

And I am also sorry if this chapter seemed a little awkward, i couldn't get it perfect so my advice is just roll with it, and trust that there will be tons of fun ahead for Harry, Millie, May, Claire, and the Hogwarts crew!