Well, here's the next chapter. Hope you all enjoy. I own nothing.

Chapter 5: Confessions

"Well?" Harry asked, holding the picture just out of Hermione's reach.

"I-I drew that fifth year. After I found out the boy I liked didn't like me," Hermione mentally scolded herself for telling him, but, now that she had started, she wanted to talk to him about this.

"Did he know you liked him?" Harry asked.

"No. I've known him for so long, I've just grown on him, and I guess I expected the same."

"How do you know he doesn't like you?" Harry asked, catching on.

"He kissed another girl. Right before Christmas."

"What was he like? Did you know him very well?" Harry wanted to know what Hermione thought of him.

"Oh, I knew him very well. Sometimes I knew what he was going to say, even before he did," Hermione paused and smiled for the first time since Harry came over, "And he was wonderful. He was nice, caring, sensitive (every once in a while), funny, and very brave."

"So he was in Gryffindor?"

"He was the spirit of Gryffindor. He was probably the bravest person to ever pass through Hogwarts. He was loyal, too. Always put his friends before himself."

In her reminiscing, Hermione didn't notice Harry get up and walk over to her. That is, until she felt his hand run through her hair.

"What would you do if I told you, you were wrong?" he whispered to her, causing shivers to shoot down her spine.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, suddenly aware of how close Harry's lips were to hers. She could almost taste his breath.

"I think you know exactly what I mean," was all he said.

Hermione didn't say anything. He was teasing her, and he knew it. He was trying to get her to make the first move, which is what she wanted so badly. She wanted, no, needed to feel his lips on hers. She needed it so badly.

"Help me," she whispered and reached up and kissed him. It was a sweet kiss, and as soon as their lips touched, there was that spark in between them. They knew, at that moment, that this was how it was meant to be.

The only thought that was able to form in Harry's mind was Hermione's cry for help. He promised to her that he wouldn't let anything hurt her, and showed this by wrapping his arms around her tiny waist protectively, causing her arms to snake up and wrap themselves around his neck, deepening the kiss. Cho was nothing compared to this.

At first both their mouths were closed, but only too soon, Hermione felt Harry's tongue gently tracing her lips, asking for entry. She hesitated only a second, but was only too happy to oblige. Smiling against his lips, she opened her mouth and their tongues clashed. Harry's tongue was exploring her mouth, taking in every taste, every feeling, every wonderful, pleasing, perfect sensation. Their first kiss.

They broke apart (due to the need for oxygen) and neither of them couldn't help but smile. They didn't have to say anything, for they knew. They knew that they had to stay together for as long as they could. Possibly forever.

They jumped when a soft knock sounded at the door. Their arms had just returned to their original positions (at their original owner's sides) when Harmony poked her head inside the room to check on them.

"Dinner time, guys. And be quiet," she added and Hermione knew that her father was still sleeping.

When Harmony disappeared, the two teens turned back to each other. Harry once again ran his fingers through Hermione's hair, and whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her skin.

"I won't let anyone hurt you," he said, "Not now, not ever. Not Malfoy, Voldemort, and definitely not that bastard you call a father."

Hermione was shocked to hear her best friend call anyone that (except maybe Malfoy or Snape), but giggled all the same.

"Come on," she said, still smiling, "I'm starving. We missed lunch."

"You read my stomach, Herms," Harry said, opening the door and waiting for her. As Hermione passed, she just had to hit him on the head again for the name.

"Ow! That's the second time you've done that to me. Do I look like a pinata or something?"
"No," Hermione replied, trying not to laugh, "but you're definitely sweet enough."

The next thing she knew, she felt Harry's strong arms around her and her feet left the floor, as he lifted her up like he was cradling a young child.

A/N:

R & R Please! I don't care of you flame. I just care of you're honest. TTFN!