I only want to be accepted.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter series.

A.N I love all my reviewers.

bababa: Thanks

BabyFace7000: sorry but heres the next chapter

Silvertears44: I have a ton of chapter planned don't worry! I hope this bit of Harry and Hermione is ok. well I'll keep the torturing in mind, I have most of the next 10 chapters or so planned out.

anarane anwamane: thank you

justine-4902: thanks!

Chapter 8: Dinner time and realisations.

Hermione sat at dinner the next day, a lot happier than she had been in a long time. She was finally around people she loved and that loved her back. She never had to see her so called family again and never be hurt because of them. These people - Harry, Ron, Sirius, Remus, all the Weasly's and most of the order where her family now and they would never let anything happen to her.

As she sat at the dinner table, waiting for dinner to be served she looked around at the familiar faces. By the door was Sirius and Remus, they were in deep conversation with one another, she didn't know what about but she didn't need to know. If it was important she would be informed. To the left of them opposite her was Ginny, she was playing with crookshanks and feeding headwig. At the far end of the kitchen was the twins, they had their back to her but she could see that they were talking to Mungdungs. Probably getting some illegal substances from him.

She smiled silently to herself at watching these. She knew she could rely on these people for anything. She loved them all so much and being around them made her happy.

Little did she know that a boy with piercing emerald green eyes, who was sitting down beside her saw her smile. This warmed him up inside to see her finally happy.

'You know it's been so long since I've seen that smile of yours.'Hermione turned and blushed at him.

'Its been along time since I've been happy.''You know I wish you had told me sooner.'Hermione looked away from him. She didn't particularly want to talk about it with him. Only because she did actually want to tell him sooner but couldn't. She found that the corner of the table was suddenly fascinating. Harry saw that she ignored him and tried again.

'Why didn't you? You can talk to me you know.'

'What good would it have done if I had told you? There was nothing anybody could have done without proof. I could exactly run away now could I? I had no where else to go.'

'Well I could have bust a cap in his ass! And come on my firebolt in the dead of night and take you back to the Dursley's and stowed you away in my cupboard until we went back to school. I could have made you my little slave and everything!'Hermione laughed at Harry. He was really dramatic and could always raise a smile out of her.

'You always know the right thing to say.'

'And I make a mean bacon and cheese sandwich!'He put his arm around her and she leaned in to him.

'Aww I'm glad you told me though Hermione. Because I can keep you safe here away from them. You are my best mate Hermione - as well as Ron but I can talk to you and your a hell of a lot better looking - and I don't want any harm to come to you.'Hermione smiled against his chest.

'It's strange, I was more worried about telling you about it then Ron. Don't know why though, I mean Ron's so much better looking and a better friend-'Harry pulled away from her with a hurt and shocked expression.

'Hermione Louise Granger! I'm hurt!'

'I'm sorry, you know I love you too. And I was just kidding. Just don't tell Ron that. You know what he's like.'Harry turned Hermione round and pulled her into a hug. She replied with a equally warm hug. When they pulled away Hermione looked up at Harry.'Thank you Harry.'

Harry kissed her forehead.

'No problem.'They then pulled away as the dinner was served. Both didn't say anything to each other. Both in there own worlds.

Am I falling for my best friend? He is so loving and I do feel safe and secure around him. His eyes...I've never seen any like them. I want to run my fingers through that unruly black hair and sleep in his arms all night. I do find myself looking at him. Hermione! Stop he's your best friend!

Just look at her. She beautiful and she can't see it. The way her eyes shine when she gets all fired up. The way her wind blows in the wind and the way she pouts to get what she wants. She's so passionate and I love that about her. She's so good natured and affectionate towards others. I think I'm seriously falling for my best friend. Why can't she see how much I like her?

Once dinner was over most people filled out of the kitchen, then all that was left was Hermione, Harry, Dumbledore, Sirius and Remus. The three adults were talking so that left Hermione and Harry on their own. Hermione decided that she would try and get Harry to notice her a little and see what his reaction would be. Sitting on the table with one of her feet on Harry's chair, she faced him.

'So I bet you have many men planned for your evening ahead?'

'Mr Potter! How can you think that I, Hermione Granger would do such things? I am a lady!'

'I was merely commenting that a beautiful young woman such as your self would have many admirers.'

'Real smooth Harry!'

'Shut up Sirius!'Hermione giggled and smiled at Sirius who had been eavesdropping and then turned back to Harry.

'Mr Potter I never knew you to be such a charmer!'

'Well, charm and noticing the truth are hardly the same thing.'

'Truth? If you say so Harry.'

'You are Hermione!'

'You keep thinking that, I know I'm not.'

'Yes you are Hermione!'

'Harry you need to clean your glasses.'

'Ask anyone! Look I'll ask those three they'll tell you!'

'No Harry please don't embarrass me!'But it was to late, Harry had already stood up and called to the three men on the other side of the kitchen.'Hey Padfoot, Moony, Professor, can you settle something for us please?'

'No Harry please.'She was tugging at his robes pleading with him and flushing with embarrassment at the same time.'Sure, go ahead.'

'Harry don't!'

'Sorry Hermione if you had just admitted it! Well can you please tell Hermione that she is beautiful?'

'Hermione you are gorgeous.'

'Yes, absolutely stunning.'

'Very attractive young lady.'Hermione flushed a deep red with embarrassment and hid her face behind Harry's robe.

'See Hermione, Hermione? Get out from behind me.'He pulled her out and made her face the smiling adults.

'Now do you believe me?'

'I can't believe you did that.'He turned her away from the others smirking and they sit back down at the table.

'I hate you Mr Potter, I really do! I will never be able to forgive you.'

'Aww I'll buy you an ice cream in Diagon Alley tomorrow to apologise.'

'Diagon Alley? Were going Diagon Alley?'

'Yeah, weren't you told? You're coming right?'

'Um, yeah I suppose.'The she stopped. How could she go to Diagon Alley with the £5.63 in her pocket? She would have to go home.

'O shit.'

'What?'

I'm going to have to go home and face my family. I've got to get fresh clothes and my school stuff. I'll have to get my money to pay for it all as well. What they hell am I going to do. They aren't going to let my get back in the house, and the order won't let me go. What if Dan is there? Or John? Or dad, mum? I can't face then, not on my own, it's far to soon. What if they make me stay? O god.

'Hermione what's wrong?'

'I-I- have to go home.'

'What do you mean, this is your home now.'

'No I mean, I have to go back and face them. I've got to get my clothes and personal stuff and school books. I've got to get what little money I have as well, God Harry what am I going to do? I can't see them, they'll make me stay, please don't let them keep me there Harry, I can't go back. Please Harry don't let them take me away.'She flung herself into Harry's arms and he was shocked. He didn't expect that kind of outburst from her. But there was no way in hell that he was letting her go back alone. He would make sure that he was there. To make sure that she was safe from that Muggle family of hers. She was staying here and never going back. He started to rub her back and kiss her hair.

'Shh, it's ok Mya, I promise that they won't hurt you any more. They aren't going to take you away. I'm here now, nobody's ever going to hurt you again. Shh it's ok we'll talk to Dumbledore.'

She lifted her head from his shoulder and stared teary eyed at him.

'I'm glad I have you around Harry, thanks.'

She gave him a quick kiss which shocked them both.

Hermione wasn't sure what made her do it, but she was just drawn to them.

Harry couldn't believe that she had just kissed him. Granted it wasn't a proper kiss but it was a start. Her lips were so soft and tender. She just wanted to hold her in his arms for ever.

'Come on, lets go talk to Dumbledore.'Dumbledore had left the kitchen a little while ago leaving Sirius and Remus deep in conversation. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and gave it a little reassuring squeeze. They knocked on the study door which they knew Dumbledore was in and proceeded to enter.

'Professor.'

'Ah, Miss Granger, Mr Potter. How can I help you?'

'Well, Hermione and I were just talking and she just realised that she has to go home. She needs to collect her belongings and some money for Diagon Alley. I don't want her going alone, she will be in to much danger with her family. They might try and keep her there or try and hurt her and I'm not prepared to let that happen again.'

'I understand Mr Potter. Don't worry Miss Granger I promised you now you are safe here and I'm not going to brake that promise. I figured you would need to get your things sooner or later so I took the liberty of setting up an account for you. It has enough money to tide you over for a few years. Now I don't want to here that you don't need it because a young girl on her own obviously needs money. Just think of it as a lone and you can pay me back by working hard at this assignment for the order. Now You'll want to get your things tomorrow? Ok I'll will arrange an ADULT group of order members to accompany you encase there is any trouble.'

'Thank you so much professor and I won't let you down. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.'

'But Professor I want to go with Hermione tomorrow. Make sure that she is safe. I care for her dearly and don't want any unnecessary harm coming to her. Please professor.'

'Harry, it's ok. I don't think that you should be there because of your temper. If your see my family and they say something not so nice about me, then you'll probably freak out, which will only make things worse. Please Harry, I promise you I'll be ok and I'll tell you everything when I get back.'

'Ok you sure? Because I'll come if you want me to.'

'No it's ok just don't worry. Thanks Professor.'

'It's ok Miss Granger.'Harry and Hermione left the study made there way upstairs. Hermione was yawing all the way up, which made Harry laugh.

'Tired?'

'Just a b-b-bit.'

'Well I'll let you get off to bed.'They stopped in front of Hermione's bedroom door and there was an awkward silence between them.

'Well erm good night Hermione.'Harry turned and left Hermione at her door. She watched him walk down the hall.

'Harry!'He turned and saw Hermione walking down towards him. As she got closer to him she leant and kissed him on the cheek.

'Thanks for today.'Then she left him there alone in the corridor and went back to her room. She smiled to herself as she walked and wondered if he was watching her. As she opened her door she glanced back and saw that he was watching her. She smiled at him and he returned the smile with a wink. They were both extremely pleased and they weren't sure why.

I'm falling for my best friend. And I really don't care.

I'm falling for my best friend. I think she likes me back.

(please don't choke on all the fluff!)

A.N I was going to carry on, but I thought no, leave it there. Personally I thought that was a crappy chapter, but give it time it's going to be a while before it gets into the full swing of the story. So please review.

Ok this will be my last update for about 2 weeks. I'm going away for a week, I promise I'll try and do some writing when I'm away. Also on the 26th I get my exam results eekk! god i've failed them all! so I'll be celebrating or commiserating for a few days, i've also got to go and enrol at my college on the 27th so I'm quite busy. But don't worry I'm going to try and update before the 30th!

dark raven

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