A/N: Hello everyone, sorry for the wait. It's going to be a while until I update, heehee, I'm going overseas! Brilliant, I know. Well nothing to say, except sorry for the wait, sorry for my horrible spelling, really, and thank-you for reviewing. Really, thank-you so much!

Hermione's Requiem

Crying out

Harry woke up insanely comfortable and really unwilling to get up. He felt as if his body was going to sink into the bed and he would never have to get up again. Luckily for him (not really) Hermione was knocking on his bedroom door. After the Welcoming Feast last night the Heads had found out where their sleeping quarters were. Harry's heart beat a little faster after finding out the Hermione had to share a room with him. Not literally as a man would have hoped but the Heads nearly had their own tower. As the prefects had their bathroom, the Heads had their own bathroom and sleeping quaters. Harry was excited about that greatly. He had his own living space with Hermione as well. It was their own common room, just for the Heads. So that was why Harry knew it was Hermione knocking oh his door. She was the only one who knew of the password to get into the Heads room afterall. But Harry was far to comfortable to have to get out of bed and he needed his beauty sleep. After all, who says men couldn't be beautiful too?

"Harry James Potter, I'm coming in if you don't come out!" Harry heard Hermione's voice through his door. Her ran a hand down the braided gold chain with the lion charn connected to it.

What did he care if she saw him like this? Sure he was just a bit more than half naked but who cared? She'd be looking at him like that for the rest of her life. Harry jumped. Where did that come from? Just then, the door opened. Hermione came into the room nearly dressed and ready for the day. Of course, nearly dressed was what caused such thoughts out of Harry. Hermione's school uniform was being a bit too sexy for Harry right at this moment.

"Harry, it's nearly breakfast, well not really. In a few hours it will be, but honestly! You need to get up! I wanted to practice some spells with you today with the charm," Hermione huffed.

"Why? I have time to sleep," Harry said sleepily. He really didn't want to get up. He did not want to leave the warmth of the blankets.

Hermione placed her hands on her hips.

"Well for one, you're Head Boy, for another, I don't care what you want. We really must practice charms, I mean what if the charm is fake?" Hermione asked.

Harry placed his head back on his pillow.

"Then it'd be a pretty one?" Harry asked sleepily.

Hermione walked over to the bed and yanked the blankets away from Harry. With his warmth gone he had no excuse.

"You'd make someone a very persistant wife," Harry muttered sitting up.

Hermione smirked.

"Yes, and they'd love me for it," she said giving Harry back the blankets. "Now do get up, please, I would like to work with you before breakfast."

Harry loved the way she softened her voice and looked pleadingly at Harry. Something in the back of his mind made him want to see her plead in a different way. He had no idea why Hermione made him think this way. She was his best friend! Nothing would change that. Still it was there, that unknown need for her; her body. That frightened Harry. Of course Hermione had grown into a beauty, a kind hearted beautiful personne, but this personne was his friend... why...?

"Mind leaving for a bit? I mean, I know I'm gorgeous and everything but honestly," Harry said grinning.

Hermione blushed and giggled then left Harry's room. Within fifteen minutes Harry was dressed and ready to work. He met Hermione at the foot of the stairs that led to the bedrooms and smiled at her. Their commom room had loads of bookshelves, which made Hermione giddy, fireplace, couches- everything the normal one had but smaller and cosier. Harry noticed Hermione standing to great him. He smiled once more.

"Morning Herms," he said smiling. ( he noticed he did that a lot this morning)

"Good morning Harry," Hermione said during the tight hug she gave Harry. "Are you ready? Do you have the chain I gave you?"

Harry nodded.

"I haven't taken it off yet," Harry said truthfully.

Hermione beamed. Harry loved when she did that. It made him feel gently light-headed. She looked beautiful whenever she smiled. It sent shivers up his spine everytime she smiled so brightly. She was so gorgeous. Harry inwardly groaned. Merlin! She looked so sexy in just her school uniform and no robes! Harry tried but couldn't help but look at her blouse that was slightly open revealing her cool, creamy alabaster skin. Why now was he looking at her like men look at women? What was happening to him? Cho was nothing compared to this, nothing to Hermione. Something about her just made him go slightly mad and he had no idea what caused it.

"Okay Harry," Hermione said breaking Harry of his thougths, "would you rather have me start or would you prefer to?"

Harry didn't mind his skills with charms work, but trusted Hermione far better with hers.

"You, please. I'd rather you do it first," Harry replied. "Better me getting hurt than you."

Hermione shook her head but smiled. Harry didn't quite like that.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" she said quickly. Harry didn't even have time to react. He felt his body relax and he didn't move. He opened his eyes and looked at Hermione.

"Let's not say our vows so early in the morning Harry, but honestly, if it were for you, I'd rather be hurt," Hermione said gently. "But anyway, okay I'll go first. And it seems it worked."

"Did it work?" Harry asked dumbly.

Hermione rolled her eyes. And started chatting away how happy she was that the charm was real and that it worked. Harry slowly raised his wand.

"Silencio!" he said his spell and watched it bounce off Hermione.

Hermione pouted rather cutely at Harry.

"No fair Harry!" Hermione said sticking out her tongue. Harry had to fight back the urge to grab that same tongue and taste it.

Harry's heart pounded madly. Where were all these bloody sexy thought coming from?

"Lucky these are real then," Harry said trying to clear certain sexy thoughts from his head. Hermione's pouting face changed and she laughed her gentle brilliant laugh. Harry laughed too and in a few minutes they were back at firing useless charms at eachother. After a few hours the two of them composed themselves and went down to the main common room. Harry and Hermione noticed Ron and walked to him. He looked a bit disturbed.

"Morning Ron!" Harry said taking note of the red-heads discomfort.

"Good morning Ron," Hermione said brightly. "Ready for a good day with you studies?"

Ron groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Is that all you care about? Honestly!" Ron said exasperatedly.

Hermione grinned smugly.

"No, Ronald, I care about many things. I just happen to take my schoolwork more seriously than others," Hermione said smiling. "You can't expect my attention on you all the time can you?"

Harry laughed as Ron blushed a bit and walked out the portrait hole with Hermione. As far as things go, Harry could tell Ron was having his restless dreams again. And those dreams were often of Hermione, as he well knew. Ron's dreams of his best friend were retold to him in such detail that Harry really made Harry go into a right state. Sometimes Ron's dreams were just odd. At breakfast the schedules were handed out. Ron looked less than pleased about his and Harry felt more than pleased about his. He was happy Hermione had convinced him to do the impossible last year.

"What's wrong with your schedule, Ron?" Harry asked.

Ron glowered.

"I have to take Potions this year! But you two don't," whined Ron.

Hermione tutted.

"Yes, Ron, because Harry and I took our NEWTs a year early. You could have taken them, but no, you chose to spend your time other wise," Hermione said.

Ron looked at Harry pleadingly. Harry could only smile.

"Sorry mate, but Herms is right, while we have a mere four classes, every what, two days, you have a bit more. You really should have listened to Hermione last year, then you wouldn't be suffering," Harry said as he began to eat. All the while he was reading the expression on Hermione's face about her schedule. She seemed quite pleased on more account than one. Harry noticed Ron eating away happily not noticing a thing, while his curiosities grew. Something was going on in Hermione's brilliant mind and Harry was going to find out. He grinned.

"What is meeting your fancy this moment Miss Granger?" Harry asked slyly. He noticed Hermione's sudden jump and the colour of her cheek turn slightly pink. That colour suited her well...for more purposes than one.

"Sorry, you caught me thinking at a rather curious moment," Hermione said slight nervous tone to her voice.

Harry raised an eyebrow. His curiostiy was getting to the better of him.

"Ah this, "curious moment", has it anything to do with inappropriate thoughts?" Harry asked with his head tilted and a mild expression of amusement on his face.

Hermione blushed furiously.

"Mr. Potter!" she said exasperately.

Harry laughed.

"I was joking Herms," not really Harry thought, " as Harry said flashing a gorgeous smile. Hermione glared at him slightly and turned to her food, her face still pink. Harry, still laughing, looked over to Ron. Something in his blue eyes, though would have been normal to anyone else, seemed as if to say 'stay-away-from-my-property!'. Harry knew Ron still fancied Hermione and quite a bit but couldn't help but tease Hermione. She was his friend too. Harry settled with a gently confused innocent look and Ron shrugged it off knowingly. Harry knew exactly what he was doing. Ron didn't have to worry, he wasn't taking Hermione from him or anything.

Breakfast ended and the students began to leave. Ron had to go to class and went none to peacefully. He left, however, after Harry and Hermione walked him to class. They didn't have classed until the next day midday. Harry's heart beat a little faster as the fact that he was going to spend the day with the cinnamon eyes, brown haired beauty named Hermione. After making sure the halls were clear Harry and Hermione wandered around the school grounds in order to avoid Filtch. Harry enjoyed the crisp autum air and the wind blowing around them. He loved the leaves and the way the sky was the clearest blue. He loved the grounds at Hogwarts and loved the person he was walking with.

While they were walking Harry noticed Hermione's glances toward the Quidditch stadium. He just remembered he was the captain since last year. It was going to be a long year indeed. Hermione looked at the stadium for a while. She had a distant sort-of far away look to her. It was as if she wanted something she couldn't ever have. Something she longed for. Her eyes were staring beautifully away from Harry and something pulled at his heart as he looked at his best friend. Something was tugging at him, telling him he wanted her to look at him like that.

Why did these thoughts come to him like this? Why was he...longing... for her like this? Why now...?

Harry's mind went back to Hermione currently.

"Something on your mind?" Harry asked.

Hermione turned to Harry and smiled. Harry took great care in noticing that his best friend took a while to realize what was said.

"No, nothing," she replied.

Harry sighed. Were they not passed the simple "hello" and "goodbyes"? He knew she knew that he knew something was wrong. (wow tongue twister)

"Are we going to play friendly games, or are you going to tell me what I asked?" Harry asked getting straight to the point.

Hermione looked down and smiled again. She looked up at him and stuck out her tongue.

"Well, okay Harry," she replied. "Something is always on my mind. I mean, what's not to worry about?"

Harry didn't say anything but kept walking with Hermione and listening to her speak. Hermione continued.

"Sorry, it's just, I am worried for you and your fight with Voldemort... and then this is our last year at Hogwarts- the remaining NEWTS and what we're going to do with our lives after all of this is over." Hermione looked away from Harry. "I mean you Harry, you... I don't know if...I am worried about...I mean who... what do you find- what are you going to do in life? Who do you want to be?"

Harry blinked with suprise but then smiled fondly. He slowly walked, passed Hermione onto the small bridge by the lake.

"When I get out of this bloody mess, I want to get married. I want to get married to a beautiful woman, one in my eyes, someone who loves me for me. Not the "Great Harry Potter". Someone who will believe me when I say something crazy. Someone who will hold me tight after I cry, someone who will never leave me alone after I ask to be alone. Someone who will drive me as crazy as I am bound to drive them. Someone who is kind and sweet, someone who will want me for me. Someone who will accept me for the regular Harry Potter. Someone who will love me forever. Someone who shares my passions. Merlin," Harry noticed his voice getting a bit louder, "someone who will be one with me, someone I can make love with. Someone who want to bear my children and raise them with me! Someone who I can read, and they can read me. Someone I can whisper "I love you" and not be ashamed. Someone who won't be jealous that I have lady friends or wonder where I am if I am gone to long. Someone who will know where I am, seek me out if I am gone to long. Damn Hermione! I want someone who will never get hurt because of me! Someone who understands! I don't want to be alone!"

Harry then noticed he was yelling. He heard stiffled sob and quickly turned around. Hermione was crying, trying to hold it in but failing. Harry ran to her and held her shoulders.

"Oh Merlin! Hermione, I am so sorry!"

Hermione shook her head and tried to wipe away her tears.

"I'm sorry Harry! So sorry!" she said still trying to wipe the tears out of her eyes. "I just want you to be happy- and when you told me that I- I... Harry! Why couldn't you tell me sooner! I understand... I understand...Harry..."

Harry pulled her into an embrace. I want someone exactly like you... just like you... He whispered soft words to her to stop her from crying. Promised her he would be happy, that he'd beat Voldemort and be happy. Harry gently rocked Hermione until she was quiet. He rubbed her back soothingly and closed his eyes. Her kissed her forehead and told her it was okay. It was beyond words how grateful to her he was, to have a friend who understood him who...loved him like she did. He loved the warmth she gave off even during her tears. He wanted to bathe in it, stay in it forever. After a few more minutes Hermione gently pushed away from Harry though stayed within his arms. She looked up slowly and Harry opened his eyes. They stayed like that for a while, lost in the moment. Harry felt as if he never wanted it to end.

"Harry," Hermione said his name barely above a whisper. "I won't do it again..."

Harry smiled fondly at Hermione.

"Okay, but if you need to you can, my shoulder is always open," Harry said very quietly.

Hermione smiiled warmly at Harry. Then she plowed her way into his tight embrace again.

"Harry?" she questioned warmly.

Harry buried himself in Hermione's cinnamon sented hair.

"Yes?"

"Thank-you, very much."

Harry, Ron (after his first few classes were over), Hermione all went on day duty. It was like that for weeks, months even. Ron went to class and on certain day Harry and Hermione would as well. Harry would have Occlemency with Snape, sadly, and get his bulling, Hermione would be doing extra credit assignments in the library with help from the Restricted Section and Ron would head over heels in over due assignments in which Hermione would have to help him (not to mention Harry), do the assignments. Harry quite enjoyed his every other day walks with Hermione and she was enjoying them herself. The would talk and as Hermione promised she didn't cry again, though once she was close to tears with another speach Harry made. (this time it was about his parents). Harry began to look at Hermione differently again, though, and that ruined the whole innocence of the walks. He wanted dearly to have Hermione think the same way about him so he wouldn't feel so bad about it.

Harry couldn't say, however, that he wasn't grateful. He was happy, he was safe. His lessons were going well. At random times Hermione or Ron would fire a spell upon him to make sure he had the charmed chain on him and everytime he did. He liked it too much to take it off. He had nothing to worry about...yet. Even so, he wasn't worried. Voldemort would come when he came. He made a promise to Hermione. He wouldn't die. He couldn't loose. He wouldn't let Voldemort win. If he did, then she, everyone, would have no chance.

One homework night came. It was cold. Cold enough to snow. It was December after all. Harry was doing a Transfiguration essay on Animagus and doing it with much enthusiasm. He did know much about the subject, more than most of his peers anyway. His godfather was one afterall, even if it was illegal. Harry began to grow sleepy. Even though he knew the suject it didn't mean it didn't make him tired. Besides all the Quidditch was making him sleepy, having to make the time to have it fit in everyone's schedule was a bother. Sure he had time but the others didn't which bothered him to no bloody end. So Harry was tired...just a little bit. He dozed off to the sounds the the portrait opening.

Harry found himself in a dark room. It was damp and cold. It was utterly empty. The walls were made of stone and they were wet with decaying matter and slime. Had he been here before? Where was this place? Harry saw a reflection of himself in the mirror. He was pale, nearly white, snake-like slits for nostrils and piercing eyes. He was in Voldemort's mind!

"Damn Potter!" Harry found himself saying in that hislike tone. "Always making fool of my plans! He'll see though. He won't get away from me this time. That mudblood bitch! I'll get her!"

Suddenly everything stopped.

"Potter! Get out of my head!" Voldemort screamed. Harry felt a pull and he was expelled from Voldemort's mind. He covered his mouth with is hand. He... he had called Hermione a 'mudblood bitch'. Merlin, that term was used on his lips. He felt violated and wrong. Hermione's named was defiled because of him! No...it was Voldemort! It wasn't he, Harry, who had said that. Hermione was too important to him to say things like that about her. Or even think that. Harry was breathing hard and heavy. His heart was pounding painfully in his chest. He was recieving a few strange looks, some of worry some of annoyance. Then Ron and Hermione walked into the common room smiling and laughing. For some reason, Harry's heart dropped. Harry noticed Hermione noticed him and ran over to him. Ron was right behind her.

"Harry! What's wrong? Merlin! What happened to your face?" Hermione fussed.

Harry's face was dripping in ink and sweat. With a quick swish of her wand Hermione made the ink and sweat disappear and then she conjoured a cold damp rag. She gently placed it to Harry's head. Harry was grateful.

"What's wrong mate?" Ron asked.

Harry's heart beat finally returned to normal pace.

"I had a dream. I was in Voldemort's head," Harry replied taking the rag from Hermione's hand and thanking her.

Harry noticed Hermione's worried expression.

"And?" Ron asked a bit frightened himself.

Harry sighed painfully.

"He was after Hermione," he said heavily.

Hermione's eyes grew wide.

"What...?" she asked softly, her hands to her mouth.

"Yeah, what the hell?" Ron said angrily.

Harry closed his eyes and then opened them again.

"He said he was going to 'get' the 'mudblood...bitch'," Harry replied. "He cursed my name too, so... that means Hermione...she's the only one..."

Harry looked at Hermione softly to see how she was dealing. Harry gave her a warm smile, realizing that she knew something was going to happen like this all along.

She didn't care.

Harry's heart pounded in his chest. They were going after her...