Disclaimer: Yes, I still don't own anything. Don't shove it in.

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©Paradigm Shift
Chapter Two – Urge to Faint

Okay, I've been to the boys' dormitory countless times now and you ask 'Why the hell would she be scared of going there now?' Well, maybe it's because I'm alone with my best friend who happens to be the one I'm hopelessly in love with and I don't think I can bare to think of what can possibly happen if we're left alone which I would partially want to happen but not right now. Made sense?

Oh Dumbledore's arse! Why am I talking to myself!

If you think this could not get any crazier well think again. Because it seemed that my feet had a mind of its own as it started to climb the stairs, wasting no time at all stepping unto one step after the other. And before I knew it, Harry opened the door to his room and asked to let me in…which I so obediently followed into.

The room pretty much stayed the same since the last time I've been here…which was only two days ago when I helped them out on an essay. Dean, Neville and Seamus didn't seem to mind me staying there at all. Actually, I think they were a bit thrilled of the idea. And of course Harry and Ron, being the gentlemen that they are, put their beds together to make more room for me to sleep in. Unfortunately, nobody ended up spooning someone…for they were to careful not to budge in their sleep. Needless to say, we slept like the living dead that night. And I think I won't be sleeping again in that bed anytime soon. Well, maybe. It depends.

Before I could even further think of any sensual thoughts about that bed I sat on the edge of his bed as I caught a glimpse of him smiling at me.

My poor heart skipped.

I got it bad…real bad.

I looked around a bit to get distracted. Or else I'll probably drool if he smiles again. And that's not a good thing.

Of course, the walls were plastered with posters of their favorite Quidditch teams…and Merlin help me because I don't know who these people are. They were flying, mounting their brooms and smiling at me. What is it with boys and Quidditch? I just don't get it. And I probably never will. The only player I know of was Viktor, and he's poster used to be here somewhere until Ron took it off the wall, replacing it with something else. But I think it's still under his bed.

To check, I bent over and peered under his bed. True enough, it was still there. Krum was even waving at me. Silly, but not so long ago I used to fancy the guy. But really…I prefer someone who has depth and sensible, thoughtful, brave and may occasionally have fits. Not the bulky kinda guy. He must be a little outgoing and oh yeah, can speak good English.

Oh sod off! I'm comparing him with Harry again.

I sighed, cursing silently to myself. Jeez, this is totally getting too far. I can't even stand a minute without thinking about him! And to make things worse, I happen to be always with the guy. How can I get rid of these feelings when I'm with him throughout the day? Well, Ron's with us too but that's different.

Oh daft, this is getting ridiculous!

I shifted my gaze when something caught my eye. I looked at it and instantly I knew it was a book…but not any other book. It's my book, my Potion's book to be exact.

"Hey Harry look at this…" I stood up grabbing hold of the book and showed it to him, "How irresponsible can Ron get? He left this under his bed! He could've said if he didn't have any plans using this, because I shouldn't have lent it to him. This is just fantastic…"

He was untying his Quidditch shoes when he replied, "You know Ron. You shouldn't be surprised. After all, didn't you say that he has an emotional capacity that of a teaspoon?"

I let out a laugh. He was right. I did say that.

I sat again on the edge of his bed, placing the book beside me. I caught a faint smell of chocolate frogs, ink, old socks (the smell was not that bad), and gunpowder (probably from exploding snaps or from another Weasley twins invention, but I didn't bother anyway).

I stared out the window, noticing the nice climate outside. Such a lovely day, I thought. I continued to focus outside the window catching quick glimpses of brooms wheezing by when I heard clipping noises.

I figured Harry must be trimming his broom with the broom servicing kit I gave him for his birthday. I must say I'm very proud to have given it to him; after all, he needs it. My suspicions were proven when I smelled wax. I glanced over my shoulder only to see him waxing the mount of his broom (and I meant that literally. You thought it was the OTHER broom didn't you?). I smiled and continued on looking outside the window.

Sometimes I even think that Harry is getting way too attached with his Firebolt. One time I even caught him talking to it! He calls it his baby for crying out loud! And yeah I would give everything for him to call me that… although I would like sweet cakes a lot better.

Oh hell's bells! I'm Hermione Jane Granger. A Gryffindor prefect and a smart one to boot. And yet, here I am, troubled with one problem that had not a solution written on books. I don't think there has ever been a book about how to solve this kind of problem…that I am hopelessly in love with my best friend. Hey, maybe I could write about one. But then again, I don't even have the slightest idea to get out this mess. Much more because I think Harry's taking off his robes behind my back…

Taking off his what!

I slowly turned around only to find him indeed taking off his Quidditch robes. And any minute now he'll be totally naked halfway.

Tarnation! What mess did you get yourself into Hermione!

"Mind if I get dressed 'Mione?" asked Harry, still his back on me untying his robes. I quickly turned my head back and gulped.

"Yeah-yeah… sure. N-no problem." I stuttered and pretended to still have my focus outside the window.

Oh get yourself together Hermione! You're acting childish! You are his best friend aren't you? Well then, he's supposed to trust you enough to undress here. Besides, it's his room. And by now, after six years, he probably thinks you're already to immune to his uhmm… bare essentials. And for Pete's sake, it's not like he's taking the whole thing off!

If you think me talking to myself worked, well think again. For by that moment I saw his reflection through the window glass…yup, undressing. I've seen Harry half naked dozens of times, but not when were alone. So I didn't have any time looking at the details… so slap me. Okay back to my window peep show… he's already baring his biceps and those oh so beautiful toned abs. Hey, for a sixteen year old he's very blessed. Thank God for Quidditch…

And oh, don't forget the faint trace of hair on his chest. And on his lower abdomen too, leading to only he knows where.

I can't believe I'm lusting over my best friend… thinking he's god's gift to women or something. Okay, so before I drool over his reflection, and before I become a peeping-tom to boot, I think I better get out of here.

I grabbed my book and headed toward the door.

Good idea? Think again.

I was about to turn the knob when I felt him grab hold of my shoulders. And judging from his bare chest touching my back I would have to say he's still naked. Goddamit!

"Hey, you're already going?" he asked. But I still had my back against him. I can't bear to see him half naked and not without the urge to snogging him senselessly, sucking his air out. And if I get lucky, maybe making out with him would be nice too…not! What was I thinking!

"Yeah, I uhmm better get going now. Potions essay remember?"

"I know but why not later?" he asked again, his eyebrows stuck together.

If you want to snog me Harry do it now before I change my mind, and stop making excuses!

There I go again…

"Well, maybe I'll let you get dressed for a while, give you some space…" I trailed off, accidentally shifting my gaze on his lean, muscular abdomen. I think he noticed it too.

He cupped my chin and made me look at him. Now this is getting cozy…

"Something bothering you 'Mione? You look kinda pale…"

Yes, there is something. Because I'm having one heck of a hard time restraining myself from kissing you. And it sucks. Because I can't. I'm your best friend and that how things are. And here we are alone, you undressing and me having these sexual thoughts in my head about you and me. If that's not something then I don't know what is.

I feel the room get smaller. I can't breath; in fact I think I feel hot. Is the room or it's just me?

I look at Harry, who I think was looking at me intently. I'm not sure. He's calling me… but everything starts to blur. Slowly…fading.

"Hermione? Hermione?" said Harry, his voice trailing off

I feel the room, no everything turn. I'm getting dizzy. I can't feel my legs anymore…

I tried to speak, "H-harry, I think I---" I stopped. No good, I think I'm going to faint.

I feel all my strength flowing out of me…as if I'm dying. I fell over into his arms. It feels good here, to be held and loved by him…

"Hermione! Hang on!" I hear him shout

Too late. Everything went pitch black.

All that I can muster to whisper were the words that I've been longing for so long to say to him. The three words that meant so much to me. The words that were the death and life of me…

"I love you…" I whispered.

Did he hear it? Or did he not?

And everything went dark with Harry shouting my name echoing over and over my head.

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-end of chapter-