Chapter Twelve

The days went on. Things were steadily becoming more at ease between Harry, Ron, Hermione and me. And although Harry still wasn't used to Ron and Hermione's new relationship, he realized that Ron was what Hermione needed to be happy again. He therefore decided to be supportive.

We sat in the common room late one Sunday night finishing up our Potions homework. Everyone else had already gone to bed.

"Oh, that's not how you spell it Ron." Hermione said as she checked Ron's report on the skin healing potion.

"How do you spell it then?" Ron asked, annoyance in his voice. He always got in a bad mood during potion homework.

"Well lacewings is one word, not two. Other than that it looks pretty goo….oh wait. No, this is wrong. Hmmm….So is this. You've really got to pay more attention in class Ron!"

"And you've really got to mind your own business Hermione!" Ron snapped.

"Will you please stop yelling! I have a headache!" And with that she slammed her book down and stormed up the stairs.

"You do know what an idiot you are, right?" I asked sleepily. Things had been so good and peaceful a minute ago.

"What?!" Ron said in outrage. "How can you take her side?"

"Ron, she was trying to help you with your homework." I said as I let out a huge yawn. Ron stomped his foot childishly, then ran up to her dormitory. (He had mastered getting up the slide).

Harry and I awkwardly sat next to each other on the couch. I could tell he was nervous about something, because every time he glanced over at me his face turned a bit redder.

"Something bothering you?" I asked.

"Uhhh…." Harry said dumbly. I glanced at him uncertainly.

"Should I take that as a yes…?"

"No!" He said quickly. "Well…n-nothing's wrong…exactly," There was a pause. "You know," He started. "You know you're really," He took a deep breath. "Really…" he faltered.

"What?" I asked softly.

Suddenly the space between us was shrinking. I found myself staring thoughtlessly into his eyes. My heartbeat quickened, my breathing short. Harry's words were quiet as our lips moved closer. "You're so…"

"Crazy?" I bellowed, just as we should have made contact. Harry jumped away, startled.

"Uhhh… Well crazy wasn't the word I was going to use. Uh, Crazier than c-crazy! Night!" He shouted, then bolted off to his dormitory. I looked at his retreating back dejectedly.

"He didn't even give me time to ramble."

As I turned the corner of the hallway that led to my dormitory, I saw Ron and Hermione standing there kissing.

"I'm such an idiot!" I said loudly. Ron and Hermione quickly broke apart with a jump. " 'Crazy?'! 'Crazy?'! Why did I say 'Crazy?' Stupid me! Stupid me! Stupid me! Man o man! Why? Why? Why?!" I started pacing around, pulling my hair and slamming my head against the walls, still moaning, "Why, why, Why?"

"Umm, Hermione? I think I'll go to bed now." He said looking at me uncertainly.

"Okay Ron." She said, then he gave him kiss on the cheek and he left. "Alright Skylar, what happened?" She said smiling at me.

"We almost kissed!" I said hitting my head on the wall again. She looked at me, surprised.

"Oh," She said lamely. Her eyes were wide and I could tell she was trying not to giggle. "And do you…Do you like him?" She asked.

"Well…Yeah."

"I see."

"Sooo?"

"So what?"

"Holy cow! So what do I do?"

"Well what you need to do is…Think about it…"

"Think about what? The almost kiss? What good will that do?"

"Oh I don't know! I don't give good advice! I'm going to bed! Good night."

"Oh sure go to bed! You got your good night kiss!" I sighed and slid down the wall. Still thinking, *Why didn't I just kiss him? I'm so stupid!* Until I fell into an uncomfortable sleep.