A/N Hi everyone sorry about the really big delay in posting this chapter, but it's the usual not enough time etc.

 Oswaritetsusaiga – that explains the review then, if you are half do demon then you could always growl etc at your mate to let you finish what t you are doing J

Final Hearts – Sorry but about the party that won't happen, but I think you may still like this chapter

Katana Midori – Thanks for the review I have no idea what made me use that prank.

Lord of Darkness 13 – Who are you calling an old fogie? You'll be one in August to. I know I promised the party in this chapter but it was already five pages of writing and my hands started to hurt but that means it is definitely next chapter if not feel free to have a go at me J but I hope you wont.

Thanks to everyone else who has reviewed so far.

Chapter 17

On Saturday, Harry and Hermione said goodbye to Rona in the entrance hall; he was not going to Hogsmeade that morning as he had a detention with Snape as he was caught out of the tower after curfew. Snape had caught him outside the Fat lady, his arms laden with food.

"I'll pick you up some chocolate frogs, maybe you'll finally get Agrippa" Harry said attempting to cheer his friend up.

"You can meet us in the three broomsticks at 2 as well" Hermione smiled.

"Yeah I guess so you'd better get going," He answered dejectedly.

"Bye" chorused his friends before making their way into one of the 'horseless' carriages, where they were shortly joined be Ginny and Dean who were still dating much to Ron's annoyance. After Dean closed the door the carriage trundled along the worn road in to the village.

"So what are you two going to do today?" Hermione asked in an attempt to get a conversation going.

"Not much what about you two?"

"Not much Hermione wants to go to the book store and meeting Ron at two. Want to join us?"

'Please say no, please say no. It's not that I don't want to spend time with you I do but I want to spend some time alone with Harry.' Silently Hermione prayed to whoever was listening. Noticing the look of conflict on her friend's face Ginny apologised, "Sorry Harry but I wanted to take Dean to a tea shop…"

"Madam Puddifoot's?" Harry answered suppressing a laugh at the revolted look on Dean's face.

"Yes for some alone time. How'd you know about it?"

The rest of the journey Harry told the others about his trip to that particular teashop. As the carriage stopped the four occupants disembarked, said goodbye and paired of.

"So where'd you want to go first Hermione?" Harry asked as he removed his outer robe (as it was surprisingly warm for late October) revealing his white shirt, which was tucked half in and half out of his black jeans, stuffing his roe in to his school bag

"How about we go to the book store first then we have until two to do what we like." She answered following his lead; she shed her robe to, revealing a white tank top, a pale blue lacy over shirt and blue jeans.

The pair made their way over to the book store, chatting all of the way different things; school, the future and their home lives were a few of the things they talked about, unaware that they were being followed.

Soon their conversation turned to their past adventures together:

"Remember when Quirrell let that troll in, in our first year?" Harry started

"Remember it? I was absolutely terrified. I mean one minute I'm in the stall crying about Ron's 'no friends' comment I walk out and come face to well I suppose face to knee with that thing" laughing at the memory.

"Yeah then me and Ron come in, he starts yelling and throwing things at it and I tried to get you to move…"

"…But I was paralysed with fear so you jumped on it's back and rammed your wand up its nose."

"Hey that was an accident – then Ron knocked it out with it's own club."

"I was scared but I'm glad it happened."

"Really? Questioned Harry

"Yes because we might not of been friends if it didn't"

"True, we've been through a lot together. I mean the troll, dragons, the stone, basilisks, a convicted murder, dementors, the time in fourth year when Ron wasn't talking to the tournament, and the death eaters last year. I wonder what will happen this year. I never really thanked you properly did I?" "Thanks" he finished kissing her on the cheek.

"It's what friends do Harry but you missed one."

"Did I?"

"Yes Rita Skeeter's articles in fourth year"

"Thanks for reminding me- how could I have forgotten that fiasco. Yet again you helped me by finding out her little secret. You've always been there for me"

"And I always will" she answered wrapping him in a hug.

"I'm so lucky to have you Mione." He said as she moved to kiss his cheek.

"HARRY" he turned his head towards the familiar voice, his lips met Hermione's as a flash went off.

Harry felt great, he was kissing the girl of his dreams, and after realisation kicked in they both stepped back. "Hermione, I'm so sorry someone called me and I," he spluttered.

"It's okay Harry I, we…"she began looking around "bookstore?"

Nodding in agreement they went in to the shop where Hermione spent at least half an hour deciding on which book would be better, (Notable events of the century by D.E. Featers or A century of events by Dr A. Tempus) Finally deciding on one they left the shop after she handed over her voucher.

It was now about half past eleven, so they decided to go to Honey dukes before getting some lunch. As they entered they noticed that the Azkaban breakout poster was still displayed though some pictures were crossed out. The occupants scowling at everyone that passed by.

True to his word Harry brought Ron and himself some Chocolate Frogs and insisted on buying Hermione a bar of chocolate as well. They left the shop and had a filling lunch of sandwiches, crisps and pumpkin juice at a little restaurant called 'Kathy and John's. After walking around for a while they decided to visit the cave on the hill side so Harry could tell her more about the training he endured whilst away and his gifts. But as they approached they could her voices inside,

"It will happen at Christmas?" came an easily recognisable voice.

"Yes, m…master wants it done by then" came a squeaky reply

Both changing in to a cat Animagus form the students snuck inside to listen.

"Very well I shall tell the others, tell Him Thank you" Draco snapped as he left the cave, leaving a very relived wormtail behind, who promptly transformed and darted of.

Changing back in to themselves they began to discuss what they had overheard.

" I wonder what that was about?"

"I don't know Harry but it sounds as if Voldemort has something planned for around Christmas time."

"What do you think it could be?"

"I have no idea"

"Maybe that's when he joins the Death eaters."

Their conversation carried on in this way till Hermione realised they had ten minutes to get to the Three broomsticks to meet Ron.

As they approached the pub, Ron appeared, mumbling, "Stupid slimy Slytherin git, you'll never guess what he made me do, first I had to pickle slugs, then gut leeches and then clean the cauldrons. So what you two get up to?"

"Play along" whispered Hermione. "Oh not much, went to the bookstore, Honey dukes, had lunch Harry kissed me, overheard Malfoy Jr and Wormtail."

"What where they say… what do you mean Harry kissed you!!!"

"Relax Ron it was an accident" Harry went on to explain what had happened as they drank the butter beers Madam Rosemerta had brought over.

After another round of 'Guess what the ferret and rat were doing" Ron asked, "So Harry still not going to the party?"

"No Ron I've already said I'm not going, plus who I wanted to go with already has a date and I'm not saying who so don't ask. Anyway hadn't you two start getting ready?"

"But…"
"Drop it Ron" Hermione warned, "Anyway Harry's right we better get back to the school. The trio then left the pub none of them bothered to look back at the table, if they had, one of them might have spotted the happily buzzing beetle emerge from under it.

A/n So what did you think? The Party is next please review and I'll get the next chapter up as soon as possible. There are no prizes for guessing the beetle thing as it is so obvious but the first person to get the conversation between the ferret and rat right will get a preview of the next chapter. Let me know what you think it was about in a review.  Bye for now