Hello! It is me again! Thank you all for such glowing reviews! blushes but I have to say I think you all are being just way to kind. Again thank you so much. It really inspires me to write!

And now on to chapter 4! Amazing that this idea/challenge only began with a few paragraphs isn't it? lol oh well, away we go! I hope you enjoy, and please don't forget to review! ;)

Manda

The night was full of magic and those that were still in attendance during the last few hours before midnight seemed to be having the time of their life. There was dancing and even a few contests that was great fun for everyone involved. Two such people were Harry and Hermione who actually won the cutest couple award much to the embarrassment of them both. All night long Harry watched Hermione and found that he rather liked the way her hair fell in wisps around her face. At one point Hermione fell into his arms during a fit of giggles during a dance which was an experience that certainly got his blood boiling. By 11:30 things were still going strong and a great well of excitement seemed to rise up among the older students and rumors began to spread about something special happening at midnight. It was like an epidemic. Harry and Hermione were drinking some pumpkin juice when Ron ventured over to his two friends. His eyes were glowing with mirth over what he had just heard from Seamus.

"Well, well well...if it isn't my two best friends partaking of some refreshments." Ron crooned.

Harry and Hermione shared a brief glance before Harry leaned forward, sniffed Ron's breath and raised an eyebrow. "Ron just what exactly have you been drinking?" Hermione giggled merrily and lightly touched Harry on the arm which did not go unnoticed by Harry at all. She had been touching him and flirting with him all night.

"I haven't been drinking anything...yet...but that isn't what I wanted to talk about." Ron leaned in and gathered them both around him in a huddle like he was about to impart the secret of life. "Apparently, Hannah Abbot told Seamus that Collin Creevy found out from that tall girl in our Potions class...I forget her name, that at midnight everyone who is with a date is supposed to kiss. They will make an announcement at like 10 minutes before it is supposed to happen and they are going to do a countdown and everything. Everybody is excited. Of course it won't be the first time me and Luna has kissed but uh... I thought maybe you guys should know..." Ron's ears turned a bright red before he continued and Hermione and Harry seemed to be gazing at each other rather oddly. "You know...um...that way you can leave before it happens if you want...or...or you can always stay I guess. I mean the point is that now you know don't you?"

Ron stepped back awkwardly and looked from one to the other before he left in a hurry. He said something about finding Luna but Harry's ears were buzzing and he couldn't hear properly. All he knew was that at midnight he could kiss Hermione if she wanted him too. The thing is though how would he know if she wanted to kiss him? Did he want to take that next step with Hermione?

Hermione was still sipping her pumpkin juice nervously, but he could tell she was keeping a close watchful eye on the huge clock hanging magnificently over the head table. Harry fiddled with his wand a few moments and the silence between them grew to an uncomfortable level. Both were lost in their own thoughts and afraid to speak about what they wanted to happen. At last Professor McGonagall stepped up on the stage at 10 minutes till midnight, and made an announcement. It was just as Ron had said. At midnight to celebrate the Valentine Loveapalooza Party every couple who wished to participate would all gather on the dance floor and share a kiss with their date at exactly midnight. A slight roar began to grow among the students. A few younger students left hastily, blushing from head to toe, while some merely shrugged and carried on with their conversations never giving it another thought.

Harry swirled his pumpkin juice around in his cup silently debating with himself. At last he looked up to find Hermione staring at him and looking so exquisite his pulse began racing. Merlin she was beautiful he thought to himself. Finally, his mind seemed to reach a conclusion. "Right..." He said with finality.

Hermione's eyes grew wide when he stole the cup from her grasp and set both of their cups down on a nearby table. He leaned in closely so only she could hear him and spoke in such a deep, husky voice it made her gasp, "Hermione, I would really...love to kiss you tonight but if you rather we stay friends I can live with that. I only wanted to let you know how I feel this very moment."

Harry could smell her sweet fragrance and realized that there was no turning back if she said yes. He would lose himself in her sweetness and he was sure he would never be able to let her go, but he waited expectantly for her answer and her eyes answered him before her words reached his ears. "Harry, I have been waiting forever for you." It was like a dam had been released and Hermione lunged into Harry's waiting arms. Their embrace was very intimate and caught the attention of several other Gryffindors who were on their way to the dance floor. Harry softly touched her face as if she was the most precious treasure he had ever found and she closed her eyes obviously reveling in this new sensation. Onlookers would have never known they had never touched quite like this before. The people around them seemed to think they were already young lovers sharing a brief moment of intimacy before stealing away into the night for more private caresses.

Suddenly, the lights grew dim and a huge glowing ball began to slowly descend from the ceiling with 5 minutes blinking magically around the circumference. Harry regrettably tore himself away long enough to realize he had almost kissed Hermione for the first time in front of the entire school. This wasn't how he wanted it to be, not with her. Their first kiss had to be special and it was something he wasn't willing to share with the rest of the world yet. It had to be something he could carry with him in his heart forever. There would be no ridiculous Quiditch Cup celebration this time to urge him on. He wanted to drink in Hermione's warmth and compassion and share himself with her as well. He needed someone to truly care for him...the Harry who spent nearly a decade locked up in a cupboard wondering if anyone would ever love him.

Before he knew it he was leading her thru the crowded dance floor out to the decorated gardens. Luckily there weren't many people because everyone else seemed to have migrated inside for the big event. Harry gently ushered her deeper into the garden so they were partially hidden from prying eyes. They were essentially alone but it was very dark outside so Harry for the second time that evening raised his wand. "Luxlumiere" he whispered and again the soft glowing orbs floated out of his wand and encircled the trees giving a soft gentle radiance. Hermione smiled adoringly up at him and he gestured for her to come closer. She obliged him and as soon as she was within reach he captured her waist and brought her close to his own body. Her hands inched their way up his chest and came to rest on his shoulders where they threaded thru his locks of soft black Hair. Harry felt her fingertips lightly twisting thru his hair and it felt so good he released a low groan and closed his eyes. When he reopened them they were both breathing heavily and Harry could hear the countdown coming from somewhere inside the castle but it didn't matter. They were in their own world now, and experiencing their first kiss as a couple. It was a moment that could not be predicted or controlled it just was. Hermione leaned into him and tilted her head closer to his own. Their lips were just inches apart and they felt their warm breath mingle right before Harry brought his lips softly down onto hers tasting and touching her with reckless abandon.

The kiss was one of longing and innocence but held a great deal of passion just aching to be released and Harry felt Hermione's body press against his own which was already taut with desire. Several long minutes passed as their endearment grew bolder and Harry playfully nipped her bottom lip asking for further entry. When she touched her tongue to his for the first time it was as if a flood of emotions swept thru him and he drew her hips closer to his own as if by instinct. He heard her moan delightedly as his body betrayed his excitement and his hands hungrily sought closer contact. He released her lips and slowly lowered his head to taste the soft tender skin of her neck and trailed hot kisses to hollow of her throat, "Harry..." she gasped. Hermione's soft moans drove him to the edge and made him crave more of what she had to offer. He loved how she felt and tasted although he never expected to take their first kiss so far. Their passion surprised them both and Harry hated to let her go but he released her before things went further out of control. Harry took his hands off her body and simply watched her with a smoldering burning gaze. Both of them were breathing heavily and their hearts were thumping with anticipation of where their passion would eventually take them. He wanted to go there desperately with her but he knew it was too soon. Desire was clearly shining in his brilliant green eyes and Hermione blushed charmingly making him smile.

Harry knew that he would grow to love Hermione with each passing day and they both looked forward to a future together. They sat and talked long thru the night, telling each other about their dreams and hopes and their fears which was something that Harry had never completely opened up about. She swore to stand by him no matter what and he swore to never leave her. As the sounds of music and the party died away they both sat and cuddled in a large lounge chair with Harry's heavy cloak coving them both for warmth. They had found something in each other that transcended mere friendship because that night they began at last the great love of their life.

Many years down the road Harry would often ask Hermione why it took him so long to realize how much he cared for her and she would simply smile and reply, "Because you were to busy falling in love with me."

Well that is it! I hope you enjoyed it. I had a terrible time ending this one. Finally, I just had to go away from Harry's point of view or they would never keep their hands off each other! Every time I tried to end it Harry would do something stupid like reach out for her and things would get all hot and heavy ;) I guess where Hermione is concerned he had no self control at all! tee hee

Please read and review!

manda