Chapter 3

The last day of the holiday had finally come, Harry woke up early to go and explore a ruined belltower he had seen previously.

The bell was said to have been made of pure solid gold, it was worth all the riches in the world put together. It was a story that had been passed down for many generations and nobody knew whether it was true anymore. The bell was stolen by the Thief Lord of Italy and he melted it into a million gold coins and lived like a rich lord, on the coins, forever. The tower was an ancient mystery and like any other ancient building it had become an attraction to many tourists.

Harry climbed to the very top of the tower where the bell would have supposedly been, he looked around and gasped. The belltower overlooked the whole city of Rome and the rising sun on the far horizon. Harry knew that Hermione would have given anything in the world to see its view and he sought to make plans...

It was around half past 8 in the evening, after Harry and the Grangers had finished dining in the hotel restaurant. Harry stood and spoke.

"I think I'll go for a walk. 'Mione, you coming?"

"Yes, ok, I think I will."

"Great."

Mrs Granger beamed at the two, somehow knowing that they had finally gotten together. Mr Granger, on the other hand, looked at the young couple suspiciously and shrugged.

They walked until they came to the belltower and Harry stopped,

"'Mione, I got a surprise for you, want to go inside?"

"Um, are you sure, Harry?"

"Close your eyes."

Harry took her hands and gently led her up the staircase. When they reached the very top, Harry let his hands drop to his sides, Hermione looked around and gasped.

"Harry, it's beautiful..."

"Yeah it is but not as beautiful as you." Harry said softly, stepping closer to Hermione.

"Harry..." Hermione whispered, she tilted her head and parted her lips for the kiss she knew that was coming... They finally broke off and Harry drew her in and held her, he kissed her forehead and breathed in her faint lavender perfume. They turned to face the horizon and watched the dying sun, soon to be replaced by the stars and moon.

Hermione touched the necklace that held Yang thoughtfully. I love him so much, I never want to let him go... Harry was startled to hear Hermione's voice in his head and looked at her hold her necklace. It suddenly struck him, he reached for his own necklace and thought, I love you too. Hermione jumped and looked at Harry questioningly. Am I imagining things? Harry smiled looking amused. Nope. Suddenly, Hermione realised too and a wide grin replaced her shocked look. So this was the power that the necklaces held within them, the power of communication. Delighted at having finally understood Sheng's meaning, they turned their backs on the moonrise and walked back to the hotel hand in hand.

They returned back to England two weeks before the new term was due to start. When they got into the house Harry helped carried Hermione's and his suitcases upstairs to their bedrooms. They unpacked their suitcases and raced down the stairs to the kitchen for a drink when they found two owls leaning on the window sill, one of which Harry recognised as Hedwig. They both carried letters that had the Hogwarts seal on it. There were two black envelopes that contained Harry and Hermione's OWLS. They tore open the envelopes to find that they had both done extremely well. Harry sighed with relief. At least I can do the subjects I need to study to be an auror. Harry and Hermione were filled with happiness but they suddenly felt tired. The couple made plans to go to Diagon Alley and buy their books and equipment the next day and with that they retired to their rooms.

Early next morning they travelled to Diagon Alley and went directly to Gringrotts to withdraw some money for the school year. Coincidentally they met Ron and his family there.

"Hi, Ron." said Hermione.

Ron turned around and his glum expression was replaced with elation.

"Hey, you two, how's it going?"

"Everything's going just great. How was Romania?" asked Harry.

"Oh, it was cool, Charlie showed us a new breed of dragons. They were called... Chinese Horntail... yeah that was it."

Ron was struggling to remember, this was because Hermione was on his mind. My god, is that seriously 'Mione? She's so different... so pretty... She changed a lot, so beautiful... I wonder whether she feels the same way for me?

"Ron, mate, you ok?"

"What? Oh yeah, I'm alright mate, no worries."

"Ok, well, if you two don't mind I'd like to go a get those books that I need." said Hermione impatiently.

"Well, let's go then." said Ron and Harry in unison.

As they walked down Diagon Alley to Flourish and Blotts, Harry and Hermione were mentally communicating their thoughts.

Harry. Do you think we should tell Ron about us?

No, not yet, I don't think Ron's ready to take that kind of information.

What does that mean?

I... don't know.

Oh well, it won't hurt him to not know a few things about us...

Hmm...

The trio entered Flourish and Blotts and bought their books. The spent the whole day in Diagon Alley and finally parted ways. When Ron was clearly out of sight, Hermione brushed her lips against Harry's cheek and blushed. Harry looked puzzled.

"What was that for?"

"Nothing, I just felt like I wanted to."

"Next time you want a kiss, ask me and I'll snog you senseless." Harry said gruffly. Hermione giggled and blushed furiously and replied with a small nod.

That night, Harry knocked quietly on Hermione's door.

"Come in."

Harry opened the door and found Hermione reading through a large pile of her textbooks. Typical 'Mione, thought Harry.

"Hi Harry."

"Hey 'Mione, listen, I was kind of wondering whether we could talk for a while."

"Sure." Hermione turned her attention from the book to Harry.

"I got you something at Diagon Alley today."

"You did?" this surprised Hermione.

"Yeah."

"That was nice of you..." Harry flushed.

"Here, I hope you like it."

Harry sat down on the edge of her bed and handed her a small package wrapped in red and gold paper. She carefully tore the wrapping paper and laid it to one side. It was a slim box, she opened it and gasped.

"Harry, it's beautiful."

"There's nothing in the world that can match you though."

It was a necklace with a brown honey coloured sapphire that matched Hermione's eyes. Engraved on the front of the jewel was:

Strictly the property of Harry James Potter

xxx

There was a twinkle in her eyes and her face lit up with amusement.

"Oh, I'm your property now, am I?"

"Of course, I can't let you run off with a guy who's more charming than me. Not that there is one but what if?"

Hermione laughed and hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Thank you."

Finally, the new school term came and Harry, Hermione and Ron were once again at Kings Cross Station waiting to start the sixth year. They sat and talked for a while but then they drifted in a silence. Ron watched Hermione all the time, but she didn't notice at all, neither did Harry for that matter. They were looking out the window of the compartment. In some ways Harry had become quiet and observant, much like Hermione but the sadness never left his eyes. During his time with her it had diminished and a new happiness had replaced it but he could never forget those memories that would haunt him for life...

I think I've got a crush on her... the way she walks, the way she talks... It's all to die for. Should I tell or should I wait for her to find out...

"We're nearly there, we should get changes into our robes." said Hermione. And so they did. When they reached Hogwarts, they walked to one of the carriages and got in. They went into the Great Hall and watched the Sorting as they did every year since they came to Hogwarts. They waved at Hagrid and nodded respectfully at Dumbledore. It suddenly occurred to them this this was one of the very last Sortings that they would ever see - although they were always interested, they had become accustomed to it and had begun to take it for granted...

The next morning, they received their timetables and they found that they had free periods at the same times on Mondays and Wednesdays. But the rest of the time Ron was in lessons while Harry and Hermione weren't. This was much to Ron's dislike - he wanted to spend more time with Hermione...

Thursday evening had come: Harry was at Quidditch practice and Ron was in the hospital wing after acquiring a nasty cut from an accident in Potions. Hermione sat in the library researching for her Muggles Studies essay - which wasn't due in for another 2 weeks, but Hermione had never been much of a slacker and saw no reason to start now. Ron, after being bandaged up by Madam Pomfrey, walked through the Gryffindor common room and sneaked quietly into the girls' dormitories. He took the white rose out of his pocket and placed it on Hermione's pillow...

Hermione's arrived back at the dormitories, found the rose and smiled.

Harry...

Hmmm... 'Mione, that you? asked a very groggy voice that had obviously just woken.

Yeah, I love you, Harry.

Hmm... love you too, 'Mione, good night...

Good night.

And with that, Hermione fell into a deep dreamful sleep...

Hey! Updated now cuz it wasn'y fair on you guys waiting for so long for only one chapter! Please review... Jenny : )