A.N: All right, here is the chapter that you have all been waiting for. I have put in a lot of effort into this chapter and hopefully you will all kindly forgive me for the long time I have taken to write this chapter. This is my first attempt at romance and I am quite nervous about the reaction from you readers. So please read it and post your reviews. I would also like to warn you all that some of the streets and places I have used in this chapter may or may not be right. So kindly bear with me on that front. Anyway here is chapter 8 for you.

Chapter 8

Harry woke up at 5:30am that morning as his alarm clock went off and got up immediately. He wanted to make it a special day. It was Hermione's birthday. He and Ron finally realized that though they had both received gifts from Hermione on their birthdays they had never thought about giving a gift to Hermione on her birthday nor had they asked her when it was. So they had planned to make sure they gave Hermione a proper birthday treat and decided to spend the day in Hogsmeade since it was a weekend and hence no classes for the day.

Harry got out of his bed and knocked softly on Hermione's door. When there was no response, he opened the door using a spell and went inside her room.

Hermione was wearing a shirt with rabbits printed all over them with a matching pajama.

Harry looked at her and he once again felt the same feelings building up inside him as he had felt the other day when she had slept on his shoulder. He shook those thoughts away.

Harry went near her and tickled her gently near her neck. Hermione rolled over in her sleep and muttered something incorrigible but when Harry did it the second time she woke up with a start.

"Harry!" She said with a start. "What are you doing in my bedroom?" She asked.

"Happy birthday Hermione" Harry said.

Hermione looked startled for a second and cupped her hands over her mouth. Then she asked "But how did you know that it was my birthday?"

"Well" Harry said. "I had a little help on that from professor Dumbledore." he said.

"You could have just asked me." Hermione said.

"It would have ruined the fun." Harry said. "Besides I wanted to see the reaction on your face when I woke you up. Maybe I should have gotten a camera." He added.

"For what" Hermione asked.

"So that I could post it in the Gryffindor common room with a caption saying HOW GIRLS LOOK WHEN THEY WAKE UP" Harry joked as Hermione threw a pillow at him.

"Freshen up and come to the common room in 10min, Ron and Ginny will be waiting for you." Harry said as he left the room

Ron gave Hermione a book on Astronomy ("Wow! I have wanted one for years") and a

Big box of Bertie Botts every flavor beans. Ginny gave her a homework planner as her old one was already full. Harry presented her with a pearl necklace which looked very good on her.

Hermione was most touched by Harry's gift.

"You needn't have gotten me such an expensive necklace Harry" She said.

"It was nothing." He said. Consider it as a big gift for having forgotten your birthday all these years while you gave us all presents on our birthday."

Hermione started to protest but Harry cut her off "You are not going to protest this Hermione. We are all going to Hogsmeade today to enjoy ourselves. So no studies" said Harry "and no protests either" he said when he saw Hermione opening her mouth again.

The three of them had a good day at Hogsmeade and enjoyed themselves until evening after which they decided to return to the Castle.

But Harry wasn't quite finished yet.

The two of them went up to their common room after saying goodbye to Ron and Ginny who both looked tired enough to hit the sack right away.

"We had a really good day Harry" Hermione said.

"And it is not quite over." Harry said.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked him questioningly.

"I am going to take you out to London tonight" Harry said.

"What! A date?" Hermione asked startlingly.

"Well" Harry said uncomfortably "You can call it a night out between two good friends." He added.

"Oh! Ok." Hermione said and just for a second he thought he felt disappointment in her voice.

"How are we going" Hermione asked. "And how are you going to convince the teachers?"

"I already have professor Dumbledore's permission and as for your first question we are going there using a portkey also courtesy Dumbledore." Harry said smiling.

"You have thought of everything, haven't you?" Hermione said with a bemused look.

"I try to be perfect." Harry said with a sheepish look. "Shall we go then?" He asked.

"All right" Hermione said. "Just give me 5min to freshen up." She added.

Hermione was back in exactly 5min looking very stunning in a light blue gown. She had worn the same perfume that she had worn at the Yule ball and gaped at her for a few seconds before regaining his composure.

"Are you ready to leave, Miss Granger?" He asked extending his hand.

"Of course, Mr. Potter" She said taking his hand as they both touched a galleon which they were using as a Portkey."

"On the count of three" Harry said. "One, two, three"

They both landed in a dark alley in London.

"Nice landing place" Hermione muttered as she picked herself up.

"Hey, this is the best we can get at such a central location in London." Harry said protesting.

"Where are we anyway?" Hermione asked.

"You will know soon enough" Harry said with a devilish grin as they walked out of the alley.

They emerged in London square, one of the most prestigious places in the city.

Hermione gasped. "Harry, what are we going to do here?" She asked.

"We are first going to watch a movie." He said. "Then we are going to have dinner at a restaurant."

"Harry, you really don't have to do so much for me" Hermione said protesting but Harry was in no mood to listen as they entered a cinema theater."

Harry had already brought tickets in advance so they entered the cinema hall immediately.

"You have planned everything so well" Hermione said.

"I guess a little of your influence is finally rubbing off on me" Harry said grinning.

The film's music started and Hermione gasped as she recognized the movie. It was a movie called Circle of friends, one of her favorites.

"How did you know that this was my favorite film?" Hermione asked.

"I think you have forgotten, I brought up this topic the other day casually and you immediately started talking about this movie. So I guessed that it must be your favorite film." Harry said.

Hermione nodded just as the movie started.

The two of them later went to a restaurant and later to a dance hall where they dance till midnight.

As Harry pulled her closer for a slow romantic dance Hermione felt herself falling in his arms. As the song progressed Hermione felt herself getting more and more drawn by Harry even as she tried to shake those feelings out of her mind. She had gone out on a date only once, with Krum and they had had a dance together at a nearby party but even that didn't seem to come close to what she was feeling now.

When the dance was finally over, Hermione didn't want it to end. But it had been a long day and both she and Harry needed some rest. So they both decided to take the Portkey back to Hogwarts.

They landed just outside the castle due to some new security measures to ensure that no one could enter the castle unauthorized.

They were soon in their common room and started walking up the steps to their rooms. Hermione stopped outside her room and looked at Harry.

"What do I say to him?" Hermione thought to herself.

She had to admit that she had not so much fun for a long time. She had felt very happy that evening and wished it would never end.

"I had a really good day, Harry" Hermione said.

"Yeah, me too" Harry said in a strained voice.

"And I wish it would never end." She whispered.

Harry didn't say anything. He started leaning in towards her face.

Hermione knew what was happening. She tried to resist it. But she knew that it was futile. Both her mind and body wanted this. She closed her eyes as she too headed straight for his lips.

And then in one heart stopping moment their lips met.

A.N: There you go. Another cliffie. This is the longest chapter I have written so far and I hope that you all liked it. Please post your reviews. I will try to update the next chapter in a few days time so that you are all not kept too long in suspense. Stay tuned.