A/N: Thank you for those who reviewed the previous chapter! I really appreciated it. anyway…Here's the second chap. It's kinda mushy though….hehe…just review after you're done reading it, if you have some comments/suggestions. Thanks, once again! So um….here's the 2nd chap. Hope you'll enjoy reading.

Chapter Two – Misery and Confusion

"Harry?" Hermione said, noticing that Harry wasn't moving at all. He looked like a brainwashed zombie. Hermione stood up and waved her hands in front of Harry's face. This worked somehow because Harry blinked.

"Did I miss something?" he asked, staring blankly at Hermione. Hermione sighed.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked him, "Ever since we got back here, you're acting odd. You're not even moving or saying anything."

"Sorry," Harry said, throwing himself onto a squashy scarlet armchair that stood by the fire. "I was just thinking about something…"

"You mean, someone." Hermione sat down again, looking crestfallen. Harry would've liked it if she hadn't given emphasis on the word 'someone'. "Who were you thinking about anyway?" Hermione continued as Crookshanks leaped onto her lap, purring peacefully.

"Cho…and Sirius, of course."

"Why are you so worried about Cho? I'm sure she wouldn't tell anyone that we have been communicating with Sirius. Well…after what I've done to her."

"I know but…"

"But what, Harry?"

"She might not want to go out with me anymore, knowing that I'm covering up for a criminal…"

"But Sirius is not a criminal, Harry!" Hermione argued, rising from her seat and making Crookshanks fall on the carpeted floor, "You know that! He's innocent!"

"I know!" Harry said loudly, his voice now rising. "But people don't, do they!" This time, anger started to fill Harry's heart and mind. He knew that his godfather was innocent. He didn't need Hermione to tell him that.

"Harry, listen to me. Cho is just one of the girls that has come your way. There are many others that would understand you! Why would you waste so much time just for her if she cannot accept the fact that Sirius is important to you!"

"YOU DIDN'T LET HER FINISH WHAT SHE'S GOT TO SAY!" Harry stood up, his face reddening with fury. He was now face to face with Hermione, who was staring furiously at him. "How sure are you that she doesn't know how important Sirius is to me!"

"WHY, IS CHO MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN YOUR GODFATHER!" With this, Hermione knew that she had said what she shouldn't have. Harry was about to hit Hermione with his own hands when he realized that he shouldn't hurt girls, specially his best friend. He put his arm down and turned away. Hermione, whose face was nearly white, looked surprised that Harry didn't hurt her. She was just standing there, her feet glued to the floor, staring fearfully at Harry.

"You're wrong Hermione," Harry said quietly, "and I will prove that to you." He turned on his heel and went to the boys' dormitory, leaving Hermione standing like a statue.

"Harry…" She sat down by the fireplace, thinking about what just happened. She was looking at the fire and tried to see or make up figures out of them. It took her half an hour to realize that it was boring there so she went out of the Common Room to roam around. She went down to the Great Hall to see if dinner was ready. It was 6:00 anyway. To her surprise, only a few people stayed for Christmas. There were about 20 students in the Great Hall right that moment. Parvati and Lavender were sitting by the Gryffindor table, eating happily. Hermione decided to join them.

"May I join you?" she asked them.

"Sure," Parvati said, grinning. Hermione sat down and helped herself to some of the dishes there.

"Where's Harry?" Lavender asked, making Hermione choke. "Why isn't he with you?"

"Er…we got into a little fight, you know," Hermione answered.

"Fight?" said Parvati, "I thought you and Harry never fight."

"Of course we do," said Hermione, helping herself with some more food. "Friends get into fights, you know."

"We know that," Lavender said, looking at Parvati.

"Why did the two of you fight, anyway?" Parvati asked curiously.

"I can't tell you," Hermione replied. "It's a secret. Besides, it's a long story."

"Oh…" Lavender and Parvati looked disappointed at this fact. When Hermione had finished eating, she went out of the Great Hall and decided to go down to meet Hagrid. When she was walking down the path to Hagrid's hut, she felt something pass beside her. She stopped.

"Hello?" Hermione said, sounding scared. She looked around to see who it was but there was no one there. She felt cold. Maybe it's just because of the snow… she thought. She looked down at the snowy ground and saw footsteps that lead to Hagrid's hut. A thought came to Hermione's mind. It's just Harry, she told herself. So, she went to Hagrid's hut to see if she was right.

When Hermione knocked at Hagrid's front door, she heard Fang's loud barks and a minute later, Hagrid was standing right in front of her. Although tall and ferocious-looking, Hagrid was a kind teacher and friend.

"Hi Hagrid," Hermione said, smiling. "Is Harry here?"

"No, he isn't," Hagrid answered quickly. With this, Hermione had a feeling that he was lying.

"May I come in?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Sure, sure," answered Hagrid, ushering Hermione inside. Hermione went in, looking around for signs of Harry.

"Hagrid," said Hermione, "are you really sure that Harry isn't here? Because we got into a fight you know, and there's a chance that he might be here."

Hagrid showed a bit of a guilty expression then answered, "I tell yeh, he's not 'ere."

"Oh," said Hermione, sounding a little bit disappointed. "Well…how's life for you anyway?"

"Fine, I'm quite fine. Wha' abou' yeh?"

"I'm not feeling good…" Hermione walked towards the window and gazed at the moonlit sky. Hagrid looked worriedly at her.

"Why? What's wrong?" Hagrid asked, preparing some tea.

"It's…about –"

"Harry?"

"Yes…I'm worried about him…"

"I am too. I know it is hard fer him ter lose his one an' only godfather."

"It's not only that, Hagrid…" Hermione sat down on the large red armchair and sighed. "I have liked Harry since I first met him and…I don't want to see him suffering like this."

"I understand yeh. Many girls run after Harry an' not even one of them understood his feelings except yeh, Hermione. No one cared fer him as much as yeh did. I noticed that. Maybe Harry doesn't realize that yer a girl too because of a girl out there whom he has a crush on…her name's Cho, am I right?"

Hermione nodded curtly. "I don't care if he likes Cho…I just want him to be happy, that's all. I don't expect him to like me too. If he's happy, then I'm going to be happy for him too…no matter how much it hurts..."

Hagrid smiled and hugged Hermione tightly that Hermione couldn't breathe. "Yer a good friend, Hermione."

"I – can't – breathe – Hagrid –"

"Oh," said Hagrid, letting go of Hermione. "Sorry." Hagrid offered her some hot tea and then accompanied her back to the castle.

"Thanks Hagrid," said Hermione, smiling. Hagrid smiled back and went to his hut.

As Hermione walked towards the Gryffindor Tower she, again, felt something pass beside her. She ignored it for a while. When she started to walk again, she hit someone in front of her.

"Harry? Is that you?" Hermione said seriously. No one answered. "Come on, Harry. I do not have the time to play hide and seek." Hermione tried to grab something in front of her, but no one was there. Suddenly, she felt someone behind her hug her so tight that she felt weak and she couldn't let go.

"Hermione…" said a voice that sounded familiar. Hermione knew at once that Harry (in his invisibility cloak) was the one who's hugging her. She just stood there, not minding anything.

"I thought you hate me," said Hermione so softly that only Harry could hear.

"I don't…" Harry whispered. Hermione felt his breath rush through her hair. She just stood there, Harry hugging her, and it happened for about five minutes.

"Granger!" This voice made Hermione turn around, only to find out that it was Malfoy. Harry let go of her and stood beside her, still wearing the Invisibility Cloak that he inherited from his father.

"Look who's here," replied Hermione, grinning evilly. "What is it that you want?"

"I want to know what you're doing here," Malfoy said. He stared at Hermione, eyeing her from head to toe.

"Stop doing that!" said Hermione, noticing Malfoy's actions. "And by the way, is it forbidden to walk around on a school holiday? I don't believe there's something written in the law that you cannot go for a walk around the castle."

Malfoy smirked loftily. "Whatever, Granger. All I know is that, you'll receive detention. Now, why don't you go to Professor McGonagall and ask her what detention she would give you?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I don't believe that Professor McGonagall would get me into detention if she knew what the reason was."

"I don't care," replied Malfoy. "I'm leaving." But before Malfoy could take another step, he tripped even though there was nothing for him to trip over. Hermione laughed. She knew that that was Harry. Malfoy stood up, scared. He felt his hair being blown by no one and this scared him even more. He ran away quickly and it seemed as if he was really very frightened. Hermione laughed and laughed.

"Shh!" Harry whispered in her ear, "Someone's coming! Hide here!" Harry invited Hermione to join him in his invisibility cloak since it was large enough for the two of them. Hermione obeyed him and did not argue.

"Are you sure you heard laughs, Argus?" Umbridge's voice said. The footsteps were coming closer and closer to where Harry and Hermione were standing.

"Yes Professor," Filch answered. Mrs. Norris followed them shortly. It seemed as if she knew that Harry and Hermione were there because she could smell them. Filch noticed this. "What is it Mrs. Norris? Do you smell students?" Mrs. Norris just purred and the three of them Umbridge, Filch and Mrs. Norris left without another word.

Hermione took a deep breath, as she was about to remove the cloak. Harry grabbed her hand before she could even do so. Hermione looked at him. It was only then that she noticed that Harry was only a few inches away from her and that he was staring keenly at her. Hermione blushed, avoiding Harry's stare.

"It isn't safe to remove that yet," Harry whispered. "They might come back any minute." And so, the two walked slowly towards the door that leads to the Gryffindor Common Room. While they were walking, Hermione was wondering why Harry stared at her like that. He never did that before.

When they have reached the Common Room, it was only then that they removed the cloak. Hermione sat quietly on the squashy scarlet armchair by the fireplace. Harry on the other hand, threw himself on the couch. He felt a little bit tired.

"I'm sorry, Harry…" Hermione said silently. "I know that what I have said was wrong…"

Harry sighed and stared at the ceiling. "It's okay, Hermione. And besides…you weren't wrong. I think I paid more attention to Cho than to Sirius." Harry laughed quietly as he sat up and looked at Hermione once more.

Hermione, who was looking at the burning fire on the fireplace, didn't know that Harry was once again looking at her. She was so busy with the thoughts in her head. Harry smirked at himself as he wore the invisibility cloak. He slowly and carefully walked towards Hermione, without Hermione noticing it. Harry stopped right in front of her and kneeled. It was much better to see Hermione closely than looking at her from afar. It took a little while for Hermione to realize that Harry had gone.

"Harry?" she said worriedly. She looked around her and saw no one. "Don't scare me, Harry."

With this, Harry quickly removed the cloak off him and said, "Boo!" Hermione screamed. Harry laughed loudly.

"What did you do that for!" Hermione asked, holding her on to her chest. Harry did not answer. He was busy staring at her. Hermione looked at him. She noticed that Harry was so close to her that any movement from the two of them might cause them to fall on top of each other. Harry, still staring at Hermione, pulled her up and grabbed her by the waist. This made their noses nearly touch each other. Hermione blushed. She wanted to push Harry away from her, but it was too late. Harry had his lips locked into Hermione's lips. Hermione felt numb and fragile, and this made her turn red even more. She couldn't move a single muscle.

What's this I'm feeling? Harry asked himself. Why does it feel strange when I kiss Hermione? I didn't feel like this when Cho and I kissed. There must be something wrong with me…

Harry, what's gotten into you…? Hermione thought. Why are you doing this?

After what seemed like several minutes, Harry carefully let go of Hermione. Hermione stood still, her cheeks were redder than the usual.

"I'm sorry…" Harry said quietly. Without another word, Harry picked up the cloak and went to the boys' dormitory to think about what he has done and how he felt.

On the other hand, Hermione was bewildered. She couldn't think of a reason why Harry would do that to her. Did Harry have feelings for me? She thought. It's impossible… She told herself. Harry loves Cho, doesn't he? Why would he do such thing? Hermione sat back down on the squashy armchair she occupied a while ago.

A few minutes later, Parvati and Lavender went bursting into the Common Room. They were both laughing and giggling.

"Hi Hermione!" Parvati greeted happily. "Where's Harry?"

"Yeah," Lavender said, "Why isn't he with you?"

Hermione just looked at them with eyes full of woe. She didn't know whether she should tell them about what transpired just a while ago.

"Hermione?" Parvati said worriedly as she walked towards Hermione and checked if she was hot or something. It turns out that she was not.

"Are you okay, Hermione?" Lavender asked, patting Hermione on the shoulder.

Hermione still didn't say a word. Nor did she even move a single muscle. All she did was stare into space. She thought it best if the two didn't know anything. They might create rumors about her and Harry, and it would cause Harry and Hermione to be in trouble.

Parvati sighed. "Looks like we can't talk to her right now, Lavender."

"Yeah," Lavender agreed. Without uttering a sound, the two went upstairs and into the girls' dormitory, leaving Hermione behind.

Hermione stood up and sat by the windowsill. She looked at the night sky. There were plenty of stars out across it, and the moon can be seen very well. Snow was falling from the dark-gray sky. Hermione didn't know whether she should feel contented or enraged with what happened.

Snow was still falling from the sky the next morning. Hermione didn't get to sleep well. She can't help but reflect about what happened last night. It's so hard to forget about it. She wondered whether she should still be spending the day with Harry or not. It wasn't easy having him around anymore, unlike before. She felt a little bit miserable because she felt uncomfortable with Harry.

Gradually and cautiously, Hermione stood up and went immediately to the bathroom. She washed her face and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked different. There was something in her that's unusual.

"Dear, you look pretty today," the portrait of a witch, which hung from the bathroom wall, told her. She was smiling at Hermione. "Are you in love?"

Hermione did not answer the witch and quickly went out of the bathroom. What's happening to me? What is that witch talking about? She asked herself. Because of what the witch in the portrait told her, Hermione did not bother to fix her hair anymore. She just let it be. She wore very simple clothes. She looked at the mirror once again and combed her hair, without intending to really fix it.

"There!" Hermione said impatiently, "I don't look pretty anymore!" The witch in the portrait shook her head in disagreement but Hermione ignored her and left.

Hermione went straight to the Great Hall, without bothering to call and wake Harry up. Just as she was walking towards the Gryffindor table, Harry came into view.

"Er…Good morning," he greeted nervously.

Hermione noticed that his voice sounded a little shaky. She just nodded at him and sat down. Harry felt that there was something wrong. He could feel Hermione's anger. Just as Hermione was about to take a bite of the garlic bread she was holding, Harry leaned on the table and faced her.

"We need to talk," Harry told her. Hermione let go of the food she was holding and stood up.

"Fine," she said crossly.

Harry grabbed her hand and held it gently, then dragged her outside the Great Hall and into the snowy grounds. Hermione knew that they were heading towards the beech tree, which stood by the lake. She was right. Harry stopped when they reached the beech tree.

"Now what?"

Harry sighed. He didn't know how to explain himself. He didn't know how to tell Hermione why he kissed her. "Hermione…I am really sorry about last night."

Hermione winced at the mention of the words "last night". Harry placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her straight in the eye. Hermione felt so uncomfortable that she wanted to push Harry away from her, but she couldn't.

"Look," Harry started, "The truth is…I wasn't myself at that moment. I…I don't know why I did that. It's like I was controlled by some kind of monster…And I don't regret anything that happened last night."

Hermione gaped at Harry, with eyes widened with shock. "What do you mean you don't….?"

Harry sighed once again and made sure that Hermione was looking at his emerald-green eyes. "Hermione…I don't know why I'm saying this but…I love you." These words are enough to make Hermione's heart beat more rapidly than the usual and her cheeks become rosy red. "I don't love you just as a friend, Hermione. I love you as a person…as who you are…"

Hermione stood there, frozen on her feet. She didn't know what to tell Harry. She didn't know how to react to those words. It wasn't the first time that a guy told her that he loved her but…it felt different this time, because the one telling her these delightful words is her best friend, Harry Potter. Who wouldn't say "I love you too" to a person like Harry? Everything you could ask for in a guy is already in him. But there was something that's bugging Hermione's mind. She has been hurt once, and she doesn't want to get hurt anymore. It's not that she didn't love Harry and don't trust him. She was just afraid to show her feelings for him.

"Hermione?" Harry said softly. There was a sparkle in his emerald-green eyes.

"Harry, I…" Hermione really didn't know how to tell him how she really felt.

"You just want us to be friends?" Harry guessed. You could tell from the sound of his voice that he was a little bit disappointed.

Hermione stared at his magnificent emerald-green eyes. Tears fell from Hermione's hazel eyes as she turned away from Harry. "I don't want you to get hurt…" she said quietly.

"Right," Harry said firmly, preventing himself from getting furious. "I guess that's all you're going to say then." Without another word, Harry slowly walked away. Hermione burst into tears as Harry walked away from her. It felt hard to hide her feelings for Harry. But she knew that what she did was right. It wasn't the time for her, specially for Harry, to fall in love with a best friend.

A/n: So there. That's about it for the second chap. I'll make the update as often as possible.