A/N: Hey everyone. This was originally chapters four and five, but four was ghastly short, so I tried to beef it up a bit. Enjoy.

Chapter Four

Two weeks past without incident. Hermione and Gregory continued their daily lessons in the library. He was coming along quite nicely. He may not be able to pass his O.W.L's anytime soon, but considering his condition he was fairing very well.

Ever since the night that Greg stood up for her, Hermione had started a side project to research memory charms. She had a huge breakthrough tonight. It still needed a lot more research, but it was hopeful. She was on her way to dinner when felt someone start to match her stride next to her and saw Harry and Ron.

"Hey guys haven't seen much of you lately."

"Yes, your Slytherin seems to take up most of your valuable time." Ron said and then he stopped quite abruptly.

"Mione we understand that he saved you and you owe him, well your life, but we haven't seen you in like a week." said Harry looking uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry. I've been so absorbed in my studies I didn't even realize I had been neglecting you that badly. Would you like to sit with me at dinner? I won't crack open a book or speak to Greg, the whole time." they seemed relieved and somewhat appeased.

"Deal. Where is Goyle anyway?" said Ron.

"He was in the library last time I checked, studying for a charms test."

"I'm starving." said Ron as he pushed his two companions slightly towards the oak doors.

"No surprise there." Harry said affectionately.

"Bugger off." Ron said smiling.

Gregory had been spending every waking moment with Hermione or studying or both. He was ecstatic. They had a daily ritual now. Of course the ritual was different each day of the week. He was sitting across from Hermione in the library pretending to read his DADA book. He couldn't concentrate on school right now. Hermione was writing furiously on a bit of parchment and she looked gorgeous when she had a new idea. He wanted to speak, but didn't want to interrupt her thought process. As soon as she laid down her quill he spoke.

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Greg?" She looked up at him.

"Um, would like to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"

"Sure, do you need to get new quills or something? Even if that isn't your initial need, your quill looks hideous. You should replace it." The last thing on his mind was his quill, although it was pretty worn.

"I mean would you like to have lunch or something? Like a date." He looked down at his hands as comprehension drew on her face.

"Greg, I would love to." She didn't say another word, she just returned to her studies. It drove him mad, but she had said yes.

She had been waiting for this for weeks and knew she shouldn't let the flutter in her stomach affect her decision making process, but she couldn't help it. Harry and Ron would be furious and she knew they would have to answer questions, but she couldn't wait. During their time in the library there had been moments when their hands brushed or when their face got a little too close during practical lessons. She had felt the mounting tension, although she wasn't sure if he was uncomfortable or feeling the same things she was.

0o0

Hermione sat in her common room. She had her own room and living space, perks of being head girl. There were little notes and pieces of parchment all over her work table and it looked as though she was solving a puzzle. There was a book on her lap and she was turning pages furiously. This had been a nightly routine for the last three weeks; as soon as her homework was done and rounds completed she would sit at this table and lose herself in finding a way to reverse his mistake. It was nearly two o'clock in the morning on Saturday, but she wasn't aware of that. She was so close, there was only one more piece missing.

Gregory sat in his common room, nestled by the fire and completely alone. He was thinking of his date tomorrow and how much of a disaster it was bound to be. Hermione was now in every dream that he could remember. Even that first night, he was so curious and dumbfounded at her explanation. He wondered if he would ever know his true motives for his actions. He hadn't even bothered asking if there was a way to reverse it. The grave looks on everyone's faces answered that question immediately. He was perplexed by her interest in him. She was the brightest witch of her age, head girl, bloody gorgeous, and the kindest person he had ever met. What would she see in him? He barely had the knowledge of a second year and he certainly couldn't be considered handsome. He hoped he could find some answers tomorrow. It could be out of pity and a sense of duty. He sincerely didn't want that.

Both staggered to bed at nearly three that morning, only to wake up at nine in anticipation of the days events. They had decided to meet in the entrance hall at noon and then eat lunch at a little café in Hogsmeade. They may or may not shop afterwards; it all depended on how lunch went. They were both incredibly nervous and anxious.

Greg was standing against a wall in the entrance hall at 11:55, waiting for his date. When she finally came down the stairs his breath hitched and he found he couldn't call her attention towards him. She was stunning, even with the huge coat, gloves, and scarf. She had done something to her hair and he had a sneaking suspicion she had make up on; not that she needed any of these things, she was already beautiful, but she had made extra effort for him. He flushed at the thought of it and finally found his voice.

"Good afternoon, Hermione." she turned her head towards him and smiled.

"Good afternoon, Greg. Are you ready to head towards the carriages?" he nodded, but grabbed her wrist so he could hold her attention. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "You look stunning." She kissed his cheek again and mumbled a thank you.

They walked to the carriages and rode to Hogsmeade in a comfortable silence. Once in a while one would turn their eyes to the other, their eyes would meet, they would blush, and turn their heads forward again. The carriage finally met its destination and Greg helped Hermione out of the carriage. He kept hold of her hand as they walked towards the café. Greg held the door open for her. A hostess seated them and gave them menus. Greg had lied. This was not a small café, but a rather nice restaurant.

"I thought we were going to a café." she stated bluntly.

"We were, but I had a change of plans. This seems a lot more appropriate now. Is there a problem? We can go to the café if you want." He was looking at her as though he had done something wrong.

"No, this is nice. More than I expected, but nice." she blushed and hid her face behind her menu. Soon the waiter came and took their drink orders and brought bread. It wasn't until the bread hit the table that Hermione came from her hiding place. She slowly lowered the menu and looked up at him. He was wringing his hands nervously and his eyes were locked on his glass. He hadn't noticed her emerge.

"Greg, I have a bit of news for you." his head darted in her direction, startled by her voice. "Now, don't be mad at me or get upset, but I have been doing a lot of research. I didn't want to say anything until I knew that I had something worth showing." she pulled a role of parchment out of her bag and handed it to him. "I have been searching for weeks, looking for something that could return your memory. I think I have stumbled upon an option." As she was saying this Gregory was reading the very long piece of parchment.

"Hermione, thank you." he spoke as he read. "I hope that you haven't done any of this out of guilt because we already had that discussion. I don't want you wasting even more of your time on me."

"I'm not doing this out of guilt and I don't consider anything that helps you a waste of time. I did it because I wanted to help you and because-" she paused and looked quite thoughtful for a moment. "I care about you and I want you to be whole. Yes, I feel horrible because your state is my fault, but that was not my motivation for doing this." she looked into his eyes searching for answers, any sign that he had taken in the full meaning of her words. He looked like someone had just hit him with a truck, but he had a huge smile on his face. The waiter came around the corner and stood in front of their table, wearing the fakest smile. "Are you ready to order?" They ordered their lunch and waited through the long pause that followed. Finally Greg broke the silence.

"You mean you didn't just say yes to today out of pity?"

"No, I would never do that, especially when your intentions were so obvious. I really do like you. I would not have spent hours researching out of guilt and I wouldn't spend hours tutoring you if I didn't enjoy our time together immensely." she, of course, blushed furiously after this statement, but there was that smile playing on her lips.

"I- can we come back to this conversation? I need sometime to think about it. This" he said pointing at the parchment. "Spell will give me my memories back?"

"If my research is correct, yes, but the headmaster will have to perform it. It's quite complex."

"I don't know if I want them back. I don't think I want to remember all of the things I've done. Thank you so much for doing this, it really does mean a lot to me. I just need to think about it a while."

The waiter came around the corner, handing them their lunches.

"This waiter has the worst timing ever, I think." Hermione said and giggled into her pasta. They ate in relative silence, thinking over everything that had been said in the last few minutes. Just as they finished eating Hermione asked the one question that had been plaguing her thoughts since she realized her feelings for Greg.

"Do you think that you will still feel the same way about… me when, or if, you get your memories back?"

"I don't know. I'm not entirely sure of how I feel about you right now, maybe the old me had that part figured out. Even if I get my memories back, it won't erase the past few weeks and everything that I have felt, so I imagine there would be something there. We have to remember, he saved you, not me. There must have been a reason." he grabbed Hermione's hand over the table and gave it a sympathetic squeeze.

"I imagine you're right. I should stop worrying." she said as she stood up since they were about to leave. They exited the store and headed towards the quill and parchment store. Greg still had to replace his.

The radiant purple sunset calmed Hermione as they walked to the carriages. Greg stopped and pulled her into his arms. She tensed at first from alarm, but soon nestled into the crook of his shoulder. She hadn't noticed how much taller he was until that moment. He leaned down and pulled her chin up to look in her eyes.

"I had a really, really good time today. Thank you for accompanying me." They never broke eye contact. Hermione didn't know what it was about his intense brown eyes that held her attention so.

"I enjoyed it as well. We should do it ag-" she couldn't finish her sentence. Greg had leaned forward just a little and brushed his lips ever so lightly over her. You could call it a kiss or a ghost kiss, but it had the same general effect. Hermione's knees went slightly weak so Greg put his arm tighter around her waist. After he pulled away, Hermione smiled slightly.

"Hermione will you be my girlfriend?"

She didn't say anything just smiled brightly and kissed him again.

"Is that a yes?" he asked as they parted.

"Yes, Greg that would be a yes." she grinned and took his hand. They walked leisurely to a carriage and made their way back to the castle.

A/N: When this story was first posted, I was in a loving relationship, engaged infact, and the date seen didn't seem fluffy to me at all. Now that I'm properly bitter and well jaded, whatI just posted makes me wanna puke, but it is how I wanted it. Believe me you will wish it was more fluffy at the end. :Evil Grin: Review. Five should be up shortly. I'm almost done fiddling with it. aLtO