By Loralee
Disclaimer: Not mine just for amusement.
Harry Potter made his way through the station to platform 9 ¾ smiling happily. He was looking forward to the train ride to Hogwarts and a conversation with his best friend Hermione Granger who he had not seen all summer.
Once on the train he settled down in a carriage to await the arrival of his friends. He had been early for a change. Neville found him first and the two greeted each other warmly.
Soon the carriage was filled with his friends and then she was there. Hermione gave hugs all round and then as the train left the station she dragged Ron Weasley off to the prefects meeting with out Harry having the chance to say more than 'hi ' and 'I missed you' to her.
Ron came back to the car long before Hermione saying only that she was busy with some midgets.
Neville showed off his new wand, oak and phoenix feather, giving Harry a shiver. Harry told himself he would have to talk to Neville privately later. If anyone deserved to know the prophecy it was Neville though Harry found himself wanting to tell Hermione also.
Luna spoke about hunting Snorkacks and how her father had gotten pictures that would be featured in an upcoming issue.
Ginny proudly announced that she had not been made a prefect and the twins were proud of her.
Various DA member stopped by to either thank Harry for their good grades on OWL's or end of the year tests or ask about having the DA this year. Harry told them all that there would be DA one way or another but it was not to be known as Dumbledore's Army at all. That had caused too much trouble and Harry no longer believed that he could count on Dumbledore though he didn't say that to anyone.
Hermione came to the compartment shortly before they arrived at Hogwarts but Harry still had no opportunity to talk with her.
Malfoy never showed his face in their compartment for the first time since they all started school.
The sorting hat's song was ominous, the sorting long and the feast good. The new Defense teacher was a young man named Oscar Fields who Dumbledore said had just finished his Mastery in Defense and was an international Dueling champion. Students all over the hall looked at Harry after this as if asking his opinion.
It was late in the evening in the common room before Harry finally got the chance to speak to Hermione alone.
"Hey Hermione there you are I wanted to talk to you." Said Harry flopping down on the couch in front of the fire beside her.
"Hi Harry, you know you really look good. Ron told me you left the Dursley early in the summer. I'm glad you had a good time but he said you weren't getting alone with Dumbledore. What's wrong?" Said Hermione in a rush.
Harry blinked and then laughed causing Hermione to look surprised before she started to laugh also.
"Nothing is wrong, I just wanted to let you know how much I liked the book you sent me. I have to tell you it really confused me but it also made me realize that there was a reason to study. I was surprised that you wanted to practice that kind of magic with me." He said blushing.
Hermione looked at him with confusion for a long moment before responding.
"Harry I can't believe that you think I wouldn't want to be there beside you every step of the way. I think this is what it's going to take to defeat Voldemort and you can't tell me that you aren't the one who is going to have to do it. He just keeps coming after you. That has to mean something." She hesitated. "Would you rather have someone else at your back Harry?"
It was Harry's turn to be confused. "Hermione, I might have missed something but I'm pretty you need to be in front of me unless we'd go for an advanced group ritual."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about Harry?"
"The book you sent me as an early birthday present Hermione. I did read all of it. I bought the intermediate and advance editions this summer also. I've even practiced some of the solo exercises and the breathing section helped with my Occlumency."
"Breathing section? Harry there can't have been a breathing section in Battle Tactics for Wizarding Armies." Said Hermione with some exasperation.
She looked alarmed as all the blood suddenly drained from Harry's face and he began gasping for breath.
"Harry what is it. Is it Voldemort? Oh Harry talk to me." Said Hermione in a panicky voice. Suddenly she realized that he was laughing and she smacked him on the shoulder.
When Harry finally got his breath back he shook his head and said, "Hermione I think I'm going to be very embarrassed and you will be too I'm afraid but I have to tell you. The book you sent wasn't Battle Tactics for Wizarding Armies. However it was one that really made me want to study. It gave me an incentive for learning and brought me out of the depression I was in." He waved his wand and said "Accio book"
"Harry you can't just say such a generalized charm it needs to be more," she broke off as only one book zoomed down the staircase and into Harry's hand.
"You can as long as your visualization of what you want is specific." Said Harry with a grin, and then he became serious again. "I want you to know Hermione that when this book came I reread the letter you sent and in it you said that you were looking forward to practicing with me well I thought…" he broke off and took a deep breath. "Once you see the book you can probably guess what I thought. You are my best friend Hermione and I, well I love you, you know. So you read the book and if you want to talk about it ok, and if you don't well I won't mention it."
Harry stood and then leaned over and kissed Hermione on the forehead, then dropped the book in her lap and fled up the stairs to the boy's dorm.
Hermione touched her fingers to her forehead and shook her head slightly. She picked up the book and looked at the title. Sex Magick for Beginners, her face heated up and her palms began to sweat. All she could think was 'Oh God how did this happen?' and then, 'Practice with Harry!'
A/N Thanks to Treck for motivating me to work on this. :)