A/N: This is probably the easiest week of my career. I was able to write two chapters yesterday and now I'm writing another one. I think I'm finally starting to move this story along with the so-called plot. Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage…

Last Chapter: Harry is happy and Hermione has noticed this development. Goyle asks Harry for help in Transfiguration and Ron upsets Hermione.

The last rays of the sun could be seen reaching through the windows of the Library as three students worked together studying. Harry Potter was standing over a slightly confused Gregory Goyle who was racking his brain over the most recent development in his Transfiguration essay. Hermione was sitting next to Goyle going over the text for what seemed like the fourth time as she finally started to see realization pass over the large boy's face. Harry and Hermione had been working with Goyle for over an hour, and this was the first time he seemed to understand any of it.

Harry leaned over Goyle's left shoulder looking down at the essay he'd written. Harry took the quill from Goyle and reaching over his right shoulder he crossed out something Goyle had written and reworded the sentence properly above what he had crossed out. When Harry had finished he became very aware that he could feel Goyle's warm breath on his neck. Harry had been so caught up in helping Goyle that he hadn't thought of how close he was getting. Harry didn't feel uncomfortable, he still wasn't sure what he felt but after feeling Goyle's breath on his neck, he knew that he liked what he was feeling.

Withdrawing himself from the closeness with Goyle, Harry stood up straight and smoothed his robes. "Alright then Greg, time to rewrite it. You'll learn it much better if you go over the essay again." Harry said cheerfully and Hermione nodded in agreement. Goyle began to rewrite his essay and didn't notice when Hermione motioned her head for Harry to sit next to her.

"I think he's going to take some work Harry," Hermione whispered, "He's a nice guy though, so I won't mind, but don't forget, we do have our own studies to attend to." Harry nodded in agreement. As he did so, he looked at his new friend, who was working with great effort to finish his essay. His eyes scrunched as he looked at his scrawled words, his lips with a serious and taut expression. Harry could see something familiar there but he wasn't sure what it was. He wanted very desperately to understand what he was feeling but he wasn't sure if he could ask anyone what it was.

As the night went on, Goyle had finished his Transfiguration essay and was studying for their charms and divination classes. Harry and Hermione were bent over their own Transfiguration essays. These proved to be far more difficult than Goyle's as they were dealing with human transfiguration. When it was around half past nine, Hermione gathered up her things and told Goyle that she would be in the library with Harry the next night after dinner if he needed her help. She smiled at him and told Harry not to be late for curfew and off she went to Gryffindor tower. She still seemed to be a little upset over what had happened with Ron earlier that night, and Harry decided it would be best to give her a little space to figure it all out.

Harry was glad to be alone with Goyle or a moment, being with Goyle wasn't quite like being alone with Ron or Hermione. Harry still couldn't quite place what he was feeling, but he knew that Goyle had something to do with it.

"You didn't tell her did you?" Goyle asked, "I mean she didn't laugh at me at all. But she did seem very nice…" His voice trailed off.

"Tell her what? And she's being nice because she IS nice Greg. Although a little sensitive, still a nice girl." Harry replied plainly, he was wondering what Goyle was talking about. What could Harry have told her about him?

"About the other night, when we were alone, you know." Goyle explained, motioning at his eyes. He was referring to when he had cried in front of Harry after the Start of Year Feast. Harry understood at once what Goyle had meant yet he didn't understand why Goyle was bringing it up now.

"Greg, some things are personal. And even though I was a little mad about what had happened during our first five years, I didn't want to betray your trust before we could become friends. I rather like being friends with you. You're a great guy mate." Harry told Goyle with a great smile. At this Goyle smiled back and looked into Harry's eyes. For a few moments they just looked into one another's eyes, unwavering as they tried to understand what they were feeling.

Their reverie was cut short by Madam Pince telling them that the Library was closing for the night. It was now a quarter to ten. The two gathered their things and said good night. They had Divination first period the next morning and they agreed to meet outside the Great Hall to walk to class together after breakfast. Harry felt very excited and anxious to be in class with Goyle the next day. During their first week back Harry had improved at Divination immensely. This was Goyle's doing of course and Harry was very grateful for that.

When Harry walked into the Gryffindor Common room he was greeted by Hermione who smiled weakly at him. Moving to the couch where she was sitting, he sat down and put his arm around her. He hoped Ron hadn't said anything to her to upset her again. Hermione put her head on Harry's shoulder and he patted her hair, telling her it was going to be ok.

"Did you talk to Ron?" He asked her quietly, not wanting to upset her again, but trying to feel for what was making her sad.

"No, not since before we went to the Library. I'm still mad at him though and I don't want to see him right now." Hermione immediately responded. "I have noticed something Harry. You've been really happy this week and I can't really tell why. I'm really glad that you're happy, but could you tell me what it is?" It was her turn to ask a question, not wanting to upset Harry.

"I don't know Hermione, I'm not sure I even understand it myself. This week has been so nice. Ever since we arrived at Hogwarts Sunday night everything has been, almost perfect, except what happened tonight…" Harry trailed off. He then went on to tell her about his classes with Goyle and how friendly they had been toward one another. Harry didn't know why he was telling her about his feelings, but he genuinely trusted her and was sure she'd read about this somewhere. Harry told Hermione about the similar vision he and Goyle had in Divination and he even told her about the feelings he felt when they touched. Hermione listened intently, considering everything that he was saying; it wasn't until he told her about looking into Goyle's eyes earlier that night that she began to put two and two together.

When Harry finished explaining, he looked into the glowing fire of the common room. It was warm and comforting, the glowing embers giving off heat and the flames giving off light. Hermione thought about what Harry said before speaking. She would not want to upset her friend, but she didn't want him to feel as though she didn't understand. Considering what he had said, she spoke carefully.

"Do you remember last year when you had been with Cho? And she made you feel similar, only you weren't sure what to think because you often felt uncomfortable around her? I think this is similar to that Harry." Hermione paused, letting this development sink in. "Except you've known Goyle for longer, and for a long time you were enemies so confronting him, or being around him, was always easy. This is the same, only the opposite of that." Then she took a chance, hoping Harry wouldn't storm off in a rage. "Do you think that you have feelings for him?" Hermione asked him, almost too quietly, but Harry had heard her.

Harry considered what she had said. Was Harry having romantic feelings for Goyle? It seemed almost impossible. Goyle was a boy and a Slytherin. This couldn't be possible, but what if Harry wasn't the only one feeling that way? There were so many questions racing through Harry's mind, he didn't know what to think.

"I dunno Hermione. I mean… maybe… er… I don't know. And so what, I mean, he probably doesn't feel the same. He couldn't, it's not possible." Harry seemed to give up. "Hermione, what's going on?" He pleaded with her. He wanted to understand what was happening, but he had no way of knowing. He wanted to trust his friend, but he wanted to know that what he felt was normal, but he wasn't sure how to ask.

"I watched you two today. It's not like he was exactly shying away from you. He did seem a little perplexed, but I don't think that was you Harry. Haven't you two been getting close these last few days?" Hermione's response caught Harry off guard a little. It was true that they had been getting close during that first week back, but that could just be for want of friends. Harry had spent the summer alone at his Uncle's house, getting a few letters from the Weasley's, Hermione and Remus. Goyle had been in hiding during the summer. Harry wasn't sure what this meant, but he did know that he was happy because of it, even if it was just a new friend for him. Hermione seemed to understand what Harry was thinking. "You could ask him what he's thinking, not directly of course, or you could try to make something happen..." Her voiced trailed off as Harry cut her off.

"What? Never, I couldn't…" Harry said this so suddenly it stopped Hermione's thoughts short. "I don't know what's going on. On one hand I've been happy this week, and now, I just don't understand." Hermione could see the turmoil in her friends face. Deciding that this was going to take some time, Hermione would try to change the subject a little.

"I didn't mean to upset you Harry." She said calmly, "Let's just take this one day at a time, shall we?" Harry wasn't sure of what she was getting at, but he wanted to badly to understand that he listened, trusting his friend to help him. "You said you were going to meet Goyle and walk to Divination with him after breakfast. Well, I say you should do just that. Try to sort out your feelings for him, try to see if he might feel the same way back, but don't try to avoid this Harry." Hermione concluded slowly. This was not going to be an easy situation to work out.

Harry considered what she said and then cheered up slightly. "I guess." He said finally with a smile. For a little while longer they sat by the fire in the common room without speaking. As the fire starting to die out and the embers were left giving off only a little light the two friends parted and went to their dorms. Harry told Hermione that he would have a talk with Ron in the morning before breakfast, promising to beat some sense into the deluding red head if he needed to.

The next morning when Harry awoke feeling rested, he quickly dressed and went over to Ron's bed where his best friend was getting ready as well. Ron appeared to be very grumpy, and even though Harry knew this wouldn't be easy, he knew that it had to be done.

"Ron, I'm not taking her side on this, but I want to know what happened between you two yesterday." Harry told his friend as patiently as he could. Ron looked at Harry, and even though he was very grumpy about the situation, Ron told Harry his side of the story, which wasn't much different from Hermione's. The only difference was where Hermione had found disgust, Ron had shock. He hadn't been prepared to answer the question, and the first thing that came out of his mouth was a very quick, "No!" In his mind, Harry put the scene together and now he could see both sides very clearly. This was all just a misunderstanding.

"Could you please just apologize to her Ron? She's pretty upset right now and I know you feel like this isn't your fault, but it would mean a lot to me and especially Hermione if you just apologized and tell her what you told me?" Harry gave Ron a look that told Ron that he aught to do what was being suggested. Ron considered what Harry said and finally agreed, but not until after they were at breakfast.

The walk to the Great Hall was one of uncomfortable silence. This was because Hermione was still upset and refused to speak to Ron. Harry hadn't been given a chance to tell her what Ron had said because Ron had been with him the entire time. When they reached the Gryffindor table what seemed like days later, Harry sat between his friends and piled eggs and sausages on his plate. He was very hungry that morning and decided to take advantage of a hearty breakfast.

After noticing that Ron was eating very little of his own breakfast, Harry nudged Ron impatiently and nodded his head toward Hermione, who head was buried in the morning's Daily Prophet. Ron cleared his throat.

"Hermione," He said, questioningly, trying to get her attention. She stopped reading the paper and gave Ron a stone faced glare. He gulped, but continued on bravely. "I'm… uh…sorry about last night. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings…" He stopped for a moment, not sure of what to say next. After a moment of silence that seemed to stretch through the ages he continued once again. "I was just caught a little off guard by those two," he said nodding toward Lavender and Parvati, "I had only meant to say 'no' because it's true… we aren't…" Ron's voice trailed off. He didn't seem to want to finish his sentence. Hermione looked at the look of guilt on Ron's face and something seemed to dawn on her.

"Hmm, well, I forgive you Ronald. But please try to be more careful with people's feelings in the future." Hermione responded quietly offering Ron her hand. Ron looked incredibly cheered up by this and shook her hand vigorously. He then turned to his breakfast and began to finally eat. Harry also noticed that Hermione was eating her breakfast finally as well. When she noticed Harry looking at her, she smiled and mouthed "thank you" to him.

Very glad that his friends had worked through this difficult moment, in what would normally have taken weeks, so quickly, Harry let his thoughts wander.