Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Harry Potter or anything from the magical world. However, I own the plot of this story!

Chapter Two

Harry grabbed the spare cover off the bed where he had left it and laid it down on the floor. Hermione chucked one of the pillows at him and he put it on the floor.

"You scared of the dark?" Harry asked, playfully.

"No…well, maybe just a little," Hermione replied.

"Want me to leave the door open a little. Let some light in?"

"If you don't mind…" Harry shrugged and walked towards the door, opening it slightly to let in a small line of light and then flicked the switch. The room was plunged into darkness.

"Harry, you might want to let me get into bed first," Hermione whispered. Harry flicked the switch again and walked over to Hermione, who was taking her time getting around the stuff on the floor to his bed. She squealed as Harry lifted her into his arms.

"Honestly, woman," he scolded. "We want to get to sleep sometime this millennium!" Hermione wriggled, trying to get away, but Harry made sure she stayed in his arms before dumping her on the bed for the second time that day. This time, instead of tickling her, Harry pulled the covers up to cover her then after a moment of thought leaned down and kissed her forehead. He switched the light off and climbed under the cover on the floor.

Forty-Five minutes later, Harry turned over onto his other side for the umpteenth time.

"Hermione?"

"Yeah?"

"You still awake?"

"Nope."

"But-"

"Ask a stupid question, Harry, get a stupid answer."

"Want to play a game?"

"At midnight?"

"10 questions?"

"Eight and we get four each."

"Fair enough. Want to go first?"

"No, you can," Hermione replied, turning on her side in an attempt to see him better, which of course she couldn't as it was almost pitch black.

"Alright then. For my first question," Harry thought for a moment. "Fancy anyone at Hogwarts?" Hermione was startled by the question. "And it has to be a yes or no. Can't be a maybe."

"You read my mind, Harry," Hermione groaned.

"I know you too well."
"Yes, you do."

"Now, answer the question. Do you, or do you not fancy anyone at Hogwarts?"

"I do…" Harry sat up, instantly.

"You do?" He asked, alarmed. "It's Ron, isn't it?"

"Uh-uh, my turn now," Hermione said. "Let's see…" Hermione tossed a few ideas round in her head. "Would you ever go out with Ginny again. I mean, do you still like her?"

"Not any more. I'm over Ginny," Harry replied, then looked at Hermione. "Don't tell her I said that. It sounded a bit harsh. It's Ron, isn't it?"

"Ron, what?"

"You fancy Ron, don't you?"

"Of course I don't! Can you seriously see me and Ron as a couple?"

"Does that count as your question?"

"May as well."

"Fine then. Yes. Everyone kind of saw you two as a couple. Right, third question. I've got it. Is the person you fancy in Gryffindor?"

"Yes. Do you fancy anyone?"

"No. Last and final question. Who do you fancy, Hermione?"

"I refuse to answer that question."

"Don't spoil the fun!"

"I'll tell you who I fancy, if you'll tell me-"

"You know what, I'll just change the question. Do I know the guy?"

"Oh, yes. Ditto to your question, obviously and hopefully substituting the word 'guy' for 'girl'."

"You know her…"

"Can I ask one last question?" Hermione asked, suddenly.

"Depends…"

"Do you want to come and lay in the bed with me, you seem uncomfortable on the floor…"

"How would you know, you can't see me."

"I know you're uncomfortable on the floor, Harry. Just get in the bloody bed."

"Two of us will never fit in the bed."

"So? We're best friends, we'll just snuggle up or something. We'll figure it out." Harry sighed, finally giving in and climbing onto the bed beside his best friend. From the short distance, Harry could see her face clearly.

"Now, about this 'snuggling up'…" Harry thought out loud. Hermione moved closer to Harry and laid her hands and head on his chest.

"Night 'Mione," Harry whispered.

"Night Harry."

----------------

"Come on, Hermione," Harry pleaded. "I need to go to the toilet."

"Harry, you said you didn't need to come in. I'm getting dressed!"

"That was-"

"Ten minutes ago!"

"Why does it take you ten minutes to get dressed?"

"Shower, teeth…" Harry banged his head against the door, then thought of something.

"What are you wearing?"

"What?"

"What are you wearing?"

"Underwear, Harry," Hermione replied, really not seeing where this was leading.

"Grab a towel and wrap it round yourself."

"Harry, what-" before she had a chance to finish the sentence, Harry had burst through the door, slammed it behind him and darted to the toilet.

"Harry!" Hermione squealed, grabbing the nearest towel and covering herself.

"I did warn you!"

"I didn't even have time to blink!"

"I was dying to go!" She heard the zip on Harry's jeans being pulled up and Harry flushed the toilet, slammed the lid down and washed his hands.

"Honestly, Harry, you're so impatient!" Harry heard something downstairs and turned to his best friend.

"Come and get dressed in my room," he ordered.

"Wha-"

"Dudley's coming up to use the toilet."

"How do you-"

"I just heard him tell Petunia, quick. He won't think twice about barging in here." Hermione grabbed her bag of clothes off the floor and quickly followed Harry out the door and into the one immediately on their right. He slammed the door behind them and smiled as he heard thundering on the stairs. By the time he turned round, Hermione had wrapped herself in the towel properly and was staring at him. Harry's breath caught in his throat and he looked Hermione over.

"Harry," Hermione sighed. "I'm a girl, you've seen a girl before." Harry looked up at her.

"Well, yeah, but not…not like," Harry tried, rubbing the back of his neck and trying to stop himself from grabbing Hermione and kissing her.

"You really are beautiful, Hermione," Harry blurted out before he could stop himself. Hermione looked away and a tear rolled down her cheek.

Bugger, Harry thought. I didn't mean to make her cry!

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked, stepping forward to console her and forgetting about the awkward moment the two of them had just shared. He wrapped his arms round her protectively and she buried her head in his chest.

"You're the only person who says that any more…" Hermione whispered.

"Says what?"

"That I'm beautiful. Even my own parents haven't told me I look pretty, or beautiful or even cute for ages. I don't remember the last time any of those words came out of their mouths and no one else compliments me like you do. I'm just Hermione Granger. The know-it-all."

"I told you once and I'll tell you again. You're more than that. You're what holds me together. I wouldn't be anywhere without you." He felt Hermione nod and was just about to let go when a loud bang had them both falling. Hermione slammed into the bed first, followed shortly by Harry who landed right on top of her. Dudley burst into the room and Harry groaned.

"Bloody hell, you two are getting somewhere quick!" he sneered.

"Shove off, Dud. Don't make me get out my wand!" That did it. Dudley fled from the room as quick as he had come and slammed the door behind him. Harry looked down at Hermione underneath him who seemed to be in deep concentration, with her eyes closed and was breathing heavily.

"I'm really sorry about this, Hermione," Harry said, trying to lift himself up. He moved his hand to rest on Hermione's chest and yanked it back with a small yelp. It seemed enough to break Hermione's concentration and she opened her eyes, staring directly at Harry who was half way off the bed, repeating the word 'sorry' over and over again. He held out his hand and Hermione took it hesitantly, letting him lift her back to her feet.

"I am so, so sorry," Harry continued. "I really didn't mean for that to happen, I just-"

"Harry, it doesn't matter."

"No, it does. I've probably really embarrassed you or something. I didn't-"

"Harry, just stop. You don't need to keep apologizing for things that were never your fault."

"You…you're right, as always. But I am sorry," Harry said before clapping his hands together. "Now, hurry up and get dressed. It's a nice day and the park looks very welcoming." Hermione smiled and Harry quickly exited the room.