OH NO! I forgot my Disclaimer last chapter! (tsk tsk…) Well, here it is!  The rating has also gone up, if you haven't already noticed. It's for future chapters with minor language and kissing. If that bothers you, you may not want to read the story. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Um. ring ring Hello? Ms. Rowling? Well, I was wondering if I could own the characters for Harry Po- click Hello? Hellooo?sigh! Dang it lost her again. The characters aren't mine. Oh yeah, and some of the plot. Um, maybe if I call from the pay phone she'll stop relying on that dang caller ID… Wait, how the heck did I get her cell number? WHOO HOO, I HAVE ULTIMATE POWER! I can threaten to reveal the number as long as she sets me up with Rupert Grint… Oh, YOU'RE still here. Right. Sorry. Um, yeah, some of the plot and all of the characters… Not mine. tear tear Oh yeah, and if you're extremely thick, I don't have her number and I have not nor will I in the future threaten Ms. Rowling for a date with one very cute actor.ahem Back to the story. (gotta give Tay some credit for this one!)

Chapter Two: Is It Love?

Author's POV w/ Hermione's insight and thoughts

"God, Hermione, Snape's essay isn't due till Friday!" exclaimed Ron, "I think it's about time for you to put away those books and have some free time."

Hermione lifted her eyes off the page she was studiously reading and considered what Ron said. Snape's most recent essay was exceedingly difficult and required six pages of complicated and detailed research. Seventh year classes were noticeably more challenging but Hermione managed outstanding grades, as usual, occasionally helping Ron with his schoolwork as well. She was almost halfway through her Potion's essay already, so she decided to take Ron's advice and take a break.

"All right Ron, you win," Hermione said, lifting herself off the comfy armchair in the Gryffindor common room to go set up the chess set with Ron.

It was a dismal, damp, Wednesday in the end of March. Time had flown by once the two friends had said goodbye to Harry last year in late August. It would be a lie to say that neither Ron nor Hermione missed Harry. Hermione was always fretting about his safety while Ron could be seen with a frown of concern on his face at times when they mentioned Harry.

"OK, Hermione, this time I'm going to beat you fair and square," Ron declared.

But Ron's taken Harry's absence quite well, Hermione thought. Wouldn't he miss his best mate more than me? We would talk about Harry briefly in our conversations but then he would change the subject abruptly. Had he possibly moved on?

Ron had certainly been in high spirits so far throughout their seventh year despite the occasional reminder that the Boy-Who-Lived wouldn't share any laughs with the duo that year. He'd gotten back together with Lavender after she had apologized profusely of her previous faults, swearing she'd try harder with their relationship this time. Regardless of the fact the friends was one short of the original trio, Ron seemed to actually be living life. Adjusting to the frequent snogs Lavender insisted on giving "her Won-won", he certainly was having an enjoyable school year. Hermione however was slightly depressed and missed Harry greatly. How Ron could promptly change and almost completely forget Harry bothered her greatly. Nightmares sometimes slipped into her sleep, while here mind occasionally worried about Harry's well being in the daytime. The dreams were always about his battle with Voldemort and sometimes even ending with Harry's death. Hermione would then have to persuade herself that it really was just a dream.

Things have actually almost gotten back to normal, reflected Hermione. Well except that kiss he gave me last August… That certainly wasn't normal. And it didn't make me feel normal either. We've been friends since we were young kids at eleven. I certainly care about him a great deal but… is it love? Why do I suddenly have these unusual feelings for Harry? When he cared enough to kiss you, Hermione mentally answered herself.

Hermione ended her thoughts and mindless daydreaming once she became aware of Ron waiting patiently for her to start the game. "All right Ronald. Let's see your best shot."

Over on the other side of the room…

Ginny was lost in thought as she lounged in the Gryffindor common room. As his mesmerizing eyes floated in her mind, Ginny drifted off into a light slumber.

As she walked to her next Potions lesson she bumped into him. She giggled as he whispered softly in her ear. He guided her into an empty classroom nearby. Once the door shut with a quiet click, he pulled her close and kissed her. All thoughts and worries of her next lesson vanished as he said he loved her.

The scene suddenly morphed into the Hogwarts ground.

She sat by the lake casually reading when he arrived. He wrapped her in his strong arms and softly kissed her lips. They both looked obviously and contently in love. He grinned as he held up a beautiful array of delicate pink roses, her favorite. Her eyes sparkled in delight as she took the bouquet from his hands. His eyes twinkled with joy once he saw her face light up with happiness.

"Oh, Draco…" Ginny murmured.

Abruptly, someone tapped her, attempting to arose her from her dream. Slowly Ginny's eyelids fluttered open to reveal a blurred vision of a person. She rubbed her eyes to sharpen the image before her, and was taken back at the result. Her boyfriend stood near the chair were she dozed off, wearing a face of mild confusion and anger.

"So Ginny, care to tell me why you're muttering Malfoy's name in your sleep?" Seamus demanded.

Over on the other side of the room…

Ron finally stopped sulking enough to mutter, "Good game", to Hermione as she began to tackle Snape's essay once more.

"You play well, Ron," Hermione answered barely glancing up from her book but not unobservant enough not to recognize the girl that just entered the common room.

"Won-won!!!" Lavender shrieked with joy, immediately wrapping her arms around Ron once she was in close enough distance.

Hermione sighed as she buried her face into her Potion's book, attempting to learn, but not succeeding to block out the couple's conversation.

"Well, hey, Lav! Where've you been all day?" Ron questioned.

"Well, uh, you know, around, er," Lavender stammered, "uh, looking for you, silly!"

Either too thick to question her about her nervousness or too hypnotized by the way her lips moved, Ron merely shrugged and nodded. At once they began some sort of wrestle match involving their faces to meet and sometimes fail to break apart.

Hermione let out another sigh as she realized her Potion's essay was going to take much longer than she expected.

Early that Friday morning…

As Ginny freshened up to go down and meet Seamus for breakfast in the Great Hall, past memories flew back to her mind. Just the other day Ginny and her boyfriend had yet another row about a silly matter over her focusing too much on schoolwork and not leaving enough room for their "growing relationship". That argument eventually led to Seamus denying Ginny's excuse for muttering Draco's name in her sleep two days ago.

"Ginny, you and I bloody well know that isn't the truth you're telling me," he growled. "You don't just go and mutter someone's name while they're 'frightening' you in your dreams. I know there's something you're not telling me, and I'd like to know what. This is a truthful relationship we're having… isn't it?" he spat, as he stormed off to the boy's dormitories.

All that was true and she certainly would never want him to know the truth. She herself thought she was barely sane. Could I really feel something other than hate for… for… a Malfoy? Ginny thought. That glance he gave me… It was nothing more than just… a look… But do I want it to mean something more?

Ginny snapped out of her daydreams as she realized her stomach was growling for breakfast. She combed her long auburn hair once more and mentally prepared herself for the day ahead. Praying for no more fights with Seamus, she went down to the common room.

Hermione would never understand that there were bigger problems to worry about than just a trivial Potions essay, Ginny thought as she climbed though the portrait hole.

A/N:2 I just updated some typos and stuff that needed to be corrected, nothing big… but don't worry; I'm working' on the 5th chapter!! Ttfn!ad

Much love – your friendly fanfiction ant 3

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