Hermione was coming back from Prefect rounds, and was still thinking on what to do with the Problem that was Severus Snape. Or, more tractably, the challenge that Draco had set for her. She was so preoccupied that, "Hermione," said in Harry's serious voice made her hop two feet in the air.
"Harry!" she said, as she fell to the ground, slightly twisting an ankle.
Harry spoke up, "Didn't mean to scare you, blazes!" he said with that effortless smile, as Hermione hopped on one foot, "But we need to talk."
Hermione, for her part, looked around for Ron, their ... well, former partner in crime. Not seeing him, Hermione gave a crisp nod, and sat down with Harry. "Spill," she demanded.
"Dumbledore wants me to treat with the goblins." Harry said, kicking back and crossing his feet in frustration, as he used his elbows as wings behind his head.* "I don't know a thing about them, Hermione!"
"Except that they often warred with Wizards." Hermione said.
"Yeah, five hundred years ago!" Harry laughed, the bitter edge to it playing discordantly across his face.
"So, you want me to find you something to read?" Hermione said.
"That'd help," Harry said, pausing, "I think we ought to ask him as well."
Hermione looked up at Harry's bright green eyes, nodding thoughtfully. "It couldn't hurt. I'll pass it along."
"Why don't we try the Room this time?" Harry said firmly.
"Good thinking," Hermione said, smiling. It wasn't the same without Ron, but it wouldn't be, would it? She supposed she couldn't expect it to be the same. At least Ginny wasn't getting involved. Hermione had sworn she'd seen Harry sending covetous looks at the younger redhead. And Harry didn't deal well with people going into danger in the first place - with someone he fancied? That'd be ten times worse.
[a/n: Hermione's definition of "Heads into danger" is a bit less graphic than Harry's, even with that curse fifth year.
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*hands on head - elbows out, make wings? you see?