Chapter 23 Thoughts

The next morning, Hermione met Harry in the common room, which was empty. Harry pulled Hermione aside and wrapped his arms around her waist, gazing into her eyes. "What's up?" She asked.

"Hermione-I-I really wanted to thank you for what you and Ron did for me. I never properly did and I should have."

Hermione blushed a little as she looked down at her feet. "It's okay, Harry. We would have done anything for you."

Harry kissed her. "I love you." He whispered as she kissed him back. Then they walked hand-in-hand towards the portrait hole when they heard a very overly cheerful shout.

"Good morning!"

The couple turned to see Jessica bounding down the stairs from the first year girl's dormitory, a big smile on her face. She carried her backpack over her shoulder and Hermione could see a wand sticking out a bit.

"Morning," said Harry.

"Hullo." Greeted Hermione. "Where's Lavender?"

"I don't know. She's probably coming."

Jessica followed Harry and Hermione to the Great Hall for breakfast and along the way she began asking them a lot of questions, such as "How long have you two been dating?"

Hermione desparately wanted to tell Jessica to go away but didn't want to hurt the girl's feelings, especially on her first day at Hogwarts. When they sat down at the table, Hermione noticed Ron and Lavender deep in conversation and turned to Harry who was just staring into space. "Course schedules." She said, holding his right in front of him. He jumped.

"Oh-I'm sorry. Blanked out." He accepted his sheet and then peered over at Hermione's.

"How come you didn't say hi this morning, Lavender?" Jessica asked her elder cousin, moving down towards her. Lavender raised an eyebrow.

"Jess-let me make one thing clear. Just because you're my cousin doesn't mean we're always going to be hanging out together, okay? Plus you should be making friends with the first years instead of clinging to me." Jessica's disappointment was evident, and Hermione gave Lavender a nudge, feeling bad for the younger girl. She of all people knew what it was like to feel left out; until she'd met and befriended Harry and Ron, she'd been an outcast with the other first years. Though I was a bit of a brat, I'll admit, she thought sheapishly.

"Jessica, I know you're feeling shy right now, but I can see Erin is sitting down there all by herself. Maybe go and say hi to her?" Hermione pointed to another new Gryffindor, Erin McShannan, who was sitting amongst a few of the second and third years but was not really talking to anyone in particular. She was eating her breakfast with her eyes to the table, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Jessica frowned slightly as she turned. At last she nodded in agreement, and went to join the other first year. Soon, the new students got into a full-fleged conversation, causing Hermione to smile with relief.

Lavender shook her head with a roll of her eyes.

"Thanks, Hermione," she said. "My cousin's been like that ever since I can remember. Sticks to me like glue."

Hermione chuckled. "Well, it's natural for family members to stick together. Wasn't Ginny the same way her first day of school?" she turned to Ron, who paused in eating his toast, and blinked.

"What?" he asked, and Hermione gave a huff, glancing at her schedule, and comparing it with those of her other friends.

It turned out that Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lavender each had Double- Potions together third period and Harry and Hermione had History of Magic together fourth period.

"Great!" said Harry.

Hermione leaned against his shoulder and then gave him a hug. She caught sight of Draco Malfoy, who was giving her a look of through disgust. She knew exactly what he was thinking-what was Harry Potter doing with a filthy mudblood like her? Didn't he have enough decency to date a pure- blood? 'I am going to slug Malfoy one of these days,' Hermione thought bitterly as she felt Harry kiss her on the top of her head. She suddenly felt someone tap her on the shoulder and turned her head to see Ron who had moved over a few seats. "What other classes do you have, Hermione?" He asked.

By that time breakfast had arrived and they started eating. Dean and Neville came down to the Great Hall late, looking very ticked off about having to be awake so early. "Why can't the summer holiday be longer?" Dean grumbled as he moved his bacon around on his plate. "I DON'T feel like staring at the face of Professor Severus Snape for the first class of the day."

Harry sniggered. "I don't like to look at him ANY time of the day," he added.

Jessica soon came back over with Erin and got Lavender's attention. "We're going to class, Lavender. I'll see you later." It was clear Erin was happy with her new companion; the other girl was smiling and clutching her books, excitement very apparent in her blue eyes.

"Bye-have fun!" Lavender called after her cousin, waving with a grin. "At least she made a friend her first day. That's good."

Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione and leaned his chin on her head. "So what classes do you have this year, Lavender?" He asked.

"Let's see now. Double-Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Magic of the Dark Ages, Transfiguration and Charms."

Harry excused himself and turned to the side before sneezing loudly, causing a few of the newer students to jump. Hermione frowned as another erupted no more than a minute later. She felt his forehead just to be on the safe side and was relieved that it still felt cool.

"I'm fine, Hermione. Just my allergies." Harry sniffed. "Listen-let's get going to class-I'd hate to be late my first day and I really don't want to miss anything this year."

Hermione gaped at Harry. Harry was an average student at Hogwarts and usually didn't show a ton of interest in his classes as she did, and it was amazing to see him rushing off like this. The illness did seem to make Harry more serious towards his life, because he saw how quickly it could go. "Hey wait up!" said Hermione, snagging a piece of toast from her plate and grabbing her bag and her wand. "What are you in such a hurry for? You know we just have introductions on the first day."

Harry shrugged. "I don't know."

"Oh. Well-um-I'll see you next class then."

Harry kissed her. "I'll see you later-I love you." He waved and they parted in separate directions to their first classes. Hermione walked towards Arithmancy with an uncomfortable feeling inside of her. Harry seemed a bit distant these days, but he still managed to prove his love for her in little ways. She seriously hoped he wasn't sick again or something, especially the way he'd been sneezing lately. 'He does have allergies. He's probably just wiped out from them.' Hermione thought to herself as she pushed the door open to Professor Vector's classroom.