a/n

This isn't the last chapter. I started this before Christmas and I plan on Harry and Hermione finishing the year. You know, the annoying ups and downs with "romance" and whatnot. This chapter is cheesey, but the cheese is necessary so we can get over it. I don't own Harry Potter.

A normal day for Hermione Granger was simple. Wake up early to get some reading in before breakfast, join Harry and Ron in the Great Hall, go to class, try and spend at least three hours at the library instead of lunch, go to class, join Harry and Ron in the Great Hall for dinner, and read before going to bed. All of this was completely normal for Hermione; however, today had been different. Of course, the only reason it was actually different was the way Harry was treating her. Maybe it was the way he looked at her when she answered questions in class. Had he done that the whole time? She had never noticed. He started sitting by her instead of Ron, making Ron give a more than confused look. In almost every class, he had touched her in some way. His hand would brush against her knee, or he would hold her hand and smile at her. As Hermione currently sat at her usual table in the library, the place where all of the questioning began, she couldn't help but wonder what was happening.

Obviously there is something going on, but what the bloody hell is it? Is he leading me on?

Instead of daydreaming in the library, Hermione should have been in the Great Hall, eating dinner with Harry and Ron, but she needed somewhere to think. One thing was for sure, she did not like not having control over the situation. In most things, Hermione knew exactly what was happening, and if something needed to be done, she did it, but what could Hermione do now?

I can't talk to him. What if I talk to him and make a fool of myself? Then all of these sweet antics will stop and then where will I be?

While Hermione was completely in her own world, she didn't notice a wild eyed Gryffindor heading her way.

"Hermione! Thank god I've found you!" said Lavender Brown, sitting in the seat across from Hermione.

Why can't he just be normal and ask me out in a stupid note or something? I wouldn't even care if it was a check box yes or no kind of note-

"Hermione, you there?" asked Lavender, snapping her fingers in front of Hermione's face.

Hermione snapped back into reality with a startled face.

"Wha..? Oh, sorry Lavender. I didn't notice you had sat down," said Hermione.

"Well, thanks Hermione. What were you thinking about anyway? Or maybe I should ask who," said Lavender, her chin resting on both of her hands, obviously begging for information.

"I…I don't know what you're talking about," said Hermione, playing whatever Lavender was thinking off by flipping through her book.

"Really? Well, that's not what Parvati has told me," said Lavender.

What the fu-

"I mean, it's not everyday you hear The-Boy-Who-Lived is having…relations with well, you," said Lavender.

"I bed your pardon, but I really don't know what you're talking about. Harry and I are just…Well, we're just-"

"Friends?" asked a deep voice from behind Hermione. Hermione jumped and Lavender seemed to look pleased with herself.

"Harry, oh we were just talking about you, actually," said Lavender.

"What are you doing here, Harry?" asked Hermione, who was starting to lose her breath.

This might be easier if he was ugly. Maybe I'll throw him in a vat of toxic waste and then he won't appeal to me anymore. Well…Somehow, I doubt it.

"I figured you'd be here. I thought maybe we could talk," said Harry, sitting down next to Hermione.

Lavender jumped up from her seat and smiled.

"Well, I'd better leave you two love birds alone then," said Lavender.

When Lavender was completely out of the picture, Harry scooted his chair closer to Hermione's.

"What were you two talking about?" asked Harry, trying to whisper.

"Oh, nothing really. Honestly, I wasn't even listening to her," said Hermione.

"Well, do you think we could go to the common room? I want to talk to you, but I want it to be more private," said Harry, leaning in to whisper.

"Of course, Harry," said Hermione, smiling.

Oh god, he wants to talk and he's not even giving off any hints as to if it's good or bad!

Life for Harry Potter had never been easy, but as he was walking to the common room with Hermione, his palms began to sweat and his heart was racing. The entire day, Harry had been doing little things to show Hermione how he felt about her. He knew they were new feelings and that he obviously hadn't shown them before, so he knew that Hermione must have noticed.

Did she notice? She had to have noticed. How could she not notice?

Hermione must have noticed Harry's weird behavior.

"Harry? Are you alright?" asked Hermione.

"Who? Me? Yeah, I'm fine. Haha, just fine," said Harry, obviously making himself look idiotic.

Oh god, she must think I'm a total moron.

As the longest walk in history came to a close, Harry's voice cracked out the password to the common room and they both walked in. Hermione continued walking in front of Harry, but Harry stood still next to the door.

"Hermione," said Harry, in a low, husky voice.

Hermione stopped and turned slowly around. She was biting her lip and wringing her hands. They stood there looking at each other for at least two minutes.

Alright, this is it Potter.

One thing the reader should know about Harry James Potter, he's not very articulate. Therefore, instead of actual words, he decided it'd be better just to show how he felt in actions. Harry slowly walked closer to Hermione, who was still biting her lip. Harry put his hand to her face and stroked it with his thumb.

"Harry, I.."

"Don't, Hermione. You'll ruin it," said Harry.

Harry, with one hand still on Hermione's face, put the other hand on her waist. He bent down, making his face only inches from Hermione's. In what seemed like forever, finally their lips touched. It was a brief kiss, but it was sweeter than most romantic comedy kisses. Once the very brief, sweet kiss was over Harry opened his eyes, as did Hermione, and they both smiled. Then, somehow quicker than before, Harry bent down again and the kiss became heavier. Hermione's arms snaked around Harry's neck and Harry's hands started to move from her waist to her back. Harry easily started to back Hermione to the couch. Before Harry could get her there, however, Hermione broke the kiss.

"Hermione, what is it?" asked Harry breathlessly.

"I...I just don't know that I want this to go any further without knowing what's going on," said Hermione.

"Well, what do you think is going on?" asked Harry.

"I don't know. Obviously we're not just friends. Friends wouldn't do this, but I refuse to be your friend with benefits," said Hermione, her brow starting to furrow.

"I don't want you to be my friend with benefits," said Harry, grabbing her hand.

"Then what do you want?" asked Hermione.

"I want to be with you. I want you to be my girlfriend and I want everyone to know. I want to be able to tell you how beautiful you are and that I would give you the world if I could, because that's exactly what you deserve," said Harry. Hermione looked surprised at this declaration. Actually, even Harry looked surprised at this declaration.

Tears had started to run down Hermione's face.

Oh god, was that bad? I should have thought about that before spitting it out.

"Harry...That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me," said Hermione.

Harry leaned in for another kiss but Hermione stopped him with her finger.

"However, I do need to study for exams before Christmas break. Goodnight, Harry," said Hermione, reaching up and giving Harry a peck on the lips.

Harry smiled and hugged Hermione.

"Goodnight," said Harry, smiling.

Watching Hermione turn around and walk to the girls dorms was difficult. This may have been because of hormones, or it may have been because Harry hadn't seem to have gotten enough of Hermione that night (which could still relate to hormones). He would have to get over it since he was now dating a bookworm, and he was alright with that. Dreaming about her would just have to suffice for now. Harry walked the stairs to the boys dorm. He turned the knob on the door and entered. Harry knew he wouldn't be able to sleep, but he had to at least try. He knew he couldn't risk failing exams over lack of sleep. After he put on his pajamas, Harry turned down the comforter and layed down on his four poster bed. With his eyes wide open and a large grin on his face, Harry knew one thing; he couldn't wait for tomorrow.