1997.11.18

Entry 12

I'm sorry this entry is late. I should've written days ago, but I've been so busy I haven't had the time. There are so many things to organize and plan and school work to do and N.E.W.T.s to study for and students to tutor. It's horrible trying to fit everything in, but it's fun. I'm enjoying the year.

Not a lot of things have happened, I've not come closer to figuring out who Harry likes, not one jot. In fact, I've moved farther away from the answer.

: Harry sat across the table, doing his schoolwork. He was scribbling away then checking a book every so often before returning to his parchment. Hermione wondered if he was writing an essay or just taking notes.

She smiled softly when he ran his hand through his hair, trying to get it to stay out of his eyes as he wrote. He didn't notice her smile, or the way she was watching his lips as they moved, mouthing the words he was writing.

"Harry," Hermione said softly and he looked up. "Who do you fancy?" she asked, hoping he'd finally give her the right answer.

Harry smirked at her and leaned back in is chair, "I suppose you'll figure it out soon enough," he said. He liked to tease her, to know something more than she did and to dangle it above her head for once, she could see that.

"Give me a hint," Hermione pleaded, knowing that's what he wanted.

Harry thought for a second, "Tell me who you think it is," he finally said.

Hermione smiled, "Sarah and Lavender and Jennifer and," she paused trying to remember the last name, "Brittany."

"Sarah's pretty," Harry said as he twirled his quill in his fingers, looking rather arrogant as he did. He leaned in, "Bad thing is, bit my tongue, she did, when we kissed."

Hermione laughed in disbelief but waited for him to continue, knowing even if he wouldn't tell her who it was, he wouldn't lie. It wasn't Sarah, even if his reason was false.

Harry leaned back again and set his quill down, "Lavenders not that pretty, no would've rather dated Katie Bell, she at least had some brains." Harry eyed Hermione, wondering if she'd ever figure it out. "Jennifer is nice, but I'm not one for blondes. Brittany though, she's qualified, but no, I'm not in it for beauty," he paused, "no, I'm after love." :

He said no to every girl on my list, well, I didn't say Ginny or me, but really, we're not technically on the list. We're just there to take up space really.

Anyway, I like what he said. "No, I'm after love." It's quite romantic really. I wish he liked me, I really do. I hate to say it but I wish my best friend liked me. It sounds so strange, so odd, but I wish it. I don't really feel bad for wishing it really. Harry's a great bloke, he's very nice and sweet and I'll not lie he's the best looking wizard in our year. He's brave and smart, but I'm his best friend. He'll never like me.

Still wonder who it is.

Besides Harry, what else has happened? I spent some time with Ron in Hogsmeade. He didn't help much on figuring out who Harry liked.

: "I don't understand why you have to go to Hogsmeade when we're not supposed to be here," Hermione said as they trudged along the passage way, Ron caring Harry's cloak under his arm.

"No crowds," Ron retorted.

Hermione smirked at Ron in the darkness, "Don't suppose you'd know who Harry fancied, would you?" she asked hoping he'd tell her. She wasn't sure he'd know, in fact, she knew he was pretty thick in that area. She didn't expect him to know at all.

"Of course," Ron said seconds before they reached the end of the tunnel. He stepped close to Hermione and threw the cloak over her. They walked into Honeydukes and slipped onto the streets. They turned down an alley and stuffed the cloak in the usual hiding place.

"Of course what?" Hermione finally asked.

Ron looked back at her, "'Of course, what,' what?" he asked, he'd forgotten the question already.

Hermione rolled her eyes at her old friend, "I asked if you knew who Harry fancied and you said of course. What does that mean?" She wondered if he was being thick or difficult.

"Oh," Ron said with a smile before walking into the street, headed to the Hogshead. "Of course, I know who Harry fancies, I'm his best mate," he said as they walked along.

Hermione smiled, happy to finally find out the answer, "Who then?" she asked.

Ron looked down at Hermione, "That's Harry's secret to tell," he said his tone serious. He looked up, "Come on, I want to get a drink before Christmas shopping," he said with a smile before continuing on down the street. :

We had a great time but he didn't tell me who Harry fancied, the great git. I can't believe he knows, Harry must have told him, he wouldn't have guessed on his own. Harry must have told him.

I'm really getting tired of this, I'm never going to find out if they don't give me any clues. I guess I'll have to start paying closer attention when we're around girls.

Harry's shown me another note from his parents.

: "Oy, Hermione," Harry said sweetly as he walked past her. He flopped onto the couch. Hermione followed him and did the same, falling into the small space he left for her. She felt her heart speed up immediately.

He handed her the small piece of parchment and watched as she read it.

Hullo Lils!

James.

How are you?

I thought you said you were going to leave me alone.

I did say that, but you enjoyed our date.

Did not.

I suppose that's why you were laughing so hard your butterbeer flew out of your nose.

I was laughing because you burnt your tongue, it was quite funny.

And you smiled when we were talking.

Did not.

Did too and it was the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.

Really? I mean, I didn't smile.

Did too, when we were talking about unicorns and centaurs. And when I told you about my pet puffskein.

Fine, James, I enjoyed the bloody date and hearing about your pet puffskein.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, I don't like breaking promises but I don't think I'd have been able to stay away from you.

Sure. Fine. I enjoyed it, now tell Sirius to stop dancing. Does he ALWAYS do that!

No, but you see, he won a bet with Peter and he's glad you enjoyed the date.

What type of bet?

Peter said you wouldn't enjoy the date and Sirius said you would, he won a knut.

Lucky him, a knut for the nut.

I resent that.

Stop laughing, James.

Stop smiling, Lily.

I'm not.

You are and you're smiling because I'm laughing and because Sirius is dancing.

No I'm not.

Are too, just deal with it. You love us.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh. She'd remember that forever, "a knut for the nut". She covered her face and laughed, not sure why it was as funny as it was, but she couldn't control the laughter.

Harry laughed at her, "It's not that funny, Hermione," he said.

Hermione looked up at Harry, biting her lip to fight back the laughter, "It is, don't know why, but it is," she laughed before she gave him a soft shove with her shoulder. :

I love Lily and James. They're so perfect for each other, and Lily, she's great. I love her, she's so witty. I wish I'd had the chance to meet her, it definitely be interesting talking to her.

I wonder if my parents were like that when they were young. I wonder if my mum was witty and I wonder what my dad's best friend was like. I've always taken that for granted, haven't I? Having my parents around. But, now I care. Now, I want to know what they were like when they were young. Now, I want to know more about them because they're not just my parents, but people.

I have to go to bed, I'm exhausted. I can't go to bed, however, without addressing one last thing. I think I've fallen in love with Harry. The tingling, my heart speeding up, the way I felt when he kissed me, all of it, I should've noticed before. I'm in love with Harry.