Author's Note:

Okay okay, next chappie is up! Ill have you know though that because all the chapters in this sotry up to chapter 8 are actually complete, i will be able to update pretty quickly...as long as i get reviews! HA! i feel evil! nah, i just would like everyone who takes pleasure in

my story to tell me, and why, cause i makes me feel good! And if you want another chapter, YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME FEEL GOOD! hehe...

well thats all for now...here we go!

Disclaimer: I hereby state this as a disclaimer for all of my upcoming chapters in this story. You all know i dont own Harry Potter (mind you i wouldn't be on here if i did, i'd be out SHOPPING with my BUNDLES of money like J.K Rowling) But i do own, however, Liam, my lovely little ravenclaw!

Chapter 5; who cares? They do!

Hermione walked quickly over the grass, looking back behind her shoulder to see a Lavender and Parvati wave at her before immersing themselves once more in the big group of girls. Although she was the regular bookworm this year like any other, she seemed to have attracted many more friends than usual. She didn't like to think that she was popular; because popularity was so overrated (she had learnt that from Harry). But never the less, she couldn't say she hadn't enjoyed the extra attention. And hey, Pansy seemed jealous, what was there to lose?

She smiled and turned back around to walk swiftly towards the courtyards. Some people waved at her cheerily and Harry winked at her as he and Ron passed. Grinning at him, she thought how lucky she was to have him as a friend. He had really matured this year, and she was glad to see he had grown up without Ron. Not that she didn't like Ron of course, quite the opposite. He had always been a good friend to her, even though they rarely shared the same opinions. Hermione doubted that she would ever fail to be their friend, even after she finished at Hogwarts.

She passed the greenhouses and looked towards a small arch of roses, the opening to the courtyards. Sunlight blared on her face and her hair whipped in the wind. She closed her eyes and took in the sweet scent of the flowers and trees; she loved their smell. Taking one last look at her appearance, she took a big breath, stepping through the arch and into the garden with her head held high.

Looking around the small garden, she spotted him immediately. Liam was on a small marble bench just big enough for two people. He was sitting on the very edge and his arms were leant back behind him lazily. He seemed to be inspecting his shoes but as soon as he heard the sound of Hermione's heels on the stone path, he looked up, grinning. Hermione flicked her hair back and tried her best to look natural.

"Decided to come then?" He said, patting the spot beside him. "I'm really glad you did."

Hermione blushed and smiled widely. She took up his offer and walked up to sit down next to him, her skirt flowing out behind her as she sat down beside Liam. Her legs crossed and her arms lay back like his.

"So, what were you thinking of doing?" Hermione asked, looking up at him.

He grinned again, and this time one of his hands made it on to her own. She flushed a deeper pink this time as she felt his fingers close over hers.

"Well" He said, looking up at the sky, "I thought we could go to Hogsmeade or something…

"Cool" Said Hermione, shrugging her shoulders and getting to her feet. "I need to get some stuff anyway"

"Then it's settled then!" Liam said. "Hogsmeade it is!"

"Tell us EVERYTHING!" The shrill voice of Ginny said, as they sat comfortably in the Gryffindor common room. Hermione grinned and tapped her nose knowingly at Ginny before rolling onto her back and sitting up on her elbows so she could still see everyone. The large group of friends was circled around the Gryffindor fire, Hermione and Harry lying on the floor, Ginny, Parvati and Lavender in squashy red arm chairs and Ron sitting cross legged on the table nearby. The girls groaned and Lavender nudged Hermione in the back with her foot. "Don't do this to us…you are SO mean!"

"Who cares what 'Mione did with that Liam dude?" Ron interrupted, rolling his eyes at the giggling girls before him. "I mean, geez girls, haven't you got better things to think about?"

The three girls looked at him as if he was an ugly piece of furniture and shook their heads in disgust as if to say 'you are so clueless' . When they didn't answer his remark he shrugged his shoulders and gave up on the fight. There was no point, he would lose anyway.

"I dunno whether you should get yourself caught up with him 'Mione" Harry said, looking at her from over the top of his Quidditch magazine. Hermione tilted her head and smiled softly at him. She knew he didn't like Liam. Harry and Liam had always been rather frosty towards each other, probably because of the opposing Quidditch teams but even Hermione had to admit, Liam always seemed to have a thing against Harry. She didn't know why, but she could see why Harry had told her to be careful.

"Thanks for worrying Harry but I think I'll be alright…" She turned back and slapped Lavender's leg that had just given her yet another push in the back. The girl squealed and giggled, scrunching herself up further into the chair so Hermione couldn't get o her. Hermione sighed and decided she better say something or they would never stop bothering her.

"Look, we just went around the shops and stuff, and he asked me whether I'd like to do it again some time…" Hermione said, waving a hand defensively.

Ginny gave a short laugh and folded her arms at Hermione. "You think you're gonna get by with those pathetic details? Come on, you must have done something."

Hermione looked hesitant and tried to sound as airily as possible. "Ahh…well we…

"HA!" Parvati said loudly, pointing a finger at Hermione. "Hesitation! The first sign that someone is LYING! He so did kiss you!"

Hermione bit her lip, trying to think of something to say back to her. But, as her brain produced nothing of use she sighed as if defeated and hid her face behind Harry's back, moaning slightly.

The other girls all let out happy giggles of contentment at finally getting what they wanted. After a few seconds of embarrassing laughing, they all leaned in and Ginny grinned more than ever.

"So…" She said, her eyebrows raised, ducking her head in closer so Hermione could still hear as her head was still buried within Harry. "…was there tongue?"

The girls all screamed with laughter at this and the two boys groaned. Hermione instantly removed herself from behind Harry, her mouth open with indignation. She grabbed a nearby cushion and threw it at Ginny, where it hit her flat in the face, just what she deserved.