Unsure of how to begin, Harry tried to organize and go through mini skits on the outcomes of such a topic. Thought after thought, he found every approach he took lead to disaster. Gritting his teeth in frustration, he could not only see but feel Hermione's own anguish. 'Come on, Potter, you can come up with different ways of capturing the Snitch, foiling Voldermort's plans, and pass my classes, but I can't even come up with a way to tell the girl I love my feelings?!' Harry cradled his face in his hands never wishing so much that some kind of disaster could occur to avoid something so hard.

Then an idea floated to his head. Something that will keep the situation comfortable but at the same time give them what they both want. "Hermione,' he faced her with fresh determination that surprised her, "there is something very important I need to tell you, but not right now, I want to tell you in private." His green eyes pleaded for her to understand.

"Harry-"

"I promise, please just trust me. I will tell you; I just need to figure out where and when. I…it will be before the end of our trip."

With a sigh, Hermione nodded. Harry gently picked up her hand and cradled in his, marveling how small her hand was compared to his own. Without thinking, he lifted her hand over his lap and begun playing with it. 'Her fingers are so slender and fragile looking, I can't believe that such frailty can duel and carry such heavy books. No calluses' with his other hand, he ran his fingers over the palm not noticing what his touch was doing to her, 'so soft, everything about her is soft, warm, and wonderful. So kissable.' His index finger feather traced the lines on her palm.

The finger trailed up her wrist admiring the light blue veins underneath the pale skin. A slight vibration caught his attention as his finger rested above the pulse. A gentle smile overtook his expression it was a sign of her life. It meant his heart remained safe. He was so tempted to kiss it as a way to say thank you for continuing to beat. Hoping that it will always remain so.

Harry was so enthralled by Hermione's anatomy that when he noticed the quickening of her pulse racing underneath his finger, he looked up to find her face flushed and slightly out of breath. Confusion washed over his features for a moment until he realized what he was doing. Soon, his face matched hers in colour and he dropped her hand instantly on his lap. To make matters worse, Harry felt her hand momentarily touch his upper thigh and he froze. Hermione claimed her hand quickly and both teens turned in opposite directions from each other.

The cold weather seem to not matter any longer but the constant heat they emitted from their bodies. An awkward moment separated the two as both tried to get a grip on what happened. Thankful for Hermione's quick logical mind, Harry heard her announce that it was already noon. Harry grabbed his bag, and they both ran for the lodge.

During lunch, Mr. and Mrs. Granger noticed the two teens acting strangely. A momentarily thought of hormones and first love combined instantly placed their worries to rest. Harry glanced through his menu while his mind remained on the girl next to him. Her presence seemed to hold a much higher impact on this trip than any other time they were together. 'Why? It was already awkward before and now it is almost unbearable being around her without me wanting to do something stupid. Everything about her is driving me insane! I have never felt such a strong urge to touch her.' He glanced at her as she was talking to her parents about what they did. He held up his menu higher to cover his face as thoughts invaded his mind. His eyes drifted to her throat and lips as they moved with her words. Her delicate hands resting on the table as she leaned forward talking with animation.

Her hair that looked like fine silk, Hermione was gorgeous. Her slender body revealed under her clothing, he had never felt so much toward anyone like he has for her. He loves her style, conservative yet revealing in the right areas. His face burned at his thoughts, 'Stop it!! Don't think about her like that, she's my best friend, who I happen to love, not some thing to gawk at! I don't want to think of her like that; I don't want to be like that old man at the store. Pure thoughts, Harry, PURE THOUGHTS!' Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the menu.

'All right, let's see what I should get. I don't know if I can eat anything with the way my mind is at the moment. Concentrate! Okay, a cheeseburger. Simple enough.' He checked the burger selection only to find a few choices, 'Nothing of interest, I'll just order chicken strips.' He fought with his imagination on what should remain dominant in his head, Hermione's body or food.

"Harry?!" Jerking away from his menu, he looked up to find four pairs of eyes looking in his general direction.

"What?" he could feel sweat sliding down his back and his face burning as hot as ever. Concern filled Hermione's eyes.

"What do you want to eat?" She stated.

"Oh! Chicken strips." The waitress scribbled in her notepad before listing off some of the other sides that come with the meal.

"Mashed potatoes or chips?" Harry had a slight thought on how well she spoke English; he figured she would have a thick accent.

"Mashed potatoes and gravy."

"Salad?"

"No."

"Soup?"

"No."

"No, dear, you get either a salad or soup. Which one?" The waitress gave him a knowing smirk.

"Uhh, soup." Harry had never felt so embarrassed in his entire life. He was behaving like a bumbling idiot right in front of HER and HER parents!! The waitress jotted his order down then gave him a wink before collecting their menus and leaving. He wanted to run. He wanted to bury his face in his arms and demand for this day to restart. He never wished so much to have the Time Turner in his possession. Instead he just grabbed his water glass and drank the entire contents at once. He kept his eyes on the glass ignoring the concerned looks he received from HER. As cliché as this was, he almost wanted to quote that famous saying, 'Can this get any worse?' but stopped himself knowing that it would only invite more problems.

It seemed like an eternity for the food. He felt a slight bump on his side to discover Hermione was getting his attention. He just shook his head slightly. When the food arrived, he stuffed his face with the food not caring how he looked. He just wanted to have something to occupy his attention.

After lunch, Harry kept his attention onto other things. When it was time for the two to depart from her parents once again, Harry realized he didn't know what their evening plans were. He was so engrossed with his thoughts that he found that he nodded and answered to questions without thought. 'Crap!' Not only that, but he knew Hermione was going to grill him about lunch. It was quiet so far, Harry's raw nerves had begun to settle. 'Maybe she had forgotten or doesn't care!' A part of him cheered yet another part was kind of hurt.

"So, are you going to explain what happened during lunch?" Her angelic voice graced his ears.

"Nothing." He casually responded. She was silent. He looked over to find her brows furrowed and her face revealed hurt. Alarmed again, he cursed himself for hurting her again. Grabbing her hand, he lead her to an abandoned alley to talk. She refused to look at him, but he knew tears were either on the verge of spilling or falling. With courage he never knew existed, he placed his fingers under her chin and lifted up her face. He gasped in wonder, despite her tears falling she, to him, looked absolutely enchanting.

His eyes fell to her full lips, his thumb lightly ran over the velvety skin. He heard her sharp intake of breath, but he found such a response pleasing. He was able to get such a response out of her from a simple touch. It filled his heart with joy that maybe, just maybe she did care, "Hermione." His voice was just breath as his eyes seemed locked on her lips. "What kind of spell have you cast over me? Why can't I stop myself when I know I should?" Unknown to him, he said his thoughts out loud that caused Hermione's eyes to widen at the revelation.

His voice was in whispers that made the idea of such words unreal and unsure. His hand moved to her cheek touching her as if she was fine china. She looks so fragile and delicate. He believed that if he wasn't careful enough, he might break her into a million pieces, as would his heart. 'What have you done to me?' The intense look he gave her was enough to make Hermione's knees shake. She wasn't sure if she could stand up on her own so she rested her back to the wall.

His hand traveled to her neck, Harry felt as if it was only but a dream. Such things could never happen in real life. Her scent was intoxicating. He felt himself being drawn to her as if pulled by a lure on a fishing line. His face moved closer to hers. Harry's nose briefly brushed against her cheek as his lips hungered for her heated lips. He felt as if he could not stop himself.

Hermione's hands ran up and down his chest, marveling at the structure she felt. She wanted him so much. Why was he teasing her like this? She grabbed the front of his shirt pulling him closer. She angled her face to meet his mouth with her own. They both wanted to close the gap between them but also knowing that such an action would no longer keep them in the safe confines of friendship.

Their breath intermingling with each other increasing the sexual rage between them, a delicious torture they both hated yet enjoyed. Harry moved in closer with mere millimeters of distance between their lips. "Hermione." His hand moved up her neck to the back of her head, his fingers tangling themselves in her hair. He wanted her so much. He needed her. She was his life source. His mind made up, he was going to close the gap between them. With newfound confidence, he moved.

Okay, I know it has been a long time since I last updated but here you go! I really hope it is to everyone's liking. I know, cliffhanger! What can I say? I love them. I'm a horrible author. :p I would LOVE to know everyone's thoughts on my chapters. How else will I know what you like unless you tell me? I will expect at least 10 reviews if not, I will assume people do not like it and will completely eliminate all the fluff in this story. Until next time.