A/N: So here's 4. It's a handwritten page, front and back, longer that all the others. Since I've forgotten in the last two, I own nothing of Harry Potter, but I may in some ways own the characters of this story. This one's dedicated to Christopher 'cause he's awesome and I put him in it.

"So…uh…chamomile tea, huh…"

I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped me at his clueless tone. I looked up at him.

"Yeah, chamomile tea. Have you tried it yet?"

"Umm…no… I haven't really had the opportunity really yet."

I nodded. "Oh. Well there's always tonight. I could brew some for you. I've actually had some trouble sleeping, myself, recently, and I have some in the dorm."

He smiled and my mind immediately jumped to having said too much. Why would he care that I can't sleep? He'd probably think I'm a loon if he knew it was because of him.

"That'd be great… Really helpful…"

Helpful? So that's it then. I'm probably just annoying him. He can't really want my company. But then why's he here? I shook my head to rid it of my nonsense logic and laughed at myself. That can't be it.

He smiled at me and I couldn't help smiling back, completely lost in the way his eyes shone in the dim light of the corridor. He mumbled a total nonsense word and a portrait swung open behind me, startling me slightly. He motioned for me to go ahead. I nodded and stepped through, running straight up the stairs to gather my cauldron and the tea.

I came back down and set my things on the table. I smiled to myself as I saw him sprawled on the couch. I knelt down in front of him and tapped lightly on his knee. He jumped, almost falling to the floor, and I couldn't help but laugh. He smiled and looked away, embarrassed.

"How about you take the cauldron and get some water for the tea?" I motioned to the table behind me.

"Umm…yeah…" he nodded and got up, taking the cauldron and leaving the common room.

I sighed and moved back to the table, glancing over what I needed to do. I pulled my jumper over my head and laid it on a chair, loosening my tie, and set to work on portioning out chamomile, tea, and mint.

"I know what you're doing."

I jumped at the suddenness of the voice behind me.

"and what exactly is that, Oh Wise One?"

"You need to think about this. You've no way of knowing his side."

I sighed and leveled my gaze on Christopher as he sat across the table from me.

"You have no idea what you're talking abo-…"

"Don't I? I know about his reputation."

"Exactly. His reputation. Not him. I do."

"I hope you're right…"

I nodded as Chris got up and headed up the stairs and he came back.

"So what do I do with this?"

"There's a hook on the hearth. Hang it there so the fire can heat it."

He did as I asked and came over to the table, taking the seat that'd been vacated not a minute before. I felt his eyes move over me as I gathered the herbs into sachets and placed them into two cups.

I pulled out the chair next to where I was standing and sat. I let my mind wander with my eyes as I watched him. I found myself mesmerized by the way the firelight highlighted his features. As the light changed, so did my attention.

The light danced across his hair, bringing out so many tones and making it look even softer than I've ever imagined. He ran his hand through it as his eyes flicked away from me and back. My eyes followed his hand down to the table. He tapped his fingers anxiously and I watched the tendons move in the back of his hand. I noticed a small scratch on the knuckle of his first finger. He has such long fingers. I want to touch him. Still his fingers and bring them to me and kiss that tiny scratch.

My eyes flowed up his arm, across his shoulders. He's strong. I can see it in the way his shirt lays against him. And always in the way he moves. If I could feel that strength… If he held me just once…

I felt his eyes flick away from me and then back. My heart picked up a bit as my gaze traveled up still. I watch briefly the movement of muscles in his neck as he swallows. Further up still I follow the line of his jaw. Strong and shadowed in the dim light. The sudden urge to run my nose along it hit me with startling strength.

I blinked a few times and drew my gaze higher. His lips, just as soft looking as any other time I'd caught myself staring, were pursed out in thought. In that moment I would give anything to know what he was seeing because I know he's watching me just as I am him.

My eyes raised to his and the moment they met I turned away. The movement was jerky and clumsy and I felt my face flush. I gritted my teeth at my embarrassment and stared down at the table. The crisp breeze from the open window carried his scent to me at the same moment he laughed lightly. I closed my eyes briefly and inhaled deeply, before raising my eyes back to him face. His lips had curled up into such an alluring smirk. I gripped the edge of the table in a effort to not just lean over and…

"I think the water's plenty hot enough now."

I jumped, releasing the table as the glass stirring rod I'd been unconsciously clutching in my other hand clattered to the table. I blinked a few times and drew my singular focus out to see his expression. He looked concerned. I shook myself and smiled, part reassuring, part embarrassed.

I pushed away from the table and went over to retrieve the water. I set the cauldron on the table and began ladling the water into the cups. I took the lid off a jar of honey and poured some into my cup, stirring with the glass rod. I looked up at him, seeking his preference. He nodded and I tipped the jar over his cup. I looked up at him and completely lost myself in his expression as he watched my hands.

I jerked from my stupor as a warm hand closed over mine and pulled my hand from the cup.

"That's enough, thanks."

I looked away as my face flushed. "I'm sorry. If it's too sweet for you I can…"

"It's okay. I like things sweet."

My eyes snapped to his and my blush flared hotter at the double entendre of his sentence. I practically fell back into my chair. I picked up my tea and busied myself with taking a sip and stirring it needlessly.

Halfway through my cup, the water in the cauldron had cooled. I sighed and stood, taking it to the open window and pouring it down the side of the castle. I went back to the table and gathered my things into the empty cauldron and sat back down for the rest of my tea.

"I hope no one was leaning out the window."

I laughed. "Yeah. That woulda been a surprise."

I finished the last of my tea and yawned, already feeling it's effects. I smiled across at him and he smiled back before succumbing to a yawn of his own.

I gathered the two empty cups and my jumper as he stood and stretched. We both started on our separate ways to bed, but I stopped.

"Hey…"

He stopped and turned to look at me. "Hmm?"

"Umm…I…uh… Tomorrow night I have to watch the meteor shower for astronomy and maybe…umm…you could watch it with me…if you want… You don't have to. It's just a suggestion, really, an-…"

"I think I'd like that."

"Really? Great! That's…yeah…that'd be nice."

I bit my lip in an attempt to crush my enthusiasm and turned and rushed up the stairs. My heart was racing and I had to stop to catch my breath halfway up. When my pulse finally stopped pounding in my ears I could hear voices. I set my things carefully on the stair and quietly snuck back down.

"…what exactly you want from her."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Like hell you don't. I know your game."

"What game? I like her. Is that a crime?"

I trekked silently across to the other stairwell. Christopher had stopped him in the doorway, wand to nose.

"I know what you do to girls."

"Hey! Excuse me, but maybe you should get your facts straight. I haven't been with a girl in over a year because I've been waiting for her. I know you're her best mate and all, but you seriously need to sod off before I lose my chance."

Chris stood in just as much shock as I did, but recovered much quicker.

"Fine. But I swear if you hurt her, so help me, you'll be spitting slugs until your grandchildren finish school."

With that he turned and headed up the stairs. My pulse shot up as I sprinted across the common room and up the stairs.

He…really…wow…