The next morning Hermione was slow getting up. She knew that everyone else was already awake because they were excited for the Quidditch match later that day. She wasn't a huge Quidditch fan even so she went to every game to support her house and more importantly her best friend. When she went down to breakfast Ginny was dressed in her Quidditch robes already with her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. It made sense for her to become captain she was extremely good. Calm and collected when it came to a game. Hermione sat down across from her excited friend.

"Are you nervous?"

"Not at all, Hufflepuff is doing well this year but we'll always be better" Ginny said confidentially.

Luna showed up shortly after Hermione wearing her lion hat as usual. "Good luck today Ginny I'll be cheering for you."

"Thanks Loony," Ginny said affectionately. "I gotta go. One of the beaters is really nervous she's heard some pretty gruesome stories."

Ginny left Luna and Hermione alone together. Luna stared into her cereal bowl and Hermione busily read the paper.

Luna was the one to break the silence. "May I sit with you during the match?"

"Oh that would be wonderful Luna." Hermione said sincerely. "I don't like sitting by myself at matches because I don't really know what's going on."

Luna's smile brightened. "I could try to explain what's happening to you, though if my commentating is anything to go by I'm not any better than you."

They both laughed. Hermione enjoyed the sound of Luna's laugh. It was so cheerful and honest. Luna had also taken a moment to just enjoy the sound of Hermione's laughter.

When it was time for the match the headed to the stands, Hermione nervously grabbed Luna's hand so they didn't get separated in the crowd. Even after they found a good spot to stand Hermione found herself reluctant to let the younger girls hand to leave her grip.

It was a close match, Hufflepuff was indeed a strong team but they were still no match for Gryffindor. Luna and Hermione cheered loudly every time Ginny managed to get the Quaffle into the goal. In her excitement at the end of the game, when Gryffindor's seeker caught the snitch, Luna threw her arms around Hermione's neck and kissed her Hermione leaned into it briefly kissing back. It had been unplanned but it felt nice, nicer than Hermione had ever felt before in such a simple kiss, and nicer than Luna had ever dared imagine. Luna withdrew first nervously blushing when she'd realized what she had done. Hermione stood silently stunned for a long while seemingly unaware of the screaming crowd around her and her younger friend.

"I'm..." Luna started to apologize but Hermione rushed off before she could get the statement out.

Back in the Gryffindor common room there was much celebration. They'd won the first game of the season. Everyone seemed to be talking at once. Ginny was in the center of the attention. They congratulated her and gave her gifts. She looked around the room and but couldn't find Hermione anywhere. After everyone had calmed down she pulled one of the other girls aside. "Have you seen Hermione?"

"I think she said something about a bath." The younger girl shrugged.

Ginny frowned. She'd caught a glimpse of her friend running out of the stands after the game but she had no idea why Hermione had been in such a rush.

Hermione sighed. The water felt good. She liked being a prefect it had quite a few benefits and the bath was just one of them.

She felt her hand move up to her lips why'd she kiss me? She asked herself again. Why did I like it? Did I really kiss her back? She asked herself even more exasperated. She sighed and sunk deeper into the water. She stayed in the bath until her fingers and toes were pruned. She pulled herself out of the water feeling extremely tired. She wanted to talk to Luna almost as much as she wanted to avoid her.

When she made it back to the common room Ginny was the only one still awake. Hermione was surprised to see her.

"You've never stayed out past curfew like this before, at least not without Harry and Ron pulling you along. Where have you been?" Ginny asked trying to hold back a yawn.

"I needed to clear my head." Hermione sighed.

Ginny stood and wrapped Hermione in a hug. "Is everything alright?"

Hermione nodded and looked at her best friend. "I think so. We should probably go to bed."

Ginny nodded. "Hermione, if you want to talk about it we can."

Hermione nodded and headed up to the dorms. "Goodnight Ginny."

Hermione laid down in her bed but she couldn't sleep her mind was plagued with images of a certain blonde.