AN: And its back! There will be at least one more chapter after this. Possibly more. Funny how procrastinating on studying for finals gets the creative juices going again. ENJOY my lovelies. Let me know what you think.
"But what do I do, Hermione?" Harry was sprawled out on top of her bed, staring at the canopy above without actually seeing it. Hermione had been relegated to a chair somewhere off to his right.
Everything had seemed so simple this afternoon. They had been flirting back and forth for ages, years going by the note currently burning a hole in his pocket. He had enjoyed coming up with all of the different ways he could get Draco to kiss him again, but the moment he had seen him in the common room, he had panicked and dragged Hermione upstairs to talk. That had been an hour ago, and he was still no closer to finding the courage to go back.
"Honestly, Harry. What's so hard about it? Really, you must know what to do by now. You've dated Ginny and kissed plenty of others."
"But those were girls. And besides," Harry huffed. "Ginny wasn't really one for letting me lead. It was always do this, and do that, and we're going out this weekend so you better be there."
"And you think dating Draco is going to be any different?" Harry could hear the smile, even if he was refusing to look anywhere but the ceiling.
"He is waiting for me to make the next move," Harry explained. "And I panicked."
Harry bolted up and stared at Hermione, wide eyed. Terror was etched across his face.
"What if I completely blew it and he'll never be interested in me again?"
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"He's watched you over the last 8 years, just as much as anyone else. I'm sure that he knows to give you the time you need to figure it out."
Harry slowly leaned back on the bed as he relaxed.
"As good as you are when it comes to fighting Voldemort and his entourage, you are utterly hopeless with your interpersonal skills."
Harry turned to glare at her.
"I do just fine with you and Ron."
"We don't count. You've known us the longest." Hermione met his gaze. "Tell me, when was the last time you introduced yourself to someone without stuttering or tripping over something?"
Harry held her gaze with a hard stare for several minutes, refusing to give her the satisfaction. Eventually however, he had to give in. He flopped back on the bed and groaned.
"You win." Harry moped in silence for a moment, before returning to his original question. "So what do I do?"
"That depends on how many people you want knowing," Hermione shrugged. "Neither of you really want the whole school knowing, so approaching him outside of the common room is probably out, except for classes."
"And I'd rather not have McGonagle know until after we graduate, thanks. We'd probably be paraded around to promote interhouse unity or something," Harry said with a wry chuckle.
"So that leaves either you attempting to get him on his own, or braving whoever is in the common room." Hermione paused while Harry thought for a moment. "At least, if you say something in the common room, everyone else here will know and you have one place you could be completely open about it."
"I hate it when your right."
"No you don't, I'm always right."
Harry counted to five silently before leaping to his feet. He dusted his robes off and straightened his tie.
"Well, let's get this over with."
And Harry strode out the door. Started by his abrupt departure, Hermione hesitated before she ran out the door behind him.