Hi my faithful readers, you guys are so awesome, I am so flattered by the reviews and the hits to my stories. A huge thank you to you all. Sending huge kisses and hugs.

Disclaimer: Definitely not the wonderful J .K. Rowling, she is too good for me..

Sirius xoxox

Chapter 5

Harry's mood did not get any better by the end of the week. He was snappy and to be honest Hermione had had quite enough.

"Mr Potter, would you like a coffee?" Hermione stuck her head in through his door. He was writing something and at the interruption, he growled out loud.

"What is it?" Harry snapped and it didn't help that Hermione had gone back to referring to him as Mr Potter.

"Nothing, I just asked if you wanted a coffee, but to be honest I think a mood check is in order" Hermione turned and walked out of the office. She threw her pen on the table, and walked out into the kitchen.

The house elves were aware that Miss Granger did not want to be waited on so they left her to make her own coffees and such. She stormed into the kitchen and opened the cupboard with a little more force than necessary then she opened the cutlery drawer and snatched out a teaspoon. She put the kettle on and turned around then she let out a frustrated growl and put her face into her hands. Harry walked in quietly and saw her standing there with her face in her hands and he felt guilty.

"A coffee would be nice, please" Harry said it quietly but knew she would hear him. She dropped

her hands and looked at him,

"What is it Harry? What have I done to deserve this treatment from you? What has everyone done to deserve this treatment from you?"

"Nothing Hermione, I am sorry" Hermione growled again,

"No, Harry that's not good enough, you have stomped around here all week abusing everyone. I cannot put a foot right with you and if you are really that unhappy with my work, will you just tell me?"

"No Hermione that's not it at all, I am sorry I am being so rude, I don't know what has come over me." Harry walked over to her and stood in front of her, she looked at him closely. His faced looked strained and tired. It was like he hadn't had a descent night sleep for a week and she obviously wouldn't have known that he actually hadn't slept in a week.

"Harry, you look really tired, maybe you should get some rest." Harry continued looking at her and

the urge to reach out and touch her face was becoming irresistible. She heard the coffee machine switch off and she turned around to make the two coffees. Harry stepped back and tried to regain his composure.

"Harry, are you happy with me?" Hermione said as she poured the coffees.

"Yes Hermione, more than you will ever know." Hermione nodded, gave him his coffee and walked back to the office.

The afternoon moved on and the atmosphere was a little better than before.

Since it was Friday, Hermione was looking forward to seeing her mum tonight. Jake popped his head in earlier and told her he would take her home and she agreed as she wanted to talk to him on the way home.

It was 5.30pm and Hermione was clearing away her files and tidying her desk. Harry walked out and was leaning on the door frame watching her work. He felt better that he had apologised for his behaviour but he wanted to talk to her some more and get to know her without biting her head off. She turned and placed some files in the filing cabinet and saw Harry standing there, looking ever so gorgeous.

"Is there anything else you need, Harry? I was getting ready to go home."

Harry shook his head but smiled anyway. He heard his brother talking in the hall and decided against watching their interaction.

"Have a good weekend, Hermione."

"Thanks Harry, you too." Hermione collected her bag and jacket and walked out to meet Jake. Lily was standing with him talking at the front door. Jake put his hand out to Hermione and she sheepishly took it. Lily watched the exchange and smiled. She wished them both a good evening and went back into her office. Harry was watching them leave through his window.

"What is going on with you two?

"Thinking out loud, son" James had just arrived home and walked into his son's office to see how he was getting on.

"Oh, hi Dad, didn't hear you come in, how's things down at the Ministry?"

"Well, it looks like you have had a more eventful week than I did" James had walked over to stand near Harry to watch Hermione and Jake drive away.

"So, son, are you OK? Is all that problem with Jake sorted out?"
"Yeah Jake's ok, sort of, and as for Hermione, she has turned out to be very efficient and does her work well. She's organised my diary for two months, got all my meetings booked and confirmed"

"Harry, you're talking to me now, your Dad. Are you sure everything is OK, you're not yourself?"

"Yes Dad, I am fine, it's just work" Harry walked away from the window, and went to sit at Hermione's desk.

"Oh, who am I kidding, I can't get her out of my head dad, she's amazing, she's so efficient, and she knows what I want, even before I know what I want. She has everything in order and she's only been here for a short time. How am I going to survive the month, hell how am I going to survive the year? And of course she is dating Jake." Harry had his head in his hands, while his dad watched him. James knew this was what was really bothering him. He also knew Harry wasn't letting out all the details. Maybe, just maybe, someone had finally broken through that tough exterior Harry had set around himself.

"Well, if she is so efficient and perfect for the job, then the problem must be her going out with Jake?" James knew he was pushing his luck but he thought he would try while he was on a roll.

"Dad, I don't know, I just, don't know. I want Jake to be happy but her, why her?"

"What do you mean son, why not her?"

"I don't know dad, ok, ok, what happens when they break up? Will I lose my Pa?"

"I think you know that's not really the problem son, maybe it's because she has a brain in her head and she isn't falling over the famous Harry Potter, and maybe, you're just not used to it son" Harry stared at his father and even though he wouldn't voice it, he was thinking those exact thoughts.

Harry stood and said he was going out for a swim to relax. James had a smile on his face when he went to Lily's office.

Hermione was driving along with Jake while he talked about the Quidditch tour. She asked him whether he would be back for the function dinner but he wasn't sure if he could arrange time off so early into the season.

"Jake, I want to talk to you about....us" Hermione was fidgeting with her fingers in her lap.

"Hermione, what's wrong?"

"Jake, you are wonderful and I think you are too good for me, but I am not sure about a relationship at this time" Jake looked at her and was slightly amused at her discomfort.

"Hermione, we can take things slowly, if that's what you want?"

"Yeah, I do. Its also the way you ...sort of... call me pet names." Hermione was nervous, she didn't want to hurt his feelings but she was also very uncomfortable with the way things had been going.

"Hermione, I am sorry, I did that this morning just to shit my brother, I am only teasing him, not you at all, and I am sorry I did that to you especially in front of mum and dad"

"Thanks Jake, please don't get me wrong, I like you, a lot, but I am not sure of anything else at the moment."

"Friends"

"Yeah, friends" Hermione was feeling slightly more relaxed that she had talked to him before he went on tour.

"Don't forget dinner tomorrow night, Ginny and Ron should be coming over."

"I think it will be great, looking forward to it" Jake smiled.

"I think you will like my friends. I have to invite them both because I think once you and Ron start on Quidditch that will be the end of any other conversation for me." Jake was glad she was starting to be more relaxed.

"Ron, Ron Weasley, the same one that went to Hogwarts?"

"Yes, the same one, he mentioned you may remember him. Ginny, my best friend, is his sister"

"Wow, what a small world, so does Ginny like Quidditch as well?" Jake knew the family were all into Quidditch and wondered if it had rubbed off onto their daughter.

"Well, you could say that, Ron owns the Quidditch supply shop in Hogsmeade and Ginny works with him. She also does Quidditch training classes for children and she absolutely loves it so you two should have plenty to talk about"

"Oh, I see, being cupid are we?" Jake laughed at Hermione's obvious shock.

"No, not at all, it's just that you remind me of her." Hermione was flustered and did not dare look at Jake's face, but if she had, she would have seen the look of amusement on it.

"Hermione, look at me." Hermione looked up and saw he had a smile on his face.

"It's ok, I was only joking, I would love to meet your friends and if they are as wonderful as you are, I am sure I will like them both" Jake kissed the back of her hand and Hermione felt better. They had arrived at her house and Hermione went to get out.

"Hermione, I was wondering if you want to borrow my car while I am away?" Hermione shook her head and told him that she couldn't possibly do that.

"Why, it's not like I will be using it, it will be parked in the driveway for so many months and I would feel better knowing it is being driven, please?"

"Let me think about it, OK, but thank you for the offer, you are so sweet."

"And handsome too" Jake wiggled his eyebrows, and Hermione laughed as she got out of his car.

"OK I will see you for dinner tomorrow night"

"Bye Jake, and yes, dinner at 7pm" Hermione went to the door and turned and waved and as she started to open her door, Ginny apparated behind her. Hermione jumped out of her skin and Ginny laughed. Jake was watching from his car and saw Ginny arrive.

He was looking forward to dinner tomorrow night, two good looking girls.

It was Saturday night and Hermione had done her cooking for dinner and was looking forward to introducing Ginny and Ron to Jacob. She knew Jacob would get on with both of them. Ginny had organised to come earlier so she could help Hermione set up.

Knock, Knock.

Hermione walked over to the door and opened it expecting to see Ginny, but instead it was Jake.

He was holding a huge bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine.

"Some flowers for a beautiful lady" Hermione smiled and thanked him.

"So, Hermione what time is everyone coming?"

"Well, Ginny should be here soon and Ron will be here about 7.00pm. He has to lock up the shop." Jake asked if he could help with anything when he heard the door. He walked over and opened it to see Ginny standing there.

"Hello, I am Jake" Jake held out his hand and Hermione walked up behind him,

"Hi Ginny, come in" Ginny regained her composure and shook hands with Jake. She kissed Hermione on the cheek and chatted to the two of them until Ron arrived.

She introduced him to Ron and the two remembered each other straight away. Hermione was right, as always, the conversation was on Quidditch all through dinner and dessert.

The four of them sat down in front of the fire place after dinner and Jake complimented Hermione on a delicious meal.

After relaxing for a while, the four of them played twister and had lots more to drink. It was fantastic for Hermione to see the three of them getting on so well. They laughed all night and Ron was enjoying Jake's company too. Hermione knew that he would fit into her group because he was so happy go lucky. Jake actually suggested the next time they get together, they could meet at the Mexican restaurant that was becoming a weekly meeting place.

The time flew by and before they knew it, it was 3am. They were so drunk that Hermione couldn't let Jake drive home, so they all bunked at her house. Ron and Jake slept in the spare room and Ginny and Hermione slept in her bed.

It was after midday when Ginny woke up. She was the first one to get up and when she checked on the boys, they were still fast asleep. She thought it may be a good idea to brew up some hangover potion as everyone would probably need it. Hermione woke up next, and staggered into a hot shower.

The girls decided to wake up the boys at 1pm since half the day was gone.

They were in desperate need of the potion and when Ron had his shower, they decided to go out for a picnic. The plans were set and Jake went back home to have his shower and Hermione accompanied him home so she could take him back to the Burrow. Ron and Ginny apparated back home to get a picnic basket packed. Jake suggested to ask Harry if he wanted to come along and Hermione just nodded. She hoped he was in a better mood.

Jake and Hermione talked all the way back to his house; well actually he talked about Ron and Ginny all the way back to his place. Hermione was quite pleased.

Jake ran up stairs to have his shower and Hermione popped into the office to see if she had any messages. The desk was exactly the same as she had left it. She walked back outside to the sitting room to wait for Jake and was admiring the paintings in the room when she felt someone watching her. She turned around to see Harry standing in the doorway.

"Hi Harry, you startled me!" Harry just looked at her, he didn't react, he didn't do anything, he just stood there. Hermione was getting uncomfortable and she looked to see if Jake was coming but he was no where to be seen.

"Have a nice night Hermione?"

"Yes, we did, why do you ask Harry?"

"Oh, I don't know, I went to find my brother this morning, again, and the house elves told me he had not come home from Miss Granger's house, again. Imagine my surprise, Hermione."

"Why would that surprise you, Harry, the last time I checked, you were my boss, not my father" Hermione was getting whiplash with Harry's mood swings. She just didn't know how to take him anymore. First, she had the worst week in history and now it looked like it would be happening all over again.

"We are going for a picnic with my friends, and I came here so Jake could have a shower and we wanted to know if you wanted to come along. Obviously we shouldn't have wasted our time." Hermione bent down to collect her bag that she had thrown on the lounge and when she looked up Harry was right in front of her.

"I am sorry Hermione, I would like to come if that's OK?" Hermione remained cautious and looked at Harry, then Jake came downstairs and Harry stiffened,

"So, Bro, are you coming on our picnic?" Harry looked at Hermione and she nodded.

"I take my car though" Hermione rolled her eyes, typical chauvinistic men and their cars. The three of them drove to the Burrow to pick up Ron and Ginny.

When they arrived, Ginny told them Ron had to leave as a big order had arrived in at the shop. She met Harry and was so excited he came. Even though Hermione had not said anything directly, Ginny knew that she liked him, but this new development with Jake had changed things. It was just the way her eyes lit up whenever she spoke of Harry. Ginny knew that, even though most of the conversations involved Hermione being furious with something Harry had said or done, Ginny still knew her best friend.

They found a beautiful park that backed onto a river and spent the day chatting and eating. For the first time in ages, Harry relaxed. They had a great day together and when it was time to leave, Ginny offered to show them the shop since Quidditch had been the main subject of the day and Ron would be there.

After Hermione denied, Harry did too, so Jake and Ginny apparated to the shop and left Hermione and Harry to clear away the picnic. Harry was pleased that he would be able to have some time alone with Hermione; he felt he owed her an apology.

After Jake and Ginny left, Hermione asked Harry to come back for a coffee but she warned him she still had to clean up from last night, but hopefully he wouldn't mind. They talked all the way home and it was nice to see they could have a conversation without arguing. When they arrived home, Harry laughed as he remembered the last time he was there. Hermione made a face at him and then made them both a coffee and lit the fire.

"Hermione, I owe you an apology" Harry was looking at his coffee intently.

"Harry, sometimes I just don't get you, it seems you are happy one second then furious the next."

Harry looked at her and had absolutely no idea where to start. How do you tell someone your madly jealous when you have absolutely no right to be? How do you tell someone that you want to rip off anyone's head when they even look at you, when you have no claim to that? How do you tell someone all those things when they are interested in your brother and not you?

Ok so what do you think guys? Harry's walls are starting to collapse.

Anyway let me know what you think.

Review if you like!!!

Sirius xoxox