Come Together KeeperPawsOffMe Chapter 5

Frank and Alice decided to have Neville and Harry's birthday together many years ago, and have practiced it ever since. They didn't mind, as they shared everything else. They actually enjoyed this, as it brought all their friends here to share the event with them.

Harry's only concern was his failing friendship with Hermione. He didn't know what caused it, but, she was growing colder around him, each time she visited. He promised himself he would ask her what it was he had done to create this situation. Harry knew how she felt about Neville, and how Neville felt about her. He would never do anything to put that shared feeling at risk. So, what was it that he had done to have Hermione so upset with him.

All of the guests had arrived, and the cake and ice cream had been served. As they all enjoyed their treat, Harry had moved next to Hermione and asked, "Hermione, could I talk to you alone for a minute? I have something I would like to ask you."

Hermione knew it would come to this, and dreaded it, but, knew it had to be done. "No, Harry. I don't think that is such a good idea. I am enjoying myself, and don't wish to be disturbed, perhaps some other time."

Hermione looked up at Harry, and saw a tear in his eye, and felt bad, but, she stayed resolute with her statement. Harry lowered his head, and took his seat by Ginny, hiding his grief. Ginny though, saw his expression, and knew something was wrong. Her and Hermione had become great friend, and never kept anything from each other. She moved her eyes towards the kitchen, and Hermione knew what she was saying. Ginny went first, and a minute later, Hermione followed.

"Hermione, what was that with you and Harry. What did he say to you, that got you so upset, and what did you say to him that got him in such a sorry mood?"

"Ginny, Harry asked me to talk to him in private, and I think I know what he wanted to talk about. I just don't think it's appropriate. Ginny, Harry has been teasing me, flirting with me, and putting Neville down relentlessly. I think he is trying to break Neville and I up, and ask me to be his girlfriend."

Ginny looked at her best friend, for a minute, and then broke out laughing. She laughed so hard, she started snorting. She couldn't help it, "Hermione, seriously; Harry trying to break you and Neville up. He would never do that. Do you see the way the two of them kid each other. Neville is just as bad as Harry with his ribbing. However, when it comes to being there for each other, even my two brothers are not that close. Either would die for the other. Harry would never do anything to hurt Neville. Neville knows that. Harry is just being a prat. Do you really think he has those types of feelings for you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Well, then it would be of interest for you to know that Harry has asked me to sit with him on the Hogwarts Express when we leave to go to school, even though I think it's ridicules to be going. I think Harry likes me, and unless he wants a monopoly on all the girls in school, I think you should reconsider how you feel. If he has asked you to talk to him alone, I think it is just to find out why you are so cold to him. If it's more than that, and what you feel is true, then tell him your feelings, and for him to get on with his life, minus you being in it."

Hermione thought about it for a minute, and decided to take Harry's offer up. She hugged Ginny for listening to her and for being the friend she was.

They went back in to the living room, and all eyes fell on them, except for Harry's which were still looking at his hands on his lap. Neville saw the actions of Hermione, as she walked towards Harry, and he smiled. Neville knew what Harry wanted to talk to Hermione about, and knew he felt sorry for something he didn't know he did. It hurt Harry when Hermione refused his request. Now maybe they can get things out in the open, and get on with this party.

"Harry, if you still want to talk, then, perhaps we should. I'll be in the kitchen, if you still are interested." and Hermione walked back to where she just came from. Every one watched, as Harry got up and followed her.

Hermione was sitting at the kitchen table, and Harry took a seat across from her. Harry still had tears in his eyes. "Hermione, I don't know what I did to upset you so much, that you don't even like to be around me, but, what ever it was, I am so sorry. I have always wanted to be friends with you, and I know that I can be a prat, but, I can't stand this bitter feeling I have when ever I am around you. Please tell me what I did that upset you so much."

"You know I like Neville, right?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you starting to show affection for me? Are you trying to hurt Neville in some mean fashion?"

Harry was shocked into silence. When had he shown affection for her, other than as a friend? "Hermione, when did I do any thing that even remotely resembles me trying to steal you from Neville?"

"You do it all the time Harry. You tease me; make comments about how good I look, you ridicule Neville every chance you get, you hug me in front of Neville, and then give him that look you always give him, That smirk of yours. Harry I like Neville in a different way than I like you. Don't take this the wrong way, but, you're just not my type."

Harry grinned at Hermione. The same grin she had just talked about. "I don't believe this. You are mad at me, because you thought I was making a pass on you, to get Neville jealous. Hermione, I would never do any thing to get between you and Neville. You do know the first time he saw you, he was smitten, right? When you went in to tell your dad Neville was there for his appointment, he said, and I quote, 'She's cute.' From there on, he has had a crush on you, but, you didn't hear that from me. And if you didn't notice, I get as much ribbing from him, as he gets from me. Now, I like you Hermione, and it hurt when you ignored me, and refused to talk to me. But, I don't like you in the way you feel. Not that I couldn't mind you, but, I would never do that to my brother. Besides, I sorta like someone else."

It was Hermione's turn to laugh. Ginny was right. Harry did have a crush on her. She looked at Harry, and his look of bewilderment. "Harry, I'm sorry for misinterpreting your intentions. Now that I think on it, Neville does ridicule you as much as you do him. It's just my feelings for him, blinded my vision of him being like you. I have a feeling that a flame haired girl might know about this sorta liking her thing. Maybe you should tell her. Come on lets get back to the party, before the cake and ice cream is all gone." She stood up, with Harry. Harry reached across and took her hand, and they walked back into the living room holding hands, and Harry dropped her hand and went to sit by Ginny. She went and sat by Neville, and he took the hand that Harry had previously held.

"Is every thing all right now. You and Harry are all over this, what ever it was?"

'A misunderstanding, and yes, we are over it. Now, is it time for the gifts?'

And the rest of the evening went without a hitch.

CT-}

The crowd gathered around the Hogwarts Express seemed larger than usual, and there seemed to be more first years than usual. Harry had entered the train, to find a compartment for them to sit, and rejoined his family. Sirius, Remus, and Tonks were talking to the triplets, probably about the pranks they were planning. Alice, and Frank were with Neville, Hermione, Dan, and Emma. Harry was ready to join them, when he was stopped by a thin blond haired boy. "You must be Harry Potter. I'm Draco Malfoy." He said this while extending his hand for shaking. Harry took it, and returned the shake.

"It's nice to meet you Draco, is this your first year?"

"Yes, listen, I will talk to you on the train, I have to say good bye to my parents."

"Sure, I have to do the same." Draco gave him a weird look, Harry didn't figure that one out.

The students said their goodbyes, and boarded the train. They waived, as the train left the station, catching their last glimpse of their parents. The triplets had entered the compartment, but deposited Ginny, and left to find someone they had talked to on the platform. All that were in the compartment were Neville, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry. After 30 minutes, the trolley lady came by, selling the sweets, to the students. Neville bought the sweets he knew he and Hermione liked, Harry bought the sweets he knew he and Ginny liked. They were sitting and taking, when Draco came by to say what he wanted to tell Harry. "Harry, Neville, Ginny, how are you. I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting this charming young lady. I'm Draco Malfoy."

"Hermione Granger. Pleased to meet you as well."

"Harry, what I wanted to talk to you about, I would like to talk to you in private."

"Draco, what you have to tell me, can be said in front of my friends, unless of course, it is about them. If that's the case, then I don't want to hear it."

Draco sat there silent. He didn't like how this was going. Father was going to be furious. "Well, what I was going to ask you, was, I think it would be of your best interest, if you were to be sorted into Slytherin House. You could become quite popular there you know. The first non-pureblood to be sorted there. It will also help you in your learning, as you would receive all kinds of help, from the senior year students."

"But wouldn't I be receiving that from any house I was in? As for the popularity, I could care less. Also, I didn't think we had any say as to what house we went to? And that non-pureblood thing, what was that all about?"

Draco started sweating. Things were getting worse. "It was just a thought Harry. There is no pressure. You do have a say in what house you would like to be in. The non-pureblood thing is just something that the Founders considered when setting up the school. No big deal, really. Just think about what I said, alright. Talk to you all later." And Draco left.

"Why do I have a feeling that Draco felt it was really necessary for me to be in Slytherin House. Not that I mind what House I'm in. Perhaps I should think about what House would be better for me. With that little talk, I think it is safe to say, Slytherin would not be the best place for me. I don't know what Draco had planned, but, I don't think I would have liked it all to well. I suppose Ravenclaw would be a good choice, or Gryffindor. Hufflepuff would not be a very good decision. Between the two, I think I should think more about Gryffindor, as that is where mom and dad went."

CT-}

They stood in front of the sorting hat, waiting their turn. So far, the bulk of the selections had gone to Hufflepuff. Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Lavender Brown, and Seamus Finnegan, all going there. Terry Boot had gone to Ravenclaw. "Granger, Hermione!"

Hermione walked nervously up to the stool. She sat down, and the Hat was placed on her head.

"Interesting, a thirst for knowledge above all else, yet completely loyal to your friends. You have a strong sense of courage, and no feeling of power or control. So, three houses. Now, where to put you?"

"If you don't mind sir, I would prefer to be in the same house as Neville Longbottom."

"Yes, I sensed that. So be it, GRYFFINDOR!" the hat proclaimed.

The list continued, until. "Longbottom, Neville!"

The hat had just settled when it yelled "GRYFFINDOR!"

He jumped off the stool, and made his way to Hermione, taking a seat next to her.

"Malfoy, Draco!" the same thing happened to Draco as Neville as soon as it touched his head, "SLYTHERIN!"

More names were called, then "Potter, Harry!"

Harry could hear his name being whispered, but ignored them. He took a seat on the stool, and the hat was placed on his head, "Ah, Mr. Potter, so nice to meet you. I see great things from you Mr. Potter. You have a cunning worthy of Slytherin, A loyalty to your friends worthy of a Hufflepuff. You are smart, yes, very smart, as well as a courage that is strong, but, with a careful outlook on your courage, not jumping into anything, without first exploring your options. Yes, you would fit in well in any house. What do you suggest, Harry?"

"You're asking me where I want to go?"

"Why yes, Harry. Like I said, you would fit in all houses. You could become very powerful in Slytherin. The top student in Ravenclaw. The most popular in Hufflepuff, and a great leader in Gryffindor. Which will it be?"

"Well, if that's the case, my real parents, and my adoptive parents were all in Gryffindor, so, that is where I prefer."

"Excellent decision. So it is, GRYFFINDOR!"

Harry grinned as he left the stool and joined his mates at the Gryffindor table, leaving a gap between him and Hermione.

Dean Thomas was put in Gryffindor, and joined the other first years.

"Weasley, Fred!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Weasley, Ginevra!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Weasley, George!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Zabini, Blaise!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

Thus, the sorting was finished, and all six friends were set in the same house.

Harry looked across the room, to see Draco, pale and shaking. Why was it so important that Harry be placed in Slytherin. He may never find out.

After the meal was complete and Professor Dumbledore had made the opening day statements and the warning about the third floor west wing room being off limits to all who did not wish to suffer a most painful death, the students went to their house area common rooms. Percy, who was the prefect, gave the password, and led the first years into the common area. After stating the house rules, and the sleeping arrangements, the students were left to themselves. The six friends sat, and talked about their sorting experiences. Harry and Hermione were the longest two sorted of the night, so they had the most to say.

After they had talked for about an hour, they broke, and went to bed, ready to start their schooling, much to the disappointment of Ginny.