Harry woke up early the next morning ready to meet the day. He was about to talk to Ron about his summer, but then he remembered that Ron wasn't really his friend anymore. Harry thought that since Ron and him had solved the Chamber of Secrets together that be best mates. No, Ron just saw it as an example that Harry would just endanger him and his sister. Ron wanted what Harry had: fame, weatlh, and attention. Ironically, Harry wanted what Ron had: family, love, and security. Ron also had one thing Harry's thoughts drifted to Hermione. She was always there for him and always had time for him. Maybe he could be more than friends with Hermione . He didn't know and didn't want to lose the one true friend he had.. Exhausted and tired Harry Potter fell asleep.

He sat down next to Hermione and discovered that the dining hall was surprisingly empty. He was up earlier than usual. It was nice though, and Harry enjoyed the fact that one did not have to shout to be overheard. He glanced around the room and noticed that the only others in this room were Ravenclaws, furiously cramming. "What are they doing? He hissed, "This is the first day of school!" Even Hermione, an ardent supporter of studying ad nauseam did find it amusing. "I do find it as a bit premature." she said. Harry then noticed that was also probably studying before he came down. He changed the subject. He spied Hermione's schedule on the table. It was labeled incorrectly with many classes at once. Harry said as much but Hermione brushed it off.

Ignoring the peculiarity that Hermione labeled her schedule wrong, Harry went on to his classes. Harry found that Divination was a total waste of time. Professor Trelawney seemed crazy as a bat, and the whole "inner eye" thing really annoyed Harry. Transfiguration was challenging but still enjoyable. Harry and Hermione were the first ones to transfigure matchboxes into mice, earning them 5 points apiece. As he walked to Care of Magical Creatures, he was entertained by Hermione's impersonation of Professor Trelawney . He never knew that Hermione had ever made fun of authority figures before and it was pretty funny to watch.

As Harry and Hermione walked to the paddock, Hagrid greeted them. When he mentioned that he had " interestin creatures" Harry and Hermione exchanged Hagrid "interestin"often meant dangerous and usually illegal. The rest of both the Gryffindor and Slytherin class arrived. Hagrid led a magnificent horse eagle creature with regal plumage. Hermione whispered in Harry's ear, "that's a hippogriff- a powerful and beautiful animal, but one with lot's of pride and is easily offended."

As Hagrid launched in to the lesson, Harry could have see that Malfoy and his cronies were plotting something. Harry knew this could be a problem. Hagrid, being a first time teacher, couldn't enforce discipline well , and he was handling potentially dangerous animals. All of that went out off Harry's head when Hagrid asked for volunteers to interact with the the fact that most of the class backed away from the fence, Harry and Hermione stood their ground. He approached the fence and looked at Hagrid for further instructions. At Hagrid's urgings he approached the Hippogriff and bowed low. The hippogriff did the same, and Harry began to pet it. Hagrid said " you can ride Buckbeak now Harry." Harry was scared, but he also excited. He got astraddle the Hippogriff and without warning it took off. Suddenly, Harry was flying around Hogwarts. Then as quickly as it started he was back on the ground and off Buckbeak. As he returned to the class. He saw Hermione's face: it was pale but happy. She whispered in his ear , "Harry James Potter- don't you ever scare me like that again." but there was a smile on her lips.

Later when Draco Malfoy began to talk to Buckbeak, Harry could sense trouble. As Draco insulted Buckbeak and was subsequently lacerated Harry felt only anger and hatred at Malfoy.

Harry's anger didn't dissipate until he went to Defense against the Dark Arts. He was walking with Hermione and suddenly she disappeared. Looking around for a second he saw Hermione reappear in front of him. "Where were you?" "It looked like you disappeared for a second there." Hermione blushed and simply said, "don't be silly, Harry, It's says in Hogwarts: A History that no one can disapparate in Hogwarts... come on let's go to Defense against the Dark Arts."

He hurried along to Defense against the Dark Arts but in the back of his mind he knew something was up with Hermione. Harry didn't pretend to be the expert on women, far from it. Like most teenage males, he found the female gender a mystifying thing. But Hermione was a special case; he could read her emotions well. That is not to say Hermione was an open book. Certainly, her quiet and studious nature was mysterious to many. It's was just the fact that he knew Hermione so well that he could tell. Harry was glad that Hermione wasn't the kind of girl that would be all manipulative and play with false emotions.

Harry felt some excitement when he entered the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom. He had high hopes about Professor Lupin and was interested in what he was going to do this year.

He sat down next to Hermione and looked around the room. Harry had heard that the third year of DADA mainly consisted of learning how to combat monsters. All the desks had been pushed into one part of the room and a small room had been erected in a corner. A chalkboard with a diagrams of correct wand movements was on the board. Professor Lupin performed some intricate wand work around the booth. He then he spoke to the class as a whole. "Hello class, I'm Professor Lupin and I'll be your defense against the dark arts teacher." "Today we'll be dealing with a Boggart. Can anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like ?"

Hermione's hand shot up immediately.

"Yes, Ms..."

"Granger, sir"

"Continue on Ms. Granger." said Lupin.

"A Boggart has not particular form, it simply becomes whatever a person fears the most.

"Correct."

One by one, Lupin led the students into a small room where they faced the Boggart.

(A/N Think about it- If someone is going to face their greatest fear, why should they have to it in public.)

Soon, most of the class had defeated it , only Harry and Hermione were left. Harry watched Hermione's retreating form as he wondered anxiously what he awaited behind the part ion. After a few minutes Hermione returned and to most people she would have looked fine. However, Harry knew Hermione too well. He could where tears had streamed down her cheek and that whatever her worst fear was it had shaken her.

Harry then strode into the small room. As he turned into the room, he say a human's hand lying in a pool of blood.

"Harry"

Harry head jerked around and saw Lupin standing mere inches from his faces.

"Yes, Professor Lupin."

"I'm going let the boggart change form O.K.? Remember that despite whatever it appears to be - it isn't .

Harry gave a nod and steeled himself.

Suddenly. A Dementor was in the room and Harry could her the faint screaming and felt woozy. However, he remembered Lupin's words and shouted Ridiklus! With a crack, the boggart was gone.

Harry Potter was tired after the defense of the dark arts class, but was very impressed with professor Lupin and enjoyed the lesson. He was glad that Professor Lupin conducted the lesson with someone fighting the boggart privately.

Harry enjoyed dinner with Hermione and they retired to the common room. After Harry finished his homework (with Hermione double checking his Charms essay) , he was about to head up to bed, but then he remembered Hermione's ordeal with the boggart. As the common room was empty except Harry and Hermione, he thought he could talk to her. "Hermione, can I ask you something?" Hermione looked up from her arithmancy sets.

"Sure."

Harry wasn't sure how to start "Well... I saw you after the boggart and you looked pretty shaken up...Do you want to talk about it?"

"Oh...that...well...it's just that...I...was scared."

Green eyes gazed into brown .

Harry took Hermione's hand and squeezed it gently.

Hermione then spoke again. "Harry...I saw you dead...that's was why I was so scared.

Before, Harry could react Hermione was in his arms and hugging him. He whispered to her "Shhhh Hermione I will never ever leave you...ever. You're my first and best friend."

Silently his brain thought they could perhaps more than friends.

They stood there for a long time.