Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.

Chapter 17

Hermione's POV

"I am aware of the rules Madam Pince, I know that our limit is four textbooks at a time but can you please make an exception, just this once. The books aren't even for me, they're for Ky." She continued staring down at me from her lectern, positioned high enough to see the whole library with just a glance of her sharp brown eyes. Her hooked nose hovered above me and I stared up at her, a pleading expression on my face but she didn't seem to budge, she didn't even seem to know who Ky was. "When I say Ky, I mean Kyrianna Thornton, hair about till here," I gestured down my back, "dark, kind of curly in that unkempt yet sleek way, grey eyes, about my height…the headmasters granddaughter."

She cocked one dark eyebrow at me, "If you think that I would favour her purely on the fact that she is kin of the headmaster, you are sorely mistaken! I am no boot licker and I am very affronted at the insinuation. Very affronted in deed."

I reeled back with a deep breath, "I never meant to make any such insinuations, I was just merely trying to explain-"

"Oh Miss Granger, I know full well who Miss Thornton is. Size five. Shoes. I know this because I find her imprints on the desk every time she visits you in the library because she constantly puts her feet up, even though she knows very well that is VERY much against the rules. I also know that she likes raspberry gum because somehow I always find an accumulating mound underneath your regular table!"

I closed my eyes, the last time Ky and I sat here was months ago, if this was any other time I would have been impressed by her memory. I told Ky to stop sticking her gum under the desk like a miscreant but she kept doing it, harping on about how it was her way of fighting the system. Apparently if they wanted her to not stick it under the desk then they should keep bins every five feet. To which I of course pointed out there was a bin not ten feet away to which she rolled her eyes and popped the gum out of her mouth and into her hand, tossing it for the bin which it obviously didn't reach, she again rolled her eyes stating that this very reason is why she wanted the five feet rule and summoned it and stuck it under the desk. She was by far the laziest, most-

"Good Evening Madam Pince."

My eyes flickered to the left but I returned to resolutely staring ahead with haste, I didn't need to see him to know who he was, the combination of his voice and scent…I mean stench…proclaimed his identity sans the need of his physical appearance. I bit my lip, annoyed that his proximity was having a somewhat static effect on the hair follicles on my left arm, which were millimetres away from his own.

I almost stepped back with shock as the stern librarian's scowl dissolved into the smallest of smiles. "Mr Nott."

"I was wondering if it were possible if I could borrow Quintessence: A Quest and Numerology and Grammatica, I know I have exhausted my-"

"Oh say no more, Mr Nott." She flicked her wand and the two books in my hand whizzed away, hovering in front of him, "Anything to help such a diligent, respectful student. Never gives back anything with doodles or dog ears." She stated, pointedly looking at me.

I gasped, "I have never defaced a book!"

"Jinxes for the Jinxed, 16 March, 1995, page 544, I believe you defiled the book with pumpkin juice." I glowered, that wasn't my fault, Ron knocked over the glass and I siphoned all of it out, what remained was purely the scent of pumpkin juice.

"Thank you Madam Pince. I must say, great job on the new system, it really makes things so much more efficient."

Her smile widened, "You have been the first to notice, Mr Nott, a feat considering I have only been working on it for the past three years." She stated sarcastically and narrowed her eyes at me, affronted that I didn't compliment her on this apparent new system.

I sighed, turning on my heel, I would have noticed! I would have, if I hadn't been so horribly busy helping Ky catch up with her two weeks of missed work, hence the need for those textbooks which were necessary for her Charms and Arithmancy essays which she probably would never end up doing now that she has no material!

"Hermione." I sighed, why I ever thought that running in to him would ever be a five second affair is beyond me. I turned, halfway down the corridor already and took a step back at his closeness.

"What?"

He smirked, his hazel eyes glinting darkly in the dim lit corridor, "Your books."

He held out the two textbooks he just retrieved from Madam Pince, I frowned, "I thought you required them for your Charms and Arithmancy essay."

He shrugged, "I'm not doing them. I thought you wanted them for Kitten."

My eyes narrowed in suspicion, "What do you mean by you're not doing them?"

"Well…was I not grammatically correct? I am not accomplishing the tasks set out by-"

"Don't be a smart Alex, you know that my question is directed at the inquiry as to why you are not writing the essays rather than the statement that you are not writing the essays."

"Alec."

I huffed, "What?"

He smiled, "I believe the term is Smart Alec."

I shook my head, "Well your belief, much like your others, are dismally wrong." I turned to walk away but his voice stopped me, and the fact that it was not directed at me.

"Hey, you. Nigel Dawson, Linda Skyfield." I turned back around, the two Ravenclaw students stopped outside the library, staring at him in utter confusion. I didn't know who they were, but they looked to be around seventh years.

"Do I know you?"The redhead asked, her long hair held back by a large black Alice band.

Theo batted the question away nonchalantly with a waving hand, "Is it smart Alec, or smart Alex?"

She glanced at the boy at her side, who returned her glance with a heated scowl, "Alex…again! Alex! I thought you said it was over between you two! Do you always refer to him as smart Alex. I must be dumb Nigel then." He said, gesturing with flailing hands whilst walking away, all the while the girl ran after him.

"No, Nigel! No, I have no idea what…" Both their footsteps and voices slowly disappeared in the distance and Theo and stared after them for moments in silent shock which quickly dissolved into a giggle on my part and a soft chuckle on his. The sound was so unique and warm I stopped my giggling abruptly, aware of the way it made my tummy turn.

I straightened up, "Told you it was Smart Alex."

He raised his brows, "That was not an answer. I think insecure Nigel would have only heard Smart Alex even if the options were Smart Alec and Smart Alan."

I rolled my eyes, continuing down the corridor and then down the stairs, I could see his shadow loom in front of me, "You know one must learn to accept defeat humbly, the antonym you're displaying is quite the turn off."

"Oh…so you want me to turn you on?"

I stopped at his words and blanched, thankfully the second floor was poorer lit than even the third and I doubt he could see my pale face and wide eyes, I quickly resumed walking as if what he had said had not affected me, cursing myself inwardly for my statement that brought on his reply. "I would never want any such thing from you Mr Nott," I glanced behind me, catching his white tooth grin in the dark as he followed me down the stairs to the first floor, "I wouldn't ask something of someone if it were not probable for them to deliver."

I heard his warm chuckle, he held the Hospital Wing door open for me and I walked in, making sure not to look at him, "So am I to take that as a challenge?"

"What?" I frowned, hovering at the entrance.

"If I turn you on-"

"Which you can't." I tried to stop the blush, I didn't want to seem childish but the topic we were traversing was so…wanton.

"Well if you're so sure in its impossibility, it would be harmless placing a little wager on it?"

"I don't bet." I rolled my eyes, sucking the corner of my bottom lip inside to try and appear nonchalant, Godric I better not be blushing.

"Well it can hardly be called a bet, now can it? I mean a bet insinuates there are odds and such, since my turning you on is such an impossibility as you previously stated, there are no odds in my favour, only in yours. This is merely a hopeless fool trying to grasp at straws to win favour with the girl he likes. A lot."

I gasped, what was with the boy. He straight out stated that he liked me. "You're right about the hopeless fool part." I didn't want to even acknowledge the last part of his sentence.

"Then why not, Hermione? Why not fancy a little…proposition. Not a wager, I do not want to trample on your no betting beliefs. If I turn you on," I looked down, pretending to read the title on the books I borrowed for Ky, for once illiterate in my ability to read the words as all my attention was focused solely on his next words, "you partner with me in Arithmancy."

I looked up…I definitely was not expecting that…my heart sighed in disappointment…why was I even disappointed, what was I expecting, for him to ask me out on a date? He wouldn't date a mudblood, would he, he would like her, of course… nobody would ever know his true feelings but dating her, that would be exposure, people would find out.

"So how about it, Hermione?"

My nostrils flared at his eyes shone brightly down me, his hazel mixture leaning towards an olive green presently and I shrugged nonchalantly, "Fine."

I turned, walking to Ky who was just finishing her daily physical therapy with Mrs Towers, Agnes was seated on the bed, watching them. My conversation with Theodore went unnoticed to the three; their attention consumed by Ky's stretching exercise, whilst my attention was feet behind me, my ears clamped on the soft click clack of his shoes as they walked away, down to the dungeons…

"Harry?"

I shot up from the armchair with a start, awoken from my sleep by the sound of movement, assuming it was Harry. I had fallen asleep in the common room waiting for him, Ron informed me that he wasn't in bed and I lifted my hand and glanced down at my watch, it was one thirty. I used the same hand to rub at me eyes, blinking at the blurry figure which increased in definition with every blink. "Harry?"

"Yes Hermione?"

He stood, a hand poised on the doorknob of the boys' dormitory staircase…he was just going to go and sleep, without waking me up from this uncomfortable armchair! He must really not want to talk to me…he must know what it's about…he was always very perceptive.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"Can't it wait for tomorrow, I'm exhausted." He did look it, he was unnaturally pale with dark shadows under his eyes.

"Well, no, it's actually about tomorrow. Where have you been, by the way?"

He looked like he would sigh if he had the energy, choosing to display his annoyance with my question with an unwavering stare, "Night time fly, needed to clear my head."

Well he was prone to those, "Where's your broom then?"

He narrowed his sleep deprived eyes at me, "In the shed, I left it there. Do I need to also explain where I flew and the route I took to the-"

I held my hand up to stop him, I knew he was lying, he would never leave his precious Firebolt in the School Broom shed. Yet he was obviously too tired to come up with excuses and was becoming defensive, anyway I wasn't here to pester him about where he was.

"It's fine. I'm sorry." I wasn't but I'd rather have him cool down a bit before I bring up the next topic.

The glare left his eyes and he actually sighed this time, "It's OK Hermione, I'm just tired. Sorry."

I nodded, "Well I won't keep you long then. Ky is leaving the Wing tomorrow. Well leaving officially, she has permission this time."

His eyebrows rose, "I thought she needed a month of physical therapy."

I nodded again, "She does, but Mrs Towers says it's fine to decrease their time from two hours twice a day to just two hours three times a week. So she can attend classes, she's recovered enough energy relaxing in the Wing." I chuckled at the memory, "Plus you know Ky, she threatened to burn the wing down if she had to spend one more night in the place."

He smiled and then his smile faded, "I still don't understand what you want from me."

I took a deep breath, I practiced this yet my preparation seemed to have been futile as I was faced with Harry's pointed stare, he could be very unnerving at times.

"Well, I want you to be a friend." He narrowed his eyes and I straightened my shoulders, "Ky and you may no longer be dating, and irrelevant how it ended and whose fault it was and what truly happened, you were first friends. And your friend, Ky, has been in the Hospital Wing for the past two weeks and you haven't visited her-"

"Hermione…Linus and Snape-"

"No!" I snapped, "Since when do you listen to Snape? If there was a shipwreck in the Arctic he would still find a way to blame it on you! And Linus was hurt and angry and I'm sure he didn't really mean what he said, he was recovering from the shock of what happened to Ky and…and…she misses you."

He shook his head, "She made it very clear that she doesn't want anything to do with me."

"I know she said that…but…" I was crossing a line, I know I was crossing a line but I couldn't stop here, "I can tell that she's hurt by the fact that you have yet to visit her. Every time someone walks in her eyes dull a little when she realises it's not you…she even asked if you came…while she was unconscious those first few days."

"She did?" he asked, surprised.

"Well not in exact words, but she asked who did come. And then when I told her she…she asked if Ron had visited on his own? She…was really disappointed Harry." He closed his eyes, leaning against the door, I'm sure he was tired of being a disappointment to her. "I wanted to tell her that you came running once you heard what happened, that you were here, that Linus and Snape-"

"But you didn't!" He snapped his eyes open and I frowned affronted.

"I didn't…" He had told me not to, I have no idea why though because that would have explained his absence.

He looked relieved by the fact, "Look, I don't want to upset her Hermione. She doesn't need me to-"

"That's just it Harry. She does…she nearly died and part of the reason why she ran out of the Wing that day was because she needed us, all of us. She's fragile-"

"And that's why she doesn't-"

"Please Harry, please!" I took a step forward, "Just come and fetch her from the Wing tomorrow. Just to show her that you're there for her. Please."

He stared at me, a thousand thoughts rafting through his eyes yet he spoke none of them out aloud.

"Fine." He turned; pulling the door open with a little more force than necessary and sprinted up the stairs, gathering the energy to do so from Godric knows where, anything to get away from me and my unwelcome requests.

"…and I tried sending them a message on your Parch like five times but there's still no response, but Agnes said she would send word if they stop at The Burrow." I stared as she pulled on her skirt, bending in that unorthodox way, more to the side so as to not stress her back, I bit my lip, I wish she would just let me help her, if only when she bends down but I know she's more likely to bite my head off if I offered.

She straightened up, flicking her aspen wand at her school shirt and the buttons did themselves up as she threw her hair into a pony, flinching slightly… I don't think she should raise her arms like that.

"Nessie mention anything about Vez?" She muttered, grabbing her cloak that Kinky had laid out on the bed. Agnes and Mary had left last night, after their two week stay with Ky in the hospital wing. Agnes sent me a letter this morning, inquiring about Ky's health knowing she'd get a more honest answer from me rather than the primary source.

"She didn't. Didn't Snape say that he's in Russia covering for the Sabre Twins?" Snape may not have stayed in the Wing with Ky, but he and McGonagall visited her twice a day. The Sabre Twins were now part of the entourage of aurors that were responsible for defending the school.

She shrugged, and happily that didn't result in a flinch, "That was last week. Thought maybe he would be back by now."

"I'm sure everything is alright."

I had to clasp my hands together to prevent myself from picking up her bag for her, watching her slowly do so herself. "Gabrielle Sabre visited, I forgot to tell you. On your first day in the Wing…well I think she came more to see Silvestre but…well, he left without a word once his wounds healed, in a matter of hours really…so she didn't get to see him."

I tried thinking what else I needed to catch her up with, she was asleep for most of these two weeks, only waking for her physical therapy and that was hardly an appropriate time to discuss such matters.

We reached the unfortunately familiar doors, they were so large but they always felt light as a feather when I pushed through them, my arms probably strengthened by fear and haste, calming situations never warranted me to visit the Hospital Wing.

I glanced back, ensuring we hadn't left anything behind, I could see Madam Pomfrey at the bed right at the end, scolding what looked like two first years with elephant trunks for ears.

"Ready?" My tone dropped as I felt myself being pulled into a warm embrace, I reacted without thought as this was one situation where no thought was needed…every year she ends up in this place, without fail…yet this time…this time was different…my body shivered involuntary at the memory of Linus' face, he really did pull her from deaths door…this time it was all too close, my arms tightened, I don't know what I would have done if…I can't even think it.

She let go and I pulled back, clearing my throat and moping my eyes quickly, she gave me a small grin, keeping her arm around my waist, "Thank you for everything Mi."

I shook my head, "What are sisters for." I leaned onto her shoulder, pushing the door open and our contact was broken immediately by a loud shout.

"KY!"

"Ronald, be careful!" I snapped, he had pulled her into an embrace much too quickly but I calmed when I saw that his arms were well above her injured back, he rolled his eyes at me, "Don't get jealous."

I scowled and I heard Ky chuckle, her chuckle stopped abruptly and I saw why as Ron stepped to the left.

The corridor fell into an awkward silence…Harry was leaning against the wall, his green eyes downcast; his whole face was tipped down, the short bristles on his chin throwing it in darkness aided by the shadow that he happened to be standing in. I glanced at Ky…she was the epitome of apathy. Not a crinkle on her face, be it a hint of a frown or smile, not a reflection in her stormy eyes. Ron was gawking from one to the other, as if waiting for the explosion.

And then it broke. The silence. A scoff. A feminine, familiar one.

"You look like crap. When are you going to shave?" She raised an eyebrow at him and his head jerked up so quickly I was afraid he might have whiplash. "How have you not gotten in trouble? I shorten my skirt the tiniest inch and Minnie goes stark raving mental like she caught me propositioning a guy on a street corner, yet you get to prance around with a full on beard without a word of chastisement."

My body shook with relief and I laughed as Harry scratched the back of his neck with a small grin on his face, "Flitwick did say he'd let the second years practice their Shearing charms on me if I showed up to his class looking like this again."

"That's a horrible thing for him to say," I just knew Ron was going to make a lame joke, he always got that self satisfied look on his face prior to voicing the joke he already found utterly hilarious in his own head, "Not like you can do anything about that face."

"He could do like ten things about his face, there's numerous Glamour charms." I rolled my eyes, Ron could be so silly and caught Harry looking at me with shock, "Oh…not that you need to do anything about your face I'm just saying that if you needed to do something it could be done."

He laughed, I hadn't seen him this genuinely happy since…I honestly cannot remember.

"Yeah but still mate, you got to shave that off. The Beard does not the man make." Ron said prophetically as we walked down the grand staircase for lunch. I glanced at Ky, she was smiling at Ron.

"And three hairs don't make a beard!" Harry retorted, glancing back at Ky to see if she found it funny. "Just because you can't grow a beard-"

"I can to grow a beard!" Ron looked at me for help but I shook my head, "I just choose not to. And this is coming from the guy who has like what, four chest hairs."

"I do not have…" Harry shut up and glanced at Ky who was smirking to herself.

"Four!" I laughed out.

"No, not four." He added defensively, "Like…at least twenty…seven. There's enough, right?"

He glanced at Ky as we walked into the Great Hall, I held my breath, maybe this friendly banter reminded him too much of old times, something he seemed to have realised as well judging by the anxious look on his face.

She rolled her grey eyes, "More like six, but who likes hairy chests anyway. And you're one to talk Ron, you have like no abdominal hair, I happen to know that girls like a bit of a grass path on their stair way to heaven."

I gasped, taking my seat at our table as Ron's mouth hung open whilst Harry guffawed at him, "I do too!" He said defensively, reaching down in an attempt to toss his shirt up and prove his point.

"No!" I scolded, "No lifting your shirt at the lunch table. And no talking about…stairways to heaven." I chided Ky, whose only response was a giggle, I couldn't help imagining what she meant by that…abdominal hair…does she mean…I blushed…that strip of hair below a boy's navel.

"Who said what about a stairway to heaven?"

I sighed as Lavender took the seat on my right as Harry and Ron took their usual places opposite Ky and myself. Parvarti slotted in next to Harry whilst Seamus and Dean jumped in next to Ky, both hugging her in greeting before they sat down. "I like to call it a treasure trail," Lavender giggled right in my ear and I scowled at her, "You know…because what lies at the end-"

"Yes…yes Lavender, we get it." I stopped her as the boys laughed and Parvarti smirked. "Can we please stop with this highly inappropriate-"

"I don't get why guys make such a huge deal about chest hair, I prefer a clean shaven man…all around!"

There was a chorus of laughter at Parvarti's comment, "Only because you get turned on by the weirdest blokes. Do you remember that crush you had on Ewan Loggs, his legs were the size of my arms."

Parvarti glowered at her best friend, "So what if I like skinny boys, to each their own! It's my own thing if I find…" she glanced around, her eyes finally settling on Harry, "Harry's physique sexier than…Blaise Zabini's."

"That is THE most ridiculous thing you have ever said!" Lavender shouted.

"HEY!" Harry said defensively and Lavender apologised as everyone else laughed.

"Sorry Harry, I have nothing against your physique, its good. Real good, it's just Zabini is-"

"A complete twat." Dean finished and Lavender scowled at him.

"KY!"

I looked pass the many shoulders opposite us, watching as Juliette ran towards us from the Ravenclaw table, Angelique and Terry Boot following in her wake. I heard the boys giggle as Juliette ran up to us…was she even using a bra… why would you run when you know your bosom is that…jiggly.

"You're out of the Wing! We were stellar worried, how are you feeling." I watched as Juliette placed her hands nonchalantly on Ron's shoulders as she peered down at Ky in question.

"Hey Hermione." I turned to my left, I didn't realise that Terry boot had crossed to my side and I smiled at him in response.

"Hi Terry, how are you."

"I'm good."

His face was slightly flushed, his reddish brown hair falling slightly in his eyes as he ducked his head down, he lifted his blue eyes up to peer through the strands, "I'm happy to see Ky out of the hospital wing. I was thinking…" He said without stopping, was he nervous? "If you need help with getting her caught up with all that work she missed out, I wouldn't mind at all. I mean…" he added, "It's horrible what happened on that bridge-"

"Yeah, I heard seven people died!" Juliette added, I wasn't aware that anyone was even paying attention to our conversation. "Thank the Founders you weren't one of the seven Ky! Or would that make it eight?"

Everyone's eyes were on Ky but suddenly there was a clatter of breaking glass.

"Shit!"

"Oh gosh, are you OK Terry!" The jar of pumpkin juice just exploded and his shirt was drenched.

"Better get that changed, mate."

There was a summation of gasps at the new arrival and I was sure all the blood drained from my face at the sight of his dark hair, "Kitten!" He bowed his head at her and she smiled in response.

"Teddy!"Ky sprung off the bench, oblivious to the shocked stares.

"Walk you ladies to Runes?"

I didn't even realise that the lunch hour was over, "Thanks."

She hooked her arm in his proffered one and gestured me to follow. I did without motivation. We just about reached the Entrance Hall when I turned to him,

"How dare you!"

He smirked, "Whatever are you talking about Hermione."

"Don't play innocent; I suppose the pumpkin juice just magically decided to splash only on Terry then?" I cannot believe he was so childish.

He shrugged nonchalantly, "Accidents happen; I don't know what more I can say. Right Kitten…Kitten?"

I watched as her dark hair disappeared down the dungeons and we both stepped forward.

"NO! You don't!" I snapped, "Stay away!" I turned on my heel, following Ky downstairs to the dungeons. I saw her slip into her lab and I followed suit.

"Ky…Ky what is it?"

She stood in the middle of the room, her back to me, her one hand leaning on the table.

"Ky…if this is about Ha-"

"Why did he even bother to come…when he never bothered to visit…not once."

I licked my lips, unsure what to say, "You…you seemed OK-"

"What was I going to do Mi! Curse him and scream at him and be the pitiful resentful jealous ex- girlfriend! Should I act like THAT! Because that's what I wanted to do! It's desperate and disgusting!"

"If you didn't want him there, you should have said." My tummy turned with guilt, "He does worry about you…he just…"

She held her hand up, and I stopped talking. I waited but she didn't continue…then she turned around, not a tear in her eye or frown on her face.

"We better go, we'll be late for Runes."

"Ky-"

"I'm OK." She added, laughing weakly, "What's up with Juliette's boobs, girl ever heard of a bra! I mean it's ridiculous."

I gulped; nodding sadly at her…I was an idiot for thinking that it would ever be the same again. Harry hurt her…and I should not have forced her to be in his presence…I followed her slowly out of the lab. She continued chatting, her voice littered with laughter…as if she hadn't run down to her sanctuary to deal with her first experience co-existing with her ex-boyfriend not two minutes ago…as if she hadn't been moments from death not two weeks ago…as if she wasn't heartbroken…yet I noticed her shoulders droop slightly in a defeated sort of way, in a way that had nothing to do with her injury… and I knew no insincere smile and phony laugh could hide the pain that weighed heavy on my sister's shoulder…

Reviews are very much appreciated. What do you guys think, Hermione-Ron, Hermione-Theo or Hermione-Terry?

Have an awesome day

Kalina