Hello, people! I am back again with another chapter. Thank you to each and every reader following this story, I love you all :)) Also, I don't know if you've noticed it but I brushed up the cover image for this story a little XD Well, enjoy the new chapter!


"What took you guys so long?" Ron demanded as Harry and Hermione sat beside him, "You've been gone for almost an hour."

"Got caught up, by none other than Filch," Harry told him, before plucking a Chocolate Frog from Ron's pile.

"On friendly terms again?" Ron asked Hermione with a sly grin. She laughed, "What does it look like to you?"

They began talking and exchanging words just like old times. Harry told Ron about his detention and got the expected reaction in return. They briefly talked about their problems at hand and Hermione couldn't resist so she reminded them of their upcoming OWLs too.

Being back with her best friends felt too good for Hermione. She realized she had missed them terribly and made an oath to not stop talking to them if they ticked her off, and do what Harry told her to do - to talk to them about it.

Eventually, the boys launched into one of their own conversations that Hermione quickly got bored of. So she reached into her bag and pulled out a book, labelled Modern Wizards and their tricks from the 20th Century.

Although it was common knowledge that she was an avid reader, and got oblivious to her surroundings once she started reading, it wasn't the case at the moment. Her eyes kept glancing from the words before her to Harry, who was chatting merrily with Ron. She gazed at him in intervals, covertly, taking him in through her eyes and making herself blush.

She wondered why she started to like a boy so much, and one who she was supposed to see as a brother, but even if that remained a mystery, it was confirmed that she didn't fancy Harry for the reason other girls fancied him - which was him being the Boy Who Lived and having immense popularity among his peers. She liked him because he was the only one who could get her, inside out, unlike no one else she had ever met or interacted with could - besides her parents. Ron was a more 'don't-care-about-your-emotional-problems' type of guy. Before her fifth year, this particular nature of Ron bothered her very much, but as the years went by, she started to lose interest in whether he acted ignorantly when it came to feelings on purpose or not.

Moreover, not even Lavender and Parvati could understand Hermione the way Harry could, probably because they didn't have a muggle background. She supposed that was the reason behind why she started to like him.

Or maybe it all began when he came apologizing to me, Hermione thought to herself, smiling absentmindedly, he made me feel important.

But Hermione secretly knew that this crush of hers had appeared way back in her first year when she met Harry. And it intensified as they grew up. She kept denying her feelings before, but now - she couldn't help but admit that she was indeed in love with him.

Her mother had always taught her that if a girl began to love a boy, she would be making a very important decision in her life. She would be choosing someone as a potential soulmate or significant other for the rest of her life - and Hermione's feelings had led her to choose Harry, without any regrets. The only problem - was it unrequited love?

Hermione glanced at Harry again and observed him. Besides being the only one who could understand her thoroughly, Hermione also liked him because he was attractive. Firstly, he was tall, so he made her feel secure and warm whenever they hugged. Next came his hair, messy and as black as the night, which Hermione longed to feel through her fingers. And then there were his eyes - beautiful and entrancing. Hermione could get lost in them for hours if she allowed herself to.

Unfortunately, Hermione knew that Harry could never like her back. With girls like Cho and Ginny around - vibrant, beautiful, and popular, then what chance did she have with him? Next to none. Hermione wasn't beautiful - or so she thought herself. She always cared about her studies more than making herself look appealing. She tended to her hair dutifully of course and chose her attire with the utmost consideration, but she didn't care about makeup. Unlike other girls, like Ginny (who flaunted the halls with her flaming red lipstick to match her hair) Hermione didn't like making up her face. Sometimes, she could apply light makeup if she was in the mood or for formal occasions but other than that, she liked to stay natural.

But she doubted that staying away from things other girls did to lure boys would make her win Harry. He fancied Cho - a girl who seemed like she spent her mornings straightening her perfect black hair and using makeup to her fullest to make herself look even more ravishing. Therefore, Hermione had to accept the fact that it was nearly impossible to win Harry over. However, that didn't mean she couldn't daydream about it. She wondered if he ever saw her, or thought about her, in more than a brotherly way. Probably not.

She obviously couldn't tell him what she really felt about him as she didn't want to ruin their amazing friendship. Therefore, Hermione had decided that it would be best to keep mum about it.

"Earth to Hermione!" Ron was saying, which finally brought her back to consciousness, "Where did you wander off to?"

"To my thoughts," Hermione replied, a bit annoyed, "Honestly, Ron, can't I even think?"

"He meant that you have a less attention span now," Harry put in, "You didn't daydream this much before."

You tell me why that is, Hermione thought furtively while she said to Harry, "Girls daydream a lot. And it doesn't help now that I'm growing up. I should stop because it can affect my studies."

"Ah, typical Hermione. Always caring about studies," Ron said sarcastically, making Hermione roll her eyes.

"What do you daydream about, though?" Harry asked. She felt her cheeks going hot at his question and looked away from him.

"It isn't that important," she told him. Thankfully, Ron changed the subject.

As they continued to talk (with her now talking instead of reading), Hermione saw Lavender and Parvati. She instantly remembered her deal with Lavender. So after clearing her throat, she turned to face Ron.

"By the way, Ron," she began, "I've something to ask you."

"Go ahead."

"What do you think of Lavender?" Hermione asked, leaning forward.

Ron's face registered surprise for a moment and so did Harry's. But then, the former said nonsensically, "I think she's all right. Why did you ask?"

"Just all right?" Hermione repeated, feeling a bit disappointed for Lavender.

"Yeah. I mean, she seems annoying," Ron stated.

Hermione glared at him, "You cannot say that because you don't know her that well."

"Let me guess," said Harry, suddenly, "She likes Ron, doesn't she?"

"How could you tell?" Hermione asked him, amused.

"Well, firstly because you never ask us if we fancy this girl or that one. But mostly because I could see Lavender's behavior around Ron."

"How observant of you," Hermione said, grinning, "I couldn't guess it."

"Hidden talents," Harry replied comically.

Meanwhile, Ron's eyes were stretched wide and he was looking at Harry and Hermione in turns.

"Are you okay, Ron?" Hermione giggled.

"Cat got your tongue?" Harry asked, grinning.

"Lavender likes me?" he finally spoke up, "How come you didn't tell me this before?"

"Because she told me herself two days ago," Hermione answered promptly, "She was nervous and thought she might never get a chance with you."

"Really…?" Ron said, in disbelief.

"Tell me...does she come in your 'beautiful girls' category?" Hermione asked him, with a raised eyebrow. He stared at her for a moment and then gradually started to smile.

"That she does!" he declared, "I mean, look at her! She's tall, has nice skin, and those ravishing long blonde curls. Not to mention her sweet personality."

"I thought she was all right and a bit annoying just moments before?" Harry asked, bemused, making Hermione laugh.

"She isn't," Ron was saying, looking at Lavender, "She's amazing."

"Well, I was planning to set you two up on a date," Hermione told him, still laughing.

Ron grinned at her, "You don't have to set up anything. I'm going to ask her out myself."

With that, he stood up from their spot and made his way towards Lavender. Hermione and Harry watched as Lavender turned crimson upon Ron's arrival and Parvati, laughing, told them she should give them some privacy and moved away. Now, it was just Ron and Lavender engaged in a conversation.

"We should give them some privacy, too," Harry said. Hermione agreed and they turned to look away.

"They're so cute together," she sighed, "I'm so happy for them!"

"Same here. I'm happy that Ron finally found a girl who likes him," Harry said, "I wonder if there are girls who like me."

"Oh, there are plenty of girls who have severe crushes on you," Hermione told him, smiling.

His green eyes widened, "Really?"

"Of course! You're the famous wizard who was the only one to reduce Voldemort to smithereens. Which girl wouldn't want to be with you, then?"

"Yeah, well...I know that girls might fancy me because I'm famous," he sighed, "But I would simply love it if a girl fancied me for who I am, rather than my popularity."

He looked at Hermione as he said this. She tried her best not to blush and said, "What about Cho?"

He raised an eyebrow, "What about her?"

"If she liked you back, she'd do so because you're famous," Hermione said, "As she doesn't you that well."

"She doesn't know me at all," Harry replied, "We've exchanged like...a couple of words? For her, I must only be the Boy Who Lived, and who the majority believes is a liar…"

"Harry…" Hermione said, "Maybe she doesn't believe that rubbish."

"Maybe…" he replied, his eyes focused on the fireplace. Hermione sighed as she looked at Harry's troubled face, which saddened her. She wanted him to be happy, and so happy, that a smile would always be fixated upon his face. His life had been nothing but full of troubles, mishaps, tensions, and chances of getting killed. She knew very well that it was more than he could take. And now, almost everyone thought he was a liar and a teacher like Umbridge made sure that his life was worse than before.

Hermione wished - oh she so wished that she could make all of Harry's problems disappear. Change his past in a way that allowed him to be a normal guy living a normal life. But even in a world full of magic, Hermione knew it wasn't possible.

And in addition to that, Harry got his first crush on a girl who didn't seem to see him more than a picture on the Daily Prophet. He deserved someone who could get his dilemma. Someone who would love him unconditionally despite his flaws. Someone who acknowledged his actual self instead of his popularity. In other words, someone like...Hermione.

However, she didn't think it was possible, or plausible. Harry had made it clear indirectly that he had no romantic feelings for her. It broke her heart but she didn't want to end her friendship with him just because of that. She might not get over him too quickly and it would take time.

In the current situation, despite everything, the least she could do was offer him comfort. So she scooted near him and gave him a hug.

"Uh...Hermione?" Harry said, vividly confused. His voice made her break down in tears.

"Hey," he said, pulling back to look at her face, "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione sobbed, "I feel so sorry for you! I wish things would have been different for you! I wish you were as happy as a lark. I wish your parents were alive and you didn't have to deal with anything you're dealing with right now. I wish changing your past was possible!"

At her words, Harry got rendered speechless. Never before had he encountered someone who pitied him for his troublesome and unfortunate life. Not even Ron, who on the contrary, sometimes envied Harry's fame, which was the last thing to get jealous of, in Harry's opinion.

And here was Hermione, crying because he couldn't get a normal and happy life like the rest of his peers. She didn't say it before, but now that she did, Harry couldn't help but feel glad. He was happy that at least Hermione could understand his shortcomings and struggle with life, unlike Ron. His respect for her had increased substantially and he realized that she was more amazing than he thought she was.

"Hey," he said softly, "Hermione?"

At his voice, she conjured tissues from her wand and blew her nose.

"I'm sorry," she said, looking at him with red eyes, "I didn't mean to break down like that. I just couldn't help it."

"It's all right. You don't have to be ashamed," Harry told her and took her hand in his, "And well, thank you."

She stopped dabbing her eyes with a tissue to look at him, surprised, "For what?"

"For caring about me. For actually seeing my troubles and hardships in life. For understanding what I'm going through," he said, his eyes never leaving hers, "I'm very lucky to have someone like you in my life."

"Oh, Harry," she said, smiling through her tears, "You're such a great wizard. You would have done okay without me."

"Not true at all," Harry disagreed at once, "Without you, I would have been dead in my first year. And don't get me started on relying on Ron only."

Hermione laughed, "That would be a disaster."

"A catastrophe!" Harry added, in mock horror.

"But Ron helps you, too. It's not like I do it alone."

"I know. That's why he's my best friend. My troublesome life is a lot better with you two in it. However," Harry smiled and squeezed Hermione's hand with his before adding, "He doesn't understand me sometimes, unlike you. So yes, I'm blessed to have you in my life. Because not only you're the brightest witch of our year but you can always get me, inside out, like no one else can."

"I can say the same for you," Hermione replied, smiling. But her smile faded and she sighed sadly, before continuing, "It's just...I want the best for you, Harry. And seeing you like a girl who doesn't know you that well and wouldn't date you based on your actual self just...saddens me."

"That's quite all right," Harry assured her, "I won't mind, really."

Gradually, her tears dried up and once the colour of her face changed from red to pale, Hermione asked Harry bemusedly, "So, tell me, why do you like Cho?"

"Er...because she's pretty?"

"That's it?"

"Well, obviously not," he said, sheepishly, "She's also a great Quidditch player, a Seeker like me. And...I guess that's about it."

"So basically, you like her because she's pretty," Hermione pointed out, rolling her eyes. Harry shrugged, "I don't see the need of getting to know her better because if we started dating, it would happen along the way."

"Hmm," said Hermione in a contemplative manner, "You're right."

"I don't think I can ever ask her out, though," Harry added, sighing, "I get tongue-tied around her. And utterly stupid."

"Her beauty blinds you, I suppose," Hermione said, sarcastically. Harry raised an eyebrow at her, "Is there some kind of...scuffle between you two?"

"No," Hermione answered shortly.

"Then why do you act like you hate her or something?" he asked, curiously.

Hermione sighed, "For the last time, I don't hate her. I just...don't approve of her."

"Why?"

"I don't want to offend you. So, forget it."

"Oh come on, tell me," Harry insisted, "I won't get offended, I promise."

"Well..." Hermione played with her hands nervously, "She's one of those kinds of girls who are popular, have boys chasing them in every nook and corner, and are too focused on how they look."

"And that's disapproving?" Harry asked, confused.

"Harry...these types of girls only think about themselves," Hermione explained, "When they date a boy, they do so based on their personal interests. And in a relationship, they usually don't really care what the other person gets out of it. In other words, they're selfish."

"Cho doesn't seem selfish," Harry argued. Hermione groaned. The sight of him defending Cho angered her.

"See, that's why I didn't want to tell you," Hermione told him, "You would get defensive over your precious Cho."

To her surprise, Harry laughed.

"I'm not getting defensive. I'm just pointing out what I see," he said, "Besides, I don't love her or anything. I just like her and she's my first crush. It's as simple as that."

Hermione's spirits lifted up at these words and she grinned, "Well, if you say so."

At that moment, Ron returned from his meeting with Lavender, looking flushed and happy.

"How did it go, mate?" Harry asked him. Ron grinned broadly, "It went awesome! Lavender really fancies me and I think I'm starting to do too. We are going on our first date in the upcoming Hogsmeade visit!"

"That's great! I'm so happy for you!" Hermione exclaimed, beaming.

"Congrats!" Harry grinned.

Ron smiled upon the sight of his best friends' happy faces, but he focused on Hermione for a moment.

"And Hermione? Thanks. This wouldn't have happened without you."

"The least I could do for you, Ron," she replied, earnestly.

The three then fell into fervid talking until Hermione realized she had forgotten homework!