While You Were In A Coma

While you were in a coma

"Come on, Ron! Hurry up!" Mrs. Weasley called to Ron, who was still standing inside King's Cross Station, just a few meters away from the secret entrance to Platform nine and three-quarters.

"Mum, I'm coming! I lost Hermione!" Ron screamed back to his mother, straining to be heard over the masses. He was glancing frantically in all directions of the station, trying in vain to locate Hermione. How hard could it be to find a girl hauling a big trunk with a horrible tawny cat on top?

"Oh, don't worry dear, she'll be ok. She's probably with Harry," Mrs. Weasley consoled, as they were the only two missing from her little group of 'children'.

"Oh, well, that really makes me feel better," Ron muttered sarcastically, heading back to his mother. He swallowed hard; he couldn't help the intense pang of envy. He was kind of hurt when Harry had bought Hermione that book. Harry should've known that Ron couldn't get her something like that in a million years. And then there was Hermione; she'd seemed so happy, her face had practically glowed when she'd seen the book. Ron could never buy her that book, or in fact, any of the pricey gifts she doubtlessly deserved.

"Oh come on dear, don't be silly," Mrs. Weasley soothed, pulling Ron into her embrace. "They can't be that far, they were just behind us. Probably got separated because of all these people," she pushed Ron gently through the magical entrance and followed suit.

"Stupid cat! For such stubby legs, he sure runs fast," Harry panted, slightly out of breath. He stumbled towards Hermione, his arms encircling an agitated Crookshanks. Somehow the cat had managed to open the door to his basket and chase after an unsuspecting mouse. Although Hermione had called him over and practically screamed herself hoarse, he'd continued to hunt his prey. For about fifteen minutes, the travelers that expertly weaved their way through King's Cross could see a pair of fifteen year olds wildly chasing a determined ginger cat.

"Oh, thank God that you found him!" Hermione exclaimed, rushing towards Harry, breathing heavily, "I was beginning to think that I was going to miss the Hogwarts Express, and that you and Ron would have to send someone to pick me up," she said, taking the spitting ginger cat from Harry.

"You mean Ron would have to send someone because-" Harry started to talk as he began brushing off golden-brown cat hairs from his t-shirt.

"Oh, why, thank you Harry, for implying that you wouldn't mind having me stranded here in Muggle London...all alone, at that" Hermione interrupted icily, mock-glaring at Harry.

"What I meant, if you hadn't interrupted me, was that Ron would be the one to inform the teachers at Hogwarts of the situation, because I didn't plan on leaving you alone," Harry finished, heading to the spot where they'd left their trolleys.

Hermione's gaze lingered on Harry's fleeting figure for just a minute before turning to Crookshanks to try to soothe the keyed up cat. When Harry returned with both their carts, Hermione secured Crookshanks in his basket and they headed to the entrance of Platform nine and three-quarters. They stopped right in front of the familiar wall between Platforms nine and ten, trying to look unsuspicious while waiting for exactly the perfect moment to enter through the concealed gate. "Oh Harry before I forget-" Hermione spoke suddenly, while Harry served as their sentinel, keeping an eye out for Muggles rushing about.

"What?" he asked, absentmindedly looking to see if any Muggles were watching them. That feeling he'd had that day in Diagon Alley, that sudden, mysterious burst of cold dread was still strong within him. He wasn't able to shake that ominous feeling of uncertainty. However, all coherent thought fled as he felt Hermione's soft, moist lips lightly touch his cheek. Harry felt his temperature rise to an all-time high, and knew his face was flaming. He whipped his face around to meet Hermione's, unsure of what to make of the kiss, "What? What...what was...?" he could barely string two words together. What the heck was wrong with him? The only time got tongue-tied was when...

Hermione interrupted his thoughts, "I forgot to thank you properly for the book you bought me, and take it as a thank you for your help with Crookshanks as well."

Harry stared blankly at a smiling Hermione. And with that Hermione made her way in, a dumbstruck Harry following her. As soon as they went through the magical wall of bricks they were faced with the all-to-familiar sight of bustling witches and wizards. Students talking amongst them, parents saying their goodbyes, the sound of the trunks being heaved onto the trains. A familiar patch of scarlet hair could be seen running directly towards them.

"Hermione, what happened? I thought you two were in trouble!" exclaimed Ron, his cheeks flushed as he put his hands on either one of Hermione's shoulders.

"Oh, Ron! Nothing happened, it's just that Crookshanks somehow got loose and ran all over the station. Thankfully, Harry caught him before too long," Hermione explained, placing a grateful hand on Harry's arm to emphasize her gratification.

Ron's gaze shifted towards Harry, who was wishing his face had returned to its natural colour. But apparently it hadn't. "Why do you look so flushed?" asked Ron, eyeing Harry suspiciously.

"Well I was the one who ran after the damn cat, wasn't I?" responded Harry defensively.

Ron didn't say a word but wrapped his arm around Hermione and gently guided her towards the train. After saying goodbye to the Weasley parents, they headed inside their usual compartment.

Again Harry felt left out. This was a strange feeling indeed. Even though Harry was included in the conversation with Ron and Hermione, he felt excluded from the new stage his friends were entering. He glanced at Ron and Hermione, who were currently deeply involved in a personal conversation; this Harry could tell from the way they sitting and talking animatedly in hushed tones. Harry preferred to ignore the intense feeling of lonesomeness and think about other important things. It had been a while since he'd written to his godfather, Sirius; that was the first thing he planned on doing as soon as he arrived at Hogwarts. Harry wanted desperately to know if Sirius was anywhere near him, but of course he knew that Sirius couldn't share that information, for fear of the owl being intercepted. Harry would simply ask how he was doing and if he was taking care of Buckbeak. Secondly, he'd ask Dumbledore for the update on Voldemort. He also wanted to discuss with Dumbledore the strange, cold sensation he had during his visit to Diagon Alley...his visit to Diagon Alley where he bought Hermione that book she really liked...and that earned him that incredible pearly-white smile...and of course who could forget the kiss...

"Damn!!!" Harry chastised himself mentally. There it was again. Why was it that lately, well for months now to be truthful, all of this thoughts drifted off to thought of Hermione?

Unconsciously Harry touched the spot on his cheek where Hermione had pressed her lips minutes before. His sensitive skin still tingled from that short but sweet contact from her lips. To his mind came a memory of a conversation between Ron and him during that very summer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ron...how do you even know you like Hermione as more than a friend?" Harry asked, bemused, after Ron had first told him about his new feelings towards their best friend.

"Oh that's easy..." Ron said cheerfully, purposely making time before actually answering, "She makes me feel."

"Makes you feel what?" asked Harry, confused.

"Everything," Ron breathed.

Harry arched an eyebrow at his friend's simple statement, "Oh, well, now I understand," he said sarcastically, after realizing that nothing was going to follow.

"You will. When you find that special girl, you will understand," Ron answered wisely, before returning to what he was doing. Harry just stared at him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry snapped out of his reverie as the witch with the snack trolley arrived. When all of their stomachs growled audibly at the same time, they laughed as Harry bought loads of sweets for them to share. As they munched on sugar packed treats, the three friends started a cheerful conversation on the long way to Hogwarts.

TO BE CONTINUED