Never Been Kissed

No it didn't Herm, stop lying.

It happens everyday now!

***

It was just a regular Quidditch morning, and he was holding his broom to one side, blushing furiously from the heat waves from the beaming sunlight. He sighed. Oh please, no not again. There was no in sight at the Quidditch field and the only glint he saw was of a figure leaning down to see something in the seats. He squinted his eyes, trying to look through his rough dirty glasses. It was a brown haired someone.

Hermione Granger.

Oh Gods, not again, he thought to himself.

Hermione jumped up from her seat when she saw him, running down the empty aisles to make her way through.

"Harry?" she asked.

She did look very pretty, her newly freshed curls hanging down from the side, her lips into a firm straight line, and her cheeks flushing from the heat.

"They did it again, Hermione." said Harry, throwing his hands up in the air in mere frustration.

"Fred & George?" said Hermione nodding stubbornly looking up at him questioningly.

"Ron & Ginny." said Harry grinning.

"Gosh, when will they learn we aren't going out together?" said Hermione, smiling a bit herself.

"Next century. C'mon Herm, let me walk you back to the castle," offered Harry helpfully, and grabbed her arm softly.

Hermione took a deep breath as she felt tingles run up and down her spine. She slowly took away from his grasp and looked down at her shoes as she walked beside Harry. She couldn't stand to touch him.

It wasn't like he was ugly or anything.

Far from it.

He was...

ADORABLE.

Completely adorable.

So...

innocent.

He took a deep breath silently.

Why had she taken her arm away from his so suddenly? Was it because of him? It was his scar, wasn't it? His tousseled hair? It was his eyes wasn't it?

"Harry? What are you thinking?" her voice erupted his thoughts.

He bolted up forward and looked around frowning. They had walked this far?

They were in the common room, and Hermione sat facing the fire, glinting at the fiery flames that sat there, spiriting away their iciness.

"Um..nothing.." he lied quickly, taking a seat next to her.

"Liar," she teased half grinning.

"It's not important," replied Harry looking down at his fingers.

"But I want to know," she pouted leaning over.

She was so close that Harry could see what lay beneath that silk shirt of hers.

He almost fell backwards, but managed to keep very still, her sweet breath still breathing softly in his ear.

"If you tell me, I'll tell you something..." she said, grinning playfully.

His heart leaped as he felt himself getting a bit over excited.

"Okay," he agreed reluctantly.

"Well..I've..." Hermione looked down at her knees, not finishing the sentence she had begun.

"You?" asked Harry, and found his fingers founding themselves stroking her hair easily. He felt her stiffen next to him, but she just let him.

"See, I've never ...had a first kiss before," she said hurriedly.

Harry widened his eyes. "Never?"

"Never," she answered promptly, her face flushed in embarrassment.

"Oh," he answered quietly.

"It's not that I didn't have any chances..see...I've gotten pecks on my nose and cheeks often, but just friendly ones. But I don't think your surprised, right?" asked Hermione, holding her breath waiting for him to answer.

"Actually I am," he answered.

Hermione looked up. "But, why would you be? After all, I bet you never expected THIS to get kissed," she said, looking down at herself.

"This? Don't call yourself that, Herm... you look..." Harry didn't finish the sentence. Ravishingly beautiful? Gingerly pretty? Sweet and modest? Lovely?

No.

"You look okay," he finished. Oh damn! He cursed to himself, wishing he could vanish right then and there. He couldn't read the look on Hermione's face but a second later she shrugged.

"I expected that," she said, her voice coming out very raspy.

"No, I meant you look... great," Harry said at a lousy attempt to make her feel better.

"You're a terrible liar, Harry," said Hermione, half grinning.

He smiled back. You need to do something you prat! he told himself, trying to gain control again. He put his hand on her shoulder and she sort of jumped at this sudden touch but remain silent.

He let his fingers roll upon her chin and lifted it up so her lips were brushing against his nose.

Hermione held her breath...what the hell was happening?

The world seem so blurry from here. Dark shapes of grey passed through her closed eyelids as she felt Harry's warm breath agonizing her face.

****