Madness in the Rain

Harry smiled as Hermione's hair blew into her face once again. They were seated on the top level of a double-decker bus and the wind was coming from behind them. Her hair was no longer the bushy mane she had had in younger years, but a flowing mass of curls. Harry poorly masked a laugh by coughing a bit too late. She frowned at him but her frown quickly turned into a smile as she began laughing herself.

It was now 11 o'clock on Thursday morning. Harry had had the most fun week he could ever remember. He and Hermione had explored London together and today they were going to Diagon Alley to get their supplies for school. Harry had only been a bit surprised when his school list had been delivered to Hermione's house for him. The school owls were really smart and Harry had the feeling that Dumbeldore knew he was there.

The bus stopped near the Leaky Cauldron, not that the muggle driver could see it, and Harry and Hermione got out. "You kids getting your Hogwarts things?" asked the kind old bartender, Tom. Harry nodded. "Have a good time then," Tom said with a friendly smile and stepped out from behind the bar and walked them to the back entrance where the brick wall that led to Diagon Alley stood. He took out his wand and tapped the bricks and Harry and Hermione passed through the archway that appeared.

"Thanks Tom!" they yelled just before the opening closed. Harry looked all around him and took in the sights and sounds of the magical street. "... got to get a bit more of most of my basic potion ingredients and then new robes, and standard book of spells book 6..." Hermione muttered going down the list. She looked up to see Harry watching her. She smiled at him, "...but first, we have to go to Gringotts, I took out a vault of my own last ear but I haven't been down to visit it yet."

Harry and Hermione turned towards Gringotts Wizard Bank and climbed up the great white marble steps, Hermione carefully sneaking interested glances at the goblins. They're very interesting, you know, Harry," she whispered excitedly. "The goblin rebellions we learned about were just part of it..." Harry tuned her out as he had learned to do by now and subconsciously studied her face.

She was quite brown from being outside in the summer sun and had gotten a small patch of freckles around her nose. Her deep brown eyes sparkled with excitement as she talked and her smile lit up her whole face. She looks so pretty when she smiles like that, Harry thought. He snapped back to consciousness at his name. "Earth to Harry!" she said waving a hand in front of his face. He blushed deeply realizing that she had caught him not listening, and staring at her, at that. Hermione smiled again and asked for the third time, "Did you remember your key, Harry?"

He gulped and nodded. "It's here somewhere, Herm," and he began checking his pockets. He pulled out his tiny gold key and held it up to the goblin at the counter. The goblin studied it closely and gave it back, yelling for another goblin to take them to a cart. This second goblin came and led them to the underground vault entrance. Hermione looked apprehensive.

"Is it scary Harry?" she whispered looking warily down the winding, rickety cart track. The goblin looked exasperatedly at her, "getting in or not miss?" She swallowed hard and stepped into the cart after Harry, taking his hand. Harry didn't mind this at all. The cart started moving and picked up speed and Hermione threw herself into Harry's arms. Harry immediately was overcome by the sensation of her soft body pressing to him and held her tightly. She seemed to fit perfectly into his lap. When the cart stopped she got up and followed the goblin out of the cart.

"Your vault sir." Said the goblin in a weedy little voice. Harry handed him the key and when the smoke cleared in his vault Hermione gasped. Harry blushed at this. He didn't like to look as if he had a lot of money, but the truth was that his parents had left him a small fortune. He quickly gathered a small bag full of Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts and left the vault. He hated showing off his money.

They got into the cart again and Hermione once again was overcome by her fear of the speeding cart and Harry held her close. She smells amazing, I wonder what it is, thought Harry. She sighed contentedly and he held her tighter. The cart screeched to a halt outside another vault. "Key please, Miss," squeaked the goblin. Hermione handed him the key and went into her vault were a few small piles of galleons and sickles lay. She counted as she dropped gold into her own bag.

Harry sat in the cart and Hermione didn't even wait for the cart to begin moving as she snuggled close to him, in his strong arms. Harry looked down at her and she smiled up at him. Her deep amber eyes looked into his own green and he leaned closer. She reached her mouth up to meet his. The cart jerked to a stop and they quickly pulled away before kissing.

Hermione wouldn't meet his eyes. "I'm going to go get my robes fitted, I'll meet up with you later, Harry," she stammered as she practically ran out of Gringotts. Harry bit his lip. What the hell was I thinking? He climbed out of the cart and went to the bookstore to get his books She'll probably never speak to me again! What's wrong with me? Harry thought angrily as he walked quickly into the bookstore and wordlessly handed the lady at the counter his book list.

Outside Madam Malkin's shop Hermione was thinking much along the same lines as Harry. He's never going to look at me the same way again. This will ruin our friendship. There was another thought nagging in the back of her mind. She had been crushing on someone before the school year had ended and Harry didn't know about this. If he did, he and Ron would probably have tried to lock her up in St. Mungo's. She pushed open the door to the shop. Madam Malkin greeted her with a smile. "Hello dear. Hogwarts, I presume?" Hermione nodded, too caught up in her thoughts to respond. "The third door is open, I believe." Hermione walked into the third dressing room.

The first thing she saw when she opened the door was the one person she really didn't want to run into today. Hermione blushed and gulped as she saw him take off his shirt, his perfect chest and abs displayed in the mirror. Gods he's good looking! Hermione mentally slapped herself. Goodness knows Harry and Ron would kill me if they knew I'd thought that. Then again, Harry just tried to kiss me so I really don't know what he'd do anymore, do I? She snapped back to present as she felt blue-gray eyes looking at her in the mirror. The blue-gray eyes that belonged to the boy she had been gazing at in school. Draco Malfoy slowly turned around to face her.

"Hello...Granger!?!" Draco had an unreadable expression. "I've never seen you without clothes on...I m-m-mean...y-y-you know...robes" he stuttered, looking as embarrassed as she did. She blushed deeper than before. "You look nice in muggle clothes," he said stepping closer, to pick up the shirt he had discarded. She bent down to pick it up at the same moment and their hands brushed. He looked up at her and for the second time that day Hermione felt herself drawn closer. His lips gently brushed hers and she felt her knees give away beneath her. He put his arms around her carefully and she felt as if he were holding her up. She was surprised by his gentleness. He pulled away and began to stand up. "I...I'm so sorry...I" She stopped his stammering by kissing him back. He seemed surprised by this but they soon left all misgivings behind, his hands in her hair and her hands tracing his bare back. He pushed her up against the wall and she allowed his tongue to caress and explore her mouth. Their kiss grew with passion and Draco began unbuttoning her blouse.

"No...stop...I couldn't...not here," she said quietly, breaking their kiss. He nodded and kissed her gently once more before pulling his shirt back on. Madam Malkin walked in just then and they both became quite embarrassed that she had almost caught them. After Draco got his robes fitted he looked desperately at Hermione and as he walked by he whispered, "I have to see you again." She nodded wordlessly and he left.

Hermione walked out of the shop about fifteen minutes later and saw Harry standing and waiting for her. Oh gods I had completely forgotten! she thought. "Hermione," he started, but she stopped him. "Harry, you are my best friend and I don't want to ruin yours and Ron's friendship."

"Oh good, that's exactly how I feel," said Harry quietly. Hermione failed to notice the hint of disappointment in Harry's voice and smiled. "Thank goodness," she said quite relieved. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you as a friend Harry." He smiled weakly. "You never will, Hermione."