Things I'll Never Say

"He asked you out?" Hermione nodded happily. "Oh my god, that's so great! I'm so happy for you!" screamed Ginny. "Where are you going? When are you going? What are you going to wear? How are you going to act?" The first two questions were excited, but the last two were one of panic.

"Hogsmeade, in two hours, I don't know, and do I have to act a certain way?" asked Hermione. "I haven't given it much thought."

"Haven't given it much thought?" Ginny's jaw dropped open. "After nearly four years of wanting to go out with you, you've never considered what would happen if he did ask you out?"

"I was busy," Hermione said defensively. "We were taking the O.W.L.s and the N.E.W.T.s. And besides, Harry was always hanging around some other girl."

"Like me," Ginny sighed regretfully. She looked at Hermione pleadingly.

"Not only you." Hermione smiled. She knew Harry and Ginny didn't work. She also knew Ginny knew how much pain it caused Hermione to watch them date. "There were others. But that doesn't matter now. Come on, help me figure out what to wear...and how to act."

"Okay, first things first. Is this a casual date, a dress-up date, a dinner date, a ..." Ginny went on listing.

"Wait! Okay, it's a casual date, no food unless we become hungry. We'll probably walk around."

"Hm-mm." Ginny surveyed the situtation before raiding Hermione's closet.

For the next hour, Ginny helped Hermione find the perfect outfit, while Hermione magicked her hair to become straight and untangled to make it easier for her to try different hairstyles. Ginny and Hermione sighed of relief when they finally found the best casual date, no dinner outfit. Hermione sat down in her white spaghetti-strap tanktop with glitter on it with a black denim jacket over it, a black skirt with more glitter on it, and black platform shoes. "Let's see... A bit of blush and a little lip gloss shouldn't do anything but good." Ginny stood back and pursed her lips. "We need jewelry."

"But I don't have that much," Hermione objected.

"That's all right, you can borrow some of mine." Silver bangle bracelets, and a silver necklace with a tiny star pendant finished the look. Hermione wore her hair down with curls here and there. They started to run through the do's and don'ts of the first date.

"Okay, first thing, Hermione." Ginny looked at her anxious friend seriously. "Don't be nervous. If this was anyone else, you can be, but this is Harry. Your best friend in the whole world. You know him, he knows you, you'll have plenty to talk about. And if you are nervous, try not to show it."

Ginny went through some more rules. "And finally, have fun! Harry Potter finally asked you out-" Ginny looked at the clock. "-and he'll be waiting for you in a couple of minutes. Go! Good luck!" wished Ginny.

"Thank you so much." Hermione couldn't express her happiness enough. She rushed out of the dorms and then slowed to a walk when she got to the common room. No one was there yet. Hermione sighed and sat down, waiting.

I'm tugging at my hair

I'm pulling at my clothes

I'm trying to keep my cool

I know it shows

After five minutes, a voice spoke. "Hermione?" She jumped up and looked for the voice. She knew whose it was before she found him standing at the threshold.

"H-hi, Harry." She took a breath and tried to smile confidently.

"You look great." Harry walked towards her and returned the smile.

She blushed. "Thank you. You look good too," Hermione replied in almost a whisper. She looked admiring at the muscles that showed through the fitted gray shirt that brought out his eyes.

"Shall we?" He offered an arm and motioned to the door.

She took his arm. "Yes. We shall." Yes, we shall? thought Hermione. Who am I, some learn-to-read-English television program? Talk more! Say something interesting. Her conscience was yelling at her, making her breathe a little faster.

I'm staring at my feet

My cheeks are turning red

I'm searching for the words

Inside my head

I'm feeling nervous

Trying to be so perfect

'Cause I know you're worth it

You're worth it

The couple walked in silence for a couple of minutes. To Harry, it was a comfortable silence, but to Hermione, it was long, painful, and awkward. She smoothed her skirt and looked down while she walked, for fear of tripping in her three-inch heels. Harry finally broke it. "Where would you like to go?"

Oh, some private place so we can snog, wished Hermione. "I, uh, I don't...know. W-where would you like to go?" She quickly bounced the question to him to avoid stuttering anymore.

"Let's just walk around for a bit. See where life takes us." He smiled at her and Hermione felt her face flush. "Okay," was the only response she could come up with.

It don't do me any good

It's just a waste of time

What use is it to you

What's on my mind

If it ain't coming out

We're not going anywhere

So why can't I just tell you that I care

They walked around for a bit more, chatting more and more. Hermione finally loosened up and started to laugh.

"Do you remember the time the twins set up the trap for me and Ron, but instead it got Dumbledore?" Harry reflected. They laughed at the memory.

"Thank goodness he was so understanding." Hermione was so happy at that moment.

"Yea, he was, wasn't he?" Harry stopped laughing and looked at Hermione for a minute before changing subjects.

What was that look for? Was it important? *sigh* Why can't I just tell him how I feel about him? Hermione was scared to say anything to ruin the good time they had today.

"Oh, I know a place where we can go." Harry interrupted her thoughts. "It's a place I discovered a while back. Come on!" They walked on a trail that dwindled down to nothing and Hermione had to rely on Harry to know the way.

"Harry, are you s-sure this is the w-way?" Hermione retrieved her nervousness again. Where are we going? Are we going to get lost?

What's wrong with my tongue

These words keep slipping away

I stutter, I stumble

Like I've got nothing to say

"Here we are." Harry stepped up on a rock and held out his hand to Hermione. She barely hesitated before taking it. Harry pulled her up and she saw what was so special about this place. It overlooked the sea, giving Hermione something to gasp at. The sun was just setting then, adding to the beauty.

"Oh, Harry, it's..."

"Sh...I know. Hermione, I wanted to take you here to ask you something." Harry was still holding her hands as he looked into her eyes. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"I-I..." Do something! screamed her mind. She hugged Harry and kissed him gently.

If I could say what I want to say

I'd say I want to blow you...away...

Be with you every night

Am I squeezing you too tight?

If I could say what I want to see

I want to see you go down...on one knee

Marry me today

Guess I'm wishing my life away

With these things I'll never say.

Hermione didn't need any words to answer Harry's question.