The Matchmakers

When the two Gryffindor's broke away from their kiss, there was a loud click as the door to the abandoned classroom was unlocked with magic by their friends up in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Do we have to leave?" asked Hermione quietly. Harry nodded and she frowned, saying, "You do know we're probably going to be bombarded with questions and the like. I bet ten Galleons they were watching us!"

Harry shrugged, brushing a piece of hair from her face. "Well," he said slowly, "we'll just have to grin and bear it." Hermione smiled and nodded slowly.

Hand-in-hand, they made their way slowly up to the Gryffindor Common Room, relishing in their new-found romance. They passed several students and ghosts on their way; Moaning Myrtle, the ghost who haunted a girls toilet on the second floor, fled at the sight of them with a sob, pearly tears building up behind her thick glasses.

"I don't think I'll be able to use her bathroom again," whispered Hermione, and Harry grinned.

"What can I say? She has good taste!"

Hermione hit him playfully on the arm and he retaliated by kissing her. This was followed by a loud and metallic round of applause from a couple of suits of armour. Even Peeves, the school's poltergeist joined in the applause, cackling in his usual way.

When they entered the Gryffindor Common Room, they were greeted by another round of applause and catcalling, this time from the rest of the seventh years and Ginny who were the only students still left in the Common Room. Harry suspected that they had sent the younger students up to bed, or at least forced them out of the Common Room, due to the slight smell of Dungbombs which hung around in the air.

Hermione blushed and held on tighter to Harry's hand, though she did have a small smile on her face. Harry too had a smile on his face.

Parvati, Ginny and Lavender descended on Hermione in a shriek of multicoloured robes (the latest fashions from Hogsmeade, of course.) They led Hermione away to another part of the Common Room, firing questions at her faster than she could answer them. "How do you feel?", "How long have you like him?" and even, "Is he a good kisser?"

Ron slapped Harry on the back cheerfully. "Well done, mate! I always knew you had it in you! Mum's going to be so pleased." He grinned at his best friend.

"And Fred and George'll have a field day," said Harry gloomily.

"Nonsense," said Hermione cheerfully, appearing at his shoulder. "Fred and George won't say a thing."

"Why not?" asked Ginny. "This is Fred and George we're talking about." But Hermione just tapped the side of her nose, indicating she wasn't going to say anything more.

Harry slipped his arm around her waist and she leant against him slightly, earning an "Awww..." from Parvati, and mock gagging noises from Dean and Seamus, though it was obvious they were joking.

"Go, on!" Ron called. "Kiss her!" They were urged on by several of the others.

Harry turned to face Hermione. "Well, we'd better give the audience what they want," he said smiling, leaning down.

"Definitely," agreed Hermione, centimetres from his lips a broad smile illuminating her face. The moment their lips locked, the world around them became a blur and the only thing that mattered was the kiss. When they finally broke apart after several moments, the Gryffindor Common Room was completely empty, save for the two young lovers.

"So," said Hermione slowly. "What happens now? Where do we go from here?"

"I don't know," admitted Harry, gazing adoringly at her. "I guess only time will tell."