Lean On Me

It was a few weeks before the end of holiday, and Hermione had planned to have a movie night for all of her friends. Anybody who was anybody, in Hermione's life, was going to be there.

Hermione spent the entire afternoon before the night preparing. She set out various snack foods and drinks. She set out some of her favorite movies, so that they would have a selection to choose from. She made sure that there was enough room for everything she had invited.

As Hermione was putting the finishing touches on her movie night set-up, her doorbell rang. As she was walking to open it, she heard arguing.

"C'mon! Just once more?"

"No!"

"Please?"

She opened the door, and there stood Ginny and Ron. "Honestly Ron! You only need to ring it once! Hermione's not deaf, you know! Oh, hello Hermione."

Ginny and Ron were in a very compromising position. Ginny was holding both of Ron's arms, trying to keep him from ringing the 'Ding-Donger' as he called it.

Hermione laughed, and said, "Come in you two." She led them to the TV room, and told them to get comfortable. Then the doorknob rang again, and Hermione went to answer the door.

Harry, Neville and Luna were standing at the door. Luna was peering into Hermione's bushes, as Harry and Neville stood there nervously. "Err, Luna?" Hermione said.

The girl stood and blinked her large eyes at Hermione. "Hello Hermione. I could have sworn I saw a Crumple-Horned Snorkack." Hermione, Neville and Harry choked back chuckles as a shout was heard from inside, "Luna, is that you?"

Luna said back, "Yes Ronald, it's me." She and the two boys followed Hermione into the television room, where Luna promptly sat next to Ron. Neville and Harry made conversation with Ginny. And Hermione watched everyone until the doorbell rang again.

Hermione answered the door. Standing there were Seamus, Lavender, Parvati and Dean. Hermione smiled. "Come on in. Everyone else is here." She led them into the room where everyone else was sitting and talking.

Hermione felt a smile find her face. So far, everything was going as it should. After everyone had caught up about their summers and everything, soon it quieted down. Hermione took this chance to suggest that they pick movies.

She held up Schindler's List, Sleepless in Seattle, Groundhog Day, Dave, The African Queen, and Pretty Woman. She explained the aspects of each movie, mainly for those who had never seen them before.

First, they decided to watch Groundhog Day. It was a funny, light-hearted movie that everyone could appreciate. Even when it turned more into a love story, it was still funny.

After they finished that movie, everyone took a break and had some snacks. The next movie they decided on was Sleepless In Seattle. While the couples attempted to be considerate, they eventually gave in to their desires and started snogging about halfway through.

This made for a very uncomfortable situation for Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Neville. They either didn't have their significant other with them, or didn't have a significant other. Period.

After this movie, everyone moved around. They decided to watch The African Queen next. Somehow, Harry had gotten next to Hermione. Soon, the others began to get bored. It was an old movie. Thus, it was more boring and not as good as the newer movies. Hermione begged to differ. The African Queen was one of her most favorite movies of all time.

About a quarter of the way through the movie, Ron and Ginny had to go, for they were expected home soon. Seamus, Dean, Lavender and Parvati decided to leave soon after that. They had later plans to go out for ice cream and a more recent movie in theaters.

Neville stuck around for a little while longer, but eventually excused himself, saying that his grandmother would be expecting him home any minute.

Hermione looked at Harry and asked, "You aren't going to leave me, are you?"

Harry chuckled. "Never."

They both turned their attention to the television. It was right after Humphrey Bogart, Charlie, and Katherine Hepburn, Rose, had gone through the rapids, and had damaged their rudder. Rose was pumping the water out of the ship, watching as Charlie went into the jungle looking for woods. As she watched, her steady pumping slowed, almost stopping, before she picked up the pace again.

Hermione barely heard him, but Harry said, "Hey Hermione?"

She replied, "Yes?"

She looked at his emerald green eyes. He looked as innocent as a young child when he asked, "Can I lean on your shoulder?"

Hermione swallowed. "Sure Harry. You can lean on me."

She watched as Harry moved closer. He wrapped an arm around her back, and let his other one rest on her thigh. His head found a comfortable spot on her shoulder, and he stayed there, not moving.

"Thanks."

They stayed like that for a while. In the movie, Rose had her head on Charlie's shoulder, much like Harry had his head on Hermione's. Rose said to Charlie, "Mr. Allnut, what's your name." He gave her his dashing smile. "Charlie." She smiled back at him. "Charlie. That's a nice name."

It reminded Hermione of when she met Harry on the Hogwarts Express. Sure, it was different. But there was something about the scene that reminded her of her first meeting Harry.

As the movie progressed, Hermione felt her hand move to wrap around Harry. Harry snuggled a little closer. Hermione couldn't help but smile. She loved how Harry being so close made her feel warm. Not just outside, but inside too.

She looked down at her best friend, who was watching the movie intently. It was nearing the end. Hermione had seen it a thousand times. Now she was imagining herself as Rose, and Harry as Charlie.

She hadn't noticed that Harry looked up at her, and caught her staring. "Hermione?"

She blinked. Her brown eyes met his green ones, and she suddenly realized that she had more than friendly feelings toward Harry. There was something more. There was something different, that she didn't have with Ron. There was some sort of strange feeling that just didn't fit in with friendship. "Harry..." she breathed.

Before Hermione knew what she was doing, she kissed Harry's lips softly. Harry was surprised at first, and didn't respond.

Hermione pulled away, disconnecting herself from Harry, and moving herself away from him. She flushed a deep red, ashamed of what she had done. There she went, ruining her friendship with Harry forever. It would be awkward. They both wouldn't be able to look at the other and not think about that bloody kiss.

Harry swallowed, and moved closer to Hermione. He wrapped bother his arms around her, and pulled her into a hug. "Hermione..." She looked at Harry, his eyes closed, hugging her tightly. He continued, "That was..." Harry searched for a word. There was only one that came to mind.

"That was magical."

Hermione blinked. What had he meant by that? As Harry's lips met hers again, Hermione closed her eyes and deepened the kiss. So that's what he meant...