More Than Friends

More Than Friends

Ch. 2 As a Friend

Harry awoke the next morning and to his dismay, first thought about Hermione.

Why did she affect me like that last night? Best friends aren't supposed to think about each other like this! But it's not entirely my fault, I guess. She's changed over the summer and I would be blind not to notice. Her hair seems to have tamed down; it's no longer bushy but instead falls into soft curls that perfectly frame her face. That face...that face that holds those two perfect cherry lips and big doe eyes. And that figure of hers...that lovely figure of hers...Oh man, I think I should take a cold shower today.

With that in mind, Harry jumped out of bed, into the shower, and got ready for the first day of classes.

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When Harry walked out of his room and into the living room, he was greeted by the sight of Hermione sitting on the couch engaged in a book. She was already dressed and- Harry thought- looked exquisite.

Hermione looked up. "Good Morning, Harry."

"Mornin' Mione. What are you still doing here? Aren't you going to eat some breakfast?"

"Oh, of course. I just decided to wait for you so we could go down together."

"Why, thank you Miss Granger. You are just too thoughtful." Harry gave her a small bow and when he straightened back up, she could see a smile playing on his lips.

"You are very welcome Mr. Potter." Hermione played along and gave him a small curtsey. "Now, if Mr. Potter is finally done primping and pampering himself, then I would suggest we head for the Great Hall." She slightly raised a delicate eyebrow.

"Ha Ha, very funny 'Mione. Let's just go, I'm starving!"

"Is that all guys thing about : food?" Hermione laughed.

"...No." He looked her in her eyes. Not when you're plaguing my thoughts.

Hermione felt the heat of his gaze and pulled away quickly. "Well, what do you say we go eat now, yea? I bet you anything Ron is already down there stuffing his face." She smiled up at him and he laughed.

"Sure, let's go." The two of them headed towards the Great Hall looking forward to meeting up with the rest of the gang; they hadn't had time yet because of their duties. Somewhere along the way, Hermione's thoughts strayed to that tense moment back at their dorm. Why did Harry look at me like that? If I hadn't turned away when I did, I'd probably have lost myself in his gorgeous emerald eyes. He sure has matured over the summer...no longer that scrawny little boy I first knew, that's for sure. All thanks to Quidditch, I bet. Wait, WHAT in the world am I thinking?!? I shouldn't be thinking this!

Hermione suddenly stopped and shook her head of her thoughts.

"What's wrong Hermione?" Harry sounded concerned for his friend.

Hermione noticed what she just did and quickly thought of an excuse besides 'Oh, I was just trying to rid my mind of distracting thoughts of you.' No, that definitely would not work out.

"Huh? Oh, nothing. I just got dizzy for a second. I'm probably just hungry, is all."

"Oh. Well then, let's eat!" With that, he steered her to the Gryffindor table. He wasn't convinced with her story, though, but let it off.

"mmphhey guyff." They were right. Ron was already stuffing his face with more food then it could hold.

"Hey Ron." Harry sat down next to Ron.

"Mornin' Ron." Hermione took a seat across from Harry and Ron. "First day of classes today!" She gave a bright smile and took her schedule out from her book bag. "I haven't even looked at my schedule yet." Her eyes quickly scanned the paper and as she did, her smile slowly faded until her lips were pursed into a thin line. Harry quickly noticed this since he was staring at her this whole time anyway.

"What's wrong? It's not normal for you to be saddened by anything school related."

She looked up. "Huh? Oh...It's just that we have double potions with Slytherin."

Ron swallowed. "So? We always do; nothing new."

"I know, but we always had it in the morning. This year we have it at the end of the day. When it was earlier, I always had time to cheer up before classes were over and go back to the common room in at least a decent mood. Now, I'll have the fresh memory of two hours of Snape, Malfoy, and all those other filthy Slytherins stirring around in my mind." She grimaced and gave an obvious shudder. Harry and Ron couldn't help but laugh at their Miss Goody-Good friend dreading a class.

"Don't worry Hermione. Harry and I'll be there to cheer you up before you go to sleep. Trust us, you won't have any nightmares about potion brewing." Ron smiled at her, then turned to Harry. "Right mate?"

"Of course. We'll protect you. What are friends for?" He gave her a reassuring smile and Hermione instantly felt that there really was nothing to worry about...not as long as she had her friends by her side.

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(bell rings, end of fourth period)

"Oh man, History of Magic is probably the most boring class every invented." Ron stretched and cracked his neck as they walked out the door. Harry yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"I know, mate. But at least there's only this year of it and we never have to walk back into this classroom again." Ron laughed.

"Yea, that's true. So, what do you say we head to lunch? Hermione said she'll meet us there."

"Sure."

(in the Great Hall)

Harry and Ron seated themselves at their spot, and were soon joined by Neville and Dean.

"Hey guys. How did your morning classes go? I see you survived." Dean grabbed a sandwich and put it on his plate.

"Eh, they were alright. Nothing too bad...we haven't had potions yet, remember?" Harry gave Dean a pointed look and took a sandwich as well.

"Ah, the dreaded potions. Everyone knows how much Harry loves that class." All three of them laughed.

"Of course, you know I absolutely can't wait to be in the same class as Snape." Harry had a rather incredulous look on his face and took a sip of pumpkin juice.

"What's this about Snape? Finally admitted your true love for him, have you Harry?" Harry choked on his pumpkin juice and turned to see Hermione taking a seat next to him.

"Do not joke about something like that!" Harry wagged his finger at her and she just laughed.

"Hey 'Mione. How was Ancient Ruins?" Ron grabbed a sandwich and passed the plate to Hermione.

"Oh, it was fine. Professor Rockwell is a pretty good professor and made it interesting."

"I see." Ron ate half his sandwich in one bite.

"He really knows what he's talking about and is quite helpful."

"Great." He took another sandwich. Hermione was getting the feeling he wasn't really paying attention and an idea hit her.

"For extra credit, he's assigning the girls to put on a strip tease in front of the class tomorrow and I'm considering of doing it. What do you think?" She said it so nonchalantly that Ron believed her and spat out the pumpkin juice he was drinking all over Neville.

"Ugh! Ron, that is disgusting!" Neville wiped his face off.

"WHAT?! What kind of pervert professor makes his students strip for him?! That is really--

Hermione laughed. "Slow down, Ron. I was only joking. Wanted to see if you were really paying attention to anything I was saying." She laughed and poured herself some pumpkin juice. Harry, however, was having a hard time keeping his cool with the thoughts Hermione had filled his head with at the moment and shut his eyes tight.

Oh gosh...Why did she have to place the image of her stripping down to nothing in my head? I can't look at her or else I will completely lose it. I've got to get out of here.

"Hey guys, I just remembered I forgot my potions book in my room. I'll meet you guys in class." Harry zoomed out of the Great Hall leaving his friends very confused.

"What's the matter with him?" Ron looked at Hermione and she just shrugged.

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Once Harry got to his room, he looked the door and started pacing. Why does she affect me so? She's just so innocent and yet so...ugh! How will I ever survive sharing a dormitory with her? It's probably these raging hormones. Damn it!

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(Dungeons)

Harry headed for the dungeons for potions and when he got there, he saw that Ron and Hermione had already arrived. Hermione was sitting with Neville and he took his usual seat next to Ron. He saw Draco sitting at the back of the class with his feet on the desk.

Soon Snape entered the room and the moment he did, all conversation stopped dead in its tracks and he quickly scanned the classroom.

"Back for another year, Potter? Thought you'd have been kicked back into Beginner's Potions by now." He looked down at Harry and had a smirk on his face. Draco laughed loudly.

"No. I'm back." Harry starred straight at Snape making sure to hide all emotion.

"Yes. Well, not for long." He walked to the front of the room and addressed the whole class. "Today you will be making a potion that will cause the person of interest to repeat anything you say, even if you were to whisper it. Anyone know what it is?" He looked around the room and saw Hermione immediately raise her hand. He ignored her, though, until she was his only option. "Yes, Granger?"

"Repitoir Funnadum."

"Yes. Five points to Gryffindor. I will be splitting you up into partners which I have already chosen." This received several groans and moans throughout the room. Snape ignored this. "The partner list is located next to the ingredients cupboard and the instructions are on the front board. Begin." He stalked over to his desk and began scrawling something on parchment.

"Ugh! I'm with Malfoy." Hermione looked ready to die. Draco walked up behind her.

"Get the ingredients and meet me at my desk." Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off. "Don't argue, we have only two hours after all." Defeated, Hermione gave Harry and Ron a sad smile and gathered the ingredients.

"I'm with Goyle. Who you with?" Ron whispered to Harry.

"Zabini."

"Well, might as well get this over with, then." Ron went to work with Goyle, leaving Harry with Zabini.

(At Malfoy's table)

Hermione was dicing up the Mandrake root as instructed when Draco suddenly stood behind her very, very close. Then, he placed his hands on her waist. Hermione was terrified...his grip was very strong. "Better watch yourself, Granger. Never know who could be watching you." Hermione pushed his hands off of her.

"What do you think you're doing, Malfoy?!" Her voice was a harsh whisper.

He just looked her into her eyes and pulled her body close to his so that there was no air left between them and he was nose to nose with her. "What do you think? You've definitely changed, Granger, and I'm smart enough to have noticed...unlike Potter and Weasley over there." He nodded his head over to where Ron and Harry were each working. "Just know I'll be watching you." He let go of her and went back to working as if nothing had happened. Hermione's breath, however, was ragged and she was frightened. She was just happy that they were working in the back corner of the class so that no one saw what had happened. Harry, however, saw the whole thing and was boiling with anger.

When I get my hands on him, I'll kill him. I'll kill him! He was gripping his valerian roots so tight that the juices were flowing out of them and he was glaring daggers at Draco, who was busy stirring his cauldron while Hermione was crushing her tresent beans. Harry could still see the fear in her eyes and could tell she was frantically trying to calm down.

I'll kill him!

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(Bell rings)

"Whew! Man, that was some killer potion to start with at the beginning of the year, don't you think Harry?"

"Huh? Oh, yea, it was. Listen Ron, Hermione and I are gonna head back to our dorm...we still have some Heads' duties to take care of."

"Alright. See you guys tomorrow."

"Alright, see ya."

"Bye." Once Ron was out of earshot, Hermione turned to Harry. "What duties are you talking about? We only have to patrol the corridors and that's not even for another two hours."

"I know. Let's just get up to our dorm first. I have to talk to you." Harry took her hand- which surprised Hermione- and led her to their common room.

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(Heads' common room)

Once Harry and Hermione were seated on the couch, Harry looked at Hermione with concern.

"Are you okay?" Hermione was confused.

"Of course I'm okay, Harry? Why would I not be?" She knew she wasn't convincing him, though, and just looked down at her hands in her lap.

"Hermione, tell me the truth. I saw what happened between you and Malfoy just now." He put his hand on her shoulder, encouraging her to look up at him.

Her breath caught. He saw. "Oh, so you saw?"

Harry nodded. "And it took all that I had in me to keep from hexing him into the next millennium on the spot." She looked up into his eyes and saw her friend's concern for her. She gave a slight smile.

"I'm fine, Harry...now. He did scare me, though. His grip on me was so tight. It actually still hurts." She rubbed the side of her waist and Harry looked down at where she was aching.

"I can fix that for you." He took out his wand and pointed at where her sore was. "Retrafotatum." She immediately felt better.

"Thanks Harry. I really appreciate it." She put her hand on top of his hand on her shoulder.

"No problem. I care for you Hermione. I love you as a friend and always will." He brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

"I love you as a friend too, Harry." She gave him a hug and warmth immediately filled her. Harry was having trouble trying to fight down the swarm of butterflies in his stomach. After several moments, they broke apart.

"Well, I think I'm going to go take a shower. I feel so dirty after Malfoy touched me." She shuddered and Harry laughed.

"Alright. I'll just start on some homework before we do our rounds." He smiled at her and she smiled back before walking into her room.

Harry watched her leave and once she closed her door, Harry laid back on the couch, ran his fingers through his hair, and sighed. Only as a friend, Hermione?

When Hermione closed her door, she collapsed on her bed and sighed. Only as a friend, Harry?