More Than Friends

More Than Friends

Ch. 3 Possibilities

It had been a month since school started and nothing more happened between Harry and Hermione. The both of them resorted to the idea that they only felt the way they did because they hadn't seen each other in a long time (even though it was only a month). And to make matters even more complicated, they always tried to ignore these feelings even though they wouldn't go away. Excuse after excuse...

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Hermione was sitting on her bed reading a book...well, more like trying to read a book. She was having a hard time concentrating. If Harry is just my friend, then why does he affect me the way he does? Could it be that I possibly fancy the guy? It can't be! Maybe it's all just the fact that I'm growing up and am starting to be attracted to guys more than before...and Harry is attractive...Ugh! What's the matter with you, Hermione?! Since when did you get so worked up over a guy that he actually caused you to not read?

Hermione sighed in frustration and slammed her book shut. She looked at her clock and saw it was 11:45. Well, that strikes out any thought of visiting Ginny right now...

She slipped out of bed and into her slippers and headed for the common room. Maybe a drink of water will clear my mind.

(Heads' Common Room)

Hermione poured herself a glass of water and took a seat on the couch. The fire was still burning, but barely. After a few minutes, she realized she wasn't really thirsty and put her glass on the table. When she sat back down, she heard shuffling footsteps and looked up to see Harry across the room at his door. His hair was messier than usual (which, for Harry, was saying something) and he was wearing blue pajama bottoms and a robe. His robe was open and he was heading towards her while rubbing his eyes. Hermione took the opportunity to appreciate his lack of shirt. His stomach muscles were well defined and the dim firelight gave his pale skin a glowing quality; she unconsciously licked her lips- she definitely liked what she saw.

"Hey Hermione. What are you doing up so late?" Harry took a seat next to her and she quickly averted her gaze from his abdomen.

"Oh, couldn't sleep. I didn't wake you, did I?" She looked at him and slightly raised her eyebrows."

"Well, actually you did. But it's ok...your footsteps woke me from a nightmare I was having." He stared into the fire. "I dreamt about Him again...he was killing all those I care for right in front of me and I couldn't do anything about it. It was torture." He then looked at Hermione and smiled. "In a way, you saved me." Now that she was sitting next to him, she could see the beads of sweat on his forehead and noted that they were probably caused by his nightmare.

"Well, I'm glad I did. Know that you can always come to me if you have another nightmare again Harry. I'm here for you." She placed her hand on his knee and smiled up at him.

"I know." They looked into each other's eyes for a few moments and Hermione was the first to pull apart. Then they fell into a lapse of silence and Harry took the chance to look over Hermione. She was wearing a lavender silk nightie that came to just above her knees; it was rather low cut and Harry had to gulp to get rid of the lump in his throat. His gaze then turned to her face and he could see she was staring into the dimming fire. By the looks of it, she was in deep thought and Harry couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking of.

"Have you noticed that Ron and Luna are extremely close nowadays?" He was caught off guard when she suddenly spoke.

"What? Sorry 'Mione, I wasn't really listening." She repeated herself and turned her gaze from the fire to him.

"I said haven't you noticed how close Ron and Luna are nowadays?"

"Well, yeah I have but I never thought much about it. So what if they are?" He shrugged.

"It just seems weird, is all. Of all people, I'd never think to put Ron and Luna together like that." She gave a small laugh.

"Yea, I know what you mean. But think of it: they're good for each other. They seem to balance out one another."

"True. Ron's so down to earth and Luna's so...well...Luna." The two of them laughed and Harry spoke up again.

"In my opinion, I think they'd be good for each other. And I rather like Luna, so I wouldn't mind."

"Yeah. Me too." They smiled at each other when all of a sudden, thunder roared

overhead and a flash of lightning spilled through the window. Hermione gave a small shriek and hid her face in Harry's shoulder. He instinctively put his arm around her and patted her head. She never did like lightning and thunder.

"Shh..it's alright, 'Mione. I'm here." He held her close and rocked her slightly back and forth. He and Ron were used to comforting her when a storm brewed about. He rubbed her back with soothing strokes and she calmed down a bit. Not sure whether it was safe or not, Hermione slowly opened her eyes and when she heard another boom, she only held onto Harry tighter and shut her eyes again. Harry held her for several more minutes until the storm passed.

"It's over. Are you okay, Hermione?" He looked down at the beautiful girl in his arms and she looked up at him and nodded. "Good." He always had mixed feelings about lightning and thunder. He didn't like them because they scared Hermione. He did like them because they were the reason he got to hold Hermione.

"We really should get some sleep, now." Harry made to get up from the couch, but Hermione pulled him back. He looked at her with surprise.

"Don't go. I don't want to be alone in case the storm starts up again." She looked up at him with big, frightened eyes and he couldn't help but sit back down on the couch again. When he did, thunder boomed again and Hermione held onto Harry's waist. He lay on his back and Hermione lay down next to him. She wrapped her arm around his waist and his arm snaked its way around her as well. Thunder boomed again. She buried her face in his chest and tightly shut her eyes. Harry continued to sooth her until the storm finally did end. Even then, he rubbed her back with calming stokes until her grip loosened. Harry noticed her even breathing and looked down at her. She fell asleep. He just smiled and kissed the top of her forehead.

"Goodnight, Hermione." Harry fell asleep with a smile on his face that night.

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Hermione was the first to wake up and when she did, she was surprised to see Harry lying next to her. Then she remembered last night...and the storm. She immediately turned red at the memory of how she acted last night. He must think I'm the biggest baby in the world. Damn it, Hermione. At least he's not having any more nightmares. She sat up slowly as to not wake Harry up and looked down at him. He was peacefully sleeping with his lips curved up in a small smile. Hermione stroked his cheek and smiled. I wonder what he's dreaming about? Harry stirred a bit and Hermione was snapped out of her thoughts. She decided to get up and go to her room before they faced any awkward situations.

Once she crept into her room, Hermione quietly closed her door and fell onto her bed. Why did it feel so good to be held by Harry like that? He's only my friend...right? He's only my friend...

After a few minutes of debating against her thoughts, Hermione gave up and started getting ready for class.

(Back in the common room)

Harry woke up and looked over for the comforting warmth of Hermione, but was disappointed when he found an empty space next to him. His thoughts strayed back to last night. She's just too cute...Who would ever guess Hermione of all people to be scared to death of lightning and thunder. He laughed to himself. Then, reality struck him. Why did it feel so wonderful to hold her body to mine? She's just my friend...

But if that's so, then why do I feel like I wouldn't mind waking up to her face everyday? Oh man, did I scare her away or something? Or else why would she have left right away? Harry rubbed his face in irritation. What's happening to me?

Harry then looked at the clock. Oh well, I'll figure this out later. And with that in mind, Harry walked over to his room and started preparing for class.

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Once both Harry and Hermione were ready for the day, they headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast, as they usually did together. On the way, neither one of them brought up a single word about last night, scared what the other would say. Yet it was the only thing on their minds at the very moment.

"Hey Ron." Harry sat next to Ron.

"Hey Harry. Hey Hermione." Ron smiled brightly to the both of them and when Hermione responded in only a small smile, Ron wondered what was up.

"Are you okay Hermione? Didn't get a good sleep, or something?" Ron furrowed his eyebrows and Hermione slightly choked on her pumpkin juice.

Hermione paused for a moment, then slowly spoke. "As a matter of fact, I had a wonderful sleep last night, Ron. The best I have had in a long time." She eyed Harry for his reaction and he only smiled back at her.

"That's interesting, 'cus I had the best sleep I've ever had last night as well." Hermione turned red at his remark and hid her face behind her goblet and Harry hid his smile behind the Daily Prophet. Ron noticed the curious behavior between his two friends and being as it was only the morning and he wasn't quite ready to think so much, he just shrugged it off and went back to eating his pancakes. Harry and Hermione were only thankful that Ron never did catch on quickly to such oblivious matters.

'The best sleep I've ever had'...what did he mean by that? Hermione decided it was best not to dwell long on what Harry may or may not have meant, and finished her breakfast. Harry, however, did not give up so quickly. She said she had a 'wonderful sleep' was it? Hmm...so I didn't scare her off...I think...Harry battered with his thoughts all throughout breakfast and when the three of them were done, they headed for Defense against the Dark Arts which- to their pleasure- was being taught by Remus Lupin once again. Apparently Dumbledore decided since Lupin was the only one well qualified for the job who would actually accept (on account of rumors that the job was cursed) he rehired him.

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(First Floor: DADA)

"Morning class. Today we will be polishing up on our nonverbal spells. I understand you have learned a bit about nonverbal spells last year, am I correct?" There was scattered mumbling around the room and Hermione raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Professor, although it's true that we tackled nonverbal spells a bit last year, we didn't really get to acquire much experience with them."

"Ah, I see. I'm guessing that's probably on account that Professor Snape taught the class last year?" She nodded. "Well, then we shall start from the basics today. Heaven knows that Professor Snape belongs in the dungeons with the rest of his greasy friends, if not anywhere else in this school." The class broke into laughter. It was a known fact that Lupin hated Snape and vice versa. And because Lupin was teaching a class full of only Gryffindors and Ravenclaws at the moment, he decided it was safe to make wise cracks about the Potions teacher, which no one objected to.

"First you must split into partners. I'll give you two minutes."

Seeing as Ron already partnered up with Luna, Harry decided to ask Hermione. She gave him a small smile of sympathy. "Sorry Harry. I already promised I'd partner up with Neville today. He said he needs help."

"Oh, don't worry about it." He smiled at her, although he was disappointed. He searched the room, but it seemed everyone already had a partner. The only person left was...

Cho.