More Than Friends

More Than Friends

Ch. 4 Expectations

"Hi Harry," Cho said in a slightly high, timid voice. She was looking up at him though her long lashes and giving him a shy smile.

"Hi." Harry gulped. Oh no. This is going to be a long class...

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Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed for their dorms after DADA ended and were chatting about this and that. Hermione wasn't really listening though...her thoughts were still on Harry and Cho.

Does she still like him? She seemed to be a bit too touchy to be intending a relationship of 'just friends' with Harry. And Harry didn't even act as though it bothered him! Maybe he does still like her. After all, she is...attractive. Heck, what am I thinking, the girl has the face of an angel with the body of a devil! It's rather easy to see why any guy would like her--

"So, you and Cho? What was that about, eh?" Hermione's head snapped up at the sound of the Ravenclaw's name and was welcomed to the sight of Ron nudging Harry with a rather mischievous look in his eyes. She looked over at Harry. The color had drained from his face, except for a rather obvious blush in his cheeks.

"What do you mean, Ron? We've nothing going on." Harry was looking anywhere but at Hermione.

"Back there, in DADA. She brushed up against you more than enough to be 'accidental.' Heck, she was even eyeing you," Ron was smirking at his friend, unaware that Hermione was looking ready to faint.

"Honestly Ron. I have no interest in her anymore," Harry gave Ron a convincing look, and Ron gave up.

"Alright, whatever you say. Just know that if you don't make a move on her soon, someone is bound too," And with that, Ron bid his friends goodnight before heading to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione's pace suddenly quickened, and Harry soon found himself trying to play catch up with her. Once she got to their common room, she plopped down onto the couch, closed her eyes, and rubbed her temple. Harry arrived ten seconds later, and sat down next to her.

"Hermione?" Harry was curious as to why she took off like that.

"Hermione?" He tried once again to get her to look at him. She eventually did.

"Are you sure you don't like Cho, Harry?" Harry was taken aback by her frank question.

"Huh?"

"I said, are you sure you don't like Cho?" Harry examined her face. She had stopped rubbing her forehead and was starring blankly back at him and for once, he couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"I'm sure. Why do you ask?" Harry furrowed his eyebrows. He was rather anxious to hear what she might have to say. Why does she care? Does she like me?

Hermione hadn't prepared an answer for this. She was planning that Harry would just answer her question, and drop it. She turned her face towards the fireplace. Oh no...caught red-handed. What do I say to that? Hermione knew Harry was staring at her and she knew he wouldn't leave her until she answered his question. She grew nervous. Then an answer came to her.

"Well, I just don't want you to get hurt again." She looked up into his eyes, waiting for him to respond.

"Oh." He had to admit, that was not what he wanted her to say, and he felt a bit disappointed.

"I just mean that I know she's broken your heart before." Hermione was referring to the time back in fifth year when Cho dumped him because she 'felt like she was cheating on Cedric,' although he was already dead. "I'm afraid she might hurt you again..." She knew this was true, but not the reason why she felt the say she did. She knew that the brutal truth was that she was jealous. She was jealous when Cho stood so close to Harry, it seemed no air was left between them. She was jealous when Harry helped her in flicking her wand and in the process, had to hold her hand. She couldn't believe it...but she was jealous for her best friend.

Harry was still looking at her as though he was still expecting her to say more. "...and..." Hermione seemed to be choosing her words carefully, noted Harry. "...as your friend, I can't bear to see hurt in any way." She looked down into her lap, then back up again. Harry ran his fingers through his hair.

"Oh." 'as a friend'...as a friend, as a friend, as a friend. So, I was wrong. What did I expect anyway?... Harry knew perfectly well what he expected. He wanted her to say she liked him...that she fancied him somehow. But, he now knew that was mere fantasy.

"Oh?" Hermione wasn't satisfied with his answer.

"I mean...thanks. It's great to know you're looking out for me." Harry gave her a small smile, and she gave him one in return. "But don't worry; I don't have feelings for Cho anymore."

"Good." Hermione let out a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding. Whew! Saved myself there yet again.

Harry thought for a moment.

"In fact, there's someone else I fancy."

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