More Than Friends

More Than Friends

Ch. 6

As Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs, she found herself once again in the very same room as Harry. Only this time, he was asleep. He was slouched in one of the big, cushiony chairs in the corner of the room. His head was leaning toward one side and his glasses were askew. Hermione's heart melted at the sight.

He's adorable.

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(Before Hermione came down)

Now that Ron left for bed, Harry was left alone with his thoughts and quite frankly, he was confused. He didn't know what to do about his dilemma concerning a certain best friend of his. Therefore, Harry decided to sit a while longer and put all his thoughts in order. He knew that if he went back to Head's towers without first doing this, he would have no control over what he would be bound to say to Hermione.

Why does trouble always seem to find me? Now that I admit that I do indeed love Hermione, what will I do about it? I can't just go up to her and blurt out my undying love for her on the spot; that won't turn out very well. And anyways, how do I know if what Ron said is true? Can she possibly like me in 'that light' as well? We've been friends for so long; I doubt she sees me as anything else but a brother.

............

Ugh! I am so lost!

After about twenty or so minutes of debating, conclusions, doubts, and more debating, Harry gave up and sat back in his chair while letting out one long sigh. He looked at the clock. It was 11:53. Only then did Harry notice just how tired he was and soon, he was asleep.

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Hermione- who was now standing in front of Harry's sleeping form- was now faced with a dilemma: should she or should she not wake up Harry? Before she realized the way she felt about said boy, this would never have been a problem. But seeing as how she was not in the happiest of moods at the moment, and Harry always knew when something was wrong with her, she did not particularly want to wake up Harry for fear that Mr. Interrogation would awake as well. Yet she knew that she could not just leave Harry here; this was no longer their common room per say. The latter thought eventually won, and Hermione shook Harry gently- nothing. She then crouched down next to him and tried whispering his name; she did not want the rest of Gryffindor house to awaken.

"Harry...Harry...Harry, wake up."

After a few more attempts, Harry's eyelids slowly opened. He was greeted by Hermione's beautiful face dangerously close to his. Her big, brown eyes were starring back at him and she was looking at him expectantly. He straightened up in his chair and looked around.

Where am I? Oh, right...Gryffindor common room. But where is everyone?

He looked at the clock. 12:06

Oh...no wonder.

"Hermione?" Harry fixed his glasses upon his nose, then turned his attention back to Hermione. "What are you still doing here?"

She laughed. "I should be asking you the same question." Hermione concluded that in order to make Harry think she was alright, she had better act the part. "I come back from Ginny's room, and here I find you asleep."

Harry rubbed his neck in an attempt to get out the kinks he had gotten from sleeping in a poor position. "Oh. Guess I dozed off a bit there."

Hermione noticed Harry struggling with his neck, and decided to do something that would hopefully keep Mr. Interrogation hidden back in his chamber. "Need help?"

Harry looked at her confused. "With your neck, I mean. From the way you were sleeping, I can guess it aches quite a bit."

Harry looked at her for a moment, pondering something. "Sure. That would be a great help."

"Ok, then why don't we sit on the couch so it'll be easier for me?" Harry nodded, then the two hopeful friends moved to the couch, Harry's back to Hermione. Hermione then brought her hands to Harry's shoulders and started kneading his tense area. She could feel the knot in his muscles and thoroughly worked it out. She then worked her way towards his neck, and when her fingers grazed the exposed skin, Harry immediately got goose bumps. "Is this alright?"

Harry let out a low moan of appreciation he couldn't hold in anymore, startling Hermione. "Mmm. Yes, this feels wonderful. I never knew you were such a good masseuse, 'Mione." Harry closed his eyes.

"Well, my mother always used to do this for me whenever I was tense or sore. It helped me relax. Of course, I'm nowhere near as good as she is, but-"

"You're fantastic. Of course, I've never had a massage before so I don't really have anything to compare yours to, do I?" Hermione detected a hint of amusement in his voice, and couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Harry smiled at this.

"I think we should be heading back now. It is past midnight." Hermione released Harry's shoulders, and he turned to face her.

"Yea. We should. Thanks for that, Hermione. I feel a lot better now." He stood up, and Hermione followed suit.

"No problem, Harry. Come one, let's get back now." She yawned and stretched, causing Harry to notice just how snug her old school blouse was getting on her. "I'm rather tired, now that I think of it."

"Yea, me too."

The two friends found their way back to Heads' towers faster than they expected. Once back in their common room, the two said their good nights and retired to their rooms. Harry was delighted that Hermione had given him such a satisfying massage, but was also still highly confused. Did she intend her massage to be one exchanged between two good friends? Or did she have some message behind I can't quite fathom? What did it mean? Hermione on the other hand was just happy that Harry couldn't see through her; she had kept Mr. Interrogation at bay. At the same time, she couldn't help but think just how Harry's moans and groans of satisfaction were not helping her current situation.

Although Harry and Hermione couldn't wait to get to bed to go to sleep that night, neither actually went to sleep until much later than they would like.