More Than Friends

More Than Friends

Ch. 7 What A Tease

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Harry growled as his alarm clock went off.

7:00am

After all, it was Saturday, and he was in no current mood to leave the comfort of his bed- especially since he barely fell asleep a couple of hours ago.

Hermione was haunting him. He knew it. If he wasn't with her during the day, she was in her dreams. And not just any dreams. These dreams were pushing him over the edge and needless to say, they were driving him crazy. The thing is, he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not...

Ohh mann...can't I ever just have a normal day for once? Today is only just beginning and already I can tell things aren't going so well. Harry turned over on his stomach to try and calm down what was going on down south. His current situation was all thanks to the dream he had just had about a certain girl. He then buried his head under his pillow and went back to sleep.

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Hermione's morning wasn't going any better. She had no luck in sleeping last night and wound up getting just a few hours. But instead of going back to sleep- which she knew wasn't going to work for her, what with all the thoughts flying back and forth in her mind- she got ready for the day and headed for the library.

The library. Yes, the perfect place to distract myself from everything. Perhaps I'll just spend all day there...I've no homework to do...and this way I won't face any embarrassing questions from Harry 'bout last night. Yes. To the library it is, then.

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Harry eventually got out of bed around noon, his stomach waking him up with its growls of hunger. He took a quick shower, and dressed up in slightly loose jeans and a dark blue t-shirt that flattered his physique. He slipped on his black converse, and attempted to come his hair, but to no luck. It still had a mind of its own. He grabbed his glasses from the nightstand and headed down to the Great Hall for lunch.

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"Harry! Glad to see you've finally gotten up." Ron was already eating lunch with Dean and Neville close by.

"Yeah. Couldn't sleep much last night." Harry took a seat and noticed Hermione was no where in sight. "Where's Hermione? She wasn't in her room when I left."

"Oh, no clue. We asked Ginny but she said she had no idea either." Ron took a long drink from his goblet. "You know 'Mione. Probably doing some extra credit or something."

"Yeah, I suppose." Harry filled his plate with food, and poured himself a drink. "So, how have things been going with you and Luna? You two have been getting awfully close lately."

Ron grinned. "Yeah, well, we're more than just close now."

"You mean--"

"Yup, we're going out."

"That's great, mate!" Harry was happy for his friend. "Since when?"

"Last night. After I left you, I went to meet Luna for our nightly walk around the lake. After some time, we sat down under the tree we always sit under and she snuggled up to me since it was sorta cold. That's when I kissed her. I couldn't help it. Something just told me to go for it. Then I asked her out, and can you believe it, she said yes! It was some night, Harry." By now Ron was looking rather dazed thinking about last night.

"That's awesome. Now you've found someone who can probably tolerate you!" joked Harry.

"Shut up," Ron happily threw back. "Atleast I have the guts to tell a girl how I feel for her." Ron looked to Harry for his reaction, and saw his friend's face grow very serious very fast.

"Don't go there, Ron." Harry wasn't really up to talking about this at the moment.

"Come on, Harry. Everyone knows she likes you too, maybe even more." Harry dropped his fork in irritation.

I doubt it. "Well what if everyone is wrong, hmm? What if everyone is completely off page here? How can you be so sure?"

"I can't. But that's the thing about life, mate. Sometimes you've got to take risks in order to get the best things in life."

"And sometimes those risks lead to dire consequences." Harry retorted. "Honestly, Ron. We've been through this already." He looked around and noticed that many students had already finished their lunch.

"Man, Harry. Just do something." Ron's eyes lit up. "I know. You could ask her to the Halloween Ball next week."

"Ron, I don't know--"

"Just try, Harry. Go as friends, and who knows...something may just evolve." Ron was finishing up the last of his food.

Hmmm...maybe I could ask her. As friends. There's nothing wrong with friends going to a dance together, now is there. "I guess. But don't think I'm expecting anything to happen between her and me."

Ron held his hands up in defense. "Hey, as long as you ask her."

Harry pursed his lips in thought and sighed. I guess it couldn't hurt. After all, it wouldn't be the first time I've danced with her. Harry was referring to the time he danced with her in fourth year at the Yule Ball. Although they didn't go together, they ended up dancing a couple times and ended up having a lot of fun. Maybe she'll say yes...at least I hope she'll say yes...

"Alright. Maybe you're onto something. I'll ask her." Ron smiled with satisfaction. Stage 1: Convince Harry to ask Hermione to the Halloween Ball, complete. Harry didn't know, but Ron and Luna thought up a plan to get the two thick-heads together. Frankly, they were tired of the unresolved tension between the two, as was everyone else at Hogwarts. Therefore they decided to take things into their own hands.

"Alright, cool. Well, I've got to go meet up with Luna."

"Let me guess. She's your date for the ball?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way." And with that, Ron left.

Well, better ask her now before some other bloke does. Harry was about to get up when he realized he had no clue where she could be. Then it occurred to him. Of course. The library. Where else would she be. Harry chuckled a little at that thought. Before he left, he grabbed a cranberry muffin. He was guessing she hadn't eaten yet and must be hungry by now.

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Hermione was sitting in her favorite corner of the library at her table and was reading a book that wasn't really helping keep her mind off a certain boy. It was a love story about a boy and girl who had known each other since they were kids and how their friendship evolved into more. Although it was making her heart heavy, she couldn't put it down. She kept on thinking how much she wished she was the lucky girl in the story and that Harry was the boy. She sighed as she continued reading when her stomach growled. She looked up at the clock and noticed that lunch was over. Aww man! I missed lunch, and now I have to wait 'till dinner. She wrinkled her nose, and then went back to her reading.

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Harry ran up to the library and when he didn't find Hermione at her usual study table, he knew exactly where to find her. Whenever she was in the library and it wasn't for school, she always went to the back corner where no one bothered to pass through. He walked through the aisles and when he spotted Hermione, he couldn't help but stop to gaze from afar. She looked so comfortable sitting back in one of the bean bags that the library supplied every here and there. She was wearing stretchy, fitting light blue jeans and a form fitting light lime green long sleeve shirt that had a slightly low cut v-neck. Her hair was back in a low, messy bun and she was wearing little golden hoop earrings. A few stands of hair escaped and framed her face perfectly. Her face had a softened expression to it; not her usual look she wore when she was reading. Although Harry knew this was one of her more laid-back outfits, nothing special, he thought she looked beautiful.

"Thought I'd find you here." Harry approached Hermione and took a seat in the empty bean bag next to her. Hermione gasped slightly.

"Harry! You scared me a little." She placed her book in her lap.

"I could tell." Harry handed her the muffin. "Here. You missed lunch and I thought you'd be hungry."

Hermione accepted the muffin and quickly started to eat it. "Thanks Harry," she sighed.

Harry gave a small laugh as he watched his friend ravenously eat up the sweet bread. "No problem."

"I was going to go to lunch, but I go so caught up in my book that by the time I was going to leave here, it was too late and lunch was over." She licked her lips and popped another piece of her muffin into her mouth. She closed her eyes and let out a small moan of satisfaction. She opened her eyes and proceeded to eat her muffin. "What would I do without you, Harry?" Hermione looked up at Harry and gave a small laugh.

Harry smiled slightly. He was having trouble watching Hermione eat. Who knew this woman could be so seductive just eating a muffin? He gulped to get rid of the lump in his throat. "Probably starve to death."

"Haha, yup." Hermione finished off her muffin, surprised at how fast she finished it.

"What were you reading anyways that got you so caught up you didn't come down to lunch?" Harry watched as Hermione licked the tips of her fingers and licked her lips as she finished. This girl's trying to kill me, I know it. She crumbled her napkin and wiped her shirt off of any crumbs.

"Oh, nothing you'd be interested in." As she finished cleaning up, she laid back into her chair and sighed. "Trust me."

"Oh really? And what pray tell makes you think I wouldn't be interested in it?" Harry grinned at Hermione, a small twinkle in his eyes.

"Trust me, Harry." Hermione gave Harry a stern look, and knew where this was going.

"Why? Has little Miss Granger been reading..." Harry searched for what to say and couldn't help what came out of his mouth. "...sex-capades?" Damn it! Why did I have to bring that up? I'm only digging my grave deeper.

"Harry!" Hermione playfully smacked his arm. "I have not been doing any such thing!"

"Uh-huh. Sure. Perhaps everyone's favorite bookworm is not at all as innocent as she seems, huh?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

Hermione huffed. "Oh, Harry. You know I would never." Hermione laughed and Harry followed suit.

"I know. I'm only teasing you." He looked into her eyes and smiled.

"That's something you love doing, isn't it?" Hermione looked up into his eyes as well. She felt something catch in her throat.

"Yup. Only 'cause I love seeing you get all worked up. You have no idea how cute you look when you do."

Hermione blushed and looked down. "Oh, Harry. Stop trying to flatter me."

He tilted her chin so she was looking back up at him. "Really, Hermione. It's not flattery. It's the truth."

Hermione's breath caught. Butterflies started swarming in her stomach. He was moving in closer, and she knew what was going to happen. And no matter how desperately she wanted it to, she knew she couldn't let it happen. He's only doing this on impulse; he doesn't really have feelings for me. She let her thoughts get the better of her, and she pulled away.

"Harry, thanks again for the muffin." Harry blinked at what just happened. He was so close to kissing her, and she had pulled away! Maybe there really is no chance that she likes me too...and I was so starting to think Ron was right. Harry cleared his throat.

"No problem. Wouldn't want you to go hungry." He gave a lopsided grin.

Hermione laughed. "Thanks."

There was a sudden tension, and neither knew what to do. Then Harry decided to ask her what he came here for.

"Hey Hermione?" Harry asked timidly.

"Yeah?" Hermione looked back at him.

"You never told me what it was you were reading." Harry tried to act like nothing happened. Well, nothing did happen. "Unless you really were reading sex-capades..." Harry tried to get her to laugh and she did.

"No, no sex-capades here." Hermione picked up her book and closed it so the cover was showing. "It's a romance novel." She looked up at Harry, who looked puzzled.

"Romance? But you never read that kind of stuff."

"Yeah, well...I guess it's a way to cope with my girly problems lately." She looked down at the cover and had a far off look in her eyes.

"Girly problems?" Harry thought for a moment what those problems could be. Then it hit him. "Ohhhh. So I take it you like someone?"

Hermione's head snapped back up. She had said too much. Damn it! Watch your tongue, girl! "I, well, I mean, um..." She stuttered for a way to save herself.

Harry laughed and held a hand up to stop her stuttering. "Don't worry 'Mione. You know I'm not one to gossip."

Hermione shut her mouth and looked relieved. "Aw, I know, Harry." She patted his knee.

"So you wannna tell me who this lucky bloke is?" Harry looked back up at her.

"Well..." Hermione pursed her lips and looked up as if in thought. Of course she wasn't going to tell him that this crush of hers was aimed at him, but she wasn't going to make it obvious that it was him either by saying no rather quickly. After all, he had told her whenever he had a crush on someone, and she even told him about her brief crush on Ron. They told each other everything. He'd be rather suspicious as to why she wouldn't tell him this time. She was going to have to be careful with what she said. "Not really."

"Aww, c'mon, Hermione. Why not?" Harry gave her his famous puppy dog face that always got to her. "Don't you love me anymore?"

That's the exact problem, Harry. I do love you, so I can't tell you. "Of course, Harry. I just don't think there's any chance with this guy so what's the use of me telling you?"

"Well, maybe I could help." Harry knew this was the last thing he wanted to do was fix her up with some other guy. But he knew he had to make it seem he didn't have any interest in her so she wouldn't know his own true feelings, especially after what he had almost done earlier.

Hermione's heart almost broke at the thought of Harry being willing to help her get with someone else. So I was right. What happened earlier was on pure impulse...he doesn't feel for me. "No, there really is no chance here. I've decided to just try and move on."

"You sure? I don't know why any guy in his right mind would turn you down." Harry knew that this year this was true. Any guy really would love to get with her, now that she's matured into a lovely young woman.

"That's sweet Harry, but trust me. If it was worth telling, I'd tell you." She held his hand and looked him in the eyes.

"Really?" He looked back and gave her hand a squeeze. She slightly squeezed his hand in return.

"Really."

"Alright." He smiled, and she let go of his hand. The two fell into a lapse of silence in which Hermione continued reading her book as Harry laid back watching her.

"Hermione?" Harry gulped.

"Hmm?" She never looked up from her book.

"Umm, I know this is kind of sudden, but I was wondering..." When Harry didn't speak, Hermione looked at him.

"Yes?"

"W-Would you like to go to the Halloween Ball with me? As a friend?" He looked for her reaction.

"Oh, umm..."

"I know I'm not the greatest dancer in the world, but we had so much fun dancing together at the Yule Ball and I don't really plan on asking anyone and you know you're a girl and since I'm a guy it would be logical that we could go to the dance together just so--"

"Slow down, Harry," laughed Hermione. "I'd love to go to the ball with you. I'm sure it would be lots of fun."

Harry relaxed and exhaled. "Really? You'd go with me?" She smiled and nodded. "Oh, man, you're the best Hermione! It would be so much better than facing another awkward night with some other girl I had just chosen for a date and all and--"

Hermione laughed again. "Yeah, it would be better to go with you than another awkward date."

Harry smiled. "And who knows? Maybe you'll get a chance with that special boy of yours you have an eye on," nudged Harry. Hermione's heart fell. Oh Harry...so much you don't know.

"Yeah, maybe." Hermione got up and stretched. She had been sitting in the library for quite some time now. "Anyways, let's go find Ron and Luna." She stood up. "I'm tired of sitting in this library."

Harry faked a gasp. "Hermione? Tired of the library?? Oh, the world has come to an end!"

"Shut up, Harry!" She nudged him.

Harry shrugged. "You know me. I love to tease you."

Hermione stuck out her tongue, and Harry laughed. You really are just too cute when I do.

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Sorry I haven't updated for so long. School's just been hell. Anyways, hope you enjoyed it!