[:]-[:]-[:]

Harry sadly strode into the Great Hall for lunch, still thinking of Hermione and what he almost did the night before. At Hagrid's, he didn't say a word, earning concerned glances from both Hagrid and Ron, and he was up half the night feeling guilty.

He had skipped breakfast that morning, but he didn't know if it was because he was trying to sleep or because he was trying to avoid Hermione. All the same, he was starving, as he didn't eat any dinner the night before either.

When he walked in, he immediately headed to the empty seat beside Ron. Across from him was Robin, and across from the empty seat was Ginny. For some reason, he got angry at all three of his friends because they were so happy when he was feeling downright miserable.

Because he spent many hours regretting things, he finally convinced himself that Hermione didn't want to kiss him and that she was just scared to do anything otherwise. He was convinced that he was acting stupid, that he couldn't control his raging hormones. He was convinced that Hermione didn't want anything to do with him now. And he was convinced that he would never have a relationship with the girl he felt so much for.

Reluctantly, but hungrily, he plopped himself in the seat beside Ron, immediately distributing food onto his plate.

He was so hungry, he didn't notice Ron and Ginny's mischievous glances at him before they looked at each other and winked. Ginny got up from the table and walked away, saying goodbye to Harry, Ron, and Robin, who started chatting to Lavender Brown about fashion tips.

After a few minutes of eating in silence, Harry was satisfied and ready to leave to avoid Hermione. He got up to leave, but Ron held onto his sleeve so he wouldn't get away.

"What, Ron?" Harry asked, annoyed because he wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Ron looked too innocent to be true, but Harry shrugged the fact off. "I want to show you something."

Harry arched an eyebrow. "What exactly is that something?"

Ron grinned. "Just this cool room your dad showed me. It's supposed to have different climates and weather depending on the person's feelings. It's wicked! You've got to see it!"

Harry sighed. "Can't you wait until later? I want to do some homework."

Ron gaped openly. "Homework? Are you serious, Harry? Having to do homework, I understand, but since when do you want to do homework?"

"Since now," Harry muttered.

"C'mon, Harry!" Ron stood and started dragging Harry to the door. "Just a quick peek. I mean, what would you rather do: homework or exploring?"

"Actually-" Harry started, but Ron tugged him through the Great Hall doors and turned quickly.

After a few minutes of tugging and Harry's protests, the duo finally reached a huge red tapestry. Ron shoved it to the side to face a large wooden door.

"C'mon!" Ron grinned, pushing it open. Harry sighed, following Ron into the room.

As soon as he walked in, he felt a drop fall onto his head. "Hey!" he cried. "It's raining in here!"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Duh! You must be feeling sad or something to make it rain. What's up with you?"

Harry stared at his soaked friend, aware that he was just as wet. He ignored his question and looked back up into the pouring rain. It didn't work as well as he thought it would, as his glasses got wet and blurry.

He grabbed his wand and took his glasses off, muttering the spell Hermione used on them in his Third Year during a Quidditch match. "Impervius!"

He shoved his glasses back on his nose before looking around the room, curious. For some reason, the large room was perfectly empty, minus the soaked red carpet under his feet.

He looked up at the rain again, wondering how this room knew his feelings. He furrowed his eyebrows when he thought, pondering why the room was showing his feelings, when Ron was in it as well. Did it just pick a random feeling in the room and copy it?

He was so deep in thought, he didn't notice Ron creeping out of the room and smile at Ginny and her accomplice, who were approaching.

As Harry was admiring the room, he heard a thud and a slam. He turned abruptly, his eyes growing wide.

Hermione was just pushed into the room, the door slamming after her. Her pleated skirt and white tank top were soon soaked, making Harry have some unfriendly thoughts about his best friend.

Hermione looked up at him, looking just as shocked as he was. They held eye contact with each other for a few seconds before she quickly turned and tried opening the door.

Hermione shouted out numerous spells and counter-spells, trying with all her might to get the locked door to open.

Harry just stared, captivated at the soaked sight of the girl he was crazy about.

All he could think about was her. He pushed back all thoughts about the night before and gazed at Hermione.

Watching her, Harry felt his feelings rise. He couldn't believe that this beautiful, smart, perfect girl was the object of his affections. He couldn't believe that he wanted his best friend to be something more.

She was always this way, he supposed. After all, it was her who knew more about himself than he did even before they met. And she still stood by that. She still seemed to know everything he was feeling and how to fix it. The only thing she seemed to not know about him, however, was how he felt about her.

Eventually, Hermione gave up on the door, convinced that it wouldn't open. She slowly turned to Harry, unbeknownst to the fact that he kept thinking about how wonderful she was.

"Hi, Harry."

[:]-[:]-[:]

"Hermione�"

His voice trailed off as he kept staring at the lovely girl in front of him. Now that she was facing him, he saw her clearly soaked shirt and knew that he was not only passionately feeling for her, but he was lusting for her as well.

Soon, the rain stopped, enveloping everything in pure blackness.

Although everything seemed to disappear, Harry and Hermione still saw each other's features perfectly.

Harry wondered if the room was now focusing on Hermione. Maybe this meant that she had mixed feelings. But then again, wasn't he having mixed feelings as well?

He was excited and happy that Hermione was locked in this room with him, but he was scared and guilty because he would have to face her after what happened yesterday. He was confused because he was unsure why Ron locked him in this room, and he was thankful because Ron locked Hermione in the room with him.

"Harry," Hermione stared at him nervously, "how are you?"

He shrugged. "Could be better."

Suddenly, the silence and awkwardness tremendously shifted. Without warning, Hermione ran to Harry and enveloped him in a fierce hug.

Harry was shocked, but he was so happy that she was showing that she wanted to be with him and she wasn't giving him the silent treatment. Her body pressed against his, much to his pleasure, although Hermione didn't seem to notice how close they both were. He was overjoyed because Hermione was with him, just the two of them together.

The room changed again from blackness to a warm and sunny atmosphere. Harry knew it was masking his feelings now, because he was showered with happiness now that Hermione was with him.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione cried into his shoulder, "I'm so sorry!"

Harry was confused, but he wrapped his arms around her waist and dug his nose in her soft and wet curls. "What're you sorry for?" he asked in a comforting voice, moving one of his hands up and down her back.

"Everything, Harry," she cried, still hugging him, her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry for losing the rose you gave me yesterday, for treating you the way I did, and for almost kissing you yesterday."

Harry froze. His fear turned into reality: She didn't want to kiss him. She didn't like him as much as he hoped. She was sorry yesterday even happened.

Harry knew none of what happened yesterday was her doing, so, even though she just about broke his heart right then, he did his best to comfort her.

"Hermione," he said, "it's not your fault."

"Yes, it is!" she sobbed. The room changed again to how it was when Harry first entered: rainy. "I shouldn't have done any of those things! Now you probably hate me and I don't know what to do anymore, Harry!"

Harry hugged her tighter. "I don't hate you, Hermione." He regretfully let go of her, but instead, he held both of her shoulders. She looked down, and he lifted one of his hands to her chin, tilting her face so she would look at him. "And we both know it's not your fault. It's mine."

"No, Harry, it's not-"

"It is. I was the one who did this to you, 'Mione. You don't know how sorry I am, bringing all this down on you. I never meant to hurt you or scare you or anything like that. I'm sorry, Hermione, and I understand if you never forgive me."

He looked down, letting go of Hermione completely. But Hermione had objections. She reached a hand out to his cheek, making Harry look up at her.

"Harry, you know I'll forgive you. You're my best friend-" Harry frowned sadly, knowing that she would never be more than that. "- and I couldn't do anything without you. Harry, please, can't everything just be like it was before? Couldn't we just�pretend yesterday never happened?"

Harry bore his eyes into hers sadly, but he muttered the words all the same, "If it'll make you feel better, I promise that everything will be alright again."

Although Harry felt deep sadness, he felt better now that Hermione smiled at him.

"Thank you, Harry."

[:]-[:]-[:]

It was still raining in the room, since Harry was still depressed. Hermione didn't seem to really notice that it was still raining, but all the same, she knew Harry was tortured with sadness.

"Harry," she said, concerned, "are you alright?"

Harry looked up at her, masking his face so she wouldn't realize the pain he felt inside. "I'm fine," he said quickly, "just�very, very wet."

Hermione smiled before finally giggling at how funny Harry just sounded.

Harry was still sad, but he took pleasure in just watching Hermione being so happy.

"Well," Hermione laughed, "I'm wet, too!"

Harry knew he couldn't stay so distraught when Hermione was around, even though it was killing him that he couldn't be with her any more than friends usually were.

As the rain again changed to nice, sunny weather, Harry did something he never thought he would sincerely do after Hermione practically dumped him: He smiled.

[:]-[:]-[:]

Hermione laughed as the sun seemed to shine on her. She looked down, knowing that she was starting to dry.

She looked back at Harry, hurting because she lied to Harry to make things right again. She told him she was sorry for almost kissing him, although she thought about it all morning, skipping breakfast and just about to dine in the kitchens for lunch, and realized that she really did want to kiss her best friend.

But she already knew that by kissing him, their friendship would change drastically, and perhaps they would even lose their friendship if they broke up in the future.

So she lied. She made Harry believe that she didn't want him, and that she regretted leaning in when he was about to kiss her.

But Hermione just wanted everything to happen as it was before, when the two were the best of friends (with Ron as well, of course), and when they didn't have to worry about their love life, or rather, lack of it.

Hermione stared at Harry, a fake smile on her face, and hugged him again. She buried her head into his chest, his arms again wrapping around her. She smiled at the impact, taking full note of how warm Harry was, even when he was just as wet as she was. She knew that they were only friends again, but she had a feeling that he would always be there for her, no matter what.

[:]-[:]-[:]

Harry grinned, as he was again holding the girl he cared so much for. He was thrilled for feeling Hermione's body pressed against his.

The two unwillingly let go of each other, something in Harry's mind clicking.

"Hermione," he asked, "what did you mean when you said earlier that you lost the rose I gave you?"

Hermione smiled weakly. She remembered her missing rose that morning when she was mentally reliving yesterday's events, but when she left to search for it, she could no longer find it. "Sorry, Harry, but I meant exactly that. I�" she hesitated, not yet wanting to tell him about breaking down in front of the Slytherins and getting Malfoy's comfort and agreement for a truce, "�I fell in the corridor yesterday, and I forgot to pick up my rose, and�I lost it. I'm sorry, Harry."

Harry shook his head. "Nah, that's okay, 'Mione. It's no big deal." He smiled at her, losing himself in her beautiful brown eyes.

But from out of nowhere, ruining his moment, a large, red tapestry appeared, causing he and Hermione to turn away from each other.

Words started to appear on the tapestry, both Gryffindors staring at it in shock and confusion. Words appeared on it as someone invisible wrote a message on it in big letters. Harry and Hermione gaped as the handwriting clearly showed Ron and Ginny's messy scrawl:

Hey guys! it said in Ron's handwriting.

Sorry for locking you in here, Ginny seemed to write, but we can't open the door for you. There's only one way to get out of this room�

Harry and Hermione waited for their key to be written on the tapestry, already furious at their friends for purposely locking them in this huge, empty room, for apparently no reason.

Ron's handwriting scratched gold letters into the cloth:

Have fun snogging, mates! Bye!

The tapestry disappeared as soon as the two Gryffindors finished reading it. At the other end of the corridor outside the Weather Room, Ron and Ginny walked away, snickering as they thought about what their friends' reactions were like.

Harry was overjoyed, although his face showed none of it. He couldn't believe how lucky he was, although he and Hermione had just agreed to stay away from relationships together. His dream had come true.

Hermione was shocked and furious, but for some reason, the room's climate stayed sunny, showing that either she or Harry was happy about this arrangement, if not, both of them. She supposed she was excited, but she didn't know if she truly wanted to kiss Harry and jeopardize their friendship.

Hermione was not only hesitant about kissing Harry eventually, but she knew she couldn't stand much longer of being stuck in here. She was just about to go to the kitchens to eat, as she was starving, but Ginny found her and brought her to this room. But she was way too hungry and she couldn't last much more of this lack of food.

She had to kiss Harry now.

[:]-[:]-[:]

Harry stared at Hermione, half expecting her to jump up and kiss him, even though he knew it would never happen. But what she offered next was what made his heart speed up.

"Do you just want to get it over and done with now?"

Harry was a bit sad after hearing that she didn't seem to want to snog him, but he was mentally thanking Ron and Ginny with all the gratitude he had.

"Sure."

Hermione took a small step closer to him, nervous. She was looking down at her feet of shame and embarrassment, but when she saw her feet very close to Harry's, she looked up at his captivating eyes.

Harry's heart leapt at the eye contact. He felt himself getting hot and sweaty with excitement, unless that was the sun causing him to heat up.

He remembered the things his mother and the Marauders (minus Pettigrew, of course) had recently told him about girls. They always told him that he would feel his heart beat faster when he found himself feeling for a girl, as he always went to them for advice when he needed to sort out his feelings for Hermione. They said that he would feel nervous and have the shivers, and he was surprised when what they said was true.

Well, his parents knew about romance, but Sirius and Remus were right about feelings as well. He supposed they must've had feelings for a girl before, so as quick as it came, Harry lost all surprise of the irony of this situation.

Harry now stared back into Hermione's eyes, leaning forward as he did the day before in the Everlasting Gardens. Only now, he knew Ron wouldn't interrupt them from what he was about to do: Get the best memory he would probably ever have in his entire life.

[:]-[:]-[:]

Hermione followed Harry's lead, leaning closer slowly, although she felt her stomach grumbling of hunger. She was still hesitant about this, but she was starving at the same time.

She mentally cursed herself. She wasn't supposed to be thinking about food right before she got her first real kiss. And here she was, leading Harry on when she just wanted to get this over with so she could eat.

As soon as both hers and Harry's eyes closed and their lips touched, all thoughts of hunger and nourishment evaporated.

Harry felt as if he were in heaven, the room mimicking the feeling. His lips tingled and his knees seemed to get weaker as Hermione responded to his light kisses. He was surprised that she would even bother to kiss back, even though he was sure she knew that door was unlocked already. But, hey, he wasn't complaining!

He started to feel very passionate and overwhelmed with this feeling about to burst inside him. His soft kisses got hotter and more forceful, his arms snaking themselves around Hermione's waist. He brought one arm up her back towards her neck to push her closer to him.

Hermione's hands rested against his chest, but she suddenly felt the need to support herself more, so she moved them up to his neck, tangling her fingers into his dark hair.

Although Hermione felt wonderful kissing Harry, she knew she shouldn't be doing it. It was just her first kiss, so she didn't know exactly what to expect.

She wasn't madly in love with him at the moment, but she wanted more of his kisses. She wanted to feel his lips caressing hers more, but at the same time, she didn't have a clue to how she was feeling.

She suddenly regretted that romance novels weren't exactly part of her book collection.

After a short while, Hermione felt something slide against her lower lip, and, not fully knowing what to do, she followed her instincts and parted her lips, wanting to feel more of this amazing feeling.

Harry just about died of pleasure when he felt Hermione open up to him. The ecstasy he felt was indescribable when his tongue danced with hers. He was finally tasting her!

He knew he would never forget this moment. It was complete and utter bliss, having this opportunity. And Hermione, she was actually allowing him to express his feelings.

He felt complete when he was kissing her, and he knew nothing could be better, now that he knew this feeling he had was mutual between them both. At least, he hoped so. She could have just been using him as something to vent her lust on.

Harry shrugged that unpleasant feeling off, once again melting in his best friend (and hopefully more than that in the future)'s astounding kisses.