"I think I'll ask him out tomorrow," Hermoine heard Lavender say to Parvati. "He has SO been flirting with me."

"You are so lucky!" squeaked Parvati.

"I don't really think you could ask Harry out," said Hermoine. "I'm his girlfriend."

"You backstabbing boyfriend stealer!" shrieked Lavender. "You stole Harry away from me!"

"You never put a claim on him, Lavender," said Hermoine. "I'm sorry. I hear Ron's single...how about him?"

"He's too pale for me," sulked Lavender.

"Well, I'm sorry...when I went out with him, he was very sweet and honest. He's a good catch," replied Hermoine.

"Then why did you dump him?"

"There wasn't a connection between us," said Hermoine. "But he's real easy to get attracted to."
Hermoine went back to bed.

*

"Hi, Hermoine! Over here!" said Harry the next day in Potions. They were picking partners for a new project.

As Hermoine started walking towards Harry, she saw Lavender asking Harry something.

"Hi, Harry," she cooed. "Will you be my partner? Parvati's with Ron, so..."

"I'm sorry, Lavender," he said. "I have a partner already."

"Who?" asked Lavender.

"Me," said Hermoine.

"Oh, you," said Lavender. "Well, fine." She walked over to the new boy, George, and asked him.

Potions finished early, so everyone went outside. Hermoine watched people pass by, when Harry put his arms around her waist from behind. She turned around and put her arms around his neck.

"Mr. Potter! Mrs. Granger! Get over here!" snapped Professor Snape. Hermoine and Harry walked over to him.

"No snogging in public!" he shouted.

"We weren't sn-"

"Get out of here!"

Harry and Hermoine held hands, walking away. They ducked behind a tree and sat down. Harry leaned in, embraced her and kissed her. She kissed him back, then she let go.

"What?" asked Harry.

"I don't know if I can do this," said Hermoine.

"Oh...ok," said Harry sadly. "Do you like me enough still to go to the Halloween dance with me?"
"Of course," she said, hugging him.

"What did I say? Granger, Potter, go see Professor Dumbledore," said an icy voice. It was, of course, Snape.

Harry and Hermoine walked down with Snape to Professor Dumbledore's office.

"These two were making love on the campus," said Snape. Dumbledore looked surprised.

"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore.

Snape remained where he was standing.

"I'll take if from here," said Dumbledore. Snape turned and made his way out of the office.

"Miss Granger, I must say, this is really quite a surprise. I'm very disappointed in both of you. Now, what happened?"

"I...well, I gave him a hug," said Hermoine.

"That's not so bad," said Dumbledore. "A friendly hug, am I right?"

"Kind of..." started Hermoine.

"Where did you give him this hug?" asked Professor Dumbledore.

"Outside, behind a tree, on the Hogwarts campus."

"And why you were outside?"

"Potions ended early, sir," said Hermoine.

Dumbledore's eyebrows raised. "And Severus let you go outside for the remainder of the time?"

"Yes, sir," said Hermoine.

"Well, that's quite a surprise. I didn't think Severus would...well, nevermind. Shouldn't be telling this to young ears, I suppose. You two have three strikes and your out...this will be Strike One. Let's not start off our sixth year on the wrong foot. Run along, Herbology will be starting soon for you. See you at dinner."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermoine and Harry said.

After Harry had shut the door behind them, he whispered, "Whew. That was close."

|

�back