Granger Beloved

New Feelings

   I woke up to shuffling coming from beside me. My eyes fluttered open, and Hermione was looking back at me, her tiredness written all over her face. I put my hand to her cheek, and said, "Morning, Granger," as I smiled at her. "Morning, (y/n)," Hermione said as she returned my smile, before getting up and stretching. She disappeared behind our door, and I knew she was going to brush her teeth, as she did this every morning.

    We'd returned to Hogwarts yesterday, and Hermione and I had slept in my bed. I could tell this was going to become a regular thing for us, not that I was complaining. I rolled back over in bed, my body seemed to be glued to the sheets. Hermione returned shortly, and said, "We should really start getting to bed earlier." I didn't respond, I was trying to fall back asleep.

   The blankets were pulled off of me, and I turned my body to the other side. Suddenly I felt my arm being pulled, dragging me out of bed. I couldn't help but laugh. "Hermione, stop!" She was laughing as well. I fell with a thud off of the bed, surprised by how strong she was. "You should be thanking me, that got you out of bed." I playfully rolled my eyes and got up to get ready for the day.

   After Hermione and I were both dressed and ready, we went down to the common room and saw Harry and Ron waiting there. "What was that thud we heard earlier?" Harry asked as we approached them. Hermione went to answer, "Oh, we dropped a book." "It was bloody heavy," I added to ease suspicion. They seemed satisfied by our answer, and we all walked down to the Great Hall.

   We passed by Malfoy, who shot dirty looks at Hermione and me, but seemed too cowardly to say anything. Once we all sat down, we began to eat while Ron and Harry talked about what horrible death Professor Trelawney would instill upon Harry. I felt Hermione lace her fingers in between mine, and I smiled to myself at this. We made sure our hands were hidden securely under the table. This made me remember my locket. It was out of my shirt, but the heart was hidden by my robes. I quickly tucked it away while no one was looking.

   Once we were all done with breakfast, Hermione and I made our way to Arithmancy class, while Harry and Ron went to their lessons. Before we were about to go our separate ways, Ron gently grabbed my arm and pulled me aside. Hermione and Harry were confused, but Ron just said, "Go on, we'll catch up." They both shrugged and left the now empty corridor. I was sure Ron could read the confusion on my face, when he said, "I just wanted a private word." "Well, what is it you'd like to say?" I asked, hoping that this had nothing to do with the supposed feelings he had for me.

   "You know the next Hogsmeade trip is this Saturday, right?" I nodded in response. "Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Hog's Head with me to get a butterbeer or something," He said. His face was beet-red, and he was rubbing his neck with his left hand. Slight dread piled in my stomach. I'd been dreading this for the longest time. Not knowing what else to say, I played dumb. "Would Harry and Hermione be there?" He seemed to ponder his answer, mentally debating on what to say. Finally, he said, "Well, I was thinking, you know, it would only be us." He couldn't bear to look at my face, his eyes were fixated on his feet.

   I tried not to let my emotions control my expression, but I was dumbstruck. I couldn't say yes, because I was in a relationship, and I wasn't about to lead him on. I couldn't say no, because it would crush him and he wouldn't be able to look me in the eye afterward. Once more, I was at a loss for words. The only thing I could think to say was, "As friends?" He looked up at me, and I could tell this saddened him. "Yea, definitely," He said, nodding.

   We stood in silence for a moment, until students started to fill the corridor. "Well, I've got to get to Arithmancy, but I'm looking forward to it," I said, smiling as I started to walk away. "See you around," he responded, grinning.

   I jogged to Arithmancy, my heart racing. I had just been asked out by Ron. The encounter was about to make me late for class. I finally made it to the door, just as it was about to be closed. I looked up, and said, "Professor Vector! Sorry, I'm late, got caught up... you know?" She looked down at me, squinting. "You may be seated, (y/n). And please, no more disruptions," She said. I nodded quickly and looked at my feet as I sped walked to my seat. 

   I could tell that Hermione was dying to ask me what Ron and I discussed, but before she could, Professor Vector began teaching. I tried my best to pay attention, but I was still processing my prior conversation.

   After the instruction was over, we began to work independently on our work. Hermione and I both had our heads down, focused on our parchment when she whispered, "What was that thing with Ron about?" "He asked me on a date to the Hog's Head," I said. "That is no place to take a lady... What did you say?" She asked. "I asked him if it was as friends, and he hesitated before saying yes," I whispered. "As long as you don't cheat on me with the ginger," she laughed, "Besides, Harry and I have to be in the Three Broomsticks for this interview I have planned, but don't tell him that," she said.

   "Interview? What-" I was cut off by the approaching footsteps of the Professor."This work is independent, (y/n)," She said. "I apologize, Professor. Won't happen again." She walked away, and I resumed working.

   

   The day dragged on, but soon enough, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I were all seated around a table in the Gryffindor common room. "So, (y/n), I've been meaning to ask. What did you and Ron talk about this morning? He won't tell me," Harry asked. I was confused as to why Ron wouldn't tell his best friend about something like this. I could tell Ron was internally screaming, so I chose to lie. "Oh, he was just asking me if I had any spare dungbombs so he could set them off in the bathrooms," I said, wondering if this was convincing enough.

   Ron sighed, presumably of relief. Harry seemed to accept this answer, but said, "I'm sure Fred and George have some." Ron nodded at him, then looked back down at his work. We continued working, the subject changing to pointless chatter.

   Once Hermione and I were back in our dorms, which turned out to be quite late, we both got ready for bed. After this, we curled up into my bed to do some extra studying. Hermione sat against the wall with her Arithmancy textbook next to her, as I laid my head in her lap from her other side. She was reading aloud to me, stroking my hair as I looked up at her. I couldn't really focus on what the book said, all I could do was admire her beauty, and think about how lucky I was.

   "Do you want to do something risky?" I asked her during a break in what she was reading. "Well, depends on what it is," She said, looking at me. I pondered what I could suggest that would appeal to Hermione. "Shall we sneak out to the Astronomy tower?" "Are you crazy? That'll get us in detention for weeks-" "What's life without a little recklessness, Granger?" I asked her, sitting up.

   She looked at me in the eyes for a little, thinking. "Fine, but if we get caught, you must say that I was being Imperiused and did not break any rules," She said, grinning. "I promise," I said. I leaned in and pecked her lips, then jumped up off of the bed. "The night is young! Let's go!" I said. I grabbed her arm and dragged her along with me.

    Maneuvering our way to the Astronomy tower wasn't too challenging, however, there was a close call when Peeves almost saw us turn a corner. Once we were there, We stood at the railing, looking up. "Am I turning you into an Astronomy dork?" I asked her. "I do love the night sky, but I'd rather let you be the Astronomy dork," she said, giggling. I leaned over, and put my head on her shoulder. This caused her to swing her arm around me, and pull me in closer.

   I thought things couldn't get any better, standing alone in the middle of a freezing night, with the girl I loved so dearly. It took all of my power not to tell her how greatly I felt for her. I convinced myself that the right time would come eventually, but for now, I would just enjoy this moment.

(a/n): So here's a little longer part than usual lol. Thank you all for 700 views, I did not expect this fanfic to grow so fast. I appreciate all of you who have stuck around this far :)