Hermione's All That

Harry and Hermione walked through the double doors of Hogwarts and down to the awaiting carriages.

As they approached, Harry opened the door and helped Hermione in. She gave him a smile of thanks, and then he stepped in himself. Closing the door, he took a seat beside Hermione for the ride to Hogsmeade.

Traveling down the dirt road, Harry and Hermione remained silent; Hermione from nervousness and Harry from complete lack of conversation.

Harry turned and looked at Hermione. She really is a beautiful girl. He shook himself of his thoughts and concentrated on the task at hand. This is a bet, one that you have to win. That's it, it's only a bet; only a bet.

"So, are we still planning on going to The Golden Snitch for dinner?" Hermione asked breaking Harry away from his commanding thoughts.

"Yes," Harry replied, then turned his head to Hermione who was looking at him. "If that's ok with you?"

"Well, I don't really know much about Hogsmeade rather than Honeydukes and Flourish and Blotts. Those are the only two stores I have ever been in before," Hermione admitted. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she looked down at her feet.

I feel like the biggest idiot! I know he thinks I'm a loser!

"Well, that's why I'm taking you out! So you can get to know Hogsmeade and really enjoy it! You're going to have fun, trust me," Harry said and looked into Hermione's brown eyes with his endearing emerald ones. Just the way his eyes seemed to bore into her, she knew she could trust him and trust him she did. She nodded her head and gave him a smile, which he returned.

The carriage finally came to a halt and Harry popped open the door. He stepped down and as Hermione was about to get out, her foot got caught on the side and she started to trip. Hermione screamed internally as she waited for the hard soil to smack into her face. She closed her eyes tightly, awaiting the ground, but it never came. She felt strong arms wrapped around her middle. She opened her eyes and saw Harry's face no more than two inches away from her own. He was staring at her intensely, and she couldn't help but blush. God that was great Hermione! Trip over your own stupid feet while you're out with Harry Potter!

Harry straightened her up, but didn't let up on his hold of her. He just kept looking into her eyes, and for a minute Hermione could have sworn she saw something flash in Harry's eyes and the unmistakable movement of his head getting closer. Maybe she was imagining things, but it seemed that the two inches now turned into one.

She kept her head still, too shocked to move. She could feel Harry's warm breath on her face, and her heart seemed to pound a little harder. She couldn't take the intensiveness of the situation anymore, she had to say something, do something.

She turned her head to the ground and said, "I'm sorry."

She looked up to see Harry turn away quickly. She could detect a slight hint of red on his cheeks, but didn't think anything of it.

He pulled his hands away, more slowly than she thought was necessary, and looked into her eyes. "Better be careful there, don't want to make best friends with the ground, now do we?" Harry said, causing Hermione to smile a little.

She shook her head, straightened her clothes, and stood up so that her feet her firmly planted, and well planted to be exact, on the ground. She looked up to him and smiled.

"Well, ready?" Harry said and again, offered her his arm. She took it without hesitation, it seemed the awkward moment had passed, and they made their way down the dirt path toward the destination below.

Harry's thoughts were circulating in his mind faster than the winds during a category five hurricane. He couldn't believe he was about to kiss Hermione! That wasn't the plan! What happened? She looked so pretty and helpless like that, it just seemed right! When he saw her fall, he panicked and caught her perfectly before she hit the ground. The feel of her in his arms sent an electric shock from his head to his toes and he had to hold on tight to Hermione to keep himself from throwing her out of his grasp.

And when he was staring into those eyes, he felt himself going, drowning, being absorbed by the never-ending orbs of cinnamon-swirl mix. Why was he having these feelings? He didn't even really know Hermione; this was the first time he ever really talked to her in seven years, so why am I so confused!

His mind continued the internal battle when they finally reached the front door of The Golden Snitch. Harry opened the door for Hermione and followed her in.

He's being such the gentlemen! Hermione smiled to herself at the thought.

They approached the host and he smiled at them. "Can I help you?" he asked politely.

Harry stepped up a little more and said, "Yes, we have reservations for 7:15; under the name Potter."

The man stood in awe when he heard the familiar word of Potter and his eyes immediately glanced to Harry's forehead. His hair was covering it slightly, but the legendary scar was still visible.

Harry paled a bit at the sight. He wanted tonight to be fun and pleasant, and it wouldn't be if people hounded him all night. Please don't let this guy say anything, please!

Hermione saw Harry's reaction to the man recognizing him and she was a little shocked. Most people would revel in the fact they were famous and they would take every opportunity to gloat and fraternize with their adoring fans. Hermione wondered why Harry would not be that way. Why does he not want to be recognized?

The host seemed to finally snap out of his trance and he smiled at them again. "Right this way, Mr. Potter." Harry was silently thanking God that the guy didn't say a word.

Harry and Hermione walked through the crowded restaurant, but no one paid them any mind. They were seated at the far side of the restaurant, in seclusion, and again, Harry was thankful.

"Here you are. I gave you the seat in the back so that no one would bother you," the host said. He smiled again and Harry was amazed to finally meet someone who understood him.

"Thank you," Harry said honestly.

"It was nothing. Your waiter will be with you shortly." The host gave Harry and Hermione a nod before heading back up to his post.

"Well, he was certainly nice," Hermione commented, picking up her menu.

"Yeah, it's a breath of fresh air to finally meet someone who didn't ask me for my autograph or try to ask me questions about how I defeated Voldemort," Harry said and he was shocked because Hermione didn't even flinch when he said the word, like most people throughout the wizarding world did.

Hermione caught his gaze and looked at his shocked expression. "What?" she asked.

"Well, nothing really, but I was just shocked that you didn't flinch when I said Voldemort's name. Most people do," Harry admitted. Hermione shrugged her shoulders a bit as if it was nothing.

"Fear in a name only increases fear of the thing itself," Hermione said and Harry smiled. This is the kind of attitude I like! "I have never been afraid to say Voldemort's name and I hate it when people say You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named! I just think in my head, get over it!" Hermione looked at Harry and felt uncomfortable. He was looking at her with this weird face and a gleam seemed to form in his eye. His lips curled into a half-smiled and Hermione wanted to melt. She loved that feature of his.

"I wish more people thought like you!" Harry said and Hermione smiled. Harry opened his mouth to say more, but just then the waiter arrived. It was a rather tall guy, about an inch taller than Harry and well built. He was young, maybe in his early twenties. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes, and Hermione couldn't help but notice the sparkle. But they're not as gorgeous as Harry's! Wait, where did that come from?

"Good evening. My name is Xander and I'll be your waiter tonight," the young man said. Harry looked up and saw Hermione looking at her menu. He then looked at Xander to see him looking over at Hermione. Why is he looking at her like that?

"Would you like to hear tonight's specials?" He asked, never tearing his gaze away from Hermione's. Harry started to feel a little uneasy, but he didn't know why.

"Um, no thanks," Harry said. For some reason he wanted to get Xander away as quickly as possible. Xander finally turned his head toward Harry's and Harry immediately felt a frown form on his face. He didn't like this guy at all.

"What could I get for you, sir?" Xander asked politely, although Harry could have sworn he heard a little bit of contempt in his voice.

"I'll have the lobster," Harry said. He closed his menu and handed it to Xander.

"And to drink?" Xander asked.

"I'll just have some pumpkin juice," Harry replied.

"And what can I get the lovely lady this evening?" Xander said in a voice that annoyed Harry to no end.

Hermione's cheeks flushed a bit but she replied, "I'll have the same."

He took Hermione's menu and gave her a smile. "Your food will be out shortly." His gaze seemed to hold a little bit longer on Hermione and Harry really didn't feel good. He started to move in his seat a bit from the uneasiness he was feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Everyone is so nice here," Hermione said and Harry made a grunt. Hermione gave him an odd luck. What was that about? "Why did you do that?" she said, voicing her thoughts.

"He was just being nice because he finds you attractive," Harry said and he knew a frown was etched upon his face. As soon as he said it though, he regretted his words. He didn't want to make her mad, and this wasn't a date anyway. Why did it make him so uncomfortable to see another guy looking at Hermione? It's not like I have feelings for her or ?

"I seriously doubt that. He probably just wants a good tip," Hermione replied and Harry looked up to her. She had her eyes trained on the napkin in front of her, which she was turning in her hands. Harry was about to say something, when the guy came back with their drinks.

He sat them down on the table and turned to Hermione. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Hermione smiled back and said, "No, thank you though."

Xander stood there. He moved a little closer to Hermione and Harry's mind shouted, Stay away from her! Wait, where did that come from?

"If there is anything you need, anything at all, feel free to come and find me, ok?" Xander said. Hermione moved back a little. She was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable under his penetrating gaze.

Harry sensed that Hermione was a little uncomfortable so he spoke up. "I think we get the point, now do you mind?" Harry asked, giving the waiter a pointed look. Xander stood up, and nodded his head. He took off towards the kitchen.

"See what I mean?" Harry said and Hermione looked at him.

"Yeah, but maybe that's just how he always is," Hermione stated. She was glad that Xander was away.

"Sure," Harry answered, sarcastically. Hermione must have not sensed the tone of his voice because she didn't reply back to it.

"So, anyway, are you having an ok time so far?" Harry asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yes. I haven't really done this before so I don't really know what to expect, but so far I am enjoying myself. It beats studying with Neville any day!" Hermione said with a slight laugh and smile.

Harry smiled and thought that her laugh was just adorable. It fits her! "So, tell me a little about Neville. I don't know much about him; he keeps to himself a lot," Harry said.

"You and me both. I really don't know a lot about him myself. I mean, we met in first year in class, and whenever I try to talk about something other than school with him he gets all weird and says that I should get my mind back on my work," Hermione admitted. She took a sip of her drink, savoring the taste, before setting it back down on the table. She folded her hands in her lap and looked back up to Harry.

"He does seem a bit out there, no offense or anything," Harry said and Hermione nodded and muttered a "none taken." "So, what about your other friends?" Harry asked and he could tell Hermione was uncomfortable with the question.

"I um, well." Hermione started. She didn't know what to say. She didn't have any other friends, but if she said that Harry would think she was a loser. She wanted to be honest, but what would he think? I need to just be myself, if he doesn't like me for who I am, then who cares, right? "I don't .this is hard.I don't have any other friends," Hermione admitted quickly. She looked down, completely ashamed and embarrassed. For some reason, she felt tears prick her eyes, but she pushed them back. Why would I cry over that? Don't get weak Hermione, don't get weak!

"Oh," Harry said, not really knowing what to say.

"I feel so stupid," Hermione muttered. She kept her eyes down, but her cheeks were red from humiliation.

"Why?" Harry asked her.

Hermione continued to look down and said, "Because, now you know I don't really have any friends and you probably think I'm a complete loser. If you want to leave, I'll understand." What was I thinking telling him! Why, why, why!?

Harry didn't know what to do. He felt guilty for asking her the question. He honestly thought she had more friends then just Neville, and Neville didn't even seem to be a good friend as it was. He reached his hand across the table and laid it on top of hers. He gave it a light squeeze.

Hermione was startled by the sudden contact. She looked up to see Harry's eyes on her. He gave her a smile and simply said, "Well, now you have me. We're friends, and I'm sure I can be a better friend than Neville is." Hermione smiled at is words, but inside her head was screaming, That's all we'll be, just friends.

Harry was glad he got a smile out of her, but when he had said that sentence, the word "friends" just didn't sound right. Do I want to be more than friends with her? That question seemed to plague Harry's mind as he sat there with his hand still upon Hermione's and their eyes burrowing into each other.

"Thanks Harry. I'm glad; I really enjoy your company," Hermione said, breaking the trance and looking over toward the kitchens. She saw Xander come out with the food, making his way over to them.

"And I really like hanging out with you," Harry said. He looked up to see Xander standing at the table, and Harry removed his hand from Hermione's. The loss of contact seemed to send a shock through him and he wanted nothing more than to feel her soft skin on his again. Harry, you got to stop this! You don't like her! You don't like her!

"Alright, here is your meal. Please enjoy!" Xander said. He laid the plates down and left.

The food looked delicious and they dug right in. They both made simple small talk, but were too emerged into the food to really have a good conversation.

When both were done, the plates carted away, Hermione turned to Harry and asked, "We always talk about me. Tell me something about you."

"Well, what do you want me to tell you that you don't already know?" Harry said back to her as he took the last swig of his drink.

"I may know about the boy-who-lived, and all your fights with Voldemort and your past, but I don't know anything about Harry," Hermione said.

Harry smiled at this. No one really wanted to get to know him before, not even Cho. "Like what?" Harry questioned. He still had a smile on his face.

"Well, tell me what your hobbies are? What do you like to do for fun?"

"Well, I like to just hang out with my friends and spend time with my godfather. I love going to Hogsmeade," Harry began. "Oh, and I love Quidditch and definitely flying! Do you like Quidditch?"

"No, definitely not," Hermione said and she shuddered at the thought.

"How can you not! It's such a great sport! Don't you like the matches?" Harry asked. He was getting excited now. This was one of his favorite subjects to discuss.

"Well, I haven't actually ever been to a match before. I don't like flying," Hermione said and she watched as Harry's jaw hit the table.

"Are you kidding me? How can you not like flying?" Harry asked. He was shocked. He didn't know anyone who hated flying. How can someone hate something so grand and glorious?

"I'm terrified of heights, so I don't fly. I keep my feet firmly planted on the ground," Hermione told him. She subconsciously cringed at the thought of being in the air, nothing between you and the ground but a thin, piece of wood.

"Well, I know what we're going to be doing next week!" Harry said. He was getting excited. He had to teach Hermione how to fly. He didn't know why, but his heart seemed to leap of the thought of sharing something he loved so much with her.

"Oh, no, you are not getting me in the air," Hermione said, shaking her head no.

"We'll see about that," Harry said with a slight smirk and a wink.

Hermione was about to reply, but Xander came over with the check. "Have a pleasant evening," he said with a smile. He turned and gave Hermione a wink. Harry scorned at the guy. How dare he do that! What does it matter to you, it's not like your own a date, just a "friendly outing." Yeah, but the guy doesn't even know that, what if we were? But, you're not!

Hermione smiled back at Xander. She felt a little weird about how he kept eyeing her and when he winked at her, she didn't know what to think.

Hermione pulled out her money from her small handbag, but when Harry saw this he stopped her.

"Oh, no, I don't think so. You are not paying," Harry said as he pushed her money back in the bag.

Hermione started to shake her head. "This isn't a date Harry; you shouldn't have to pay for my dinner."

"I asked you to come here with me, I said I would show you a good time, so this is my treat," Harry said, smiling.

"But.," Hermione began, but Harry stopped her by placing a finger on her lips. Her heart stopped at the contact.

Harry loved the feel of her soft lips on his finger, but pulled it away, reluctantly. "No buts, it's already settled," Harry told her. He took her hand in his and pulled her up from the table.

Harry left a large amount of money on the table to cover the bill and the tip, and Harry and Hermione exited the building. They began to walk down the street when suddenly the door to the restaurant burst open.

Startled by the noise, Harry and Hermione turned around to see Xander coming out of the doors. He turned to look at him and said, "Hey, excuse me miss, can I have a word?"

Hermione looked at Harry who shrugged. Harry didn't want her to go over there, but what could he do?

Hermione nodded. She didn't really want to, but she couldn't say no. She walked over to Xander and he placed his arm around her shoulders.

Harry didn't like that at all. For some reason, he felt his blood boiling at the sight of another guy touching Hermione.

Hermione flinched a little under his arm, but the guy didn't get the hint. He just stared at her. "I think you're really hot," Xander said and Hermione blushed, but she still didn't want to be around him. Something about him wasn't right.

"Um, thanks, I guess," was the only reply Hermione could mutter.

"Well, how about going out with me this weekend?" he asked and Hermione paled. What was she suppose to do. She had never been asked out before, and here was this guy, asking her out when she was with Harry; everything just seemed to be a bit crazy. Could she say no?

"Um," Hermione started to say. She didn't know what to do. She turned her head a little to see Harry watching her. What do I do?

"Don't look at him, he doesn't even like you," Xander said and Hermione didn't know what to say.

"How do you know that?" Hermione asked him. Why would he think that right away?

"Well, guys like him, the rich and famous type, don't like girls like you," Xander said and Hermione was taken aback.

"What do you mean, girls like me?" Hermione said. She moved out from under his arm and eyed him with a derisive look.

"Well you know," Xander started, but Hermione interrupted him.

"No, I don't know," she said, her voice getting louder. How dare this guy say something like that to her!

"He just wants you for a quick lay, that's it!" Xander rebutted and Hermione wanted to slap some crap into him. Why was she not good enough for Harry?

Hermione shook her head, giving him a disgusted look, and turned to walk back to Harry, who was looking at her with wide eyes.

"Don't walk away from me bitch!" Xander screamed. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him.

Hermione didn't know what to think. She tried to tug her arm free, but Xander's grip was too strong.

Just then she felt Xander being pulled away from her. She looked over to see that Harry had Xander by his collar and was holding him up against the wall, and he was at least two inches off the ground.

"Don't you ever talk to her like that again!" Harry seethed with anger. Hermione could see that his face was red. Xander was scared; Hermione could see it in his eyes.

How dare someone call Hermione that! Harry's insides were burning. When Xander grabbed Hermione, Harry completely lost control. He wanted to tear Xander from limb to limb.

Hermione came up and put a hand on Harry's shoulders. Harry began to cool down from the touch and he lowered Xander to the ground. He shoved him away from him and Hermione. "If you ever touch her again, so help me god!" Harry shouted, glaring at Xander.

Xander just stood up, with a smirk across his face. He brushed off his clothes and looked at Hermione. "You know it's true," he said and Harry about lunged for him, but Hermione held him back.

"Don't listen to him Harry, let's just go," Hermione said. She turned her face toward his and pulled his arm, making him turn around. She began pulling him down the sidewalk. Harry still eyed Xander until he went back into the restaurant.

Hermione was surprised at Harry's actions. She didn't know why he had reacted so fiercely, but she was secretly jumping for joy that he would want to protect her like he did. And then there was the other part of her that couldn't forget what Xander had said to her. It wasn't true, Harry wasn't like that.

Harry turned and looked back over at Hermione. She was standing there looking at him, and he had the urge to lean down and kiss her right then and there.

"What did he say to you?" Harry asked, eyeing her with concern.

"Nothing, it's not important," Hermione said to him.

"Yes it is. You can tell me," Harry said and Hermione smiled.

"I know, but I'd much rather forget it. It's just words anyway, right?" Hermione said and Harry smiled.

"Yes, they are. I'm sorry for what that guy did. I had a bad feeling about him. I should have told you not to talk to him," Harry said and Hermione could see the concern for her written in his eyes.

"It's ok. I chose to talk to him, and that's what happened. Let's just forget it, ok?" Hermione said, looking into his eyes.

She looks so beautiful right now. Stop thinking that Potter, stop! "Ok, sure. Well, how about I just walk you back to your room. We can go to the Three Broomsticks another time. It's really no big deal," Harry assured her.

"No," Hermione said quickly. She didn't want the night to end just because of some stupid guy. She looked down, a little embarrassed about her quick reply. "I just don't want to go back right now, I'm having fun. I haven't had fun like this in a long time and I was looking forward to the party," Hermione said.

"Alright, if you're sure," Harry said.

"I'm sure," Hermione said, looking up from the ground and nodding her head.

"Shall we?" Harry asked and he let Hermione loop her arm with his like they did earlier.

Hermione giggled a bit and smiled. "Lead the way!"