Candi and Hermione were back at the Common Room just before dinner. Harry noticed Hermione's smile, and Candi pulled him aside.

"She likes you too Harry. A lot."

"Really?" Harry's eyes lit up. "How did you ever find out?"

"A girl has her ways. Now c'mon, I'm starving." She linked arms with Harry and escorted him to the Great Hall.

An explosion met them there. In the middle of the hallway stood Hermione and Ron at opposite ends, one looking ready to kill the other. Harry and Candi exchanged nervous glances. This didn't look so good.

"So you were out the whole day, and didn't even let me know?" Ron roared at Hermione. She looked ready to cry, but held her ground.

"I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING RONALD WEASLEY! WE'RE NOT DATING ANYMORE, REMEMBER?"

"THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T TELL ME THINGS FROM TIME TO TIME!!" Ron shot back. Hermione lost it.

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU! YOU GO AROUND AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO BEFORE WE'RE DATING, WHILE WE'RE DATING, AND NOW I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO TRY IT WHEN WE'RE NOT!! STOP TRYING TO RUN MY LIFE RONALD! I'M SICK OF YOU! I CAN'T BELIEVE I WAS EVER YOUR FRIEND!"

Hermione burst into tears and ran from the hall. Ron, caught off guard, looked stunned for a few minutes. Harry looked at Candi. She nodded, and mouthed, I'll take care of Ron. Harry threw her a grateful smile and rushed after Hermione. Candi went to Ron and took his arm.

"C'mon, before the whole school comes over...like they haven't already." She led him into the Great Hall. They sat down, and Candi saved a place for Hermione and Harry.

"Why for Hermione?" Ron asked grumpily.

"Cause she's still my friend. And as her friend, I think I have a right to know: Why did you guys fight anyway?"

Ron looked away. Candi looked at him. "I....I thought...she was with...Harry." He finished miserably. Candi looked at him, shocked and slightly disgusted.

"Why do you care? You two broke up."

"I didn't...she did." Ron said quietly. "I never stopped loving her."

"But she doesn't love you anymore, does she?" Candi asked him, a little more tenderly. Ron shook his head sadly. "Well, I can't say I blame her for blowing up at you."

"But-but-" Ron spluttered.

"No Ron. You have no right to get mad at her. She was with me the whole time. If you guys were still talking, then you'd know."

"But she-"

"No Ron, you stopped talking to her when you and I had that fight. Don't lie." Candi warned him, and Ron fell silent. Candi looked at the doors. Where were Hermione and Harry?

*****

Harry raced after Hermione as soon as he was given the ok from Candi. He had a rather hard time finding her, but finally found her in the Charms hallway, crying silently.

"Hermione?" She flinched. "It's me, Harry."

"HARRY!" Hermione cried out, and Harry embraced her. For a brief, shining, moment, they were the only two students in the school, the whole world. Then she broke away from Harry.

"How are you?"

"Completely awful." Hermione hitched a breath. "I should have told Ron where I was going-"

"No." Harry said firmly. "There's no reason too. You don't tell me everything, why should you have to tell Ron?"

"I.....I....I don't know." Hermione trembled, and Harry pulled her towards him. She pulled back, but then fell against his chest, sobbing.

He pushed her back slightly, so they were facing each other. Harry put his hand under her chin, and lifted it up so their eyes met. He bent down, and Hermione didn't resist.

Their lips pressed together, and they were clasped in a whirlwind of excitement and passion. Harry plunged his hands into Hermione's golden brown hair as the kiss deepened. Hermione broke away and gasped for air, but went back for more.

This is how Ginny Weasley saw them as she was walking from dinner.

There! Your kiss-scene!

Katie