"Which one will get you back through the purple flames?'

Hermione pointed at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line.

"You drink that," ordered Harry. Just as Hermione was about to protest, Harry interupted her. "No listen, get back and get Ron. Grab brooms from the flying-key room, they'll get you out of the trapdoor and past Fluffy – go straight to the owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore, we need him. I might be able to hold Snape off for a while, but I'm no match for him, really."

"But Harry – what if Voldemort's with him?"

"Well – I was lucky once, wasn't I*?" asked Harry, pointing at his scar. "I might get lucky again."

Hermione's lip trembled, and in a sudden burst of emotion she dashed at Harry and threw her arms around him.

"Hermione!"

"Harry – you're a great wizard, you know."

"I'm not as good as you," deadpanned Harry, blushing, as she let go of him.

"Me!" exclaimed Hermione. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery and – oh Harry – I don't want to lose you! Be careful and remember to take him by surprise if the opportunity arises. Also, don't look him in the eyes, there are many evil magics that require eye contact. Whoever it is, kill them before they kill you. The cutting curse is diffindo, the exploding curse is reducto, the killing curse is Avada Kedavra, the dark cutting curse is sectumsempra (that curse was invented by a death eater in the last war), the best spell for stunning is Sopio, the binding curse is Pertificus Totalus, am I forgetting anyth..." Hermione's mouth suddenly became too pre-occupied to speak as Harry shut her up with a searing kiss on the lips. When he broke it, they both gasped for air.

"I love you, Hermione," Harry said as he suddenly understood the strange feelings that he had been having regarding his best friend.

"I love you too, Harry," Hermione said, throwing her arms around him again.

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Harry?"

"Would you be my girlfriend?"

"Of course!"

Harry kissed her again. This time more forcefully and possessively.

When he came up for air, Harry said, "Hermione, Now that I think about it, we can both go back. We haven't encountered Dumbledore's obstacle yet, which must be the most clever and hard to beat. I honestly doubt that Snape is clever enough to outsmart Dumbledore, even if he has Lord Pussymort with him."

Hermione snorted at the nickname. She then said, "You're right, why didn't I think of that? Let's go back! You can then take me into a broom closet and snog me senseless. I like this plan!"

"Me too Hermione," Harry said, "Me too."