Tension

Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, and there was still no lead to a Horcrux. On the bright side, though, he had healed from their last escapade with a new scar as remembrance. Harry was becoming agitated at their situation and a little hopeless. He was beginning to curse Dumbledore for leaving this stupid mission to him and with no leads. They were running around blind. He knows Hermione has been concerned for him if her worried glances were any indication. She can sense his agitation and because of that, tries to bury herself in every single book she brought so that she could help relieve some of that tension away by helping him get a lead on the bloody Horcruxes.

Feeling guilty because his hopelessness is getting to her, he began to research on his own and all thoughts have been pointing to Godric's Hollow very often. It was a possibility. Riddle might have hid something in the place where he used to live. It was a simple method and they tend to overlook it. And besides, if there was no Horcrux, what's the harm in trying? But it wasn't just about the Horcrux either. It was the place where he and his parents used to live; the place where they died. They might be buried there and he wanted nothing more than to see their graves every since he was a child.

It was a freezing night. The snow began to thicken as they began to wear more clothing to block out the cold. Though it was tempting to use warming charms, they both agreed not to use magic on this hunt unless it was absolutely necessary. Harry could see his breath in front of him as they both sat on the table, sipping the broth that he made out of scratch. It wasn't delicious but it was enough to warm their shivering bodies and give them the nutrients they need. Harry glanced at Hermione who occasionally glanced at him with a worried frown on he face. Silence enveloped the tent as no words were said. Harry was the one who broke the silence first.

"Hermione, I've been thinking... I want to go to Godric's Hollow," he said tentatively. Hermione's frown deepened as she was lost in thought, probably analyzing the situation.

"I don't know, Harry. It might be too obvious, don't you think?"

"That's the point. It's so obvious we tend to overlook the idea. It's possible."

Hermione bit her lip in consternation. "I suppose you're right." She sighed, defeated. "When do we go?"

Harry grinned widely."Umm... in a few days, I guess." Hermione nodded as she stood up and took her bowl to the sink to wash it. Harry stood up as well and approached the sink. As soon as he reached it, though, Hermione was already done with her bowl and spoon and was turning around.

Both stopped dead in their tracks as they almost bumped into each other. With Harry being taller than her, Hermione looked up into his eyes to apologize but froze as she saw his intense emerald orbs. They held so much emotion but she could recognize none of them, and this confused her. They pulled her into their depths and she was soon lost in their deep gaze. 'Huh... I never noticed Harry's eyes were this... intense. They're beautiful,' she thought. She could see a childish glint in them though they were forced to become adults ever since they entered the Hogwarts Express for the first time. When she saw his eyes, she could see the young boy she met six years ago, innocent and excited. She could still see what was left of his childhood that was taken away from him.

Harry's own eyes were lost in her chocolate brown orbs. He thought them beautiful as well. They held so much wisdom and knowledge, they rivaled Albus Dumbledore's own twinkling ones. He could see her very soul, vulnerable in his gaze. He couldn't see a normal teenager in her eyes. He saw a wonderful young woman who unknowingly captured his heart and soul. He didn't know what to do without her. He's become so dependent of her it made him guilty. He was asking so much of her yet she gave herself fully to him in complete trust. Yes, he could see the trust and loyalty in her eyes, it overwhelmed him. And he was grateful because she was there. He didn't know how he deserved to have this wonderful young woman as a friend. He never saw this kind of devotion with Ron, his supposed best mate, it terrified him. He wondered, if he told her to sacrifice herself to Voldemort himself, would she do it? This terrified him because he knows she would do it and without question.

Hermione was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice her face nearing his until it was inches away from his. She tore her eyes away from his to glance at his lips and she felt the urge to kiss him. His lips have never been this kissable before. Is this only from the tension? Is she thinking like this because of her own failed relationship with Ron? Her heart was beginning to beat fast. She hadn't felt like this around Ron or Krum. 'What is this feeling? Why am I suddenly thinking about Harry this way? Is this only unresolved sexual tension? No, that can't be. Harry's my best friend. He doesn't think of me that way.'

But he was thinking of her that way and she doesn't notice. Or at least she's ignoring it. Harry saw her eyes glance to his lips and for a brief moment, he wondered if she'll actually kiss him. Her eyes became distant once more and he's sure she's over-analyzing things again. He freezes and lets her. This gave him time to truly appreciate her beauty up close. Her bushy brown hair was in a ponytail, her cute little button nose, her porcelain skin, her rosy cheeks... her plump lips. She was beautiful to him. But she saw herself as ugly, it saddened him. She always downgraded herself. She has bushy brown hair. Her skin was too pale for her. She wasn't sexy. She always thought of herself as this and couldn't help that her suspicions were right as Ron dated Lavender in their sixth year when he knew about her feelings for him.

He wished he could do something to make her realize she's beautiful. He always thought her bushy brown hair described her untamed spirit. Her skin was rosy and soft. And he always thought of her as sexy. She didn't have an athletic build but lifting a mountain of books and going up a lot of stairways helped mold her figure. Puberty gave her a curved figure if her occasional hugs were any indication. If anything, she was more beautiful than Cho Chang or Ginny.

He saw her lean in closer and his heart beat in anticipation and fear. He does want to kiss her but he doesn't want to lead her on in case he doesn't make through this war alive. He turned his head and cleared his throat. "Hermione?" he said in a raspy voice. Hermione's eyes went back to his as she pulled away from him.

"Sorry, I'll take first watch," she muttered. She quickly made her way out the tent with her wand as her cheeks burned in embarrassment and a little disappointment. Harry never noticed though as he cleaned his own bowl and plopped down on his own bed and slept.