Y/N was walking back towards Hogwarts Castle with Hagrid, his friends, and Malfoy. Hermione still hadn't released her death grip on Y/N's arm. Harry was looking forward, at Y/N's back, thinking about everything that had happened. He spoke, causing Y/N to stop and turn:

"Y/N thank you, for what you did back there, you were going to.. I... thank you"

Y/N looked at Harry and smiled his cocky smirky smile. Hermione looked at him and blushed, that cocky smirk of his always made her stomach do cartwheels.

"You don't have to thank me Harry, I was just doing my job. We're just lucky Firenze was there or Voldemort would have killed us both."

Hermione, Ron, Malfuck and Hagrid flinch at his name as Harry looked forward puzzled:

"What do you mean your job Y/N?"

Fuck. Y/N let it slip.

"Just as a friend Harry. As a friend it's my job to have your back"

Harry smiled and nodded, Y/N internally sighed in relief as he continued:

"I just wished we'd been able to save- FUCK!!!"

The others, even Hagrid, jumped at Y/N's sudden roar.

"Y/N what is it love?" Hermione asked worried, oblivious to her faux pas. Y/N looked at Hagrid.

"Frumoasa, Hagrid. I've got to make sure she's safe!"

Y/N turned and kissed Hermione on the head as she released her grip and Y/N started walking back towards Hagrid's Hut.

"Where d'ya think you're goin'?" Hagrid asked loudly. Y/N turned.

"I'm going to the Reserve. I need to make sure my girl's ok! You take these four to the castle, I'll make my own way back!"

Y/N turned and started to walk again, Hermione yelling "No Y/N!" in a panic at the same time that Hagrid yelled:

"Absolutely not! You're going back to the castle!"

Y/N turned again, angered this time as he bellowed:

"Hagrid I'm not asking for permission! Now you either let me go, come with me, or shoot me with that crossbow, but I'm not going anywhere but the Reserve!"

Y/N and Hagrid engaged in a staring contest, a battle of wills, as the others watched speechless. Hagrid was the first to crack as he looked down and sighed:

"Fine"

He turned to the other first years:

"You four need to stay with me and stay on the path. There are dangerous, dangerous creatures in the Reserve that would see each of you as a midnight snack."

Malfoy and Ron shuddered. Hermione ran up to Y/N and grabbed him tightly. Y/N briefly hugged her and looked down smiling:

"Hermione it's ok. Each biome is magically sealed. The creatures can't get out. You're safe as long as you stay on the path."

She sighed a little and nodded. Y/N leant down and kissed her on the head before chuckling:

"Finally gonna see where I disappear to all the time."

Hermione giggled with a sense of excitement, she had wanted since the first day to visit the Reserve.

-~-

After a quick walk the group arrived at the entrance to the Reserve, or more specifically, at a random point in the grassy field between Hagrid's Hut and the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid spoke firmly:

"All right you four turn around and don't peak."

Malfoy whined in his usual sneering tone:

"Why only us four?"

Y/N snapped at him:

"Because I work in there you dumb fuck. Obviously I know how to get in. It's alright Hagrid I'll watch them while you open the seal."

Hagrid nodded before pulling his umbrella from his belt and tapping four spots in the air. He smiled:

"Alright you lot can turn around now".

The four first years turned and all their mouths dropped open. Even Malfoy was stunned beyond words. What looked like a doorway opened in the middle of the field to somewhere else. Hermione approached it stunned. She walked to the side of the doorway and looked behind it. There was nothing there. She looked forward again to see a number of environments contained behind magical veils.

"It's like it opens to another dimension" Hermione gasped in shock and wonder as she turned to Y/N who smiled.

"It is. Technically it's a pocket dimension created in the empty space between atoms, but unfortunately we don't have time for that now. Hagrid, I'll lead the way. I know where we're going. You take up the rear and watch to make sure these guys don't wander off into an enclosure."

Y/N's commanding tone of voice gave Hermione that strange feeling in her stomach again. She pushed the thought away as Hagrid nodded and Malfoy whined:

"Who made you boss L/N?"

Hagrid turned and snapped at the blonde haired boy:

"He's the boss because he's got the experience in here Malfoy. More than me."

"You don't work in here Hagrid?" Harry asked in surprise.

Hagrid shook his head:

"No. I help Barnaby when he needs it and visit from time to time but not as much as Y/N has no."

Y/N gently rubbed Hermione's arm and said quietly:

"Stay near Hagrid and stay on the path. You'll be safe, but I just have to check on my Unicorn"

"It's ok Y/N I understand" Hermione said tenderly as she smiled and placed her hand on his cheek. She leant up with a reddening face, softly kissing his other cheek.

"That's for being so brave" she whispered. Y/N's cheeks quickly adopted a crimson tint that matched her own.

Draco made a grunt of disgust but quickly whimpered when Fang growled at him.

"Good boy Fang. Watch him" Y/N said to the dog commandingly, making Hermione giggle as Fang growled at Draco again.

Hermione nodded as Y/N turned and entered through the doorway, the others following behind. She smiled to herself, thinking about how much Y/N cared for Magical Creatures. It was one of her favourites things about him. One of the things she loved most.

Hermione walked next to Harry, just behind Y/N as they both looked around amazed. There were pristine natural environments on either side of the eight foot wide path, kind of like cages in a zoo in how they were lined up. The difference was within each 'biome', as Y/N called them, there were miles and miles of complete ecological systems. Hermione saw grassy fields, arctic snow, deep jungles, a volcanic ashy field, a lake and a desert.

"This is amazing" Hermione said as she looked around with eyes like fishbowls. Harry nodded in agreement:

"No wonder Y/N always comes back happy."

As they passed a lush forest Hagrid called out to the kids:

"That's where Norbert is wit' Welshy"

Hermione smiled and then laughed as Draco shrieked in fear at a dragon flying high in the volcanic biome on the other side of the path from the forest.

"That's our Ukrainian Ironbelly. None too friendly. Keep on the path Malfoy" Hagrid said with a menacing growl. The Slytherin nodded in fear.

Y/N stopped next to an enclosure that looked like a deep ocean that was directly across from a snow covered mountain.

"All right the dark forest is just up ahead. Wait here with the guys Hagrid. I'll go in alone"

"No you will not!" Hagrid bellowed firmly. "We're all going in or none of us are"

"Fine! I'll go in and call out to Frumoasa- you stay at the entrance with these guys. But stay at the entrance guys. There are 5X creatures in there that WILL kill you. That's not an exaggeration or a joke."

Hermione nodded before turning to see the three boys all wearing the same terrified expression. Y/N disappeared through a veil to an area of dark and thick forest, reminiscent of the Forbidden Forest and the rest of the small group followed.

In the entranceway there was a clearing about thirty yards wide and deep, surrounding it were tall trees and darkness. Lots of strange noises and growls emanated from within.

Hermione couldn't help but gulp as she looked at Y/N. He had walked up to the edge of the clearing and was screaming in desperation into the dark forest.

"FRUMOASA!!!" "FRUMOASA!!!"

Hermione's heart broke as she heard the heartbreak in his voice, the concern, the fear. Y/N turned to Hagrid:

"Hagrid I'm going in. I've gotta find he-"

His yell was cut off by a whinnying. Hermione gasped as a unicorn appeared from the forest. It was beautiful beyond description.

It whinnied again, sounding annoyed as Y/N screamed "Frumoasa!" in unbridled joy and ran across to the beast, hugging her tight across the neck. Hermione smiled as the unicorn pushed her neck into Y/N, hugging him back. The group watched on as Y/N began to speak:

"I was so worried girl. I was so worried."

"I'm sorry I woke you up but I had to make sure you were ok."

"Yes that's.... the girl I told you about."

Hermione gasped.

"She is beautiful isn't she."

Hermione blushed deeply.

"Why is he talking to himself?" Draco asked dismissively.

"He's not you moron. Y/N can talk to Magical Creatures" Ron snapped at him. Draco looked at Ron wide eyed in shock and didn't answer.

"I'm gonna ask Charlie, Legs and Hargo to look after you ok. I know you like to be on your own but-"

"No, no arguments Frumoasa. I need to make sure you're safe. Two unicorns have...died in the Forbidden Forest. A monster is drinking their blood. I'm so sorry."

Hermione watched as the unicorn whinnied, she could swear the animal looked sad.

"Thank you. I'm sorry I disturbed you I'll see you soon ok."

"I love you too girl"

Hermione awwed at Y/N's conversation as he gave the unicorn one last hug and she disappeared back into the forest.

Y/N looked up in relief and exhaled, smiling at Hermione as he turned to leave the enclosure. He paused as he heard a twig snap to his left. He turned before a horrifying roar was heard. In an instant a monstrous creature had pounced on Y/N.

Hermione screamed, as did the other three first years. Fang barked and hid behind Hagrid's legs. A beast with the head of a lion, the tail of a dragon and the body of a goat stood over Y/N, growling, it's lion's fangs were just inches from his face.

It was a Chimaera. An XXXXX creature. A man eater.

Hermione burst into tears, beyond terrified, as Hagrid raised his crossbow. He was about to fire before stopping in shock as Y/N held his hand out to his side, directed at Hagrid, his hand in a stop motion. Hagrid and the first years were further stunned when Y/N burst out laughing:

"Ok ok, I yield, I yield"

The creature moved back and sat in front of Y/N as he sat up chuckling, dusting off his hands before standing up.

"You got me again Charlie. You're just too good."

The creature roared as Y/N smiled happily, reaching forward to scratch the creature on its mane behind its ears. The group just stood stunned in shock. Y/N spoke again:

"Listen Charlie, there's an abomination in the Forbidden Forest killing unicorns and drinking their blood. I doubt he could get in here but I need you Legs and Hargo to look out for Frumoasa."

"No no arguing Charlie."

"Charlie!"

Y/N spoke in a commanding tone again. Hermione felt her knees get shaky.

"Thank you Charlie. I know she can be anti-social but I need you guys to protect her when B and I aren't here."

"No you can't eat Barnaby for payment!"

Hermione swore she heard the creature laugh. Y/N knelt down again, patting the creature on its belly as it rolled on its back, before looking directly into the creature's eyes and then joining his forehead to the Chimaera's. He smiled and then added:

"I love you too Charlie. I'll see you on Friday"

The Chimaera stood and roared before turning and disappearing into the forest. Y/N dusted himself off again as he turned to return to the group, smiling.

Hermione charged, tears still in her eyes as she wrapped her arms tight around Y/N's neck, burying her head into his shoulder. Y/N returned the hug tightly as Hagrid turned around, ordering the other boys to do the same, muttering: "Give 'em some privacy."

"I thought I'd lost you. I thought I'd lost you" Hermione whimpered into Y/N as he rubbed her back and shhh'd her, adding:

"It's ok sweetheart. It's ok. Don't cry, I'm safe. Charlie's a good friend of mine. He just loves sneaking up on me. It's a game we play. I promise I'm safe here."

When she had calmed and separated from the hug, Y/N looked down and smiled, wiping Hermione's tears from her eyes and kissing her on the top of her head.

They walked back towards the group, Hermione holding Y/N's hand tight. As they got to the others Draco started to speak before turning around, walking off slightly and vomiting all over the floor. Ron chuckled, making disgusted sounds and teasing Draco about his frequent vomiting as Y/N magically cleaned it up, claiming Draco now owed him one.

"What was that creature Y/N?" Harry asked, still shaken from the last ten minutes and the events in the Forbidden Forest.

"A Chimaera, Harry. A very, very dangerous creature. Unless you're friends with them of course."

"And his name is Charlie?" Ron asked.

"Yeah. Charlie..Chimaera... just felt right you know" Y/N smirked.

"Who are Legs and Hargo you were talking about?" Hermione asked having calmed down. Y/N smiled at his gi-best friend.

"They live in here. Legs is an Acromantula and Hargo is a Hungarian Horntail."

"You know another dragon?" Ron asked gobsmacked.

"Actually including my baby I know eight. We have eight breeds in here now. Still trying to get the Ukrainian Ironbelly to trust me though" Y/N chuckled.

"You're incredible" Hermione said with a huge smile, hugging Y/N again.

"Can we please go now?" Draco asked as he stood holding his stomach.

Hagrid nodded and the group left the Dark Forest enclosure and headed back along the central path. Y/N and Hermione were still holding hands.

"What's an acromantula?" Ron asked as they walked.

"A giant spider" Y/N answered, chuckling at Ron's shriek. He continued:

"They're remarkable creatures. Extremely intelligent. They're capable of human speech."

Hermione squeezed Y/N's hand and looked up at him proudly. She loved hearing him talk about Magical Creatures. He was so passionate and caring about them. His enthusiasm was infectious.

-~-

Hagrid walked the group to the castle and as they arrived Y/N thanked him for accompanying them to the Reserve and apologised for inconveniencing him:

"Sorry Hagrid, but I just had to be sure Frumoasa was ok."

Hagrid smiled and chuckled.

"It's ok Y/N. I feel the same way about creatures so I get it, I really do. Now you lot head off to bed"

The group nodded as Draco walked off by himself, heading towards the dungeons, as the four Lions headed to the first of many staircases leading up to Gryffindor tower. Hermione started to slow down as her legs got sore and tired.

"You ok 'Mione?" Y/N asked with warmth and concern in his voice.

"Yeah just tired" Hermione smiled. Without any warning Y/N scooped her up in his arms and began to carry her up the stairs bridal style. Hermione giggle-shrieked in shock.

"What are you doing?" She asked still giggling.

"Carrying you mi'lady" Y/N answered with a smirk.

"Y/N, you can't carry me all the way up to Gryffindor tower" Hermione smiled as she looked up at his face sweetly.

"Why not?" Y/N asked with a chuckle.

Hermione opened her mouth, attempting to formulate an argument before she sighed.

"You're just going to carry me no matter what I say aren't you"

She heard Y/N's voice in her mind.

Just enjoy the ride darling.

Hermione smiled and leant into his chest, hearing Y/N again:

Is it ok to call you that? It doesn't make you uncomfortable does it?

No, not at all. I love it.

Hermione smiled as she felt Y/N's heart beat quicker in his chest.

"Hermione's not the only one who's tired"

Y/N looked at Hermione with a raised eyebrow before stopping on the staircase, turning to the two boys who were a fair few steps lower.

"I'm not carrying you Ron. You two need to work on your cardio anyway."

Hermione heard in her mind:

That darling is the difference between a boy and a man.

Hermione giggled and replied "yep"

Y/N turned and began to walk, hearing Ron mutter behind him before exclaiming "Ow!" Y/N chuckled.

Hermione whispered "What did you do?"

I implanted the suggestion in his mind he had just been slapped in the back of the head.

"You can do that?" Hermione whispered in surprise.

"You would be surprised what I can do darling" Y/N smirked.

-~-

Y/N and Hermione arrived at the Gryffindor common room door. The Fat Lady gushed over how cute the couple were, and what a gentleman Y/N was, before allowing them access. Y/N gently placed Hermione down on their favourite couch before sitting next to her.

"Thanks so much Y/N, but you didn't have to do that you know"

Y/N smiled as he sat, Hermione reaching out and interlocking their fingers.

"It was no problem 'Mione. You're pretty light you know" Y/N replied with his confident smirk. Hermione looked down and giggled:

"You always know just what to say"

She leant over and kissed him on the cheek.

"Wait for those two?" Y/N asked with a chuckle as Hermione dove onto him and nodded, snuggling tightly into his chest.

It took fifteen minutes for the two boys to get back to the common room. Both were out of breath and sweating profusely. It was only when Hermione noticed how puffed out the two boys were that she realised Y/N had walked all the way up, carrying her, and hadn't even been out of breath or broken a sweat when they arrived. She was even more impressed with her best friend than normal- and she was usually pretty impressed with him just in general!

Harry and Ron sat across from the pair and the four sat quietly as the two boys caught their breath. Ron finally spoke up:

"So that was really you-know-who out there?"

Harry nodded and replied:

"Yeah and Y/N saved me from him"

Hermione squeezed Y/N's torso. He was so brave. Y/N chuckled and answered:

"Hardly Harry. At best I held him off until Firenze got there"

Harry wouldn't have Y/N's modesty though, arguing:

"You didn't know he was coming Y/N. And you stood there and fought. Malfoy ran like a coward. You stood in front of me when I was on the ground and fired spell after spell at him. You told me to run while you were fighting. I owe you my life Y/N. You're an amazing friend."

Y/N smiled before Harry asked a question.

"Y/N, what was that last spell you cast at him? I'd never heard of it before but it really, really made him mad. The green one. Avoda or something?"

Ron looked at Y/N wide eyed. Hermione looked up from his chest. She'd read about the illegal green spell but not it's incantation. Y/N answered calmly:

"It was Avada Kedavra Harry. The killing curse"

Harry's eyes widened, Ron choked on his saliva. Hermione was shocked.

"You... you know how to cast that Y/N?" Ron asked meekly.

"I was raised a warrior Ron. Of course I do" Y/N answered as if it was an obvious question.

"You tried to kill him?" Harry asked shocked. Y/N looked at the two boys emotionless as he relied calmly:

"To be effective in combat, a warrior must have no sympathy for his enemy"

"But Y/N, it's illegal" Hermione said quietly.

"Wizengamot Statute 14, Section G, Paragraph 4 actually allows it's use Hermione, in exceptional circumstances, when there is no other option to save your own life."

The room went quiet before Y/N finally spoke up again:

"Anyway, you remember what Firenze told us Harry? Voldemort's definitely after the Philosopher's Stone."

"That must be why Snape wants to steal it- for Voldemort" Harry suggested.

Y/N sighed. Hermione squeezed again.

"He wouldn't kill you though would he?"
Ron asked in fear.

"I think if not for Y/N, he would have tried tonight" Harry answered.

"You're forgetting something. Whose the one wizard Voldemort always feared?" Hermione asked.

"Me?" Y/N answered with a chuckle. Hermione smacked his arm but giggled.

"You mean Dumbledore" Ron answered, proud of himself for finally getting one right. Hermione nodded.

"That's right. As long as Dumbledore's here you're safe Harry. As long as Dumbledore's around you can't be touched."

-~-

Ron and Harry headed up to bed. Hermione and Y/N decided to sit on the couch for a little longer. It had been a long, long week and a long, long night and they needed to relax together for a while.

Hermione listened to Y/N's heartbeat, Y/N ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her on the top of her head.

"I was really scared tonight. I thought I was going to lose you Y/N, Twice" Hermione said quietly, her voice quivering as the emotional toll of the evening hit home.

Y/N leant Hermione up gently and cupped her face with his hand. He spoke sweetly to her:

"Hey, hey, hey Hermione. Don't think like that. I'm not going anywhere. I'm too tough and stubborn to die"

Y/N chuckled as he looked into Hermione's eyes. She looked back into his. Both of them felt their hearts beating out of their chests as they slowly, slowly leant into each other, both closing their eyes as they leant closer....

"What are you two doing up?"

Hermione snapped to attention at the girl's voice. She recognised the girl from the Gryffindor Quidditch team. It was Katie Bell.

Hermione's brain overloaded between what had just almost happened and the embarrassment of being caught. She was about to kiss Y/N. She felt herself heat up as her cheeks burnt. She ran.

-~-

"'Mione wait" Y/N called out as his best friend ran. What had he done? He'd tried to kiss Hermione. He had no idea where it came from, but she ran away. Did he scare her? Had he thrown everything away? He threw his head back against the couch, closing his eyes and whispering to himself:

"Fuck!"

-~-

Hermione ran into her dorm, closing the door behind her. She closed her eyes as she leant against it, confused, her mind racing. What had just happened?

"Hey you're back really late. I was waiting up for you. Hermione... your face is really red. Are you ok?" A friendly voice asked.

Hermione opened her eyes, looking shakily at the friend who patted on her bed for Hermione to sit.

Hermione nodded and walked over, sitting on Lavender's bed. Yuffie and Parvati were asleep, Lavender had been sat up reading a book by candlelight. As Hermione sat Lavender put her book down and gasped:

"Your hands are shaking. Is everything ok Hermione?"

"I'm... I'm not sure Lav. Y/N and I almost kissed"

Lavender shrieked loudly in happy surprise, ignoring the tired moans of their roommates as she whispered excitedly:

"Tell me everything!"

-~-

Y/N sat with his head back and eyes closed, frustrated and confused at what had just happened. His eyes shot open as he felt a hand brush softly against his face.

"Sorry for what happened. That was rough. I'd never run from a kiss from you. You don't need her anyway. A guy like you needs someone older."

Y/N looked up confused at Katie who was leaning over him, upside down and smiling, before his eyes widened as Katie closed her eyes and leant down. He managed to move at the last second, avoiding her kiss as he stood and looked at his teammate puzzled. What the hell was she doing?

"Uh good night Katie" Y/N said puzzled. He walked off and up the stairs quickly. Ron and Harry were already asleep and snoring as Y/N stripped and closed his curtains, still confused, puzzled and panicked. He placed the customary silencing charm around his bed, hoping and praying to Merlin he hadn't just lost his best friend.