Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize; if you don't recognize something, I made it up. Any similarities are purely coincidental; the only thing I get from writing is satisfaction. New title is taken from a song by 3 of Hearts, from the movie Where The Heart Is, the refrain inspiring the plot a bit.

Chapter 8: I Lied

An hour –and half a bottle of Firewhiskey- later Hermione was sprawled out on the couch a content, and drunken, smile adorning her face.

"Drink up, Minnie," Harry urged.

"Minnie? That's not right," Hermione looked confused. "My name's Herminniny. Hermononny? Why couldn't I have a normal name? Like Harry. Just rolls off your tongue. Hair-ree. Harry."

Harry appeared to be thinking very hard about something. "Nah, I like Herminny. It's unusual. People remember it."

"Right," Hermione scoffed. "Cause no one would ever remember the name 'Harry Potter'."

"Doesn't count," Harry retorted. "Overall, 'Harry' is just too common, too plain." He made a face to illustrate his point.

"Perhaps. But I'm sure no one could forget those beyootiful green eyes you sport," Hermione reasoned. "I know lots of people, and not just girls, if ya know what I mean, who would date you in a second." She attempted to snap her fingers and failed miserably. "Well, you know what I mean."

"Tha's juss it," Harry slurred. "They go for the eyes, the scar, the name. They are mighty disappointed when they finally comprehend I'm a real person and not the superhero I've been made out to be," he finished, his tone bitter.

"Then that's their loss," Hermione responded. "'sides, that means I don't have to share you with anyone." Hermione declared emphatically. "Or share my Firewhiskey." She smiled devilishly.

Harry laughed at Hermione's expression and drank some more before handing the bottle to her; they'd long ago forgone the cups Hermione originally brought out. She finished the bottle in one long gulp.

"Oh, no! We're out of Firewhiskey!" Hermione looked as though she may burst out into tears.

Harry jumped up. "Juss wait one secon'." He ran up the stairs, tripping over the top two steps. He came back, skidding to a stop. "Here." He shoved his package, two very large –very full- bottles of Firewhiskey. "Been savin 'em."

"Yay!" Hermione clapped her hands like an excited child. "Oh, Harry. I could just kiss you!" She shrugged her shoulder. "Why the hell not?"

She placed her hands on either side of Harry's face and placed a large, sloppy, wet kiss square on his lips, complete with a loud smacking noise.

"Ya know, tha's the secon' time you kissed me tonight," Harry stated with a smirk. "A guy could get used to it."

"You wish, Potter," Hermione retorted, tossing a pillow in Harry's general direction. He ducked, avoiding the projectile. He turned back towards her, a triumphant grin on his face. He was greeted with a pillow to the side of his head.

Harry sat in shock, watching Hermione grin manically. Without warning, he grabbed the first pillow and hit her in the arm. He smirked and wriggled his eyebrows before an all-out pillow fight ensued.

They ran around the main level of the house, through the kitchen and dining areas, hiding behind furniture, occasionally breaking glasses and mirrors, and other objects that had just been repaired after Harry's rampage.

"Truce!" Hermione cried, a pillow whizzing past her head. "Truce!"

"Had enough?" Harry smirked.

"No, but I think the house has!" Hermione gasped out. She collapsed on the couch, Harry flopping next to her. They looked around the living area; there were broken glasses and feathers everywhere.

"Oops," Harry grinned. With another quick, Reparo, everything was back to its original state.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry asked casually. "What were you an Ron fighting about earlier?"

"Oh, that," Hermione dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "He got all bent out of shape because Kevin kissed me."

"Kevin?" Harry asked sharply. "Your Psych partner, Kevin?"

"Yeah," Hermione affirmed.

"Oh?" Harry asked, trying to control his anger.

"We were in the Library, of all places," Hermione began. "We were working on that large assignment that's due soon. Most of the work was finished, we just needed a few final things to tie the whole thing together."

FLASHBACK

"I'm really glad we were partnered on this project, Hermione," Kevin stated. "I really wanted to work with you. I think we make a great team."

Hermione nodded absently, oblivious to Kevin's attempts at flirting. "Me too, but right now we should concentrate on getting this done. It needs to be perfect."

"Oh it will," Kevin said dismissively. "We've found all sorts of studies and scientific journals to illustrate our point. I'm sure Dr. Jerginns will be impressed."

Hermione sighed. "I know. I'm just nervous. I always get like this before handing something in. Just ask Ron or Harry." She chuckled, recalling her Hogwarts days.

"So, are you seeing either one of those blokes?" Kevin asked nonchalantly.

"Those guys? Nah, they're my best friends. Have been ever since we were eleven," Hermione explained.

"Ah, ok," Kevin smiled. "So what do they do? For a living, I mean."

"Um," Hermione stalled. "Ron's a....bobby. And Harry, he plays semi- professional football." She smiled, proud of how quickly she came up with the answers.

"Really? For what team?" Kevin asked.

"He's, uh, between teams right now. He injured his, um, groin, and is out of commission until it heals," Hermione answered hurriedly. "Let's get back to what we're doing here. Would you please go get the next book on the list?"

"Sure," he replied.

Kevin got up and went to search for the next reference. When he returned, he gave the book to Hermione. As she became distracted, he pulled his chair very close to hers. He waited for her to acknowledge him. When she didn't.....

END FLASHBACK

"...then he leaned in and kissed me," Hermione finished.

Harry looked as though he was going to kill.

"Then what?" he asked, a bit harsher than he'd intended.

Hermione looked at him questioningly, and he smiled weakly in return. "I told him I wasn't interested in him that way and left quickly. I haven't talked to him since."

Harry relaxed at this information. "But then why Ron so bent out of shape about it?" he questioned.

"I don't know," Hermione answered. "He was always so convinced Kevin had an ulterior motive for partnering me. He just used this as a great big 'I told you so' moment. I didn't even get to tell him I didn't return it and left. He made it sound like I threw Kevin on a table and starting snogging the daylights out of him!"

Harry managed a tight-lipped smile at the image. "Maybe he's upset another guy kissed you," he suggested.

"But why?" Hermione persisted. "It's not like we're together. That was over before it even began. You can't bloody well be with someone when it feels as though you're kissing your brother when you kiss him."

"Most definitely not," Harry teased. "I could never be with someone who made me feel as though I was kissing my brother."

"Prat," Hermione mumbled. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure Ron was just being a git; you know, acting like himself."

"Ouch, that hurts! You shouldn't insult a man when he's not there to defend himself! It's just not good form," Harry mocked.

"So I can insult you?" Hermione grinned slyly.

"Nope! Cause I'll just come after you," Harry answered cheerfully. "In fact, I may do that anyway." He flexed his fingers menacingly.

"You wouldn't..." Hermione trailed off.

"Oh, but I would," Harry retorted.

As if perfectly timed, Hermione jumped out of the way as Harry dove at her. Once again, they found themselves running through the house, although this time it was just Harry chasing Hermione. He finally cornered her upstairs, in his room. He locked the door with a quick spell so she couldn't get away and grinned mischievously.

"If you just come here, I'll take it easy on you," he coaxed, waggling his fingers at her.

"No you won't!" Hermione countered. "It's a trick!"

Without any prior indication, Hermione turned the tables and lunged at Harry. She caught him completely off-guard and managed to get in a few good shots before he began fighting back. He dug his long fingers into her ribs as she tried to defend herself. All you could hear was loud laughter and an occasional squeal as Harry got in a lucky shot every once in a while.

Somehow, the two ended up on Harry's bed, him sitting on top of her; he'd effectively pinned her in place.

"Ha! I win! I am the champion!" Harry gloated. "Give up?"

"Oh yes! You're so much stronger than I am," Hermione pretended. "NOT!"

She made a sudden movement to escape and ended up hitting Harry in the jaw.

"Oh my gosh, are you ok?" she asked in total concern. She sat up to take a better look at it, but Harry had other plans. He jumped at her inattention and began his quest to tickle her into oblivion in earnest. Poor Hermione never had a chance.

"HARREEE!" she squealed. "STOOOOOP!!!"

"Nope," was his answer.

Hermione tried to retaliate, but Harry had figured out a way to pin her wrists together to keep her from using her hands. He sat on her hips and had her completely immobilized. She tried to wriggle free.

"Uh," Harry said awkwardly. "You may not want to do that."

"Scared I might be able to get back at you?" Hermione asked triumphant, wriggling faster.

"Minee. Stop. Please," Harry begged.

"Why?" she asked, carefully.

Harry looked at her meaningfully and raised his eyebrows. "Do I really have to answer that question?"

Hermione's eyes widen in realization. "Sorry."

"S'ok," Harry mumbled. He shifted his body and rolled off Hermione, choosing to lie next to her.

Out of the silence, Hermione burst into giggles. "I'm sorry. It's just....you were...getting a....woody," she managed to squeak out through her laughter.

Harry reddened. "It's a reflex. You of all people should know it's not something you're able to control. It's just...happens."

"I know," Hermione calmed herself for a couple minutes before bursting into fresh giggles.

"Oh, you're so going down, Granger!" Harry renewed his attack on a helpless Hermione.

"AHHHH!!!" Hermione couldn't do anything to defend herself; she was completely at Harry's mercy. She was laughing so hard she started coughing violently and sat straight up.

"You ok?" Harry asked, lying on his side, propped up on his elbow, peering at his best friend.

Hermione nodded and resumed her prone position, letting out a cough every once in a while. She was getting sleepy when she was pulled out her semi- consciousness.

"You still awake?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," she rolled over and faced him.

He gave her a half-smile as he reached out and brushed a stray curl out of her face. Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she and Harry locked gazes. There was a look on his face she had never seen and his eyes were that dark green she'd glimpsed earlier. They just stared at each other, unblinking, Harry's hand resting above Hermione's head.

"Minee," Harry said softly. "Do you remember what I said earlier? About it being a one-time thing?"

"Uh huh," she breathed.

"I lied."