Hermione felt herself blush. What had happened to make Harry express such sentiments about her? It was curious to say the least. It did nothing to ease the ache of knowing he was so close, but apparently determined to keep his distance from her. She wanted to go and shake the silliness out of him. But this was tempered by the notion that "silly" wasn't something to be associated with Harry Potter these days. There was that undeniable edge in the tones of people who spoke about him. It painted him as dangerous.