****Harry****
I had done it again. I couldn't believe it, but I had done it again. Voldemort was defeated again by little me. But it didn't really matter. I wouldn't be satisfied until everyone in the hospital ward was safe … especially her.
The Great Hall was full of excitement and chatter. I received many pats on the back and handshakes in thanks for saving their lives … again. People were talking to me at the Gryffindor table, but I could hardly hear them. I pretended to be paying attention, but there was no way that I could focus. Suddenly, I heard Neville.
"Harry! It's Hermione!"
Why did Neville solely address me? Was it that obvious that I was developing a crush on her? It didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was safe and here - alive.
Ron leaned back to see her. I had to lean back even further with his red hair in the way. But there she was, smiling at me.
She began to run and I knew I had to hold her. I quickly stood up and stretched out my arms. She almost knocked me over when she reached me and I closed my arms around her. All my fears and anxieties, my anger and frustration were gone. I was happy and I was safe in her arms. Could it also have been a pang of love I felt as well?
We were just 12, but it felt like we were so much more. The first two years had forced us to mature quickly and our actual age was irrelevant.
Was she feeling the same things I was? Possibly. But there would be time to explore that later.
Once our hug broke, I continued holding her hand as if for confirmation that she was really there and this wasn't a dream. I wanted to keep her anchored to reality.
After Ron wouldn't hug her, she seemed confused (as was I - but then again, I was only 12) and quickly spoke.
"Congratulations, I can't believe you solved it," she said.
"Well, we had loads of help from you. We couldn't have done it without you," I said. It was the truth. Aragog hardly gave us any answers, but it was Hermione's clue from the library that sealed the deal.
"Thanks," she said with a blush.
Then, McGonagall clinked her glass and we had to sit down for Dumbledore to speak. I was hoping to sit by Hermione, but Ron got in the way. I couldn't make a fuss without making things look too obvious, so I said nothing and waited for the day where we could be together. Somehow, some way, my Hermione and I would share our love.