Chapter 3… This is my third chapter and I guess the last chapter…thanks for reading my fics! I finished this while waiting for my copy of book five…. Well, this is my fluffy ending but I have a feeling you guys might ask for more… I have been thinking about it but I still need your opinions.
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Chapter 3: Finally Said
The days went by and there were still no sign of Hagrid. The trio and the rest of the fifth years are enjoying their Care for the Magical Creatures class. Everyone adored the big black, Snuffles except Draco and the Slytherins. Harry, Ron and Hermione even though enjoying the fact that Remus and Sirius are with them still felt sorry for the missing Hagrid. They asked Dumbledore almost everyday for any news about him but to no avail.
Months have passed and the Quidditch Season was about to begin. Harry and Ron had been training with the Gryffindor Quidditch team non-stop. Hermione on the other hand had been busy with her prefect responsibilities. She also involved herself in Quidditch by helping Harry make offensive and defensive plays for the team to follow. She had read a lot about Quidditch since that summer when Harry stayed at her house. The trio still spent their studying time together and as of the past month nothing strange or odd took place in the school.
Harry, Hermione and Ron were at the Gryffindor common room working on their essay about Vampires, Arabella Figg their new DADA Teacher who was also the old woman who had been watching over Harry for the Dursleys, was a very nice but diligent mentor. She taught them many things. Mad eye moody recommended her for the position and he was right in putting a good word for such a well off teacher.
"Hermione, aren't you done with that essay yet? You've already got three extra rolls of parchment on that one," Ron groaned. He had been well aware of his two best friends' feelings for each other and as much as he wanted the two of them to be together, Harry would not make his feelings known to Hermione yet.
"I'm just about done with this. Just one more sentence," she said as she wrote the last statement in her essay. "Okay I'm through. Can I see your essays?" she asked both Ron and Harry. Ron gave her a roll of parchment. She read it and was pleased. His work was rather short but he got the important details. Harry on the other hand wasn't paying attention. She wasn't sure but while she was writing her essay she felt like Harry was staring at her the whole time. "Is there something wrong with my face?" she asked as she looked up at him from across the table.
Harry was a bit startled realizing Hermione and Ron staring at him with concerned look on their faces. He then realized what he was doing the whole time. He was staring at Hermione while she worked on her essay. He liked seeing her busy with schoolwork. He then shifted his attention on the roll of blank parchment in front of him. He hasn't even started at his essay yet.
"I see you haven't done your homework yet?" Hermione said pointing out the obvious as Ron would like to put it.
"I think Harry needs some help. I on the other hand need to go to bed because I'm beat from all the essay writing and unicorn feeding this morning. See you guys tomorrow and Harry don't come up till your done with what you should have done a long time ago," Ron had a certain air about his last statement. He made his way to the staircase and disappeared from their view.
"Well, I didn't expect Ron to be that uptight with you especially with home works. Okay so what is it that you didn't understand about Vampires?" Hermione started as she moved from where she sat to a position just behind Harry looking at his opened books and pointing out some very important details from their lesson that day.
Harry was oblivious to what she was saying. He liked the feeling of her near him. Her scent that was not at all perfume was intoxicating. She smelled of honey and wild flowers. He remembered the times she would hold him while he trembled and cried at night because he had nightmares. Her mere presence, made him feel free and secure. She was everything he could ever ask for, a loyal friend, a very good companion and an honest and brave person that would stick by you no matter what. She had proven that to him too many times already. She had also grown to be a very attractive young woman and all he was to her was a friend that needs to be tutored. At least that's what he thought. Hermione thought of him otherwise but unless he tells her his feelings he wouldn't know that she wanted him to love her too.
"Harry, I know school is a little boring for you but you have to concentrate. Are you listening to me?" she asked. Harry was snapped back to reality. They were after all studying. Ron was right he needs to tell her soon enough.
"I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't paying much attention," Harry admitted. 'You can't blame me though having you this close,' he thought to himself.
"You're preoccupied about something," Hermione said. She knew him to well and she could easily detect that something or someone was bothering him. "What's going on in that head of yours? Come on tell me," she urged him as she sat from across him and looked him straight in the eyes.
"You know me too well," he said and he gave her a meek smile. She knew him and now he's wondering if she ever find out about his growing feelings for her.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" she prodded. She was really concerned about him. He wasn't at all in trouble with school but lately he had been having a hard time focusing on schoolwork. "Is this about Hagrid?" she asked but Harry answered her with a weak no. "Is it about school or Quidditch?" she asked again and she got the same answer then he saw that little glow in his emerald green eyes.
Harry wasn't sure if it was the right time so he made up a little story hoping Hermione would buy it. "See, there's this girl that I've known for quite a while," he started and when he looked at her she had all her attention on him. "She's pretty and smart and any guy would be lucky to have her as a girlfriend. She even went out with one of the Triwizard champions once."
'He's probably talking about Cho. Maybe he has recovered from the Triwizard trauma after all and now he's ready to ask her out again,' Hermione pondered. Deep inside she wished she was the once Harry was talking about. She did date a Triwizard champion and it was Viktor but Harry would never like her the way she liked him. She wished for him to love her but she was ready to face the awful truth.
"I don't think I'm good enough for her because she's this very wonderful person," Harry explained. Hermione felt a little hurt. He was talking about someone else and it was killing her. She wanted him to love her and now it was quite evident that he was fancying someone else.
'Get a grip Hermione,' she scolded herself. 'Harry would never see you as anything else other than a friend.' Hermione was thinking of the right thing to say to him. She wanted to tell him that Cho would be really stupid if she'd shut him down the second time but she might sound too jealous and she didn't want Harry to know because he might hate her for it or worse he'd feel sorry for her and date her just to make her feel better and tell her off in the friendliest way possible is there was such a thing.
"I think who ever she is she's lucky because you like her," she said cheerfully. Whoever that girl is she's bound to be the luckiest girl alive for having Harry as her boyfriend and it's not because he's the boy who lived or because he has the most beautiful set of emerald green eyes. She would be lucky because she would have a brave, kind, and loving person by her side and Hermione would give anything to be that girl.
Harry smiled at what his best friend said. 'If only she knew it was her I was talking about,' he thought.
"I think you should study for now. If you say you want to prove to her that you're good enough for her maybe you ought to do well in school too," she said brightly. "We still have an our left before midnight. Here, I'll take note of a few things and you work on that essay. Remember, we have Quidditch practice tomorrow and I doubt if Prof. Figg would let you out of class early if you don't finish the assignment."
Harry felt a little better. He knew Hermione loved school and maybe if he'll do really well at it she'll think of him as someone worth being more that just a friend. So they studied the night away. They were the only two people in the Gryffindor common room. The fire was almost out when they finished. Harry helped Hermione carry her things up in her room.
"Thanks for helping me out Hermione," Harry said.
"Well, you know I'd do anything for a friend. I forgot to give you these. I read some new moves in a Quidditch magazine Parvati owns. I thought you might want to try and practice them tomorrow," she said as she handed him a roll of parchment, which was probably filled with new Quidditch information.
"Err… Hermione, why does Parvati have a Quidditch magazine?" Harry asked out of curiosity.
"It's not about the game, she likes reading information about the players not to mention the fact that Oliver Wood is in this month's cover," Hermione admitted. They both had a little laugh.
Harry got all her things on top of her desk. He looked at her before getting out of the room. "Hermione, tomorrow, after the practice can we talk?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"Sure Harry," she answered. She walked him out of the room and she kissed his cheek before closing the door. Her strong liking for him got the better of her. He'd probably be suspicious by now.
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Harry and Ron went straight to Hagrid's hut after attending all their classes. Remus was with the fourth years by the lake studying the giant squid. Sirius in his dog form was inside the hut. Hagrid brought Fang with him in his journey to the northern highlands and was missing with the half giant too.
Harry and Ron got inside the hut and shut the door close. "Sirius we brought you food," Harry said. Sirius changed into his human form and sat on the giant chair that Hagrid used to sit on. It was positioned against the window so no one would see him if his in human form. Sirius started on the sandwiches they brought him.
"How's school today?" Sirius asked as he munched his turkey sandwich.
"Great except for Snape giving us a surprise quiz and it really was a surprise because he hasn't taught us that lesson yet," Ron said.
"Don't mind him he's just a bloody bastard but he does anything that could hurt you guys, just tell me and I'll feed him to moony," Sirius joked.
"Sirius, when did my parents got together? I mean as a couple," Harry suddenly asked.
Ron knew what Harry was getting at but Sirius didn't have a clue but he answered his godson's question anyway. "They started dating in our fifth year. I used to bring her letters from your father."
"So I can start dating?" Harry asked.
"Of course you can. I dated when I was fourteen. Don't be like moony, he started dating when we were in seventh year and when he had his heart broken by some Hufflepuff he didn't want to go out and date anymore," Sirius exclaimed.
"So who is the lucky girl?" Sirius asked.
"Do you really don't know who she is yet?" Ron butted in.
"I have no idea but for sure she would have to measure up to my expectation. She should be at least as smart as Hermione," Sirius said.
"But their isn't anyone like that here in Hogwarts or probably even outside," Ron replied and he knew what Sirius was playing at.
"You knew I liked her didn't you?" Harry asked his godfather and Ron was just laughing.
"I figured. You're just like your father. I could easily read your action especially during your class with Moony," Sirius explained. "So did you ask her yet?"
"No he hasn't he's too chicken," Ron joked. Harry nudged him. "Ouch!"
"I'm not chicken!" Harry retorted. "I'm going to ask her later after practice," he admitted.
"Really? That's bloody brilliant!" Ron said excitedly. "Do you need my help in anything?"
"Well, you can clear out our team members after practice so we can have the field to ourselves and you can also keep the Slytherins specially Draco out of the way. I want this day to be special," Harry instructed.
"I can guard the pitch for you," Sirius offered. "I'll threaten those Slytherin so hard they might not even want to come near the pitch even on their schedule game." They all had a nice laugh. "Harry maybe you ought to give her this," Sirius pulled put a nice gold bracelet from his pocket. "This was your dad's first gift to your mom."
"I think Hermione would like it," Ron said. "No, in fact she'll love it."
Harry took the bracelet from Sirius and gave his godfather a hug. "Thanks I owe you one."
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The Quidditch Practice went well. Hermione watched from the stands. She had her chart with her and a timer keeping up with the team's record performances. She was like a team manager. The sun was almost down and it gave the sky a nice violet and pinkish touch. The team just got out of the locker room. Harry and Ron were the last ones to come out. Ron made his way to the rest of the time out of the pitch while Harry rode his Firebolt to meet her on the stands.
"So how did the team do?" Harry asked.
"You all did well. I think Dean and Seamus would make good beaters. You made another record today catching the snitch in less than 30 minutes," she beamed at him. His hair was still wet from the shower and he had the scent of fresh pines and mint.
"Care to join me for a little ride?" Harry offered. She was hesitant. If there was one thing she didn't like about the wizarding world beside Voldemort making Harry's life a living hell, it was flying. She liked seeing Harry feeling free as he soared in the sky but she also remembered the times she felt like she was going to have a heart attack with the stunts he often pulled.
"Don't worry Hermione, I won't let you fall," he assured her and held his hand out.
She took his hand and she was now in front of him riding a Firebolt. It was still the fastest broom in the market. She held tightly on the broom.
"Are you alright?" he asked her. His face was pressed in the sea of brown curls that was her hair. He placed an arm around her waist and his other hand gripping the broom. "Don't worry, we'll just hover around the pitch and anyplace you want to see."
"I'm okay I guess. Just don't go flying too fast, okay?" she muttered. They went flying around the pitch then to the nice patch of green, which was the dark forest. They also went flying over the lake and they watched the giant squid frolic around scattering water to every direction. It was almost dinnertime and they were still outside. Hermione's fear of heights and flying itself was all replaced by the wonderful sceneries that she saw plus the fact that Harry was holding her and making her feel safe.
"Let's stay by the open tower over there!" Harry pointed to an open tower near the owlery.
"I've never seen this place before?" Hermione gasped in awe. They had the overview of everything around Hogwarts. She could see Hogsmeade and from the furthest she could see where they usually took the ride from the Hogwarts express. "This place is beautiful."
"I knew you would like it," Harry said. "I told you I was going to tell you something but we went on a nice long ride so you might have forgotten about it."
"Actually, I really want to know what you are going to tell me," Hermione admitted. While they were flying around Hogwarts she was almost living a dream she had always wished for. She wanted to be in his arms. She wasn't afraid to hear the truth from him. If he did love someone else it would be painful but she would never forget that day. That day she felt special. That day in Harry's strong arms she felt complete and the thought being that close to Harry was enough.
Harry got the bracelet out of his pocket and showed it to Hermione. "You think she'll like it?" Harry asked.
Hermione felt a pang of jealousy. Cho or whoever that girl was would be very lucky to have Harry with or without the bracelet. "I think any girl would like it," she said.
"Here try it on," Harry placed the bracelet around her right wrist. It was a perfect fit. Hermione secretly wished for the bracelet to be hers. "It really looks good on you. My mom used to own that bracelet. My dad gave it to her as his first gift." Hermione thought of how valuable the bracelet was and how lucky the recipient would be. Harry must be really in love with this girl to give one of her mother's prize possessions.
"I think she'll love it. I hope you're giving it to the right person Harry," she muttered. She looked down on her hands and tears were starting to form. He would be asking her to take the bracelet off sooner or later. She knew that the dream would soon end.
"I did gave it to the right person. That bracelet is yours and I can't seem to find anyone worthy of wearing it other than you," Harry said. He took both her hands and squeezed it lightly. The sky was already dark but the stars lit the night sky. He cupped her face and made her look at him. "I know I may not be good enough for you but I really need to tell you how much you mean to me. You're my best friend and I know I can count on you anytime. You're the best friend any guy could ever have but the thing is I don't want you to be just my best friend. I want you to be even more. I've fallen in love with you Hermione and I'll understand if you don't feel the same way."
Hermione was a few inches away from Harry's face. He held her face gently and he said the exact words she wanted him to say except for the last part. "Shut up and kiss me Potter!" she demanded and before she could say another word Harry captured her lips with his. His kisses were sweet and wonderful. She felt light as if she was floating in mid-air.
"So does this mean," Harry started.
"Yes, I love you too Harry," she whispered to his ear. He pulled into a nice warm embrace. "I guess things will between the two of us."
"You bet it will. I guess your books will have a little competition now that we're together," Harry joked. A mischievous grin showed on his face.
"We better get down to the great hall," Hermione said as she pulled Harry towards the door leading to a staircase.
"Wait before we go down can I have one last kiss?" Harry asked giving her the puppy dog eyes.
Hermione moved towards him and planted a nice soft kiss on his lips. "Let's take a ride on your Firebolt instead. It will get us there faster," Hermione said.
Harry smiled and they rode the Firebolt down towards the castle entrance. Harry was for once happy. For that particular moments his fears were set aside. He was happy to be with the girl he had known and he had fallen in love with. Now he had someone that will share his troubles with. His friendship with Ron had grown stronger and his feelings for Hermione can surpass all the trials that may come their way… They're half way to the school year and there are still a few things that need to be worked out and Harry realized that even if he had to go through a lot of tough times. He would never alone.
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A/N: So will this be the end or should I add better closure…. I know it's a bit AU because this supposedly took place in their fifth year but anyway…. I hope you guys liked it….