A/N: Finally done with the third (and final) part. I neglected to thank my beta reader for the second part. But yeah, again thanks to Michelle aka MushyPeas for taking the time to beta-read my work.
Disclaimer (another thing I've forgotten): All characters and such belong to JKR. I'm just borrowing some ingredients so I can bake a different type of cookie.
It's the Little Things
"Where are you going?" Harry inquired with a hint of disappointment.
Hermione, upon entering the common room, had immediately proceeded to the stairs leading to her Head Girl quarters. She paused and turned to Harry. "I...I'm feeling quite tired all of a sudden," she meekly said.
"But," he gave her a quizzical look, "it's just barely past nine p.m. Why not keep me company for a few minutes here? Nobody's around and I'm not quite ready to tuck in yet." Harry hoped that his plea would be heeded. He wanted so much to spend more time with her...and maybe tell her finally what really has been on his mind.
"But-"
"Please?" Harry took a step towards her. "Hey, who knows? We might not get too many opportunities to have the Common Room to ourselves ever again."
That look. That pleading look was her undoing. Hermione really couldn't have denied him much at this point after discovering how she really felt for the wizard with the emerald green eyes. Letting a faint sigh escape her lips, she gave him a small smile. "All right. Just let me drop my notes back in my room and then we can talk. You ought to do the same by dropping your books off in your room first."
Harry returned her smile brightly and nodded. "Fair enough, I really don't want you to start studying on me again. We've done enough of that tonight I think."
"I should scold you for that comment, Harry! I'm a bookworm, I'll admit, but I'm not that drab." Hermione giggled and stuck her tongue out at him. She quickly climbed the stairs that led to her private quarters and disappeared behind a corner.
Harry watched Hermione wistfully before she disappeared from his sight. Shaking his head slightly, he made his own way up to his own Head Boy quarters to drop off books and notes used for studying. On his way out from his room, Harry took the time to try to tame his ruffled hair, but much to his displeasure his hair would not comply. Finally giving up, he tried not to seem rushed on his way down the stairs as he noticed that the object of his affection was already seated on a chair, waiting for his return.
"It took you long enough, Harry." Hermione playfully frowned at him. "You mustn't keep a lady waiting you know."
Harry chuckled. "There's a lady here waiting for me? Where?" He started to look around the room.
Hermione's eyes widened as she scolded him, "Harry James Potter! That wasn't so nice! If you weren't my best friend, I'd have hexed you for that remark."
Harry plopped down the chair next to her and grinned widely. "I know. That's why I had the guts to say it." A small pillow flew his direction and hit him square in the face. "Hey!"
"Serves you right." Hermione guessed that he isn't done yet for the night in teasing her. She'd never admit it, but she rather liked spending the rest of the evening with him. Never mind that he might reveal the girl who has captured his heart and break her heart in the process. Right now, with him was where she felt most comfortable; with him is where she felt she belonged. Too bad that he didn't know that.
"So." Harry said curtly.
"Hm?" Hermione gave him a half-interested look. "By the way, where is Ron tonight?"
Harry thought for a moment. "You know, I don't know. Maybe he's with…Luna…again?" He suddenly grinned sheepishly. "That sly Weasley. Maybe he's-" Harry didn't get to finish his sentence as another throw pillow hit him in the face.
"Don't bother finishing that thought." Hermione reprimanded him. "That funny grin on your face is quite suspicious."
"Aw, but it's Ron here that we're talking about! Can't I have a bit of fun?" Harry protested.
'When did he become such a playful git?' Hermione thought to herself. It's alarmingly un-Harry-like but at the same time she figured that this is really him without all the worries of the world on his shoulders. He's just like a regular teenager. Although compared to other teenagers, at the age of eighteen, Harry's just finally getting to enjoy this part of growing up. She liked seeing this side of him, though part of her can't help but feel a little uneasy about it as well.
"Yes, it's Ron we're talking about. He's also our best friend. It's not right that you poke fun of his…liaisons…when he's not around," Hermione said admonishingly.
"Come now, Hermione. Ron knows I make jokes of his affairs. He does the same for me and we're both quite alright with it," Harry lightheartedly replied. She's being worrisome again, like she usually is but he's used to it by now. Frankly, Harry expected it. Hermione always had this mother-hen complex whenever he and Ron were concerned. "If I didn't know any better, Hermione, you're the one starting all these rumors about Ron and his escapades." Harry jokily said.
"Oh, you! How can you even say such a thing?!" Hermione glared at him. "I would never do anything as such."
Despite the contemptuous glare, Harry was quite amused to see her getting defensive. It's another adorable thing the loved about her. She's so…energetically adamant, for lack of a better term.
He noticed her reaching for another pillow, quite sure that it would be used again to hit him. This time, he chose to act first as he quickly stood up and grabbed the throw pillow that she reached for. "Ah ah ah! You've used me for target practice quite enough tonight, Granger. When do I get my turn?"
"Hey!" Hermione replied in protest. "I had my eye on that pillow first! And I only did so because you deserved it!" She tried to pull the pillow from his grasp. "And," she oomphed as she tugged against him, "I…still," she pulled on stronger, "think…that you…des-whoa!"
Harry, in the process of maintaining hold on the pillow, carelessly leaned forward too much and was soon pulled toward Hermione's direction. His eyes widened as he tried his best to regain his balance, flailing his right arm about hoping to grab something to balance with. But it was to no avail. The laws of physics took over as Hermione's pulling force and his unexpected forward motion soon landed both of them on the floor.
He cursed Fate as he conveniently landed on top of the brown-haired girl with chocolate brown eyes.
"Ow!" Hermione grimaced slightly. Hitting the back of her head against the floor certainly wasn't a pleasant thing. Even more so unpleasant (okay, maybe semi-unpleasant) was suddenly realizing that Harry was sprawled on top of her. Soon enough, she found herself blushing furiously, especially since his face was dangerously hovering closely over hers. She heard him curse under his breath.
"Um…," Harry muttered helplessly. He braced his arms on either side of her and quickly pushed up away from her. He almost used his right hand to brush away tendrils of hair that fell across her face. "Sorry about that."
Hermione took the hand that Harry held out for her and let him help her up from the floor. She came close to raising her head earlier to touch her lips to his. What was she thinking?! Hermione took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "It's all right. Are you okay?"
Harry nodded. Two inches, he thought. Two inches lower and his lips would have tasted her. Who knew that such distance could seem so immense? Flustered, he ran his right hand through his hair and avoided her eyes as best as he could. He moved closer to the fireplace and leaned his right arm against it.
Hermione retook her seat and stared into the fire. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed in deep to regain her composure. "So…what are you planning to do after graduation, Harry?"
"You mean provided I survive the prophesized confrontation with Voldermort?" Harry said with a small chuckle.
"Harry! Don't even joke about that," the curly-brown haired girl protested. "You'll live through it. We all will."
The gleam in his emerald eyes suddenly disappeared after he noted her worried expression. "I…Will you...," he took a deep breath, "If I don't make it, will you miss me?"
The silence that followed was deafening.
"What kind of question is that?" Hermione asked quietly. "Ron, I, you…we've always been together. We're not complete if one was missing."
"I take that as a yes."
Hermione turned her brown eyes on him. "Harry-"
His sudden snigger interrupted her. "You know, maybe you ought to count Luna too since she and Ron are practically inseparable. Besides, I'm only eighteen. There are still plenty of things that I'd like to do before I get myself done in. Like…you know…have sex."
"Harry!" Her eyes widened. "How can you even have thoughts like that when discussing this?"
Harry thought that Hermione's expression was priceless at that moment. He couldn't help but grin once again. She had the ability to make him laugh, no doubt. Without trying, she can chase away his worries and make him feel better about being alive. Okay, okay. There's Ron too, but he's a male. He's not exactly appealing to Harry in that sense.
"You're so much fun to tease, you know that?"
"Oh you prat! You're having too much fun with me today." Hermione chastised. He was going to drive her bloody insane with his teasing.
Harry just laughed again in response. Then his eyes met hers. He stopped laughing and quickly looked away. He felt his face heating up at the accidental meeting of glances.
Apparently, he wasn't the only one who thought that the chance glance was awkward. Hermione felt a faint blush tainting her face. She forced herself to look down on her lap so he won't notice the effects of his gaze on her.
Then it was silent between them again.
Tic.
Toc.
"Herm-"
"Har-"
Their eyes met again and both laughed at their folly. This time, neither looked away as they opted to enjoy the laughter between them.
"You first, Hermione." Harry crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the fireplace.
She smiled. "I just wanted to thank you. For today. For studying with me. For showing me a side of yourself that you'd never openly show to anyone else." She meant it, she knew. She wanted to express something else but she wasn't sure how he'd react to it.
Harry took all her words in and dwelled in it. "I should be the one thanking you. When you're around me, I can be like this. I can be me. I don't have to be the savior of the magical world. I don't have to be the Boy Who Lived. I can just be Harry." He returned her smile. He walked on over by her said and sat next to her, leaning back. "Knut for your thoughts?"
Hermione steeled her resolve. He was the one who said he'll mention it. She wondered if he was stalling. "Why are we here, Harry? What did you want to talk about?"
"What do you mean?" he asked simply.
He was going to feign forgetting the reason he asked her to say, she knew it. Masking her irritation she said, "Oh forget it, Harry. You don't get it. It's getting late. I think I'll go now."
The girl he loved stood up from her chair. He reached for her arm and stopped her. Not yet, he said in his head. He didn't want her to go yet. "Wait. Tell me."
His voice was so gentle in his plead. She couldn't have said no to that. "Oh Harry. We've played enough games for the night don't you think?"
"Okay, but…" Harry accepted her reluctance. He noticed that she was getting annoyed with his play for time. "Well, actually Hermione, I want to tell you something."
She shivered at his touch. In a couple of hours after discovering how she felt about him, her body surely is feeling like he's been making her helpless with his touch for years. She wanted more of it. "What is it?" she meekly inquired and settled back down on the chair.
"What I want…What I want to do after Hogwarts…I want…I want to play quidditch. Be a professional seeker. If not that, then an auror since I'm quite good with Defense Against Dark Arts." Harry rubbed the back of his neck. Hermione guessed that he was feeling slightly uptight and tense. She wanted to offer to massage his shoulders but that wouldn't exactly be appropriate.
"I want to do something normal…Enjoy life after school a bit and doing a little traveling around the world possibly." Harry glanced at her quickly. "That would be nice especially since if I could do that with the girl I love."
The girl Harry loved.
Hermione unconsciously narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. Travel with him. Be with him. Hold hands with him. Kiss him. Spend the rest of their lives together. The last thought was really making her edgy. Jealousy certainly wasn't one of her better points.
She tried as best as she could to flash him a smile. "Sounds great, Harry. She would be quite fortunate to enjoy those things with you." Not if she could help it, Hermione promised herself. She suddenly found herself racking her brain for numerous hexes to use on that girl.
"What about you?"
"Huh?" Hermione dropped all thoughts about the other girl and found herself transfixed by his eyes.
"What will you do after Hogwarts?"
That tingly feeling on her arm suddenly stopped when he took his hand away. Masking her disappointment, she looked down to the floor. "Well, I want to pursue more magic studies if possible. If not, I'm really interested in doing magical research professionally or maybe also become an auror."
"Any desires to attend a Muggle university?"
"Maybe. I'm slightly interested in maybe pursuing chemistry degree. I was thinking that I could maybe improve my magical skills, particularly my skills at Potions." Hermione frowned a little. "I wonder what Snape would say about it."
Harry snorted. "He'd be mortified I think. Imagine, his specialty fused with something so Muggle such as chemistry? Better if you don't let him know about those plans, Hermione."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Since when did we really care about what he thought?"
"Point taken." Harry sat back. "What about…marriage maybe? Or romance? No time for it or no plans in your future?"
His female companion gave him a look. "I find it odd that you're interested in that aspect of my life. But to answer your question, it would be nice if I could be with him after Hogwarts." Hermione avoided his gaze. "I'm not really sure if that will be possible though. It appears that he's got ready made plans and such after Hogwarts. He might not have time for me."
Harry took a deep breath. It wasn't a pleasant feeling knowing that the heart of the one you loved longed for someone else. The identity of the mystery man was gnawing at him.
"If you feel that much for him, why not tell him how you feel? You sound so…defeated already. Like you have no chance at all to be with him," Harry calmly suggested. Inside, his heart was screaming in frustration. "We're leaving Hogwarts soon. Why not take the chance? Surely, we've faced riskier ventures than that, right?"
"Easier said than done, Harry," she breathed deeply. "Never mind about me. What about you? You should be taking your own advice." Hermione raised her knees and tucked them under her legs, sitting more comfortably.
"Oh you think so?" Light laughter rang through the room. "I suppose you're right."
Of course I'm right, she said to herself. She wished that she wasn't though.
"Hermione…" the dark haired boy stood up and got in front of her. Harry held his breath. "I…"
"What is it, Harry?"
He looked at her with a loving gaze. He memorized her features in his mind. Her hair. Her chocolate eyes. The shape of her face. Her lips. Her nose. Her chin. Everything.
Hermione thought that if he didn't stop staring at her, especially like that, she would do something remarkably stupid. She wanted to open her mouth to dissuade him but her illogical part was on the rampage today. It would not reason to logic at all. In fact, it was causing her to enjoy his stare. It seems so…flattering…and loving? No…it' can't be.
"Dance with me," he breathlessly said.
Blinking, she gave him a confused look. "Huh? Dance? With you? Now?" Hermione was sure that Harry had gone bloody mad after that question. Dance with her? Why so sudden? "Why? I mean…there's no music for starters…and…and…"
Harry took his wand out and uttered a short spell. After a quick flick of his wrist, music soon filled the room.
It was an old Muggle song; Hermione recognized it after a few seconds. She couldn't remember the title but it was soothing and relaxing. Not to mention…romantic. What is going on here?
Harry noticed her mouth opened to protest or question his request. "Shhh." He held his hand out for her. "May I have this dance?"
Dumbfounded, she surrendered to his request and wondered again where that logical side of her had disappeared to. She took the hand he offered and allowed him to lead her to middle of the common room. She wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. She hoped as well that no one would suddenly show up and interrupt this small…interlude that they shared.
You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
Harry gently pulled the young witch in his arms and pulled her small arms up to his neck. He then lowered his own hands to her waist and started to sway into the melody that hummed around them.
And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you."
On this you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by
Hermione leaned her forehead and barely touched his chin. She closed her eyes and breathed the subtle scent from his chest. To her, this felt absolutely wonderful. It didn't matter right now the reasons why they were doing this. She can ask the questions later.
Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate
If he can't have her, even after he tells her how he feels about her tonight, at least he knew he would have this dance to remember. Harry laughed to himself. He likened this dance to the last good meal that a man would have before his execution. Regardless of the consequences, he will have this memory of her in his arms.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Look at me." Hermione raised her head slightly.
His green eyes met hers. He instantly recognized turmoil of emotions in their depths. "What is it, Hermione?"
It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
"I'm sorry." He barely made out the words to what she said.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "For what?"
"This."
Her hands suddenly pulled his neck lower and her lips soon captured his in the sweetest kiss he ever tasted.
A case of do or die
Harry circled his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter against him, returning the kiss he surprisingly received. If this wasn't reality, he'd banish that dimension for this was what he wanted. He took advantage of the slight parting of her lips to kiss her a little more deeply. The sensation was an amazing drug that did wonders to his senses. It was like every part of his body was suddenly aware of her.
Whatever wonderful things Harry was making her feel in that kiss, Hermione did not want (it) to end. But she knew that she was not the one for him. His heart belonged to someone else. With a heavy heart, she pulled away from him, feeling suddenly cold and deprived as her lips parted from his. She couldn't bear to look at him right now.
"Hermione…"
"Don't. Please don't say anything." She had to get out of there. "I'm…I'm really sorry, Harry. I don't know what came over me."
Harry reached for her. "Are you really sorry?"
His gentle question shook her to the core. Hermione could only give him an honest answer. "No." She was quivering inside.
"Then don't turn away from me." He clasped her hands in his and pulled her back.
"But Harry, I'm no-" She stopped when she made her second realization for the night.
'She's so smart and always up to beat in so many things.'
'When I'm lost or absolutely clueless on what to do next, she's there to point me in the right direction'
'It's never bothered her, to my knowledge, that I'm The-Boy-Who-Lived.'
'It's so easy for me to be…just myself when I'm around her.'
'I've always found comfort in her presence and without realizing, I have grown to love her.'
The curly brown haired girl froze. Harry Potter was in lo-
"I'm in love with you," Harry said quietly.
"You are?" she managed out.
"Yes. It's you." Harry thought it was now or never. "I don't care if you like someone else. I just want to let you know how I feel about you." He wanted to run away now after his confession, but his feet were cemented to the ground. He really didn't want to wait for her reaction.
Whatever he expected her reaction would be, Harry certainly didn't expect her to start whacking away at him. He was absolutely dumbfounded.
"WHY YOU!?! How can you do this to me?" She cried out as she beat her fists against his chest. She grabbed a pillow from a nearby couch and continued swinging.
She'll never forgive him. Here she was, heartbroken already for most of the night after just discovering that she was in love with him. All this time, Harry was in love with her! The revelation brought much elation to her. But before knowing so, she was grieving over not having his love.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!" Hermione knew she should stop. She probably looked crazy now. After all, who would want to whack away on the one they loved especially after finding out that they loved you back?
Hermione! Wait!" Harry finally raised his arms to offer some sort of protection against her assault. "I didn't mean to. I mean…I was afraid of how you'd react! Well I really didn't expect this-OW! Hey!"
She finally stopped and huffed a deep breath. Harry had a terrified look on his face.
Priceless.
Hermione has never seen that look on his face before. She figured she probably scared him more than Voldermort now. How comedic. She could go down in history books as the Girl Who Terrified Harry Potter. Very flattering indeed.
"Uh…Has Hurricane Hermione passed and blown over now?" Harry anxiously looked at her. He winced slightly from the whacking she handed down on him. Who knew she could be that…vicious? This was certainly news to him. "If I didn't know any better, you'd probably give Hurricane Isabel a run for her money."
She smiled a devilish smile. "I'd shut if I was you, Potter."
Harry took a few steps back. "Er…"
Without warning, she pounced on him and landed her lips on his. For the second time that night, his feet did not obey him as he stayed frozen on the spot. This time though, Harry wasn't sure if he ought to be kissing her back. The reaction from the last time certainly wasn't favorable or much to his liking.
Finally after what seemed like thirty seconds, she pulled back and this time, gave him a very sweet smile. "I love you too, Harry."
His eyes widened. He still didn't move.
"And you know, you're turning a bit blue. Now might be a good time to start breathing again." Hermione gave him another quick kiss.
Until then, Harry didn't realize that he had been holding his breath as well. "You love me back?"
"I'm afraid so. Does this mean I get to go traveling with you after graduating from Hogwarts?" Hermione was certainly amazed. In less than one day, in a span of a few hours, so much has been revealed about each other. Being in love was certainly an adventure. Unlike their clashes with Voldermort, this venture was certainly welcome.
Whatever worries Harry had earlier have all but disappeared from his mind. Only the girl in his arms mattered at this point. And the fact that she loved him too. He knew that they'd have to talk about it later. Right now though, Harry wanted no more than to kiss her again.
Hermione Granger seemed to have read his mind as she met his lips halfway. This time, this kiss lasted for quite sometime. To Harry's satisfaction, it was a painless experience.
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by
It's the little things. Or so they say. It doesn't take an earthquake or an earth shattering explosion for love to come about.
It's all about the little things about him that she finally noticed. In the same light, it was the little things about her that he fell in love with. Other things that seem trivial, such as time, mind games, and happily ever after, they all have their roles. When it all comes together, simply put, it's the little things that we miss that add up to the bigger and better things in life.
"By the way…" Harry huskily said between kisses.
"What is it, Harry?" Hermione looked at him with loving eyes.
"Have you gained weight?"
WHACK!
"Shut it, Potter."
-Finis
Late A/N…The song is called As Time Goes By…Sang by Frank Sinatra…