Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author notes: Please R/R. I really have a thing for a real Harry/Hermione SHIP to happen in the real books. My biggest feeling is that Harry will fall in love with her, but keep his feelings to himself because of obvious reasons. This fic is dedicated to that thought. (Come on Harry! I know you love Hermione somewhere in that heart of yours!!!) I would like to hear all of your opinions!!!
Another thing … think about this…
"Hermione" was a character in Greek mythology who was loved by two men. She was the daughter of Helen of Troy and Menelaus. These men (Orestes 2 and Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles) fought terribly for the love of the beautiful Hermione (Harry and Ron?). Orestes 2 was killed by a snake. Could this mean that either Ron or Harry will die at the hands of Lord Voldemort (whose symbol is a snake?). Hmmm…
A special notice for you fellow H/H SHIPmates out there…
In the new movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, set to be released on November 15th, our favorite "couple" share a very cute and adorable hug with each other. Now that's another great reason to see it!!!
Chapter 1 - Prologue
Harry Potter, the boy who lived, complete with the raven-black, untidy hair, emerald green eyes, and round framed glasses, walked around Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's lake. Since his 5th year, he found himself doing this whenever he needed to think about things; a person in particular, Hermione Granger.
Harry had fallen for his best friend over the summer after their 4th year, right about when she had kissed him on the cheek to say good bye. At first, Harry thought nothing of it, until it played over and over in his mind during the summer break. After that, Hermione clouded his mind since, all the way to his 7th year at Hogwarts.
***
When Ron and Hermione started to go out in their 5th year, it was a very arduous time for Harry. His attitude toward them was so extreme at times that even Harry himself noticed his own change in behavior toward them; a bit curt at times, but not entirely friendly. It wasn't that he was entirely jealous; he was very happy for the two, especially Hermione. It was just hard to see your best male friend kissing your best female friend, who you just happened to love as well, every day of your life.
The day that Ron broke up with Hermione was the day all the weight from Harry was lifted. Just months after the day they were together, it had come to an end. Apparently, Ron wasn't getting the love he thought he would get from her and although the breakup was supposedly "mutual", Hermione was devastated. What made it surprising for Harry was that right after the breakup, she ran straight to him for comfort. With her hands on his shoulders and her face in his chest, she cried as Harry held her in a tight and warming hug. It was that moment that made him realize that Harry loved her even more and he made it clear that he would "always be there for her".
As quickly as she jumped in his arms, everything went back to normal. It took a while for Ron and Hermione to start talking again but when they did, they became the strong trio again.
About a few days later, Harry did all he could to catch Hermione's attention and to get her to realize that he was interested. He'd give her various flowers for no apparent reason. "Just thought you might want to have this," and "Found this for you," were easy explanations for him. He even asked and took her out to dinner in Hogsmead during the year.
On Christmas, he bought her a golden necklace with a "Hermione" pendant at the end and on Valentines Day, he gave her a bouquet of roses with a note saying, "I'll always remember you… until the last rose dies". The look that Hermione gave him was surreal. Even thought she said, "thank you", he could tell that she thought he was crazy, but he did have enough self-control to keep himself from laughing hysterically. Little did Hermione know that the special thing about the gift was that Harry had enchanted the middle rose with an immortal charm, making it impossible for it too die. Weeks later, as the roses died off one by one, she noticed that one rose of the bouquet in particular refused to die. After figuring out the meaning of the message, she ran into him in one of the corridors and gave Harry a loving hug saying, "That's very sweet Harry."
Other than that, there was no "real" response from Hermione at all. Harry seemed very disappointed. He was either not clear enough to Hermione, or Hermione knew very well what he was trying to tell her.
As the school year went on, it became somewhat like a challenging game for Harry and the rules were simple: Make it known to Hermione that you love her and want to be more than just friends. Though madly in love with her, he never told anyone about how he really felt, except for one person: Hedwig.
His godfather, Sirius Black, had given him a small silver necklace that same Christmas, enchanted so that the one wearing it would be able to speak to their most beloved animal friend. It was fun talking to Hedwig every once in a while, not because that it was just cool talking to an animal, but because Harry could get things off his mind and tell Hedwig all of his deep secrets, with a confidence that she would keep her word not to tell a living soul. Who else would talk to an owl?
The gift Harry had received would play a huge part in his life. It was strange really, seeking advice and help from an owl to get a girl's attention, but Harry needed all the help he could get. The best part was that if anyone was to overhear or catch Harry talking to Hedwig, it would simply sound like them hooting back and forth to each other. Students simply shrugged it off and called it "cute and childish pet-talking".
As their 5th year came to an end, Harry's hard work hadn't paid off. Hermione was still the same friend he had found in in his 1st year but probably a little more flattered than usual.
***
Harry's goal in his 6th year was simple enough: Make it known to Hermione that you love her and want to be more than friends. After getting endless advice from Hedwig once again, Harry went on with his attempts, still taking her out to Hogsmead and giving her flowers for no apparent reason. During the time period, Ron had gotten accustomed to a girl from Hufflepuff named Rachel Richards; a very pretty girl with her hair always in some sort of ponytail variation. Ron even questioned Harry about his actions toward Hermione.
"Do you like Hermione?" he whispered out of nowhere one day during class when he caught Harry stealing glances at her.
"I don't know Ron" was the same answer he always replied with. Harry was also surprised that Ron never bothered him with it as much as he thought he would have during the year; probably because Ron was too occupied with Rachel.
On Christmas, instead of a material gift, Harry took her out on a special date instead. Somehow, many student heard about this and came across it as being very unusual. Instead of a material gift, he takes her out on a date? It was this that made many students at Hogwarts begin to realize that Harry Potter may indeed have feelings for Hermione Granger.
Harry took her out to Hogsmead again and put his heart and soul in to making her comfortable and happy. After the date, they made their way back to Hogwarts, sat outside for a long time, and just talked. After talking for a really long time, they made their way back to the Gryffindor common room and Harry walked her to the door of the girl's dormitories and the last thing Hermione said was, "Thank you Harry. That was a very sweet of you." She stood on her tiptoes, leaned her head up towards his, and gave him a rather longer-than-usual-kiss on the cheek. Harry's eyes slammed shut as he felt Hermione's lips on his cheek and when she pulled away, his eyes opened again. She turned around, opened the girl's dorms door, walked inside, and gave Harry a final wave before shutting it behind her. This would be the first and only time Hermione ever said a "proper" goodbye to Harry after a date.
On Valentines Day, Harry gave her the largest rose he could get his hands on, which happened to be about 4 feet long, the stem being about as thick as a wand, the leaves on it about as big as her hands, and a rosebud at least the size her head. Harry felt extremely proud when he gave it to her in the Great Hall at breakfast, which of course, caught everyone's attention. It wasn't usual for a person to walk in the Hall with a 4 foot rose in hand! He walked over to her at the usual spot where they sat.
"This… is for you Hermione," he said timidly, as he held the rose in front of her. Hermione's eyes couldn't have gotten any rounder as she stared astoundingly at the huge rose. She said nothing as she awkwardly took the rose from him and examined it delicately in her hands. She put the huge rose bud up to her face, closed her eyes, and inhaled it's fragrance. A wide grin appeared on her face as she pulled away.
"Oh Harry!" she exclaimed as she jumped out from her seat and wrapped both arms around his neck in a tight hug. "Thank you!"
"You're… welcome," sputtered Harry as she pulled away and examined the rose again with the same grin visible on her face. He apparently was surprised by Hermione's quick reaction.
"You're so sweet to me you know," she added,. She turned back to him, stood her tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek, the same way she did after the Christmas date.
If the date with Hermione didn't make students think Harry liked her, Valentines Day and the rose did! Soon after Harry and Hermione sat back down and settled, many giggly girls in the Valentine's spirit and in awe of Hermione came up to her.
"Wow look at the size of that thing!"
"That's so cool!"
"I wish my boyfriend gave me something like that!"
Those were some of the things that were said when they spoke. Hermione couldn't help but glance over at Harry and smile. Harry couldn't help it too. Just then, Ron came in.
"Hi Harry. Hello Hermione. Who gave you the rose?"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other at the same time and smiled.
As their sixth year ended, it ended the same way as 5th year, Hermione showed absolutely no sign of recognizing Harry as more than a friend. Harry didn't know if he was angrier at Hermione or himself. He either worked hard or didn't work hard enough. Hermione had the nerve not to notice anything!? And she was supposed to be smart… But still, all in all, Harry had a good and fun time this specific year.
A/N: Yet another H/H story for all of my SHIPmates out there. I dedicate this one especially to my friend Alison, who gave me the real life experiences which lead to ideas to write this story. I miss you greatly…