Night Before the Final Battle (H/Hr)
Author: Heaven85
Spoiler: Books 1-5
Summary: The story is set at the end of Harry's 7th year at Hogwarts and Harry is contemplating whether or not he should give her the letter he wrote regarding his feelings for her. This is a one shot fic. Please review since it's my first fic.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters or affiliated with Warner Brothers or J. K. Rowling. This fic is for entertainment purposes only.
A/N: If this type of storyline has been done before then I'm sorry and if this is similar to another storyline I just wanted you guys to know that it was never meant to be like it. I would like to thank Another for betaing the story for me.
Harry Potter was sitting in his desk in his Head Boy room holding a letter in his hand, trying to figure out whether or not to give it to Hermione Granger. Hermione was one of his best friends and he was in love with her. The problem was that she had recently begun dating Harry's other best friend, Ron Weasley. He didn't want to hurt Ron in any way but he couldn't help how he felt about her. Harry had thought about telling her many times but had chickened out, thinking she couldn't love him back. It had taken him a long time to realize that he loved Hermione. He couldn't believe that he was so stupid and blind and not had seen it earlier.
(Flashback.)
It all started out in the summer before 6th year started. He had been miserable since his godfather Sirius died and when Hermione had almost died. He didn't know why but he had thought of Hermione a lot during the summer. When 6th year started he had resolved to keep Ron and Hermione out of harm's way so that they wouldn't get hurt. But he also found himself wanting to spend more and more time with Hermione. He found himself heading to the library more often than usual where he would just watch her while they studied with just the two of them. Of course Hermione made sure he studied too. He just told himself that he wanted to make sure she was safe and to protect her.
Everything was going fine until Ron and Hermione started dating around the middle of 6th year. Harry felt this strange pang in his gut every time he saw them together. He just thought that it was because he would have to be alone more this year and had convinced himself that this was just what he wanted. They would be safer this way. But these feelings just got worse later on and he found himself avoiding them because he just didn't know how to act around them anymore. He tried to be happy for them but he just couldn't. He still found himself wandering in the library trying to see if Hermione was there by herself. As the year wore on he realized that he needed Ron and Hermione to help him fight Voldemort, and they were more than supportive; they said they realized that they needed him too.
Things turned for the worst when Voldemort captured Hermione and was threatening to kill her in front of his face if he didn't go with him. That was the moment when he realized he was in love with her, that he would do anything for her just to make sure she was safe. If he could give up his life for her, he would do it. He knew that he couldn't live with himself if anything happened to her and that he didn't want to live life without her. As long as she was safe, that was all that mattered. With help from the order he was able to save Hermione but Voldemort still escaped. Harry knew that he should have told her that he loved her then, but when he tried, he saw Ron there and just couldn't ,manage it.
After this event Harry became more and more determined to defeat Voldemort and kill him for all the rotten things that he had done to his parents and Hermione. He knew that no matter what happened to him he would make sure that he died before he did to keep all those he cared about safe.
(End Flashback.)
Sighing, Harry took a deep breath and walked out the hallway and started to walk to the Hermione's Head Girl room. When he got there he saw that the lights were out.
'Good, she won't read this 'til morning,' Harry thought as he shoved the letter under the door and headed back to his room to rest before his big day tomorrow.
******
Hermione had in fact not gone to bed yet since she couldn't sleep. She couldn't help but worry about what was going to happen tomorrow. She was scared for Harry. She didn't know what was going to happen to him and that scared her even more. She didn't know what she would do if anything happened to him. She never wanted the morning to come. She began thinking about everything she went through these last 7 years with Ron and Harry. She thought back to 3rd year when both Harry and Ron were mad at her, at first she could kind of handle Ron being mad at her but when it was both of them she just couldn't handle it and spent a lot of that time crying. Things were a lot better when Harry came around and apologized. She just sat thinking about how confused she felt. She had started dating Ron and he really was a good guy, a bit annoying and totally infuriating but a good guy otherwise. She really did have feelings for him and liked him a lot. But if she had to be truthful to herself she knew that he wasn't the one for her. She always knew that she had feelings for Harry. Later she realized that she loved him but Harry never seemed to think of her that way so she had decided to get over him and move on. She had thought that she could grow to love Ron and could just forget about Harry but she just couldn't. She just didn't love Ron. Every time she saw a sad look in his eyes she just wanted to throw her arms around him and make him feel better. She had been seeing that sad look a lot lately and she didn't know what the cause of it was. She had tried to ask him about it, but he always said that it was nothing. It also didn't help that lately Harry has been spending a lot more time with her especially in the library. He doesn't know it but having him there was just distracting her from studying. Every so often she would look up and look stare at him so peaceful and concentrating on his work. ` After everything that happened during 6th year when Voldemort kidnapped and threatened to kill me. He had said if he didn't want me to die he would have to go with him somewhere. In that moment all I could think of was how much I loved him and how much I wished I had told him earlier. I saw the look in Harry's eyes and it just made me cry. I didn't want him to feel this pain to make this decision. When Harry took his offer I just wanted to scream don't do it Harry. I'd rather die than to see him die. Luckily members of the order came in and saved us. After that I wanted to tell Harry how I felt but I felt really tired and went to sleep. After awhile Harry never mentioned anything about how he felt that I just thought he just didn't love me back so I decided to give it another shot with Ron. Ron didn't really know that I thought about breaking if off with him though. At first things between us were pretty good and I thought that it could work but lately I don't think so anymore so I've asked him to give me some time to sort things out." Hermione thought to herself. She got up and walked over to the bed. There saw Crookshanks standing on something. She went to look and saw a letter with her name on it. "It's in Harry's handwriting." Hermione said and went to her desk to read it.
Dear Hermione,
There is so much that I want to tell you but haven't had the courage to tell you to your face so I decided to write this all in a letter. First of all, I want you to know that I appreciate everything you have done for me and for always looking out for my best interests. I know that I don't always tell you that but I do. I really did understand why you took my Firebolt and holding me back when I tried to save Sirius. Deep down I knew that you were doing this for my own good and I want you to know that I do understand even if I never acted like I did. But I hope you understood that even if Sirius had a small chance of being kidnapped that I would go and try to save him because I couldn't stand losing him. I already lost my parents and I was just a baby and couldn't do anything about it but knowing that it was possible I had to do something or I know that I would have regretted it. I know that I was acting like a prat and I shouldn't have yelled at you. You just didn't want me to get hurt and you even offered to go there with me when you didn't have to, even when you were sure it was a trap. That meant a lot to me. It was the mark of a true friendship and loyalty and I really want to thank you for it. I'm really sorry about all of the yelling I did in the summer before 5th year. I know it's not your fault but I was upset and I took it out on you and Ron during the year. That said, I want you to know how much it means to me that you're still friends with me and best friends at that when I'm not an easy person to be around and that I do get in a lot of trouble and drag you in it. Even after all the things that happened to me and you knowing that Voldemort was trying to kill me you still were there to help me through all of it. I don't know what I would have done if the two of you weren't my friends. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. I also wanted you to know how much it meant to me when you were still there for me in 4th year when everyone including Ron turned their back on me. There is no way I could ever thank you enough for being there for me when I really needed it. If it wasn't for you looking out for me and thinking rationally I might not be here right now.
Now I'm getting to the point that I'm reluctant to tell you but I realize that if I don't I might regret later. Hermione, I love you. I always have and always will. I want you to know that. I love more than anything in this world and you're the most important person in the world to me. I wanted to tell you this near the end of 6th year but I couldn't. I got scared. I realized then how much I loved you and how I'd do anything in the world to keep you safe and to protect you. If I could trade my life for yours I would do it in a second. Now saying all of this doesn't mean I expect anything from you in return. I just wanted to let you know how I feel that's all. Don't feel obligated to say anything to me if you don't want to. I know that you can't force love. It either happens or not. All I want is for you to be happy and safe. As long as you're happy I'll be happy too. I want you to find someone that will love you and make you as happy as they make you. I wish that you find all the happiness in the world and that all your dreams come true. I know that they will for you are such a brilliant, courageous person. I know that you can do anything that you put your mind to. If Ron is the one then I wish the two of you all the best and all the happiness in the world. If not then I want you to find someone who will. You're the most amazing women and person I have ever met you will make some guy very happy one day. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow but I do know that I will make sure Voldemort dies before I do so that he can't hurt anyone else again. That's all I wanted to say.
Love you with all of my heart,
Harry Potter
"Oh Harry," Hermione said with tears in her eyes. "How can you not know how I feel about you?" she whispered as she got up and quickly grabbed some clothes so that she could talk to Harry before tomorrow and let him know how much she loved him.
Hermione quickly ran out of her room and knocked on the Harry's door. There was no answer so she knocked once again. When there was no reply she started getting worried and tried the door. It was unlocked so she walked in.
She saw Harry sleeping in bed so she whispered, "Harry, wake up." And she shook him. A few minutes later Harry woke up a little drowsy and looked really surprised to see her.
"Hermione," he said with a whisper and grabbed his glasses.
"How did you know it was me?" Hermione asked.
"I could just feel your presence," Harry answered with a smile
Hermione blushed and said, "I read the letter, Harry."
"Hermione, I. . . ." Harry started as he stiffened.
"Don't say another word. Let me do the talking," Hermione said as she placed a finger on his lips.
"Harry, everything that you said was so beautiful and there were things that you said that I knew and things that I didn't. And Harry, the fact that you're friends with me means a lot to me too. And although you yelled a lot at me, it was okay because I knew that you were hurting and I wanted so much to tell you everything but I promised and couldn't so I don't blame you at all."
"But I still shouldn't have yelled. I mean I knew that you were upset and it really wasn't your fault. I'm really sorry," Harry replied.
"It's okay, Harry, I understand and . . . Harry, do you really love me?" Hermione asked in a whisper.
"Yes. I love you, Hermione. I love you so much," Harry said lifting Hermione's head up and staring directly into her eyes.
"Harry, I. . . ." Hermione burst into tears.
"What's wrong Hermione? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you this," Harry said with a sad expression in his face.
"Harry. I love you too," Hermione responded, looking up.
"What?" Harry asked, looking surprised.
"You're such a stupid git. How can you not know how much I love you?" Hermione asked with tears in her eyes, still smiling.
"Well, for one thing you're dating Ron. So I obviously thought that you liked him," Harry answered.
"I do like Ron a lot. He's a really good guy but I really liked you. That was the problem. But you never seemed to feel the same way about me. So I decided to go out with Ron because I thought that you would never like me as more than a friend, and I did sort of liked him," Hermione answered, blushing.
"Okay then. But what about after what happened last year?" Harry inquired.
"At that time I realized that I still loved you as much as I ever did, maybe even more. But you didn't say anything either. I thought that meant that you didn't feel the same way I did so I decided to give it another try with Ron. I thought that I could forget the way I felt about you. I really did and it was going really great for awhile. I thought that I could grow to love him but I didn't. But later I realized that I couldn't forget you and I didn't know what to do anymore so I asked Ron to give me some space so that I could sort things out," Hermione replied.
"Hermione, I realized at that moment that I loved you more than anything in this world, and I was going to tell you but then I saw you and Ron and I just couldn't." he explained.
"Is that why you've been sad all this time?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Harry replied.
`Then how come when I asked you what's wrong you couldn't answer? It really hurt that you couldn't tell me what's going on. After all we were still best friends. What hurt even more was that I couldn't do anything to help you." Hermione answered
"I couldn't do that to you or Ron. I honestly never thought that you could love me back ,and I didn't want to jeopardize my friendship with either of you . . . especially you. What if you never wanted to speak to me again? I couldn't stand to lose you," Harry responded
"So you're sure that you love me?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. This is the one thing in my life that I'm absolutely sure about. I love you. I always have and it has just grown over the years," Harry confessed.
Hermione just threw her arms around him and relished in the touch that was now so familiar to her.
Harry pulled away and looked deeply into her eyes and leaned in until his lips touched her and kissed her, softly at first and then more deeply.
'This feels so right.' she thought to herself when they pulled apart.
"Hermione, can you promise me something?" Harry asked seriously.
"Of course," Hermione answered quickly.
"Promise me that no matter what happens that you'll go after your dreams and find someone that will make you happy and that you love and loves you back," he said.
"Harry, nothing's going to happen to you. You'll be back," she answered as tears started flowing out of her eyes.
"I know but please just promise me. Please," he pleaded.
"Okay, I promise, but Harry, don't talk like that. I love you and only you. I don't know what you think is going to happen . . . ,." Hermione said, bursting into tears.
"Hermione, I'm sorry, don't cry. I didn't mean that, I definitely won't make it but I just wanted to make sure that you'd be taken care of if anything did happen," Harry said soothingly, taking Hermione in his arms.
"I know that we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but Harry, please let me be there so I can do anything I can to help you,." Hermione asked in between sobs.
"Hermione, you will be there to help us out with his followers and death-eaters but like the prophecy says, it'll be me against Voldemort. You can't be there. I don't think I could stand it if anything happened to you," he answered.
"I know what the prophecy said but I can't just sit and wait to hear what happens to you." Hermione answered.
"But you will be with me. Your spirit has always been with you protecting me and warning me but please you can't be there. Promise me you won't?" Harry asked.
"Harry. It's just not fair why do you have to take the burden for everything. But I promise you," she replied, burying her head into Harry's chest.
"Why don't we just forget about tomorrow and just try not to think about it okay?" Harry said with a smile.
"Okay," Hermione said with a smile.
"So when did you first start to like me?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, it's been coming on very slowly but I think probably third year. I didn't actually realize it until near the end of 4th year. How about you?" she asked.
"I have definitely liked you for a while but I didn't realize it until summer before 6th year. But I think that it started around third year too. I always somehow knew that you were special," he answered.
"Really? I didn't think you liked me much when we first met," she asked curiously.
"Well, when we first met on the Hogwarts express I thought that you were kind of bossy. But I did think that there was something different about you, like I wanted to know you but since you were a girl and all I didn't know how to approach you. The fact that you were so smart yet hadn't know you were a witch earlier kind of scared me but I still thought that you were special," Harry responded.
"You did? I remember reading some books before school started and I came across stuff about you, Harry, and I thought that it would be so cool if I could meet you after all you'd been through. When I was helping Neville find his toad and came across you, I just couldn't help but introduce myself but I didn't think you liked me very much or wanted to be friends with me. Call me crazy, but I still wanted to be friends with you," Hermione added.
"I'm glad that you did," Harry answered with a smile.
"My life wouldn't be as good as it is without you. I want you to know that you are just as important to me as Ron is, probably more," Harry told her.
"Neither would mine; I can't imagine the last few years of my life without you" Hermione answered.
Harry leaned in and kissed her once more with even more passion than before. They only broke apart due to the need of air.
"I love you Harry, don't leave me," she said, lying in his arms.
"I love you too Hermione, more than you'll ever know," Harry answered back.
"I do know because I feel the same way," Hermione whispered, locking her fingers with his.
"I know," he said, smiling.
After a moment, Hermione got off the bed and turned to Harry and said, "I believe in you, Harry. I know that you can defeat Voldemort."
"I'm glad you have so much faith in me," Harry answered with a lopsided grin.
"No Harry, remember after first year, before you left to find the Philosopher's stone and we had that little talk?" Hermione asked
"Of course,." Harry replied.
"Well, I meant what I said then and I mean it even more when I say it now. You are a great wizard," Hermione added.
"I'm still not as good as you," Harry said, remembering having had this conservation before.
"Only in terms of books and I have some cleverness but not when it counts. You know what to do in emergencies and you're very resourceful. That's what makes you a great wizard. You know what the important things in life are. Things like friendship, bravery and love," Hermione replied.
"Is that what you were going to say to me before?" Harry asked.
"Maybe," she answered, blushing.
"Thanks for believing in me," he said, tilting her face up.
"Just be careful, alright?" Hermione told him.
"Always," Harry promised, taking her into his arms and holding her tight.
They both laid there in each others arms talking until they both fell asleep, all the while trying not to think about what would happen the next day. They were strong enough jus to concentrate on how happy they were to be together right now.