Tidbits of Love

Scene Two: Background Information – Harry and Hermione have just gotten through an INCREDIBLY emotional fight that put one of their friends in a coma. Hermione comforts Harry, and Harry makes the mistake of not telling her something…until later.

"Harry," Hermione said slowly, "Are you alright? Harry?"

"Yeah. Yes, I'm fine. I mean, as fine as I can be."

Hermione put a hand over a cut above his eye. "You're hurt."

"I'll live."

Hermione saw the guilty look in his eyes. "Harry, look at me."

"'Mione - "

Hermione grabbed his chin and forced him to look into her eyes. "Don't you DARE blame yourself for this Harry. This isn't your fault. This isn't anyone's fault but Voldemort's." She put a hand on both of his cheeks. "I love you." She kissed him. "I love you so much. But this isn't your fault." She kissed him again. "Do you hear me?"

Harry nodded. Hermione kissed his forehead, a bit disappointed. "Good."

~* Later on that day…*~

Harry found Hermione out by the lake.

"'Mione?"

Hermione was facing the water. She had her back turned to Harry.

"Hermione."

Hermione was looking tearfully out onto the water.

"Are you okay?"

"Honestly? No, Harry. I'm not okay."

Harry was confused. "But - Dawn's fine. You just saw her. She's awake. She'll be okay."

"They love each other, Harry. At least they both know."

"I don't understand."

"I didn't expect you to." Hermione began to walk off, but Harry grabbed her arm. Her eyes met his and she was only upset further.

"You don't get it, so you?"

"Hermione, I don't - "

"You never said it back Harry!"

Harry mentally slapped himself in the face. He finally understood. Out on the lawn before - she told him she loved him and this whole time, he hadn't said it back.

"Don't you Harry?" Hermione asked softly.

Harry pulled her towards him and kissed her, putting all of himself into it. He wanted to show her how much he really loved her. Love wasn't even the right word. It was something even more then that.

"Hermione Granger, I love you." He pressed his forehead to hers. "I love you more then I could ever express with words." He kissed her again. "I love you." He murmured against her mouth.

She kissed him back. "I love you too."
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