Tidbits of Love

Scene Seven: Background Information - Harry has just found out about a prophecy that foretells of the fall of Voldemort – and that he is the one leading the fight. He walks out without a word, wanting to be alone with his thoughts for a while, but Hermione follows him.

Harry didn’t know where he was headed. He let his feet carry him wherever they wanted to go. He ended up wandering into a hidden room near Gryffindor Tower. He pushed the door open and closed it behind him. Harry looked across the room and was surprised to see the Mirror of Erised, his own reflection staring back at him - for the time being.

Harry heard the door open and knew who it was right away. He could see her, even with his eyes closed. He knew her better then he knew himself, but at the moment, he just wanted to be alone.

“Go away Hermione.”

Hermione closed the door behind her and started walking slowly towards him. Neither of them saw Buffy slip into the shadows. “No.” She continued walking over to him.

Hermione cautiously planned what she was going to say. She knew he was hanging by a loose thread, and she had to pick her battles carefully.

Harry still had his eyes closed. He didn’t hear Hermione come up behind him and he jumped when he felt her arms slip around his waist. “Harry, I need you to listen to me. I need to ask you a question.” Harry didn’t say anything, so she continued. “Look into the mirror. And tell me what you see.”

She could actually feel his shoulders sag, his muscles tense. “Hermione, I don’t – “

“Six years ago you would have done anything to be able to look into this mirror, see your desire reflected back.” She stood on her toes and kissed the back of his shoulder. “Tell me.” She knew what Harry would see – he never had to tell her. The feeling in the pit of her stomach, the tug at her heart when he told her about the mirror, what its purpose was, told her everything she needed to know.

Harry walked over to the mirror and opened his eyes. Hermione stood behind him, taking his hand in hers, and stepping to the side. The reflection of the two of them shattered and Harry saw the vision of his parents appear, but it wasn’t the same as before. Hermione was still standing in the background.

“I see you and me…standing with my parents.”

The fact that he saw her touched her in ways that she could never have imagined. She swallowed and said, “You know what I see?” She walked in front of him and put her hand on the side of his face. “I see you and me. In a house with a big backyard, sitting under a tree together, happy, your parents watching us, proud. They would want you to fight Harry.”

“I’ve been fighting Voldemort for years Hermione. Time and time again, I face him. You saw me last year, I barely got away. I can’t do this alone.”

Harry looked down at the floor, but Hermione lifted his chin so he would look at her. “I – “ Hermione grabbed him by the back of his neck and kissed him, long and hard. Their other kisses were gentle, sometimes passionate snogging in a dark corridor. This was full of need, full of want, and something else, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

“I love you,” she said between kisses, “and you won’t do this alone.” She held his face in her hands. “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere. I promise. You can fight this. I know you can.”

Harry just looked at her. “Are you sure?” He wasn’t positive what exactly he was asking – are you sure I can do this, or are you sure you love me? Are you sure of both?

Hermione gave him a soft smile. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

Buffy stepped out of the shadows and cleared her throat. “Is everything okay?”

Harry had his arms around Hermione’s waist and she had her arms wrapped around his neck. They said nothing but stared into each other’s eyes. “Yes. Everything is fine.” As Harry said this, Hermione whispered in his ear, “I love you.” He smiled, but didn’t say it back. Somehow, he couldn’t tell her that just yet.

And somehow, she understood.