A/N: I cannot apologize enough it seems. College life is great, but busy as hell. Thank you for being so patient with me. I am not sure when you will hear from me again, as I probably have to get a special permission to publish here my latest fan fiction in Fiction Alley, Worth Loving. But we'll see. Thank you for bearing with me and for your wonderful reviews. I love you dear readers! You make a writer's day. Until next time and I hope this fic has been as enjoyable for you as it has been for me.
Caroline
Chapter 21: Truth Be Told
"What are you doing here? This isn't one of your regular whereabouts, or is it now?" Harry asked.
"Yeah well, tell that to Crookshanks." Hermione gave him a thin smile.
"The things you do for that cat `Mione," he chuckled, "I can walk you back to your room if you want," he offered before he could stop himself.
"No, that's not necessary," Hermione replied, although she really wanted him to walk her, and perhaps even stay... but he would not do that, unless she finally would get the truth out, and even after that, in all probability, he would not talk to her again. However, it was the least she could do, since she had gotten him into the mess to begin with, and on purpose.
"All right. Good night." Harry started to walk away. "Hedwig!" he called
his owl, who stepped on his shoulder to bite a cracker that her owner had gotten out of his pocket just for her.
Hermione sighed. It was now or never.
"Harry wait!" Hermione pleaded. "About this afternoon- "
"Don't worry Hermione. I know you wanted to teach Ron a lesson and used me to do it. So, no need to explain, and yeah, it's forgotten. Yes, we can keep being friends. Good night."
"It wasn't like that! I really wanted to…" She lowered her head at the sight of Harry's puzzled face. "I really wanted to kiss you."
"What?"
"You heard. And while we're at this, it's about time you know what really happened with the spell," she whispered, afraid to look at those emerald eyes which he hadn't taken off her.
"I know. It was just for fun. You were making it up, I-"
"It wasn't like that. I mean, it may have started that way and it was wrong of me to do so. I just wanted you to stop seeing me as one of your guy friends or as your everyday rescuer. It's just…you can be such a git sometimes Harry."
"Hermione-:
"But it ended differently," Hermione effectively avoided his interruption attempt.
"What exactly do you mean?" Harry asked anxiously. Even though he thought he knew what she meant, he needed to hear it nevertheless.
"What do you think I mean!" Hermione almost shrieked. Nobody could possibly be that clueless.
"You mean last night-"
"That was not pretending Harry. I… really wanted you. I tried to tell you, but you didn't let me and I-"
"So this evening-"
"I was not lying to Ron, Harry. I wish it could have happened under different circumstances, but-"
She could not continue however, for he advanced towards her and claimed her lips in a breathtaking kiss while caressing her face with his left hand. She responded to his kiss instantly, opening her mouth in his. It seemed they both had craved it for a long time.
Harry tore his mouth away and looked at her. Hermione had already placed her arms around his neck and was looking at him with shining questioning eyes. He smiled, stroking her bushy hair.
"I wanted you too. Merlin `Mione, you don't know for how long I have loved you, for how long I have wanted this. I didn't want to admit it because I was afraid that I would end up losing you and Ron, but after last night, I just couldn't deny my feelings anymore."
"Really? You mean, what you said on the table-" Harry could've sworn Hermione's eyes brightened even more, if that was possible at this point.
"No, I really am not sorry."
"But Harry, why didn't you tell me in the first place?" Hermione asked. It would have saved them a lot of trouble.
Wait a minute! Did that mean she had special feelings for him prior to the Amonrae Spell? Apparently. But now was not the time to debate the real motive for the Amonrae Spell faking.
"I was afraid of how you would react. I didn't want to lose you `Mione. Being just your friend is better than not to have you at all."
"You would never lose me Harry. I will always be your friend."
"Yes, that's good to know, but right now I would like you to be more than that," he grinned maliciously.
"Harry James Potter!" She hit him playfully.
He took her by her waist and kissed her passionately. She responded to his intensity as he lifted her into his arms.
"Harry?"
"Mm?"
"Why me?"
" What do you mean?" there was puzzlement on his words again.
"You could have any girl-"
"Mm, I don't think so. Besides, I already have the one I want," he grinned at her once more.
"And it took you seven years just to realize that? We've always been together-"
"Yeah, you've always been there. Guess it took long to realize that I always want you with me. I don't know… you're different. You always know what to do, how to solve every problem, the answer to everything, not to mention I just love how your bushy
hair-"
"Stop!" She blushed in his arms.
"What? It's the truth. What makes you different makes you beautiful to me."
Hermione sighed happily as she laid her head on his shoulder. Ron would just have to deal with this, and she was sure, knowing the kind of friend Ron was, that their friendship would return to normal, eventually. And she was willing to give him all the time he needed, as long as she had Harry by her side and no Amonrae Spell in the way.
"I love you." He kissed her forehead as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Within seconds, they had disappeared into the darkness of the Astronomy Tower. Hermione laughed. That spell hadn't been so bad after all.
THE END
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