"Hermione, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," he began.
"What? Harry, is something wrong?" she asked, seemingly searching his eyes for an answer.
She looked a little worried.
"No, no, nothing is wrong. I just need to tell you something is all."
Her face looked a bit calmer upon hearing this.
"Well, whatever it is, just tell me," she urged him gently.
He took her hands in his and caressed her fingers.
"I've been feeling for a while now that…well, you know how much our friendship means to me," he began.
"Yes, of course," she said.
"It's just that, I feel more than that for you, Hermione," he confided, green eyes showing deep emotion.
"Harry, what are you trying to say?" she asked, although she thought she already knew.
"I…I'm in love with you."
There, he'd finally let it out. His eyes met hers and there was silence for what seemed like forever. It took her a while to gather her thoughts enough to speak. She hugged him tightly, obviously quite moved.
"Oh Harry, I'm not sure of how to tell you this…" she said softly and with a troubled look.
"Go on," he urged her.
Something told him that he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear.
"Harry, you know I care about you. You're my best friend, but…"
"You don't love me, at least not that way," he finished for her.
She lowered her head.
"That's it isn't it?" he said, his tone not accusing but disheartened.
She nodded and a tear slid down her cheek.
"I'm so sorry, Harry. I wish I felt the same way."
Seeing her cry made him want to hold her, so he did.
"Don't be sorry. There's nothing to be sorry for. You can't choose who you love," he assured her, gently rubbing her back as though comforting a small child.
They were hugging each other very tightly now, neither one really wanting to let go. It seemed that the more they embraced, the more easily her tears came, until his shoulder was quite wet.
"Shhh...it's ok, Hermione," he whispered, "It's ok."
If she continued, it wouldn't be long before he cried himself. Hermione was holding onto Harry like she was afraid she'd lose him.
"I hope you'll be alright with things staying like they've always been. I don't want to lose that," she said shakily.
"Oh yes," he assured her, "That's alright. The reason I was afraid to tell you how I felt before was because I didn't want to ruin our friendship if you didn't feel the same way. I'm glad that you want to keep everything like it was. Wouldn't want to scare you off, now would I?" he said in a brighter voice.
"Scare me off? I don't think so, Mr. Potter," Hermione said teasingly.
They relaxed the hold they had on each other a little, and she leaned back to look at him. Harry truly was dear to her, and she was glad to see that his expression was calm and there was a hint of a smile on his lips. She also managed to smile a little even with her face still wet from crying. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and bent forward to gently kiss her forehead. It felt a bit strange to Hermione having his face so close to hers, strange but pleasant. Instead of pulling away, she ran her cheek along his, feeling his warmth. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt, she thought to herself…just this once. Instinctively her mouth found his and the response was enticing. Their lips parted, shyly at first, neither really knowing what to think or feel, exploring. Slowly the kiss deepened until they were holding nothing back. For those few moments, it was sweet and consuming; then, they both seemed to realize what they were doing and that under the circumstances perhaps it was better if they didn't. Reluctantly as it had begun, it ended. Faces still nearly touching, Hermione looked him straight in the eyes.
"Harry," she said softly.
"Don't worry. I know you still meant what you said. I don't expect anything of you."
It was going to be alright; they both knew it.
"Ready to go back inside?" he asked.
"Yes, let's do," she replied, seeming to have calmed down.
They joined hands once again and started back to where their friends were. When they got to their table, everyone else was dancing. In the few minutes before anyone came to sit back down, they both seemed very natural and at ease. No one would have been able to guess what had just happened. Only Ron, when he and Padma returned to their seats, seemed a bit more tuned in to Harry's feelings.
"Did you do it, Harry? Did you tell her?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah, I'll fill you in about it later," Harry promised.
Ron nodded in understanding and turned his attention back to his date. The rest of the evening passed with everyone having a wonderful time. Once they were back in the common room, Harry and Ron did get the chance to talk. The girls had gone off to their dormitories, and they found a corner where they could have their conversation.
"Ok, Harry, the truth. What happened between you and Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Well, I told her how I felt - that I love her," he began.
"What did she say?" his friend urged, eyes wide with curiosity.
"She doesn't feel the same way, Ron. At least that's what she said, but then...she kissed me."
Harry said this with a bit of a blush creeping into his cheeks. Ron's eyes widened a bit more.
"Why would she kiss you if she didn't…you know, like you that way? It makes no sense," he said almost in disbelief.
"I don't know. Maybe she was just curious. Anyway, I'm not going to take it that she meant anything."
"Unless," Ron suggested, "she does like you and she's just confused or something. Harry, maybe you shouldn't give up on her yet."
Harry knew what his friend was trying to do, and he appreciated it.
"Don't want to get any false hopes. I'll be alright, really. Just need some time, that's all. At least she does want to keep our friendship," Harry said, trying to be positive.
"You haven't lost anything then. It'll be just like before," Ron said, then seeing Harry drop his gaze added, "Well, almost."
Harry's mind wandered back to the kiss. It had been wonderful, perfect. Although he would try his best to act just like he always had around Hermione, now that he'd gotten such an up-close sample of her affection, it was going to be extremely difficult. He had been left wanting more of it. Ron noticed the far-away look on his friend's face.
"Harry, can I ask you something kind of personal?"
"You're my best friend, Ron. Go ahead," he answered casually.
"It's really none of my business, but…was it good?" he asked.
Harry looked up rather suddenly. He wasn't offended, just a little surprised. When a mischievous little smile showed itself, Ron knew he had his answer.
"That good huh?"
"Yeah, it was," Harry replied, going slightly pink again, "It definitely was." Then without thinking he added, "Too bad it'll probably never happen again." This slipped; he had really been talking more to himself.
Ron seemed to realize this, but decided not to pretend he didn't hear. He put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, you don't know that for sure. I'm not saying you should put everything on hold for her, but have patience. Girls are weird sometimes, especially Hermione. Just give it time. Feelings can change you know."
Ron wanted Harry to be happy and it was obvious, but Harry was still wearing an expression that he'd have been embarrassed to let anyone else but Ron see. "Maybe you're right, but I just don't know. I think I'm better off not to get my hopes up too much."
Ron knew when it had been enough. Not wanting to linger on the subject, he turned the conversation to other topics. They stayed up a good while longer discussing just about everything - how they were going to miss Hogwarts, what Voldemort could be up to, and how they planned to join the Order of the Phoenix once they were out of school. When they simply couldn't hold their eyes open any longer, they headed upstairs. After finally sinking comfortably into his four-poster, Harry closed his eyes smiling and drifted off to a sweet and restful sleep filled with dreams of bushy-haired children with bright green eyes.
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