Chapter 8
The date for the presentation was getting closer. Harry, Hermione and Caroline had all prepared their parts well. On the night before they had a complete rehearsal. They went to bed feeling reasonably confidant about winning. Harry was particularly keen on winning since he was determined to well in the NEWTs. For the past two years he had become focused on his work. Having Hermione as, his best friend certainly helped.
Next day all the seventh year students assembled in the great hall. The tables had been removed and there were chairs along the edges of the hall. Dumbledore announced that the order in which the houses will present would be Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor respectively. Harry and his group mates waited quietly as the other groups presented their projects. As it turned out theirs turned out to be the last. The three of them quietly walked up to the centre of the hall when their turn came.
Hermione started the presentation by reading out the preparation and uses of the Wolvesbane potion. Caroline followed this with a detailed history about Animagi. For their first practical demonstration Hermione called up Dean from the audience. She gave him a spoonful of a liquid. As soon as he swallowed it he became a thirty five year old man. It was the ageing potion of course. The crowd laughed and applauded. Harry gave an explanation of the three unforgivable curses. In it he mentioned his experience of the Cruciatus curse. Caroline then performed animal transfiguration by transfiguring a table first into a rabbit and then into a horse. She followed this with a show of different types of leaves which changed sizes. Harry for his part read out the uses of the cheering charm. Their second last item was Caroline explaining how the mandrake draught is used to cure petrified people. The final item was the duel. Harry asked Hermione and Caroline to bombard him with any curse they think of. They did as he told. Harry skillfully avoided the curses by deflecting, blocking and apparating. This was by far the best performance of their presentation which received the loudest applause by far. Dumbledore consulted the four heads of houses before coming up to announce the results.
"We've had some excellent performances today. All of you have taken this very seriously and prepared well. This will surely reflect in your NEWT results. I would pick more than one winner if I could but as you know there can be just one winner. I've taken the opinions of my fellow colleagues before making my decision. I gladly declare the Gryffindor trio of Hermione Granger, Caroline White and Harry Potter as the winners. You win a hundred and fifty points for your house. Congratulations", he said. There was a standing ovation. Even the Slytherins stood up. Everybody felt that they were the deserving winners. The three of them were thoroughly pleased. They hugged each other in celebration. Hermione's face fell as she saw Harry and Caroline engaged in a longer hug than usual. She scolded herself for thinking `that' way.
The days passed by quickly. The seventh years were very busy studying. Their Christmas and Easter holidays were spent more on working than enjoying. Harry led Gryffindor to their third successive quidditch cup. Since this was his last season for Gryffindor he took a victory lap along with the other seventh years. The NEWTs came and went. They had little over two weeks left at Hogwarts. It was indeed an emotional time for Harry's batch. Professor McGonagall announced they would have a farewell party, the day before they left. The party would be followed by a dance.
Hermione was trying to sleep but not being able to. She had tried to push away her feelings towards Harry but failed. Over the past few months her stomach flipped whenever Harry spoke to her. She felt petrified if he touched her. Most of all she felt jealous whenever Harry spent time with Caroline or hugged her or something like that. She needed to share her feelings with somebody and ask for advice. It certainly couldn't be any student. It had to be an adult. But who? She thought about her parents, McGonagall and Dumbledore but dismissed the idea. She would be too shy with her parents while it wasn't common for a student to discuss her love life with a Professor.
"Love? Where did that come from? Do I love Harry?" she thought. As time passed she came to the conclusion that she did indeed love Harry. They had been through so much together. They had been there for each other whenever there was trouble. They had killed Voldemort together. She got an idea about whom she would speak to. Hagrid. He had known the two of them since first year. Besides being a teacher he was also a very good friend of theirs. She decided to have a talk with Hagrid the next day. Just after breakfast she made her way down to Hagrid's hut.
"Hi Hermione", Hagrid greeted her.
"Hi Hagrid. I wanted to talk to you about something", she said, sitting down.
"Fire away", Hagrid said.
"You know, since the last few months I started having feelings towards Harry. I tried to ignore them. But they just wouldn't go. Yesterday I analyzed everything and realized that I….I…I am in love with Harry", she said blushing madly.
"What's wrong in that Hermione? I personally always wanted you and Harry to be together. You two reminded me of Harry's parents. If you love him just tell him", he replied.
"What if he doesn't feel the same way? I would lose his friendship then", she said.
"Hermione, when you love somebody you have to tell him. Otherwise it may be too late", Hagrid replied.
"But do you think I'm good looking enough for Harry?" Hermione asked.
"What do you mean? He's your friend. He wouldn't think about looks. Besides you are very pretty", Hagrid answered.
"Come on Hagrid!! Harry has always cared about looks. He used to stare at Fleur or any Veela for that matter. He went out with Cho. I even saw his reaction when he saw Caroline for the first time. What am I in front of them?" she asked, letting her fears out.
"Hermione, you love him. Just go to him and tell him that. After that we'll see what happens. Go! This is the time", replied Hagrid, smiling encouragingly at her. She smiled back. She nodded quickly and rushed out.
It was raining heavily outside. But Hermione's spirits weren't dampened. She was about to confess her love to Harry. Just as she started walking she saw somebody coming towards her. It was Harry.
"Hi Hermione. I wanted to talk to you. Let's take shelter there", he said pointing to a cluster of trees. It would act as a good umbrella. They both sat down on a bench which Harry transfigured. Hermione felt a bit nervous. She hadn't expected to meet Harry so soon. Harry looked skywards.
"I love you", he said softly.
Hermione was stunned. Harry felt the same way for her. She couldn't believe it. It was the best thing that could happen. She was about to answer, pouring her heart and soul to him but he continued.
"If I tell this to Caroline, what do you think she'd say?"
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