Uncover the Love

Disclaimer: No, I didn't create Harry Potter, or anything in his universe! It belongs to JK Rowling, who I am sure, is highly amused by all the fan fics that are written about her Characters.

A/N: Yes, this started out as a one shot story on Hpana and Team Voldemort (go TV); however at the prodding of my friends, it has become a 4 parter. Part two will be posted by the end of the night. ENJOY! Read and Review, thank you!

Harry plopped on the couch in the Common Room. It was late and he was worried. His two best friends had up and deserted him not three hours before. Normally this wouldn't worry him, but it was past curfew. Where could they be and what was distracting enough for Hermione to disregard the rules with Ron? Perplexed, he pulled himself forward and began to gaze into the fire place, focusing not on the logs or flames, but on Hermione and Ron, but it was mostly Hermione.

When the pair of them had left, he had barely even glanced up from his book, he hadn't been reading though. Harry was too focused on Hermione's walk down the stairs and how different she had looked. She was dressed in her usual way; the same glossy curls, uniform and robes, but she was somehow...glowing with glee. He had kept the corner of his eyes trained in on her, and as Ron followed her out of the Fat Lady's picture, Harry had glowered and fumed into the corner of his novel. He suspected that Ron and Hermione's tumultuous flirtation was about to culminate into what he feared most: a relationship. Not that it would seem to be a bad thing to the outside world, but to Harry, it was devastation. He was in love with his bookworm best friend. Since that revelation, only three things had kept his attention: his watch, the path he had worn down from pacing and the door back to the Common Room.

Harry glanced down at his watch; three and a half hours had passed. He was now officially going to do something he had wanted to do the minute Hermione and Ron walked out of the portrait door. Harry flung himself from the couch and raced to his room, wrenching his trunk open to grasp the one thing that would help him most, his invisibility cloak. He wrapped it securely around himself and crept quickly and quietly down the stairs.

Just as he was about to cross to the door, Harry heard the creak of the portrait opening. He froze on the spot, knowing exactly who would be coming through that door. Ron and Hermione stealthily snuck back in, crossing quickly and quietly up the stairs. Harry followed, hearing the strains of Hermione's whisper to Ron.

He cringed at the idea of hearing the lovers' chatter, but couldn't resist following them.

'Hermione, you are sure that you can do this?' Ron said

'Perfectly sure', the ever competent Hermione replied. 'I've never felt surer. These past few weeks have cemented this decision and I'm not backing out'.

Ron looked skeptical. 'Hermione, you've said that before, but you haven't followed through. This is the third and last time, after this I won't do it. I'm not some house elf that you lead by command'

'This is the last time, Ronald. If I don't do it this time, I will hold my peace, but I just want it so badly'.

Harry was about to flee from their tete a tete, but turned around one last time to see Hermione's look of determination take his breath away. Whatever she was about to say, it was important that he hear it and be in on the secret. He crept behind her, cautious to leave ample space so she wouldn't feel his presence- he hoped.

'Ron,' Hermione began, 'This I can guarantee. By this time tomorrow night, Harry will know this truth about the lie we've been living. He will know that you and I are just an act to cover up my secret. He will know that I, without a doubt in the world, love him to oblivion and want him to love me back.' She finished her monologue to reflect in the look of satisfaction on Ron's face.

"Well, Hermione, you don't even have to wait until tomorrow,' Ron smirked.'If you just turn around, you'll see who just dropped their invisibility cloak. I think he heard you!' Ron's smirk grew to a wide grin as Hermione spun around in shock to see a dumbfounded Harry with his cloak puddled at his feet.

To be continued…

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Disclaimer: Nope, not my genius! It's JK Rowling's!

A/N…ok, I'm lazy, and decided to post both chappies at the same time. I hope it works!

Harry had always preferred to think that he was insane, and it was the only reasonable explanation to what had just happened. Harry had run out of the Gryffindor Common Room and wandered aimlessly around Hogwarts until he finally found himself back in the Boys' Dormitory.

'What just happened?' he questioned aloud, plunking himself onto his bed. 'I heard Hermione say that she was in love with me!'

Harry shook his head; it had to be a misunderstanding, Hermione could never feel that way for him, after all, she was so smart, kind and wonderful. She was just so perfect and he was just, well, just Harry.

He sat on his bed in complete confusion, not understanding why he couldn't hear the usual snores from Dean, Neville and Seamus, until it finally dawned on him. Harry had run away from Gryffindor Tower and wandered so aimlessly that he had found his way into the Room of Requirement. Thankfully, the Room had transformed itself into the room that Harry would be able to think most clearly in, but had courteously left his dorm mates out of the false Seventh Year Boys' Dormitory as Harry sorted through his mess of a brain.

He sat there for at least a good half hour, just thinking a way out of his mess. Hermione loving him, despite his complete return of affection; was a horrible revelation. If they were ever together, the word would soon get out, Rita Skeeter would have her field day and then Hermione would become Voldemort's next target. He tried to think of a solution to turn Hermione away without hurting her, but still giving her hope to come back once everything evil that ever existed was destroyed, yet there was no easy way out. Harry had to face the fact: he needed Hermione badly. He needed her for her mind, for her knowledge and wisdom in the hunt to track and destroy horcruxes, but more so for her comforting presence and ability to soothe him.

Harry groaned in frustration...he was stuck without a resolution and it didn't look like he was going to be sleeping at all that night.

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A/N: In response to several reviews (thanks for reviewing!!), yes, my chapters are very short…my plot bunny muse doesn't like having to make complicated or long plots, and as I have learned, you don't bite the plot bunny hand that feeds you the story! So sorry! Part four will be posted on Christmas Day!

Disclaimer: No, I'm not JKR, I own nothing to do with Harry Potter and his universe…though I am oh so excited to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

Hermione was having a very trying hour. The day had been long enough, with rising early to fix and review Ron and Harry's homework, going to her many classes, patrolling the hallways with Ron and then being dragged out until very late, being lectured on her secret love. She really did not need to have Harry hear her declarations, nor did she really need to go skulking around the castle, trying to locate the dearest object of her affections. She didn't need to do it, indeed, yet, here she was.

Hermione sighed as she reflected on the past year. Up until the end of Sixth year, she had always thought that Ron would end up being the boyfriend, once he grew up enough to pluck up the courage and ask her. Never in a million years would she had thought that Harry would be the one winning her affections. It had all started back during the Quidditch trials of the previous year. Yes, she had stunned McClaggan so Ron could end up as Keeper, but really it had been for Harry.

She knew of McClaggan from various acquaintances' in other years, but she never really cared for what she had learned. He was a dominating creature, intent on running whatever teams, clubs and societies he joined. The Hogwarts Drama Club closed quickly after its first production because no one could get McClaggen off the stage, even when his character died.

Harry wouldn't be able to deal with such a menace on the team, she had reasoned as she jinxed McClaggen. Ron would at least listen to Harry, despite his tendency to over analyze things. Hermione had thought that no one would suspect her, but sure enough, Harry had by dinner time that night. He had whispered teasing words in her ear, making her stomach flip-flop from him being so close.

After that night, things changed; Ron no longer was the cutest boy, nor did she find their arguments filled with tension. They became siblings that year, Ron soon found Lav-Lav and Hermione started to notice Harry more and more, as did Ginny.

When Harry and Ginny got together, following Gryffindor's win of the Quidditch Cup, Hermione did her best to look pleased for them. She wasn't completely sure why she was so unsettled and upset by it, but attributed her feelings and actions to nerves over Harry's well being.

*

The real night of epiphany was when Harry went Horcrux hunting with Dumbledore. Harry had burst in on her and Ron, thrusting the Felix Felicitus and Marauder's Map into their hands, telling them that he was leaving and might not be back. Hermione nearly jumped on him to make him stay, but realized it was useless. As she watched him leave, her heart dropped into her shoes and tears began to form. Hermione realized that she loved Harry as a lot more then a friend; she was in love with him. She was suddenly overcome with emotion. What would happen if Harry didn't return? What if she never had the chance to tell him of her love? Hermione collapsed onto the closest chair with Ron comforting her through the sobs and declarations of newly discovered unrequited love.

Hermione would have never made it through that awful night of fighting without Ron. He let her cry on his shoulder, and then reminded her that they had one last task from Harry to complete. They had never fought so hard and the Felix Felicitus saved them from certain peril on more then one occasion. Ron was the particular hero of the night...Hermione had never seen him fight so hard.

Once it was all over, they were immediately admitted to the hospital wing, where Hermione immediately pounced on the still very alive Harry, refusing to let go of him, until Ron poked her to warn her of propriety. With deep regret, she released Harry from the embrace and stepped back carefully to watch from a distance.

In the months since then, she had been watching from a distance, Ron had become the brother she never had, comforting her at all times and the giver of many comforting hugs. She was so lucky to have him on her side, but he was constantly pressuring her to reveal her love to Harry. Hermione pushed that it was too soon, Ron thought otherwise, which had led to the declaration on the stairs that Harry was not supposed to hear.

Hermione stamped her foot in annoyance; if she had known that Harry had been there, she would have done things differently. She would have phrased her words so that Harry wouldn't have been shocked, she would have tried to reassure him that it wouldn't change anything and she would have done it in the Room of Requirement with a huge Unbreakable lock on the door, so he couldn't have run away!

'Where is that dolt of a love of mine?' She wondered aloud, craning her head every which way to catch a glimpse of him. Suddenly, she had an epiphany and turned in the direction of the Room of Requirement. She would get this sorted out tonight, so everything would be back to normal by morning. With her heart a little heavier, she started walking.

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Disclaimer: Nope, I didn't create HP…if I did, well, then my authors name would be JK Rowling, defiantly not princessoftheworld!

A/N Yes, the last chappie! This is a bit longer then the last few (I think!) and if I get 6 reviews on this chapter (and a request), I'll see if I can do some sort of epilogue. Anyways, Merry Christmas to everyone and God Bless!

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Harry was still lying on his bed in the Room of Requirement, trying to concentrate on anything other then Hermione. He had no clue what to do or say to make up for his actions. Running away from a girl, even in the best of circumstances, was a horrible idea. Hermione may have been the most rational female he'd ever met, but she still must be upset with him. Harry sprang up from the bed, dashed to the door, wrenched it open and slammed directly into Hermione with so much momentum that they both lost their balance and landed on the floor; Harry on top of his Hermione.

Hermione laughed as Harry hurriedly flipped himself off. 'Well, I guess I've found you, Harry. May I come in?'

Harry gulped at the prospect of being alone with her, but offered his hand to help her up and escorted her into the Room of Requirement. Hermione entered the Room first, gasping at what she saw, leaving Harry quite puzzled until he entered as well.

The Room has transformed itself from the large Boys Dormitory to a room Harry had never seen before. Though it still had the foundations of any typical Hogwarts room, with stone walls, tapestries and a grandiose hearth fire, it was significantly smaller and more intimate then any other room, particularly with the small plushy red sofa and white lamb skin rug planted in front of the fireplace. Harry had no idea if this was Hermione's Room of Requirement, but he was not amused. He was beginning to waiver in his belief that things had to stay the same to protect Hermione. Maybe change wouldn't be so bad, he thought, acknowledging that maybe, just maybe, he needed her too. But he still avoided joining Hermione on the rug in front of the fire place.

Harry rounded the back of the couch and sat in the furthest corner, keeping space between him and Hermione while he tried to sort out what he should do.

They were bathed in silence, alternately glancing around the room, at each other or into the fire until Hermione caught Harry's eye. She blushed a deep crimson, turned away and inhaled deeply to calm her nerves; she knew it was time.

'Harry,' Hermione began gently, head still bowed. 'I realize this, this is completely awkward, and so before I begin blathering on, I will just come out and say what I need to. Harry, I never meant for you to hear what I said in the Common Room tonight. Yes, I do have feelings-'

'Love,' Harry interjected. 'You said you love me'.

Hermione stiffened her jaw and turned her head to look him in the eye. 'Yes, Harry, I said I love you, but I didn't want you to find out that way. I was going to bring you up here tomorrown and-'

'But you didn't, Hermione, I still found out the way I did. The only logical question is what am I going to do about it?' Harry stopped; he realized that it wasn't just his decision. It was his and Hermione's decision...one that they make together. He gazed deeply into her softening eyes, "Sorry, I need to correct myself. The only logical question is: What are we going to do about it?'

'What do you mean, We?' Hermione started shaking her head in abject confusion. 'We implies that you want to be involved in this situation. I am simply never going to tell anyone and you are to forget about it. There is no We, unless...'

'Unless what, Hermione?' Harry smiled inwardly. He leaned in closer to Hermione, eventually sliding off the sofa, to the floor beside her. Harry slid his arm around Hermione's waist and whispered, 'I do have a secret for you'.

Hermione's stomach lurched as she inched closer to him. 'A secret for me? Tell me'.

'Telling you wouldn't be nearly as fun as showing you,' Harry grinned...to hell with it, the time had come to reveal himself. 'Shut your eyes, Hermione Granger,' he whispered.

Hermione hesitated, but eventually closed her lids and waited. Harry paused momentarily, wanting to savour the moment, but finally leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. Hermione quickly responded by leaning in further, making their lips meet in a kiss.

It all ended too soon, as Harry whispered into her ear once more, 'So what are we going to do about this, Hermione? I love you too'.

Hermione smiled as she opened her lids and look into her beloved's eyes. She removed herself from the floor, up to the sofa and gestured for Harry to join her. They fell asleep watching the fire, their arms entwined about each other.

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