Summary: Due to some reviewer comments and a nudge from my Harmonian muse, I decided to add another chapter, this time from Hermione's POV. The first line seemed to fit for both girls.
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The minute she ran into his arms I knew he was no longer mine. Not that he ever was, not really.
When Ginny became Harry Potter's girlfriend that May Saturday in the Gryffindor common room, my suspicions about Harry's feelings were confirmed. I had an inkling this would happen back when Ginny touched his arm during another euphoric Quidditch celebration. So I was prepared. When Harry looked across the room at me after kissing Ginny, I smiled. He seemed to want my approval and I gave it to him.
Even though my heart was breaking, I was beaming. I had spent years listening to Ginny lament that Harry would never notice her. And after everything that Harry had been through, it was nice to see him so happy. So I put my selfish desires aside and tried to be happy for my best friend and my surrogate little sister.
It was my fault really. I told Ginny to get on with her life, maybe date other boys and told her to stop being so star-struck around Harry. And she did, although I knew that she hadn't given up on him. Sometimes I think she deliberately dated older boys that were close to Harry's age so she could try to make him jealous. She accepted Neville's invitation to the Yule Ball, moved on to Michael Corner, and then Dean Thomas, one of Harry's roommates. Apparently, Harry noticed and was jealous of her relationship with Dean as he kept inquiring about their status.
I tried to be supportive of this new relationship, such as laughing harder than necessary at Ginny's jokes when the four of us were together. But I also couldn't help trying to come between them when the situation presented itself. Luckily it was time for OWLs and I made sure to constantly remind them that Ginny needed to be in the library every night studying hard (rather than snogging Harry in the common room in front of the fireplace).
And I continued my quest to uncover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince. If I could only convince Harry of my theory that a girl could've been the author of those potion tips and tricks. Looking back, I realize now that I was so hell bent on convincing Harry that the Prince was female because I was afraid that I was being phased out of his life now that he had a potentially serious girlfriend. Not just any girl, but Ron's sister. I felt lost and without purpose.
But something happened to me the night Harry went off with Dumbledore. He needed me again. He asked Ron and me to gather up the D.A. and make sure to defend the school while he was gone. I was so scared for him that night even though he reassured me that he would be coming back.
And so I waited, with Luna outside of Snape's office for a few agonizing hours. Luna and I got to know each other better that night. She confessed to me that she had a crush on Ron and she made me admit something aloud I had been dreading.
"You really love him, don't you?" Luna said out of the blue, her dreamy voice suddenly matter of fact.
"Who?" I asked in surprise.
"Harry, of course."
I blushed. "Harry? Well, of course I love him - he's been my best friend since first year."
Luna shook her blond head. "I meant you really love Harry, you're in love with him."
Now it was my turn to shake my head. "Oh no, Luna. You misunderstand me, Harry and I are…"
"Just friends?" Luna finished, smiling serenely. "Hermione, you are a bad liar. You may have been able to fool Umbridge last year with your crying act, but you can't fool me. I know you'll do anything for Harry, including lying and breaking rules. And I know you're not a rule-breaker by nature. And right now, I can see how worried you are about him, even though he's with Professor Dumbledore, the greatest wizard that ever lived. He couldn't be safer and yet you have been biting your nails to the point of bleeding."
I looked down at my hands, sure enough my nails were bitten down and my left index finger was bleeding a little.
"Did anyone ever tell you that you're very observant?" I asked Luna.
"Yes, my father has always said that. That's why he relies on me to help him find all sorts of creatures nobody else sees… so are you ready to admit that you are in love with Harry?"
I sighed. I wanted to lie to Luna but there was something about her that made that nearly impossible. "Yes, I suppose I am."
Luna clapped her hands. "Good for you, Hermione."
"Why is that good for me? Harry is head over heels for Ginny." I lamented.
"It won't last." Luna said.
"What makes you say that?" I said in surprise.
"Because Harry needs you more than he needs her. Ginny is my friend but I don't think she will stand by his side the way you have. When we were all fighting at the Ministry last year, I saw how you looked to each other for guidance and how Harry tried to protect you first from danger. And then there was something Neville told me."
"What did Neville tell you?"
"Last year, he told me that Harry panicked when you were hit with that curse. He could barely function and was afraid that you had died. It was Neville who, despite his bloody broken nose, thought to check your pulse. He said he had never seen such relief on Harry's face when he told him you were alive."
I considered Luna's words carefully. She was telling me this secondhand and this was before Harry fell for Ginny. On the other hand, Luna was very observant and Neville was a good judge of character….
"Hermione, I'm sure Harry loves you just as much as you love him, his actions speak louder than words. He's just too dense to realize it. He may be the Boy Who Lived, but he's also a typical teenage boy."
"Thanks, Luna. I hope you are right."
"Harry's love for you is as real as the Crumple Horned Snorkack." Luna smiled.
For the first time in my life I hoped that the Crumple Horned Snorkack was real. When I finally saw Harry later that night, I was so relieved that he was in one piece. It had barely registered to me that it was Ginny who had escorted him into the hospital wing. Not caring who was watching, I ran across the room and embraced him.
I'm not sure how long we held each other; I was somewhat aware of Harry inquiring about Bill's wounds as I relished the feeling of his heartbeat against my ear and his hands absently rubbing my back.
That night I cried, partially out of my grief of losing our beloved Headmaster but also for Harry, knowing that his mentor had been taken from him. He had experienced so much loss, first his parents, then Sirius, now Dumbledore. There were so few adults left who could protect him from the danger he was about to face head on. I made a vow that night that I would never leave his side. Harry needed me and even if he didn't know it yet, he loved me. Luna was right, actions spoke louder than words.
Luna was also right that Harry and Ginny wouldn't last. I just learned from Ginny that Harry broke it off with her at the funeral. When I told her that Ron and I were going with Harry on his journey, she looked hurt but not surprised. She told me to take good care of Harry and I promised her that I would.
When Ginny ran into Harry's arms and he kissed her in the common room in front of all of Gryffindor house, I thought he was no longer mine. I'm happy to say that I was wrong.
FIN
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