One

Pairing: Harry Potter & Susan Bones

Word Count: 491

Summary: Susan tells Harry something he never expected to hear.

Author's Notes: For the 100 pairings challenge on the HPFFC. This one is Harry/Susan, from Table E: Pairings that never happened, and it's very random, because obviously it is in no way a canon ship, but I like to think this is at least plausible. In case you're wondering, I'm CullenCrazy32 with a new pen name. Remember to review, please? Thanks xD

"Harry!"

He turned his head quickly to look behind him. It was Susan Bones. "Susan?" He was surprised at her being up and about so early- it was six in the morning, he was heading for the owlery.

She smiled slightly and jogged to catch up with him. She was tall, taller than him, with long light red hair in a plait that hung from behind her right ear all the way to her waist.

He paused and waited for her to fall into step beside him, wondering what she wanted, as they hardly ever spoke apart from at DA meetings, where she was never afraid to ask him for help.

"I noticed you as I was heading for a walk in the grounds- I do most mornings, clears the head," she explained with a tentative smile. "I just took the opportunity, seeing as you are alone, to tell you something." She paused and Harry glanced at her. Their brisk walk had slowed to an easy stroll.

"Go ahead," he said, nonplussed. Perhaps she was concerned about one of the spells they'd been doing in the DA- in fact, she was struggling with Protego at the moment.

"Well," she took a deep breath, "I just wanted you to know how much I admire you, Harry. I think you do a really great job, you know, with You-Know-Who and everything. You're an inspiration to me," she said quickly, which Harry found odd, as Susan had always been a very good public speaker; very calm, very regal. Something told him she hadn't finished, as she was hesitating.

"Thank you, Susan. That means a lot to me," he said politely, meaning it, because this year it was always nice to know when someone supported him, then added more awkwardly, "Are you alright?"

"I- no," she said, with a shaky laugh. They had stopped walking. "Not really. Harry- I'm sorry to drop this on you so suddenly and I know about you and Cho- it's just I can't contain it anymore- I'm really sorry-"

"Susan, what is it?" Harry was starting to get alarmed now, especially as Susan had tears in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

She closed her eyes tight shut, with a pained expression and then opened them decidely. "I love you."

Harry stared; there was nothing else for him to do. Susan Bones? In love with him?

She continued quickly, blurting the rest of it out. "But it's okay, I know it's not reciprocal and it won't ever be, because I know you're with Cho and you're a beautiful couple, really, but I just needed to get it out, you know? I just had to tell you- I would have exploded otherwise so forgive me for taking this opportunity, but I'm just so glad I got to-"

The kiss had its desired effect- it shut her up immediately. It was only a peck, short and sweet, but it left Susan reeling, a blush creeping up her neck.

"Thank you, Susan," Harry said awkwardly, "and I'm really flattered, I really am, but-"

"You're with Cho," Susan said with a smile. "I understand that." She nodded at him and tentatively touched his hand, but then walked away, her lips still tingling.

Harry watched her go, rubbing the back of his neck and wondering what on earth had just happened.