Reverie
It had been three days since Harry and Hermione helped Sirius Escape. As Harry sat on the window seat in his dormitory looking out across the grounds of Hogwarts, he couldn't help but smile, the sun had come out and it was considerably warmer. It had been like this since the Dementors had returned to Azkaban taking the cold and clouds with them.
Harry wondered how Sirius and Buckbeak were doing, had they found a place to settle, or were they still on the run. Harry smiled at the memory of his conversation with Sirius before Lupin had changed into a werewolf. Harry had been avoiding the thought that he could really live with Sirius. He didn't want to get his hopes up in case it never happened. He didn't know if he could bear the thought of staying with the Dursleys knowing that he had a godfather who would most defiantly treat him better.
Even though he didn't want to get his hopes up he decided to entertain the idea of living with Sirius for a moment. He wondered where they would live; he had mentioned living in the country to Hermione. They could have lots of space and privacy, plus at night they could see the stars. Hedwig wouldn't have to be in a cage and she could come and go as she pleases. Hermione and Ron could visit whenever they wanted. Sirius wouldn't have to be a dog anymore because he would be free, cleared of all charges. Lupin could even come and stay or even live with them; there would be plenty of space for all of them. At night they could sit around staring at the stars while Sirius and Lupin shared stories of when they were at Hogwarts. Harry would like very much to hear stories of his parents.
As Harry sat there imaging what it would be like his mind started to drift to the actual night of Sirius's escape and Hermione. She had been there for him the whole time. This meant more to him than he even realized. He didn't know the punishment for messing with time, but he knew it was bad, and she had risked that to help him. She had been there even when she hardly knew him, helping find the answers to find the sorcerer's stone. Braving Fluffy, the keys and the game of wizard's chess, then in their second year she was petrified trying to get him the answers about what was in the chamber.
When Harry had walked into the hospital wing to find Hermione petrified, it was horrible seeing her laying there and even though he knew that once the mandrakes were mature she would be ok it still felt like he had lost apart of himself. He hated seeing her laying there like that he couldn't help feeling that maybe he it was partially his fault. If he hadn't let her help it wouldn't have happened. Then in the great hall when Neville brought his attention to Hermione at the entrance he couldn't smile wide enough.
Why he had never realized all this before now Harry didn't know, but now he couldn't ignore the fact that his feelings for Hermione ran deeper than friendship. The question now was did she feel the same, should he ask her. What should he do now that he knew this, he couldn't ignore it. It might come between their friendship. If he brought it up to her would it mess everything up, would they go their separate ways. Harry didn't think he could stand not having Hermione in his life. Harry also had to think about who would get hurt if he and Hermione went ahead with a relationship, he was fairly certain that Ron might have feelings for her too even though he had never said anything about it. Harry didn't know what he should do, but he knew he had to do something.