Contrary to popular belief, Harry and Hermione had always been friends. Nothing more, nothing less. Viktor Krum, Cho Chang and even Rita Skeeter had assumed that the closeness these two shared was romantic. But they couldn't have been farther from the truth. Harry had always thought of Hermione as a sister, starting right from their adventure with the mountain troll. Even as Hermione grew up and became more and more beautiful, he was not attracted to her like many of his peers. But when Ron left and the trio became a pair, things changed between the remaining two. Their always easy relationship became more charged, with the slightest touch turning to something more. During the many weeks Ron was gone, things became more heated. Take was happened a few weeks after Godric's Hollow for instance.
Harry and Hermione had not spoken very much in the past weeks. Harry was heartbroken over his wand, but refused to blame Hermione, leaving her nothing to say. Hermione had stopped crying herself to sleep in recent weeks, but harry knew she was awake now as she lay curled on her bed. He knew the awkward moments would only continue unless he did something to show he was truly not mad. Now was as good a time as any.
"Hermione," Harry began, sitting on the edge of her bed and placing a hand on her back. "Can we talk? I feel like I haven't heard from you in ages." He didn't know if this was the right thing to say, but he figured it was a good sign that she turned and faced him.
She lay flat on her back and patted the bed next to her. Harry obeyed and lay down. He was desperate for something that would make her talk to him. She curled up again, this time beside him and placed her arm across his chest.
"Hermione," Harry began again, turning towards her and placing his hand on her waist.
"Harry," Hermione whispered. "Does this feel good to you? Does this feel right?"
Before now, Harry hadn't noticed it, but his palms were sweaty and his breath was coming fast. While he had always thought of Hermione as a sister, he had never contemplated whether she thought of him that way. He had always thought she liked Ron. But for the first time in months, Harry wasn't thinking of Ginny.
"Yes," Harry answered, curling his arm around her and pulling her close. "This feels good."
Hermione wrapped her hand around his neck and her fingers now tangled in his hair.
"Is it because you haven't seen another girl in months?"
"No," Harry responded, quickly and forcefully. "No Hermione. It's you. You're beautiful and smart and brave…" Hermione was now and inch from him.
She seemed to notice at the same time as him. She move her face closer still so they were all but nose to nose/ harry closed his eyes and leaned forward, but then Hermione's face was pressed into his shoulder and his lips were in her hair. He thought he heard a small sob escape her.
"What about Ginny, Harry? And what about…" she trailed off quietly.
"Ron?" Harry finished smiling.
"You know?" Hermione looked up at him and he now felt only brotherly feelings for her. He sat up and pulled her up with him. He hugged her and whispered into her hair, "It wasn't all that hard to see. He feels it too. Don't worry."