Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

The Friendship Serum

Summary:

'Is it too late to say I want to be more than your best friend Hermione?'

Part One: Realization

It was a beautiful afternoon at the Weasleys. Sometime after lunch, the two best friends: Harry Potter and Hermione Granger agreed to take a stroll in the fields.

'You've always liked beautiful girls you know. First Cho, then Ginny.' She pointed out. Their conversation was first about the blue sky, then Dumbledore and now it shifted to him. Harry smiled. One of the advantages of being with your best friend, you really can talk about anything.

He didn't speak, but his eyes never left her. Her hair, no longer as bushy as when they were kids, was tied in her back. She wears a white coat, with a red scarf on her neck. She was currently two steps ahead of him.

'And to think that years ago, Ginny can't even last without stuttering in your presence. She has always been the shy type, but only when it comes to you of course.' She added humorously, turning to see his reaction.

He smiled at her, his green eyes looking thoughtful.

'And you're the confident one.' He said. 'Honestly, I was surprised how much you knew about me even before. But then again, it wasn't until Hagrid came to fetch me that I learned I'm a wizard.' He finished, catching up to her. He saw her nod understandingly at him.

Had it been years ago, he would have sounded bitter narrating all these. Back in Privet Drive, his ten year old self always believed he didn't belong there. All he knew was that he was an orphan, his parents died in a car accident and he should be grateful the Dursleys, no matter how abusive they can be, let him stay under the shelter of their home, even if at first he had to stay in a cupboard. He wouldn't have believed it even if someone were to tell him he was destined to kill Voldemort, known to be the most powerful wizard of all. He didn't even know wizards and witches of all ages refer to him as 'the boy who lived.' Ten years ago, Hogwarts was unthinkable. Ten years ago, he was alone with no family to care for him the way his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon cared for Dudley. Ten years ago, he hasn't got a clue of what it feels like to have a Ron Weasley and a Hermione Granger stick by his side through thick and thin.

'But it's different now. You know who you are. You're Harry Potter.' She beamed as he watches her with a lost expression in his face. 'You're the best son to James and Lily Potter. Your parents couldn't be prouder for what you have achieved!' She said with a proud smirk. 'Even Sirius would agree and you know that.' She winked at him playfully and continued. 'You're the best seeker Gryffindor could ever have. You're a great man with a good heart. Ask anyone who was there when you fought Voldemort and they'll tell you. You're very brave Harry. And believe it or not, I've never met anyone more courageous than you.'

Somewhere in between her speech, she had grab a hold of his hand. He let her, and he finds himself smiling back at her. He frowned though when she suddenly turned teary.

'And in two more days, you're going to be Ginny Weasley's husband.' She bit her lip, and he could see she was finding it hard to fight back the tears. 'And I'm going to be proud of you, as your best friend.'

She stared at him longingly and he felt something whirling up inside him. His best friend was crying out of her happiness for him. She was being supportive, like she always has been. So why was it hurting him now that she was doing it again?

"A hug?" she suggested. "For all that's worth." She said, and he felt her push herself to him, squeezing him in a tight hug.

Aware that a grin was curving on his face, he too wrapped his arms around her, feeling her warmth.

How many times have they been in this position? How many times did he receive a hug from his female best friend? He remembered her running to him with a huge smile plastered on her face when she recovered from being petrified. There was Ron standing beside him, but only he got a hug from her. And when he was about to face danger, like when he was to face a dragon in the Triwizard Cup, she had to sneak in just to encourage him, hugging him along the way. Now that he thinks about it, it wasn't so bad that the Daily Prophet made it appear like they were together. Also in the same tournament, he found himself wrapped in her arms after he nearly drowned himself trying to save both Ron and Fleur Delacour's little sister. He also tried to save her, and would have done so if Krum didn't beat him to it, but she didn't need to know that.

For some weird reasons that he couldn't pinpoint himself, he actually finds it comforting every time she'll fling her arms around him, whether it be with a smile on her face, a worried look, an encouraging look, a relieved look or even tears in her eyes just like this time.

'It's not like I'll be gone Hermione. I'll always be your best friend.' He said. Oddly enough, there was a disturbing feeling in his chest as he managed to pull out the words from his mouth rather forcefully.

She pulled back from his hug with a weak smile on her face. He was about to dry her tears with his thumb when Ginny's voice interrupted them.

"Hermione! There you are, Ron's looking for you." She said, walking towards them. She stopped beside him. Her hands instantly found their way to link in his arm and Hermione excused herself with an even fainter smile.

"You know who's good for her?" Ginny asked conversationally as they watch his best friend hurrying to the Weasley's house.

He didn't reply but she gave him the answer anyway.

"Ron."

By then, Hermione was already by the door. Ron seems to have opened it just when she was about to. His hand was on her back as he led her inside the house.

If a minute ago, Harry Potter was able to shrug the shrinking feeling he had when his best friend, Hermione Granger, took her leave and it was his girlfriend turned fiancee Ginny Weasley who took her place in keeping him company, now he wasn't so sure he can disregard it anymore.

And as weird as it would sound even to his own ears, he knew exactly what the feeling that was troubling him for as long as he learned that Ron Weasley developed feelings for their other best friend was. It was the same feeling he had when he saw Cho with Cedric at the Yule Ball and the same feeling when he saw Ginny kissing Dean in Hogsmeade.

Ginny Weasley was smiling. Two days from today, she's finally going to be Mrs. Harry Potter. Life can't get any better, or so she thought.

Beaming to herself with the thought of becoming one with her first love, she let go of him and skipped her way back to their home, but not before giving Harry a kiss on the cheek.

Only when she wasn't looking that Harry Potter allowed himself to let out the cause of his discomfort.

'Shoot! I've fallen for my best friend.'

A/N: It's my first attempt to write a Harry Potter fanfic. Do encourage me to continue if you like it. :) Thank you for reading and please leave me a review!