Facing the Matter
Hermione was rushing through the corridor, books in arms, and her bag thrown over her shoulder. She was huffing and puffing, and she tried her best to ignore that shadow following her. The shadow behind her chuckled. ''Come on, Hermione. Why do you have to run away from me?''
''I'm not particularly running away.'' Was her quick reply, ignoring his amusement. Her goal was to avoid this – him – at all costs. He was quickly catching up, however. Hermione turned a corner.
''Of course you're not.'' He spat sarcastically, rolling his eyes. ''I haven't even said anything yet.'' He continued, watching her face reddening from the quick walk she was forced to take. He hoped she was blushing.
''You don't need to say anything, Harry. I'm going to my dorm, and you'll be off nagging Ron to play Exploding Snap.'' Was her immediate reply, and Harry chuckled again. This time she looked at him in annoyance, her eye twitching. ''Would you stop that?!''
He grinned. ''Stop what?''
''Ugh! You're insufferable!'' she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. He caught one of her arms and stopped her. She had to turn towards him but she did not face him. Her heart was running a marathon and she was breathing a little harder.
''Hermione.'' He called gently, but she was frowning, thinking and thinking and worrying about everything that was about to happen. She knew he would do something; she had known him for several years, and being best friends and all that made them know each other quite well. And he was as stubborn as she was. She did not want to look him in the eye… Because she knew she would cave. And she did not want to cave!
It was always her who gave in! If her two best friends needed help with studying, she was there to help; if they needed help for homework, she was the walking encyclopaedia; if they wanted to sneak out and do stupid things, she covered for them; if they needed a goddamn wing-girl, she played the fucking wing-girl! But she would not play this game with any of them. This was simply too much. Her fragile emotions would be out there, right in front of everyone's eyes, and she would never in hell let anyone see them.
She felt him tug and her sleeves and she looked up, struggle visible on her face. She shook her head, her hair flying around her head messily. ''No.'' She pulled her hand out of his grip and rushed forward. He was right behind her. ''Why not?'' he called in frustration.
''No.'' Was the only thing she said before being pulled back again, this time not as gently as before. He really was frustrated. ''Come on. Give me chance. I'm trying here.''
''Then don't.'' She pressed her lips together.
He sighed, messing up his hair with his free hand. Her eyes unconsciously followed his movements. She blinked and blushed as she caught herself, hoping he did not catch her. He did of course, hid his smile, but did not comment on it. ''Why are you avoiding this? It's pretty much obvious you want it as much as I do.''
''I don't know what you're talking about.'' She stubbornly face the wall next to him.
She thought she heard him growl, before he pulled her close and pressed his lips on hers for a moment. He leaned back right after and smiled when her surprised face blushed furiously. She gaped at him, unable to utter a word.
''This… I'm talking about this.'' He told her, patiently waiting for her reply. He saw her mind race again. It was interesting to watch, but he could only hope her thoughts were in his favour.
''Y-y-you can't just- just- you can't just kiss me like that!'' she exclaimed finally.
''I just did.'' He lazily put one of his hands into his front pocket and watched her like a predator. He was going for it today, if she was ready or not.
''B-b-but...You…We're best friends, Harry! This could mess up o-''
''I want to be more.'' He interrupted. ''And I'm pretty sure you want to be more too.''
She gasped. ''Where did you get that idea?!'' she was trying to break free, but he only held her arm a bit stronger.
''Should I make a list, or do you want me to be quick?'' he smirked, leaning closer to her face. She leaned away, trying hard to suppress her blush, but was unable to. She even whimpered.
''Fact is, Hermione, I fancy you and you fancy me. It's quite easy to guess; but it seems it's harder to make you admit it.''
Her lips were in a thin line, her eyes avoiding his, too frightened to see what he was showing her.
''We've been best friends since forever, thought you were a better one than I. But I don't see you as just a friend anymore. You're a really attractive girl, and I'm mad for you. I like the way you talk, the way you think, and the way you behave. I like the whole package, and I've noticed – because I've been noticing a lot about you for some time now – that this is not one-sided.'' He noticed her frustrated expression and her eyes welling up in tears, but he really wanted to make her hear him out. She had been avoiding this for too long.
They were both silent for a very long time, before she finally spoke up, her voice shaking a little. ''But what about- I mean… You're… You're just mistaking it for more than it is! It's because I always help you and you're, I guess, grateful, or something… Maybe if we avoided each other for some time, you'd see it's just a momentar-''
''I'm sure I like you. And it's not just because you're always there for me, for us. Maybe it started because of it, yeah, but I had had a crush on for a very long time. I thought it was just a passing moment, but it's getting stronger, and I can't-'' it was the first time he seemed to struggle with words. ''I can't suppress it anymore.'' He looked her right in the eye. ''I don't want to avoid this, Hermione. I can't…''
The girl watched him with her big brown eyes, her mind stopping working. She sighed, her shoulders relaxing. She leaned back on the wall and looked up at him. ''So it's inevitable.''
He nodded.
''Oh, bugger.''
He grinned.
''Don't grin, Potter.'' She threatened, but he only laughed and pulled her into an embrace. She breathed in his wonderful scent and hugged him back.
''You've been running away for too long.'' He muttered into her shoulder.
Hermione shrugged. ''We've been best mates for a very long time. I panicked when I realized it was getting more complicated.''
''But it's not complicated.''
She snorted. ''Tell that to you fan girls once they get their hands on me.''
He looked at her seriously. ''No one will do anything to you. I'll-''
''No worries, Harry. I'm a way better witch than you so there's need for fear.''
He playfully glared at her, but then grinned again. ''True. That's why I like you even more.''
He laughed when she blushed once more. ''Come on, Granger. Say it. I know it's on the tip of your tongue.''
She buried her face into his shirt and out came a muffle sound. Harry laughed once more and kissed the top of her head. ''How did you know?'' she asked, looking at him from under his chin and he thought he had never seen anyone more adorable.
''Know what?''
''That I like you.'' There. It was out. It made his heart flutter in delight.
''Well… It was just… I don't know… The way you behaved towards Ron was different than you behaved towards me. Sometimes I caught you stare at me, and sometimes you smiled at me like- like- I don't know… It made me a giddy and crazy. I hoped this was it.''
She nodded. ''Ok, I admit. It's true. I'm mad for you, but I was afraid of saying anything. Or changing anything.''
''I guessed that much. That's why I nagged you.'' He kissed her cheek and enjoyed having such an effect on her. She was so obvious. It made him smile.
''You're mean.''
''You would have wait until we were old and grey to say something, so I had to speed up a few things.''
She muttered something under her breath, but did not argue.
''Can I kiss you now?''
''But you already did.''
''That was just a peck. I mean a real snog. I deserve it! I worked very hard to make you admit it.''
Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled him down by the collar. He did not even have time to breath.