Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to it.

A Comforting Encounter

AU: This is a oneshot I thought up one day and just had to write. It's my first story, so please be nice. I really like Harry and Hermione friendship stories, and I thought Harry actually showing some kindness to her in the beginning of their first year was a good idea. No flames please.

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Harry was walking from class to the common room one afternoon. His first year of school was proving difficult, and he was glad for the break. Ron was in detention with Snape for mouthing off to him one Potions class. He had promised to meet Harry later in the Common Room later.

As Harry was walking, he heard something. It sounded like someone sobbing, preferably a girls. He followed the sobs until he found a girl huddled on the ground behind a statue, crying her eyes out. As Harry drew closer and kneeled in front of her, he was startled to see it was Hermione Granger. Wondering what could possibly make her cry like this, he touched her shoulder. Hermione instantly cringed and looked up.

"Oh" she said, in a croaked voice, her eyes shining with tears. "It's you. Come to make fun of me, have you?" she accused.

"No" said Harry simply. "Why are you crying?"

Hermione was silent for a minute before answering. "A group of Slytherins were making fun of me." She finally said. "I know I shouldn't let it get to me, but I can't help it. I should be used to everyone hating me. You even hate me, so I don't know what you're doing here."

"I don't hate you" said Harry quietly. He reached over and gently touched her hand. She jumped, surprised at this kind gesture, but didn't move. "You are a bit of a know-it-all, and it annoys me sometimes, but I don't hate you." He said softly.

"Ron does" she replied. "He's always making fun of me and being rude."

"He's just jealous" Harry answered. "You intimidate him with your brains, and being rude is his way of reacting, even if it is immature. "I spent most of my early childhood being bullied, so I don't like to make fun of people, because I know what it feels like to be teased. I only tease people who deserve it. You don't."

"Thanks" she said softly.

"No problem" he replied, releasing her hand and standing up. "Just remember, I don't hate you, and neither do a lot of people. They're just rude because they're jealous. You shouldn't let them bring you down, even Ron." He offered her his hand and she took it, allowing herself to be pulled up. "You're a smart girl, Hermione Granger" he declared, with one last smile.

With that, he turned around and walked back up the corridor, continuing his way up to the Common Room. "No" he thought. He didn't hate Hermione. She wasn't exactly his friend, atleast not yet, but he didn't nor will he probably ever hate her. She didn't deserve that. That thought brought him a sense of warmth, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for this comforting encounter.