AUTHOR'S NOTE: This happens after Sirius takes off with Buckbeak in The Prisoner of Azkaban. In the story, Harry and Hermione had a few extra minutes to go before the clock makes them rush to the Hospital Wing. I dunno how far this story will go, or if it's just gonna be a one-shot. I'mma see to that, but if you feel like telling me to go on, or to stop, please do. Thanks. Oh, this is my first Harry Potter fic, blah blah blah, it might suck, blah blah blah. I don't own anything related to the Harry Potter Series and Warner Bros. Thanks again.
HOW WE GOT HERE
1
"I was so sure," Harry said, feeling stupid as he collapsed down onto the bench in a defeated position. "I'm an idiot, really," he added, trying to smile weakly at Hermione, who crouched next to him, and put a hand comfortingly on his shoulder. "First I thought my dad was alive. I thought he'd been the one who'd saved us, Sirius and me, earlier. How could I be so stupid? He's dead, after all," Harry added again, more to himself than anyone else. He kicked the ground, feeling empty inside. Realizing that Hermione was crouched on the ground next to him, he shifted so she could sit next to him instead. He couldn't look her in the eye. He felt ashamed for being so…so naïve. She ran a hand through his hair caringly.
"Harry, it's okay to feel things like that. It's okay to wish sometimes," she said soothingly.
He smiled, but still couldn't look at her. She continued to comfort him while he continued, saying, "And then I thought – I thought for real, that I'd leave the Dursleys. That I'd be free, for once. That for once in my life, I'd be able to live with real family. Family that actually gave a damn about me. I thought that for once, I'd be...happy." He kicked the ground again. "I'm sorry," he laughed bitterly, wiping away a tear that was threatening to slide down his cheek. "Tonight's not a very good night for me," he joked. She smiled, and her hand stopped caressing his hair. The funny thing was that he actually noticed.
It was very odd. When she'd been comforting him like that, it felt like a wave of warmth had been wrapped around him, just by her touch. Like he'd been more happier, more calmer inside. Now he felt cold again, like an idiot who'd wished too much. Who wanted the world, yet fell off it instead. He looked at her then, eyes confused but thankful at her. She smiled at him, and he took her hand in his. He wanted to feel her touch again, and like earlier, it was suddenly warm around him. And he knew things would be all right. Things were already all right. He knew what he had to do.
He leaned in slowly, eyes locked with hers, the confusion between them drifting away, its space filled instead by a sudden feeling of affection roaming around. She leaned towards him slowly as well, as though both still unsure if whether to go on or not.
"Harry," she said softly.
And then he was sure. He leaned in, and kissed her deeply, yet lightly. It was a long kiss, but perfectly still. Like everything was just starting up inside of them. And they felt the same. His hand held on securely to hers.
The clock rang. It was like a loud bell, and the clang woke both of them from the kiss. They backed away, and for a moment, they couldn't look at each other, hands suddenly springing apart, eyes darted at the floor, cheeks slightly pink.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione said suddenly, jumping. "We have to go! Dumbledore said that we had to be back –" she broke off as he stood as well and took her hand.
They ran for the Hospital Wing. Dumbledore was already shutting the doors infront of him, and turned to Harry and Hermione, smiling blandly, as they broke apart once again.
"How did it go?" he asked.
Harry merely nodded, unable to speak. He was still trying to catch his breath, for three reasons. One – they had just run across the campus within the final clangs of the bell. Two – the facts of their adventure were starting to dawn on him. Three – his mind was still on the kiss.
"Good Night to you both, then," Professor Dumbledore said, walking down the staircase, humming to himself.
"We did it," Hermione gasped, realization dawning on her as well. She turned to Harry, and embraced him tightly, laughing. "We saved Sirius and Buckbeak, Harry!" She gasped again, almost dropping to her knees. "We faced a werewolf," she said in a hushed voice, suddenly terrified. "We flew on a hippogriff," she added, more terrified.
But he was laughing, and when they broke their victory embrace, he captured her lips again. It felt right, even more right than before. It felt secure, and safe, and that warmth that Harry loved feeling when they touched. It was new, and not awkward. It was just right. He couldn't explain it, but he never wanted it to go away.
He broke it this time, smiling at her, looking her in the eyes now and grinning as she smiled too, turning pink in the cheeks and laughing at him slightly. He offered his hand to her with mock-dramatic effect. And she took it in the same manner.
He led the way into the Hospital Wing. He was unsure of it all. But he knew he was happier...with her.
A/N: Review? Please?