This is set on the train ride back from Hogwarts, after a slightly AU version of OOTP in which Harry and Hermione secretly had crushes on one another, rather than on Ron and Ginny.

Thank you to the wonderful Sister Grimm Erin, who beta'd this chapter!

Harry was looking wistfully out the window of the Hogwarts Express when Lavender entered his empty compartment. She sat across from him, looking a bit uncomfortable but determined to tell him something.

"Lavender?" he asked, curious. "What is it?"

She folded her hands, then let out her words in a rush, as if she were afraid that her mouth would close midway through. "I know I'm not that close to you, Harry, but I know you well enough from the D.A., and I just wanted to say that I think you and Hermione would be so cute together."

"But Hermione and I are together a lot," he replied. "I mean, she's one of my best friends, and –"

Lavender cut him off. "I know you fancy her, Harry."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise that someone had perceived what he'd thought was so well hidden. And not just someone, but Lavender, someone he didn't even know all that well.

"How long has it been?" Lavender asked, seeming to become more confident as the conversation continued.

"I don't really –" he began, before Lavender silenced him with a skeptical glance. "Since the summer, I guess," he admitted.

Lavender beamed with an air of triumph. "I thought as much. I ask because Parvati and I had a little disagreement, you see. She thought it was only the past month or two."

Harry blushed. "Is it really that obvious, Lavender?" he asked meekly.

Lavender grinned. "Well, if you intended it to be a secret, you haven't done a very good job, Harry. Besides, I know when two people go together," she added with an affirmative nod.

"But how did you realize it?" he continued, regaining his composure. "I mean, Ron doesn't act that differently toward Hermione than I do."

Lavender smiled, understandingly yet a bit condescendingly. "I noticed Ron's fondness for Hermione, too," she admitted, "but I have yet to see him steal glances at her the way you do, Harry."

Harry nodded, a bit dumbly. "Lavender," he said worriedly, "you won't tell anyone, will you?"

Lavender stared at him. "Oh, I'd never violate your confidence, Harry!" she said. He gave her a slight glance of disbelief. "Well, I know I'm a bit of a gossip, but if you don't want me to say anything, I won't."

"Thanks, Lavender," Harry murmured. Then, after a second, when Lavender moved to rise from her seat, he asked her quietly, "What do you think I should do?"

Lavender shook her head, somewhat amused by Harry's openness. "If you really want my advice, Harry, I think you'd better talk to her."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "But what if she doesn't feel the same way?" he began. "And what if it... changes our friendship?"

Lavender nodded in understanding. "Maybe the question is sometimes more important than the answer," she supplied. "And I'd seriously doubt that Hermione would let it ruin your friendship."

Harry smiled. "Um, thanks," he said awkwardly.

Lavender smiled sweetly. "Of course! It's always nice to play a little part in spreading some love around, isn't it?"

Harry nodded weakly as Lavender exited the compartment. "Besides," she said to herself, "Unless I've read Hermione the wrong way, I don't think he has anything to be worried about."