Harry looked at the paper in shock. Hermione returned his feelings? What could he say? He went to his four-poster.

Ron greeted him. "Hey Harry, you look like you've seen a ghost."

Harry shook his head. "I haven't seen a ghost, I've just found something out."

Ron was about to ask whom. When Neville walked into their room.

"Have you seen Trevor? He's seemed to have gotten away again?" Neville begged in a worried voice.

The boys shook their heads. It was time for lights out. Tomorrow was Care of Magical Creatures, and Harry had decided it was time to tell Hermione he liked her.

Next Day in Care of Magical Creatures:

Hagrid had decided it was time they do a review on nifflers.

"I actually like these little blokes. It beats stuffing lettuce down flubberworms throats!" Ron said.

Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement. Harry and Hermione had gotten paired together on the same niffler.

"Mione, I need to tell you something."

Hermione looked back at him expectantly "Yes Harry?"

Harry felt his throat go dry. He'd never had feelings like this; he'd had that crush on Cho

Chang, but that had been a puppy crush. These went deeper, much deeper.

"Hermione I like you." Harry finally managed to blurt out.

Hermione broke into a smile that she rarely did. One that meant she was very, very

happy. "Harry I like you, that's what I meant by the note. I meant to tell you last year but I just couldn't."

They shared one of those embracing hugs. Warm and loving, they wouldn't dare kiss

under Hagrid's nose. Or Ron's for that matter. Hermione and Harry were talking all hour

and class sped by fast.

"All right on wit you now, git to your next class. Don be late!" Hagrid called to them. Harry caught up to Hermione right before she went into the castle.

"Hey Mione" Harry called. Hermione turned around and hugged him. Harry decided to
be bold and just go for it. He leaned in and kissed her softly. Hermione kissed back, no resistance. When they broke apart they both were smiling, at a loss for words. Harry
thought everything was going fine.

That's when Ron Weasley walked up and said:

"I saw that Harry."