Disclaimer: (J.K. Rowling is marching up a quiet street, followed by an army of policemen. She catches sight of pumpkin-pie-princess1990 and points a trembling, outraged finger at her.)
Rowling: That's her! She's the one who's going around telling everybody she owns Harry Potter!
(pumpkin-pie-princess1990 breaks into a run, pursued by the army of policemen.)
Lieutenant: What's the big idea, then? Don't you know you don't own Harry Potter!
pumpkin-pie-princess1990: Well, now I know I don't. J.K. Rowling does, OK! Now put those lawsuits away!
Author's Note: This is the FINAL chapter (which means I won't be keeping you guys in suspense any more. Muahahahaha.). With much love and gratitude for TooSweet4Words and musiclife91 for reviewing (again).
I was starting to relax and enjoy the sensation of having a warm body resting close to mine when Hermione broke the comfortable silence.
'Thanks for finding me, Harry.'
'You're welcome,' I replied somewhat bemusedly. 'You don't have to thank me or anything, Hermione, you know I would look for you when I think you need someone to be there.'
The words had only just left my mouth when my cheeks reddened. Merlin, I sounded like a dolt. She gave me an odd glance and leaned her head on my shoulder, causing a paroxysm of excitement tingling up my spine.
'I just realized something.'
'What?'
'You were also the one who rescued me from that troll in first year.' My eyes widened and to my mortal embarrassment, felt my face grow hotter.
'Ron was with me! We were in it together! We – Why are you laughing?'
Hermione covered her mouth with her hand in a feeble attempt to suppress her giggles. 'Do you know you look adorable when you're flustered?'
'I…I do?'
I rubbed the back of my neck self-consciously, feeling that funny swooping feeling in my stomach.
'Yeah, and you look sweet too when you're confused. Especially that time last year when I was advising you on handling Cho.'
'I said I didn't think you're ugly.' I said rather confidently. I still think so, I thought. Hermione smiled one of her beautiful smiles with her eyes sparkling and her moist, red lips slightly parted – I mentally slapped myself.
She's Hermione, chided my brain.
So what? I argued.
So? She's your best friendF-r-i-e-n-d. And besides, she's already got a boyfriend.
They broke up.
You know how their relationship is like. They'll have forgotten it in the morning and I bet that Firebolt they'll be snogging each other over breakfast in the throes of burning passion.
Hey, what do you know about Ron and Hermione?
I'm your brain, stupid. Besides, Hermione sees you only as her best friend, Harry. Not Harry Potter, Hogwarts sex god, Quidditch superstar and available to boot.
You're wrong! I protested silently.
'Harry?' I was abruptly aware of a hand waving in front of my face.
'Sorry. Was just thinking about something else.'
Annoying and prissy as my brain was, its logic was inescapable. Hermione and I had scarcely anything in common. I wasn't as smart as Hermione was. I didn't possess the stamina for extended study sessions in the library. I preferred flying and feeling the fresh wind whip in my hair, most unlike Hermione who found keeping her feet planted firmly on the ground much more attractive. Of the three of us, she was the voice of reason, the level-headed one. I was the one who was Voldemort's emotion transmitter and I had a reputation for losing my temper and snapping at hapless people.
My shoulders slumped in disappointment. We were as different as night and day. But still – if I felt this way – now I knew what were those weird feelings – I had to know – The words and questions swirled around my brain crazily even as I felt a growing surge of hope rising in my heart. I just had to ask her.
'Hermione?' She yawned and turned her head to face me sleepily.
'What, Harry?'
'I…I want to ask for…err…relationship advice.'
'Go ahead.' She was watching me carefully, her face set and serious.
'There's this girl whom I really, really like. I think I might even love her. She's…incredibly beautiful, witty, charming, kind, caring and smart.'
'Tell her how you feel, Harry. Love is a powerful word. For all you know, the both of you might only have a short-lived relationship.' Hermione's face was an impenetrable mask and I was unable to discern her emotions.
'It's really hard because I – I don't know if she feels the same way about me. She might even find me unattractive.'
'Come on, Harry! Which girl wouldn't dream of being your girlfriend? Look at you, you're handsome, you're good in Quidditch, intelligent…'
I wrung my hands. This was becoming complicated and I was afraid I would lose my nerve.
'It's not that simple. She knows who I am but I don't think she sees me as a potential boyfriend.'
Hermione laughed softly. 'How would you know if you don't tell her how you feel about her? At least, if she doesn't feel the same way, you can move on with your life.'
'I don't want to ruin my friendship with her!' I blurted.
'If you don't ask, you won't know.'
We fell silent, giving me time to agonize over my dilemma: tell Hermione and get a straight answer, or spend the rest of life regretting my decision?
She's right, you know, remarked my ever-tactful brain.
I didn't ask for your opinion.
'Out of curiosity, who's the lucky girl?' asked Hermione, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. This was it. I took a deep breath and stared her straight in the eye, trying my utmost best not to be lost in her soft, deep hazel pools.
'It's you.'
A sharp intake of breath greeted my reply. Hermione was staring back at me with an unreadable expression on her face. A powerful emotion swirled round my entire body as I waited with bated breath for her answer.
'I love you too, Harry.'
Slowly, our faces drew closer as though pulled by a magnet and when my lips met hers, an explosion took place in my head, sending crackles of fierce electricity jolting down my spine. Her hands reached around my neck just as mine wrapped themselves around her waist and pulled her closer to me. I forgot everything else, Ron, being in the Astronomy Tower, the danger of being caught, all other things seemed trivial at this moment.
When we finally parted, she rested her head in the hollow of my neck, my arms loosely draped around her slender form.
'What's going to happen between you and Ron?' I asked.
Hurt and pain suddenly welled up in those beautiful brown eyes and I bit my lip. 'He…he really hurt me, Harry. I just don't know. I need to think about it.'
I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. 'Whatever you choose, Hermione, I just want you to know I'll always be here for you.'
Outside, a few solitary rays of sunlight streaked across the inky sky. The ever-present threat of Voldemort was lifted for the time being and all that mattered to me now was the young witch at my side. A new day was dawning.
Author's Note II: THE END! That's it, the end of my very first fic! (Gives self a big hug) I will be posting a new fic very soon! Read it if you like my work!
Oh, would anyone like me to continue this fic? Review and tell me what you think!
