Chapter 4

One Heart: A Cinderella Story

Hermione's POV

Silence consumed Harry and me as the long train ride began. Then I decided to break the ice.

"So Harry, where is your mother? I only see your dad around. Does she work long hours?" I assumed his mom was just not a social person, plus, it was the first thing that came to mind.

"Oh, my mom, well, she passed away a year and a half ago because of…well, she is dead." A tear sneaked away from his eye. I was dying to know how his mom died, but decided to be consoling instead.

"It's okay Harry, my mother left my dad and I, so it's like she's dead. I know how you feel." I gave him a weak smile. I had been in this stage twice, so I was a master in this category. I squeezed Harry's hand and gave it a gentle rub. His skin was as soft as heaven. Then, we looked down at our hands, let go of the others, sat back in our seats, and started fiddling with something and acted like nothing ever happened. About a half an hour to an hour went by with no words leaving our mouths. Then Harry asked:

"May I ask you something Hermione?"

"Of course, anything." I was so pleased to break the silence.

"About earlier, was that hand holding thing because you wanted to reassure, or was there another reason?" He asked. Harry caught the one thing I was trying to hide the most, love.

"Oh, it was affection… I mean friendly; I mean, oh forget it." I felt like such an idiot.

"Affection, like…love?" He asked seeming almost shocked. I don't know what came over me, but I said:

"You're funny, smart, strong, cute, and irresistible. And I'm in love with you." I couldn't believe what I just said, but there was no way of covering up the meaning of that sentence.

"You love me? I never thought a girl so smart and funny would ever like a guy like me." This was so shocking; he thought no one like me liked him! Every single girl at Dunstan was head over heels for him. Then he added:

"Would you like to be friends? Because you know, we are not going to know anyone but the other kids coming with us, but I don't talk to them much, but I don't know about you." This was too much to bear! Being best friends with Harry Potter would be wonderful! And hopefully some time we can start dating, and then later I could be Mrs. Potter!

"I'd love that!" The ugly duckling (me) was finally becoming a swan…