A/N: This is my last story written for the Houses Competition forum in the practice round. Points should go to Slytherin house, thanks!

Theme: Revealing a secret

Prompt: brother

Word Count (not including A/N): 663

Familiarity

A knock sounded on the door to the Gryffindor 7th year boys' dorm. Harry looked up from his seat on his bed where he had been polishing his broom. "Come in," he called.

Not surprisingly, it was Hermione, leading Ron in by the hand as well. Harry's two best friends took up their now instinctual positions sitting next to each other on Ron's bed and facing Harry. A long, semi-uncomfortable silence followed; the trio was quite used to being in silence together, but there was the tension of something waiting to be said in the air.

Harry slowly put his broom back in its case and cleaned up the polishing tools. He turned back to Ron and Hermione and noticed that they still hadn't let go of each other's hands.

The trio had been friends for over 7 years, so awkwardness was all but vanished from their gatherings, at least most of the time. Harry found this newfound tension very unnerving. So, in a desperate attempt to sound casual, he asked in a horribly fake voice, "So, uh, what's up, guys?" All three of them just barely refrained from cringing at Harry's tone.

Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance and, after having a non-verbal argument, Hermione look down in defeat and started, "Well, um, Harry….." she started. "We, that is, I mean, Ron and I, have something that we've been meaning to tell you for a little while now, I mean, it hasn't been that long, we would never keep something really important from you for a long time.."

Harry smiled. "Hermione, you're rambling. I know you guys wouldn't keep something from me, and I'm pretty sure I have an idea what it is anyway," he smirked, nodding towards their still intertwined hands. Hermione blushed and Ron's ears turned red, but neither of them made any move to stop holding hands.

"So, is it official? Did it finally happen? Are you finally together?" Harry fired off his questions with a growing smirk, and at his last question he clasped his hands together, put them near his face and swooned, so that it was a ridiculous imitation of someone reminiscing a sickly sweet memory.

Ron kicked him and spoke for the first time in their conversation. "Yes, you tosser, we're official. Merlin, you don't have to be so dramatic."

"But Harry," Hermione started nervously. "Are you OK? Like, is this relationship OK with you? Because we're your best friends and if you don't like it…" Ron's glance shifted to her nervously for a second and then back to Harry, awaiting his response.

"No, yeah, I'm totally fine with you guys being together and all. I mean, it would be a bit hypocritical of me, seeing as me and Ginny are together…"

"Yeah, I'm still getting used to that. It might take me a while," Ron said nervously while looking at the floor. "And I know I told you this, but if you ever do anything to hurt her, I will not hesitate to make you pay, best friend or no."

Harry nodded. "And the same goes for Hermione," he warned. Ron looked at him incredulously.

"Mate, I know that you care about her, but she's not your sister."

Harrys gaze turned cold. "Isn't she? With all that we've been through, she's my sister in everything but blood." Harry gave his best friend a glare that dared him to question the statement. Ron ducked his head in shame.

"So the same rules apply. You hurt her, and there will be consequences. I'm sure that your family will not hesitate to agree either." By this time, Hermione's eyes were shining with unshed tears at the display of affection her brother had just shown. They smiled at each other, and the conversation was done.

"So, gobstones?" Ron asked as he rose from his place on the bed. Harry nodded and the trio walked down to the common room, the awkwardness vanished and the familiarity restored once more