Alright, so here's the next chapter. Sorry for the wait but as the dreaded but much anticipated day comes, I can't do much but think about the end. I did want to get an update in before Deathly Hallows Part 2 because who knows how emotionally stable I'll be after Part 2 comes out lol. Well anyway, I hope you guys like this.

Disclaimer: Oh, how I wish these characters were mine. Being a billionaire wouldn't suck at all.


Chapter 9

Hermione was furious; first Harry and then Ron.

Being angry at Ron had been expected but Harry? No, she hadn't been expecting that. But then again, what had she been expecting? Talking to him alone had been naïve at best. She knew that he would most likely not say anything that she wanted him to say but, as always, she had hoped that this time it would be different. Unfortunately, that's not what happened at all. Sure he had said some things she had hoped he would say but the setting was all wrong.

Since Ron's return, Harry had been acting differently, an observation that didn't really surprise her. What she hadn't expected what his change in behavior towards her. Before Ron came back, they spent most of their time together; even if they weren't together, they were always around each other, each aware of the other's presence. Now, however, Harry kept his distance from her. It wasn't blatantly obvious but she noticed it and she didn't like it. The reason was obvious but she found it completely ridiculous. It wasn't like anything had ever actually happened between them. If he felt guilty before, she knew that he felt even guiltier now after seeing Ron's biggest insecurities and under different circumstances, she would too but she found it very hard to feel bad in any way towards Ron at this particular moment. That wasn't what hurt and angered her most with Harry, though.

"Maybe we should just forget it happened."

Why would she want to forget one of the happiest, albeit nerve-wracking, moments of her life? It's funny how you're conveniently ignoring the second part of his statement, her mind taunted. Hermione scowled. The fact that he had said it at all is what angered her.

Hermione growled in frustration. Isn't my current situation stressful enough without these stupid feelings? Ron she could deal with but Harry was going to be something else. Just like always huh?

"Oh, shut it," she snapped.

"You know people might think you're crazy if they heard you talking to yourself."

She froze. Without turning around, she said, "Leave me alone, Harry. I don't want to talk to you right now."

Harry sighed. "I know Hermione, but I think maybe we should." He paused. "Now's not the time to be fighting."

"Oh, so now you want to talk," Hermione said, turning to face him. "Okay then, let's talk. You can go first."

Harry was getting really tired of planning what he was going to say only to be left speechless when the time came to actually say something; Hermione's look of impatience didn't help much either.

"Um, okay…I—" Harry started but couldn't find the words to go on. Frustrated, he just stopped thinking and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Hermione, I'm sorry okay? What the locket showed Ron—" Harry quickly stopped; he couldn't go there. It was too late, however. Looking at Hermione, he knew she caught what he said and, knowing her, she wasn't going to let it go.

Hermione was not one to waste opportunities so before Harry could say something else, she asked, "What did the locket show Ron?"

Harry winced internally. Oh well that's just brilliant, Potter. You and your bloody mouth have done it again. "I don't think I should tell you. It's uh…it's kind of sensitive information, you see."

Eyebrow arched, she asked, "Really? Sensitive information?" Harry nodded dumbly. "Well, apparently this sensitive information has to do with me doesn't it? Or else you wouldn't have been acting differently towards me, right?"

Harry thought quickly. He didn't want to be the one to tell her this although he was sure Ron didn't have any intentions on telling her about it himself.

"I just don't think I should be the one to tell you."

Hermione sighed. Harry was loyal to a fault and she knew getting it out of him was not going to be easy. On any other occasion, his loyalty would have been endearing but now it was just irritating her. But what if it was you? Would you want him to tell Ron your biggest insecurities behind your back? Why don't you just tell him that you saw what happened?

Hermione scowled. Damn her stupid, logical mind.

"It's fine, Harry. You don't have to tell me." Harry's immense look of relief almost made her laugh. It almost stopped her from saying her next words. Almost. "You don't have to tell me because I saw what the locket showed Ron. I saw everything."

Shock immediately replaced relief as Harry said, "What?"

"I saw it, Harry; you and me, or rather, the locket's versions of us. We—they kissed."

Harry couldn't believe it. "Then why didn't you say anything?"

"Oh, come off it Harry, you know that Ron would've been extremely embarrassed if he knew that I saw." She paused. "I may not like him much at the moment but I'm not evil."

Harry stared at her in wonder. "Why are you so good to us?"

"Trust me, I wonder that myself sometimes," she said, hoping he didn't see her blush.

Silence filled the air as they stared at each other, both of them knowing perfectly well what the other was thinking about.

Remember what you came for, said his mind, snapping Harry out of his reverie.

"Hermione, I'm sorry."

Hermione quickly focused on him again but remained quiet, an expectant look crossing her features.

Harry stayed silent for a moment before continuing. "I don't want you to forget that moment at all. I did it to make you happy, to make me happy. To try and give us a moment where we could just be us and forget about everything else." Looking at her, he knew that she was waiting for him to bring up what almost happened between them. A big part of him just wanted to leave that alone and not mess with it but he knew that Hermione wouldn't let him. He didn't want to say the wrong thing though, so he stayed quiet.

Silence overtook them both again; neither wanted to bring up the inevitable.

Oh for Merlin's sake, say something! Hermione's mind screamed. Get it over with; you're only delaying the unavoidable. Hermione sighed and looked at Harry. He looked just as lost as she felt.

"You almost kissed me, Harry."

She said it so softly that Harry almost missed it. In the same tone he said, "I know, Hermione."

"Why?" she asked, almost like a child.

Hermione asking him for the answer? In any other situation, Harry would have laughed at the irony.

"I—I don't know, Hermione."

"You don't know." Disappointment quickly flickered in Hermione's eyes before disappearing but Harry heard it in her voice.

"Hermione, I— it's just that—" Harry stammered before stopping. Just take a deep breath, Potter, you can do this. Taking a deep breath, he started again."Hermione, these past few weeks—months, actually—have been tough. No one will ever understand that but you. Almost losing you again was—was painful and waiting for you to wake up, not knowing if you ever would, was worse. Seeing you laying there, I couldn't help but think of all of the times we've spent together. It made me realize things that I was too daft to appreciate until now."

Hermione's heart sped up as she looked at him. "What kind of things?"

The disappointment was gone from her voice, giving Harry the courage to continue. "That you've always been there for me—always—and how I wasn't. I've left you alone so many times, choosing Ron over you but you never did that to me." He paused. "How I would have been dead a hundred times over if it wasn't for you."

Hermione started to interrupt but Harry quickly cut her off. "No, Hermione, you can't deny it. Without you…I don't know where I'd be. I feel like such a bloody idiot for not realizing before now how important you are to me. How much you've done for me. I mean… you gave up your parents, Hermione. Your parents. All to help me and to protect them, of course, but if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have needed to do that in the first place." He looked away as shame filled him. "I mean, what kind of a friend am I if it took almost losing you to fully realize that?"

Hermione was once again filled with pride at knowing that she was part of a select few, maybe the only one that got to see Harry like this. "You're an amazing friend, Harry."

Knowing he was going to protest, she quickly continued. "Sure, you can be a bit dense sometimes, but that doesn't mean you aren't a good friend." His eyes were glued to hers as she started walking towards him. "Harry, you would do anything for your friends; for those you love. How many times have you tried to keep me and Ron away just to protect us? How many crazy things have you done in order to keep us safe?" She paused, stopping right in front of him. "If I remember correctly, an eleven year old boy once jumped on a full grown troll just to save a silly, twelve year old girl." She smiled at the memory. "I know without a doubt in my heart, that if the roles were reversed, you would do everything and more for me."

Harry stayed silent for a moment before nodding, still looking somewhat doubtful. They continued to stare at each other; both knew what was coming next.

"Harry, I—"

"Hermione—"

Light chuckles filled the silence as they looked at each other, small smiles on their faces. Hermione nodded at Harry, whose face took on a serious expression, replacing the smile that had been playing there seconds before.

"Hermione, that moment we shared was one of the happiest in my life. I'm bloody clueless when it comes to dancing and I'm pretty sure I always will be but seeing you smile and laugh more than made up for my lack of dancing skills." Hermione smiled. He swallowed, looking away. "What almost happened after, though…I—I don't really know how to explain that. You were just—you were so close. I just—I don't know, reacted, I guess. I wasn't thinking." He looked at her again. "I—I don't know what more to say. I'm s—I'm sorry, Hermione."

She looked at him, an unreadable expression on her face. "Sorry for what, Harry?"

"For complicating things. I mean, Merlin knows that we don't need any more complications at this point." Not being able to read her expression was unnerving. "Even without our current situation, there's still other things—other people to think about."

"Ron and Ginny, you mean," Hermione said, as she continued to stare at Harry.

Harry nodded weakly. "Well, yeah."

To be honest, Harry hadn't thought much about his ex-girlfriend, something that further confused him. Not long ago, he had thought about her constantly but then Ron left. That had changed everything.

Hermione finally looked away. Harry didn't know which was worse: having her intense gaze on him or having her look anywhere but him.

"Hermione," Harry said, the pleading evident in his voice.

She couldn't look at him. She didn't know what to feel. A part of her just wanted to end it; to make things go back to the way they were. Everything would be so much easier that way. The other part wasn't content with that, however. She never thought that anything like this would ever happen between them and she was reluctant to just let it pass her by.

Harry's voice cut through the silence. "Hermione, please. Say something."

She looked at him after a moment of hesitation. Her face remained impassive, but Harry could see the conflicting emotions in her eyes. He looked at her, the pleading still evident in his eyes.

"I don't know what to say, Harry," she said slowly. "I—that dance was…it was the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. I was so happy. I hadn't felt that way in such a long time that it almost felt strange feeling it again. I felt so free, not having to think about anything else except you and me. When we stopped dancing, I—you—you had this look in your eyes that I'd never seen before. It made me so—so nervous; more nervous than I've ever felt around you. And then—you just—you were—I knew what you were going to do and I—"

"You pulled away," Harry whispered. Intensity filled his eyes as he looked at her. "Why?"

She glared at him. "You know why, Harry. It's the same reason you pulled away, too."

Ron.

Harry sighed. It felt like they were going in circles, not really resolving anything. Hermione was glad they were at least talking about it but, like Harry, she didn't feel like they were getting anywhere near a solution.

A solution? A solution to what? Her mind asked. What do you want, Hermione? Figure that out and you'll be on your way. Although, I'm pretty sure you already know what you want.

Hermione had always prided herself on being extremely logical but there were times where she just wanted her logic to shut up.

Deciding to put an end to things, Hermione took a deep breath and asked, "What does this mean for us, Harry?"

Alarm flashed across Harry's face quickly before disappearing.

"I—"

"And please, for Merlin's sake, don't say you don't know."

Harry glared at her for a second before sighing. "I can't." He looked at her, a sorry look on his face. "Hermione, I don't know what to tell you. I never really thought that anything like this would ever happen between us. I mean, there was Ron and I just always thought that you fancied him. Then this whole thing with Ginny happened. But now that something has happened…all of these feelings are just so new and confusing and I just- I don't know what to do about them."

Hermione looked at him, only daring to hope.

"What are those feelings exactly?" she said softly, trying to hide her nervousness but failing.

What is that? Harry thought, looking into her eyes. Is that—is that hope? Does that mean…?

Harry couldn't take it anymore. He needed to tell her before it was too late. He'd never felt so nervous in his life.

Hermione could see that Harry had made up his mind about something. Was he finally going to say what she'd been waiting to hear for days? Oh, who are you kidding? Don't you mean months? Years, maybe?

"Hermione, I l—"

"Oy! There you guys are!" Ron walked up to them, completely missing the glares coming from his best friends. "I was starting to worry."

Harry sighed. Too late.


I know, I know. Pretty mean of me to end like that, huh? Sorry, but I just don't want to rush a relationship between Harry and Hermione. There's so much to deal with and I feel like they deserve something better than a rushed relationship. I hope you guys continue to bear with me. I already have ideas for future chapters and I will try to get those to you as soon as possible. Although, I'm sure that all of us are going to be busy these next couple of days watching and rewatching Deathly Hallows Part 2 so that's something right? There's going to be lots of emotions, mainly sadness, on my end so hopefully those emotions inspire me to write. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy Part 2 to the fullest and don't get too sad, yeah? Oh, who am I kidding? I'm going to be devastated and misery loves company doesn't it? But anyway, wherever you may be, let's all enjoy this momentous moment to the fullest, emotions and all.

Thanks for reading :)