Chapter 10

Hermione's POV

I walked over to the edge of the black lake, where I was meeting Harry. I was really excited to spend some time with just him. He was around nearly all the time but we hadn't had much time for just us recently. I sat down on the bank and stretched out, watching the sun on the lake. I had missed Hogwarts so much. I looked up at the sound of footsteps and saw Harry making his way over.

"Hey Mione," He said sitting down next to me and dropping his bag on the ground.

"Hi," I beamed at him, "What's in there."

"Homework. I thought this could be like old times." He paused, "Well sort of anyway."

I smiled. I knew Harry probably really didn't want to do homework, so I appreciated it even more. Thankfully I had my bag with me too.

"I'd like that," I said. "I miss how easy everything used to be."

"You mean when we weren't saving the wizarding world?" Harry laughed, then his expression sobered. "Yeah I miss it too."

We both just stared at the lake for a few moments, remembering all the times we'd spent here together. Of course things hadn't been so peacefully for years.

"But you've gotta admit," I said, trying to lighten the mood, "It's nice to not be looking over our shoulders or worrying about Voldemort."

Harry chuckled, "Yeah, it is."

Harry and I set to work of our homework for a while after that. It was nice to do something normal with my best friend.

"It's so much nicer doing this when it's not due tomorrow," Harry said. I laughed.

I had completely forgotten why we'd arranged this time together until Harry asked, "So what is it you wanna tell me?"

I stopped smiling as the memories flooded back. Even though Harry was accepting Draco, I could tell it was difficult for him. I wasn't sure how he was going to react to what I had to say but I wanted him to be the first to know. That didn't make telling him any easier, though.

Harry saw my hesitation and took my hand, giving it a squeeze. "Mione you can tell me," He said, looking me in the eyes, "It won't change what I think about you or how I feel about you."

I sighed. I might as well get it over with. "I… I think I like… Dr-Draco," I whispered, not looking at Harry.

"Oh," He said. He didn't sound angry or disgusted, he just sounded… calm. I looked at him and he smiled at me. "Hermione I don't care who you like. I just want you to be happy. And considering Ma-Draco's not an ass anymore, he's probably got as good of a chance as anyone. Just," He hesitated, "Just be a bit careful. Just in case."

I smiled and then gave Harry a big hug. He seemed a bit surprised but then put his arms around me. Considering what he could've said, "be careful" was amazing. He probably would've said that about anyone, and I already thought I needed to be careful with Draco, anyway.

I pulled away and thought of something. "You don't seem that surprised."

"I'm not as good at recognising this stuff as you, but I'm getting better. I saw you looking at him yesterday, and I didn't know you like him but it made it less surprising.

"Oh God," I groaned.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Well, no offense, but if you noticed Ginny and Parvati definitely noticed!" I told him.

Harry laughed, "Well, yeah, I guess so. Don't you want them to know?"

"Not exactly, I'm going to tell them I just don't want them to make a big deal out of it."

"You mean like yesterday at lunch?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, that wasn't the only time either; they talk about it in our dorm a lot."

"Well what I heard didn't seem too bad," Harry said slowly.

"That's because they don't know I like him!" I said, Harry just didn't understand these things.

"Oh yeah, they just think Draco likes you." Harry paused. "They could be right, y'know."

"I don't think so."

"Maybe not, but he'd be stupid not to." Harry smiled at me and I smiled back.

"Thanks Harry."

Harry took my hand again. "Ginny and Parvati might talk a bit at first, but it's probably just because they're happy for you. You've been pretty upset since you and Ron broke up and I know Ginny's worried about you. But if you want me to say something to her, I will."

"Thank you," I said, "Maybe just tell to ease up a bit."

"Sure," Harry said.

We went back to our work and after a few minutes Harry said, "I'm done!" He saw my still writing and said, "Oh my God, I finished before you!"

I laughed, "This is my Arithmancy homework, I already finished our Defence stuff."

Harry started laughing with me. Afterwards we walked back into the castle, just in time to see Ginny, Parvati and Blaise walk into the Great Hall together.