Another chapter, just like that. When she moves, she moves. Happy reading!
Thanks again, and take care. - M.
Harry stood at the front of the Great Hall. He had spoken to many of the younger students about the dangers both inside and outside the castle walls, per McGonagall's request. Now he was absentmindedly listening to Hagrid tell him about the newest magical creature the half-giant was currently harboring against everyone else's better judgment. He'd lost Harry's full attention shortly after explaining that taber worms looked like over sized earthworms until they were hungry - when their mouths opened to twenty times their normal size and they could easily eat off your big toe if you weren't careful.
Misunderstood creatures my ass. He had become impatient. Hermione had been gone for more than fifteen minutes. He found himself scanning the throng of students, looking for a honey-haired angel. He spotted her coming toward him and he couldn't help but smile. Harry's very soul warmed at the sight of her. It always had. He'd just never let himself embrace his feelings for her; until now. "Hermione." Harry said her name as if he hadn't seen her in a lifetime. Hermione smiled shyly at him. How he loved it when she smiled.
He held out his arm, offering it to her. She slipped hers into the crook of his stronger one, noting how it fit; perfectly. Hermione already knew that soon, she was going to be one of the most confused young women in the muggle and wizarding worlds alike. She was already beginning to see the differences how she, herself, was when she was around Harry versus when she was near Malfoy.
When she was with Malfoy, it was excitement and desire; the temptation of something new. There was also an undeniable attraction that hung there between them. Sometimes, she felt more motherly toward him, especially now - when he needed her protection. With Harry, she noticed a nervousness in the pit of her stomach. He hand been gentle and kind to her since they were eleven years old. She'd always cared for him, and they had an established friendship that she knew she could always count on; one that made her feel forever safe and warm.
And it was clear that both of them had feelings for her. She'd daresay that each in his own way loved her. She knew that. She could feel it radiating from Harry now, with the way that he was barely touching her arm. His eyes shone with emotion that she now recognized as she carefully lowered her own.
Malfoy had been watching her for so long. He knew her every move, want, desire. He was being searched for by Aurors and Deatheaters alike, yet risked his own life to protect hers at all costs.
"Sixpence for your thoughts, Hermione," Harry said softly. Looking around her, she realized they had already reached the courtyard. She shivered at the chill in the air, causing Harry to put his arms snugly around her - allowing her to lean against his warm chest. "Hmm. I like that," she said aloud, to her own surprise. Harry smiled at her words. He leaned down to rest his chin on the soft waves of her hair, breathing in the clean scent of whatever shampoo she'd been using.
"Harry?" she said.
"Yes, 'Mione?" he responded.
"When did you realize that you loved me?" She spun around to look at him then, a sad smile on her face. Harry reached out and wiped a tear that had spilled out from her now glistening eyes. His hand moved to her chin, lifting her face up so she would look straight into his gaze.
"Third year, when you decked that Slytherin ferret. I realized you were destined to be an awesome witch. One that showed no fear."
"Looks can be deceiving, Harry," she chuckled. "I'm frightened all the time."
Harry placed a finger to her lips, cutting her off. "Shh... Let me finish. Fourth year, at the Yule Ball. Sure, I had a tremendous crush on Cho Chang. But when you came down those stairs, it would have taken a complete dolt not to see how beautiful you were. Fifth year, you fought with more bravery and wit than anyone I have ever seen down at the Ministry of Magic. Hermione, you could have died! But you were always there. Right with me. And last year wasn't any better..."
"But Harry, what about Ginny? You told her you felt you were 'home' when you were with her. Then you broke it off to go search for horcruxes! What gives, Harry? Was it all just an excuse?" she said, a little louder than she'd intended.
He let go of her with a sigh, sitting down on the cold stone bench beneath an old tree covered with Wisteria vines. He'd know that she wouldn't easily believe in the depth of his feelings for her. But he'd come to Hogwarts to at least have his say, before it was too late for them. "I do feel at home when I 'm with Ginny. But after a while, I realized that I feel at home EVERY time I'm in the Burrow, Hermione. The Weasleys have been the home and the family that I never had. But Ginny said one thing right yesterday. I do care for her, but it doesn't change my feelings for you. It never has." Harry shifted slightly on the bench, holding out a hand to her. "She was right about something else, too. She doesn't deserve to be second best. So I let her go."
"Oh." Hermione stepped over to the bench and took his hand as she sat down on its cold surface next to Harry 'the-boy-who-lived' Potter. She thought about their first train ride. It was so long ago, when and eleven year-old Harry Potter had introduced himself to one Hermione Granger. She'd known there was something special about him. Something that had absolutely nothing to do with that famous scar of his.
"Hermione, please tell me you're okay with this? Please tell me what you're thinking?" He looked down at his shoes. "It's Ron, isn't it?"
She giggled. If he only knew. It had been so long since Harry had heard that lilting laugh. She scratched the side of her nose and rolled her eyes...just like she always did. "No, Harry. It actually isn't. You two aren't the only ones who've professed their 'undying love' for me recently."
"What? Who? When? Where?" he asked. Hermione shook her head and sighed, the absurdity of her current situation hitting her. This was Harry; her best friend. She should be able to tell him anything, right? Well, here goes, she thought. "Try George." Harry looked like someone had smacked him upside his noggin' with a brick.
"Ex-Excuse me? George. George Weasley?"
"Yes, Harry. George Weasley," she said with a quiet smile.
"Whoa." Harry couldn't believe it. He'd felt guilty all this time, harboring feelings for the young woman his best mate had also been in love with all these years. And now, on the eve of a war that was coming fast, to find out there were others who had fallen for her, too? His time was too short. Harry knew he had to leave again. His mission still was not complete. But he wasn't going to leave Hermione behind this time. Not ever again. "Hermione," he began. "What do you want me to do?"
She pulled her hair back from her face, holding it in one hand. "Everything. Nothing. I don't know, Harry! Merlin! I am seventeen years of age. I have an education to finish. And dammit, so do you!" She began to cry again. It was slowly breaking Harry in two. He knew that he'd have to leave, but he didn't wish to leave it like this between them.
He leaned over and kissed her, tasting the saltiness of her tears as they continued to flow, unchecked. Harry pulled Hermione to his chest, holding her like a precious gift he could never part with. "Don't cry, 'Mione. Everything will be fine. I won't let you go."
Hermione choked back a sob with a bitter laugh that conveyed all of the irony she felt. Six bloody years - wasted. All because of Harry's chivalrous attitude toward his best mate. And now there's Malfoy to complicate things, she thought. "See, that's just it, Harry. You have to. If you don't finish what you've started then we're all just as good as dead. I know you didn't want this, but like it or not, Harry, you're the only one left that can truly stand between us and Voldemort."
"I can't Hermione. I won't," he said. "I've waited too long for you to give you up now."
"Harry. Harry, look at me." There she was again, his shining angel. The warmth and understanding he saw in her eyes were something he knew he was not likely to ever find again. Hermione took his hands in her own, placing one above her heart and the other above his own. She pressed first on her chest as she spoke, then repeated the gesture on his. "You're always here, Harry. And I'm always in there. Have faith, Harry. If fate meant for us to be together, then it will happen with time."
"So you're willing to give me a chance?" he asked, unable to hide the hope in his voice.
"Mm-hmm," she said as she rested her head against his chest, forgetting about everything going on around them. Hermione knew it wasn't much, but it was all that she could give him, for now.