Chapter Eleven- I Fell For Him

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the late update! I don't know if this is the best chapter I've done but please do tell me all your thoughts about it okay? Good or bad comments, I'll accept as long as they will make me improve! ^^

This chapter is dedicated to Nym13 for inspiring me to write a chapter today. Thanks! :)

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and other recognizable characters sprung from the extraordinary mind of JK Rowling. And Katherine McPhee owns the song :) REally great song if you ask me.

You set it again my heart's in motion

Every word feels like a shooting star

I'm at the edge of my emotions

Watching the shadows fading in the dark

And I'm in love

And I'm terrified

For the first time and the last time

In my only life

~Terrified, Katharine McPhee

Scared.

That's the only thing Hermione could describe what she was feeling right now. She was now sitting inside her room; cheeks still flushed from the snow—and from what had happened with Harry outside. "Oh my," was the only thing she could say as she collapsed on her bed. They almost kissed. She and Harry. She and Harry—her best friend. As she replayed what happened, she grew more scared. She wasn't scared that the almost kiss would ruin her friendship with Harry—no, there friendship was stronger for that. However, she felt scared because of what that almost kiss made her feel. She closed her eyes and remembered the emotions she felt at that time: a combination of joy, excitement, longing and… something that she can't put her finger on. And that something scares the living daylights out of her. That emotion topped even the emotion she felt when she found out that she got the highest mark in their first term examinations. She tried to remember when she had ever felt that kind of emotion…

Then a wild thought occurred to her. Something she had never thought before

Was she feeling love?

Was she in love with Harry Potter?

Her thoughts were disturbed when she heard a knock on her door.

"Mione?" Harry's voice asked. "May I come in?"

"Yeah," Hermione said, immediately sitting up. Harry entered, looking as flushed as she is. His hair was sticking out in different places, caused by his hat. Hermione absentmindedly stared at Harry and thought that he looked… handsome… His bright green eyes were captivating… And his unruly hair just makes her want to run her fingers through it…

"Err… Mione? Why are you staring at me like that?"

Hermione looked away, blushing and said, "Uhm, sorry. What did you want Harry?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably. He took a seat on a chair and said, "About earlier Hermione… I…err want to apologize—"

"No worries Harry. Apology accepted. That almost kiss was… silly," Hermione said, smiling. However, she could've sworn her heart was aching as she said this.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. "Whew. I'm really sorry for that Mione. I guess I just got carried away," he said, "And I'm just really worried that it would ruin our friendship."

Hermione looked at him and put her hand on his. "Look Harry. You're my best friend. Even if we only know each other for about a year, our friendship is strong. Things like this won't ruin our friendship," she said and squeezed his hand. Harry smiled at her and she forced a smile back.

A knock on the door made them separated. "Come in," Hermione said. Cassie's blonde head poked inside Hermione's room. "Hey guys! You won't mind if I take Hermione away for a few minutes do you Harry?" she asked. Harry shook his head and smiled. Cassie went inside and grabbed Hermione outside playfully and led her to the living room.

"Cassie, what's up?" Hermione asked. Cassie took a deep breath before answering, "Well, you know that the wedding's gonna be next week right? And I know it's pretty short notice and I'm not sure if you'll like it but… will you be my maid of honor?"

Hermione's jaw quickly dropped and it took her a moment to answer, "Umm… Really? Why? I mean it's not that I don't want to but—"

Cassie laughed and said, "I know that Hermione… It's just, my sister Luna should be the maid of honor but she went with the Longbottoms in the trip to the Caribbean. As much as she wanted to be home before the wedding, there isn't enough time for her to make the ceremony. Since I think of you as my sister, I want you to be my maid of honor."

Hermione was still surprise with Cassie's offer but she managed a small nod. "Thank you so much Hermione!" Cassie squealed and hugged the brunette. Then she launched to a very long and detailed list of the things Hermione needs for the wedding: the lavender dress, silver shoes, hair appointments—the list goes on. Momentarily, Hermione forgot all her mixed feelings and focused on the fact that she will be Cassie's maid of honor.

However at lunch, when Hermione saw Harry, those feelings went flooding back inside her. Harry gave her a small smile and sat beside her. She felt her heart skipped a beat when his arm brushed against her.

I'm being silly, Hermione thought. She focused on her food, but she still can't get her thoughts in order.

Lunch was served by Lily and Mrs. Figgs. As they ate, Cassie announced to the Potters that Hermione would be replacing Luna as her maid of honor. Everyone seemed excited about it, especially Lily.

"That's great Cassie! How about we take the afternoon to get Hermione the dress, the shoes and to tell her all about the wedding?" Lily suggested.

"That's a great idea Lily! What do you think Hermione?" Cassie asked Hermione. Hermione wasn't able to answer, because she was picking on her food absentmindedly.

"Hermione? Are you alright?" Harry asked, touching her arm worriedly. Hermione felt a jolt inside her body the moment Harry touched her. Unintentionally, she flinched from his touch. Harry was surprised as he drew his hand back and asked again, "You alright?"

"Yeah…. You just surprised me, that's all," Hermione laughed nervously. Desperate to change the conversation, she agreed to shop for the dress and shoes that afternoon.

So that afternoon, Lily, Cassie and Hermione set off to town. As they rode the car, Hermione was still thinking about everything she felt about Harry today. Lily noticed Hermione's worried look so she said, "I know you said you're alright Hermione, but you really don't look like you're fine." Hermione sighed and said, "I know Mrs. Potter. It's just…" She trailed off, debating whether to tell Mrs. Potter and Cassie what her problem was. "You know you can tell us anything Hermione," Cassie assured.

Maybe it's for the best, she thought. Maybe they could really help her. She breathed deeply before asking, "How do you know you're in love with someone?"

The question hung in the air, as Lily and Cassie shared a knowing look that Hermione missed.

"You're in love with someone when he's the only one you think about. When you feel butterflies in your stomach, just by seeing him or his smile. You're in love when he's the only one who can brighten your day, when he's the only one who could make the best out of the worst situations. You're in love when your heart beats faster when he's around," Cassie said, smiling.

"You're in love when you'll do anything for him, even if how silly or absurd it is. You're in love when you feel happy to be with him. You're in love when you know everything about him and he knows everything about you. And most especially, you're in love with him when you feel like he's the best thing that happened in your life, and when he means the world to you," Lily said, "And you can say that you're in love, when you feel scared. So scared because of how strong you feel for him—like if he disappear, a huge part of you disappears too."

Hermione sat there, speechless. Every word hit home.

And in that moment, you can say that Hermione Granger had a realization. In that moment, Hermione Jean Granger realized that she was in love. In love with Harry James Potter, her best friend.

And that thought scared her.