Chapter 12 – It doesn't feel right

Hermione looked very startled. Before I could say anything, she turned around and left the common room. Instinctively, I followed her out of the common room. But what would I say to her. I stopped right outside the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Why did you stop?" The Fat lady asked.

"I'm not sure what to say to her. It's complicated."

"Ah! The living make everything complicated. Maybe it's not really complicated."

"You don't even know what I'm talking about."

"Mr. Potter, people talk and in Hogwarts even the portraits talk." She said cheekily.

I shook my head in disbelief. "I'll keep that in mind from next time." I told her and went inside. It's better if I go to sleep now. I'll be able to collect my thoughts better in the morning.

In the morning, when I was going to have breakfast, I saw Hermione leave out of the portrait hole. 'It's now or never', I told myself and went followed her out.

"Hermione, wait up." She stopped but didn't turn around. "Good Morning." I greeted her. I smiled at her hoping it would defuse some of the tension.

"Good Morning, Harry."

"I was hoping we could talk about last night." I said nervously.

"I think we should talk about it. First of all, I'm really sorry I took off."

"Mione, you don't have to apologise for anything. It must have been a lot to take in. Why don't we move so we can talk somewhere private?" I suggested.

She nodded and we went to an abandoned classroom on the fifth floor. I might as well just say everything while I still have the courage. "I love you. I think, I've been in love with you for a while now, I just didn't realise it soon enough. Hermione, I'm really sorry you had to find out the way you did. "

She snorted, "That was definitely not the way I wanted to find out."

"What?" Did she really say that? I could feel my spirits raise high.

"Surely, you know that I have feelings for you too, Harry. But I don't know if it's love. After the fiasco with Ron, I'm not sure if I'm in that place right now where I can let someone in and think about building a life with that someone."

I felt let down. "What you say makes sense. Maybe that's the reason I didn't tell you till now. I didn't want to pressure you into something. I didn't want to hurt you."

She put her hand on mine, "Harry, you've never hurt me. You've always been kind to me. But right now, I'm confused by the feelings I have for you. For a long time, I've had feelings for Ron and suddenly after the war I'm drawn to you. I don't understand what changed and how it changed. I need to figure it all out."

I don't understand this either. I was really tempted to tell her that she can't find logic when it comes to feelings. Sometimes, things work out. Sometimes, things don't. But I understand her need. I know she needs time to come into terms with what she's feeling now.

I hugged her. "I know. It's alright." She held on to me tightly like she never wanted to let me go. I chuckled, "It doesn't feel right, does it? With everything, that's been going on recently."

She pulled back a little, "Yes. The circumstances don't feel right. These are really confusing times. Harry, we'll continue to be friends no matter what right?"

"Do you even have to ask?"

"I want to make sure that this won't complicate things for us."

It was easier said than done. Though we decided to be friends, it was not easy. I never let her know of my inner turmoil. After a point of time, it was becoming really difficult for me to be around her and not want to kiss her. It was difficult to be just friends with her. If only love was not so tough!

That's right! three chapters on the same day! Please read and review! Your reviews - good, bad or ugly they motivate me to do better the next time!

I just want you to know that this particular story was a personal challenge to myself! I challenged myself to write chapters with less than 1000 words in it! I wanted to know if i could get a story across properly in limited words!

Thanks for reading! Enjoy!

Neepa :-)