Chapter 11- Harry/Hermione, Courage

He watched as she spun around the floor with Ron, laughing and smiling, and his heart broke. Everyone said he had plenty of courage. He vanquished Voldemort after all. When it came to matters of the heart, Harry was a big, bumbling idiot. He wish he had the courage to tell her that he loved her. That he had loved her since first year when he didn't quite understand it, but of course, his best friend got there first. They were happy. Harry wasn't going to ruin that, he thought bitterly.

Just when he thought he couldn't take them dancing anymore, Ron was right in front of him.

"Want to take over for me, mate? I'm starving." Ron pleaded with him, and Harry sighed, knowing his friend deserved at least this one favor, having such a horrible friend as this.

"Yeah, 'course I will." He walked over to where she stood, beautiful in her wedding dress. Her face lit up when she saw him, and he almost turned around, not courageous enough to dance with her.

"Harry!" she cried happily. "Come dance!" He smiled sadly, knowing he couldn't deny a request from her. "How are you, 'Mione?" he asked as he took her hand.

"I'm great, Harry," she laughed. "Whatever happened to Ginny?" Hermione frowned.

"She went home. Complained her feet hurt."

"How are things with Ginny?" she asked as they twirled.

"We're just friends, Hermione." Hermione blushed and looked away.

"Oh. I thought..." she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

"You and the rest of the wizarding world," Harry finished bitterly. They danced in silence for a few minutes after that. It's now or never, he thought. Got to pluck up my courage, give it all I got.

"Hermione?" he began.

"Yes, Harry?"

"I love you. I've loved you since first year, and I still do. I know that you have Ron and-"

He was interrupted by a kiss on the cheek. "I know."

"You do?" Harry asked, stunned.

"Of course, I'm not blind. I was going to tell you in sixth year, but then you and Ginny started having a thing, and Ron was there, and well...you never told me Harry." Hermione's eyes were glistening with tears he knew were threatening to spill, as his were in danger of.

"I really am an idiot," he muttered.

"Yes," she agreed, "But you are my idiot." Hermione cuddled closer to his chest and sighed. "It's you, Harry. It's always been you, but now it's too late, and I'm married. I won't break his heart. We still have this one last dance."

Harry's heart twisted in knots, but he continued to spin her around. Too soon, the song ended, and Ron was back, sandwich in hand. "Thanks Harry, I owe you one."

Hermione smiled at him, and whispered to Harry, "Take care of Ginny."

His best friend and the love of his life took off spinning around him once more, and all he wanted was the courage to have told her he loved her sooner.

AN: Eh, it's okay. I like Harry/Hermione, just not one of the ones that tickles my fancy. Kinda cute, kinda weird. I was thinking it could actually work in context though. Sort of. Dunno. Okay. Throw me some flames to heat my fireplace for the winter! :D