Harry flipped the coin in his hand, dubiousness painted on his face. "Are you sure these'll work?"
"I'm certain," Hermione assured him. "These will let the DA know when there's a meeting."
"But what if Umbridge finds it?"
"It'll appear as a normal Galleon," she said confidently. "The numbers engraved on the top where the year is supposed to go will change accordingly and she'll never see the difference."
Harry looked at the coin. And then back at her, a broad grin blooming on his face. "You're brilliant, Hermione," he said truthfully, reveling in the way her cheeks flushed pink at his praise.
"Oh it's nothing," she replied dismissively, waving her hand for emphasis. "It took me ages to find the charm, but there's nothing the library can't solve."
"Doesn't matter," he said, his heart bursting. And then, he added, "Ron's one lucky bloke."
Hermione choked, the pink darkening to red on her face. "W-What?"
"You do know he loves you, right?" he said idly, secretly feeling a surge of pleasure. "He's been head over heels in love with you since you met."
"That's-that's impossible," she spluttered. "We barely knew each other and he always made fun of me!"
"Don't you know boys, Hermione?" Harry stopped fiddling with the coin and gazed straight into her eyes. "It was Ron's immature way of conveying that he liked you - and his anger at you being Krum's date to the Yule Ball - that was jealousy. He needs to improve his methods, if you ask me."
Hermione was struck speechless. Could-could it be true? Her mind said no, but her heart said yes. Harry wouldn't ever lie to her - would he?
"Well," she said faintly, "I suppose it could be true, but I don't think that's enough evidence. Goodnight."
And before Harry could protest, she was hurrying off to the girls' dorms.
"You can come out now," he said to an empty patch of air behind him.
And Ron emerged from under the Invisibility Cloak, pink-faced and slightly disappointed.
"At least she's open to the possibility of you loving her," Harry said before Ron could say anything. "It planted some doubt in her mind. I hope she comes around."
"Me too."
367 words
Garage Sale - 11. Coin