Harry was sat by the window ledge quietly as the fire in the boys common room glowed brightly; its warmth filling the room making it cosy and comfortable. He remembered his younger years, of the first year he spent at Hogwarts learning to become a wizard in his own right. First stepping into the large pillared halls of Hogwarts as a mere first year, here he was in his third year, becoming a further educated wizard and truly embracing his magical gifts. It as a cold cloudy day; light snow fell from the sky making it slightly chilly but not freezing. A light frost covered the windows, ground and castle but not yet cold enough to need scarves or thick coats; but most certainly a jumper. Here he felt cared for, loved, accepted, compared to the isolation and loneliness he had known during his youth before he found Hogwarts. His family still resented him to a degree but now they were more wary of his magical gifts and treated him with less neglectful care. But now he had a different family, surrogate, adopted and his godfather Sirius. He had more love in his life than he had ever expected, even realising that he had developed feelings for someone whom he never thought possible. Romance and dating wasn't uncommon at Hogwarts, in fact many of the teachers were aware and encouraged it. Teenagers and first crushes, feelings and changes were something that occurred naturally between students. Love letters, love potions, spells and the likes, all of them were commonplace at Hogwarts. However, they also assured that dating didn't cloud judgement and also made strict instructions that lessons and studies were prioritized as much as dating. However, Snape was the sternest of teachers when it came to flirting and dating in his classroom, unashamed to embarrass and tease students for being disruptive and immature in his classes. However, affections, romance and love still resided in the minds of students, some were simply better at hiding it than others. Subtly showing gestures of affection without ever being caught, like a secret coded message of affection.
He had been thinking a lot about his relationship to Hermione lately; they were labelled as "Friends" and they had started off that way...but as they had matured those feelings had changed greatly. She was his rock, she was his confidant, supporting him through every hardship and conflict he faced, acting as his moral compass. She was labelled the brightest witch of her generation for a reason, though Ron harboured resentment and jealousy towards her talents, often acting childishly. Harry always reminded Hermione of how brilliant she was, of how she belonged here as much as anyone. Hermione was still a bookworm, the voice of reason, smartest one in the group and always able to outsmart others. However since their childhood she had changed a lot since then; in many ways. Her cute, sweet face had become more shapely with rosy cheeks, perky lips, long eyelashes, good cheekbones and alluring dark brown eyes. Her body had become more curvy, well toned and well built. She was a beautiful woman with a smile that made his heart race. Thinking about her made his heart race even now; warm and fluttering like a bird. It was both painful and wonderful at the same time and he never wanted this feeling to end. The way she kept him grounded, how she encouraged him to keep trying, to never give up. How she wasn't afraid to confront him when he was behaving like an ass, how no matter how ridiculous a story she always believed him. How she always gave him the warmest hugs that literally knocked him off his feet. However he was scared to tell her these feelings; scared of what would happen and how she would react.
There were plenty of friendships that blossomed into romance, over time feelings for one another changed, the once platonic affection you shared with someone became something more. The way you looked at your friend became different, things changed and you became lovers. Becoming more precious, more special and more important to you than previously believed, a deeper love than you thought capable. Hermione had always supported him, always been loyal to him and was the first person to run to his defence, acting as his shield. It felt like the classic storybook ending, the kind most children read about before they went to bed, which should have made this easy. Why shouldn't they be together? What was stopping him from confessing? Well, everything. One the one hand she would probably think him weird, sweet and adorable; playing a joke on her and laugh it off. Their friendship would remain and his love would never be requited forever stuck in this sadness and try to forget her (if he could). Rejection and heartache came hand in hand with teenage romances, wasn't that what people were always telling them? That sometimes you loved someone only to realise they would never love you in return. Hermione had a passionate soul and a temper to be feared, to be on the wrong side of Hermione would leave you wary of her. Malfoy had been on the recieving end of her threats and rage on more than one occasion. On the other hand she would become angry, upset and insulted. Calling it indecent that he profess his love when she was with Ron. Their friendship would be dented; she would avoid him until they had an argument and later forgot it and got on with their lives (which he hoped would never happen). But...on the rare exception that he wished, hoped and dreamed for; Hermione would be blown away, shy, shocked and embarrassed. But she would also be joyful, emotional and accepting...and hopefully accept his love. He sighed heavily removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger. He was a fool; but a fool in love with his best friend; his brave, intelligent and beautiful best friend.
"Harry, are you ok?" a concerned voice said cautiously from beside him. It sounded familiar but he wasn't sure of who it belonged to. He'd been so spaced out for the longest time, trapped in his own thoughts that he had been ignorant of the world around him briefly. Time slipping through his fingers. Wondering what time it was and how long he had been watching the world pass by from his window.
Harry quickly placed his glasses back on his face; his blurry vision returned normal and he saw that Neville was standing beside him. Wondering how long he had been present, watching over his shoulder and acknowledging his reflective mood. As foolish and clumsy as Neville could be, he had a heart of gold and wasn't a fool by any means. He was a loyal friend if not somewhat bookish like Hermione and reserved, often hiding his feelings out of fear of being harassed. "Just thinking Neville; just thinking" Harry sighed heavily in a frustrated tone. His heart and mind were so full of her it was driving him insane. He had a habit of snapping people when angry and often venting his feelings onto them, he wouldn't do that to Neville. He was too kind, he had been bullied for long enough as a student. He wouldn't show such cruelty to him, he would rather restrain his frustration and let it bubble inside of him. Working through his feelings on his own terms. No matter how much he cared about Hermione, blaming someone else for his own cowardice wasn't something he would ever allow himself to do.
Neville gave him a sympathetic look and sat down beside him; he cared a lot about Harry; he was the first friend he had made when he started Hogwarts. Even now Harry had still remained his friend even if Ron and Hermione were his closest. "You're in love aren't you?" Neville said firmly in a slightly teasing tone. He had his suspicions for a while but now he was completely sure. He had been distant, lost in thought a lot; he seemed to have something/someone on his mind 24/7. He was always sighing and many times had he spotted Harry watching that person from afar. He always seemed forlorn or lovelorn; sometimes even in pain his face even showing it. He had felt love himself many times, he had seen the same dazed lovestruck expression on many faces before and he had come to recognise it. Harry always wore a beaming smile around Hermione, so bright and warm and full of love. Drawn to each other on numerous occasions.
Harry chuckled in amusement; it seemed Neville wasn't as simple as he always seemed. He would have to watch his back. "Guess you got me" Harry joked bitterly; he was hurting inside so he would sound cruel. He didn't mean to sound like a jerk; he didn't want to upset anyone with his outbursts. He was just so lost, confused and angry; he wanted to say those words to her so much but it seemed almost impossible. He knew one day he would experience these complications just not now; and not with someone who belonged to someone else. It was tearing him apart inside and it felt like a knife stabbing him again and again in the heart. Usually if people were cruel, harsh or mean to them Neville would get upset and say something spiteful back. However he could understand how Harry was feeling; he had deep romantic feelings for a person who he felt he could never have. He didn't want to hurt anyone, especially not Ron, who had always been like a brother to him. They were always together, rarely seen apart, trusted confidants and best friends. The Weasley family pretty much adopted him and took him in as their own, something he would never forget. He knew Ron loved Hermione, he had since their second year. Nobody surprised by their relationship and yet finding them the oddest couple. Yet he and Hermione shared a connection that couldn't be denied, everyone around them could see it.
"It's Hermione isn't it" Neville said bluntly in a solemn tone. It wasn't hard to guess they had known each other for some time and even other students had mistaken them for a couple. But they really did make an amazing pair. Many of the teachers conversed on how they resembled Harry's late parents, Lilly and James Potter, two of the brightest of their generation in Witchcraft and Wizardry. They complimented one another so perfectly, it was as though they were soulmates. Harry went quiet his expression hurt yet longing; he had loved her for such a long time; and so deeply. Yet he was so scared and confused about how things would turn out and how it would affect everyone else. Neville sighed heavily; he wasn't blind to Harry's problems; Hermione and Ron had just started dating but he wasn't blind to their dysfunctional relationship filled with arguments, petty squabbles and relentless jealousy on Ron's half. Ron often compared himself to Hermione and blamed her for his own failures, responding childishly and becoming jealous of anyone who showed her the slightest bit of attention. Instead of praising Hermione for her gifts and trusting her decisions, he often got annoyed when she excelled better than him or insulted her when she achieved more than him. However Harry loved her relentlessly while respecting her relationship with Ron. He was mature about it while rejecting the pain in his heart. He could never tell Ron this as it would tear him apart. He had known them both since they were first years, an inseparable trio of young wizards and a witch with a strong bond. Harry was in so many ways the perfect guy for her and everyone could see it. "Listen Harry I know this is weird coming from a nerdy, cowardly, small and very nerdy guy who can't even tell the girl he loves he likes her; but you need to tell her how you feel" Neville said firmly with a caring tone.
"But...She is...what if...our friendship" Harry stammered anxiously. He so badly wanted to be with her yet his heart was so full of complex emotions. What if this changed things forever, what if he ruined their friendship? Would Ron ever talk to him again for this? What if they fell apart? What if he hated him? What if Hermione didn't even feel the same way? He didn't want to lose the two closest people to him, it would break him.
"You'll never know unless you try; and despite you believing she will say NO, she may actually be feeling the same way?" Neville asked sharply. Harry was as deserving of love as anyone, after the rejection of Cho Chang, many failed crushes on girls. Harry had a strong and loyal heart that earned devotion and loyalty from others. Harry was a kind person who loved his friends like a family; he stood up for others and protected those close to him. However his kindness often stood in the way of his own happiness which worried his friends greatly. However when it came to love Harry was perfect due to his kindness; he would never cheat, never start petty arguments, would deeply trust and respect that person; while treating them like no other in other words a treasure. Many girls crushed on Harry but were too shy to approach or believed he was with Hermione.
Harry was both stunned and surprised at receiving such wise words from Neville; he really had matured somewhat since they were kids. It was rather admirable. He knew he was right and these feelings would only accumulate, repressing and denying them would only make matters worse. Eventually he got to his feet; grabbed his scarf and ran towards the doorway; he knew what he had to do no matter what the consequences. He turned to Neville before leaving "tell Hermione to meet me in the courtyard in 20 minutes" he said quickly and shut the door behind him. If she showed, if nothing came of it, at least he would have had the courage to try and change things, to confront his feelings and be honest with her. Neville sat where he was for a short time then smiled admirably; he felt good about being able to give Harry confidence and hoped things went well. Due to his neglectful home life, Harry had often felt a sense of conflict in identity and his own self worth. Being compared to his cousin and undermined by his family constantly, as if he was unworthy of affection. But perhaps now he could finally find the love he was worthy of all along, wanting to help his friend along the road to love. Eventually he got to his feet and headed in the direction of the girls common room, smiling mischievously.