Harry sniffed along the floor, oblivious to the hand reaching to pick him up. He yowled his displeasure, claws stretched to rake them down whoever's face had dared interrupt his exploring. Delicate, familiar fingers rubbed his head as the free hand of his favourite human placed him in her lap.
"I've missed you, my favourite Shadow," Hermione whispered, shutting the book and dropping it in the overflowing satchel at her feet. Sensing her sadness, he stretched, kneading her lap, stopping when he saw her face. Climbing up, he nuzzled her chin and cheeks, trying to dry the damp tear tracks. She laughed wetly.
"You always seem to know when you're needed, don't you," she said quietly, as she stroked his silky fur. His meow of reply gave her the courage to speak. "Today was one of those days where I wish my parents lived closer than Hampstead," she sighed. "Some Ravenclaws— third years I think, cornered me after Charms this afternoon, demanding that I stop 'taking all his free time' so that they could have a chance with him. I mean, they're intelligent and really pretty too," she said in a depreciating tone. "According to Malfoy, I'm just a buck-toothed beaver," she finished, voice low. Shadow meowed angrily, leaping off her lap in a blur as if he intended to go after Malfoy right then for hurting his human! He skittered across the floor hissing and yowling the whole way, causing Hermione to giggle.
"Come back here, you naughty little cat," she commanded bossily, trying to hold in her laughter. He huffed human-like at being told he couldn't go scratch the fur off the Ferret. He reluctantly turned back to resume his spot by Hermione, but he dragged his paws. He finally leapt back up and settled himself on the chair arm, a thought occurring to him. As much as I enjoy exploring the castle, being with my best friend outweighs exploring— even if it is in my cat form. Oooo scratches— I mean being in her lap is the best. He purred contentedly.
"You listen so well," she cooed, scratching his ears, "unlike a certain glasses-wearing wizard." Shadow arched in annoyance, startling Hermione. He quickly nuzzled her hand, showing he wasn't upset, which encouraged her to keep talking. She inhaled deeply, beginning to speak, nerves evident in her voice.
"I'm so conflicted, Shadow. I know I'm only his friend, but lately, when I'm around him, I have this awful case of nerves. My-my mouth goes dry, my hands shake…" she trailed off, suddenly embarrassed. He rolled over, looking at her, eyes blinking slowly. She smiled wanly, scratching his chin. "I've written Mum for advice, but she hasn't sent a reply yet," she fretted, shifting in the chair to relieve the numbness in her legs. Doing this caused her furry companion to fall, sending him scrambling and mewling in protest, snagging his claws in her stockinged thighs to keep from tumbling onto the floor. "Ouch!" she winced, settling him back in her lap once she removed his sharp talons from her thighs. "I'm sorry I startled you, sweet boy," she cooed, being the tenderhearted witch she was.
The cat licked her hand briefly, stretching his long legs out again.
"My dream is to be… not just his best friend. He sees me for who I am, and doesn't care what my outward appearance is like, just how my Daddy treats Mum," she said, smiling wistfully. She fingered the delicate chain around her neck before continuing. "If he doesn't return my affections, I'd lose my best friend!" she whimpered, sitting forward anxiously, careful not to spill the cat again. He remained quiet, content to let his human spill her worries.
She twisted a loose curl around her finger that had worked free from her haphazard bun. "If Harry did know, I think I'd go straight to Professor McGonagall and ask to be expelled," she groaned in frustration. "Being expelled is not as bad as having a crush on your best friend and him not feeling the same way," she grumbled. Shadow meowed boredly and twisted himself in her lap to play with his tail, batting at it and trying to bite it.
"So sorry if I'm boring you, Shadow," she said sardonically. His ears twitched, but he was too enthralled by his tail to do anything. "But if I don't back off, they'll corner me again; and if I just break off my friendship with him, he'd be hurt terribly and I couldn't bear to do that to him!" she finished, throwing her hands up in the air frustratingly, tears evident in her voice. She glanced into the dying embers, desperately wishing she could talk with the person who so occupied her thoughts— thoughts so loud that she missed the faint pop.
"Well, Miss Granger, no one can nor will run me off," he reassured her, voice drifting up from her lap.
"That's nice, Harry, but you don't under— Harry James Potter!" she gasped.
"Yes?" Harry turned to look at her from his cramped position in her lap, her face a mixture of shock, anger, and confusion.
"I… you… how?" she stammered.
"Well first of all, because you needed me; secondly, because you can't get rid of me that easily, he smirked, "and thirdly because I wanted to be here for you." He twisted to face her better but fell out of the chair as Hermione stood abruptly, putting a bit of distance between them.
"Explain. Now," glaring down at him, huffing when he had the audacity to smile at her in the same manner his father did when trying to escape trouble with his Mum.
"Short version? I'm an Animagus. I like to explore, but I like spending time with you more. You're my best friend— but you're not the only one who's nervous about...about feeling more," he said sheepishly.
"You...you mean…" Hermione started as Harry regained his footing.
"I mean, I have a difficult time even thinking straight when we're together, yet when you're gone I can hardly stand it. Sure, I play Quidditch to occupy myself when you're busy, but it's a bad job," he rambled.
Hermione smiled, cheeks flushed prettily.
"I became an Animagus to have fun and explore, and bond with my Dad and Padfoot. Out of all of those things, though, most of all I enjoy being curled up as Shadow in your lap— sorry for the scratches by the way— hearing you talk, and I'd do it all again for you, even if you never figured out it was me." He stepped closer slowly, so as not to scare her. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear, caressing her cheek in the same motion. "Unlike a certain dog Animagus we both know," he smirked, "I think I understand what it means. I think, Hermione Granger, that I'm falling in love with you, and there's no place I'd rather be."
He leaned in, giving her every chance to back away. When she didn't, he pressed his lips gently to hers, his free hand settling at the small of her back, holding her close. A few moments passed before she returned his ministrations, then withdrew reluctantly, whimpering when her lips left his. They took deep breaths in sync, each trying to process their first kiss.
"Don't think this means I'm not mad at you… or that you will get away without teaching me to be an Animagus, either, Harry James," she said primly. "Because I am and you will."