Author's Notes: This is my second attempt at a one-shot. Any feedback/follows/favourites are greatly appreciated! Lines and excerpts from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or at least I wished to. That privilege goes to the queen herself, J.K. Rowling. Just this fanfic, I guess. Enjoy!

An Epiphany

by DarthPotter08

"Potter! Weasley! Will you just pay attention?!" Professor McGonagall exclamation rang through the classroom, obviously irritated at the two Gryffindors.

But they did not. Well, not yet.

Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley were laughing (albeit silently) and goofing off with one Seamus Finnegan about fellow Eloise Midgen and her looks. You see, it was the end of the lesson; the strict Scottish professor had just taught them Cross-Switching Species, as seen from their less-than-successful attempts at transforming guinea fowls into guinea pigs.

As McGonagall droned on and on, she finally came to a stop. An excruciating stop. The room was into silent mode until excited sighs and murmurs cracked like a whip. The girls giggled, and the guys groaned, and Harry's heart stopped. She had just made an announcement. The announcement?

"The Yule Ball is approaching: a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish..."

Harry moaned loudly (A/N: *wink*); so that's why they needed dress robes. Many girls looked wantonly at him, even Ginny, and he inwardly lurched. He gagged at the sight of it all. He knew that these girls wanted him for his fame... and money, especially his involvement in the Triwizard Tournament.

"...and the Ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall..."

The green-eyed boy particularly didn't listen, as he pondered over his choices on who to take for the ball. Ginny? Apparently not over with her crush so... No! Parvati! Beautiful yet gossiper? No! Lavender? Even worse! Heck no!

As the list got on and on, he was left with two choices; Cho and... Hermione?!

Nevermind. Back to topic. Cho was incredibly beautiful with her big breasts and tight bum, despite her infamous behaviour in Ravenclaw. The Asian looked like one of those Chinese empresses or something. She was his crush, after all. Many boys wanted her, though. So that was a problem. And, if he does ask her, what would they say? It's not like they were close or anything - the only thing they had in common was quidditch! Plus, she was not a Puddlemere fan. So, sorry, that's a big no-no.

He mentally crossed the line containing Cho Chang and proceeded to the next name. Hermione Granger. She was a problem. No, not in the wrong way. He pondered over that thought. Hermione is strong (punching Malfoy in the face), intelligent ("Brightest Witch of the Age" for nothing!) and a bit... beautiful.

Harry was surprised that he made that realization. It was like an epiphany of sorts. His mind wandered through that fateful night last year. The one where they saved Sirius.

"Saving your life!"

As the brunette made a decision, she howled into the night, eliciting the attention of one particular werewolf. This was wise though, as it ultimately saved past Harry from being ripped and smashed into pieces. Also maybe saving him from being bit and becoming a lycanthrope himself.

"Thanks."

But Harry and Hermione frowned as the Remus-Lupin-now-werewolf came running down the hill, breaking twigs as he scoured the Forbidden Forest for the source of the sound. And it growled when it had seen the pair, currently lounging under an oak tree.

The couple, seeing the now distressed creature, stood up frantically.

"Oh, great! Now it's coming for us," the black-haired wizard remarked.

"Yeah, didn't think about that, RUN!" she replied, quickly.

Harry and Hermione made a mad dash for the trees, going deeper and deeper into the dark and dangerous forest while the werewolf mewled and howled whilst following their scent. The increasing tension was agonising.

The Boy-Who-Lived tripped on a thick root, while Hermione immediately helped him get up. They knew that it was getting near and hid behind a tree, their arms unknowingly wrapped around each other.

The mass of fur sniffed and pounced on them. Hermione whimpered and screamed while Harry instinctively protected her from the impending impact. Fortunately, Buckbeak, the oh so loyal hippogriff, was there to save the day and kept the big bad wolf away.

His hands were almost touching her breasts, his grip tightening. But Hermione didn't notice. Or just that he couldn't see the blushes in her face. She looked like an adorable tomato.

"That was so scary," Hermione muttered in his T-shirt, her damp eyes slightly wettening his jumper.

Harry agreed, his arms still hugging her petite frame. As they separated slowly, he could make out her features lit in the moonlight. It was ethereal. Her lively chocolate eyes staring right into green, her cheeks reddening and "uncontrollable" hair waved into the light breeze. At that moment, Harry could see her inner and outer beauty. She had this kind and inquisitive nature, and her good looks too. He honestly got lost in the moment, and... her too.

But his thoughts have been interrupted as he recognized the telltale cold of a dementor, and he knew exactly where they were heading;

"Sirius!"

He smirked inwardly, Hermione it is.

"But that does not mean," McGonagall paused, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."

The bell rang, and the students scrambled to their dorms, all but one.

"Potter! A word if you please," the brusque transfiguration teacher called. He gloomily marched over to the teacher's desk.

As the classroom emptied, McGonagall abruptly said, "Potter, the champions and their partners-"

Fearing for the worst, he quickly retorted, "What partners?"

The professor shot him a cold and calculating look. "Your partners for the Yule Ball." She quickly added, "Your dance partners."

The wizard shot off a tirade, explaining that he "does not dance" and all that crap. His insides were squirming until he remembered his musing not a minute ago.

"Oh yes, you do..." said McGonagall sternly and irritably. "...That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball."

But, he could ask Hermione. Yes! This was his chance. He was nervous, thinking of ways that he might impress her, after all, the great Hermione Granger deserves to be swept off her feet, considering how many times they had saved each others' asses these past three years.

He suddenly imagined his future, and it was always, always Hermione at his side. Without her, he might as well be dead.

Harry finally understood that he liked her. And, judging by the signs and unnoticed blushing, she may like her too. It was a huge revelation.

"You are a Hogwarts champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative of this school. So make sure you get yourself a partner, Potter. No excuses," she said with finality.

"Prof-"

"If you shall not, then I will pick your dance partner. As your Head of House-"

"No! Wait, Professor!" he stated, surprising the Transfiguration mistress.

"Oh?" She raised a brow that was almost impossibly to her forehead. "Do tell, Mr Potter."

Harry sputtered under the gaze of Minerva McGonagall. She was about to tell him off when he said quietly, "Hermione."

Her face brightened at her answer. Her favourite student was a perfect candidate for Mr Potter here, plus they are good friends - no, best friends!

The teacher finally gave him permission in leaving the room, which he was eternally grateful for. One, for he was glad he was out of there. Two, to find Hermione and... to ask her out. He ran to the Library, passing through whispering and sniggering girls. He was annoyed. But he could understand it. He was the Boy-Who-Lived, beaten a Hungarian Horntail, and popular quidditch player. Who could not?

But his concern was one and only - inviting and hopefully earn the affection of one Hermione Granger.

And that one Hermione Granger was currently reading in her domain, her heaven, her holy place - the Library. The smell of big tomes, of parchment, and the overall homely atmosphere gently soothed her and calmed her nerves. It was peaceful, and the only other sound was the footsteps and slight squeaking of Madam Pince's shoes as she prowled along the aisles, looking for any disturbers and troublemakers. It was quite a menacing sight.

While reading the Basic Hexes for the Busy and Vexed, she couldn't help but contemplate about her "best friend" turned 'crush". Hey! Not Ron! Harry! She admitted to, well, herself that she liked Harry, loved even - after their heart-stopping and bone-chilling ride on Buckbeak, on which her hands held his chest ever so tightly and looking into those gorgeous, vibrant emerald eyes. It was a thrill and a curse back then. A thrill because she was with Harry, a curse because they were 7 stories high. She never really did face her acrophobia. Let's not forget that majestic Patronus!

And atop of all that, her Harry had to face a freaking dragon. A bloody dragon! She tried not to faint just by talking of it. She was scared for his life watching his tiny figure zipping through the skies in a bloody broom, narrowly escaping the spiked tail of the horntail. She was set to finally kiss the young man after the First task when Ron showed up. Curse this bloody tournament! Great timing, by the way!

He mumbled some half-hearted apology, but Harry still forgave him. She sighed.

But, on the bright side, because of this Triwizard, she and Harry were as closer than ever, she never even asked his permission to help him, she just did it. The hours spent on training and preparing Harry (alone) was some of the happiest memories of Hogwarts shed ever experienced. Aside from sitting in this library, of course.

Then, a bang shot out of the cathedral-like chamber, the grumpy librarian ran through the source of the sound, angrily stomping on her feet. She too did the same. Until she realized who it was.

It was Harry. With a grimace on his face, he dusted himself and was instantly scolded by Pince, on which he gave a simple "sorry" and after a warning, the woman was away.

She started the conversation first. "So, Harry, what did Professor McGonagall ask you to stay behind for? Not something stupid or dangerous, I presume?"

Harry smiled bashfully and said, "Well, since I am a champion..." He puffed his chest out for emphasis, "... and representing Gryffindor, I need to have a date."

He added, "And I've found the perfect one! She's the most beautiful witch in Hogwarts, in my opinion-"

Hermione's heart plummeted. She knew it. He'd ask that veela, or worse that Cho Chang! Until he said...

"Willyugotodaballwimie?"

"Pardon?" she said with a bit of confusion and hope and Harry cleared his voice.

"Um, Hermione Jane Granger, d'you - um, do you want to go to the ball with me?"

An eerie silence ensued.

When her heart plummeted just seconds ago, it soared. To impossibly high levels. It went from despair to elation. Did he really think she was beautiful?

To that, Hermione shouted gleefully.

"Yes! I mean, yes, Harry, I'd like to go to the ball with you," her cheeks reddening.

Harry jumped with joy and quickly hugged and spun Hermione, the latter giggling as he'd done so.

The first thing she said was, "W-why m-me, Harry?" And the answer he gave blew her mind.

"Um, I've been thinking what I want in life - or my plans for the future, even. And, when I look at my future, I'm always at your side. You're always there to help me - and the only person who had cared for me. Every happy memory here at school always have you, with me. And, um, I-I, Merlin, I think I'm falling for you, Hermione."

When he said that, all trains of thought stopped moving in the witch's brain. She may be smart but she never expected this.

And, out of instinct, she moved closer, and closer, and closer to his lips. Those rough lips. Their hot breaths intermingled with one another, feeling each other. And, finally, they kissed. Without a care in the world. Sure, not in a romantic setting but it was perfect all the same.

It was a chaste and slightly short kiss, and it changed their relationship for the better.

"So, d'you want to be my girlfriend?"

Hermione silenced all doubts by peppering kisses over her new boyfriend's face.

December 25, 1994

Harry Potter, in his enchanting emerald green dress robes, waited down the stairs of the Great Hall to await his date - err, girlfriend.

Overall, the reception to their newfound love was surprisingly well, especially with Ron. Bar the Slytherins and those single witches. Ginny was a tad bit disheartened and heartbroken, but she finally grew out of her childhood crush and made a new relationship - with Neville Longbottom that is.

When the Yule Ball was about to start, he heard many gasps and whispering among both the students of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. There was a girl - no, a gorgeous woman descending down the Grand Staircase. His breath hitched as he struggled to breathe when he realized who it was.

It was Hermione. But not the Hermione you know. It was a goddess with sleek, wavy hair clad in an elegant periwinkle blue gown. And with slight make-up on. A literal definition of a goddess. According to Harry, at least.

"H-Hi Hermione."

She gave him a sweet kiss amongst the disbelieving and shocked crowd and they latched their arms together, waiting for their turn to enter the limelight.

When their names were called, Harry gave her a simple "I love you."

And to his surprise, she replied with an "I love you too."

Fighting tears, they smiled and kissed before walking towards the entrance, smiles etched on their faces as they entered the highly-decorated Great Hall.

The pair saw many old and new faces, and they danced, laughed, and kissed, seemingly lost as they held each other up to the Ball's conclusion at midnight.

It was a perfect night because he was there with Hermione at his side.

Harry was infinitely glad that he made that decision all those months ago, or else he wouldn't have his loyal girlfriend at his side. And, because of it, he intends to make her his in the near future. Besides the threat of Voldemort, life was good.

And it was all because of an epiphany.

The End

Author's Notes: Your welcome ;) I love Harry and Hermione in this story, they're so sweet. Originally I wanted this to be a full-on fanfiction, but I decided against it due to life butting in. Sorry... but hey, we got a simple and sweet story. And that's enough for me at least. So g'bye and thank you for reading!

PS; Thanks for the reviews and edits!

-DarthPotter08