"…Love always, Hermione."
Hermione finished her letter to her parents. They worried about her so
far away at school, but they accepted it. She decided to walk to the Owlry alone.
It would give her some time to think. Something had been frightening her
lately. She continually seemed nervous, edgy. But she couldn't figure out what
was wrong.
The only thing she could think of was… Harry. She never thought she'd
like him. He was her best friend. But that Truth or Dare question got her
thinking. Did she really like him? Could she be hiding the truth- even from
herself? She knew she only had a minor
crush on Ron. That could never be anything more. She needed that
something more. She felt as though something were missing from her life.
Something that she needed, but she did not yet know what it was.
As she walked into the Owlry, she was so engrossed in thought she did
not see the person who was already in there. She did not notice anything as she
picked out an owl and sent it off to her parent's house. Did not notice the
eyes that had followed her for so long, as they were doing now. Did not notice
that someone else was sending a letter to their family or friends, too. She did
not notice anything but her own thoughts.
He noticed. He knew she didn't see him. He was used to it though. He
was one easily overlooked. He was not famous, like Harry, or Krum. He was not
rich, like Draco. He had nothing to offer her but himself. And he resolved to
do that. That very instant. To show her that she needed him. The real
him.
Hermione gasped and looked up. Her vision cleared, as though she had
been walking through a fog. Something had clicked, in her mind. She did not
know what, but she knew something did. She slowly turned around and surveyed
the room. There was no one there but the owls, herself, and Neville.
"Oh, hi Neville. I didn't see you there! I'm sorry. I've got to go,
though, I just remembered something important. Bye!" She said carelessly.
He knew.
Hermione rushed through the halls of Hogwarts, anxious to get back to
the Gryffindor common room. When she got there, she noticed it was mysteriously
empty. Then she realized it was dinner time. Oh, well. She thought to herself.
She could skip a meal without dying. She grabbed a nearby piece of parchment
and quickly scribbled a note.
Harry-
Meet me in the common
room at midnight. Please? It's really important.
She scrambled up the stairs to his dorm, flung open the door and
deposited the note on his bed. She turned to leave, when the door flung
open. Neville burst in, looking like he
had just run a marathon.
"Neville! What's wrong?"
"Hermione." Said Neville, with urgency in his voice that alarmed her. "You
and I… we, we need to talk."
"What? Why?"
"Because- because I want you. I need you. I- I love you, Hermione."
"Neville… You don't know me. I don't know you. Think about what you're
saying."
"It's true, Hermione. I've loved you since the day I met you and you
helped me find Trevor. Maybe I haven't always loved you like I do now, but rest
assured I do. I've grown up a lot lately, don't you think? So I'm not Krum. But, Hermione, Give me a chance? Do you realize what my parents
went through? That's what compelled me to talk to you. What if You-Know-Who
decided to come back and do to me what his supporters did to my parents? I
could never forgive myself if I lost you."
"Neville, I- I- I don't know what you want me to say."
"Then don't say anything. Just- think on it. Maybe, maybe it will come
to you, what you want to say."
Hermione turned and left the room, her face frozen in shock.
But
when your eyes say it…