-Thank you all for reviewing my story! I appreciate it very much! I know you have been waiting for some, well, Harry and Hermione Fluff, as some people call it, so here it is, and not for the last time either…

Chapter 7- Could This Be Love?

As Harry slowly approached the silent figure in the distance, he began to see the person sitting on the couch by the fire…waiting for him…

"Herr, Hermione?," What are you doing up so late?," Harry demanded.

"Oh, hello Harry!," Hermione squeaked.

"Ron got tired so he's already sleeping upstairs. You must be extremely tired Harry."

"How long were you waiting for me?" Harry asked looking into Hermione's tired eyes.

"It doesn't matter. I just thought I would, err, meet you here, I mean you must be really tired, aren't you?" Hermione said with questioned look on her face.

Harry thought for a second taking advantage of the silence in the room. Nothing but the cracks of the fire surrounding them was heard until finally Harry spoke again.

"Well, um, thank you Hermione, but you really should be in bed by now. It's past eleven o'clock already." Harry said as he laid his arm on the side of the couch, facing Hermione who was at the opposite end, staring back at him. Both of them stood by the fire; neither one of them said a word.

"Well… All right Harry… Sorry to bother you. Do get some sleep in though; you will need it for tomorrow. And um, good luck against Hufflepuff." Hermione sighed her last sigh looking rather depressed, she slowly began to climb her way up the stairs to her dormitory.

Harry began to feel awfully down with himself. He never meant to hurt Hermione's feelings, but why had she been so sad over it. He didn't think he really sounded mean, but still he knew that leaving Hermione sadly trotting upstairs was not the right thing to do to his best friend, so Harry instantly ran after her.

"Mione wait!" Harry shouted after her as he managed to approach her silently.

Hermione turned around to face him, looking straight into his eyes, perhaps holding a slight, tiny tear that you could easily mistake for a sweat droplet.

"Yes Harry?" She managed to ask.

"Hermione… I never meant to hurt you." Harry sighed resting his hand on her shoulder trying to calm her down.

"I know Harry. It's just that I…" Hermione said tying to get her whole sentence out. "Harry…" Hermione said again looking deeper into Harry's eyes. "Harry I…"

Hermione just couldn't tell Harry how she felt about him. She wondered if Harry would have the same feelings toward her if she told him the truth… And when she looked into his beautiful eyes, something inside her just couldn't let out how she really felt towards him.

"Harry." Hermione spoke again.

"Hermione…" Harry said interrupting her.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

He soon realized that he was almost holding her in his arms, and that they had both settled down on the couch, looking at each other. Neither of them knew how they got there but they just sat there holding each other by the warm fire.

After nearly a minute Harry whispered in Hermione's ear.

"I know something has to be bothering you… Hermione?," He asked pulling himself up to a sitting position.

"I'm fine Harry, really. Everything is ok now." Hermione said just as calm and soft as Harry.

Hermione was happy. Actually, she was more than happy. When she was with Harry everything seemed just perfect.

Harry didn't really realize exactly what he was doing just then, but he knew that Hermione was comfortable with him lying on the couch, as Harry stroked her hair gently.

They lay there for nearly an hour, awake, listening to each other breath and holding each other gently.

"Harry…," Hermione began to whisper softly.

"What is it Mione, you can tell me." Harry assured her.

Hermione sighed loudly. Harry knew that she was stressed out about something.

"Harry I…"Was all she could say as Harry kissed her lightly on her lips, looking deep into her eyes.

"Hermione, I love you…"

"Oh Harry! I love you so much! I loved you ever since our second year. I've always loved you.," Hermione cried hugging Harry tighter than before.

"But why were you so stressed out?," Harry said hugging her back.

"Oh Harry, I didn't think you would ever like me, especially since you liked that Cho Chang girl last year. I know I have always seemed like such a little brat, always telling you and Ron how to do everything. I always-,"

"Hermione, It's ok, I love you the way you are." Harry interrupted.

"I always think you are brilliant Hermione." Harry said making Hermione smile. They both were grinning at each other and before they knew it they had kissed each other passionately…

I certainly hoped you liked this chapter. Leave me a review and tell me what you think.