Harry nervously paced in the common room.  He was trying to think about how to remind Hermione of old times and memories.  How they were before her relationship with Draco.  He had wanted to talk to Ron, but Ron was too busy enjoying his new found fan club.  Finally, Hermione came back through the portrait entrance, seeing that Harry was back from his rounds, she asked if he was ready to go.  He was ready.

As they walked in silence, Harry stole glances at his friend.  Even weary to the bone, she was gorgeous.  The moonlight made her skin look even more pale and her eyes that much darker.  Harry had such a fondness for those eyes.  He smiled at his internal dialogue.  He really did love that girl. 

Hermione glanced several times at Harry.  She was trying to catch herself each time her thoughts went to Draco.  Spend time in the moment, Hermione, concentrate on Harry.  So, she would look at him.  He was splendid in moonlight.  He was so dark, even mysterious looking.  His pale skin accentuated by the moonlight, only made the contrast of his hair and eyes more pronounced.  She loved Harry's darkness.  She would hesitate to say so aloud; she knew he would take it the wrong way.  Ever since second year, many people worried about Harry's 'darkness' in a different way.  She felt pretty sure, even Harry worried about his inner demons too much. 

Harry finally broke the silence.

"Hermione, how are you?  Really?  I mean you look so tired."

"I'm fine.  Why do you ask?" 

"You just have been so busy lately.  You don't look like you're getting much sleep.  I'm worried about you."

"Truthfully, I'm not."

"Is there a reason other than Draco Malfoy's need for constant attention?"  Harry felt sure he had just made a drastic mistake.  Hermione was always quick to defend Draco.  To his surprise, she didn't do so this time.  Could the spell be loosing some of its affects already?  But what had he done to remind her of their previous relationship?  He decided not to dwell on it.  Maybe there was magic in their moment that he wasn't aware of controlling, perhaps it just existed in them, alone together.

Hermione smiled at Harry.  "I wish Draco was as concerned about me as you are.  I swear I can't get that boy to understand my needs.  I love him, Harry.  He has a kindness not always seen.  He…"  She stopped abruptly.  What?  This was Draco Malfoy she was speaking about.  Yet, she did know him better now. There was a potential in him that just needed nurturing. 

Harry cringed at Hermione's confession of love, but he quickly noted the confusion that played across her face.  He was sure that the spell was weakening.  He decided to get the topic off of Draco. 

"You know, I always wondered why you weren't the one I was to rescue at the bottom of the lake."  His eyes were scanning the smooth surface and his distant memory.  He was talking about the Tri-wizard tournament during his fourth year.

Hermione sucked in a deep breath.  Harry heard the sound and knew she had always wondered too.

In truth, Hermione did always wonder.  She so desired to be Harry's, not Viktor's hostage.  The one he would miss the most. 

"I asked Dumbledore once."  Harry continued.  "I told him I had a desire to know how the hostages were picked, what magic was involved in the selection.  It turned out to be human choice.  It was the consensus of a group of people who knew the champions."  Harry looked over at Hermione's face and locked his eyes to hers.  "I love Ron as a brother, but if true magic, magic that looked into hearts, had been used to select who we would sorely miss, my hostage would have been you, Hermione."  Harry's voice cracked; he quickly adverted his gaze back to the lake.  I just can't do this affection thing…blast the Dursleys.  Finally, he looked at Hermione's face after pondering her silence.  He could see the streaks of tears shining on her face in the moonlight.  "I'm sorry, Hermione!"  Harry was confused; had he hurt her?  He meant everything he said in a nice way.  He was going over his words in his head.

Hermione smiled at Harry's confusion.  She really did understand him so well.  Even now, he wasn't sure that he hadn't said the wrong thing.  Poor Harry grew up with no example of real caring.  He had so many self-doubts from his abusive and neglectful childhood. How could she tell him, that he had just said the most right thing of all?  Moving with a clarity of mind that she hadn't felt in a long time, she wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and pulled him down into a passionate kiss.  She had caught Harry by surprise, but she felt him relax and surrender to her lips.  He pulled her fiercely to him and deepened their kiss.  Harry was sure that he had never felt a more powerful connection to any living person in his life.  He suddenly felt calm; he felt loved.