A/N: I know! I'm terrible. It's almost been one month. I'm really, really sorry!!! First I was insanely sick, and then I had too much work to do to post this. I feel bad. I hope that, if you've been waiting, it's not a let down.

Thank you x 1000 to the people who have reviewed so far!!! You're the best!! And thanks again. J

Disclaimer: You got it, I don't own any of this stuff (well, the plot, but that's it!), it belongs to the wonderful and talented J.K. Rowling.

*

Ron was starting to get impatient with Harry. He could tell there was something distracting Harry, he just didn't know what.

For instance, Divination. Now, it wasn't unusual for them to not pay attention, but it was strange for Harry to ignore Ron's cracks at the teacher. And for one brief, horrifying second, Ron had thought Harry was paying attention to the lesson, but later noticed the glazed-over look on Harry's face.

There was also the fact that he was bordering on exhausted. Harry went to bed around the same times as the others, but he slept in much later. At first, Ron had thought that Harry was worried about Quidditch, but when Ron asked him about it, Harry replied, "No. We've got the best ruddy team in the whole school."

During dinner one night, Ron became even more concerned with his friends' behaviour, as he noticed Harry wasn't eating anything.

"Pass the potatoes, will you, Harry?" he asked. Harry didn't move, nor did he give any indications he'd heard.

"Harry? Harry! Hello, Harry?" Ron said. He picked up a mini-carrot and chucked it at him. It hit Harry near his scar.

"What?" he said, finally coming to.

"What's going on with you lately? And would you pass the potatoes?"

"Everything's fine," Harry said automatically. "Why do you ask?"

"You're just…acting funny," Ron commented.

"Am I?" Harry replied, sounding alarmed.

"Maybe it's that girl he likes," Hermione piped up.

Ron laughed. That was probably it! The more he thought about it, Harry was acting as though he was in love with somebody.

"Who is it, Harry?" Ron asked keenly.

Harry turned red. "I'm not telling."

"Oh, come on!" Ron prodded.

"Do you like her a lot?" Hermione asked carefully, almost nervously.

"Yeah, I like her a lot. More than anyone else," Harry answered strangely, speaking slowly and not meeting their eyes.

"Now you have to tell us who it is," Ron said eagerly.

"I want to tell her how I feel, but I don't know if she likes me as much as I like her," Harry went on.

"She does," Hermione answered quickly.

"How would you know?" Ron asked.

"I don't," she answered, just as quickly. "I'm just guessing…I mean, who wouldn't….famous Harry Potter and all. I've got to go to the library. Bye."

She said this in a big rush, and as she was running away, her face was distinctly pink. Ron watched her go, then turned to Harry.

"Wonder what's with her?"

*

Hermione paced the library excitedly, but felt as though her feet weren't touching the floor.

Harry liked her more than anyone, more than anyone he'd ever liked! Even Cho Chang, with whom he'd once been head over heels for.

Maybe…maybe he's in love with me, she allowed herself to think. And maybe he'll even tell me tonight!

Hermione hugged herself happily, trying not to giggle out loud. She was fantasizing about what he would say to her when someone from behind clear their throat. Hermione spun around and found herself face-to-face with Ginny Weasley.

"Hi, Ginny." Ginny eyed her sternly, and Hermione felt her smile falter. "What's up?"

"What are you so happy about?"

"Er…I got 100 on my Transfiguration paper," she ad-libbed quickly.

"And that's why you look like you're about to explode with happiness?" Ginny questioned skeptically.

"Well, yeah. I worked really hard on it." Hermione hated lying to Ginny. The two had been close friends for about six years, and she was one of the few girls Hermione felt she could confide in.

On the other hand, Hermione knew about Ginny's massive crush on Harry, one she had had for many years. If she found out about them, she'd be devastated.

Ginny suddenly spoke. "Oh, get off it, Hermione. I'm not that thick. Come on, tell me. Why are you so happy?"

"I'm in love!" Hermione blurted out. Instantly she regretted her words.

Ginny's eyes widened. "With who?"

"Does it really matter?"

"Are you joking? Of course it matters! Who is it?"

Hermione opened her mouth, then shut it. What should she say?

"Sorry. I can't tell you that," she said finally.

Ginny's face clouded over with annoyance. "Fine," she said coolly.

"Ginny, please don't be upset. I really can't tell you. It's not you, I can't tell anyone."

"Fine," Ginny repeated stiffly. "See you later, then." She turned on her heel and left the library.

Hermione groaned. All the happiness she had just been feeling had deflated out of her like a balloon. Here it is. Harry and I haven't told anyone about us—expect Lavender—and we're already getting negative repercussion

No wonder we're keeping this a secret. Won't anyone be happy for us?

*

Harry sat impatiently in the common room. It was nearly midnight, Hermione had yet to show, and a group of first years were still sitting by the fire.

Harry glared at the group, then at his watch. It seemed as though time was standing still—or wait, was it…going backwards? He sighed and continued to stare at his watch, determined to speed time up.

Finally, he heard Hermione come down the stairs. Her eyes caught Harry's, but before either could react, Hermione turned to the first years.

"What are you lot doing up?" she asked, surprised. "It's after midnight! Go to bed."

"You're both still up," one boy said pointedly.

"We're seventh years. And I'm Head Girl." Hermione said. "Now get to bed." Grumbling, the group went up to the dormitories.

Harry grinned. "Nice work, Granger. Finally making good use of being Head Girl."

Hermione grinned back, waiting.

"I need to talk to you about something. But first…" his voice trailed off suggestively.

Hermione took the hint, because she closed the gap between them. He kissed her full on the lips, his arms enclosing around her. One of her arms was around the back of his neck; the other was reaching up to his head. As they kissed, he felt her fingers run through his hair.

The two kissed for a while longer, but his mind slowly drifted to what needed to be said. He pulled back, then lead her to the couch.

"Hermione, tonight at dinner we were talking about relationships," he said slowly, aware that his voice was shaking slightly. "And I told Ron that I liked a girl a lot. More than anyone I've ever liked. And…of course, I meant you." He paused, then took a deep breath.

"Hermione, I love you."

~

These were the words she'd been dying to hear. He loved her! It was the first time someone other than her family had told her.

"Harry, I love you too."

He exhaled with obvious relief. "Thank God," he mumbled.

She moved in closer and he put his arms around her. She lifted her face up to his, and he kissed her softly.

She was loved.

Done! Well, this chapter, anyways. Again, I'm really sorry that I took forever in posting it. Please r & r, it would be much appreciated. And I promise, next chapter is coming soon!!!