"So do you like HIM?" Parvati stared right back into Hermione's waterlogged eyes. * Alright just go for it Hermione. You can't even admit this to yourself. * Hermione stared straight at Parvati and said clearly, "Yes. I do like him." Hermione shuddered; having finally admitted this to herself was definitly taking a toll on her. Parvati's eyes grew wider. "You….you … like Ronald Weasely?" She said, as a small breath escaped her suddenly pursed lips. "Then you know what you have to do, don't you?" She asked quietly. Hermione shook her head, although she did know what she had to do. Parvati gripped Hermione's hand tightly. "Yes, yes you do. And if you don't do it soon, Hermione, this chance could pass. You could miss a great guy." Parvati seemed to have trouble saying this. She took a deep breath, and continued. "Please, Hermione. You might never get another chance to do this again. Follow your heart, Hermione." Parvati released Hermione's hand, gave her a hug, and walked out the door.
Hermione stared at Parvati's imprint on her bed. Then, suddenly, as if lightening had just hit her, all of Parvati's agony column-worthy advice came rushing back to her. Hermione strode to the door, full of purpose, and quickly descended the stairs. She walked rapidly to the door of the boys' dormitory. Jumping the stairs 2 at a time, Hermione rehearsed the words she would use to tell Ron her feelings for him.
As she reached the door to the Sixth Year Boys' dormitory, she hesitatingly reached for the doorknob, as if it were burning hot. She gripped it tightly, and then swung the door open.
* * * * * * * *
Ginny pushed Harry back immediately. She breathed heavily, partially from finally attaining her dream of being kissed by Harry and partially from being extremely angry at Harry. "I'd like to know what exactly you are thinking, Harry. Please clue me in here. First you tell me you have feelings for Hermione, but then you kiss ME, and im sure you know by now that I have liked you since I first saw you at King's Cross. What gives you the right to think you can just screw around with my feelings that way? I can't believe you Harry, I really can't." Ginny stared at Harry's shadowy face. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, or what emotions were going over his face.
Finally, after what seemed like decades, Harry spoke. "Ginny, I've known you for a long time. And for some reason, I've always been able to talk to you about…anything. I never figured out until now why I went to you about Hermione instead of Ron. I never figured out why I liked Hermione. I mean, sure, she's pretty, and she's my friend but I never really understood why I liked her personality. But now I know Ginny. It's because," Harry swallowed. "Because she reminded me of you. Because I have always liked you, and never liked Hermione; not that way. I never understood why the butterflies always showed up for you, and not Hermione. I still cannot understand why it took me so long to realize that you were always the one for me, as cheesy as that may sound. I can't apologize enough for how much I have probably hurt you. I can just hope that maybe you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and maybe we can work things out." Harry stared at Ginny's dim face in the darkness.