Disclaimer: Nothing in this belongs to me and I'm making no money from it at all! JKRowling, the moviemakers and book publishers own everything (and therefore the money). I thank them all for the characters to play with!
A/N: This may be a little dramatic, but I'm in a dramatic mood. It's based upon the hug that took place at the end of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" the movie. I just wanted to explore what the characters could have been thinking.
Prelude to a Hug
****Hermione****
I ran from the hospital ward to the Great Hall. Why wouldn't Madam Pomfrey let me leave sooner? I had to see everyone and make sure they were ok. The feast would be going on and surely they would all be there. They had to be, right? Everyone would be unpetrified and safe. They had to be. Especially … him.
"Hermione! Welcome back!" Nick happily said.
I turned to see the Gryffindor ghost smiling at me, friendly as ever. "Thanks, Sir Nicholas!" I replied. It was wonderful to see he was ok (my curiosity did have me about how ghosts became petrified and therefore unpetrified), but there was only one person I wanted to see now. Did he find what I found in the library? Did he find the Chamber of Secrets? Did he make it out alive?
I thought I heard Neville tell Harry that I was back, but it was hard to tell with the noise of the Great Hall. Then I saw Ron lean back; it was great to see him, but it wasn't him I was looking for.
Then I saw him. Harry leaned even further than Ron to see if Neville was right. His face lit up with that grin that made me want to melt.
I couldn't help it, I broke into a run. I needed to confirm he was there and alive. He stood up and waited for me, his arms outstretched. How could I ignore that invitation?
I flew into his arms and he held me. All the fear, sadness and uncertainty of the entire bloody year melted away. All that mattered was that I was in Harry's arms and it was all over. It didn't matter that we were only 12; I felt a twinge of what could be forever. If I could feel this safe and this loved in his arms at age 12, what would it be at age 70?
Perhaps it was just my imagination, but could I feel something from Harry too? Did he feel this emotion that was welling up inside of my heart? I think he did, but that damn age barrier was preventing anything important. It was ok; we would have plenty of time.
Even after the hug broke, Harry kept holding my hand. It was such a sweet gesture that it made me ignore the confusion when Ron wouldn't hug me.
"Congratulations, I can't believe you solved it," I told them. Though I didn't really mean it. I knew Harry would save the day … again.
"Well, we had loads of help from you," Harry said. "We couldn't have done it without you," he added.
"Thanks," I said as I blushed.
Once McGonagall clinked her glass, it was time to settle down. I wanted to sit by Harry and let the warm feelings of relief continue, but Ron somehow got between us and I couldn't say anything. I knew that it would be a while before either of us could express our feelings. But it didn't matter; I knew that in time we would work everything out. My Harry and I would find a way.
****Harry****
I had done it again. I couldn't believe it, but I had done it again. Voldemort was defeated again by little me. But it didn't really matter. I wouldn't be satisfied until everyone in the hospital ward was safe … especially her.
The Great Hall was full of excitement and chatter. I received many pats on the back and handshakes in thanks for saving their lives … again. People were talking to me at the Gryffindor table, but I could hardly hear them. I pretended to be paying attention, but there was no way that I could focus. Suddenly, I heard Neville.
"Harry! It's Hermione!"
Why did Neville solely address me? Was it that obvious that I was developing a crush on her? It didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was safe and here – alive.
Ron leaned back to see her. I had to lean back even further with his red hair in the way. But there she was, smiling at me.
She began to run and I knew I had to hold her. I quickly stood up and stretched out my arms. She almost knocked me over when she reached me and I closed my arms around her. All my fears and anxieties, my anger and frustration were gone. I was happy and I was safe in her arms. Could it also have been a pang of love I felt as well?
We were just 12, but it felt like we were so much more. The first two years had forced us to mature quickly and our actual age was irrelevant.
Was she feeling the same things I was? Possibly. But there would be time to explore that later.
Once our hug broke, I continued holding her hand as if for confirmation that she was really there and this wasn't a dream. I wanted to keep her anchored to reality.
After Ron wouldn't hug her, she seemed confused (as was I – but then again, I was only 12) and quickly spoke.
"Congratulations, I can't believe you solved it," she said.
"Well, we had loads of help from you. We couldn't have done it without you," I said. It was the truth. Aragog hardly gave us any answers, but it was Hermione's clue from the library that sealed the deal.
"Thanks," she said with a blush.
Then, McGonagall clinked her glass and we had to sit down for Dumbledore to speak. I was hoping to sit by Hermione, but Ron got in the way. I couldn't make a fuss without making things look too obvious, so I said nothing and waited for the day where we could be together. Somehow, some way, my Hermione and I would share our love.