A/N: Simple. Hermione loves Harry but he loves another. One shot. I got the idea from the song 'Rush of Blood to the Head' by Coldplay, even though the lyrics have nothing to do with the story. I'm thinking of following this story up with another short one, but I don't know. Review and tell me what you think.
He said I'm gonna buy this place and burn it down
I'm gonna put it six feet underground
He said I'm gonna buy this place and watch it fall
Stand her beside me baby in the crumbling walls
Oh I'm gonna buy this place and start a fire
Stand here until I fill all your hearts desires
Because I'm gonna buy this place and see it burn
Do back the things it did to you in return
He said oh I'm gonna buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
Oh and I'm gonna buy this place, that's what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head
To most, the world is a beautiful place, full of perfect things that occur to them everyday. Odd yet sensational occurrences happen all the time, like falling in love, getting married, meeting new people, and graduating. Yes the world is beautiful to all, all except Hermione Granger that is. Sure, she sees the trees sway in the breeze and hears the birds chirp in the distance, and it makes her feel at ease for a moment or two, but for most of the time those small joys are overlooked and all she sees is the bad. And who could blame her? If you were in her shoes you wouldn't be thinking much about the birds and trees either. For Hermione there is nothing beautiful about the world and there is definitely nothing perfect about it either.
You see, Hermione has a great problem on her hands. She is in love with someone who does not return her feelings, worse, she is in love with her best friend. Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived. And as of today he's also known as Harry Potter, The Hero; The Boy Who Defeated Lord Voldermort. It is on this very day that we find Hermione faced with a tough decision.
'Do I tell him?' She asked herself silently. She paced back and forth across an empty classroom. It was only four hours ago that Harry returned to Hogwarts after having been missing for three days. He had returned from his seventh, and last, battle with Lord Voldemort, which he had come out prosperous.
Hermione had ran to the Hospital Wing the minute she had learned he was back when Ron burst into the library, practically yelling the news. The two friends ran to meet the third, only to find him sleeping with the aid of a Dreamless Sleeping Potion. The slumbering boy was not alone either. For She was sitting diligently by his side, holding his hand in a delicate grip as tears made their way down her face. "I'm just so glad he's back," She had said when Ron asked why she was crying. She brushed a piece of fiery red hair out of her face as she returned her attention to Harry.
A million emotions played within Hermione at that time. Relief, anger, jealousy, and sadness were just a handful. She tore out of the Hospital Wing without saying a word. A moment later Ron caught up with her wide paces. When she had asked why he had left Harry's bedside he said that Madame Pomfrey had kicked him out.
"What about Ginny? Was she kicked out too?" she asked. Ron shook his head with a look of sympathy towards Hermione. Ron was the only one who knew of Hermione's secret, therefore he didn't have to ask why she had left so quickly. She shook her head in sad acceptance. Why would Ginny be thrown out of the Hospital Wing anyway? After all, they were 'in love' and no one had the heart to drag her away from Harry's side.
"Hermione," Ron said hesitantly, "not to be a conspirator against my sister or anything, but don't you think you should tell Harry how you feel about him? I mean he's half dead," Hermione looked at him shocked. "And although he will recover nicely," he added hastily, "what if he hadn't come back? What if we never saw him again and you never told him?"
Of course Hermione had thought about this, if she had made the right decision in keeping this secret for so long. The awful thought had crossed her mind more than once. 'What if Harry were not to return?' She always believed that time was on her side, that she need not be concerned with the possibly that she'd never receive a chance to tell him the truth. Hermione always believed that when the time came, she'd know, and it would be as easy to speak the truth as it was to answer a Transfiguration question.
Hermione asked Ron to leave her alone with her thoughts, which he complied to, being the good friend that he is. Now, with only her thoughts to keep her company, Hermione found herself pacing the empty classroom. Being the logical person she is, she began to formulate a list of Pros and Cons.
Sadly, the Cons outweighed the Pros greatly. On one hand, she could tell Harry that she was in love with him and he could suddenly realize that he too felt the same way. In Hermione's head, it would be the perfect fairytale. The knight in shining armor would save her from the high tower and they'd ride off into the sunset, blissfully happy. Hermione smiled to herself as she thought about her fantasy. On the other hand, however, numerous things could take a turn for the worse. Harry could reject her, stating that he wanted to be her friend and only that; and even after he would probably distance himself from her. Also, if Hermione spoke the truth, she would definitely be creating a rift between Harry and Ginny. The last thing Hermione wanted to do was create trouble. And to top it off, Hermione just didn't feel ready. When she should have been marching to the Hospital Wing to confess her secret, she felt the need to hide in her bed, lost in a sea of blankets. 'Where is that Gryffindor courage when you need it?' she asked herself.
Then Hermione scolded herself. Of course she would never feel ready. There was never a perfect time to say these certain things. And that was the moment she decides for certain that she would tell him. Without time to change her mind, she walked out of the old classroom and headed to the nearby Hospital Wing.
When she arrived it was a scene she had not expected. At first, the only thing she could hear was the great, gasping sobs of Ginny from behind the curtain. Hermione thought that maybe Harry had passed on in the short amount of time she had been away and at last the thought of never being able to tell him how she felt weighed down on her shoulders with a staggering force and she gasped for air. She clutched at her heart, for she could actually feel it ripping in two. That was…until she heard a low jovial laugh and realized that Ginny's sobs had been that of relief and happiness. Ginny came bounding from behind the curtain with a radiant smile plastered on her face.
"Isn't it wonderful Hermione?" she asked.
Hermione looked at her like she had grown another head. "What's wonderful?"
"Harry's awake!" Ginny jumped and wrapped her arms around Hermione. "It's simple marvelous! I'm just about to go and get some food for him in the kitchen. You'll sit with him won't you?"
How odd Hermione thought it was to receive permission to speak with Harry from the 'other woman'. But then Hermione had to remind herself that, in actuality, she herself was the other woman. She nodded her head numbly. Ginny lit the room with another smile and skipped to the door. When Ginny was no longer in sight, Hermione turned her eyes to the white curtain that hung around the bed that Harry currently occupied. She took one last deep breath and stepped around to the other side of the white barrier.
"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed once he caught sight of her. For a boy who had just escaped death for the seventh time he looked fairly well. His skin, although not the tan he had acquired before he left for battle, was a healthy color and his eyes shown with a liveliness Hermione had never seen in him before. She hoped to God that the new sparkle in his eyes was due to her presence. He sat up in bed with ease as he smiled at her.
"Hello Harry." She said his name as if it were the first time they had met on the train. It did indeed feel like she was meeting him all over again. Really, everyday felt as though she was meeting him for the first time, for he kept surprising her in only ways that a first encounter can surprise. She felt light-headed and a million winged butterflies found themselves fluttering in her stomach. She sat down in the empty chair next to his bed. "Hello," she said again with a smile.
"Isn't it great Hermione?" he sighed, "he's finally gone." For the first time in her long history of knowing Harry, she saw him completely relaxed and at ease. In all her studying, and do believe that she spent a great deal of time studying the raven-haired boy, she had never seen him so content.
He smiled up at her. "I have to tell you something," he said eagerly.
"Actually, I have to tell you something as well Harry," she said quickly, realizing her moment of opportunity.
"Oh, well, you go first," he offered.
Hermione opened her mouth to finally speak the words that had been pent up for so long, but when she did so the words caught in her throat. Instead she found herself saying. "No Harry, you go first."
"Well," he said, without missing a beat, "if you insist." Hermione had expected Harry to tell her his first-hand account on how he had defeated Lord Voldermort, or that he hadn't finished his four foot Potions essay before he had left, or even his undying love for her. Image her surprise when her practically shouted with joy, "Ginny and I are engaged!"
For a long moment all Hermione could do was stare. Stare and silently scream inside herself. This was not how her fairytale was supposed to end. Where was the white horse and the gleaming metal armor and the picture perfect sunset? Why the hell was Ginny riding off with her Prince Charming into her sunset?
"Hermione?" Harry asked in a concerned voice. Hermione's eyes glazed over with tears. Her heart was weeping but she placed a wavering smile upon her face.
"That's absolutely wonderful Harry," she said quietly as tears slipped down her face.
"Hermione, why are you crying?" Harry brushed away her tears and Hermione's sad smile widened.
"It's just that… you're so happy. I'm so glad that you're happy, it's the best thing in the world." Harry smiled and mistook her tears for those of happiness.
"Don't tell Ginny I told you, but I think she wants you to be Maid of Honor." Harry, thinking this news would cheer Hermione, laughed loudly. Hermione took in his appearance. He was absolutely bubbling over with joy.
"Won't that be lovely," she said as Harry took her hand.
"Hermione," he said seriously, "I just want you to know that I would have never made it this far without you. I love you, you're my sister. That means a lot to me, considering I have no real family." Hermione felt as if she couldn't breath. The words choked in her throat, begging to be let free.
"I love you too, Harry." She smiled at him with forced happiness and she gave his hand a slight squeeze. This would be the closest she'd ever come to telling him the truth.