If the Harry Potter rights were mine, I be living in luxury and going to press conferences. THEY DO NOT and I have no rights and all characters belong to J.K Rowling

Chapter 7

What's love worth?

In an hour or so began Harry's sixth year of schooling at Hogwarts, his home. He stepped outside his compartment. Amanda was sleeping; her head nestle in her boyfriend's shoulder while Draco lightly slept as he always did. Both Crabbe and Goyle were snoring on duty like the pigs they were. Harry thought about Hermione for a bit and to his surprise he got a glimpse of her emotions, Hermione tears echoed through his mind.

Harry walked towards the Gryffindor car. As he exited the Slytherin car, he slipped in and surprisingly no one was in sight. His Quidditch training and his slender frame made little noise as he walked past every compartment. Sleeping students and students talking could not hear the silent footsteps or slight intakes of air. Teachers were all hiding and even though they wanted to protect Harry, if they intervened they would need someone to protect themselves, they let Harry walk unhindered for now. At the head of the car in the last compartment, Harry gazed upon Hermione.

Across from her were Ron and Luna, both asleep in each others arms. Well, Ron's arms were around Luna while one of Luna's arms was around Ron's dick and the other around his shoulder. Hermione obviously was still hurt from Ron's falseness and cheating. Neville slept like a pitiful baby. Hermione's tears were flowing freely and it pained, Harry to see such an innocent creature fair like a unicorn cry. Something deep inside him was hurt as each tear hit her skirt. Each tear felt like it his soul was seared with an iron brand. Buried deep within the angry walls of his body, his soul was getting injure in seeing Hermione cry. This feeling was love, Harry loved Hermione, it took him all summer to figure it out and now he knew. He shared her emotions, he had a soul mate. He was in love with Hermione, but he was a Slytherin, and a Slytherin prince at that. Was being a Slytherin worth anything at all?

He gently slide the door open. His legs bent bringing his face to Hermione's face. Together at that moment, their eyes met and a silent exchange went forth. They stood and exited the compartment. His hand brushed away the tears, no mantle of who he was, was on him. Harry's true self showed at this moment and this person loved Hermione with all his heart, body, and soul. Walls of ice melted away from salt in her tears against his chest. All anger fled away from his angel and he for once was happy yet pained all at once.

His voice broke the silence, "Hermione..." "Hermione, please don't cry."

"Harry." Her quiet voice sobbed in obvious pain.

"Everything is all right, Hermione. Don't cry for me?" Harry moved her out of the hallway and into open space away from any possible onlookers. He didn't want any more tears to be shed over Ron. His lips gave Hermione, her first kiss.

Hermione's lips eagerly devoured Harry's, she savored this moment. Never in her dreams could such a kiss come. Harry's warm lips sent the chills of depression and sadness away. His body radiated such passion and warm, it felt so right. Oh my God, Harry is kissing me. Wait, what am I doing? She pushed herself away. Pain looked crossed her face as she murmured "Why are you doing this Harry?"

Harry's compassionate eyes remained showing the same amount of passion even though the kiss had already been stopped, "Hermione, I am in love with you."

Hermione couldn't believe it. Was this some trademark pick-up line to get a girl in bed? Wait, Amanda said he was still a virgin, so it can't be. His eyes showed no lies, only honesty and compassion. She stuttered, "What? Harry, you're a Slytherin you can't love me. It's not possible."

"Hermione, what does your heart tell you?"

New tears formed, it pained her to say this, "Harry, we can't you said it yourself. I'm a Gryffindor and you're a Slytherin. We live in different worlds. Just because my heart says, I love you, doesn't mean I can love you."

Harry pulled her just inches from his face "Hermione, your love is worth more than any Slytherin pride and false awards. I would give up Quidditch and give up answering for Slytherin. I only need one thing and that's your love. Do you love me, Hermione?"

"Yes, Harry, I do love you." Hermione's eyes glittered with happiness at those words.

They kissed again with equal passion. Time slowed for them as the kiss deepened and their tongues explored each others mouths. They cared not who might see them, they loved each other and that's all that mattered. Their bodies seemed so familiar, that one could have sworn that they were already married and had been a couple for years. A rat scurried down to the exit and jump off the train into the approaching darkness.

Reviews please reviews. Flames. Anything at all!