Chapter Four
By Thursday, Hermione was privately in bits. She'd had... something of a crush on Harry for almost a year and a half now, but never dreamed of finding herself in a situation like this. To an outsider, it might have seemed like the perfect chance for her to make a move on Harry, but instead she was dreading the departure of the Hogwarts Express.
Surely Harry would see through her without the distraction of Ron or Quidditch or exams. At least during term she could make an escape if she thought she was letting her guard down, whether it meant picking a fight with Ron or doing some homework.
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Harry, meanwhile, had got over his initial frustration at being left behind. Besides, some alone time with Hermione wouldn't be so bad. He felt as though they'd been drifting apart a bit over the past few months. He at least had Quidditch practise with Ron.
As Harry said good night to Ron that evening, he felt a little stab of residual bitterness at the thought of the Weasleys – a mental picture of enjoying Christmas without him raised its head. And then he remembered the distant air Ron and Hermione had had over the past few days. Of course, they'd miss each other as well...
He felt a little prickle in his mind, as though he was side-stepping around some huge truth he'd never noticed before. The thought released itself like the bursting of a dam; Harry gave a little gasp and blinked. Ron and Hermione – how had he managed to avoid seeing it? It had been glaring him in the face for so long.
But why hadn't either of them said something? Feeling a little frown crease his face, he decided that he wouldn't mention it until Ron or Hermione did. Maybe Hermione would say something during the holidays.
Maybe.