A Talk

Harry and Hermione were walking around the lake. "Hermione, what's up? You haven't been yourself lately."

"I don't know if I can or want to tell you."

"Fine….I won't push it, but just know that I'm worried about you."

Hermione looked at Harry and collapsed into a sobbing heap. "Shhhh, shhh…it's alright. 'Mione, what's wrong?"

"I-I just want him to care. I want him to hold me and tell me he loves me. I just wish I could reach him somehow." Hermione looked up and saw deep understanding in Harry's eyes.

"I know exactly how you feel."

"Harry, I had no idea…I thought you were over Cho."

"No 'Mione, not Cho, it's Gi-G…"

"Ginny." Hermione finished for him.

"It's hopeless," he moaned.

'You have no idea,' she thought. "Why Harry? I said she'd given up on you, not that she didn't like you anymore."

"Wh-what?" Harry stuttered, "but I thought that, but, what? Huh?"

"Well, I'm not making any promises Harry. She hasn't said anything, but whenever I mention your name she gets this queer look in her eye."

"Well Merlin's beard!" Harry was stunned. Suddenly, life didn't seem so utterly hopeless anymore.

"Well, at least you're happy," Hermione sighed. Harry could tell Hermione didn't really feel like talking anymore, so he gave her a quick hug and silently they returned to the common room.