A/N: I want to say thanks to all of you who reviewed. I really appreciate it. You people are amazing! Keep reading!

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me 'cause it hurts

(Don't speak, No Doubt)

I don't know what should I am supposed to believe now. I am really at a loss. This change of his altitude drives me crazy. About an hour ago he held me in his arms like he'd never let me go. And I knew it was something beyond friendship. But then all of a sudden he states clearly that he want us to be just friends. And right now he admits that things are complicated.

I don't know though if this confession is something to be glad about or not.

"Well..." I make the start "things are indeed complicated and I don't know exactly what should I say. I've never been at a similar situation before, how could I anyhow? And it's really tough to make things clear. And well I don't know if I could have started that anyway but I didn't wanted. It's stupid really". I was talking fast and saying nonsense. I knew that I was expatiating but I couldn't get straight to the subject. He is looking at me as though I am speaking Chinese.

"I like you" I blurt out regretting it the moment that the words slip out of my mouth. I immediately blush and lower my head.

The seconds that followed were the most embarrassing and awkward I ever lived. I raise my head a little to face him. He looks at me with a look I cannot define. Of course it is a big revelation to him and probably the last thing he would hear from the 'Lady of Griffindor'. My reputation as the tough girl and the girl-who-never-asks-out was ruined the moment I spoke. But who cares about the stupid reputation right now?

At a desperate attempt to save us both from the embarrassment I speak again.

"Well, you see, you were right. I don't see you as I friend anymore. I mean only as a friend"

I look at his eyes not able to predict his reaction and I take a deep breath before continuing

"Hermione..." he starts

"No Harry" I snap, "let me finish first."

"I've been through a living hell all this time. I couldn't accept the fact that you were the ideal boy for me. I hate myself for considering you as someone more that my best friend. But we were friends for more than 6 years already. And that's what we had to be. So I tried very hard. I tried to forget you to stop thinking you in a way that friends don't-as you pointed before. But I couldn't. I just couldn't. I wanted to break free from the memories that haunted me. Memories from the moments of joy and truly happiness that we shared. All these memories that made me believe that we are meant to be together. Though I still knew that it was only my belief and not yours. You never showed a hint that could give me hope. So, as I didn't want to destroy our wonderful friendship, I tried to find someone else. Someone who could make me forget you. But again I couldn't. 'Cause every single boy that was a possible candidate to be the 'one', in my mind was compared to you. And always, I say always, you came fist. You were always the winner in this 'dueling'. You had that something that others didn't. So the possibility of an alternative romance was quickly turned down. There was nothing I could do anymore but to give up in my feelings. To give up in my destiny. It was a matter of fact that I liked you. I wanted you. I loved you. And at that time I did nothing to stop it. It was worthless anyway"

I stop again but this time not able to look at him. I prefer staring at my hands. I take a deep breath again to go on and end this painful sob-story.

"Well, I know there is no point on discussing it but I had to tell you. It is a great relief now to me that I don't have to keep inside all those emotions. I don't want you to believe that I want something from you now. No, I don't. So, that's it. La fin." I make an effort to smile but I fail. I turn my head to face him.

He seems unprepared for that kind of news.

"Well, you've managed to leave me speechless just for once more. Now I really don't know what to say" he stops for a little trying obviously to pick up the right words. The words I knew I'd hate.

"You are an amazing girl. You know you are very special to me. But the thing is that I can't see you as something else than my best friend"

He said it. And he looks at me to foresee my reaction. I try to appear emotionless. Although I wasn't waiting for something more than that it was so cruel to have him said it aloud. And now it is way too much for me. I can hardly fight back the tears.

"You know," he continues "I've never been so close to any girl before. Sure I have friends like Parvati or Lavander that we can go out and have fun and talk, but you are the only one that I consider as a true friend. A friend whom I could trust even with my life. We faced together difficult situations. And you always stood by me, which is something I am grateful for. I care about you. I really do. But you are like a sister to me. Like the sister I never had and never will have. So I can't see you in another way. You are my best friend"

He pauses and I have no intention of answering back. Again those damned embarrassing seconds.

1...2...3...4...5...6...

I'm counting the time. I am at a loss again.

His voice echoes in my mind 'you are my best friend'. I cannot stand this anymore.

"Why?" I ask breaking the silence of the night once again

"Why what?" he asks back.

"Why can't you see us in another way?" I make my question clear. I feel really stupid but I want to understand his thoughts.

"Because that's the way it started. That's what I am trying to tell you. We started as friends. We didn't do the things that potential lovers would do. We never flirt; we never had difficulty talking to each other just because we were embarrassed. Our heart didn't beat fast every time we were looking each other. We were friends. And now if we get involved and then broke up, this special friendship would be gone. Lost and forgotten. I don't want to lose you Hermy. Never. You are too important in my life to let you go like that"

"But we don't have to break up" I whisper

"That's the way these things work. True love exists only in fairytales I'm afraid. On the other hand friendship could last through time" he answers in what seemed to be bitterness in his voice.

"Then again we will still be friends. Our friendship can't be ruined just like that."

"Oh, sure it will. If things happen between us nothing will be the same again. I won't be able to regard you as my friend anymore. And I can tell neither would you"

"You can't know that" I answer back and I feel like I am begging him. Like I am pleading him to accept my love and to offer me his. And I don't like being miserable. I always had a big ego. But now my love vanished it.

"Then, I am so ugly. Aren't I?" I ask not even knowing why.

"Hey, what are you talking about?" he asks seriously.

"All this "friendship thing" is just an excuse isn't it?" I ask again feeling angry for unexplained reasons.

"Oh, stupid girl. Of course it is not. And of course you are not that ugly. You are not ugly at all. You are a very beautiful young lady who turns into the most gorgeous woman I ever had the fortune to meet!" he says with a smile playing on his lips. On those same lips I dreamt several times in the past kis... OK stop. He is my friend. Never forget that I repeat to myself.

I have blushed slightly but fortunately he can't see it in the darkness of the night.

"And anyway..." he continues, "if that was the real reason, I wouldn't have made such an excuse. I would say 'our personalities are too different and this couldn't work' or something like that. I don't really know what they say in these situations. Do you?" he asks with a little smile again.

"Well, it's the first time I've ever been rejected by a boy, so how am I supposed to know?" I answer trying to make things seem less serious and I urge a fake smile. But nevertheless I feel much better.

"Hey, it's not a rejection, so don't think of it like that"

"Oh, so do you allow me not to count it? Because if I don't my fame and reputation won't be destroyed then!" I say trying again to make a joke out of this painful situation.

"Of course! I highly believe that the title 'Lady of Griffindor' suits you perfectly so I allow you not to count it" he answers smiling. He is so adorable when he is smiling. And so cute. And so.... OK I stop. He is just a friend. An adorable friend- truth to be told!

"Well how about you? Have you ever been turned down?" I ask to lighten the subject.

"Um...yes" he answers nervously.

"Really? And who girl had the nerve to turn down the famous boy-who-lived?" I ask while smiling a genuine smile this time. Unexpectedly I don't feel uncomfortable any more.

"Well, except from Cho, there was another girl. She stayed at her aunt the summer that passed, who happened to live next door to the Dursleys. She was a muggle so she didn't have a clue about me being the boy-who-lived" he says melodramatically.

"Oh! This explains it all!" I say with a giggle. Although deep inside I feel jealousy and anger for this unknown girl. Jealousy because she got something I prayed for every single day, without making the minimum effort. And anger because she sent it away.

"You know what?" I say again.

"What?"

"It's the fist time I ever spoke so sincerely and honestly to a boy. I mean it's the first time I express my feelings. But I doubt I'll do it again!" I admit with a little smile.

"Yes you'd better don't do it again." he answers.

"What??!" I say laughing

"Oops! I mean it's better if the boy makes the first move" he says quickly.

"Yes, I agree" I say at last

"But I feel much better now you know" I admit again.

"Yea, me too" he states seriously

"Really?

"Really!"

I feel relived.

"So, friends again?" I ask.

"Till the end of time", he says while pulling me close.

"I love you" he whispers and hugs me. Now it's too hard to fight back the tears. I hug him back wanting to be as close to him as possible. After what seemed an eternity to me he pulled away.

"Well, shall we sleep now?" he asks without realizing that my eyes were wet.

"We'd better because it's a though day tomorrow. And we have to get up early. I still find it difficult to believe that we are leaving this place and not coming back again. At least not as students." I say while trying to calm myself.

"Neither do I" he replies with sadness in his voice.

"Well, anyway. We'll talk about it in the morning. Goodnight again! And have sweet dreams" I say and close my eyes. The tears were gone but the depression was still within me.

"With you besides me I'm sure about that" he says sleepily and wraps his arm around my waist.

Although I was very tired I couldn't sleep. I open my eyes and gaze at the stars. And then at Harry who looks so peaceful in his sleep. I close my eyes making an effort to sleep and to forget the thought that I desperately wanted to push away. But silent tears flooded my eyes once again. Oh, he is all I ever asked for...

I don't remember having slept but I feel refreshed. I can tell it is already morning without opening my eyes. I feel something resting in my waist and I immediately remembered last night's events. Harry's arm was still around me. I open my eyes to take a look at him. But he moment I opened them I regretted it!

I realized with fear that our lips were just inches away. No, this can't be happening now. I close them again and try to calm myself. He is my friend. He is my friend. He is my....

Suddenly I am feeling something touching my lips. And -oh god! - I knew exactly what that 'something' could be! I open my eyes just to confirm my suspicions.

His lips were placed on mine. He was sleeping though. Yet it felt so good, so right.

I close my eyes again trying to push the not-so-innocent thoughts. I am trying to focus on one thing 'he is my best friend'

Finally I decide to open my eyes and get up without waking him up.

I take a deep breath and slowly open my eyes once again but I froze. His eyes are already open and he is looking straight to me without making the slightest move to pull away.

"Good morning" he says casually (!) and I feel his breath teasing my lips.

"Good morning Harry" I saying nervously and I get up wanting to run as far as I could...

A/N: The next chapter will be the last one (but maybe not!). Please leave a line to tell me what you think of that. It would be really helpful! :)