CHAPTER SIX – IT'S IN YOUR EYES

Days went by as normal as they had ever been. With Harry, Ron and Hermione together all the time. Of course, it was difficult for Hermione to hang out with Ron so much, but at least this way she could be close to him.

The three of them never mentioned what had happened some days ago. Hermione thought it was better not to say anything. It would be too embarrassing.

There were times when Hermione turned and found Harry looking at her. This would make her slightly uncomfortable, but then Harry would smile at her and it didn't matter anymore.

Everything was just as it had been. Harry and Ron always left their homework for last minute and in the end Hermione would have to help them out. She didn't really care that much. It was good that everything had gone back to normal. From time to time she had some little discussions with Ron about his lack of responsibility, but in the end, it would be all okay.

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It was November already and the weather was getting colder every day.

On Wednesday morning, Hermione was returning to the Common Room for her free period. She had just had a very interesting Ancient Runes lesson. As she walked on the corridor filled with students, she felt a hand on her shoulder and someone said her name.

She turned and saw Harry standing there.

"Hey," she said and smiled at him.

"Hey…" he said awkwardly. "I… err… could I talk to you?"

"Uh yeah sure," said Hermione and frowned. "What is he up to?" she thought.

"It's nothing bad. Don't worry," said Harry quickly, seeing Hermione's expression.

Hermione smiled at him, "What is it?" she asked.

"Well… I'd rather tell you somewhere else," he said, looking around at all the people who were there "You have a free period now too, right?"

"Yeah," she said. "Where should we go?"

"I don't know… let's just go to an empty classroom."

"Ok"

They started to walk until they found an empty classroom that seemed as if it had just been used. Harry closed the door and looked at Hermione.

"Hermione I… there's something I need to tell you."

"Really?" said Hermione sarcastically.

Harry smiled at his friend and told her not to worry, that it was something good.

"Tell me then!" Hermione said smiling.

"I… well… the thing is… wow this is way harder that I thought it would," said Harry.

"Come on Harry! Just say it, whatever it is."

"Well… you remembered when … well… everything I told you? About… how I felt about you?"

Hermione had no idea where this was going. "Yeah, of course I remember," she said.

"Well… I… I don't… I don't feel the same anymore," he said looking down at his feet.

"What do you mean?" asked Hermione slightly shocked.

"I… err… it's like… that was just…" he was having trouble finding the right words. "Well… I think… I just don't… feel the same anymore. I mean, I love you and all but only as my friend, you know. I was really stupid… I mean we're best friends! And that's how I like it to be. It's better, don't you think?"

"I… yeah," said Hermione frowning. This was not something you usually heard unless they would've been dating, but… "Harry why are you telling me this?"

"I… well… I just thought that you should know."

Hermione was even more confused now. No one in their right mind would do this. Then, she remembered something Harry had told her at the beginning of their conversation. "Can I ask why this is 'something good'?" she asked. "I mean… like… is there something else…?"

"No, it's just that it's good because now you can tell Ron how you feel for him and you don't have to worry for me because I'll be more than happy to see you guys together," He said and grinned.

"What? What are you talking about?" asked Hermione shocked. She didn't want anyone to know that she loved Ron. "I don't have any feelings for Ron."

"Oh come on Hermione!" Harry said and smiled to her. "I can tell, you know?"

"Oh really?" she said to him a little too 'giving away'. "I mean… how could you? There's nothing to see," she tried.

"Well… your eyes. It's obvious when you look at him," said Harry beaming.

"Damn eyes," she thought angrily.

"That's… that's not true…" she tried to say in her defense. But she knew Harry wasn't stupid and that given that he was smiling so much, he knew she was faking.

"So you're telling me you don't like Ron at all?" he asked playfully.

"No! I mean yes! Wait… no… I… what was the question?" she had answered too quickly.

"AHA!" said Harry triumphantly. "I knew it."

Hermione gave up. It was impossible to keep lying to Harry anyway. She smiled shyly and felt her cheeks turn red. Harry hugged her tightly and when he let her go, they were both smiling their biggest smiles.

"Can you really see it in my eyes?" Hermione asked.

"Of course you can! The way you look at him… hell it's like if he was your God or something."

"Do you think he has noticed?" Hermione asked slightly worried.

"To be honest with you, I don't think he has."

And to Hermione's own surprise, she found that she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"I mean, he doesn't really notice those things, does he?" continued Harry without noticing Hermione's disappointment. "But I'm sure he's crazy about you Hermione."

At this, Hermione felt her heart beating faster. "What makes you say that?" she asked.

"Well…" now he looked a little embarrassed. "It's in his eyes too, you know?"

"Harry!" said Hermione half laughing. "Since when do you look so deeply into Ron's eyes?"

"Oh you're paying for that Hermione Granger!" Harry said laughing too.

And before Hermione could do anything, Harry had started tickling her. Hermione was laughing hysterically and then begged Harry to stop. He kept tickling her for a few seconds and then stopped. Hermione took a deep breath and smiled at her friend.

"Thanks Harry."

"No problem Hems," he said joking.

"Shut up!" Hermione said grinning. "Harry Potter don't you ever call me that again!"

"Ok, ok. So… do you wanna know some of the obvious things Ron does that totally give him away?"

Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry and smiled at him.

"First, every time you talk, he won't do anything else but to look and listen to you, even if you're not talking to him," said Harry grinning.

"Oh well that's a sign!" Hermione said sarcastically and laughed.

"Also," said Harry ignoring Hermione. "Every time you guys have a row or something, he can't bear it and he's always the one to start talking to you again. He's so annoying when you're mad at him. Always asking me if I know something he doesn't or if he should apologize."

"Harry you're starting to freak me out you know?" she said smiling. "You're acting very weird… watching Ron so much. I think I might have some competition."

"You're not getting out of this one Granger!" Harry yelled.

"I was kidding! Harry no –" too late, he had already started to tickle her just as he'd done a few minutes ago.

Hermione had tears in her eyes for laughing so much when Harry let her go.

"I'm sorry Harry," she smiled. "I really appreciate what you're doing for me." She looked at him with a mischievous look and couldn't help herself. "I guess we're gonna be having lots of this talk from now on, huh?"

Harry was about to start tickling her again. "NO! I WAS KIDDING!" yelled Hermione just in time.

"I'm going to let you go now. But just because I feel bad for you," Harry said grinning.

"You 'feel bad for me'?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you're in love," he said making a lot of emphasize on the two last words. "So you don't know what you're saying."

Hermione laughed and so did Harry. Suddenly, the bell indicating lunch rang. They both grabbed their bags and left the classroom, talking and laughing.

A.N. Please review:D