Chapter Six Alternate
His feelings expressed
(alternate version with one admission of love)
"Hermione…when-when I'm around you its like I can barely breathe…I-I can't think strait or anything. I guess what I'm trying to say is…I-I'm in love with you…I have been for the past three years…Every time I see you it brings nothing but happiness to my heart…" Alex said.
Hermione stared blankly at Alex, saying nothing. She knew how he felt now. She, more or less, didn't know how to react to what Alex had just told her. "Alex…I-I don't know what to say…" Hermione said looking at him. Alex looked her in the eyes and she returned his gaze. Alex placed a gentle hand on hers, but she pulled hers away. "No…I can't…not now…I-We can't…" Hermione said, with a tone of regret in her voice.
Alex was taken aback. He'd just spilled his guts to her. He could hear the tone of regret in her voice. "Then why does the tone in your voice sound regretful?" Alex asked looking her in the eyes. Hermione's eyes began to tear up as she looked at him. "Alex…I-I love you too its just-" "Well if you love me why won't you be with me?" Alex interrupted. A couple of tears slid down Hermione's cheeks. Alex raised his hand up and wiped them away gently with his thumb.
Hermione's eyes closed as Alex touched her cheek gently, then they opened and looked into his. "Alex…we can't…think about our friendship…" Hermione said. Alex looked down at the ground and shook his head. "Don't you think it'd be worth it to risk it? I mean if you love me back…I should think it'd be worth it," Alex said softly, looking back into her eyes. Another couple of tears began sliding down Hermione's cheek. Alex placed his hand on her cheek and, again with his thumb, wiped the tears away.
Hermione's eyes closed once more, feeling his hand on her cheek, but this time, she placed a hand on his, leaned in, and began to kiss Alex softly. Alex reacted not only by kissing back, but slowly moving his hand to her waist. The kiss began to grow, but it still remnants of a soft kiss. Hermione placed a hand onto his shoulder and kissed Alex a little deeper, her heart racing. Alex's heart was racing as he felt her touching him.
Hermione pulled away from Alex only a little and looked into his eyes. "I guess maybe we could do this relationship," she said with a smile. Alex gazed into her eyes and smiled. "Ok…" Alex said softly, then gave her a light kiss on the lips and, regretfully, pulled away from her. Hermione looked at him. "Keep this a secret for now though ok? You know…us?" Hermione said. Alex nodded to her. "Of course. Anything you want," he said with a smile. Hermione smiled back at him. They both wanted to hold hands as they walked back into the school, but that would blow their cover. They walked back into the school together and walked into the Great Hall for lunch, taking seats next to each other.