"What?" A thoroughly embarrassed Harry asked a shocked Hermione.

"You said 'I love you'," Hermione threw back at the very red boy wonder.

"No I didn't."

"Yes…you did!"

"I have no bloody idea what you're talking about! I think you're loosing it Hermy."

"Harry James Potter, don't you ever call me 'Hermy' again! You know I only allow Gwarp to call me that. And another thing, I'm the sanest one here! Ron has to emotional range of teaspoon, so I know he couldn't have said it, so it had to be you! Ha! Beat that Potter!"

"What's going on here?" Ron questioned walking in on the dispute.

"Nothing!" Harry shouted before Hermione could say anything. He knew how crushed Ron would be if he knew the truth (even though he really does have the emotional range of teaspoon). Harry then proceeded to give Hermione Don't-tell-Ron-PLEASE! look.

"Yeah…what Harry said…nothing," Hermione muttered hesitantly not understanding the look from the flushed teen.

"If you guys say so…" Ron replied with doubt in their responses. "So, let's get Harry settled in," Ron exclaimed. Giving Hermione the We'll-talk-later look, Harry followed Ron upstairs to his room he'd be sharing with his red-headed friend.

I know I'm not crazy Hermione thought. I know I heard him right. Hermione slowly walked back to her chair and resumed reading Hogwarts: A history for the zillionth time, but she could not concentrate. She sat there reading the same paragraph, her mind focused on only one thing. Harry. Hermione Jane Granger, Harry Potter is your best friend! He just broke up with Ginny! Do you really want to be 'rebound girl'? But…he does look bloody handsome…those chiseled abs, raven hair, and beautiful emerald eyes that when you look into them make you feel like he's peering into your soul…

"NO!" she accidentally shouted.

"What!" Ginny shouted in return. It was the first time Hermione really noticed she was in the same room.

"Nothing Gin. Didn't mean to startle you."

"You're not crazy you know…"

"What are you talking about, Ginny?"

"I heard what Harry said."

"I knew it! I knew he said it!"

"Of course he did, Hermione! Why didn't you say it back?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw the way you looked at him last year. I saw how, dare I say it, jealous you looked at him when you'd accidentally catch us snogging in the Gryffindor common room. 'Mione do Ron a favor and tell him how you feel before he asks you to be his girlfriend."

"Oh sweet Lord!" And with that Hermione went upstairs to her shared room with the youngest of the Weasley Clan.

"Hermione can I talk --," Ron began to ask nervously.

"Oh not now Ronald!" Hermione cut him off as she slammed the door behind her, leaving herself to swim in her own thoughts.

Oh God…Ginny did have a point that…I can't be in love with him…How would Ron deal with that? … but he's so handsome…he's my best friend! … but I love him.

"I love you, Harry James Potter, I…love…you... Oh God, how do I tell Ron?" With that Hermione flopped on her bed and began thinking of a way to let Ron down easy and a way to tell Harry the secret truth until she fell asleep, her thoughts haunting her.