Here it is. I managed to get this one out and I hope I can give you the last chapter soon. Thanks to everyone who's still sticking around.
I don't own Harry Potter btw
Confession
Hermione was looking out the window of the Hogwarts Express as the sky grew steadily darker. Her friends were talking merrily but she wasn't participating actively in the conversation. Usually, she would be worrying about grades at the start of the term. Now, however, it seemed so insignificant when compared to other matters on her mind. Hermione was marveling at the fact that her mind refused to remember a time she had hated Bella. Now all she found herself praying for was the positive outcome of the trial. Just as she caught herself beginning to doze off, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder.
"We're going to start changing."
Ginny was looking down at her contemplatively. Hermione nodded and stood up to change into her Hogwarts robes. She noticed that the boys had left the compartment. As she straightened her hat a thought crossed her mind.
"Hey, Gin?"
"Hm?"
"Have you told Harry about me and Bella?"
"Oh no, wouldn't want to rob you off that pleasure."
"Do you think he'll understand?"
"He's been supportive so far."
There was an awkward pause in the conversation. Hermione sighed.
"He guessed, didn't he?"
"He has suspicions" Ginny nodded. "Unlike everyone else he didn't buy the stories we made up."
"It was pretty suspicious to be gone every day for a different reason" Hermione grinned.
"You were in love, and I was being supportive" Ginny shrugged. Hermione felt her cheeks heat up.
"I haven't been in l-love" she stammered.
"Keep telling yourself that" Ginny smirked at her. "C'mon we better head out. I can feel the train slowing down."
Hermione playfully shoved her friend on the way out, but Ginny's words stuck with her over the rest of the evening. When she was lying on the soft bed in the quiet dormitory, she had to herself she allowed herself to think that maybe – just maybe – Ginny wasn't completely wrong.
Gryffindor eight-years had a free period after lunch on Monday, so Hermione set out towards the library to distract herself with doing some homework. She was just settling in in one of her favourite half-hidden nooks in the library when she saw someone coming round the corner. She smiled at Harry as he came closer.
"Am I really seeing Harry James Potter in the library? Watch out, the books might hurt you."
"Very funny." Harry sat down on the free chair opposite her. "When you think about it that's the only place we can talk without having Ron or Ginny interrupt us."
"Can't imagine Ginny's been so clingy that you need to hide from her in here" Hermione laughed.
"No, but you've been so distant I need to corner you in here to talk."
Hermione looked away but continued feeling his eyes burning holes in her head.
"Funny enough, this is the same table we had the conversation about your supposed secret boyfriend."
"Have you read another one of my letters?" Hermione softened her words with a smile.
"Didn't need to."
If nothing else did, her sharp inhale surely gave her away. Hermione cursed inwardly then looked at Harry to see a small smile on is face.
"Oh, to hell with it" she declared, snapping her book shut.
"Wow, am I really hearing Hermione Jean Granger curse? Watch out, Madam Pince might hear you and ban you from the library."
"Not funny. Let's talk honestly, Harry," Hermione sighed. "Did you come here to lecture me?"
"No" Harry replied simply and laughed at her bewildered expression. "Since when?"
"Around Christmas."
Hermione felt a smile snake its way onto her face as she remembered her first date with Bella.
"You like her a lot, don't you?" Harry asked.
"Yes."
There was no hesitation in her voice, and she knew she wouldn't have hesitated even if Harry hadn't been this calm.