DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters in this story.

Harry sat dejectedly on his bed. The only thought that was running through his mind was stuck there, and he couldn't make it leave. He said it aloud, in hopes of making the painful words go away.

"Now she'll never even like me."

There was a knock on the door. Harry looked up, but ignored it, leaving whoever it was that was on the other side of the door still knocking. He rolled over, burying his head in his pillow. Whoever was on the other side of the door got angry and tired of knocking, so the person revealed herself to be Hermione by barging in. She saw Harry face down on his bed and turned her head, thinking, What have I done? Now he doesn't want to talk to me anymore.

She sat down on the end of his bed. The movement surprised Harry, and thus, he jumped and rolled over. Hermione looked him over carefully, then spoke.

"Harry, I wanted to say something earlier. I guess I just hadn't come to terms with some things yet,"

"It's okay. I understand. It's just, I mean," Harry stuttered. He thought to himself that this was a really bad idea. He continued after a moment's pause.

"I think I'm in love, Hermione."

Hermione's thoughts exploded into a thousand questions. Love? With who? Do I know them? One question stood out among the rest. Why are you telling me this?

That was the particular question that escaped her lips after she comprehended what Harry had said.

Harry shook his head. "You don't understand, do you, Hermione?"

Hermione shook her head as one last thought formed in her mind.

Me.

Her eyes widened in understanding, and she shook her head in disbelief. "Harry, that's not funny," she said, trying to pretend that Harry wasn't really in love with her.

"I'm not joking. Hermione, I've told you why I snogged you earlier, now tell me why you don't believe me. Please," he added gently.

Hermione sat in shocked silence. Harry loved her? But why? There was Ginny, who he had previously been seeing, but not anymore, apparently. And there was Cho, but that relationship hadn't really worked out. But why would Harry choose her, she thought wildly. Harry sighed, jolting her back to reality.

"Harry, you can't really be serious," Hermione said, desperately hoping that he really was serious, and that this wasn't just a prank from Ron. One thing that she realized she hadn't come to terms with was her own feelings.

"Hermione, stop doing this. I love you," he said, sitting up and looking Hermione straight in the eye. "Must I say it again? I will say it a thousand times if I have to."

Hermione shifted her eyes away from Harry's gaze before she spoke. She tried to keep her voice as emotionless as possible, with no success.

"Harry. I can't do this. I was going to tell you something when I came in here, but," Hermione began to cry, letting tears run down her face. She tried desperately to stop them, but they flowed on endlessly, showing far too much emotion for an attempted-to-be-emotionless comment. Harry nodded, and pulled Hermione in close to him. She pushed him away.

"Harry, I can't do this! I –" She was cut off suddenly because her lips had something better to be doing.

Harry pulled back for a second.

"Hermione, I love you."

With that, he leaned down and kissed her again.

"Harry, stop," Hermione started, but she couldn't finish. Harry wouldn't let go of her long enough to finish a sentence.

"Hermione, you're not trying hard enough to break away. Just say what's on your mind. I'll let you go, I promise. See?" Harry let go of her reluctantly, and gave Hermione a chance to speak.

"Harry, I'd say it, but I'm just not sure of what I feel right now. I'm sorry." She turned her head and shed a tear. Harry kissed her cheek and let her go.

She moved to leave, but then turned back to Harry for a moment, whispering the words, "I'm sorry" once more. Harry laid back down and told himself that he was crazy for saying what he had, and wished that Hermione could think of a response to his love.