DISCLAIMER: I, unfortunately, do not own any of the Harry Potter characters; I only own the plot.

Hermione rushed out of Harry's room. Her eyes filled with tears. She still felt like she was in shock. Did Harry really just say that he loved her? What did she feel?

Ginny saw Hermione come down the boys dormitory staircase and run up to the girls dormitory. The young redhead sighed as she put down her enormous Potions essay to follow the seventh year to her room.

"The things I do for my friends," she said, making her way up the stone stairs.

Hermione was on her bed crying her heart out when Ginny walked in. The redhead seemed to be contemplating what to say, so Hermione turned over to see why she was so silent.

"Hermione? What happened? You came running from Harry's room, and ran straight up here. What's going on?" Ginny seemed to be genuinely concerned.

"Gin, can I not tell you now? I need to mull over what got said up there," Hermione said the last part slowly, thinking. She made a strange face as she contemplated Harry's words, then began to cry again.

"Has that git told you to go die?" Ginny asked playfully.

"No, quite the opposite."

Ginny stared at Hermione blankly for a moment. "What do you mean, 'Mione?"

"I mean, he said he loved me."

Ginny burst out laughing. Hermione glared, which appeared to have the desired effect: instant silence. "He really said that…that he loved you?"

"Not only that, he bloody kissed me again!"

The flame-haired youth sat in thought for a moment. "He's a good kisser, isn't he?" she finally asked.

"Ginny!"

"What? Sorry," she said, hoping Hermione wouldn't be too upset. Hermione relaxed after Ginny apologized for bringing up the subject of good or bad kissing.

"Gin, how would I know," Hermione started. "How would I know if he was a good kisser? He's the only guy I've ever kissed!" Ginny laughed gently.

"You know I was only joking?"

"Yeah, I know."

A moment of silence passed. The air seemed heavy with it, and Hermione suddenly felt as if she were suffocating. Sighing, she sat up.

"So, are you going to answer him?" Ginny posed the question.

"Huh?" Hermione said as if coming out of a trance. She had been lost in thought, and Ginny's words made her snap harshly back to reality.

"Are you going to tell him you love him?"

Hermione bit her lip. If she did that, Harry might kiss her again. She wasn't all that fond of kissing…especially if she wasn't sure of how she felt about the guy.

"I…I don't know."

"Do you love him?"

That one was unexpected, and made her think. Did she really love him? Was it hormones? Was it lust? She definitely felt something, but she didn't know if it really was love.

"Gin, I'm not sure. I feel something, I care, but I can't say for sure if I'm in love."

Ginny nodded. "I understand."

Ginny stood up and walked for the door. "If there's ever anything you want to say to me, just talk, okay?"

Hermione bobbed her head in agreement to Ginny's statement.

"Okay, then. I have a 4-foot long Potions essay due tomorrow, so I'm going to go work on that."

"Okay."

Harry came out of the boys dormitories, looking rather confused. Ginny wandered down the opposite staircase seconds later. Harry jumped in surprise, then ran over to his old girlfriend. Ginny turned around and ignored Harry as he approached her.

"Alright, what did I do to Hermione this time?"

"You confused the hell out of her! You wanted to see her? Well I'm quite sure she doesn't wan to hear what you have to say right now." Ginny was ranting at Harry, trying to make him feel sorry for what he had done to Hermione.

"Too bad. I wanted to tell her something." Harry said, his voice full of sorrow. Almost as if on cue, the Gryffindor appeared at the top of the stairs, looking like she had been crying.

"What did you want to say, Harry? If you want to say 'I love you' again to make it all better, tell me now. I'll just go back upstairs."

"Actually," Harry shuffled his feet. "I felt bad for confusing you, so I wanted to say I was sorry."

Hermione grinned, bolting down the stairs and bounding into Harry's arms. He stumbled as she jumped into him, but quickly regained his balance and hugged his love.

Hermione looked up, staring into the emerald orbs that were Harry Potter's eyes. Harry closed his eyes hurriedly, so he wouldn't be tempted to kiss her again.

All of a sudden, he felt something on his lips, and it wasn't something he expected. His eyes flickered open to see Hermione kissing him, her caramel eyes now locked into his again. Her eyelids slipped closed again, and Harry smiled into her, kissing her back. Ginny groaned.

"Get a room, you two!"

Ron walked in, and promptly fainted. He came to a few minutes later, only to see his two best friends still eating each other's faces off. He shouted at them.

"Get. A. Room. NOW!" Ron didn't seem too used to the snog-fests happening around him.

"That's what I said!" Ginny said, sounding rather annoyed as she squeaked past the couple, heading for her room. Ron walked over and shoved Harry in the shoulder. He didn't respond. Giving up after a few more tries, he decided to leave them to their snogging. He opened the door and Luna skipped in, even though she was in Ravenclaw. She walked over to Ron and kissed him.

Ron jumped. Why did Luna have to kiss him in front of the snogging lovebirds over there? I mean, she is my girlfriend, but why NOW

Luna grinned when she saw the famous wizard kissing the know-it-all of his dreams.

"Luna, do something to stop them!"

Luna smiled, and turned on a radio.

"My work here is done," she said dreamily as she pulled Ron into a tight hug. She planted her lips on his, but Harry and Hermione didn't seem to notice. Ron was thankful for that.

"Hey Luna?" Ron panted, breaking away from the kiss. "Where'd you get the Muggle radio?"

Luna looked surprised. "My father, of course!" She pulled him out of the room, and the two ran off to find a broom closet or empty classroom.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, thanks for listening today, and we have just one more song for you!" The radio announced this loudly. Hermione and Harry broke away panting to listen to the new song. A few notes drifted into the room.

This time, This place,

Misused, Mistakes,

Too long, Too late,

Who was I to make you wait?

Hermione sighed. "I love this song," she said as Harry pulled her back into the kiss.

I love you,

I have loved you all along

The couple kissed most of the song away.

I wanted

I wanted you to stay

'Cause I needed

I need to hear you say

Harry broke away. "Hermione, you never said one thing to me," he said slyly.

"Oh really? What would that be?"

"I love you."

Hermione went rigid, but then feeling Harry's touch, she repeated the words.

"I love you," she said slowly, savoring the words. Harry smiled and kissed her again and again.

I love you

And I have loved you all along

"I love you, Harry Potter." Hermione said these words bravely like a true Gryffindor would. She showed no fear in her love anymore, and she was quite happy to just say the words to him.

"I love you too, Hermione Granger."

fin