Disclaimer: Yeah JKR still owns Harry Potter. She still won't give him up, but when she does. . .

Chapter 7: Triumph of emotions

We arrived at the common room, our search for Ron unsuccessful. Unsure of where else to look, we sat down on the couch by the fire. Hermione rested her head on my shoulder and squeezed my hand affectionately. I smiled at her and rested my head on hers.

"I wonder where everyone is?" Hermione inquired.

"Yeah, me too. I haven't seen any one since lunch, and then when we followed Ron," I stated as equally perplexed.

"What time is it?" she asked. I looked at the clock.

"Six," I answered. "Six!? Dinner! No wonder they're all gone."

"Shall we?"

"Sure, let's go." I helped her up and she looped her arm through mine.

At the dining hall, we saw that most of the seats were filled. Thankfully we heard Ron calling our names. This, however, drew attention to us and nearly everyone turned to look at us. They spotted our arms linked and the hall was filled with silence.

"Might as well happen in front of everyone and not have people whispering to each other about it," I stated, shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly. Seeing Hermione's questioning look, I un-looped my arm from hers and grabbed her hand and squeezed it comfortingly. I led her to where Ron was. Ron, just as we expected, had a knowing look on his face.

Surprisingly enough, he didn't mention anything about being right but his countenance conveyed everything he was thinking. Before he could say anything, Seamus and Dean approached us.

"I knew it. I knew you two would get together!" Seamus said, apparently pleased that his prediction was right.

"Yeah," Dean agreed. "Congratulations to you both." Many other things like that were said, mostly something similar to what Seamus had said. Despite trying to remain neutral, I couldn't resist saying, "If you all knew, then why didn't you do something?" My question was met with guilty smiles.

I looked at Hermione and saw that she too was smiling pleasantly and politely thanking people. I looked around and saw Cho looking at Hermione and me, a hint of a glare directed towards Hermione. She whispered to her friends, which caused them to turn and look at us and nod.

Hoping that Hermione was oblivious to their rude stares, I put my arm around her and turned away from Cho and her friends. Although I was hungry, eating didn't seem important. I was so glad with the way everyone had handled the news about Hermione and me.
After most of the excitement had gone down, Hermione and I turned to talk to Ron.

"See, I told you that you two liked each other," he said proudly.

"I was wondering how long you would keep quite about it," Hermione joked. We began eating, occasionally talking to Ron, who surprisingly was full.

"How can you be full?" I asked surprised. "We came ten minutes late."

"Hey mate, I had to get first dibs."

"Ron, there is absolutely no way possible that the food could run out," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. Fearing that this discussion would turn to house elves, Ron and I changed the subject.

"How's Quidditch?" I asked Ron, curious to know about my favorite sport.

"Hard. Practices are a nightmare," Ron answered, but I couldn't tell if he was being honest or just trying to cheer me up. "You coming to the match tomorrow?"

"Wouldn't miss it," I said happily. "Hufflepuff, right?"

"Yeah, should be a sure win."

Hermione, apparently uninterested in our discussion, pulled out a book- which I don't know when she grabbed it- and began studying it. Noticing Hermione's lack of interest, Ron accusingly said, "You are coming, right?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" she asked, surprised and hurt by his question.

"Well, I just thought that since...Well-" his voice fell.

"You thought that since Harry wasn't on the team-" she didn't need to finish. "Ron, you're my friend too."

"Yeah, I know, it's just, I'm still kind of…oh never mind... Let's go for a walk," he said, abruptly getting up. Hermione and I followed him out into the grounds. He led us to the lake and began walking around it. I went to grab Hermione's hand but she nudged me with her elbow and motioned towards Ron, who looked sad.

"Ron, what's-" but before I could finish my question he asked, "How can I get Lavender to notice me?"

"Oh believe me, she notices you," Hermione said.

"Yeah? You really think so?" Hermione nodded and his mood seemed to brighten significantly. Hermione grabbed my hand and we finished our lap around the lake.

When we arrived back at the common room, it was busy. Not wanting to be part of the commotion, I said good night to everyone, kissed Hermione, ignored the "oohs" that filled the room, and went to bed.

Next morning I got dressed and met Hermione for breakfast. Before I could ask, she said, "At the pitch. You know how he gets about matches."

We went to the pitch together and sat down, awaiting the match. Impressed by Gryffindor's skill, I felt regret fill me as I watched them. Hermione, sympathizing with me, put her arm through mine and leaned her head on my shoulders.

When the exciting match ended, I shouted with my fellow housemates over Gryffindor's 190-10 victory, complete with Ron's almost shut-out game. I heard some one say my name and I turned to locate the source. Having spotted Professor McGonagall, I waited for her to say more.

"Harry, it brings me great pleasure to welcome you back to the team," she said, a rare smile crossing her stern features. She patted my shoulder and said, "Oh, and the captain position of course." She smiled again and then turned and left.

"Harry, that's great!" Hermione said as she hugged me and then kissed me after hearing my news. Personally, I hope to get good news more often.

I looked for Ron to tell him the good news and to congratulate him. I didn't wait long. He came running towards us, a huge smile lighting up his face.

"Lavender. just. asked. me. out," he said breathlessly.

"Way to go mate," I said slapping him on the back. He grinned at me as I told him my news.

"Wicked," he said, and then he ran off, probably to find Lavender again. Hermione and I headed back to the castle, our fingers linked. Not wanting to deal with the huge crowd in the common room, we headed to the library.

We sat down in couch and Hermione began speaking.

"Harry, what are you going to do about Voldemort?"

"Dunno," I said. "I've never really had any elaborate plan, I just seem to be lucky.

"We'll fight him this time, Harry. I don't care about that stupid prophecy. I won't let you face him alone," Hermione said determinedly.

"Hermione, he already knows I'm vulnerable where you are concerned."

"So what? That doesn't change anything. I absolutely refuse to let you die," she said passionately. She threw her arms around me and hugged me. "I can't- I just can't let you die."

"Hermione, I can't risk losing you. You remember as well as I do what happened in the Department of Mysteries." I released her and looked at her. "I was so stupid for putting you through that. It's my destiny to face him, Hermione, and there is no need for you to be involved."

"I wouldn't changed what happened for anything, Harry. If I had the choice again, I'd still go with you there," Hermione said, her eyes shining. "You are stupid, Harry, but only because you fail to realize your own life's importance."

"I don't care about my life. Your life is more important," I said, trying to make her realize.

"Well I care about your life, Harry," Hermione said, trying to convince me. "Harry, I couldn't live with myself if you died. My heart would stop."

She took my hand and put it over her heart, emphasizing her words. She paused to collect herself and then she completely silenced me with her next words.

"I love you, Harry. Don't ever leave me," she said crying, her love radiating from her. Before I could say anything, she leaned in and kissed me. I kissed her back with all the feelings in his heart. We broke apart I mustered up all my feelings and said, "I love you, Hermione. Don't ever leave me," and kissed her again.

Challenges will come. I expect no less with the life I lead. But I'm not alone. My life does have value. I'll live for her. I have my weapon to beat Voldemort and it's stronger than any spell. Its a triumph. A triumph of knowledge, a triumph of understanding, and all in all, a triumph of emotions. Love will save us all.

A/N: Well this was my first completed story. Thanks for sticking with me through it. I hope you liked it. Stay tuned for my next story (which is alot better IMO) Harry Potter and the Dream of Reality. Please review, I would love to hear input from you. Much love,

lnkmstr10