A/N: And here's the next. There are some tense changes that i didn't realize at first, but it still works the way it is. Anyway, this is Harry's POV. Enjoy! R&R! Thanks! -Mac
Disclaimer: I don't own HP. Who's ready for the movie and last book?! I am! I am:)
Chapter Eight
I Knew My Place
Harry's POV
"Harry, I made a mistake."
"I didn't know that was possible."
(insert ruler here)
Yesterday, Hermione told me that she made a mistake--that she was finally wrong about something. And while that seems impossible, she was quite convinced. She said it had to do with Ron, and me. After I nodded and remained quiet for her to explain, she began to ramble. And while I've always found it adorable when she rambles, I couldn't understand a word she said.
I caught something about "feelings" and "Ron" and "wrong" but it wasn't coherent and nothing seemed to connect. After I asked her to slow down and repeat herself a couple times, she started to get frustrated. Finally, she took a deep breath and allowed herself to calm down. She waited a moment before she tried again.
And then she said one thing, "Choosing Ron was the biggest mistake of my life, so far at least."
At first I wasn't completely sure of what she was trying to say. She definitely cleared things up for me though. She glanced around the empty common room and looked thankful that we were alone. She sighed softly and smiled at me. The next thing I know, I've found her lips on mine.
(insert ruler here)
I had always cared deeply about my friends. They knew htat. They were all I had. They were my family, more so than any living blood relative of mine. I would do absolutely anything for them, no matter the cost or consequence.
My feelings ran deeper when it came to Hermione. I, regretfully, had come across that realization after Ron had confided in me that he fancied her. And don't think it was something brought on by jealousy. It wasn't. It was something real and true. It was just late coming. I've never been very good with timing. It's rather unfortunate.
I knew my place. It's as simple as that. I knew how Ron felt and from what I heard from our gossip hungry classmates, I could only imagine Hermione felt the same. So I backed off. I'm great at hiding my emotions from everyone. It comes in handy in times like this. That's exactly what I did. I pushed all the feelings away from the surface and let Ron have her. Because I'm the "selfless, noble, caring" friend. It didn't matter how I felt. I would put it aside if it meant they were happy (this came into the I would do anything for them category).
But Ron couldn't do it. He kept shying away from it. He liked her, but knowing that and doing something about it were two vastly different things. I practically had to force him into asking her out--it required a lot of pushing, shoving and reassuring. When she accepted, I was crushed of course. I didn't show it, but I was. My thoughts that she returned his sentiments were confirmed. And any hope that I might have still had harbored deep down somewhere was dashed. But if this was the way to see them both happy, then I would handle it. I would have to.
Then he pulls this, this...rubbish. I could think of a lot more strongly worded alternatives but she prefers cleaner language so I'll leave it at that. It has the same meaning. If Ron didn't already have everyone convinced that he was thickheaded and dumb, this removes all doubt. I want to bloody strangle some sense into him.
He just doesn't get it. He never saw how much he hurt her. She takes everything so personally and that's not a bad thing most of the time. I just know every malicious word cut at her heart. He came bloody close to shattering it completely. But he never saw it. I always did. My heart hurt for her. I hated to see her hurting, but I didn't know what to do.
But then she tells me this, and I have to go for it. I have to. If she wants me, I'm not going to pass on the opportunity. If she wants me, I'm not going to let her slip away. I know I can't let her get away, because I don't think I'll ever get another chance like this.
I have a new place. She has given me a new place. It's beside her, as it has always been. I've always stood beside her and Ron, as they've stood by me. But this time, she's not my best friend's, she's mine. And having her is a feeling I can't describe. I have a new place.