"I love you, Hermione."
Shit! Did I just say that? Oh no, oh no, oh no.
I covered my face with my hands to hide the ferocious shade of red it had turned. Maybe she thought I meant it in that way, but I didn't. Well maybe I did. But I was only saying thanks! And besides, people say they love their family, and she was sort of like family. Well, no not quite. Not at all. Maybe she thinks of me as a brother, but I definitely don't think of her as a sister. Well, maybe she did see me as something more. She was jealous of Lavender, wasn't she? No, she probably just hated Lavender. Not that I blame her. But I can't believe I said that I loved her! She'll hate me now.
"Better not let Lavender hear you say that," Hermione said simply.
My body instantly relaxed. It's not like I meant anything. I was just saying thanks.