"I have feelings for you, Lean," Harry repeated when my brain failed to come up with a response fast enough.

Somehow, hearing those three words snapped me back to reality. "I see," I said, folding my arms and peering up at Harry. "You feel bad that you couldn't return my feelings, so now you're making up lies to... what? Make me feel better? Well, sorry to disappoint, but I don't need your pity or-"

Harry shook his head hurriedly. "No, I'm not lying, Lean. I really do have-"

"Don't say 'feelings'."

"- feelings," Harry finished.

I groaned in exasperation, and turned around, ready to storm up the staircase to my dorm where Harry couldn't follow. But Harry pulled me back, grabbing my arms and spinning me back around so that we were face to face.

"I'm being honest here, Lean."

"Sure," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

I wanted to turn away, but Harry's grip was strong, and he spoke with such intent, I was admittedly curious to see what he had to say. "Why is it so hard for you to believe that someone might actually like you? I mean, why wouldn't they? You're smart, you're funny, you're loyal, you're passionate, you're brave - so, so brave. And I just want... I just want... I just want you, Lean."

I kept my face straight at tried not to react. On the outside, at least. In my mind, I was screaming.

Then suddenly, we were kissing. Kissing like there was no tomorrow. I wrapped my arms around Harry's neck, pulling him close as his hands tightened around my waist.

But then I pulled away, keeping my eyes locked with Harry's as we slowly sat back in upright positions. But once we were up, we hastily averted each other's gaze, staring down at the carpet.

"We've never done that before," Harry commented after a long awkward silence.

"No, we have not," I agreed. But then I smirked. "I don't regret it, though."

"Neither do I," Harry admitted shyly. At the same time, we both turned our heads back to face each other.

"What does this mean?" I asked in no more than a whisper, mesmerised by Harry's deep green eyes.

"It means," Harry said quietly. "It means I meant what I said. I like you, Leaena Malfoy."

I grinned. "I like you too, Harry Potter."

"So..." Harry cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Does this mean... will you... will you be my girlfriend?"

"Hmm," I said, putting a finger to my chin in pretend consideration. Then, slowly, I stepped closer, so close I could hear the thump of his racing heart. I gazed into his eyes... those eyes. They were the same eyes that comforted me that day in the dungeons. The same eyes that had traced my lips in the final moments of last year. The same eyes that never failed to send sparks flying down my spine, causing my heart to pound in my chest as if it was threatening to explode.

"Yes," I whispered finally. The word had barely left my mouth when Harry closed the distance between us with a deep, passionate kiss.

Neither of us worried that someone might find us there. We were oblivious to everything around us. As I kissed him, I completely forgot about Fred and every other problem that had presented itself this school year.

I was lost in happiness. And I loved it.

The next morning, I woke in my dorm room. Just the memory of last night brought a smile to my face as I snuggled deeper into my blankets, completely forgetting that today was a school day.

I probably would've stayed there all day if it weren't for the loud slam of the dorm door closing, followed by Hermione shrill voice. "Lean!" She shrieked. "What are you doing still in bed? Lessons start in ten minutes?"

Rubbing my eyes lazily, I sat up. Hermione was fully dressed, clutching her book bag. Usually, I slept with the drapes around my four-poster bed closed, but last night I must've forgotten to close them as I got into bed. "Ten minutes?" I yawned, the information still not quite reaching my very tired brain.

"Yes, ten minutes! And if we don't leave now, we'll have to run all the way to Professor Binns classroom." Then, eyeing my outfit, Hermione widened her eyes and exclaimed, "You wore jeans to bed? What time did you get back last night... you know, never mind, you don't have time for a shower let alone an interrogation. I'll get your books, you just get dressed. Go!"

Groaning, I reluctantly swung my legs out of bed, knowing there was no use trying to skip first period in favour of a short nap and long shower. I grabbed my uniform and walked into the bathroom to change, as Hermione urged me to be quick.

I washed my face and swapped my clothes from last night with my clean, fresh uniform. Too tired to find a brush, I pointed at my hair with my wand which I'd brought into the bathroom and muttered, "Crinus Muto". It was a spell my grandfather had taught me after I'd spent over an hour fixing my hair and makeup for some boring event I'd made us late to. To ensure I never embarrassed him with my tardiness again, my grandfather decided to teach me the same spell my grandmother had used all the time when she was still alive, a spell used to transfigure one's hair colour and style. While my grandmother had used it to completely change her appearance for something more... desirable... I only ever used it to get rid of large knots or the occasional bed hair.

When I left the bathroom, Hermione was standing by the door, shifting her weight impatiently from foot to foot, holding both hers and my own book bag. When I stepped out of the bathroom, all she screamed was, "three minutes!" before shoving into my hands my book bag and racing out the door.

I chuckled in amusement, before closing the dormitory door behind me and following Hermione down the staircase at a much more reasonable speed. That was until Hermione doubled back and grabbed me by the arm, forcing me to run with her.

"Hermione, slow down!" I panted as we raced the marble staircase. Sure, I liked to jog long distances, but that was long distance. This was a sprint across the school, and my body was not designed for that.

"You'll thank me one day," Hermione insisted as we turned a sharp corner.

"Doubt it," I murmured, too quietly for her to hear.

It was a relief to finally arrive at our classroom, and as we entered the room, my heart almost skipped a beat. Harry was sitting with Ron at their usual seats towards the back of the classroom. He was doodling something on the edge of his book but looked up when he felt my eyes on him.

His lips twitched into a small smile, and he sent me a small, nervous wave, which I returned, doing my best to keep my cheeks from turning red at the memory of the previous night.

Hermione took the seat beside Harry, and so I sat on her other side just as Professor Binns entered the room and launched straight into whatever this lesson's boring topic was.

As I sat down, I couldn't help shoot Harry another small smile, an action that did not go unnoticed by Hermione. She looked between the two of us for a moment, before her face lit up.

"You two finally made up?" She asked excitedly.

"Something like that..." I said, unable to keep the blush off my face.

Hermione's jaw dropped. "Did you too... Are you now..."

Harry and I shared a look and nodded, both of us grinning like fools. Hermione let out a small shriek and brought me into a tight hug.

"Miss Granger," Professor Binns said suddenly. "Anything you'd like to share with the class?"

"No sir," Hermione said sincerely, but when the professor looked away, her goofy smile returned.

"Wot?" Ron asked, looking between the three of us with a confused look.

"Oh, honestly, Ron," Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes. Then in a hushed, excited voice, she whispered, "Harry and Lean finally got together."

Ron stared between me and Harry with raised eyebrows. When neither of us contradicted Hermione, he simply shrugged. "Makes sense, I guess."

And as I gazed dreamily over at Harry, I couldn't help agree with Ron.

This - Harry and I - it made perfect sense. In fact, I couldn't think of anything that made more sense than the two of us together.