It's The Little Things by DiezeL

Rating: G
Genres: Romance, Humor
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 29/12/2003
Last Updated: 05/01/2004
Status: Completed

Hermione is studying for NEWTS with Harry in the library when she discovers something about
herself. Harry's POV is now up, as well as the conclusion! (Replaced Chapter Two)




1. The Little Things About Him
------------------------------

**A/N:** Here’s a piece of work I posted in FF.net awhile back. It’s been retouched and some
things were changed but its still pretty much the same tale. Special thanks to Michelle for
beta-ing my fic.

**It’s The Little Things About Him**

There he goes again with his unruly hair. It seemed that no matter what he did, his hair was
just not going to stay tame for too long. For a moment she pondered giving him hair gel or mousse
for his next birthday. It could be the best birthday present she could give him yet. Wisps and
locks of it were out of place as he ran his fingers through it casually, she noted. Maybe a
different type of haircut would just do it: a three on the side and a two for the top. But Hermione
knew that Harry would sooner stupefy the barber rather than get his hair cut that short.

She stared back down on her book. She ought to be studying, not worrying about Harry Potter’s
hair, she told herself. Taking a deep breath she stared down at the ingredients to be used for
making a sleeping potion. Dried grasshopper legs, tea leaves, quail’s tail feather, she memorized.
Gulver’s elixir is the tonic used to rouse someone who takes the sleeping potion if they don’t wake
after a long period of time, she remembered.

Out of the corner her eye, she observed that Harry took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes.
He’s getting tired, she guessed.

“Mione, how are you doing with your studying?” he asked her. He leaned back on the seat and
stared at the ceiling.

“I’m coming along well, but, “she paused, “ from the looks of things, you look like you’re about
ready to give up, Harry.” She scowled at him slightly. “Surely, that’s not the case is it? We start
NEWTs next week.”

He ran his right hand carelessly through his hair. There it goes again, that hair that refuses
to be tamed.

“Potions have never been my passion or my strongest point. You know that Professor McGonagall
had to pull some strings so Snape would take me in so I may pursue Auror training after Hogwarts,”
he informed her.

“Yeah, I know. But you know you wouldn’t be half bad at it if you really tried, Harry. Half of
the time though, you’re busy daydreaming about something or too preoccupied with hating Snape,” she
said dully. He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off, “Mind you, plenty of people hate
Snape, but really, Harry, you shouldn’t let it affect your studies that much.”

That was another thing that bothered her about him. Most of the time, he can ignore the
disparaging remarks or scathing rumors that would be said behind his back. She considered that to
be such an amazing feat of self-restraint. But with Snape, whenever he makes belittling or
sarcastic remarks toward Harry, it greatly aggravated Harry enough that his reason or logic would
abandon him. Not that she could really blame him, she supposed, but she knew Harry could do better
in lessening that aggravation.

To her great relief though, Harry never really acted on his irate emotions. She knew he came
close one time to jumping Snape once before after Snape made another careless remark about Harry’s
father. Thankfully, Professor McGonagall at the last second entered the hallway where they
stood.

“I must admit, if that comment came from someone else, it would annoy me. But coming from you,
Hermione, as much as I don’t like to admit it, you make perfect sense,” Harry admitted.

Hermione sat back and pushed her book away from her. Looking at him she said, “I think that’s a
compliment so I’m taking it as one. After all, you don’t like admitting things like that.”

“Things like what?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes on him. “For someone who’s awfully fast up in the air going after the
snitch, you’re awfully slow at grasping everything else. Maybe you’ve been hit by the bludger too
many times for your own good, Harry.”

This time, it was Harry’s turn to scowl. “Hey, that’s not true!” he said a little too
loudly.

“Shhhh!” Somebody five tables away from them gave them an annoyed look. Both Harry and Hermione
returned the look. It was a Ravenclaw student, they both recognized.

“Come on, Harry, you can’t be that dense,” she said in a hushed voice. She almost forgot that
they were still in the library.

He gave her a smirk. “You’re right. I’m not. I just wanted to ruffle you up a bit,” he jested.
Hermione shot him an icy look across the table. He chuckled.

“Since when have you been so impish?” she sarcastically asked. His playfulness, she reckoned was
something fairly new to his character. She recalled him to be less assertive in things outside of
quidditch or Defense Against Dark Arts. Even more so was he hesitant about openly making jokes or
teasing her or anyone else for that matter. Like it though, she did. It was a nice change for him
because it made him more outgoing than he used to be.

“Hermione? Why are you staring at me like that?”

She coughed and blinked. Without realizing it, she had been staring at him for some time.

Harry leaned forward a bit on the table with his right eyebrow raised. “What is it? Do I have
something on my face? Or did you just space out about something and just stared at me
indirectly?”

Hermione’s cheeks colored somewhat and she diverted her gaze back down on the book she had in
front of her earlier.

“Or…is it that you find me interesting or maybe good looking?” he kidded.

He was teasing her again! Her slightly pink cheeks grew even redder, she knew. She turned her
gaze back on him gave him a weird look. She then muttered with a snort, “Don’t flatter yourself,
Harry. You’re charming, but not that charming.”

“Once again, my best friend has humbled me back down to earth. Here I thought that I had the
unflappable and composed Hermione Granger captivated at last.” He tried his best to muffle his
laughter.

His father, she thought. If it wasn’t evident yet, he inherited his frolicking and antics from
his father. She figured it out now as he laughed at her. Sooner or later, she now realized, that
characteristic ought to come out from Harry. And come out, it did along with several other
characteristics. In their seventh and final year at Hogwarts, Harry has been receiving a different
kind of look from the majority of the female population at Hogwarts—looks of wanton, desire, or
infatuation. He wasn’t so selfish about it either to her dismay. He returned their smiles, flirted
back every now and then, and gave some of them false hope. She wondered at how aware he was of his
stature, not as the Boy-Who-Lived, but as Harry-the-heartbreaker.

“Please Harry,” Hermione laughed, “the day that you turn your romantic wiles on to me would be
the day that Dumbledore trades Fawkes for an owl.”

Harry shut his book closed and put on a seemingly hurt appearance. In a mocking voice he said,
“Hey I’m not that bad, am I?” He gave her a big smile, which made her suspicious. “Speaking of
which, I just heard that Professor Dumbledore is shopping for owls. So what say you now?” He was
grinning now devilishly.

“Harry!” she remarked a little too loudly. She knew that she was blushing again. “Enough
already.” Madam Pince peered out of an immense bookshelf to quickly spy on them but was soon off
again. “We’re dallying about a bit too much. We need to get back to studying.”

He sulked in response and directed his interest once again to his Potions book. “Yes, ma’am.
Back to the boring book and boring studying session I am.”

Indeed, Harry was teasing her more than usual today. Out of character it may be, but Hermione
didn’t mind because it was her best friend. Only her best friend, she reminded herself even though
her heartbeat rate seemed to have upped a few notches since he joked about having a romantic
interest in her. She quickly got up from her seat.

“Where are you going?” he looked up and inquired. He seemed to be back to his nonchalant mood
again, which annoyed her a bit.

“I…I need to look for a book,” she managed to say as her eyes met his. Those emerald eyes of his
suddenly entranced her. Someone should chastise him for having such immensely green orbs. Nobody
should be allowed to have natural eyes like that. They were too bewitching and enough witches could
drown in his gaze if they stared long enough, she believed. Hermione snapped out of distraction and
quickly turned around without another word, leaving him with a perplexed look on his face.

The curly brown-haired Head Girl took about twenty paces away from the table she shared with the
unruly-haired young man and suddenly veered right behind a tall bookshelf. She wasn’t really
looking for a book. She just wanted to get away from him, away from what was causing her heart to
stir. She scolded herself for allowing herself to be disturbed by possible romantic feelings for
Harry. Leaning against the side of the bookshelf, she closed her eyes and took several deep
breaths, trying to gather her thoughts and recover.

Seconds turned to minutes without her realizing it. Then it hit her.

She liked him. She really, really liked him—not in the best friend kind of way, but in the
potential boyfriend kind of way.

Wait.

No.

It was more than a fancy liking that she felt for Harry. She liked Victor Krum. She liked Ronald
Weasley. But what she felt for Harry was different altogether. A groan escaped her lips as she
lightly thumped her head against the bookshelf. Questions of how, when, and why suddenly flooded
her mind. It was quite overwhelming. Hermione Granger had done it. She had become one of the girls
who were constantly fawning over him, pining for him.

She’s in love with him.

She’s in love with every bit of him. She’s even in love with his unruly hair!

More minutes passed. Endless questions overcame her on top of her emotions. In the first year,
he awed her because he was The Boy-Who-Lived. The second year, he saved her from being in a
petrified state (actually it was Madame Pomfrey who restored her, she corrected herself, but Harry
killed the basilisk so Muggles were once again safe at Hogwarts). Clearly then, Muggle or magical,
he considered her a best friend, someone really important to him. Third year, she felt that he
needed her help more than anyone else in helping his godfather escape. In their fourth year to her
embarrassment, Rita Seeker labeled her as his good for nothing Muggle girlfriend. It didn’t
unsettle her much and neither was he because both weren’t true—her being a good for nothing Muggle
and her being his girlfriend. Well, she also somewhat developed some feelings for Ron, which Harry
didn’t seem to mind (well more like he probably didn’t’ notice). He was too enthralled with Cho
Chang, if she recalled correctly, and with being a Tri-Wizard Champion. Then there was Victor Krum
who was just a passing liking for her. Fifth year, he lost Sirius but he still maintained his
sanity and resolve. He lived on as their friend and the (unofficial) champion against the Dark
Forces. He never gave up. In their sixth year, he came so close to losing somebody else close to
him (well, her again). But once more, against all odds, he survived. And this year—

A voice interrupted her thoughts. “You know, if you needed help in finding a book, you could
have told me. I would have gladly helped, Hermione.”

Opening her eyes, she yelped slightly and started back as he was standing directly in front of
her. Harry had bent down a little so that his face was level with hers. “Though I find it rather
odd that you’d need something Potions related in the Teen Relationships section.” He straightened
and looked around.

“The what?” Hermione’s gaze swept quickly over her surroundings and her eyes widened. She just
realized what section of the library she ended up in. Hermione, if she could, would very much like
to just bury herself in some unknown hole right now. It was embarrassing enough that she, Hermione
Granger, would be found at this section but it was even more so humiliating that it was Harry who
found her here. “I…must have taken the wrong turn.”

“No kidding.” Harry turned his back on her and picked up a book. “*Ten Ways* *To Get The
Wizard of Your Dreams*. Nice title.” He chuckled and quickly ruffled through the pages of the
book before replacing it. Harry grabbed another book from a higher shelf and his eyes widened
immensely. “*Dating Tips For the Young Wizard*. Now this could be useful. Hey do you think I
could borrow this book without drawing much attention to myself?” He turned around again and faced
Hermione, holding up the book.

Hermione snorted. “Really Harry, I don’t think you need a book to help in that department.” She
felt a tiny pang at her heart. ‘What about me?’ she asked silently. She groaned again. How can she
feel like this already when she just discovered how she really felt about him?

“You’re probably right. Besides, I’m quite sure it won’t help me get the girl that I want,” he
said, placing the book back on the shelf.

“You? Need help on getting a girl? Who is she?” she asked him too quickly.

Harry flashed a goofy smile at her. “Now wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Fine. You’re right. I don’t think I want to know,” she rebuked. ‘I do want to know. I do want
to know. I do want to know!’ silently she chanted.

As if he detected her silent plea he said, “Tell you what. Let’s finish studying and maybe I’ll
tell you who it is at the end of the night before we tuck in. Deal?”

“Ah sure, Harry. It’s not like I’m dying to know. For all I know it could be Ginny, or someone
else in Gryffindor, or Ravenclaw perhaps, or heaven forbid, a Slytherin witch…,” Hermione mused.
She knew she was rambling but she couldn’t stop herself.

Harry just laughed again and shook his head. Hermione gritted her teeth slightly. He was
tormenting her! But his laugh was so nice to hear regardless. He started making his way back to
their table without sparing her another glance.

‘Curiosity killed the cat, I know,’ Hermione said quietly as she gathered herself. ‘But I just
know that I won’t be content until I know who it is,’ she sighed.

Hermione started to follow after him. She took a quick peek at a grandfather clock in the
library before taking her seat. Only two hours left before the library closed. For Hermione
Granger, it would be the longest two hours of her life yet.

*Tic.*

*Toc.*



2. Little Things About Her
--------------------------

A/N: Yeah, I’m taking the time to retouch everything I’ve done so far that’s why it’s taking
awhile for new chapters to come out. Here’s the retouched chapter two of Little Things. I forgot to
do this the last time so...Thanks MushyPeas for your help.

**Disclaimer:** Everything about HP we owe to JKR. I’m just borrowing for a little bit to
make my own little art piece.

Little Things About Her

There she goes again, sauntering off to find another book. He swore that no amount of books
would ever sate her thirst for knowledge. A sponge is what he likened her to; although, the
dark-haired boy thought that was quite an unflattering comparison. He watched her disappear behind
a bookshelf, looking for another Potions book he surmised. Sighing wistfully, he grabbed his own
text and started studying again. Five minutes later, he was still staring at the same page, the
same words, and the same hair-growing elixir. And she still wasn’t back.

Harry gave the grandfather clock near him a quick glance. Their study session won’t be over for
another two and a-half-hours. He was getting a bit sick of it—studying that is. Glimpsing at
bookshelf that his study companion disappeared to, she had yet to emerge. He knew that he wouldn’t
feel up to studying again until she came back. When she’s around, he felt plenty more diligent and
interested in learning. Harry didn’t know why but she just made him feel that way about
studying.

Well, he actually knew why, correcting himself. Part of it he blamed on guilt since she would be
earnestly studying, and lazing around her just didn’t seem right. Another part…well, he wasn’t sure
he’d want anybody else to know, but Harry wanted to impress her.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a deep breath and shook his head clear of thoughts
concerning Hermione in that sense. They were best friends, he reminded himself. Harry was certain
that there were some unspoken rules about thinking about your best friend in a
not-so-friendly-but-beyond-that manner. He slumped forward and rested his chin on his Potions book,
lightly drumming his fingers on the table.

Twenty minutes later and Hermione still wasn’t back. Harry started wondering if his curly-haired
friend had been buried under a pile of Potions books or simply forgot that he was there, waiting
for her to come back. A small smile crept up on his face. Harry wouldn’t put it past Hermione to do
something like that.

Deciding that it was about time he searched for her, Harry got up and walked toward the
direction that Hermione disappeared to. Twenty paces later, he read the section placard designated
for the aisle that she turned to.

‘Teen Relationships? For a Potions book?’ his right eye shot up in wonder. In front of him,
Hermione rested against a shelf and was lightly thumping her head against it. Harry was sure that
she hadn’t detected his presence yet as her eyes remained closed. ‘I wonder if she’s been here all
this time.’

Without making a noise, he walked till he was directly in front of her. She looked
so…troubled…about something. Harry laughed silently. Hermione’s eyes were furrowed and almost met
at the edges and her breathing seemed impatient. What’s got her knotted up, he pondered.

He bent down slightly and leveled his head with hers. “You know, if you needed help in finding a
book, you could have told me. I would have gladly helped, Hermione,” he quietly said.

She yelped and started back in surprise after she opened her eyes. She looked like a kid caught
with her hand inside a cookie jar, he thought.

Straightening up, he looked around to browse the books that surrounded them. “Though I find it
rather odd that you’d need something Potions related in the Teen Relationships section.” Harry was
certainly curious now as to why she was here.

“The what?” she seemed genuinely confused, making quick sweeping glances around her. Hermione
was turning a bit pinkish in the cheeks, he observed. “I…must have taken the wrong turn.”

“No kidding.” Harry turned to his right and picked up a book from a shelf. Laughing, he read the
title to her, “*Ten Ways To Get The Wizard of Your Dreams*. Nice title.” He took the time to
give it a quick glance before replacing it. Reaching up, he grabbed another book. “*Dating Tips
For the Young Wizard*. Now this could be useful. Hey do you think I can borrow this book without
drawing much attention to myself?” Harry showed her the book.

“Really Harry, I don’t think you need a book to help in that department.” She seemed to find his
inquiry funny.

‘I dont, huh?’ he asked himself quietly.

Replacing the book up in the shelf he remarked, “You’re probably right. Besides, I’m quite sure
it won’t help me get the girl that I want.” Harry felt a little sheepish after saying that. Quickly
he looked away.

“You? Need help on getting a girl? Who is she?” Her inquiry made him slightly uncomfortable.

Turning back to her, he smiled at her lopsidedly. “Now wouldn’t you like to know?” ‘I just bet
you would,’ he said in his head.

She gave him an annoyed look. “Fine. You’re right. I don’t think I want to know.”

“Tell you what. Let’s finish studying and maybe I’ll tell you who it is at the end of the night
before we tuck in." Maybe he was going insane or maybe he wanted to throw caution to the wind,
but as soon as he said it, he wanted to take it back. Hermione would never leave him be now until
she found out. "Deal?”

“Ah sure, Harry. It’s not like I’m dying to know. For all I know it could be Ginny, or someone
else in Gryffindor, or Ravenclaw perhaps or, heaven forbid, a Slytherin witch...,” she replied
casually.

‘Ginny or even a girl from Slytherin?’ Amusing guesses she has. Maybe he’d still be able to get
out of telling her which girl he really fancies. He laughed heartily and turned away from her
without clarifying or denying her guess.

Harry started walking back toward their desk, knowing that she would follow soon. Before taking
his seat, he quickly peered at the clock again. There was still two hours left of studying to do
before the library closed. Without sparing him a glance, Hermione reclaimed her seat opposite him
on the table and once again buried her nose in a book.

Now that she was back, Harry moved to imitate his friend so he’d get some studying done as well.
Opening his Potions book, he began to read off in his mind the ingredients needed to cure the
boils.

‘Green toad’s oil, milkfish scales, Scarab flakes,’ he memorized in silence. Across him,
Hermione, he figured, had already forgotten about being discovered in the Teen Relationships
section. Harry wanted to ask her what she was looking for earlier and why she ended up there, but
he knew she’d just chastise him for being concerned on unimportant things.

She always did that—chastised him, that is, whenever he dawdled too much. Sometimes it irked
him, but for the most part, he liked it. He liked it that she was concerned for him. At least
that’s how he looked at it. She gave him direction similar to what the Point Me spell would do. She
always set him straight when he seems to be wandering off the path that he was destined to take.
Well, Ron was there too, but Hermione seemed to be the most focused among them.

Harry looked up from the book and studied the girl that sat across him discretely. Since she was
quite occupied with her studying, he didn’t have trouble doing so. Her left arm was draped across
her book, her right elbow rested on the desk and her head was propped on her right arm and hand,
studying once again without much care for the world around her. Watching her like this, he thought
it would be a crime if anyone dared to interrupt her. It annoyed Hermione quite so if she was
rudely disturbed. Harry and Ron knew that better than anybody else in Hogwarts.

For what it was worth, the Hermione he knew back in their first year and the Hermione that sat
across him now was both the same girl. Albeit that she was taller now, had tamer, curly hair (how
she tamed that wild hair, he'd like to know), was more outgoing and less reserved, Hermione was
still Hermione. In all the years he has spent at Hogwarts, she, along with Ron, has been the
constant presence that kept him sane. Above the craziness of his life, above the preposterous
situations that life has dealt him, above the prophecy that shadowed him, above the Dark Lord that
was consumed with him, Hermione’s support gave him strength. Along with him and his very
interesting life, she persevered without complaint.

He shook himself out from his reverie and grunted a bit. Hermione would surely scold him if she
found out he was wasting away his time again in daydream mode. She said so herself earlier how much
better he could perform in his NEWTs if he concentrated more on actually studying. Harry wondered
though how she would react if she knew that he was thinking about her. What logical explanation
would she have then for something like that? The thought brought a smile to his face.

“Harry? What’s so funny now?”

Surprised, he stuttered “I…uh…Snape…I think I’ll actually miss him after we graduate.”

Hermione gave him a frown. “I never thought I’d hear that coming out from Harry Potter’s mouth.”
She shifted. “So what’s this about? Are you alright?”

She’s analyzing again. He snickered. “Don’t worry. I’m perfectly fine. Maybe just a little
nostalgic. Would that be a crime? Besides, you mean to tell me that you won’t miss Snape even if
just a bit?” He twirled his quill between his fingers. Her eyebrows were furrowing again. The same
Hermione, she is certainly that. He jumped at the chance to throw her off again. “You know, you
look…cute…whenever you do that.”

That did it.

She was turning pink again and he didn’t hesitate on revealing his amusement at her reaction.
Her widened eyes and slightly gagged mouth were quite funny to look at.

She hissed at him. “Come off it, Harry. You’re teasing me a bit too much today,” she protested.
“What’s gotten into you?”

He leaned back on his seat. “Nothing at all. Honest!” He gave her a funny look.

“Uh huh. If I didn’t know any better, you’re up to no good again I’m sure. Honestly, Ron’s fancy
for being a prat has rubbed off on you a bit.” She rolled her eyes on him.

Harry chuckled. “Hermione, we’re not that bad. You have to admit, it’s been a drab too quiet in
the hallways since George and Fred left. And I’m sure Peeves misses them quite so. Besides, it’s
the usual Gryffindor-Slytherin round anyway. No real harm, right?”

Her frown remained. Harry continued on, “If I remember correctly, you did hex Millicent
Bulstrode after she tried to…um…make your teeth bigger again last week.”

She opened her mouth to rebuke him but quickly closed it once again.

He got her again.

Satisfaction filled Harry as he snickered mercilessly. He knew how much she hated it when she
couldn’t get the last word or couldn’t think of a way to jab back at him. It unnerved her and he
was certain that she’d jump at the chance to get back at him later. That didn’t matter to him
because for now, he had the upper hand.

“It wasn’t like she didn’t deserve it. Besides, you and Ron rooted for me after I did so,” she
explained frantically. “And it was annoying how she kept saying that I was being a scarlet woman
because of the two men in my life that I’m supposedly keeping tow.”

“Scarlet woman, eh?” Harry contemplated. “I think she’s just a bit envious because she can’t
have Malfoy to herself. Lately, I’ve seen Pansy hanging all over him almost every time.”

“Well if only you and Ron got yourselves girlfriends, maybe the rumors and such would finally
ease off,” Hermione hesitantly suggested.

Harry turned his head to the side and had a thoughtful look. “Maybe. But you and Ron dated for
awhile last year. Does that count?”

He never told anyone, but it bothered him tremendously that Hermione and Ron dated each other
for awhile. He was jealous, he knew, because for some time now he’s harbored feelings for Hermione.
Ron never knew, of course. Harry decided that his friend was probably more deserving of Hermione.
In addition, he was worried that Ron might think that he was ‘stealing’ from him again. Although
Harry knew that Ron’s beyond getting jealous of him now, it still bothered him tremendously that
Ron accused Harry before of having all the glory and referred to himself just a sidekick.

“We tried and it obviously didn’t work. I think we see each other too much as friends or maybe
to ever go past that. Anyway, I think we only really had sibling-like affection for each other,”
Hermione shrugged.

Harry turned his gaze back to her and boldly asked, “How come you never dated anybody seriously?
Do you have anyone in mind that you fancy?”

He noticed immediately that her right eyebrow shot up and she turned slightly pink. Heaving a
sigh she replied, “I don’t know. I…there’s someone that I fancy but…I just discovered recently that
I like him…quite much, actually.”

A pang tugged at his heart. So she did like someone else.

Distress flooded his mind. How was he going to tell her now? It was bad enough that he didn’t
have much resolve but whatever determination he had left earlier was quickly evaporating. He shut
his book closed carefully, despite the temptation to slam it closed. Potions was definitely the
last thing on his mind now.

With great agony, he asked, “So what’s so special about him?”

His friend gave him a wary look. “I…Little things…They just added up and floored me without
warning. It’s everything about him.”

Harry realized that her face became wistful thinking about this guy. Unconsciously, he clenched
his teeth as he continued listening.

“He’s charming in the subtle manner. Has the ability to make me laugh. He’s quite smart but only
if he’s not busy lazing around. Athletic. Brave. Good looking though I’m sure he doesn’t know that.
Thoughtful and kind. And…I think what I lo--…What I like most about him is that…he knows the real
me and has always stood by me regardless of who I am.”

“Oh. I see.” He tried his best to casually reply but his insides felt absolutely shaken. Who was
this fellow that had these qualities, that had these characteristics that Hermione has fallen for
him? And head over heels too, apparently. The question rang in his head, over and over.

“Hey I said my piece. Turnabout’s fair play, Harry. Tell me about the girl that you fancy.” She
had closed her Potions book as well.

Harry figured that it would do no harm to describe the girl but he found it slightly ironic and
weird that he would be describing her when she sat right in front him of him. “I guess it’s just
like you said. Little things about her…they just added up. Then before I realized it…I realized I
was…That I had fallen in love with her,” he managed out.

Running his right hand through his hair, he lightly grazed his scar. “She’s so smart and always
up to beat in so many things. Diligent, yes…that’s a good word for her. And studious.” He paused
for a moment. “When I’m lost or absolutely clueless on what to do next, she’s there to point me in
the right direction. It’s never bothered her, to my knowledge, that I’m The-Boy-Who-Lived. It’s so
easy for me to be…just myself when I’m around her. I’ve always found comfort in her presence and
without realizing, I have grown to love her.”

“Oh. So why haven’t you…I mean…why not confess your feelings to her?” she tentatively asked.

He picked up his quill and twirled it between his fingers again. “I don’t know. I think for the
most part, I’m afraid of how she’d react to it. I’m a marked man. Who would want to be Harry’s
girlfriend? My life…it’s so complicated. Besides, I’m worried that I’d lose her friendship, which
I’ve valued so much over the years.”

“Harry, you can’t speak for her. I don’t think it’s fair that you’re deciding for her even
before telling her of how you feel.”

To Harry’s surprise, she reached for his left hand and lightly held it in hers. “I think you’re
a wonderful wizard Harry. It would be her loss if she rejected your love. I think she’s quite lucky
to have your heart if you ask me. And if you haven't noticed, there are plenty of witches in
school who'd jump at the chance to be Harry's girl.”

Harry gave her a small smile. “You’re just saying that because you’re my best friend. But thanks
nevertheless.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze back. “And you’re right. This is my last year at
Hogwarts. I figured I should tell her before we part ways. I’ll let her know how I feel.”

He noticed that her face suddenly looked confused and tired. “You alright?” Glancing at the
clock again, he discovered that the library will be closing in a few minutes.

“Could you tell me who she is?”

Suddenly laughing, he shook his head on her. “Remember our deal, Miss Granger? I guess you won’t
have to wait long though since it’s time for the library to close.” He started gathering his books
and scrolls.

“I’ll hold you do that. You’ve got my curiosity piqued now.” Hermione stood up and started
gathering her own things as well. He weakly smiled at her.

Harry ended up carrying the books and Hermione took the scrolls. As they walked back to the
Gryffindor Tower, Harry tried as best as he could to calm his wits with each step they took.
Neither spoke a word to each other, and he was perfectly fine with that.

Part of him now wished that he didn’t make that deal with her since he began having doubts. But
he knew that he wouldn’t have much of a chance to tell her at another time. Putting it off more
just might drive him crazy.

Making a quick glance down at her, he mentally reminded himself that Hermione wouldn’t forsake
their friendship even if she did not return his feelings. He hoped this would be the case because
the moment they stepped inside the Gryffindor common room, there would be no turning back. The
portrait hole closed behind them after they entered, barely making a sound.

-TBC



3. Little Things
----------------

**A/N:** Finally done with the third (and final) part. I neglected to thank my beta reader
for the second part. But yeah, again thanks to Michelle aka MushyPeas for taking the time to
beta-read my work.

**Disclaimer** (another thing I’ve forgotten)**:** All characters and such belong to JKR.
I’m just borrowing some ingredients so I can bake a different type of cookie.

**It's the Little Things**

"Where are you going?" Harry inquired with a hint of disappointment.

Hermione, upon entering the common room, had immediately proceeded to the stairs leading to her
Head Girl quarters. She paused and turned to Harry. "I...I'm feeling quite tired all of a
sudden," she meekly said.

"But," he gave her a quizzical look, "it's just barely past nine p.m. Why not
keep me company for a few minutes here? Nobody's around and I'm not quite ready to tuck in
yet." Harry hoped that his plea would be heeded. He wanted so much to spend more time with
her...and maybe tell her finally what really has been on his mind.

"But—"

"Please?" Harry took a step towards her. "Hey, who knows? We might not get too
many opportunities to have the Common Room to ourselves ever again."

That look. That pleading look was her undoing. Hermione really couldn't have denied him much
at this point after discovering how she really felt for the wizard with the emerald green eyes.
Letting a faint sigh escape her lips, she gave him a small smile. "All right. Just let me drop
my notes back in my room and then we can talk. You ought to do the same by dropping your books off
in your room first."

Harry returned her smile brightly and nodded. "Fair enough, I really don't want you to
start studying on me again. We've done enough of that tonight I think."

"I should scold you for that comment, Harry! I'm a bookworm, I'll admit, but
I'm not that drab." Hermione giggled and stuck her tongue out at him. She quickly climbed
the stairs that led to her private quarters and disappeared behind a corner.

Harry watched Hermione wistfully before she disappeared from his sight. Shaking his head
slightly, he made his own way up to his own Head Boy quarters to drop off books and notes used for
studying. On his way out from his room, Harry took the time to try to tame his ruffled hair, but
much to his displeasure his hair would not comply. Finally giving up, he tried not to seem rushed
on his way down the stairs as he noticed that the object of his affection was already seated on a
chair, waiting for his return.

"It took you long enough, Harry." Hermione playfully frowned at him. "You mustn’t
keep a lady waiting you know."

Harry chuckled. "There's a lady here waiting for me? Where?" He started to look
around the room.

Hermione's eyes widened as she scolded him, "Harry James Potter! That wasn't so
nice! If you weren't my best friend, I'd have hexed you for that remark."

Harry plopped down the chair next to her and grinned widely. "I know. That's why I had
the guts to say it." A small pillow flew his direction and hit him square in the face.
"Hey!"

"Serves you right." Hermione guessed that he isn't done yet for the night in
teasing her. She'd never admit it, but she rather liked spending the rest of the evening with
him. Never mind that he might reveal the girl who has captured his heart and break her heart in the
process. Right now, with him was where she felt most comfortable; with him is where she felt she
belonged. Too bad that he didn’t know that.

“So.” Harry said curtly.

“Hm?” Hermione gave him a half-interested look. “By the way, where is Ron tonight?”

Harry thought for a moment. “You know, I don’t know. Maybe he’s with…Luna…again?” He suddenly
grinned sheepishly. “That sly Weasley. Maybe he’s—” Harry didn’t get to finish his sentence as
another throw pillow hit him in the face.

“Don’t bother finishing that thought.” Hermione reprimanded him. “That funny grin on your face
is quite suspicious.”

“Aw, but it’s Ron here that we’re talking about! Can’t I have a bit of fun?” Harry
protested.

‘When did he become such a playful git?’ Hermione thought to herself. It’s alarmingly
un-Harry-like but at the same time she figured that this is really him without all the worries of
the world on his shoulders. He’s just like a regular teenager. Although compared to other
teenagers, at the age of eighteen, Harry’s just finally getting to enjoy this part of growing up.
She liked seeing this side of him, though part of her can’t help but feel a little uneasy about it
as well.

“Yes, it’s Ron we’re talking about. He’s also our best friend. It’s not right that you poke fun
of his…liaisons…when he’s not around,” Hermione said admonishingly.

“Come now, Hermione. Ron knows I make jokes of his affairs. He does the same for me and we’re
both quite alright with it,” Harry lightheartedly replied. She’s being worrisome again, like she
usually is but he’s used to it by now. Frankly, Harry expected it. Hermione always had this
mother-hen complex whenever he and Ron were concerned. “If I didn’t know any better, Hermione,
you’re the one starting all these rumors about Ron and his escapades.” Harry jokily said.

“Oh, you! How can you even say such a thing?!” Hermione glared at him. “I would never do
anything as such.”

Despite the contemptuous glare, Harry was quite amused to see her getting defensive. It’s
another adorable thing the loved about her. She’s so…energetically adamant, for lack of a better
term.

He noticed her reaching for another pillow, quite sure that it would be used again to hit him.
This time, he chose to act first as he quickly stood up and grabbed the throw pillow that she
reached for. “Ah ah ah! You’ve used me for target practice quite enough tonight, Granger. When do I
get my turn?”

“Hey!” Hermione replied in protest. “I had my eye on that pillow first! And I only did so
because you deserved it!” She tried to pull the pillow from his grasp. “And,” she oomphed as she
tugged against him, “I…still,” she pulled on stronger, “think…that you…des—whoa!”

Harry, in the process of maintaining hold on the pillow, carelessly leaned forward too much and
was soon pulled toward Hermione’s direction. His eyes widened as he tried his best to regain his
balance, flailing his right arm about hoping to grab something to balance with. But it was to no
avail. The laws of physics took over as Hermione’s pulling force and his unexpected forward motion
soon landed both of them on the floor.

He cursed Fate as he conveniently landed on top of the brown-haired girl with chocolate brown
eyes.

“Ow!” Hermione grimaced slightly. Hitting the back of her head against the floor certainly
wasn’t a pleasant thing. Even more so unpleasant (okay, maybe semi-unpleasant) was suddenly
realizing that Harry was sprawled on top of her. Soon enough, she found herself blushing furiously,
especially since his face was dangerously hovering closely over hers. She heard him curse under his
breath.

“Um…,” Harry muttered helplessly. He braced his arms on either side of her and quickly pushed up
away from her. He almost used his right hand to brush away tendrils of hair that fell across her
face. “Sorry about that.”

Hermione took the hand that Harry held out for her and let him help her up from the floor. She
came close to raising her head earlier to touch her lips to his. What was she thinking?! Hermione
took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. “It’s all right. Are you okay?”

Harry nodded. Two inches, he thought. Two inches lower and his lips would have tasted her. Who
knew that such distance could seem so immense? Flustered, he ran his right hand through his hair
and avoided her eyes as best as he could. He moved closer to the fireplace and leaned his right arm
against it.

Hermione retook her seat and stared into the fire. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed
in deep to regain her composure. “So…what are you planning to do after graduation, Harry?”

“You mean provided I survive the prophesized confrontation with Voldermort?” Harry said with a
small chuckle.

“Harry! Don’t even joke about that,” the curly-brown haired girl protested. “You’ll live through
it. We all will.”

The gleam in his emerald eyes suddenly disappeared after he noted her worried expression.
“I…Will you...,” he took a deep breath, “If I don’t make it, will you miss me?”

The silence that followed was deafening.

“What kind of question is that?” Hermione asked quietly. “Ron, I, you…we’ve always been
together. We’re not complete if one was missing.”

“I take that as a yes.”

Hermione turned her brown eyes on him. “Harry—”

His sudden snigger interrupted her. “You know, maybe you ought to count Luna too since she and
Ron are practically inseparable. Besides, I’m only eighteen. There are still plenty of things that
I’d like to do before I get myself done in. Like…you know…have sex.”

“Harry!” Her eyes widened. “How can you even have thoughts like that when discussing this?”

Harry thought that Hermione’s expression was priceless at that moment. He couldn’t help but grin
once again. She had the ability to make him laugh, no doubt. Without trying, she can chase away his
worries and make him feel better about being alive. Okay, okay. There’s Ron too, but he’s a male.
He’s not exactly appealing to Harry in that sense.

“You’re so much fun to tease, you know that?”

“Oh you prat! You’re having too much fun with me today.” Hermione chastised. He was going to
drive her bloody insane with his teasing.

Harry just laughed again in response. Then his eyes met hers. He stopped laughing and quickly
looked away. He felt his face heating up at the accidental meeting of glances.

Apparently, he wasn’t the only one who thought that the chance glance was awkward. Hermione felt
a faint blush tainting her face. She forced herself to look down on her lap so he won’t notice the
effects of his gaze on her.

Then it was silent between them again.

Tic.

Toc.

“Herm—”

“Har—”

Their eyes met again and both laughed at their folly. This time, neither looked away as they
opted to enjoy the laughter between them.

“You first, Hermione.” Harry crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the
fireplace.

She smiled. “I just wanted to thank you. For today. For studying with me. For showing me a side
of yourself that you’d never openly show to anyone else.” She meant it, she knew. She wanted to
express something else but she wasn’t sure how he’d react to it.

Harry took all her words in and dwelled in it. “I should be the one thanking you. When you’re
around me, I can be like this. I can be me. I don’t have to be the savior of the magical world. I
don’t have to be the Boy Who Lived. I can just be Harry.” He returned her smile. He walked on over
by her said and sat next to her, leaning back. “Knut for your thoughts?”

Hermione steeled her resolve. He was the one who said he’ll mention it. She wondered if he was
stalling. “Why are we here, Harry? What did you want to talk about?”

“What do you mean?” he asked simply.

He was going to feign forgetting the reason he asked her to say, she knew it. Masking her
irritation she said, “Oh forget it, Harry. You don’t get it. It’s getting late. I think I’ll go
now.”

The girl he loved stood up from her chair. He reached for her arm and stopped her. Not yet, he
said in his head. He didn’t want her to go yet. “Wait. Tell me.”

His voice was so gentle in his plead. She couldn’t have said no to that. “Oh Harry. We’ve played
enough games for the night don’t you think?”

“Okay, but…” Harry accepted her reluctance. He noticed that she was getting annoyed with his
play for time. “Well, actually Hermione, I want to tell you something.”

She shivered at his touch. In a couple of hours after discovering how she felt about him, her
body surely is feeling like he’s been making her helpless with his touch for years. She wanted more
of it. “What is it?” she meekly inquired and settled back down on the chair.

“What I want…What I want to do after Hogwarts…I want…I want to play quidditch. Be a professional
seeker. If not that, then an auror since I’m quite good with Defense Against Dark Arts.” Harry
rubbed the back of his neck. Hermione guessed that he was feeling slightly uptight and tense. She
wanted to offer to massage his shoulders but that wouldn’t exactly be appropriate.

“I want to do something normal…Enjoy life after school a bit and doing a little traveling around
the world possibly.” Harry glanced at her quickly. “That would be nice especially since if I could
do that with the girl I love.”

The girl Harry loved.

Hermione unconsciously narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. Travel with him. Be with him.
Hold hands with him. Kiss him. Spend the rest of their lives together. The last thought was really
making her edgy. Jealousy certainly wasn’t one of her better points.

She tried as best as she could to flash him a smile. “Sounds great, Harry. She would be quite
fortunate to enjoy those things with you.” Not if she could help it, Hermione promised herself. She
suddenly found herself racking her brain for numerous hexes to use on that girl.

“What about you?”

“Huh?” Hermione dropped all thoughts about the other girl and found herself transfixed by his
eyes.

“What will you do after Hogwarts?”

That tingly feeling on her arm suddenly stopped when he took his hand away. Masking her
disappointment, she looked down to the floor. “Well, I want to pursue more magic studies if
possible. If not, I’m really interested in doing magical research professionally or maybe also
become an auror.”

“Any desires to attend a Muggle university?”

“Maybe. I’m slightly interested in maybe pursuing chemistry degree. I was thinking that I could
maybe improve my magical skills, particularly my skills at Potions.” Hermione frowned a little. “I
wonder what Snape would say about it.”

Harry snorted. “He’d be mortified I think. Imagine, his specialty fused with something so Muggle
such as chemistry? Better if you don’t let him know about those plans, Hermione.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Since when did we really care about what he thought?”

“Point taken.” Harry sat back. “What about…marriage maybe? Or romance? No time for it or no
plans in your future?”

His female companion gave him a look. “I find it odd that you’re interested in that aspect of my
life. But to answer your question, it would be nice if I could be with him after Hogwarts.”
Hermione avoided his gaze. “I’m not really sure if that will be possible though. It appears that
he’s got ready made plans and such after Hogwarts. He might not have time for me.”

Harry took a deep breath. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling knowing that the heart of the one you
loved longed for someone else. The identity of the mystery man was gnawing at him.

“If you feel that much for him, why not tell him how you feel? You sound so…defeated already.
Like you have no chance at all to be with him,” Harry calmly suggested. Inside, his heart was
screaming in frustration. “We’re leaving Hogwarts soon. Why not take the chance? Surely, we’ve
faced riskier ventures than that, right?”

“Easier said than done, Harry,” she breathed deeply. “Never mind about me. What about you? You
should be taking your own advice.” Hermione raised her knees and tucked them under her legs,
sitting more comfortably.

“Oh you think so?” Light laughter rang through the room. “I suppose you’re right.”

Of course I’m right, she said to herself. She wished that she wasn’t though.

“Hermione…” the dark haired boy stood up and got in front of her. Harry held his breath.
“I…”

“What is it, Harry?”

He looked at her with a loving gaze. He memorized her features in his mind. Her hair. Her
chocolate eyes. The shape of her face. Her lips. Her nose. Her chin. Everything.

Hermione thought that if he didn’t stop staring at her, especially like that, she would do
something remarkably stupid. She wanted to open her mouth to dissuade him but her illogical part
was on the rampage today. It would not reason to logic at all. In fact, it was causing her to enjoy
his stare. It seems so…flattering…and loving? No…it’ can’t be.

“Dance with me,” he breathlessly said.

Blinking, she gave him a confused look. “Huh? Dance? With you? Now?” Hermione was sure that
Harry had gone bloody mad after that question. Dance with her? Why so sudden? “Why? I mean…there’s
no music for starters…and…and…”

Harry took his wand out and uttered a short spell. After a quick flick of his wrist, music soon
filled the room.

It was an old Muggle song; Hermione recognized it after a few seconds. She couldn’t remember the
title but it was soothing and relaxing. Not to mention…romantic. What is going on here?

Harry noticed her mouth opened to protest or question his request. “Shhh.” He held his hand out
for her. “May I have this dance?”

Dumbfounded, she surrendered to his request and wondered again where that logical side of her
had disappeared to. She took the hand he offered and allowed him to lead her to middle of the
common room. She wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. She hoped as well that no one
would suddenly show up and interrupt this small…interlude that they shared.

*You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by*

Harry gently pulled the young witch in his arms and pulled her small arms up to his neck. He
then lowered his own hands to her waist and started to sway into the melody that hummed around
them.

*And when two lovers woo
They still say, "I love you."
On this you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by*

Hermione leaned her forehead and barely touched his chin. She closed her eyes and breathed the
subtle scent from his chest. To her, this felt absolutely wonderful. It didn’t matter right now the
reasons why they were doing this. She can ask the questions later.

*Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate*

If he can’t have her, even after he tells her how he feels about her tonight, at least he knew
he would have this dance to remember. Harry laughed to himself. He likened this dance to the last
good meal that a man would have before his execution. Regardless of the consequences, he will have
this memory of her in his arms.

*Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny*

“Harry?”

“Yes?”

“Look at me.” Hermione raised her head slightly.

His green eyes met hers. He instantly recognized turmoil of emotions in their depths. “What is
it, Hermione?”

*It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory*

“I’m sorry.” He barely made out the words to what she said.

Harry raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

“This.”

Her hands suddenly pulled his neck lower and her lips soon captured his in the sweetest kiss he
ever tasted.

*A case of do or die*

Harry circled his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter against him, returning the kiss
he surprisingly received. If this wasn’t reality, he’d banish that dimension for this was what he
wanted. He took advantage of the slight parting of her lips to kiss her a little more deeply. The
sensation was an amazing drug that did wonders to his senses. It was like every part of his body
was suddenly aware of her.

Whatever wonderful things Harry was making her feel in that kiss, Hermione did not want (it) to
end. But she knew that she was not the one for him. His heart belonged to someone else. With a
heavy heart, she pulled away from him, feeling suddenly cold and deprived as her lips parted from
his. She couldn’t bear to look at him right now.

“Hermione…”

“Don’t. Please don’t say anything.” She had to get out of there. “I’m…I’m really sorry, Harry. I
don’t know what came over me.”

Harry reached for her. “Are you really sorry?”

His gentle question shook her to the core. Hermione could only give him an honest answer. “No.”
She was quivering inside.

“Then don’t turn away from me.” He clasped her hands in his and pulled her back.

“But Harry, I’m no—” She stopped when she made her second realization for the night.

*‘She’s so smart and always up to beat in so many things.’*

*‘When I’m lost or absolutely clueless on what to do next, she’s there to point me in the
right direction’*

*‘It’s never bothered her, to my knowledge, that I’m The-Boy-Who-Lived.’*

*‘It’s so easy for me to be…just myself when I’m around her.’*

*‘I’ve always found comfort in her presence and without realizing, I have grown to love
her.’*

The curly brown haired girl froze. Harry Potter was in lo—

“I’m in love with you,” Harry said quietly.

“You are?” she managed out.

“Yes. It’s you.” Harry thought it was now or never. “I don’t care if you like someone else. I
just want to let you know how I feel about you.” He wanted to run away now after his confession,
but his feet were cemented to the ground. He really didn’t want to wait for her reaction.

Whatever he expected her reaction would be, Harry certainly didn’t expect her to start whacking
away at him. He was absolutely dumbfounded.

“WHY YOU!?! How can you do this to me?” She cried out as she beat her fists against his chest.
She grabbed a pillow from a nearby couch and continued swinging.

She’ll never forgive him. Here she was, heartbroken already for most of the night after just
discovering that she was in love with him. All this time, Harry was in love with her! The
revelation brought much elation to her. But before knowing so, she was grieving over not having his
love.

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?!” Hermione knew she should stop. She probably looked crazy
now. After all, who would want to whack away on the one they loved especially after finding out
that they loved you back?

Hermione! Wait!” Harry finally raised his arms to offer some sort of protection against her
assault. “I didn’t mean to. I mean…I was afraid of how you’d react! Well I really didn’t expect
this—OW! Hey!”

She finally stopped and huffed a deep breath. Harry had a terrified look on his face.

Priceless.

Hermione has never seen that look on his face before. She figured she probably scared him more
than Voldermort now. How comedic. She could go down in history books as the Girl Who Terrified
Harry Potter. Very flattering indeed.

“Uh…Has Hurricane Hermione passed and blown over now?” Harry anxiously looked at her. He winced
slightly from the whacking she handed down on him. Who knew she could be that…vicious? This was
certainly news to him. “If I didn’t know any better, you’d probably give Hurricane Isabel a run for
her money.”

She smiled a devilish smile. “I’d shut if I was you, Potter.”

Harry took a few steps back. “Er…”

Without warning, she pounced on him and landed her lips on his. For the second time that night,
his feet did not obey him as he stayed frozen on the spot. This time though, Harry wasn’t sure if
he ought to be kissing her back. The reaction from the last time certainly wasn’t favorable or much
to his liking.

Finally after what seemed like thirty seconds, she pulled back and this time, gave him a very
sweet smile. “I love you too, Harry.”

His eyes widened. He still didn’t move.

“And you know, you’re turning a bit blue. Now might be a good time to start breathing again.”
Hermione gave him another quick kiss.

Until then, Harry didn’t realize that he had been holding his breath as well. “You love me
back?”

“I’m afraid so. Does this mean I get to go traveling with you after graduating from Hogwarts?”
Hermione was certainly amazed. In less than one day, in a span of a few hours, so much has been
revealed about each other. Being in love was certainly an adventure. Unlike their clashes with
Voldermort, this venture was certainly welcome.

Whatever worries Harry had earlier have all but disappeared from his mind. Only the girl in his
arms mattered at this point. And the fact that she loved him too. He knew that they’d have to talk
about it later. Right now though, Harry wanted no more than to kiss her again.

Hermione Granger seemed to have read his mind as she met his lips halfway. This time, this kiss
lasted for quite sometime. To Harry’s satisfaction, it was a painless experience.

*The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by*

It’s the little things. Or so they say. It doesn’t take an earthquake or an earth shattering
explosion for love to come about.

It’s all about the little things about him that she finally noticed. In the same light, it was
the little things about her that he fell in love with. Other things that seem trivial, such as
time, mind games, and happily ever after, they all have their roles. When it all comes together,
simply put, it’s the little things that we miss that add up to the bigger and better things in
life.

“By the way…” Harry huskily said between kisses.

“What is it, Harry?” Hermione looked at him with loving eyes.

“Have you gained weight?”

**WHACK!**

“Shut it, Potter.”

-Finis

Late A/N…The song is called As Time Goes By…Sang by Frank Sinatra…



