Loved for Seven Years

'Seven Years,' Hermione mused to herself while completing her homework in the Gryffindor Common Room. 'Seven long years.'

She sighed, no matter what she did, she could never get him to notice her. In their First Year, she told him he was a greater wizard than she was a witch. Second Year, all she could do was lie petrified and hope he could figure it out. Third Year, she tried to fight the dementors for him, even though she failed. She had tried to make him jealous by going with Victor Krum to the Yule Ball in their Forth Year, but he hardly looked her way. Fifth Year, oh, Fifth Year was hardest. She had to be supportive of him, especially after Sirius' death. Sixth Year, what can be said? They battled side-by-side and nearly died. All they could do was keep going when Voldemort vowed to return. This year, their Seventh and final year, she was running out of ideas, and time. They would be graduating in just over a week and after that beginning their new lives and careers. They had their last assignments for every class and would begin the N.E.W.T.s in three days.

She had overheard Lavender in the bathroom the other day, saying that even though she hadn't dated him before, she was contemplating it. Especially since it would boost her popularity among the guys. Not even a day later, she was hounding Harry, batting those long lashes, smiling with her pearly whites, and flipping her perfectly flawless hair.

She didn't stand a chance, she was not so naive to not know that. It was just that she wanted to be the girl Harry held in his arms, not to be the best friend who got to watch it. She had been infatuated with Harry since the first time she saw him on the Hogwarts Express. Unlike Ginny, she had a restraint in her. She could act all uninterested and friendly to be close to him. Then something happened she hadn't anticipated. The infatuation wore off as she began to see him for who he really was.

He wasn't just The-Boy-Who-Lived or the Hero of the wizarding world. He was so much more than that. He was one of the most caring people she had ever known. His heart was so pure, and even though he made mistakes and was often times impulsive, he was the greatest person she had ever met. If a person could be perfect, he was closer than anyone she knew.

'Why am I thinking of all this?' she sighed, closing her book. 'He could never like me, not with my frizzy hair or sideways smile.'

The portrait hole opened and Harry and Ron entered the Common Room. They made their way over to where Hermione was sitting and sat down. "I swear," Harry said annoyed, "that girl is driving me crazy!"

"You know how Lavender is Harry," Ron replied. "She goes after any guy who moves."

"She's not my type, why can't she see it?" Harry responded.

Hermione just watched the two boys with a growing hope. Was it even slightly possible she was his type? Ron's voice brought Hermione back from her thoughts, "Hermione, help us out, you're a girl, how do you tell someone you aren't interested in dating them?"

Hermione smiled, "Just tell them, I guess."

Harry frowned, "I tried that already."

"I don't know then," she replied, opening another one of her books to complete an essay.

"Hermione, it's a Saturday! Why are you doing homework on a Saturday?" Ron asked her, looking horrified.

She shrugged, "Well, just something to do, I guess."

"Sorry about your luck, mate, I don't know how to help you, just avoid her best you can," Ron said standing and heading to the portrait hole.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked him.

Ron smiled before leaving, "I'm hungry."

Harry and Hermione shrugged, Harry sat looking around the room while Hermione wrote a few inches on Animagi. After a few minutes, however, Harry became restless and started fidgeting. "Harry," Hermione asked, "are you alright?"

He nodded and Hermione went back to her work. "No," he said, "I'm not." He stood up, and took her hand. "Come with me."

Hermione followed him, not sure of what where they were going or what Harry was doing. She followed him out of the castle and over to the Lake. They stepped into the forest just far enough to not be seen by people, but close enough to get out if something were to attack them.

Hermione's heart was fluttering, why on earth had Harry dragged her out to the forest? "Harry," she asked, "what's going on?"

He turned to face her and sighed. He spotted a few boulders beside them and sat down, Hermione followed suit. He took a deep breath and said, "Hermione, there's something I want to talk to you about."

"Does this have anything to do with Lavender?" she asked, her heart plummeting to her stomach.

He arched an eyebrow, "Lavender? No, nothing to do with her."

"Then what?"

"Ever since I've been at Hogwarts, people have stopped to stare at me, Famous-Harry-Potter and all that. People flock to meet me, expecting to get close to me just to boost their image, never really knowing me. The only people my age who I can really trust, are you and Ron. That means a lot to me. You guys didn't judge me and got to know me as a person. You weren't like 'Oh Harry, can I have your autograph?' I'd never had friends before you two, but you showed me what a great thing it was. I've always loved hanging out with you guys because it's one of the few times I've ever felt happy."

"Why are you saying this Harry?" she asked, hope rising in her chest.

"The final battle of Voldemort, it hasn't happened yet, I wanted you to know that I appreciate everything you've ever done for me."

"Oh Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "You can't think that you'll die!"

He shook his head. "You never know."

"Oh Harry!" she put her arms around him and gave him a hug, before releasing him. "You are not the one who will die."

"It could happen, couldn't it?"

Hermione conceded, "It could, but I doubt it. You're the best person I know, Harry, and I know you wouldn't fail."

"The thing is," he said, "is if I did fail, I'd hurt you and Ron, and I don't want that. Ron is the only brother I've ever known, and I couldn't have asked for a better one. Before graduation next week, I wanted to let you know how much you mean to me."

"Harry, Ron and I know that you care for us, we're your friends. You don't have to do this."

"I know," he replied, "but there's something else I need to tell you Hermione. Something I need to say before I lose my nerve."

His hand found hers. "Hermione, I've never had a girlfriend, spending most of my time battling Voldemort. I always knew that if I did have one, she would be a target of Voldemort. It's a lot to ask of a girl to put up. I couldn't bear to put anyone through that kind of relationship. So I distanced myself from girls, but I could never turn away from you."

Hermione's heart was pounding in her chest. Was Harry going to say what she was most desperate to hear? Harry sighed, "Hermione, for years now I've been wishing I was just an ordinary person. I wanted to say three simple words to a girl. I wanted to be able to take someone in my arms and tell them that I have never been happier. I never have though, scared of rejection, I guess. Then the other day I got to thinking about it. There has only been one girl who has stood beside me through everything. Damn it, I'm blabbering. Hermione, I...I love you, I always have."

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her feelings for Harry were actually returned. "Oh Harry!" she gasped.

He must have taken her words as being horrified. He dropped her hand. "I'm sorry I even bothered to feel this way and tell you about it. I'll just go back up to the castle now."

He stood and started walking away. "Harry! Wait! Stop!" Hermione cried.

He turned, "What for?"

Hermione stood and walked over to him. "Because Harry, I've loved you ever since the day we met."

His eyes lit up and a smile etched his face as he laced his fingers through hers. "Really, Hermione?"

She nodded, "I never said anything, fearing you wouldn't feel the same way."

"Oh Hermione, how could I not feel this way?"

She shrugged. Harry continued, "I just want you to know, I...I can't promise you anything Hermione. I can't promise you a future or anything. Hell, I can't even promise you I'll be able to defeat Voldemort or even be alive next week."

Hermione laughed, "Screw Voldemort, he'll get what's coming to him. And trust me Harry, you'll defeat him, especially since you won't be alone. I'll be standing right beside you. Now shut up and kiss me."

He smiled, "With pleasure."

As they leaned in and kissed each other, they each thought they could have taken Voldemort on that moment and won. When they broke apart a few minutes later (after having thoroughly explored each others lips) Harry whispered, "I love you Hermione."

She smiled, "I love you too, Harry."