Secrets

Harry Potter waited until all of the other boys in the dormitory were asleep, then slid out of bed and crept down to the common room. There, he sat by the fire and waited. Pretty soon, Ron Weasley came downstairs too. Harry smiled. Ron had been his best friend for years, but recently they had started to feel more for each other.

'Hi Harry,' Ron whispered.

'Hi Ron,' Harry whispered back, grinning. He got up and went over to him. 'You ok?'

'I am now.' The boys smiled at each other and Harry held out his arms. Ron gladly went to them, letting Harry's firm hands wrap around him. He sighed softly. They could stay standing like this forever.

*

'What was wrong with you two today?' demanded Hermione Granger, Harry and Ron's other best friend.

'Just a little tired I guess,' Harry mumbled. Like everyone else, Hermione didn't know anything about his and Ron's secret meetings and could never be told, especially after what she had told Harry the year before.

She had come to Harry, begging to talk. Harry had willingly obliged- what else are friends for? Then Hermione had said that she was in love with Ron. Taken aback, Harry had said that Ron probably felt the same about her. But only weeks later, an extremely nervous Ron had taken Harry aside and told him that he loved him. Harry felt the same, but explained Hermione's situation for fairness.

'We can never tell her. She'll be heartbroken,' Ron had said with determination.

And they never had.

But now Hermione was starting to suspect something. Because Harry and Ron had been meeting late at night, they were getting very tired and Hermione noticed.

'I don't know how you get so tired,' Hermione said airily. 'You go to bed way before I do, get up later and I'm never as tired as you two.'

'Can't sleep well I guess,' Ron muttered.

'Maybe you should try a sleeping draught. That would work.'

'It's ok, Hermione. It's probably just a phase,' Harry said. Hermione scowled.

'Boys,' she tutted as she walked away.

'She's going to know soon, Harry,' Ron said nervously.

'It'll be ok. We'll make sure she doesn't,' Harry smiled.

*

That night was the same as every night. Harry and Ron crept down to the common room so that they could be alone.

They sat in silence, hugging each other on the sofa. Ron had his head on Harry's chest.

'Ron?' Harry murmured.

'Hmm?'

'Can...can I kiss you?' Harry was glad of the darkness- it hid his blushing face. Ron sat up, looking at Harry almost questioningly. Then he took Harry's chin in his hand and kissed him.

It was like being under the Imperious curse. Their heads were empty; they were floating, blissfully unaware of everything.

Suddenly, a dry sob cut through the perfect moment. Harry and Ron broke apart. In the dim light, they could just make out a figure huddled over a table.

'Who's there?' Harry said.

'Leave me alone,' the person sniffed.

'Hermione?'

Harry and Ron looked at each other in dismay.

'Hermione, we never meant for you to find out this way,' Harry said quietly.

'I... just wish you'd told me,' Hermione replied from the darkness, 'Sooner.'

'We didn't want to hurt your feelings,' Ron said awkwardly.

'Do you love each other?'

'Yes.'

'Then I wouldn't have minded. I don't mind. You're my best friends in the whole world- I want you to be happy.'

Harry and Ron grinned.

'Thanks, Hermione. That means so much to us,' Harry said, going over to her.

'So, how long have you been together?' said Hermione as she got up from the table.

'Quite a while,' Ron replied, standing next to Harry.

'And who knows?'

'No one. Except you, now.'

Hermione smiled.

'You two look great together.'

'Thanks.'

The three friends laughed and went back to bed. For Harry and Ron, telling Hermione had been the hardest thing in the world, but now it was over and they felt it couldn't have gone better.

'Night, Ron.'

'Night, Harry.'

Harry checked that everyone else was still asleep, took Ron's hand and kissed him again.

'I love you,' he murmured softly, 'More than anything.'