Hermione and Her Prince

Harry sank down on the floor. She was gone. He never even found out who she was.

He looked up and saw something blue on the second step of the grand staircase. Curious, he got closer and saw it was a shoe. A blue velvet heel.

It was hers--he knew it.

***

Hermione had rushed out of the Great Hall and ran as fast as she could back to Gryffindor Tower. She lost one of her beautiful shoes--her birthday shoes--but she couldn't go back for it.

She kept going until she arrived breathlessly in front of the portrait hole. She hurriedly said the password (Petrificus Totalis) and ran up stairs to her dormitory as she faintly heard the final chime of the distant clock.

Her dress vanished, leaving her in only her slip. The jewelry was gone as well. She changed back into her school robes, grabbed a book, and went back into the common room. She settled into an armchair as she heard Harry say the password. She held up the book and pretended to read as he entered.

"Hi," she said cheerfully. "Have fun?" The false grin slide of her face as she realized he was holding her other shoe.

"I met this girl---I don't know who she was, but she was wonderful. She lost her shoe."

"Oh?"

Harry told her the entire story as she pretended as though she were hearing it for the first time. When he talked about how he danced with the mystery girl, she sighed romantically. When he talked about Eloise ditching Ron for Terry Boot, she grinned. And when he told her about Cho, she gasped in anger ("She did what?").

"I know what to do," Harry said. "I know how to find her."

"And how's that?"

"Get everyone in Gryffindor to try on this shoe."

"Um...everyone?"

"Everyone."

"Everyone, everyone?"

"Yes. It's the only way. Hey, have you seen anyone come in here?"

"No. I've been alone...I stayed here...the whole time."

"You really should have come, Hermione," he said. "I went without a date, you could have too."

"Well, it's too late now."

"First thing tomorrow morning, I'm getting every girl in Gryffindor to try on this shoe."

"Are you sure you're going to try everyone's foot?"

"Er...yes?"

"Even me?" Hermione said, forcing a grin.

"It couldn't hurt."

"Yeah...well, good night."

"Goodnight, 'Mione."

***

The next morning, all anyone could talk about was the ball (which was to be expected). Parvati and Lavender went on about the girl nobody knew. She'd worn 'an amazing blue dress, simple but unbelievable'. And, she'd even snagged Harry Potter! But then she ran off.

Harry had been true to his word--he got every girl in Gryffindor Tower, all the way from the first years to the seventh years, to line up in the common room. About forty girls lined up, all eager to be the one Harry was seeking. He began with the the tiny first years, but the shoe didn't fit any of them.

Hermione stood at the end of the line, biting her nails nervously. her shoes were custom-made... and he was now a mere sixteen girls away from her.

He went quickly through the other girls and got to the seventh years. Parvati extended her foot graciously, but of course it didn't fit. Then three others, then Lavender...

Harry motioned for Hermione to sit down and sighed. "Maybe she wasn't telling the truth when she said she was in Gryffindor."

"Do you really believe that?"

"No," Harry admitted. "Well, I don't want to, but I've been through everyone and no one fits. And you didn't go, of course."

"Well, I don't think I need to try it on then--" She started to get up, but Harry pushed her gently back into the armchair.

"C'mon, try it on. Just for fun."

"Why?"

"Please? It can't hurt."

She reluctantly extended her foot and closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the moment when he find out it was her. He slowly slid it onto her foot. She heard him gasp in surprise when it fit.

"Hermione?"

"Um...yes?" She asked with her eyes still shut.

"The shoe fits you."

"Are...are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"It could be a coincidence."

"I don't think so."

"You never know."

"The shoe's custom made."

"How do you know?"

"It says so on the bottom. 'Patrick Dawson, Custom Shoe Company'. Please open your eyes."

Hermione opened them and looked at him, biting her lip.

"You're the mystery girl?" he asked.

She took a deep breath. "Yes. Harry, I--"

He put a finger to her lips. "Why didn't you just tell me who you were?"

She shrugged. "I didn't want you to be all surprised and shocked when you found out it was one of your best friends."

"Why did you think I would be?"

"I don't know," she sighed. "Harry, I didn't mean to cause all this, I just wanted to--"

She stopped as she felt his lips on hers. Then he pulled away, looking at her.

"What..."

"Hermione, I realize now what I should have realized years ago. I love you. I've always sort of loved you. I didn't realize it before, but now I do. I had a wonderful time at the ball with you. I've had a wonderful seven years with you."

"Oh, Harry..."

He kissed her again, longer and more fully. Everything was okay again.

***

The last day of Hogwarts, after graduation

Harry and Hermione had spent the second half of the school year as a couple. Ron had met a girl, a Ravenclaw named Arietta. Cho had hooked up with Roger Davies.

The graduating seventh years, who were now officially adult wizards, stood on the grounds with their trunks. With tears in their eyes, they took one last look at their beloved castle.

"This is it," Harry said, his arm around Hermione shoulders.

"This is it," Ron repeated, squeezing Arietta's hand.

Arietta's cousin had secured her a job at the Ministry. Ron, Harry, and Hermione would soon be off to Auror training.

They all walked down the grounds to the front gates, beyond the non-Apparating bounderies of Hogwarts. One by one, they all Disapparated. Arietta and Ron Apparated off to the Burrow. Harry and Hermione were planning to live in a small flat together. Soon, they were the only two left.

"On the count of three," Harry said. He took her hand. "One..."

"Two..." Hermione whispered.

"Three!" they shouted simultaneously.

And they Disapparated, still holding hands.

The End

(A/N: To those of you who think Harry and Hermione shouldn't move in together so soon, it's different for them because they already know everything about each other.)