Admitting the Truth

Ron made his way to the Great Hall in his new blue dress robes. He knew he should have waited for Hermione, but he was too eager to see Luna. He wasn't sure why, he just knew no one else made him as happy as she did.

He made it to the marble staircase leading to the Entrance Hall. When he reached the bottom, a glorious sight met his vision. There stood a beautiful girl in a light blue dress that matched her eyes. Her long blonde hair flowed around her as she turned to him.

"Hello, Ronald," she said dreamily.

This dream-girl knew him? Ron thought. Then he realized: it was Luna! He almost couldn't believe it, but then it hit him: he fancied her, not Hermione. That's why he was so happy around her. That's why he wanted to be with her. That's why he was suddenly feeling very warm in her presence.

"Hello, Luna," he said buoyantly.

She took his arm. "Shall we?" Luna asked cheerfully.

Ron was about to comply, but then he stopped. He couldn't do this - he was with Hermione. Not that he wanted to be. He gasped inwardly - that was his answer.

He told Luna, "We shall, but I must do something first." And with that, he turned and ran up the marble stirs he had just descended.

***

As Hermione walked down the stairs to the Common Room, she made a decision. She hadn't picked whether it would be Ron or Harry yet, but she knew how she would decide. Whoever told Hermione sincerely that she looked beautiful (or whatever adjective they came up with) first, she would pick him. She decided on this method because if Harry fancied her, he had his chance to tell her. If Ron told her first, it proved he still noticed her and she would stay with him. Having made up her mind, she entered the Common Room.

She saw Harry, Ginny, and Neville. The rest of the room was scattered with a few other students, but there was no Ron. She stood in the doorway wearing a long, red velvet dress. Neville and Ginny smiled when they saw her. Harry just gaped.

"Hermione," he finally stammered, "you - you look...you look absolutely amazing."

That was enough for Hermione. Making her final decision, she walked up to Harry, taking in his Gryffindor-red dress robes, and put her arm through his. "Thank you, Harry, you look amazing too." She kissed his cheek.

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. Then, making the most of the situation, he said happily, "Then I had better get you to this party. I wouldn't want to ruin the night of the most beautiful girl in my life."

Hermione smiled. Yes, she thought, they were meant-to-be.

Now she just had to admit the truth to Ron.

She silently wished herself good-luck.

***

Ron ran down corridors and up staircases on the quickest path to the Gryffindor Tower. He ran into a couple of students and even a professor, but he paid them no mind. His first priority was to get to Hermione and face her wrath. At that thought, Ron grimaced nervously. Good luck, he thought to himself.

Running down the final corridor, Ron slowed as he saw someone in red turn the corner ahead of him. Ron halted when he identified her. It was Hermione!

"Hermione!" Ron called. "I have something to tell you!"

"Ron?" Hermione looked startled as she finished turning the corner pulling with her a dazed Harry.

"Oh, hello, Harry," Ron greeted his friend. "If you'll excuse us, I have to talk to -" he cut off, noticing something. Hermione had her arm through Harry's. "What's going on?"

"Look, Ron, let's just talk this over calmly. Harry?" Hermione looked at Harry apologetically.

"Er, yeah." Harry nodded comprehensively, knowing what had to be done.

Once he was out of earshot, Hermione turned to Ron. "Ron -"

"Hermione -" said Ron simultaneously.

They laughed nervously. "You first," they said together, and laughed again.

"Ladies first," Ron decided.

"Alright then," Hermione took a deep breath and jumped right in. "I know it looks bad, me being with Harry, but it feels so right. I just know I'm supposed to be with him, but I don't want you to be mad, and -"

"Hold it, hold it." Ron laughed at her. "You think I'm mad at you?"

"You're not mad at me?" asked Hermione, stunned.

"Mad at you?" He laughed. "I thought you'd be mad at me!"

"Wait, hold on, what did you want to tell me?"

"It's kind of a long story," Ron started. "I asked Luna to the party. I didn't realize she had to be my date. I didn't even realize that I fancied her, until now when I saw her. I fancy Luna," said Ron positively.

Hermione's jaw dropped. "You do?"

"I do."

"That's fantastic! You can get with Luna and I can get with Harry," said Hermione gleefully.

"Hey, I guess we can," Ron realized.

Hermione asked, "So, are we over?"

Ron shrugged. "I guess so."

"And we're still friends," stated Hermione.

"Of course," affirmed Ron.

Hermione beamed. Ron grinned and put an arm around her. She looked up at him. "I'm glad we finally broke it off."

Ron looked down at her. "Me too."

With one final squeeze, they set off down the corridor, relieved they had finally admitted the truth.

***

"See? I told you so."

Ginny and Neville were making their way to the Great Hall. Each sporting dark green dress robes, they made a handsome couple.

"I never said you were wrong. In fact, I agreed with you." Neville told the bragging redhead at his side.

Ginny thought for a moment. "I guess you did agree with me," she said shrugging, "but you have to admit I'm amazing."

"You're amazing," Neville said obediently, albeit confusedly.

"Do you even know why I am amazing?" Ginny asked exasperatedly.

"You mean other than the fact that you're talented and beautiful?" Neville teased.

Ginny blushed. "Well, I also managed to single-handedly convince Hermione that Harry is the man for her."

Neville mocked astonishment. "That was you? How do you do it?"

"I guess I just have amazing skills." She giggled.

Neville laughed, but stopped at the sight in front of him. Seeing his face, Ginny turned to look at what had stopped him. In front of them was Luna, standing alone in the Entrance Hall.

"Luna?"

She turned, and her face split into a grin. "Good evening, Neville. Hello, Ginevra," greeted Luna.

"Luna, where's Ron? Shouldn't he be here by now?" questioned Ginny.

"Ronald was here, but he left," informed Luna.

"He left?" Neville asked in astonishment, "Why?"

"Oh, he said he had to go. He'll be right back," Luna said confidently.

Ginny and Neville looked at each other nervously at each other. However, before they could say anything, a figure bounded down the marble staircase and nearly bowled Neville and Ginny over.

"Here he is now," said Luna, not at all shocked by Ron's entrance.

"Luna! I'm sorry I left. I had to -"

"Ron! Where did you go?" demanded Ginny.

"I had to talk to Hermione," he explained. "I just broke up with her."

"What? Just now?" demanded Ginny, outraged at her brother's audacity. "You mean you asked Luna when you were still with Hermione?" Ginny's eyes were shooting daggers at her brother.

"Er...yes," Ron answered nervously.

Ginny gave a cry of outrage, and Neville decided to step in. "Ginny, at least he finally broke up with Hermione. Now he can be with Luna, like you planned." He gave her a pointed look.

Ginny calmed herself down. "Yes, you're right. Sorry, Ron."

"It's alright," forgave Ron. He turned to Luna, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

Luna smiled radiantly, taking his arm. "We shall." They entered the Great Hall together.

Neville heaved a sigh of relief. "Well, I guess we can enjoy ourselves now."

Ginny grinned mischievously. "Indeed we can."

***

Harry sat with Hermione in the Great Hall in the midst of all the seventh-years who were joyfully celebrating. After her break-up with Ron, Hermione had caught up to him, and they had gone to the party together.

He felt remarkably content, for he finally had Hermione. However, there was a bit of confusion among his happiness: Why had Hermione immediately turned to him after her break-up with Ron? Was he just a rebound?

As though she had read his thoughts, Hermione touched Harry's arm and said, "You look troubled, Harry. What's wrong?"

Harry was reluctant to admit. "Well -"

"Are you confused as to why I went to you even before I broke up with Ron?" Hermione asked, cutting him off.

A small grin stole Harry's face. "Am I that easy to read?"

Hermione smiled. "Only to me."

She took his hand and squeezed it. He didn't respond. She sighed. "I know it's hard to understand why I did this, but will you please let me explain?"

Harry turned to her. "I want you to explain to me," he said with tender honesty.

Pleased, Hermione nodded. "It all started with comparing you to Ron. You're more sensitive, you understand me better than him, and you treat me with kindness rather than being brash like he does. You're also supportive, whereas he would put me down. You acknowledge me, but he takes me for granted. Well, then Ginny came along, reminded me of all those things, and convinced me that we are meant-to-be. I realized it was true. I am supposed to be with you," Hermione tried to assure Harry, but he still wasn't convinced.

"So are you doing this because you think it's the right thing, or because you want to?"

"Both," she answered without hesitation. When Harry still seemed dissatisfied, she probed, "May I ask you a question?"

Harry nodded, eyeing her carefully. He had no objections, but he wondered where she was taking this.

"Why did you say I looked absolutely amazing?"

Startled, Harry dutifully answered, "Because you did." At Hermione's displeased face, he quickly remedied, "I mean you look absolutely amazing because you are. You complete me. You inspire me. I couldn't have survived the war without you by my side. You are the only one that's always been there for me."

Hermione nodded rigorously, tears forming in her eyes. "Exactly, Harry, that's why I want to be with you. Nobody else feels that way about me. Not Viktor, and not Ron. Only you." She started fidgeting. "Are you convinced now?"

Harry, shamed, bowed his head. How could he have doubted her love for him? That fact that she had turned to him before he had even told her his true feelings should have been evidence enough.

Guiltily, he raised his head and looked into her eyes. In them he found such love and understanding that he didn't see in anyone else. He took her fidgeting hands in his. "How can I not be convinced? You are the only one for me, Hermione." Then, after building up the courage, he admitted with all his heart, "I love you."

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with joy. "I love you too, Harry. Truly I do."