I Almost Said "I Love You"

Harry looked at himself in the reflection of the mirror. His hair was messy, his nose was weird, and his lips were too small for his face. He closed his eyes and wondered what Hermione would ever see in him. Ron was perfect. Tall, flaming red hair and crystal blue eyes, and freckles.

Harry wanted nothing more than to take Hermione in his arms and hold her close. He wanted to be the one to wipe the tears away from her eyes if she ever cried. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair. He wanted to see her lips curve up in smile against his lips as they kissed. All this he wanted to see, but he knew he would never get the chance to, for as much as he hated to admit it, Hermione and Ron belonged together.

Hermione, he practiced in his head. I am in love with you. I've loved you forever in lifetimes before, and I promise you that you'll never hurt anymore. I've given you my word; I've given you my heart. I would face Voldemort a thousand times and I would gladly die slowly and painfully each time if it meant I could hold you for just a minute. I would die for you, Hermione. I love you so much. When I'm with you, time stands still and I know I'm not alone. When I'm with you, I know what dreams are made of. You're what dreams are made of, Hermione Granger. Ron's an idiot for not realizing it, and I'm an idiot for not realizing it sooner. I'm happy in your happiness, and when you're sad, I'm sad. You make my heart beat faster and slower at the same time. When I think of my future, I see you by my side.

Harry looked at the grandfather clock on the wall. It had just chimed eight o'clock. He knew that Hermione and Ron would be coming out of a prefect's meeting in about five minutes. Feeling brave, he went to the prefect's room to wait for her. He would confess his love to her.

"Hi, Harry!" Hermione said, genuinely happy to see him. Her warm brown eyes lit up and she smiled warmly at him, strictly platonically, Harry assumed.

"Hi, Hermione. I need to talk to you." He looked around. "Where's Ron?"

"Inside. He'll be out soon, though, but then he's going to help Neville study for Divination."

"Oh." Harry smiled nervously. His heart raced at the sight of her. The scent of her perfume intoxicated him. She wore no make-up except for a lip gloss, but she had never looked more radiant.

"So what did you need to talk to me about?" Hermione asked him. "Are you okay?"

Ron walked out of the meeting just then. "Hermione eats worms," he shouted across the hall.

"Oh, go explode," Hermione retorted, laughing.

"Boom."

All three of them laughed as Hermione waved good-bye to him. Harry's heart sunk.

"So what did you need to talk to me about?" she asked again.

"I... I...."

"Harry?" She frowned. "You've been really quiet lately. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"So what did you need to talk to me about? God, that must have been the fiftieth time I've asked that. Sorry."

"It's okay." He smiled at her. "I forgot, anyway."