Not That You Asked

Hermione what are you...

She gently pressed her fingers to his lips to quiet him.

She closed the drapes to his bed and then cast a silencing charm so that they wouldn't be heard.

Oh Harry I'm so sorry!

She threw herself at him with such force that they fell back into the bed.

As he started to recover, she brought herself up onto her knees and began to speak.

Harry, why didn't you say something sooner? All this time and we've been killing you.

Why didn't you? Why did you kiss me?

I...I don't know. You just looked so...you just looked so desperate for something to hold onto. I never realized you needed it so much. I never knew it meant so much to you.

Well it does. I can't help it. You're my best friend in the world and I love you.

And I....

At this point she started to cry and he rested a hand on her arm to help steady her.

I know you do Hermione, and that's what makes it worse.

Why?

Because you're with him now, and I can't be the reason you two break up. I won't make either of you miserable just so I can be happy.

Why not?

Because I already feel guilty enough as it is.

Harry!

Well I do! Do you know what it's like to carry so many deaths around inside you? Cedric, my parents, even Quirrell! And it will only get worse, and you know it will!

I know. But I want to be there for you. I...I think I want to be there with you.

What do you mean?

Oh Harry, I...

Don't tell me you love me. I'm not going to have you betray Ron.

Forget about Ron for one moment. Can't you possibly think about yourself for once?

I am thinking of myself. I know you heard what we talked about earlier, Hermione. You're safer with him then you are with me. I don't want to be responsible for getting you killed. I don't want to add you to the list of people I'm responsible for killing.

Harry, I want to take the risk! So does Ron. Don't you remember what he said in third year when we thought Sirius was after you? That he'd have to go through us to get to you? He was right. We'd both choose the risk, and you know it.

It doesn't seem that way to me. Why did you have to choose him Hermione? Why did you have to love him so completely? Why do you have to be so damn happy with him?

Because I love him.

But you said you love me too.

I do. I do love you. And it's killing me inside. I can't hurt him Harry, and I know I'm hurting you when I say that. Do you know what I was thinking while I was waiting for you to come back?

What?

That I hate my best friends for making me fall in love with them.

And before he could react, she kissed him squarely on the lips. She let her body collapse onto his, smothering him with every ounce of strength she could muster.

They broke apart and he managed to sputter her name.

Now, do you seriously think I don't love you?

I still don't know what to think. I don't know what to feel.

Tell me what you want Harry.

I want you. I want to love you the way I see him loving you. I want to make you happy the way he makes you happy. And I know I never will.

Of course you will.

Hermione, I just said that...

And I'm telling you Harry Potter that I love you just as much as I love Ron Weasley. And I'm not going to make one of you miserable just so I can be happy with the other one.

So what are you going to do? Date both of us?

If I have to.