True Love?

True Love?

Harry and Hermione sat together in the Common Room on the couch in front of the fireplace. Harry's arms were around her waist and Hermione's head was on his shoulder. Although they had been dating for two months, they had only been alone a few times since then, what with Hermione's studying and Harry's Quidditch practice. For these reasons, they loved their time together.

After a while of sitting there, enjoying each other's company, Harry removed his arms from Hermione's waist and she turned to look at him.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"No, nothing's wrong. Hermione, I have something to tell you."

"I'm listening," she replied.

"Hermione, I don't know how else to say this, so I'm just going to say it. I love you Hermione."

Hermione said nothing, she only sat there thinking.

"Harry I don't know what to say," she said finally.

"'I love you too' would be nice."

"But Harry, I can't -," she got up and quickly ran across the room and out the portrait hole. Harry sprang up out of his seat and ran after her. He saw her disappear down the stairs just as he got in the corridor.

"Hermione, wait!" he called after her. She, however, didn't wait and kept running. Harry, of course, knew where she was running to and hurried behind her.

He followed her into the library, where she ran to her favorite spot at the far end of the room, next to the window. He watched as she sank onto the floor, sobbing. After a minute, Harry walked over to her and sat down beside her. Putting his arms around her, he whispered, "What's wrong Hermione?"

Hermione turned her head to face him. He looked deep into her beautiful brown eyes, searching for some clue as to why she was so upset.

"Harry, don't tell me you love me."

"Why not?"

"Because, Harry, I don't want you to say it to me unless I can say it back to you."

"What are you trying to say Hermione?"

"I can't tell you I love you Harry, because I don't know if I do. I want to love you, more than anything, but I just don't know."

"Hermione, you don't have to get upset. I'm not mad. I wasn't expecting you to love me too, well, I had hoped you did, but I wasn't expecting it. Some people fall in love faster than others, and I just happened to fall faster than you." He smiled at her, his warm, comforting smile, and she couldn't help but smile back. She yawned, and then said, "I'd better get to bed."

"Yeah, you should," Harry replied.

They walked back to Gryffindor Tower in silence, hand in hand, neither really knowing what to say. When they got back to the Common Room, Harry kissed Hermione on the cheek and watched as she walked up the stairs to her bedroom. Once she was out of sight, he retired to his dormitory, replaying his and Hermione's conversation in his head. This thoroughly exhausted him, and he had no trouble falling asleep that night.

The next day, Harry and Hermione hardly talked to each other. In fact, the only reason they did talk that day was when one had something the other needed. All day long, Harry tried to think of things to say, but didn't think Hermione would answer. That is, until dinner later that night.

"Harry," Hermione said questioningly. "Would you like to go for a walk with me after dinner?"

"Sure, why?" Harry asked, taken by surprise.

"Because I want to talk to you. Meet me in the Entrance Hall when you're finished."

"Ok," he said, smiling at her. She returned the smile and disappeared out the door.

Harry quickly finished his meal and hurried out into the hall. He found Hermione leaning on the entrance doors waiting for him. "Ready?" was all she said. Harry nodded and followed her outside. Neither of them spoke as they walked out to the lake. Harry was really beginning to get annoyed with all this silence between them. Luckily, it didn't last long.

"Harry," Hermione said as soon as they got to the lake. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way I acted yesterday."

"Mione, you don't have to be sorry. I understand."

"I know, but, I feel terrible."

Harry placed a hand on her cheek. She looked down, then back up into his bright green eyes.

"I have something I need to tell you Harry."

"What is it?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I'll tell you, but first, I need you to do something for me."

"Anything."

But instead of speaking, she rose up on her toes and kissed him softly on the lips. Never in her sweetest dreams did she imagine her first kiss this wonderful. Harry's lips were warm and soft and she could feel her knees going weak. His hand never left her cheek and he took her hand in his, while she placed her arm around his neck. When they finally broke apart, Hermione's heart was racing, as was Harry's.

When he was finally able to speak, Harry said, "There was something you needed to tell me."

"Yes, I did. I wasn't sure before, but I'm sure now."

"What is it?"

"Harry, I love you."

Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. He held her there, not letting go and not saying a word. After a while, he pulled back a little so that he could look at her.

"I love you too," he whispered. He kissed her once again, then grabbed her hand. They walked along the edge of the lake for a while, and somehow they knew that this was the real thing.