Among the Stars

It was a starry night at Hogwarts. A full moon shone over the grounds, bathing them in a pale light. Stars twinkled around the moon, seeming to wink at whoever may have been looking at them. If one were lucky, they may have seen a shooting star.

Harry Potter lay on the grass in the middle of the Hogwarts grounds, looking up at the stars. He was far enough from the castle, so that any burning candles or torches lighting up windows wouldn't obscure his view of the nighttime sky. He was also out of site of anyone looking out a castle window, even if they were looking for him.

Harry just wanted to escape for a while. He wanted to escape from the pressure of having to be the hero. He wanted to escape from the hustle and bustle of school life. He wanted to escape from the ever mounting pressure of upcoming N.E.W.T.s. Harry just wanted to escape.

Harry wanted so badly to be in the stars he was gazing at now. He wanted to be up there. Out of the clutches of Voldemort, away from the looming N.E.W.T.s, away from the castle. Harry wanted that badly, if only for a moment.

But Harry knew he'd never be able to fly among the stars.

But tests and evil overlord bent upon conquering the world weren't the only things on the young wizard's mind. No, there was another important matter. A girl.

But it wasn't just any girl.

Since the end of sixth year, Harry had harbored feelings for Hermione Granger, his best friend. He hadn't made any advances, not wanting to ruin the friendship he treasured. But he had hinted, slightly. He didn't know if Hermione had noticed them or not.

Harry let out a sigh. Life was complicated. He didn't like it. He missed the simple years, when he was younger, and had fewer worries. But everyone had to grow up, even if Harry seemed to do so faster than many of his peers.

Harry watched as the stars winked at him. He listened to the chorus of crickets chirping around him. How could the world be so peaceful when a war was raging upon it? Harry thought about this, and much more, letting his mind wander.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Harry scrambled up into a sitting position, facing the voice. He felt himself smile as he realized who it was. The voice had bushy brown hair and chocolate eyes, that Harry could see sparkling in the moonlight.

Harry nodded. "It is."

Hermione looked at him, still standing. Harry looked at her, wondering why she didn't just sit. Oh. "Would you like to sit?"

Hermione smiled, and sat down next to him. While Harry had his legs stretched in front of him, Hermione hugged hers to her chest. They sat in silence, staring at the stars.

Harry was debating with himself, as he had many times in the past year. Tell her, or not. She had obviously come to find him. That had to mean something. Didn't it?

Harry looked at Hermione, and saw that she was looking at him. She gave him a small smile, and Harry smiled back, unsure of what to do.

He let his hands out to the side to support himself on the ground. He leaned his head back looking straight up at the sky. He closed his eyes after a moment. A light gust of wind blew against Harry's face, giving him the sensation of flying. He felt a smile spread across his face.

But he was suddenly brought back to earth as he felt something else touch his hand.

Harry looked down, noticing that Hermione's hand was on top of his. He looked at her again, and got the same small smile. And with it came a twinkle in her eye, he noticed, this time.

Harry let out a light sigh, gaining some composure and confidence. This was harder than facing Voldemort. Hands down.

He clasped Hermione's hand in his, and turned to meet her gaze. He took a deep breath and began. "Hermione, I want to be more than friends to you."

Even though she probably knew this, Hermione seemed taken aback anyway. Harry swallowed, plowing forward. "Something happened at the end of last year. Something just clicked in my mind. And it was like bam! I wanted to be Hermione's boyfriend. And I've wanted to, ever since.

"All this year, I've been wanting to ask you about it. But I didn't want to risk losing your friendship. Your friendship is one of the greatest treasures I've known, richer than all of the money in all of the vaults in all of the Gringott's banks all over the world. I didn't want to lose something so precious to me.

"So I just sat back and watched, waiting for any sign from you. Something to tell me that you felt the same way," Harry paused, staring into Hermione's eyes, which looked like they may have been sparkling with tears.

"I reckon you know what I'm going to ask you now." Harry paused, blinking, bringing forth every last ounce of courage. "Hermione, will you be my girlfriend?"

His green eyes met her brown ones, and in that instant he knew. The answer was yes. Hermione let out a sound that was part sigh, part sob, and part laugh. She smiled, and nodded, a few tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Yes, Harry. I'd love to."

Harry raised a hesitant hand, softly wiping away the tears. He moved closer to Hermione, their faces within inches. "Then don't cry."

Hermione smiled, another tear leaking out, which Harry dutifully wiped away. She smiled. "I'm just so happy. I've liked you more than a friend since October or November."

Harry smiled too, squeezing Hermione's hand softly in his. They gazed into each other's eyes for a few moments, before Harry whispered, "May I kiss you, Hermione?"

Hermione nodded, and Harry brought his lips to hers. He felt as though he were soaring.

He felt as though he was flying among the stars.