Hermione stopped breathing as well.
Dammit, Hermione. Why'd you say anything? Your boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend, really, is his best friend! And he probably doesn't even think about you that way!
And since when did you like him that way? I mean, come on you idiot! I know you've been day dreaming, but day dreams aren't real life! Get it through your think skull that Harry is in love with Ginny!
Besides, the two of you would never work out! You lack sexual tension! He's a supposed brother to you, though you've never had a brother before! Ron and you argue all the time! You're both side kicks, while Harry's the hero!
"But he's not my brother. He's nothing close to a brother. And just because Ron and I argue all the time does not mean that we belong together! And Harry and I don't lack sexual tension... I mean, look at all the times that I have hugged him and everyone knows that that is almost awkward, but nice. No! I shouldn't be with Ron!" Hermione whispered to herself.
But what if her does not LIKE you? Have you ever considered Harry's feelings? the voice asked, smug.
Hermione couldn't answer. What DID Harry think? She had just admitted that she somewhat liked him and wished that the two of them were together.
Harry looked at her with one eyebrow raised. "Um, Hermione? You need a moment alone to yell at your conscience?"
Hermione blushed. Harry thought it was one of the cutest thing he had ever seen.
"Um, no... but... disregard what I said. I don't mean anything by it," Hermione said, sadly. Her conscience was right on the count. She hadn't taken Harry's feelings into account. He probably liked Ginny anyway...
Harry was silent for a while. "Disregard it?"
Hermione nodded profusely. "Yeah."
Harry was silent once again. "Did you mean it?" he asked, after a five minute pause.
Hermione shook her head and closed her eyes, feeling the water coming. After five seconds, she suddenly nodded her head quickly, clutching onto Harry's chest again.
Harry was shocked. He had never thought that Hermione would have thought about him in that way. Secretly, he had liked her ever since second year, when he realized how terrible he felt when she was gone. He realized he loved her in forth year, when she was on the arm of Victor Krum. Then there was the fact that he tried to ask her out, but Ron got to her first.
But ever since she got together with Ron, Harry had to place his feelings for her on the back burner and try to be happy for them, all the while wanted to strangle his best friend. He had never dreamed in his wildest dreams that she would like him, maybe even love him, back.
And here his moment was. The girl he secretly loved for years had just admitted that she loved him too. He could not afford to mess this up.
Harry cleared his throat and placed his hand under Hermione's chin, forcing her to look up to him.
He slowly brought his mouth closer to hers.As soon as their lips met, it was... amazing. It was like Harry and been in pain for so long, but Hermione had healed him. Everywhere she touched him, it was like fire was on him. All he could see, hear, touch, and smell was Hermione.
He pulled her in closer to him, holding her tight. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in closer to her, so tight that Harry almost couldn't breathe. He laughed into the kiss.
"Hermione, do you think you could release me a little?" Harry asked, chuckling. Hermione smiled and let go a little, but kissed him harder. She moved her hands down to lay on his chest.
After 20 seconds of pure bliss, Harry reluctantly pulled away, needing oxygen.
Hermione beamed up at him and snuggled closer to him. Harry wrapped his arms around her small waist and held her for a half hour, neither talking but both completely content.
"What do I do about Ron?" Hermione whispered, horrified.
"You mean what do WE do about Ron?" Harry whispered back, kissing Hermione's head again.
"I have absolutely no idea what to do. I mean, he's a little possessive and I don't want him to... to hurt you. I love you, Harry, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you," Hermione whispered, her worry peaking into her speech.
Harry smiled slightly. "I love you too,Hermione. And trust me, he's never seen how possessive I can be about the things and the people I love. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about."
