Chapter Text
Days have passed since their first potions lesson, leaving Harry to ponder about his newly discovered feelings for his friend.
‘The only friend I can confidently say I’m closest to..’ he thought, there wasn’t much he could do currently. Thoughts of Hermione swirled within his mind, leaving him in a statue-like state.
Compared to Harry, Hermione would instead throw herself into work — as it was the only thing she knew what to do. Any thought or feelings in relation to her best friend would be met with fierce resistance. Whether that would be the newly taxing Arithmacy essays, or the 500 page book on a random goblin rebellion. One thing is for sure, since their discovery, the air around them has changed.
Whenever they sat close to one another, Harry would begin fidgeting, trying to avoid Hermione’s gaze in case his face exposed any hidden feelings within his heart. Hermione — oblivious due to her own feelings — would try to bury deeply into her book, as she struggled to come to terms with the whole ordeal.
It was rather amusing to Ron, who had taken it as his time to go back to another seat and ‘enjoy the show’ as Dean said.
he whispered back, “Blimey, you’d think they argued..”
“Hey, 10 galleons that they’re dating by Christmas.” Dean exclaimed, which in turn led him to be smacked by Sheamus, “Oh sod off you fool, they’ll be together 2 weeks after Halloween.”
Ron just exhaled, then dove straight into his food once again.
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The weekend has arrived; as expected, the trio would bundle up and head their way to Hogsmead. Although things have calmed down between Harry and Hermione, the duo would collide constantly over numerous manners: currently, Draco being the center of attention.
“Hermione, you can’t deny it! He’s been acting strange this whole time, and besides I told you-“
Hermione argued back fiercely, “That he’s taken the dark mark? Please Harry, why would he even want to-“ Harry interrupted back as well, “Because his family are also Death-“
“Guys, can we just relax for a moment. Come on, we’re just straight ahead of joke shop.” Ron finally calmed the two down, before they silently muttered apologies to one another.
‘And I'm usually the one bickering with Hermione..geez.’ He thought, before continuing to walk their way.
Hermione hated their arguments, but she didn’t understand why Harry had this in mind. Their argument with Draco back in the train was just that — an argument. The logical thing to do is to ignore him and carry on with their lives.
Hermione silently vowed to keep things more civilized between her and Harry. It didn’t help that her feelings only seemed more apparent within her.
‘Darn it, I really did fall hard. Haven’t I?’ She sighed, before turning back to Harry, who seemed to also been immersed in his own thoughts. ‘Probably about Draco still…’
Deciding to break the tension between them, she spoke up, “Hey Harry, is there anything you’re interested in getting today?’ She asked, which visibly startled Harry, who shook his head sideways — then facing the door and opening it.
Hermione internally sighed, ‘this is going to be difficult, isn’t it? Fancy Harry… why does this happen now?’
While Hermione had her mental turmoil, Harry internally cursed himself out. Their arguments were something he hated, and he internally cursed himself for them, ‘I just wish we didn’t have to butt heads so much..’
The Joke Shop had its own little wonders of fun, but it didn’t really hold any value nor interest between the duo. Ron had run off to find any trinkets or items he could use later on, while everyone else seemed to branch off into the three broomsticks.
Harry stared outside the window, ‘Could taking Hermione out alone settle our differences..?’ He pondered on the matter for a while longer, before finally deciding.
Fortunately for him, Hermione had also decided to act on their tension further, and approached Harry.
Harry turned away from the window, taking a step forward without realizing his bushy-haired best friend was standing right behind him. They stood there — mouths slightly open to talk, before realizing just how close they were to one another.
“Uhm..Harry?”
“Hermione..?”
Their gazes locked onto one another; their cheeks presented a red hue while they were at a loss for words.
“Hey you two! Fancy any butterbeers? I’m thirsty…” shouted Ron, which broke off their eye contact. Both nodded and shouted back in approval, before stepping back and making their way outside.
The trio would make their way to the Three Broomsticks; albeit, much quieter now than before. The tension between Harry and Hermione once again shifted, now exposed with a heavy air of awkwardness and embarrassment.
They made their way inside — with Ron deciding to sit alone on one side, forcing Harry and Hermione to sit on the other.
Both looked completely flushed for a moment, before they began to ease onto one another in conversation. With the main focus being the colder weather and the warmth they’ve embraced inside.
“Honestly, I probably should have worn different boots. I feel soaked..” Hermione proclaimed, while Harry nodded and smiled.
“Hey, at least you had your hat, look at how my hair is now; more messed up than a birds nest.” He chuckled. While they began to grow more comfortable, their butterbeers had arrived — easing the tension even further.
‘We’re finally back to peace now..’ Harry thought, while slouching down for a moment.
“Bloody hell! What are they doing over there?” Shrieked Ron, as he witnessed Ginny's lips planted right on to Dean’s.
“Honestly Ronald! She’s living her life, and besides, what wrong is there for them to be snogging?” questioned Hermione, which irked Ron to reach even harder.
“What’s wrong with them? That’s my little sister! And I’m right here too, that’s my friend she’s with!”
Hermione stood her ground, “So? Would you be making a whole scene if me and Harry were to snog? It’s just that Ronald, it’s normal.”
That sentence caused a couple things to occur, firstly, Ron’s face grew pale — as his eyes grew as wide as saucers. Next, Harry sat straight back, while accidentally tumbling down his drink, then snapping his head towards Hermione, blush creeping into his face once again.
Harry could only sputter a response, “W-What?” While Ron sat frozen and pale.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” Hermione asked, while she looked back and forth between the two boys frozen in place.
It took a bit of time before things went back to ‘normal’ as Harry liked to think, but by the time they finished up and reached the common room, Hermione was mentally nowhere near to the ‘normal’ that Harry had in mind.
‘Oh dear… did I really just say that? In front of him no less?!’
She excused herself for a moment, and bolted straight to her bed; whilst shrieking buried within her pillows.
Harry laid down in his own bed in the meantime, knowing he resembled more so a tomato now. His mind racing in thought.
“Hermione snogging me…” were the only words he muttered as his face grew redder than ever.