"During her first year, she knew Ron wouldn't have come to help her from the troll if it wasn't for you. Why would he? He was the one who sent her crying there to begin with. You were her first friend Harry. You were someone who she could always rely on. She's liked you as a friend since first year and by the time you were in your fourth year, she started developing feelings for you. Why do you think Cho was jealous during your fifth year of Hermione? It was as a clear as day she liked you.
"Without you, she would probably just be a lonely person at Hogwarts. You tend to bring the best out in people. You do realize if it wasn't for you, she would've become a shell at Hogwarts? She would be alone and have no one. She can tell in everyone's eyes that she's annoying and bossy. But she keeps moving on because she knows you are the only one in the world that will see her for who she was. If it wasn't for your help, Ron would never have admitted his feelings for her. Now she has Ron and me to know that we will always be here for her. Well, more me than Ron if you know what I mean these days. He's a prat anymore. Like Percy."
Harry was speechless. All those times he helped Hermione. All those times she helped him, it made sense. If it hadn't been for him, Ron never would have rescued her. She would have died that night. But Hermione actually in love with him? But he was in love with Ginny. He thanked god that he hooked Ron up with her. She probably would have been heartbroken when he told her he was going to start dating Ginny. Then again, if they'd been dating, he wouldn't have started dating Ginny. As is, she had probably been hurt and hiding her feelings when he and Cho had been going out.
For some reason he felt like a jerk.
Ginny saw the emotions passing his eyes. His confused expression didn't hide anything either. She quickly snapped his thoughts by kissing him passionately.
Coming up for air a few minutes later, he looked her in those brown eyes of her and said, "If she had been crushing on me for years, then why go out with Ron?"
"Gee, nice to know my kissing you makes you think of other girls. I'm kidding, Harry. And the answer to that is because he was safe. He was an easy bloke to get over in case she was rejected."
"Rejected?"
"Dumped, Mr. Potter. She's always had a confidence problem and even I can tell she didn't want to be rejected by her best friend."
"Then why is she calling me Dark now?"
"Love makes people do rational and irrational things, you know that. Best I can tell is that she's trying to convince herself that she's in love with Ron and willing to do whatever it takes to keep him around. It goes back to her confidence issues."
Harry and Ginny had talked a little more on that subject but then got back to some more snogging and that was that for the rest of the night. Even when the clouds cleared an hour later.
So now Harry stared at his former/current friend sitting across from him eating some toast while she was reviewing her schedule. Harry's mirrored hers until he advised Professor McGonagall of any changes. He hadn't expected to reclaim his feelings for the Hermione of old, before she'd accused him of going dark. But here it was, staring him in the face. Or sitting across from him as it were.
Obviously he was too young to date now, but would he want to date Hermione in the future? He'd have to give that more thought at a later time. First things first, though, he needed to prop up that confidence. It wasn't healthy for her to do whatever someone else told her to do. She needed to be able to stand on her own two feet, if only to stand up to him.
As breakfast was coming to a close, owl-mail finally came. As usual, there was a great deal of it from families who hadn't been separated in months. He was no exception as his family owl, Lost (his father had named him when he'd gone to school), buzzed by, dropping a letter on his food. The owl let out a hoot of a job well done and then veered around to come in for a landing. Lost was a good owl and Harry was surprised when he landed next to his plate. He must have either sensed Harry had a letter for him to take back, or had seen Harry writing it.
Lost began eating the discarded sausage.
Or he was just hungry, Harry smirked at the bird. Harry stroked the bird fondly and turned his attention elsewhere.
For now, he couldn't wait to read the first correspondence from his family. Ever.
Dear Sweetie,
How's your first day of school? What house did you get sorted in? Gryffindor like your parents? Or if not, how about Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw? How do you like your dorm-mates? I'm sure you'll get along just fine. I know you left yesterday but I miss you terribly. So do your sisters. In fact Rose wanted to ask you a question.
Hi, Harry, it's Rose. Look, Shelia and I have a question we need you to answer. It's right up your expertise. Okay, here goes: mum says 500 degrees is all you ever need when preparing baked potatoes because it makes sure to cook it through-and-through, and it does it in record time. So the question is: is this a true statement? And if not, what should I be cooking baked potatoes on? And for how long? Mum says 50 minutes at 500 degrees is plenty. Your thoughts? And please be precise. I have a box of Raisin Bran riding on the outcome.
Okay, honey, I'm back. Oh, those silly sisters of yours. Always questioning me about cooking something in the kitchen. But I don't have to tell you about that, do I? We're two peas in the same pod when it comes to cooking I always say. Oh, Sirius wants to tell you something.
Harry, good, you're there. A quick note, my young protégée: End-say, are-cay, ackage-pay of iscuits-bay hen-way ou-yay an-cay. Oon-say!
I'm back, honey. Oh, that Sirius and his silly made-up language. Anyway, I wanted to tell you that we all miss you and hope your first day of classes are go well. Lily misses you terribly and if you can, please send her a letter so she knows you still think about her. Take care and write back soon.
Love,
Mum
P.S. Harry, it's dad. Ix-nay on getting aught-cay with ranks-pay. Let me know how your first week goes if you know what I mean.
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