A/N: Just a tiny oneshot that came to me while watching Half Blood Prince. Based entirely off the movie scene.
Harry watched with amusement as Ron and Lavender snogged in the middle of the crowd, to the cheers of their housemates. Glancing back at Hermione, Harry's smile fell - she was leaving? They'd just won, and he wanted to celebrate with her…
He turned without a second thought and went to follow her. He lost her in the crowd, but pushed onward until he saw her slipping out the portrait hole. He hurried through, and then down the hall.
Where could she have gone? He walked slowly, peering into open rooms. And then he heard it - a muted sob. His chest clenched instinctively, and he picked up the pace.
Harry walked down a stone spiral staircase, to find Hermione sitting at the bottom. A few sparrows fluttered around her head.
She looked up at him, pain obvious across her face, and Harry wished he knew what to say. He hadn't thought she'd really… But he supposed she did. Like Ron.
Unsure of what to do, Harry pointed to birds.
"Charms spell," Hermione sniffled. "Just - practicing."
"Well, they're really good," Harry said sincerely. He sat down beside her, looking up at the birds before stealing a glance towards her.
They sat in silence for a moment.
"How does it feel, Harry? When you see Dean with Ginny?"
"Oh - um…"
"I know," Hermione said quietly. "I see the way you look at her. You're my best friend."
There's a moment, then, where he thinks of what to say.
"You're mine too," Harry admitted. He reached out to take her hand, and squeezed.
"You're not going to leave me, are you, Harry?" Hermione said quietly.
"Never," he said, surprised that she even had to ask.
"I - I thought Ron liked me. But he… didn't after all. I don't want to be alone."
"It'll be okay," Harry said, wrapping an arm over her shoulders. "You're not alone. I'm here."
Hermione sniffled as she leaned into him. Harry squeezed her hand, and without thinking, kissed the top of her head. She let out a darker sob.
"Come on," he urged her. "Don't cry over him. There's other guys out there for you."
Hermione laughed, unable to feel anything but bitter.
"The only boy who ever liked me that way was Viktor, and that was two years ago. I just… want to be wanted, sometimes."
"I know," Harry sighed.
"How would you know?" Hermione asked in surprise. "All the girls fancy you."
"They fancy who they think I am," Harry corrected. "They just want the Boy-Who-Lived. You're the only girl who really knows me - Harry."
It was Hermione's turn to squeeze his hand.
"Everyone expects something from me," Harry murmured. "I have to be this person, this hero, and I don't know how to do it."
"Oh, Harry." Hermione lifted her head to look at him compassionately. Her cheeks had dried of tears. "I don't want you to be anything but yourself. You're perfect the way you are."
She really sounded like she believed that, Harry thought in amazement. Hermione's eyes were shining as she looked up at him, and she was so beautiful.
Harry stared at her, a stunned little smile on his lips, and a look in his eyes that she'd never seen before. Hermione waited for him to say something, and was confused when he didn't.
"Harry?"
Hell with it all. He surged forward before he could second guess himself, and kissed her. It wasn't slow or gentle - it was hard, messy, and made her whimper - in pain, he worried?
Hermione grabbed his overshirt and tugged him closer as she kissed back, with just as much fire as him. Harry buried his fingers in her long hair and kissed her eagerly.
She tasted like pumpkin juice, her lips were soft, her mouth warm and inviting. Hermione's eyes were closed as she kissed him, feeling tingles shooting across her body.
The kiss kept going, neither wanting to stop for anything. When they finally needed to, they pulled back simultaneously, gulping for breath. Harry and Hermione stared at each other, neither letting go of each other.
Beautiful, Harry thought as he looked at her, with her lips reddened from his kisses, her eyes wide and cheeks flushed.
Hermione beamed at him.
"You're quite handsome yourself," she retorted, and he realized he'd said it out loud just as she leaned in again and led their second kiss.
Their bodies tried to come together on the stairs, legs crisscrossing as they scooted closer to each other. Harry groaned into her mouth as he felt her soft breasts pressing against his chest.
Hermione sighed happily as he began to gently nip at her lips with his teeth, sending a shiver of arousal through her. Harry was really very good at this, she marveled.
"Hermione," he whispered, and she shivered at the way he said it.
"You've never said my name like that before," she whispered back.
"Hermione." Harry said it again, low and needy. Hermione positively glowed as she regarded him.
"Oh Harry."
He pulled her in, devouring her mouth like a starving man. Hermione's hands wandered, no longer just gripping his waist, but moving up and down his back. Harry released her hair to do a little exploring of his own. First his fingers stroked down her temples and cheeks, down to her neck. Next, he moved over her shoulders, then slowly down her arms.
Hermione nipped at his bottom lip a little hard, and Harry jolted in surprise. He knocked his forehead against hers with a thump, and they both gasped.
"Sorry," they said simultaneously. They looked at each other, and began to giggle.
A loud peal of laughter rang from somewhere nearby, and Harry and Hermione glanced towards the source.
Lavender and Ron came running into the room, hand-in-hand. They halted as they saw the two friends seated together on the steps.
Harry and Hermione were still very much entwined, legs and arms around each other. Ron's eyes widened at the sight.
"Oops!" Lavender giggled. "I think this room's already taken."
"It is," Harry said, his voice loud and carrying across the room.
"Come on," Lavender whispered to Ron, before skipping back to the hallway.
Ron was standing there, stock still.
"What - what are you two doing?"
"Even you're not that blind, Ron," Hermione said acridly.
Their redheaded friend looked at Harry, clearly dumbstruck.
Harry could feel Hermione beginning to quiver - whether with anger, or suppressed tears, he wasn't sure. He looked at Ron, and scowled.
He'd known Ron liked Hermione for ages - it had been obvious since the Yule Ball. Harry and Hermione both had been waiting for Ron to make a move, but he had gone for Lavender instead.
"You two… No, I can't believe it. Harry, you wouldn't…" Ron stated in disbelief.
"Lavender's waiting for you," Harry said coolly, nodding towards the hall where the blonde had run off to.
Shaking his head, Ron turned and left. They watched him go.
"Oh god," Hermione whispered.
Harry turned back to her, worried by her tone.
"Did you - did you want…"
"No," Hermione said immediately. "He - he chose her. He missed his chance. And Harry…"
He looked at her, biting his lip in anxiety. What if she did want Ron more than him? Hermione's frown melted into a sweet smile, and she reached forward to touch his cheek.
"Harry, you're the most important person in the world to me."
His heart felt like it stopped for a moment.
"You are too," he whispered. The pieces were all clicking into place. Hermione was his best friend, the only person to always stick by him. He talked to her about everything, he couldn't imagine being without her. And it was more than that, he knew that suddenly. He wanted to kiss her like this again and again…
Hermione's eyes closed as Harry leaned in slowly. This time, the kiss was gentle and sweet. It still left her gasping, clutching to him. With each movement of his mouth on hers, her uncertainty and worry was fading. Lavender could have Ron… Why did she need anyone else when she had this with Harry?
When they'd each had their fill, they looked at each other, unable to stop smiling. Harry stroked his hand over her hair and laughed.
"What is it?"
"I can't believe… I'm just so happy," Harry admitted.
"Me too," Hermione beamed. She leaned forward and placed a gentle peck on his lips.
"I don't know how to do any of this," Harry admitted, despite his happiness.
"Neither do I," Hermione assured him. "But we'll figure it out together."
"Together," Harry agreed.