An Unexpected Ally

A Stack of Toast

"You want a closer look?" Harry smirked. Hermione blushed at his words and took a few steps back, much to his disappointment, though it did help him remember what she was holding. A stack of toast. She noticed his gaze and initially thought he was looking at something else, only to realise he was focusing on the toast.

"Oh- this? I was just worried you wouldn't want to eat in the Great Hall right now and... maybe we could go somewhere more private... like-" Hermione began.

"The library?" Harry guessed and she appeared embarrassed. He smiled at her. "I don't care about all of these idiots. I already have the person I care about believing in me. Why don't we sit down and eat, get to Charms and head to the library after?"

Hermione's bright beam informed him that he had made the correct decision.

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Later on, in Charms, Ron made a point of walking directly past Harry's seat to go and sit next to Seamus instead. Hermione observed his behaviour with a scowl as she took the seat next to Harry with pride.

"I didn't think he would believe in you." Hermione said sadly as she looked at Harry.

"I thought he would... but I suppose I'm not surprised." Harry sighed. "Then again, now instead of him I have a beautiful and intelligent witch sitting next to me, so I'm not complaining." He grinned at her.

"Harry!" Hermione whispered, slapping his arm lightly as she blushed at his praise. "What has gotten into you?"

"I've just realised that I haven't been appreciating you as much as I should have, Hermione." Harry said sincerely as he stared into her eyes and the girl privately thought that it was very unfair he no longer needed his glasses because all she could do now was stare at him like a lovesick schoolgirl, which she supposed she was. Ever since that boy had walked off on his own to face Voldemort at the age of eleven and returned after actually banishing his spirit, she was completely sold, but little Hermione Granger's heart was already won as soon as she had heard of how he had, upon knowing she was unaware of the troll, rushed to warn her even if he had no obligation to. Of course, Ron had told her it was his idea, but she took his words with a grain of salt.

Then, after being branded the Heir of Slytherin and ostracised and vilified by the school, Hermione had thrown herself into her work, finding out what the monster was and trying to tell Harry so they could work out a way to stop it. Unfortunately she was petrified soon after and only woke when the adventure was over. Of course, hugging Harry had made up for lost time.

Her third year was much more lucrative and Hermione's crush on Harry only seemed to grow. Most of the time, Ron was present and constantly acted as a barrier between them, urging Harry to spend time with him instead doing activities such as wizards chess and exploding snap, while Hermione didn't ask in fear of rejection.

But when Ron was injured by a disguised Sirius Black, Hermione easily found the silver lining in that she got to spend some alone time with Harry, watched him fight off over a hundred dementors as she stood with her hand firmly held in his and even got to ride a hippogriff with him. While the experience was terrifying, it was also incredibly romantic as Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry, pressing her face into his neck and shuffling as closely to him as possible.

And now, by being a jealous prick, Ron had given her the greatest gift of all- time alone with Harry until he apologised, which knowing the redhead in question wasn't likely to be anytime soon. Of course, Harry's recent attitude of 'appreciating her as much as he should' was not going to be met with any complaints. If he kept it up, she might just grab him and force him into the nearest broom closet.