DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. IT BELONGS TO JK ROWLING.
A/N: Read, enjoy, and remember not to take either life or my writing too seriously.
Hermione glanced up from the book she was reading, intending to point out another frustrating detail about magical contracts. Instead, she froze when she saw Harry staring at her again.
His expression looked distant, almost thoughtful.
"Harry?" she asked.
Her voice snapped him out of whatever strange train of thought he had been following.
"Huh? Oh—nothing," he said quickly.
Hermione narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You've been doing that a lot today."
"Doing what?"
"Staring."
Harry felt heat rise to his face again.
"I wasn't staring," he muttered.
Hermione folded her arms.
"You absolutely were."
Harry desperately searched for a way to change the subject.
"So… did you find anything useful?"
Hermione sighed and glanced back down at the book.
"Only something partially helpful," she admitted. "According to this, there was a tournament centuries ago where a champion was replaced before the competition began."
Harry sat up straighter.
"That sounds promising."
Hermione continued reading.
Then she frowned.
"Oh… wait."
"What?"
"The replacement only happened because the original champion was unable to compete."
Harry leaned back again.
"Well, that ruins that idea."
Hermione closed the book and pushed it aside in frustration.
"Honestly, the rules surrounding this tournament make very little sense."
As she spoke, she absentmindedly brushed a few strands of hair away from her face again.
Harry watched the motion without meaning to.
His earlier thoughts came rushing back.
She really is pretty.
Hermione must have noticed his attention drifting again because she suddenly looked up.
"Harry, what are you looking at?"
Harry nearly jumped.
"Nothing!" he said quickly.
His reaction only made Hermione more suspicious.
"You're acting strange."
"I'm not!"
Hermione studied him for a moment before shaking her head.
"Fine. Be mysterious."
She reached for another book.
Harry tried very hard to focus on the page in front of him.
Unfortunately, his mind kept wandering back to Hermione.
He noticed the way she concentrated while reading.
The slight crease in her brow.
The way she occasionally bit her lip when she was thinking.
Without realizing it, he started staring again.
Hermione felt Harry's gaze long before she looked up again.
When she finally raised her head, she found his bright green eyes fixed on her.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
There was something unusually intense about the way he was looking at her.
Hermione's heart skipped slightly.
She had known Harry for years.
But she had never seen that particular expression before.
Her eyes met his.
For a few seconds, neither of them moved.
Hermione suddenly became very aware of the quiet atmosphere of the library around them.
She could hear the faint rustling of pages somewhere in the distance.
But everything near their table felt strangely still.
Harry's eyes were incredibly green.
She had always known that, of course.
But right now they seemed almost mesmerizing.
Harry leaned slightly forward without even realizing it.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat.
Then they both seemed to realize what was happening at the same time.
They quickly looked away.
Both of them were blushing furiously.
Hermione cleared her throat awkwardly.
"So… about the contract," she said, trying to regain control of the conversation.
Harry nodded quickly.
"Right. The contract."
She slid the book aside.
"I'm sorry, Harry," she said quietly. "I don't think there's a way for you to get out of it voluntarily."
Harry sighed.
"I figured that would be the case."
Hermione gave him a reassuring look.
"Don't worry. I'll help you prepare for the tasks."
Harry smiled slightly.
"Thanks."
For a moment their eyes met again.
Both of them quickly looked away.
Harry gestured toward the stack of books.
"We should probably put these back."
"I'll handle it," Hermione said quickly, standing up.
"I'll help," Harry said, grabbing several books before she could protest.
They began returning the books to their proper shelves.
Hermione walked slightly ahead while Harry followed with an armful of heavy volumes.
When they reached the final shelf, Hermione reached for the last book Harry was holding.
But Harry released it a little too soon.
The book slipped from their hands and dropped to the floor with a soft thud.
"I've got it," Harry said.
But Hermione had already crouched down.
They both reached for the book at the same time.
Their hands brushed.
They stood up simultaneously.
And suddenly they were standing very close together.
Too close.
Harry could feel Hermione's breath on his face.
Hermione's heart began racing.
Harry's pulse was doing exactly the same thing.
Their eyes met again.
Harry's mind suddenly went completely blank.
All he could think about were Hermione's lips.
Before he could stop himself, he leaned forward.
Their lips touched gently.
For a split-second Hermione froze in shock.
Then her eyes closed as she instinctively returned the kiss.
The world seemed to disappear.
Neither of them had expected this.
But somehow it felt natural.
After several seconds they pulled apart.
Harry immediately looked horrified.
"Oh no—Hermione—I'm so sorry!" he blurted out.
He ran a hand through his hair nervously.
"I didn't mean to—I mean, I did—but I shouldn't have—I just—"
Hermione stared at him.
Her brain was still trying to catch up with what had just happened.
Her best friend had just kissed her.
And somehow… she didn't hate it.
In fact, it had been wonderful.
Harry continued panicking.
"Maybe we should just forget it happened," he said quickly.
Hermione blinked.
That suggestion snapped her out of her stunned state immediately.
"No."
Harry froze.
"No?"
"No," Hermione repeated firmly.
She grabbed his arm and gently pulled him toward a quiet corner of the library where no one else was sitting.
They sat down at a small table.
Hermione took a deep breath.
"Harry, we need to talk about that."
Harry swallowed nervously.
"Okay."
Hermione folded her hands on the table.
"Let's just be honest with each other."
Harry nodded.
"So… why did you kiss me?"
Harry's face turned red again.
"I… honestly don't know."
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"You must have had some reason."
Harry rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Well… earlier I was staring at you."
"Yes," Hermione said dryly. "I noticed."
"And then Cho came into the library," Harry continued.
Hermione felt a small sinking feeling in her stomach.
"And I started comparing the two of you."
Hermione braced herself.
"And?"
Harry hesitated.
"Well… I realized something."
"What?"
Harry took a deep breath.
"I realized that you're just as pretty as she is."
Hermione stared at him.
"What?"
Harry suddenly looked embarrassed.
"I mean it," he said quickly. "You're smart, kind, and honestly one of the most beautiful girls here."
Hermione blinked several times.
She wasn't sure she had heard him correctly.
"You're serious?"
Harry nodded.
"Of course."
Hermione felt her cheeks grow warm.
For years she had always assumed boys saw her as nothing more than the clever girl who always had the answers.
Hearing Harry say something like that was completely unexpected.
Harry continued nervously.
"If I thought I actually had a chance… I'd ask you to be my girlfriend."
The moment the words left his mouth, Harry froze.
His face turned an even deeper shade of red.
Hermione stared at him in shock.
Then she slowly spoke.
"You would?"
Harry nodded nervously.
"Yes."
Hermione took a deep breath.
"Well…"
Harry looked up.
"I think you might have a chance."
Harry blinked.
"What?"
Hermione smiled shyly.
"If you actually want to be my boyfriend."
Harry's heart nearly stopped.
"Hermione Granger… would you be my girlfriend?"
Hermione laughed softly.
"Yes."
Harry grinned.
And a moment later they leaned forward and kissed again.
This time neither of them panicked.
A few minutes later they left the library together.
Their hands were clasped tightly.
Both of them were smiling.
Then they both stopped suddenly.
"RON," they said at the same time.
Harry groaned.
"Oh no."
Hermione bit her lip thoughtfully.
"Harry… you said earlier you didn't want to compete in the tournament."
"Of course I don't," Harry said. "I'd rather spend time with you."
Hermione's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Then maybe you won't have to."
Harry looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Hermione smiled mischievously.
"I think I might have a plan."
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Thank you for reading!
See you in the next chapter ✨