[Present; in the tent]

"Why would you do that?"

thump... thump... thump...

time seemed to pass by slowly as Hermione waited for Harry to answer her. Her heart fluttered, her mind racing a mile a minute, going to the one possibility that she hoped was true. Could he actually feel the same way as I do?

Finally, Harry set down his quill for the final time. With confidence that Hermione had never seen from Harry, he smiled at her.

"I have a lot to say," Harry said, patting the seat beside him, Hermione sat down beside him, as she was about to say something, Harry cut her off, "Please, just listen, this will be hard enough for me to say."

She nodded, with a confused smile.

"As you know, I grew up with the Dursley's." Harry started, with a grim smile, "I did not have a childhood as you did. I'm told that my parents loved each other and that they loved me, but I did not experience it. I didn't know that what I was scared of the dark as a child, that a mother would comfort you. I didn't know that when I fell and hurt myself that a father could make everything better."

Hermione grabbed his hand tightly, her heart breaking for Harry.

"The only examples I had of love growing up were of my aunt and uncle, and that was not a good example. I was never hugged as a child, nor was I told 'I love you'. I learnt instead that feelings are bad, to lock them away or face the wrath of Uncle Vernon."

Hermione felt a tear slip down her cheek as she envisioned Harry's childhood. He smiled at her, wiping away her tear.

"So, you can imagine my surprise when I started to feel this inexplainable feeling for you." Harry grinned, Hermione blinked, unable to process what he was saying. "Sirius explained to me that I was feeling love for the first time."

"Harr-" Hermione started to say, finally processing what he had said.

"Please, just let me get this out." Harry pleaded. Hermione nodded.

"First year, I was so awful to you in the beginning. Ron was my first ever real friend. I was so scared of ruining it, that I wasn't sure how to stand up to him" Harry winced.

"You saved me that year." Hermione reminded him.

"Barely, but yes, we did finally get our heads out of our arses. Then second year came. Once you were petrified, twelve year old me didn't know what to do. I was so lost. I stayed by your side, until Promfy would kick me out at the end of the night, then I'd be right back the next day."

"You never told me that." Hermione commented, thoughtfully.

"I didn't want you do lecture me about how I should have been studying." Harry laughed, Hermione laughed with him. That did sound like something her younger self would have done.

"Third year, I have no idea how you stayed friends with me. All you wanted to do was protect me with the firebolt, and I took a hissy fit over it."

"But really, all of this started in fourth year. I never really noticed girls until then. Sure, I thought you were pretty, but for Merlin sake's, I thought of you as a sister." Harry said.

"Then there was the Yule Ball. That dress Hermione." Harry let out a low whistle, whilst running his fingers through his messy hair, "You'd just finished dancing with Krum, and there I was sitting on the side lines jealous. I was jealous of him and mad at myself for not asking you. For not even thinking of asking you. I didn't understand why I was feeling this way, but I definitely stopped considering you as a sister in that moment."

Hermione laughed, "Parvati was very upset with you."

"I know, I felt awful for how I treated her." Harry grimaced. "months later, and it's the second task. I find the hostages, and there you are. My best friend, the only person who truly ever believed in me, the person who I'd miss most and you were his. His hostage and his date.

"But time went on, I struggled. I'd repeat "She's like a sister" over and over again in the head, trying to remind myself. Summer came, and I spent some time with Sirius. In typical Sirius fashion, he enlightened me about what I was feeling."

Harry stopped, "I won't be telling you what that entailed."

"Most likely it was inappropriate for a teenager." Hermione laughed.

"Beyond." Harry shook his head, trying to rid himself of the embarrassing memory.

Harry started to rub Hermione's hand with his thumb, subconsciously, as he remembered Sirius.

"But then Sirius died. If I'd of listened to you, he'd still be here today. Probably in this tent, torturing me about this." Harry winced. "You've never led me astray. You've always done what is best for me. For us. I'm grateful for you. I guess in a roundabout way, I'm trying to say is..."

Harry leaned towards Hermione, brushing a stray piece of hair from her face, cupping the side of her face with his hand.

"I love you, Hermione Granger."

A/N: Well, that's all folks. I'm so sorry it took so long to get out. My baby has been cutting teeth like no tomorrow, and I've been prioritizing sleep over everything else. lol. but I finally had a chance to write a short conclusion! Would you guys be interested in a little one shot of Sirius enlightening Harry about his feelings?