My New Obsession

Hermione POV

The next few weeks flew by without a hitch. Harry and I have never been better. I’m so completely in love with him it’s maddening. I pretty much live with him now as almost all of my things are in his room. Our dynamic is similar to that of our time in the tent only much more intimate. Last week I caught him pacing in the closet, running his hands through his hair like he was stressing over Horcruxes.

“Harry, are you alright?” He whipped around to face me and let out an exasperated huff. 

“Hi. Um- Yes, I’m fine.” He said quickly and I laughed at how clearly flustered he was. 

“Do you need help?” 

He sighed and hung his head in defeat. “Your stuff is mixed with mine and I can’t find anything in here normally, so with all the added things– I was just losing my mind a little trying to remember where I put my Quidditch jersey.” He admitted sheepishly. “Don’t get me wrong ‘mione. I love having you here, but I’m a little out of my element.”

I giggled and wrapped my arms around his waist, looking up into his emerald eyes with a smile. “I know we both grew up with muggles, but it still baffles me sometimes how we forget to use magic for simple things.”

He barked out a laugh and cursed. “Merlin, I’m an idiot.” I giggled and pulled out my wand to wordlessly organize the closet with a few complicated flicks of my wrist. 

That was the biggest problem we’d had since we started dating if that tells you how perfectly things are going. Other than the uncomfortable elephant in the room... Ron. We decided to give him some space as letting him process is usually the best route after a fight like we had. It also doesn’t help that the day after the party another article was released with a picture of us in our Halloween outfits kissing outside the greenhouses with our fight hugely overdramatized to the public. Rita had the audacity to assume that Harry and I are no longer friends with Ron– saying Harry is overly jealous and won’t allow me to be friends with my ex. Even though he’s not my ex! I huff as rage simmers hotly in my chest. 

On a happy note, I aced my practice exams and Gryffindor is winning the Quidditch cup. Harry is mesmerizing to watch on the field. I always knew he was good, but never took the time to really appreciate his skill. He flies so freely and with so much joy. Confidence exuded out of him like never before. There hasn’t been a single match where he hasn’t caught the snitch within the first hour. It makes me so happy to see him so carefree. Although my fear of heights is still bothersome, I trust him not to fall off his broom to his death. You won’t catch me on a broom anytime soon, though. I prefer my feet on the ground, thanks. 

After Draco apologized for everything, I realized I was being a little hypocritical. If I hadn’t used him to distract myself like a coward, none of this would have happened. We had a long chat about boundaries and now he frequently comes to me for advice. He told me that other than pureblood etiquette, he’s never been taught how to properly treat others. His only role model was a complete arse, so I can see where he might be behind in that department. 

I eventually gave him my OWL practice exams and he thanked me with a visit to his manor library. I was brought to tears at the sight before me. Endless shelves and knowledge for the taking. He awkwardly led me through, telling me his family legends and the ancient history of the many tomes. He then shocked me by saying he ran into Ron a few days prior in Diagon Alley and offered to keep an eye on him for us. I’m still feeling the residual shock after he said he’d like to be his friend and get him to come around. 

I was grateful for him and the thought struck me speechless. Me, Hermione Granger, grateful for Draco Malfoy. What a weird world to live in. He’s somehow become a huge part of our lives, getting Harry and me together and offering to help with Ron. It’s all a little mind-blowing considering who he used to be. I can tell that he feels bad for how he handled everything and is doing everything he can to make up for it. Although, I already forgave him. I don’t have it in me to hold on to grudges anymore. 

We found out that Ginny and Theo are officially dating, which makes sense since we saw them snogging in the common room. She’s finally back to her old spitfire self. Like she was never that cold person from the beginning of the year. Everything feels… whole again. The only part of my life in disorder is Ron. I miss him. Despite everything, I love him dearly. He’s my closest friend apart from Harry and life without him feels wrong, incomplete. Like I’m missing a part of myself. We decided to give him a month. Just one month to stew and rage. If he still refuses to talk to us by then, we’re going to just show up at his flat demanding he talks to us. Harry and I aren’t going anywhere even if he hates us and refuses to hear us out, we’ll be there. Draco told us he thinks he’ll come around soon, just to give him space and time. He’s been spending a lot of time with Ron lately, so I’m going to take that as a good sign. If Ron can forgive Draco for their dark history, anything is possible.

Harry decided to do the interview Rita practically begged him for. She wouldn’t leave him alone. For weeks, she hounded him and he finally conceded on a few conditions. First, he gets to proofread the article so she can’t spread any lies; and second, if he’s upfront and honest, she has to stop hounding them for interviews and leave them be once and for all. That’s what we’re doing today. I promised to go with him after he confided how uncomfortable and anxious he felt. He’s nervous and rightfully so. I managed to convince him it was for the best as we get to tell our story before anyone else does. 

We walk through the ministry hand in hand. Memories of the last time we were here flash through my mind, but I take a deep breath and focus on the task at hand, again feeling forever grateful to my mind healer and the progress we've made after everything. Harry glances down at me with anxiety written all over his features and I squeeze his hand to reassure him.

“You’ve got this Harry. Just be honest. You already talked to Ginny to warn her and she said she couldn’t care less what they write about her. And Ron already knows about us, so it’s nothing new. It’ll be okay.” I say encouragingly while pulling him to a stop. He blows out a breath and I cup his cheeks with a small smile.

“You’re right. I just don’t want to say anything stupid.” He admits quietly. 

“I know, love. If you do, you can edit it out remember?” I say stroking his cheek with my thumb. He leans into my touch and nods before letting out a long breath. He kisses my palm and turns toward the door of Rita Skeeter herself. He knocks twice while fidgeting with his robes. He pleaded with me to come with him, just to sit through the interview. Adamant that I didn’t have to say anything, just be there and of course, I agreed. I wanted to come along either way. I don’t trust Rita in the slightest.

Rita opens the door smiling widely. “Mr. Potter! Oh! Ms. Granger! I didn’t know you were coming as well! This is great news. We can get both perspectives!” She says grabbing our robes and pulling us through the door abruptly. I squeak at the intrusion, stumbling into the room. 

Rita’s office is just as I expected, overzealous and boastful. Her many articles and awards line the walls and I spot more than a few autobiographies of herself. I bite back a scoff. I loathe her. I think I may hate her more than I hated Voldemort. Okay… That’s a little dramatic but still. She ushers us into the two chairs in front of her desk. Before we can even begin to protest, she’s asking questions.

“So… Mr. Potter. You and Ms. Granger are official, yes?”

Harry rolls his eyes. “Clearly. There are plenty of pictures of us Rita. Don’t ask dumb questions.” 

I suppress a groan as heat floods through my body. I love when he gets all dark and threatening, and something about him talking down to her, specifically, does something to me. 

“Yes, yes. Right, you are. Alrighty then. So.. How did this start?”

Harry glances over at me and I nod. “Well… I’ll be honest. It was…unexpected. I’ve always loved Hermione. She’s my best friend and of course, when we were kids I had an on-again off-again crush on her. I mean, look at her. She’s beautiful, kind, and smart. How could a bloke not fall for her?” He chuckles and I stop breathing. My stomach flutters at his words. I still can’t believe he loves me sometimes. 

“Anyway… I think it really started when we were on the run. Not consciously of course. We just.. I don’t know.” He chances a look at me, seeming to ask for help and I oblige with a smile. 

“We clicked… It was easy being with him during those months. Like we didn’t have to think around each other. We were just ourselves.” I say, smiling encouragingly at him.

“Yeah. But there was a war and we both had other people we may or may not have been falling for, so it didn’t really turn into anything until we started our eighth year. Although, we did live together over the summer and that’s when we became inseparable. Especially since we were both going through a lot of the same things.” He pauses as Rita jots something down.

“There was initially some awkward tension with the Weasleys because of my breakup with Ginny and other factors. It was a difficult time for me, and Hermione was my rock. Plus, we were dealing with trauma from the war and we leaned on each other for comfort in those hard times. Eventually, it just kind of morphed into more as we realized how much we truly cared for each other. Simple as that really.”

He shrugged and Rita smiled wickedly. “So the Weasleys were just a small blip in your lives then? Just a stepping stone to the real thing?”

I scoff at the audacity of this woman. “Please. Ronald and I kissed one time. It was a mutual agreement to stay friends. I love him dearly.” My voice cracks slightly and I take a breath to calm my whirling emotions. “He’s my best friend. Harry and I wouldn’t be here without him. He’s no stepping stone. Ron’s a hero. And Ginny... Ginny is a firecracker and a badass leader. No one should ever call her a stepping stone. Merlin, that’s right preposterous. We love them both dearly. It just wasn’t meant to be. That doesn’t mean their lives are insignificant to us.” I spoke before I could stop myself. Harry just smiles affectionately at me. 

“What she said.”

Rita sighs, pushing her glasses up her pointed nose. “Well. Moving on. How about Mr. Malfoy? I hear you all are close. Interesting considering your past and his death-eater status wouldn’t you say?”

Harry sighs and rubs his temple before chuckling. “Draco is a right prick. But… I fucking like the bloke. He apologized for everything and we slowly became friends.” Harry pauses. “Shit. Sorry. Can I curse?” 

Rita nods and motions for him to continue. 

“Okay. Well, Draco is actually part of the reason we’re here.” He grins and shakes his head. “Slytherins, man. You see… Hermione here was struggling with her feelings for me, so she roped Draco into distracting her. Of course, he figured it out right away, but he thought she was using him to make me jealous– I hope he reads this.” He says laughing. “Draco bloody Malfoy, pureblood extraordinaire, was playing with fire when he kissed Hermione right in front of me.”

Rita gasps and scribbles furiously. Harry ignores her outburst and continues. “He concocted this whole plan to make me jealous of him and Hermione… Just to get something from her. Bloody idiot. But hell, it worked. He knew I was watching them and would purposely do things to make me jealous. I couldn’t control my anger and eventually just laid one on her.” He says bluntly. 

I gape at him. Is he trying to piss Malfoy off? And why is he being so honest!!? We decided to tell the truth, but not to this extent! I think to myself, in shock at Harry’s candor.

“Wow. So you and Mr. Malfoy are… enemies again?”

“Merlin no. Yes, I was angry, but Hermione here can handle herself. He apologized for being a prat, and honestly, I’d say we’re closer than ever. I consider him to be one of my closest friends. You reckon he’ll get disowned for that Hermione?”

He peers over at me with a mischievous gleam in his eye. He’s loving this. I giggle and grab his hand, threading our fingers together.

“I hope not. Draco’s my only smart friend. Don’t run him off..” 

Harry balks. “I’m sincerely offended by that.”

“Well, you’re not technically just my friend sooo…”

A laugh bursts from him and he leans in to brush a kiss on my jaw, completely forgetting we have an audience. We do that a lot apparently. Rita clears her throat, trying to bring the attention back to her. I glance at her, finding a slight smile on her blood-red lips. 

“Adorable.” She says, flicking her wand at the quick-quotes quill to her right. It starts writing furiously and I narrow my eyes. 

“One last question… We all heard the golden trio had a falling out on Halloween. Are you all still friends?”

Harry’s face immediately falls and my own chest aches at the thought of Ron. We talked about what he would say if she brought it up and I peer over at him worriedly. Harry sighs, running a hand through his hair. 

“Ron is my best mate and he will always be my best mate. We’ve fought on and off for most of our lives like all friends do. Just because we had one fight doesn’t mean I don’t still love and care for him. I messed up big time and he has every right to be angry with me. That doesn’t mean I’m not sorry. I’m not going to apologize for falling in love with Hermione, but I am sorry for making him feel less than what he is to us. I think I can speak for Hermione when I say we miss you Ron and we’re sorry.”

My eyes well up with tears. “More than he knows,” I say squeezing Harry’s hand. 

“In love you say?” Rita asks, completely ruining the moment. Harry rolls his eyes. 

“Yes, Rita. I, Harry James Potter, am head over heels in love with Hermione Granger. Is that good enough for your gossip page?”

I snort, then smile at my boyfriend. “I, also, am very much in love with Harry. I can honestly say he’s my new obsession. As the girls at school would say, ‘I bagged the chosen one.’ Can we go now?” I ask pulling Harry out of his seat. He smiles at me and abruptly kisses me obscenely right in front of her. A click and a flash go off and I can’t help but laugh. Damn it! I owe him twenty galleons now. Earlier that day, we made bets on whether or not Rita would hide a camera somewhere. I told him there was no way she’d make that mistake. She learned her lesson the last time she fucked with me. 

Harry chuckles, pulling away from me. “Told you.” 

I roll my eyes and hand him the coin. “Bye Rita. Do leave us alone now, would you? I would hate to find a beetle locked in a jar in my trunk, wouldn’t you?” I say walking out of the room with Harry trailing behind me. A startled squeak follows us and Harry grips my hips roughly and growls in my ear. “You’re so sexy when you threaten people’s lives..” My breathing hitches and heat pools low in my core. “My lioness. Godric, I want you so badly right now.” He whispers huskily in my ear. A shiver works its way down my spine, and just when I’m about to say fuck it and pull him into a broom closet, we’re accosted by reporters and fans pushing their way into our space.

“Mr. Potter! Mr. Potter! Are you going to join the Aurors after Hogwarts?”

“Ms. Granger, are you making moves to be minister?”

Harry catches my eye and jerks his chin to the floo. We sprint away from the nosy reporters and hop into the floo together. Harry mock salutes them all as he calls out Grimmauld place.

Harry POV

Hermione and I received special permission from Mcgonagal to stay at Grimmauld over the weekend. She didn’t want us to worry about making it back after going to the ministry. I vowed to buy her something grossly expensive for everything she’s done for Hermione and me this year. Albeit, unknowingly. Without that private room, who knows if this would have happened? I’m forever grateful to her.

After the interview with Rita, we barely made it through the floo before I had her bent over the couch, thrusting into her earnestly. Too desperate to shed our clothes in our haste. Then again on the kitchen table where I meticulously peeled Hermione's knickers off with my teeth. Poor Kreacher got more than he bargained for when he walked in on that. I chuckle at the memory. Hermione’s face had been priceless. 

We’re heading back to the castle tomorrow morning and I’m taking advantage of every second I have with her. This weekend feels like a glimpse into our future. I know it’s fast, but I can’t help but think about how much I want that with her. Sitting in the living room in comfortable silence while she reads a book and I pretend to read while watching her instead. The way her nose scrunches when she’s reached a particularly uncomfortable section of the book. Or how her lips twitch and she unconsciously kicks her feet when something particularly romantic or interesting happens. I could watch her for hours. That’s how completely infatuated I am. 

I’ve never felt so sure about something in my entire life. Hermione’s eyes flick up to meet mine, and she smiles before setting her book down and crossing the room to me. I throw the book I’d been pretending to read over my shoulder and it hits the ground with a loud thump. She laughs and maneuvers into my lap. I sigh into her curls. 

“What’re you thinking about?” She asks tracing the veins of my arm. 

“You.”

She hums. “What about me?”

“You know the usual. How did I get so lucky? Why is my girlfriend the hottest woman alive? I can’t wait to start my life with this gorgeous, intelligent, kind, brave, wonderful witch... the works.”

She bites her lip and then giggles. “You’re such a cheese ball.”

I chuckle and shrug. “It’s not cheesy if it’s true,” I say kissing her cheek. “And you know you love it.”

She smiles and runs her thumb along my jaw. “I love you.” She whispers looking intently into my eyes. My heart skips a beat. Even after a few weeks, I still feel butterflies every time she says that to me. 

“I love you more.”

She leans in to brush a sweet kiss to my lips and I smile hugging her waist tightly. I can’t believe not two months ago I was pining helplessly after her, convinced she would never feel the same or that I’d somehow ruined our friendship. We truly were blind back then. She rests her head on my shoulder and continues tracing lines on my arm. I start humming a tune I heard in a muggle pub over the summer.

“Heaven. When I held you again. How could, we ever just be friends? I would, rather die than let you go. Juliet to your Romeo. How I heard you say, I would never fall in love again until I found her. I said I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into. I was lost within the darkness but then I found her, I found you.”

“I didn’t know you could sing Harry.”

I hum in answer. “Never came up.” 

She eyes me curiously. “What’s that song? I like it.. it’s like.. us.”

I smile at her. No wonder that song has been stuck In my head for months. “I’m not sure. I think it’s called Until I found you.”

“Hmm. Have you read Romeo and Juliet? It's iconic in the muggle world. A tragic love story.”

I shake my head. I’ve vaguely heard of it, but only in name. 

“The two lovers are on different sides of a years-old family feud. Forbidden love. In the end, the feud kills them both. Romeo thinks Juliet’s dead so he kills himself. Juliet then awakens, finds her lover dead, and kills herself to be with him. It’s sad really. If their families had only set aside their differences, they’d have lived happily ever after. Shakespeare was known for his tragic stories. Although, I quite like a happy ending myself.”

I crack a smile. “Me too. I understand them though. In a way. A love that powerful… It’s worth fighting for.”

She smiles, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “It is, isn't it?”

I run my hands up and down her back, thinking about the lyrics. I determine he’s writing to his love, how he regrets ever letting her go. I can relate to that immensely. Whether it be the years of denial about our friendship, or almost letting her go a few months ago. If we stayed friends… I don’t think I would’ve ever found love. Or at least nothing that compares to how I feel about her now. 

“Hermione? Do- Do you think my parents loved each other like that?”

She stills in my arms and then leans back to look at me. Her eyes are soft as she gazes into mine. “Oh, Harry. Of course. I think- Well, I think your parents loved each other enough to die for each other. Just like Romeo and Juliet. But, they also had you, and their love for you was so much… more. There’s a reason you’re alive Harry. Something that powerful…” She shakes her head and cups my jaw. At some point, I guess I started to tear up because she wipes a stray tear from my cheek. 

“I dare say there’s never been a love as powerful as theirs… Merlin, they’d be so proud of you Harry. Please don’t ever doubt that.”

My chest warms as I look into her warm depths. I think I may have found one love that rivals theirs. I cup her cheeks and kiss her softly, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that I’ll never let her go.

“I think dying for someone is…powerful Hermione. To love someone enough to…” I shake my head, unable to find the words. “Mum, Dad, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Fred, Dobby, Dumbledore, Snape, Lavender, Madeye…All of them. They all died for something, for love, for freedom, for friendship. Even– even when I died-” I blow out a breath. “Dying for the ones you love is the most powerful thing you can do. But I think, living– living for the ones you love, for the ones you lost is…sublime. It’s epic. Death finds us all. It’s terrifying and painful and powerful, but living... Living for them– After everything. I-” My words get caught in my throat. “Mum and Dad didn’t die for me to waste my life. They died so I could choose to live. Because in the end…it’s all for them. Romeo and Juliet were passionate and the story is powerful, but that’s where we differ. Choosing to live is the hardest, most powerful thing you can do.”

Tears spill down her cheeks as she smiles at me. Her eyes are wide with wonder. I wipe her tears away and pull her to my chest. Holding onto the woman I chose, who chose me. We sit in silence for a few minutes and I hum along to the same tune as before. I plan to play it at our wedding someday. I smile at the thought. Mum and Dad would be so happy that I finally stopped being a total idiot and got the girl. Hermione leans back and kisses my cheek.

“Let’s be epic Harry… And if you didn’t know this already, I’m never letting you go.”

......

We disapparate back to Hogwarts around noon, so we head straight to the Great Hall for lunch. Hermione is swinging our hands between us and humming happily. I smile, loving how happy she’s been lately. I’ve never seen her so carefree and relaxed. A small part of me warms with pride knowing I had something to do with the easy smile on her face. 

Walking through the grand doors to the hall, I trail my eyes over the many faces at the Gryffindor table. My eyes catch on a familiar freckled face and I stop in my tracks as my heart drops into my stomach. Hermione stops too, noticing him at the same time I do. My heart beats wildly in my chest as I stare at my best friend across the hall. Ron abruptly stands from his seat as his eyes find us. Oddly enough, Draco stands with him. I can’t bring myself to wonder about the oddity of their friendship or why Draco was at our table as I’m shocked into stillness. 

Draco ushers Ron over to us and Hermione and I are both frozen as we watch them approach. They stop a few steps away and Ron fidgets uncomfortably. I think I’m going into shock. He was the last person I expected to see. We just stare at each other for an uncomfortably long moment. Draco rolls his eyes and nudges Ron’s arm. Ron glances at him and sighs. For whatever reason, I finally get over my shock, seemingly at the exact moment as Hermione, as we both rush forward and pull him in for a crushing hug. Ron grunts as we both collide with him, making him stumble back a step. 

“Ron, we’re so sorry.” Hermione murmurs against his side as I mutter apologies over and over again. He chuckles and hugs us back just as fiercely. 

“No. I’m sorry. The things I said were horrible. I should’ve given you guys the benefit of the doubt and I didn't even give you a chance.” Ron says softly.

“Oh, shut up mate. You have nothing to apologize for. We love you and we fucked up by not telling you.” I say pulling back to look him in the eye. He shakes his head and sighs. We step back and drop our arms to give him space. Hermione wraps her arm around my waist as I hug her to my side. She reaches for Ron’s hand.

“Really Ron. We’ve missed you so much. We’re so sorry. You have no idea how much.” Hermione says, squeezing his hand. He smiles softly at her. 

“I know. I read the Prophet this morning.”

I growl and Hermione gasps in shock. “She released the article?!”

Ron nods and I curse. “Lying, two-timing, son of a-” I start, but Ron interrupts me. 

“Don’t worry. It was a sweet article. For once, she didn’t do you guys dirty.”

Draco clears his throat behind him. “I beg to differ.”

I laugh at that and reach around Ron to clap Draco on the back. “Sorry mate. I had to. Paybacks a bitch. I’d say we’re even now.”

Draco rolls his eyes and steps up beside Ron. “Whatever Potter. I’ve already apologized a million times. Now I have to deal with howlers and rants from my bloody father. I thought I escaped his wrath when he was sentenced, but no, now he gets to haunt me from prison.” He huffs. “And fucking hell, my mother won’t stop talking about boundaries and proper kissing etiquette!” He says cringing. 

His admission just makes me laugh harder. Hermione pinches my ass and I squeak. Ron and Draco’s eyes widen. The noise sends the both of them into fits of laughter. Howling like we weren’t in the middle of the Great Hall. Everyone in the room is staring at us, but I don’t care. I laugh right on with them, tugging Hermione tightly into my side. I’ll get her back for that. We immediately start chatting about the comings and goings of our lives. Hermione’s smile is so infectious, I can’t help but grin all the while. 

Ron still looks nervous and I cock a brow at him in question. As the conversation pauses, Draco clears his throat and elbows Ron in the ribs. Ron slaps his arm away and huffs. Hermione and I share a look. Had they really only been friends for less than a month?

Ron clears his throat and says, “Guys…I–Listen. Um. So- Malfoy and I get along now. Er- you know we’ve been hanging out a lot more than usual- and well..”

“Oh, for the love of Merlin Weasley.” Draco groans before grabbing Ron’s face and kissing him right on the mouth. My brain completely stops working as I gape at my two friends snogging right in front of me. I’m not the only one surprised as gasps and shocked murmurs go up around the room. I look at Hermione and her mouth is hanging open as she gapes at them. 

Hermione then giggles and squeals excitedly. “I knew it!”

I continue to gape at them. It’s like my brain turned off and then back on again. Slowly processing and not working or loading the information in front of me. The sight of my former enemy and childhood best friend kissing somehow doesn’t compute in my head. It feels like everything I thought I knew was wrong and I have to reprogram my mind to understand. Draco pulls away with a wicked smirk and Ron blushes a violent shade of red. Ron then turns back to us with a shy smile. 

“Um- so I’m gay.” He says clearing his throat and adjusting his trousers.

A hysterical laugh escapes my lips as every interaction Ron and I have ever had over the years flashes through my mind. He eyes me warily as the pieces slowly start to fit together. 

“Holy shit. How did I not notice? Fuck, it makes so much fucking sense. No wonder you guys were at each other’s throats constantly. Holy fucking shit!”

Ron flushes an even brighter shade of red and rubs the back of his neck. “I’m sorry Harry. I was afraid to tell you. I didn't want you to look at me differently. But then I ran into Malfoy and we got to talking and he told me how he just blurted out to you that he was bi and you didn’t even flinch and then I was spiraling because I didn't know what to do and I was hurt that you and Hermione were afraid to tell me about how you were together. And well. Yeah. Fuck. I’m rambling aren’t I?” He blurts out nervously.

Draco smiles at Ron with a look of pure adoration. My mind ceases to work as what I know, and what I’m witnessing, clash violently. The years of those two absolutely despising one another does not mesh well with the image before me. 

“Keep it short and simple, remember?” Draco says quietly and Ron sighs. With a nod, he grabs Draco’s hand as if to steady himself. 

“Anyway. What I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry. I love you guys and want you to be happy. I just hope you- you feel the same for me?”

Hermione squeals and jumps into Ron’s arms. “Oh Ronald, of course we’re happy for you. Don’t mind Harry. He’s just processing. I think you might’ve broken him. You’re making too much sense. Oh, Ron. We love you so much. Merlin, I’ve missed you.” She says, before dragging him away toward our table. I’m still standing there frozen in place as my mind whirls. Draco steps up to me with a smirk. 

“Alright there Potter?”

I blink once, twice. “Uhm– Yes?”

Draco chuckles. “Come on. Everyone’s staring. I think they expect us to kiss now, and no offense, but I would rather eat slugs.”

At that, I burst out laughing and follow him to the table. We make our way over to Ron and Hermione. Ron is still eyeing me warily, but as I’m finally able to control myself, I smile warmly at him and squeeze his arm. His shoulders relax and he smiles back. I ask a few fifth years to move down and they all turn white as a sheet before getting up and leaving the room. Ron raises his brows at me and then chuckles. 

“Harry, what the hell did you do to them? They’re terrified of you!”

Hermione giggles. “I told you, Ron! They either love him or think he’s going to murder them. It’s hilarious.” 

I chuckle and kiss her temple. Ron watches us curiously. He catches my eye and smiles. Relief floods through my entire body and I relax for the first time since we walked into the room. I hadn’t realized how afraid I was that he wouldn’t accept our relationship, but it didn’t seem to bother him in the slightest. My heart swells in my chest. Funny how life has a way of working itself out. In the end, none of it really matters. We’re all just doing our best to make something of the life we’re given. And so far… Life has never looked better.

Fin