Harry and Hermione: I trust you

Chapter four

With a heavy heart and determination burning in her eyes, Hermione squared her shoulders, ready to confront the darkness that had overtaken her friend. As possessed Harry lunged at her, she braced herself for the impending battle.

Harry's icy breath billowed towards her, but Hermione instinctively countered with a burst of fire, a newfound power surging forth from within her. The flames danced around her, illuminating the darkness of the attic with their flickering light.

Caught off guard by Hermione's unexpected counterattack, possessed Harry faltered for a moment, allowing Hermione to act. Summoning all her courage, she unleashed another burst of fire breath, this time aimed directly at Harry.

The flames engulfed him, sending him crashing into a nearby wall with a resounding thud. Hermione's heart pounded in her chest as she rushed to his side, fear and concern etched on her face.

But as she approached, she saw something miraculous happen. Dark magic particles began to swirl around Harry's unconscious form, their malevolent energy dissipating into the air. And then, with a final burst of light, the darkness vanished, leaving Harry's body limp and unresponsive.

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes as she realized that her friend was no longer possessed. With a trembling hand, she gently brushed a lock of hair from his forehead, relief flooding through her.

"Harry," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "Please, wake up."

And as if in response to her plea, Harry stirred, his eyes fluttering open. Confusion clouded his gaze for a moment, but then recognition dawned as he met Hermione's tearful eyes.

"Hermione," he murmured, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. "What... what happened?"

With a shaky breath, Hermione explained everything that had transpired, from the discovery of the dark diary to the intense battle that had ensued. And as Harry listened, a look of gratitude washed over his features, mingled with disbelief and relief.

"I... I don't know what to say," Harry said, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, Hermione, for saving me."

Hermione smiled through her tears, her heart swelling with love and relief. "You're welcome, Harry," she replied softly. "That's what friends are for."

After the intense ordeal in the attic, Harry and Hermione retreated to the comfort of the living room, seeking solace in each other's presence. The air was heavy with a newfound sense of closeness, a shared understanding of the bond that had been tested and proven unbreakable.

As they settled onto the couch, Hermione couldn't help but feel a rush of gratitude for Harry's unwavering support and bravery. She reached out and took his hand in hers, her fingers intertwining with his as they shared a moment of silent companionship.

Harry's gaze softened as he squeezed Hermione's hand, wordlessly conveying his appreciation for her courage and strength. And in that moment, Hermione felt a warmth spread through her chest, a sense of contentment and belonging that she had never experienced before.

Lost in the intimacy of the moment, Hermione leaned in closer to Harry, her heart fluttering with anticipation. But just as their lips were about to meet in a tender kiss, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, interrupting their reverie.

Startled, Hermione pulled away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she realized that her parents had returned home unexpectedly. "Oh, um, hi Mum, Dad," she stammered, trying to regain her composure.

Her parents entered the room, their expressions a mix of concern and amusement as they took in the scene before them. "Hello, dear," Mrs. Granger said with a knowing smile. "We didn't mean to interrupt."

Hermione's face turned even redder as she mumbled an apology, desperately trying to think of a way to change the subject. "Um, so, how was your day?" she blurted out, grateful for the distraction.

Her parents exchanged a knowing glance before launching into a lively discussion about their day, effectively shifting the focus away from the awkward moment between Hermione and Harry. And as they chatted animatedly, Hermione couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her.

As Hermione retreated to her room later that evening, the events of the day replayed in her mind like a broken record. She couldn't shake the image of Harry's lips mere inches from hers, the warmth of his hand in hers, the unspoken tension that had hung between them like a delicate thread.

Part of her was thrilled at the possibility of finally sharing her first kiss with Harry, of crossing that threshold from friendship to something more. But another part of her was filled with doubt and fear, worried that giving in to her desires might irreparably damage the bond they shared.

She knew that their friendship was precious, a rare and cherished connection that had sustained them through the darkest of times. And yet, as she lay in bed, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if she had followed her heart and kissed Harry when she had the chance.

But the more she thought about it, the more conflicted she became. What if Harry didn't feel the same way? What if their friendship was ruined forever because of her impulsive actions?

With a heavy sigh, Hermione pushed aside her tumultuous thoughts, knowing that she couldn't dwell on what might have been. She had to focus on the present, on preserving the bond she shared with Harry, even if it meant suppressing her desires.

And yet, even as she resolved to bury her feelings deep down, a small part of her couldn't help but yearn for the taste of his lips, for the warmth of his embrace. As she drifted off to sleep, Hermione silently vowed to navigate the treacherous waters of friendship and love with caution, knowing that the path ahead would be anything but easy.

The following day, a palpable tension lingered in the air between Harry and Hermione, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken feelings and awkwardness that had arisen from their almost-kiss the day before. Sensing the heaviness of the atmosphere, Harry cleared his throat, ready to address the elephant in the room.

"Hermione, about yesterday..." he began tentatively, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

But before he could finish his sentence, Hermione cut in quickly, a forced smile plastered on her face. "You know what, Harry? Let's not dwell on it," she interjected, her tone overly cheerful. "We're best friends, and that's what's important."

Harry's brow furrowed in confusion, but he nodded in agreement, not wanting to push the issue any further. "Yeah, you're right, Hermione," he replied, trying to match her forced enthusiasm. "We've got more important things to worry about."

And with that, Hermione changed the subject, steering the conversation towards lighter topics to ease the tension between them. As they chatted amiably, a sense of relief washed over Harry and Hermione, grateful for the opportunity to move past the awkwardness of the previous day.

But deep down, both of them knew that the lingering undercurrent of unresolved feelings would always be present, hovering just beneath the surface. And as they continued on with their day, they silently vowed to navigate the complexities of their friendship with care, knowing that some things were better left unspoken.