Harry jolted awake, tangling himself in the scarlet covers of his four-poster bed. He looked around and saw Ron snoring across from him. The moonlight shown through the window in thin slants, dancing across the cold floor as the trees moved in the wind outside. He rubbed his forehead, trying to remember why he had awoken so suddenly. The dream came flooding back to him and he remembered. This dream had plagued him every night since his return to Hogwarts.
Harry had decided the previous summer that he wouldn’t return for his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. Dumbledore’s death was still replaying itself in his head and he knew the school could never be the same. In the end, it had been Hermione that had convinced him to return. She had always been the one to remind Harry of the things he had to do, the things that really mattered. They had argued a lot that summer about what Harry was going to do. It wasn’t the facts that had changed his mind, it was Hermione’s pained expressions and hurt-filled eyes. He could remember the day perfectly. She had given up and was making one last feeble effort. She looked up at him; her eyes filled with tears, and whispered to him, “Harry, I can’t do this without you. I need you to come back with me. We have to finish Hogwarts, Harry. We have to do this. Not for you and not for me, but for Dumbledore.” It was then that he decided he would return.
His head in his hands, Harry’s thoughts returned to the dream. He couldn’t figure out why it was so important. In fact, it reminded him of the soap operas his aunt used to watch when he was little. Harry’s thoughts turned to the names on the tombstones in the graveyard. It was then that Harry realized the dream had to be some sort of prophesy. He got out of bed and walked to the window overlooking the school grounds. Shadows danced across his face and he was shirtless. His muscles stretched as he reached to open the window. The years of Quidditch had made Harry strong and muscular instead of the scrawny boy he had once been. He felt the slightly chilly air whip through his hair and he wished for nothing more than to ride his broomstick carelessly over the grounds. Suddenly, he heard the door open behind him. Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the moonlight, stood Hermione.
“Herms?” Harry whispered. He looked at her standing in the moonlight. Harry wasn’t the only one who had grown up. Hermione was petite and small, with ivory skin as smooth as milk. Her hair had tamed itself and now fell to the middle of her back in loose, honey colored curls. It was no longer frizzy but was smooth and soft. He resisted the urge to embrace her small figure.
“I’m sorry if I woke you,” she whispered.
“Oh, I was already awake. Do you want to go down to the common room?” Harry whispered as he walked towards her.
“Alright, but Harry you might want to put on a shirt. It’s fairly chilly down there,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing.
“Oh, right. That’s probably a good idea,” Harry said, pulling an old t-shirt over his head.
Hermione opened the door and the couple walked down the cold stairs. The fire was slowly dieing and Harry walked to the fireplace. He muttered a simple incantation and flames erupted, their shadows flickering throughout the dark room. Hermione sat on a couch next to the fire and wrapped herself in a scarlet blanket. This scene was not new for either of them. Hermione always seemed to be able to tell when Harry couldn’t sleep. She would come up to the dormitory and they would go down to common room, sometimes talking but more often not. Harry sat on the couch next to her and she pulled the cover around them both.
“Was it the same dream?” she asked.
“Yes,” he whispered.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” Hermione asked.
Harry was silent for a few minutes. He looked over at her and saw the understanding in her eyes. He decided that if anyone would understand, it would be Hermione. He was still nervous about telling her though, mainly because it involved her. Finally, he decided he might as well.
When Harry was finished, Hermione looked up at him with a smile on her beautiful face. She looked as though she was trying not to laugh.
“Harry, this is the dream that has been keeping you up at night?” she said, her laughter getting the best of her.
“Yes, Herms, it is! I keep having it and it feels real, like it is going to happen. I don’t know what to do!” Harry exclaimed.
“It will only happen if you let it, Harry. Although, I must say I hope it doesn’t. I do not like the way I acted,” she said, giggling.
“It does seem rather funny doesn’t it?” he said, laughter getting the better of him. She nodded and they sat laughing for a few more minutes. Hermione, clutching her stomach, was finally able to look up. She smiled up at Harry, a mischievous look on her face.
“Miss Granger, I don’t know if I like the look on your face,” he said, trying to sound serious.
“Oh really?” she asked. Suddenly, she began to tickle him. He quickly grabbed her arms and pinned them above her head.
“Nice try, but do you know who I am?” he asked, laughing.
“I’m afraid I don’t, sir!” she said giggling.
“Why, I’m the infamous Harry Potter! I’m the greatest wizard who ever lived!” He exclaimed, his laughter getting the better of him.
“We’ll see about that!” she exclaimed, wiggling free. She jumped up and pinned his arms behind his back, forcing him to lay face down on the couch.
“Not so fast!” he exclaimed, his laughter stifled by the couch. He tried to roll over and they both fell off the couch. They lay there for a few minutes before standing up and sitting on the couch again.
“Harry, you are evil!” she gasped, out of breath. He smiled down at her and Harry found himself entranced by her beauty. He quickly looked away and continued their earlier conversation.
“So you don’t think the dream is anything to worry about?” he asked.
“Harry, what would there be to worry about? You beat Lord Voldemort and survived! Ron and I are still there for you and we all seem happy! Harry, if that’s the way things turn out then what is there to worry about?” she asked him, her voice full of energy.
“Loosing you, Hermione! Just thinking about the fact that we will never be together keeps me up at night!” Harry exclaimed before he could stop himself. He immediately wished he could take it back.
“Oh, Harry!” she exclaimed, tears filling her eyes.
Harry looked down at her, afraid that she wouldn’t feel the same. He couldn’t believe he had told her! He had kept his feeling for Hermione a secret, not even telling Ron, ever since they had met. He had always loved her and now she knew.
Harry was still deep in thought when something unexpected happened. Hermione leaned up and kissed him. Harry kissed her back and pulled her down onto the couch. Hermione had just run her fingers through Harry’s hair when they heard a door slam. They both sat up, staring in the direction of the boy’s dormitory.