Falling

Hermione cursed inwardly for what seemed like the hundredth time. She had stayed up until the crack of dawn to research about something important whilst watching over Harry. The poor boy. This was the third time he had sustained a rather serious injury. She guessed his luck had run out and now he was suffering in this hunt.

She was on the desk, reading an advanced book on potions which she brought. Her nostrils flared at the text in front of her.

"Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in existence. It causes a powerful infatuation or obsession from the drinker. It has a distinct mother-of-pearl sheen and steam roses from it in characteristic spirals.

"Amortentia smells different to each person, according to what attracts them, reminding each person of the things they find most attractive even if the person doesn't acknowledge or is unaware of their fondness for the object of their attraction themselves."

'According to what attracts them... what did I smell the last time, again? Fresh cut grass, new parchment... and Ron's hair? Wait, that's odd. Harry had the same smell on his hair... oh. Oh! I think I remember one time Ron borrowed Harry's shampoo and has used it ever since. No wonder... wait, is it possible that I'm actually attracted to Harry?!' Hermione thought.

Hermione glanced over at Harry sleeping in his bed and for some reason, she smiled.

'Okay... maybe I am attracted to Harry. Who wouldn't be?' she thought. She went back to her book.

"It's considered to be a powerful and highly dangerous potion. As stated, it's dangerous to underestimate a powerful infatuation. Despite it's power, Amortentia doesn't create actual love; it's impossible to manufacture or imitate love. The person under the effect of the potion will only hold an obsession for the person who administered it.

"The effects of the potion on a person described to be near instantaneous; with the person who drank the potion appearing 'pale and sickly' and becoming obsessed with the object of their affections, speaking of them as though 'hit by a ray of purest sunlight' and becoming excited or dangerously unstable towards others.

"The potion must be administered continuously in order to maintain the false love in the drinker."

Hermione set down the book as she finished reading the text. She folded her arms on the desk and rested her head on them. She sighed tiredly. Now she knew. She had suspicions before and now the truth seemed unreal.

'Amortentia... he's been giving me love potions to fall in love with him. I haven't been giving him any attention for the past years, why should it start now? Now I know. How could he?!' she thought bitterly.

The dreadful sixth year, all the jealousy, pain, possessiveness, obsessions, anger, sadness, and any other negative emotions... it was all because of him! She grit her teeth together as guilt coursed through her veins. That was the year when she became hostile to Harry. And for what? Because of the complications in her love life.

She had been horrible to him that year. She accused him for being a cheater over the Prince book because she was jealous that he was getting better than her. She discriminated when he confessed to her about his suspicions on Malfoy, even going so far as defending the ferret rather than supporting her best friend since first year. He had a hard time during that year and yet he still comforted her when she was crying over a stupid, insufferable, immature, insensible git.

And all because of... him. She refused even to think of his name. He's not worth it. He was never worth her time.

He has always tormented her since first year, insulting her love for knowledge. She can handle someone insulting her, really. She had gotten used to the discriminations of her peers. But this... this was unacceptable. How dare he attempt such a thing?! What right did he have to play with her feelings? What right did he have to play with her? What had she done to deserve this? She could think of nothing. Really, if you thought of it, she has always helped him in his homework and when he always asked her help. She was the reason he hadn't failed school. And now he repays her with betrayal. That bloody git.

She closed the book with a loud thud. She stood up and walked towards Harry's bed. He lay on his back under the blankets without his glasses. His head was bandaged and his hair stuck out in different angles. His glasses lay on the bed beside his pillow. He had a peaceful and calm look on his face. She smiled at that. She kneeled in front of his bed and brushed her hand through his messy hair.

She studied his features. His jaw had sharpened over the years and gave way to a chiseled face. His lips weren't too big nor too small and looked temptingly kissable. He had long, dark eyelashes that rested on his pale cheeks.

He looked perfect even in sleep.

She thought back to the events that occurred not too long ago. The locket somehow found out about her deepest fears in the short time she wore it: Harry hating her and dying. Then she admitted to herself that she had fallen for the raven haired boy- almost man- in front of her. Come to think of it, she wasn't at all surprised by this.

How could she not fall for him? He has always been by her side. He always supported her every decision, including her creation of the Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare or S.P.E.W. for short. Though she knew he had been hesitant by her choice of name, he didn't question her and stood by her every step of the way.

She smiled widely. It felt good. Love felt good. She had never felt so complete, knowing that she loved Harry. She felt warm, happy, and tingly- all at the same time. She loved him so much she thought her heart would burst out from her chest. Every heartbeat screamed for Harry she could almost hear it.

Now, if only he felt the same...

She continued brushing his hair and staring at his peaceful form. Then her hand came to rest on his cheek and her eyes landed on his lips. She hadn't stopped thinking about those lips ever since that dream. She wanted to feel them on hers again- though the first time was just a dream, it still counted. She longed to be able to kiss him again to relive that soul-searing moment in her dream.

She licked her lips. Her eyes flicked towards his closed eyelids. Maybe... just maybe... he wouldn't know, right? One little kiss wouldn't hurt. Bringing her other hand to cup his other cheek, she leaned forward.

So close... only a hair's breadth. A few more millimeters...

Then she felt it. It was all she had ever dreamed of. Fireworks and butterflies filled her very being. Her lips pressed firmly on his. It felt so good, she never wanted it to end. Now, if only she could deepen it...

Her lips ran along his bottom lip before slipping into his mouth. She moaned lightly at his taste. There were remnants of mint toothpaste and chamomile tea and something entirely Harry. Her tongue tasted every nook and cranny in his divine mouth.

Her mind hadn't registered that his tongue had began to move against hers. She just suddenly felt better. She moaned again.

Then she felt it. Her eyes opened- she didn't remember closing them- and saw Harry still had his eyes closed but that he was now conscious. Instead of pulling back, though, he engaged her tongue in a duel in his mouth. She closed her eyes again and moaned. They fought for dominance. Their teeth scraping, lips mashing against each other.

Harry's hand made its way up her neck and tangled itself into her thick curls. Her hands gripped the sides of his face firmly, pulling his face closer to hers. She was basically trying to remove his tonsils with her tongue.

Only when he started to sit up and hissed in pain did they pull apart, their breaths racing. He lay his head on the pillow again and groaned.

"Are you okay? It hurts, doesn't it? Wait for a moment, I'll be back," Hermione began to ramble, flushed. Only when they pulled apart did her actions catch up to her. She felt thoroughly embarrassed at being caught but a part of her just wanted to bask in the kiss they shared a few moments ago.

When she moved to stand up, he grabbed her arm. Her eyes landed on the hand gripping her arm for a second before she looked up into his intense green eyes and got lost in them. He wore a serious expression on his face, she couldn't look away.

"Stay," he whispered in a raspy voice.

She nodded and climbed into the bed with him. Her head rested on his chest and he pulled her closer, burying his face into her soft brown curls.

Not long after, she felt his breathing slow down, indicating that he was asleep. She looked up to see his peaceful face. She smiled softly and kissed his jaw, letting his steady heartbeat lull her to sleep. She soon followed him in the land of dreams, a smile on her face.