I’ve always liked you, even back in first year when I acted like I couldn’t stand you…before we were friends. I was drawn to you the first time I saw you on the train to school, when you told me I had a fleck of dirt on my nose. Maybe you already know, but I was embarrassed at that moment.

In second year, when you were petrified by the Basilisk, I didn’t know what to do. But Harry took charge. He figured out your clue, and even though I went down in the pipes with him, he was the one who killed the Basilisk. The potion for being petrified was made and you were okay again. And I guess I should’ve gotten the hint back then when I got a handshake and Harry got a hug.

Through third year, we fought constantly. I didn’t know how to act around you, so I did the only thing I thought I could…I argued. I was immature when I was thirteen; I still am a bit, but it’s fading. When we fought about Crookshanks getting Scabbers, in the back of my mind I realized it wasn’t possible…but I ignored that thought and kept on fighting. In fourth year, when I had my spout of jealousy against Harry, you stayed by his side and made sure he didn’t get hurt to terribly bad. I was pretty surprised when I was his chosen one for the second task over you.

Fifth year was hard. It was the first time I truly saw you and Harry fight. And it wasn’t a petty fight like ours normally are. It was an honest to Merlin fight that actually had a background and wasn’t over something stupid like Charms homework. It was abnormal to me. You and Harry were always okay with each other, even when you were a bit peeved. Sixth year wasn’t the best time the three of us had together. Harry was stuck in the potions book and you were too busy being you. I had tried to make you jealous with Lavender. Even though I did harbor some feelings for her, they weren’t like what I felt for you.

We’re seventh years now. Our last year at Hogwarts has come and truthfully, I don’t want to leave. This place has been like a shelter and so many memories are here. You and Harry were made Head Boy and Girl. It didn’t surprise me one bit. His leadership skills and patience are ten times what mine are. I was happy for him believe it or not. At the beginning of the year, I felt out of sorts with you though. You both got your own dorms that were adjoined by a common room and no longer stayed with the rest of the Gryffindors. But that feeling quickly went away when I realized you weren’t spending more time alone together. You both always included me in almost everything you did. Nothing was out of the normal…then.

As the year progressed though, I noticed something different about you and Harry. It was as if you both were keeping something from each other…and that was way out of the customary since you told each other everything. The way you looked at him changed…and the way he looked at you did too. Your eyes sparkled every time he walked into the room and every time he touched you, your smile held a little something more. And I noticed when Harry heard your voice, a smile automatically came over his face…something that wasn’t seen very often otherwise. He’s become so much more serious this year…so much more subdued. I know he doesn’t have it easy these days with Voldemort and all. He seems to think he has to do this on his own. Or maybe he’s just trying to protect everyone. But you refuse to be pushed away and maybe that’s part of the reason he’s so drawn to you. You aren’t afraid of him and you aren’t afraid of what being with him might mean. Maybe you really are the one who’s willing to care for him unconditionally; the only one who can comfort him without wondering if it’s marking you for death by Voldemort.

You’re beautiful you know. You seem so different since first year, but then you’re similar at the same time. Does that make sense? It’s not just because you have a pretty face either…because I thought you were pretty when I first saw you. But your personality has softened…a lot. You’re much more laidback and easygoing, especially with Harry. He seems to relax you, even when he’s causing you stress. But then other things never change. You sill love your books and you strive to keep your grades up. You’re top of our year and that doesn’t surprise me…or any one for that matter.

I can see you both from where I sit looking out of the bay window in the Gryffindor Common Room. It’s a dreary day out…actually, dreary doesn’t even begin to cover it. It’s practically a hurricane out there. You were up before me, as usual. You’re huddled together, moving slowly despite the cold rainfall. You both look so small, surrounded by the large Scottish hills. He has his arm draped around your shoulders and water is falling from his fingertips, on to the ground. His dark hair is made even blacker by the wetness and it still doesn’t lie flat on his head. It stubbornly sticks up in all directions and manages to look as though he’d spent an hour with a bottle of styling potion. Through its messiness, it achieves a sort of grace.

Water flows down his face and is caught in his lashes. He’s looking down at his feet, apparently acquiescent to the fact that water is in his shoes. We both know how he hates that. But then he looks at you and I can see his eyes glitter. He smiles, his infamous lopsided grin that we don’t see often except for when you’re around; the same one that immobilizes his fan club. The skinny boy we met on the train six years ago has turned into quite the witches’ poster boy. He says something to you and you blush. His smile widens and tilts his head toward you in a rare physical display of affection. He doesn’t usually like to be touched. Whenever anyone else tries, he stiffens and turns so it’s impossible to hug him…except you. He always turns to you instinctively and you always give him what he needs. You never fail…

He pulls his wand from the back pocket of his jeans and conjures a ball of blue flames. They flare and falter in the wind and rain, but always come back strong…sort of like both of you. He hands it to you and you take it with a small smile, warming your fingers. You give it back to him and he mumbles something to make them disappear. You rest his head on his shoulder and he smiles against you.

You’re almost to the castle now. Before you climb the steps up to the main entrance, he stops you. Holding both of your arms, he says something I can’t make out. His face is serious once more, but not in an unhappy way. You look at him for a moment, your face shining with something I can’t name. Then, you put both of your hands on his chest and lean up and kiss him. He doesn’t seem taken by surprise. He wraps his arms around your waist. You make a perfect picture. Water is running down both of your faces, but you don’t care. All you care about is each other. You break away and he leans down to rest his forehead against yours. You whisper something to him, something that breaks my heart but makes me happy at the same time because I know that both of you are getting the happiness you rightly deserve. Something I can read on your lips and it’s something I know you mean and will always mean.

“I love you too.”