One of His Best Mates for Eibbil_Libbie
Title: One of his Best Mates
Author: only the Shadow knows
Recipient: Eibbil_Libbie
Fandom/Pairing: Harry Potter - Harry/Hermione
Rating: PG
Word Count:1200 ish
Summary: Harry needs some help getting over Ginny.
Author's Note: Big thanks to the beta, who is wonderful.
Hope you like it, Eibbil_Libbie.

"Harry, it'll be okay. You'll get over it. Everyone has their heart broken once in a while."

"Yeah, mate. Plus, you and Ginny, well, you're not really compatible, you know?"

"What do you mean, Ron? We love each other."

"I know, but.."

"Harry, what Ron's trying to say is that you and Ginny both have these idealized versions of each other. You're in love with the ideal of Ginny, not Ginny herself, and she's the same way. And when reality can't match up with the ideal, well.... Just look at me and Ron. We're far happier being friends than we ever were as a couple. Love isn't all you need, Harry. It's a big part of things, but it isn't everything."

"So you're saying Ginny and I didn't have what it takes?"

"Precisely. And neither did Ron and I. There's no shame in that, and it's not anyone's fault. You'll find the right person for you, Harry, I know you will."

Harry leaned against Hermione. It had been a very bad day, and he just wanted to sleep. Maybe in the morning things would be better.

"Look, I just want to go to bed. Thanks for trying to cheer me up."

"No problem. Things will be better in the morning, mate."

Ron grabbed his coat and walked out of Harry's flat. Hermione patted Harry on the head.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, Hermione, I'll be fine."

She kissed him on the cheek, grabbed her things, and walked out, leaving Harry alone in his rather barren bachelor pad. He sighed and went to bed. Tomorrow would be better, it had to be.

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Three weeks later, and nothing seemed any better. Ginny had recovered quickly, apparently, and was now dating Oliver Wood. Or at least, that's what Rita Skeeter was saying. Harry tried to convince himself he really didn't care, but that wasn't true at all. He'd taken a long vacation, trying to get away from things. It didn't work. It really didn't work. Ginny haunted him. And no doubt that was written on his face, from the way Hermione was now staring at him.

"You're not okay, Harry. What can I do to help?"

"I don't know, Hermione, I really don't. It just feels like there's this big black hole inside of me and I can't ever forget it's there."

"Well, maybe getting out would help."

"At this point, I'm willing to try just about anything."

"Good. I need a date to the Department Yule party. It's tonight. You want to escort me?"

Harry smiled.

"Hermione, that's the most underhanded way of getting a date I've ever seen."

"But you're smiling. It worked."

"Okay. When do you want me to pick you up?"

"Seven's good. And it's a formal event, so dress robes."

"Sure."

Hermione glanced at her watch.

"Drat, I'm going to be late for the meeting. Harry, must dash, See you tonight."

She kissed him on the cheek and ran out of the cafe. Harry sat there for a second, pondering. Hermione was kissing him more lately. That was odd. He paid the check and left. Why was she kissing him more? He wandered the streets, trying to figure it out. She was just trying to make him feel better. Right? Just being good old Hermione.

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At seven, Harry was standing outside Hermione's flat, waiting for her to answer the door. He tugged at the collar of his dress robes. They were damned uncomfortable. He was so busy trying to adjust them that he failed to notice the door opening.

"Hello, Harry."

"Hey, Hermi...gah."

"I take it that means you approve."

The dress was slinky. It clung in all the right places. Harry was a bit confused. This was Hermione. One of his best mates. He wasn't attracted to her, was he? This made no sense at all.

"That's a ... very nice dress."

"Thank you, Harry. I thought I'd be a bit daring."

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Harry blushed. Wait, he'd never blushed before when she kissed him. It was the dress, that was it. Just the dress. That green slinky thing. It was confusing him, that's all.

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Harry."

"Can I come in for a drink?"

"Sure. We've got some time."

Harry followed her into the flat. He couldn't help noticing her hips sway as she walked. This made no sense. But there was no doubting it, he was attracted to her. He sat down on the sofa.

"What do you want to drink?"

"Firewhiskey, if you have it."

She bustled around in the kitchen while Harry tried to sort it all out. She was his mate, his best mate. She'd always been there for him, and she cared about him. She was like a sister, no, not anymore. What did he really want in a relationship? Ginny was fire, but that was all. Just fire, no substance behind it. Was that why they hadn't worked? He needed the substance, however much he was drawn to the fire? He put his head in his hands. This was bewildering.

"Here you go Harry. Are you alright?"

"Just confused."

"Can I help?"

"Is Ginny fire?"

"What?"

"Ginny. She's like fire, right, and you, you're a rock. My rock. You've always been there to support me when I needed it. I can talk to you about anything. Ginny and me, we had passion, but we didn't have substance. Is that what you meant when you said love isn't everything?"

"More or less, Harry. Passion can only take you so far."

"Then what's the secret?"

"There isn't one, Harry. At least none that I know."

Harry took a big gulp of firewhiskey and looked at Hermione. It was like he was seeing her for the first time. All this stuff he'd never noticed before. The way she curved, the way she smelled, how had he never noticed any of it? And what was the kissing about? Was she trying to tell him something? He'd be afraid to ask if it was Ginny, but this was Hermione. He could talk to her about anything.

"Why do you keep kissing me?"

"Harry, that should be obvious."

"Well, it isn't. Do you fancy me or something?"

Hermione kissed him again, this time on the lips.

"Understand now?"

Harry smiled and grabbed her round the waist. He then kissed her. It felt right, somehow. This was right. There was more than love and passion here, there was friendship, and two people who really knew each other and were comfortable together. He broke the kiss and looked at her.

"Hermione, did you plan all this?"

"Sort of. I've liked you for a long time, but friendship came first, and you were happy with Ginny. I didn't want to mess with that."

Harry couldn't stop smiling. He hugged her tightly.

"You know, Hermione, I think this may be the best plan you've ever had."