He wanted to be her best friend, and maybe, sometime in the future, he could aspire for more.

It could happen.

He smiled and she blushed, smiling back just before she looked away and squeezed his hand back.

It felt so warm and pleasant.

It could happen.

But little steps at a time. A friendship with Hermione Granger was promising to be a wonderful thing. Why rush it?

“I wish you’d think of me that way, too,” he said with a shy shrug. “I promise I’m pretty good at it. I try, at least. I like your company. I always have. Sometimes I’m the one who wonders if you like mine.”

“Harry!” she gasped. “Of course I like your company! You’re—You’re the best company…” She blushed very deeply. “Sorry, that sounded silly. It’s true, though… for me, at least.”

He felt the flush rising in his cheeks as well. “T’wasn’t silly. Reckon it sounded really nice, to me…”

Somehow, they felt a tad awkward and they let go of one another’s hands, but Harry didn’t feel the least bit rejected. In fact, he felt rather… giddy about it.

It could happen.

This part always makes me emotional for some reason, Eve. I think I've already reviewd this little story of yours, but I just felt like doing it again. I love it. It's original and cute and so wonderful to read.

thanks for writing for us, girl! ^_^

I just came across your fic, and wanted to say how much I liked it.

Love how you encorporated Hermione into the events of Harry's life, without them being the Best Friends they are. It was very believable, and something I'd not read before -so bonus points for an original story. And love that Harry DID consider her a friend, even though she stayed to herself.

Of course LOVE that they ended up they way they did. With him realizing that it was her all along that was helping him. Great moment.

I would love to see the story of them going on the Horcrux Hunt, and getting to really know each other. Could be very interesting. LOL

Anyway, just wanted to say Great job! and I'm off now to start reading your other stories now that I've found them. You can expect feedback for them when I do.

~Cat

a really different idea - which i enjoyed a lot - looking forward to reading more of your stories soon

Awww, this was beautiful.
And pretty much how I'd see things happening.
In my mind, it is no doubt, H/Hr for me.

Oh wow, that was so cool - I love the premise of the story and the way you wove all of the 6 books into the story so seamlessly. Amazing

This story was awesome! You were able to capture the essence of what makes Harry and Hermione great together. I would love to read more stories about this AU.

~Rose

i think this fic is awesome. i remember reading it some time ago when i wasn't a portkey member; i don't think i left a review because i didn't know how at the time but i remember getting all giddy while reading this. yes i read it repeatedly on a dead day. it always lifted me up a bit after a low day. AWESOME! i wish you would write more fics like this too. FK and HFG were and are AWESOME always and forever but your one shots do the trick for me too! do write more of these! this one is just absolutely ADORABLE. wonderful. i hope to see more action in the one shot arena soon! especially after FK ends. i know it will be ending soon. unless you'll go into the 30's in chapter numbers - THAT would be SWEET!
::dashing around for cover::
you are AWESOME eve. absolutely LOVELY!
melissa
acoustics

Hmmm... This is a really interesting take on Harry and Hermione's relationship (or friendship, whatever the right word for it is...) I like how you still involved Hermione in Harry's life, even is she wasn't actively in it.

This fic was really endearing to read. So thanks for the great story!

fabulous.i loved how you twisted around the six years but in the end it was always the same.the same friendship that we have all come to love.i hope this romance goes just as far.

hey...good fic...totally diffrent...cool plotline.well,i can never imagine harry without hermione,but the fic just infact showed that perspective.it was entirely diffrent and like harry am still trying to wrap my head around it.it was good,but i feel that they might haave come closer even if they hadn't met on the train and hadn't had the troll incident.they just are destined to be together.but your take of 'WHAT IF' is pretty cool.keep writing.best of luck for the next one's.

Now that was brilliant. I was wondering how they would end up together in the end. & Having Dumbledore conspiring with Hermione, *G*, that was worth the shock effort on Harry!

Lisa

Oh...I can't contain this...: AAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

That was beautiful. And so creative. Wherever you got the inspiration for htis story, I want to dip my cup in and take a drink from this fountain of wisdom as well!!

I really like your works and your style. I can't wait to read more of your stuff!

This story was amazing... it was touching, honestly, and it's surprisingly difficult to find stories like this one nowadays.
"She had blushed again, that brilliant spray of roses on her cheeks that he was beginning to find endearing."
- That was a really wonderful line there!
"He sighed again but took her hand, cradling it between his own. She looked up, surprised, her glassy eyes defeating him utterly. “Hermione, you are the best friend anyone could ever ask for.”"
- That was so beautiful, it really captured the moment to me.

I love this fic so much, someone recommended it to me and I'm very glad they did!

i really, really liked that! i'm interested to know what's going to happen next.

What a delightful a/u one-shot! That was a really interesting twist having Hermione actually formulate a plan to meet Harry on the train the first time. You managed to sum up the essence of Harry & Hermione throughout the entire 6 years in just one short story. I loved how you incorporated situations from canon and then tweaked them a little to fit with the a/u.

I'm a big fan of your other stories, so I was really interested in seeing how you did with a one-shot. I was not disappointed in the least! Your writing flows wonderfully (dialogue is so hard but it seems to come easy for you) and your attention to detail is well appreciated.

Thanks again for another brilliant story.