Title: Friendly Sympathy
House: Gryffindor
Rating: G
Characters: Harry and Hermione
Challenge: Stuffed
Word Count: 100
Notes: A sequel to The Watcher but it stands alone well. Hermione, basically, just broke up with Ron and has just told Harry.

"I’m sorry." Hermione pulled away from Harry, back in control. Rubbing an hand over reddened eyes, she sniffed, "I hate crying, it stuffs up my nose."

Sympathetically, Harry handed her a kleenex, knowing she wasn’t apologizing for the tears, "Its alright. Anytime you need to, you know you can. I’ll always have tissue for you."

Something in his voice clued her in, something she wasn’t prepared to deal with yet, "Always?" That was supposed to be lighthearted but fell woefully flat.

Harry didn’t care. Reaching out, he brushed the remaining tears away, holding his silence again. Hermione, I love you.

mood: artistic
audio: Tori Amos - Smells Like Teen Spirit