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Edward’s eyes were fixed on Hermione as she spoke to Harry Potter. He knew that Harry was her best friend, she had told him that. But seeing them together, talking and laughing in such a familiar way, Edward couldn’t help but wonder if it was more than just friendship after all.
The past weeks with Hermione had been wonderful. She made him smile and gave him the feeling of being a person, not just a vampire. Most witches and wizards treated vampires like disgusting creatures that weren’t worth their time. Not Hermione. She was different. She made him feel things that he hadn’t felt in a very long time. They were just friends, but Edward had started to hope that some day they could be more. Now he wasn’t so sure. What if she actually liked Harry? And what if he liked her back? He would be a fool not to.
Frowning Edward decided to do something Hermione didn’t like. He started to read her mind. Being a witch she could block him out if she wanted to and concentrated hard enough. But she was busy right now and since he usually tried not to read her mind, she might not expect it. He knew she wouldn’t approve of it, but he really needed to know what she thought. He needed to know if he had a chance with her.
Hermione grinned at Harry when she suddenly had a strange feeling. Her head snapped around to where Edward was standing. She frowned and closed her mind off, not liking the intrusion. What was he doing? They had agreed that he would stay out of her mind. She didn’t like him rummaging through her thoughts. They were private. Plus, she didn’t want him to know how she felt about him. She had no idea what he thought about her. He was so much older than her and so incredibly good looking. He surely wasn’t interested in her. He could have anyone.
Excusing herself Hermione left Harry and went over to Edward.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Edward looked down. He had hoped that she was too busy to notice what he was doing. But she had, of course, and way too quickly for him to find out anything relevant.
“Edward?”
He sighed and looked up at her. “Sorry, I…” he stopped, unsure what to say.
“You what?”
“Nothing,” he said, but then saw the look on her face. She wasn’t going to let it go. “I was just bored … and well, curious what you were thinking.” He admitted. She was way too clever for him to get away with just saying that he was bored.
“You were bored and couldn’t find anything better to do at a party than reading my mind?” she asked. Somehow she had a hard time believing that. There were several girls checking him out and Hermione was sure that he would be able to talk to any of them if he wanted to, probably even do more than just talking. But maybe he didn’t want that, she suddenly thought. Maybe he wasn’t interested in anyone else. No, that had to be wishful thinking, right?
“Er, no.”
Hermione actually had to smirk at that. He looked a little sheepish, maybe even embarrassed? She couldn’t tell for sure.
“Found what you were looking for?” she asked.
“Not really.”
Hermione raised an eyebrow at that. Her question had been more of a casual joke. But he did look disappointed, like he had actually been looking for something specific and didn’t find it.
“What were you looking for?”
Edward frowned, wondering if it would be better to just leave. He didn’t want to tell her how he felt, not if she might be into someone else. But instead of walking away he found himself saying:
“Just curious what you were thinking … about Harry.”
Hermione stared at him. “About Harry? Why?” Then her eyes widened. He still didn’t meet her eyes and looked a little … shy? Could he … actually be jealous? Was Edward Cullen actually interested in her? Hope and excitement rushed through her.
“Harry’s just a friend.” The words were out before she had time to think. Then she frowned. What if she was wrong and had misinterpreted his words?
Edward looked up, finally meeting her eyes. Then a smile lit up his face. Seeing that Hermione couldn’t help but smile as well. The way he looked at her now had to mean that she was right. He really did like her, and not just as a friend. Without another thought she leaned in and kissed him.
Relief and happiness flooded through Edward when she told him once more that Harry was just a friend. But that was nothing against what she did next. As her lips met his Edward wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer while kissing her back first gently, then more passionately.
When she finally pulled away Edward grinned down at her, admiring her slightly flushed face.
“Was that what you were looking for?” she asked teasingly.
Edward couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I was looking for,” he declared before capturing her lips for another kiss.