A/N:  Jessiezhaoyuchen requested this - enjoy!

You rounded a corner on your way to your quarters and nearly ran into Harry. Startled, you stepped backwards quickly. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

Harry, who had lifted his hands to stabilize you, smiled softly. "Don't worry about it. I wasn't looking where I was going, either."

You smiled slightly. "Well, at least we didn't bump heads or anything."

He nodded and said, "Are you off duty?"

"Yeah, just about to go to my quarters," you replied, eyes moving down.

"Would you like to join me in the messhall?" Harry asked.

"Thanks, but I already ate," you said. "And I'm pretty tired. Maybe another night?"

Harry nodded. "Sure. Well, goodnight."

You smiled slightly and nodded. "Night."

In the days to follow, Harry asked if you would join him for a meal. Every time, you'd make up an excuse about why you couldn't. He even tried to sit with you when you were already in the messhall, but you quickly gathered your things shortly after, telling him you had a report you needed to get done by morning.

Harry couldn't figure out why you were avoiding him. The two of you had been getting along fine, so it baffled him as to why you were acting so strange. It hurt him. He loved spending time with you and being near you. Hell, he loved just thinking about you. He was utterly and definitively in love with you and he wished you felt the same way. But, as you continued to avoid him, Harry came to the conclusion that you did not feel the same way about him. It hurt, but he was more confused about your behaviour than anything.

Little did he know, however, that you were avoiding him because you had feelings for him and just didn't know how to deal with them. You were too insecure to confront him about it, and your insecurities caused you to be certain that Harry didn't and would never feel the same way about you. Being near him was painful when you felt as though he could never love you in the way that you loved him. So, it was easier to just stay away from him.

As you were getting ready for bed, your door chime rang.

"Come in," you called out, stepping out of the bedroom.

Harry stepped inside and your heart lodged in your throat.

"Hi," he said softly. "Can we talk?"

You bit your inner lip. "Is it important? I was just about to get some sleep..."

Harry shook his head and approached you. "Please?"

You met his gaze and saw desperation in his eyes. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I want to know why you're avoiding me," he said. "Don't think I haven't noticed."

You frowned. Damn. There was no avoiding it now. "I... I'm sorry."

"I just want an explanation, Y/N," he said gently. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, you didn't do anything." You sighed heavily. "It's stupid."

"Tell me, maybe I can help."

You shrugged and folded your arms over your chest. "It's just easier this way..."

Harry's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Easier than what?"

"Than admitting how I actually feel," you mumbled. Your pulse thrummed in your ears. "Harry, I... I think I might be falling in love with you..."

Harry fell silent. His eyes widened and he stared at you with an unreadable expression.

You wanted to shrink away and hide in a corner. To never face him again. It was stupid of you to tell him.

"I'm falling in love with you, too," Harry said finally, so softly you barely heard it.

"What?" you asked.

He smiled and gently took your hand, pulling it away from your chest. "Y/N, I love being with you and spending time with you. You make me happy, so yeah... I love you, too."

You stared at him. "This isn't a joke? You're being serious?"

"Of course I am," he said, brows twitching together. "Why would I be joking about this?"

You shrugged meekly. "I don't know. No one's ever really felt this way about me before... that's why I've been avoiding you. I guess I... I've always thought I was unlovable. That no one could ever fall in love with me because some days I don't even love myself. When I realized I was falling in love with you... I panicked. I didn't want to be humiliated and rejected so I thought it would be easier to just avoid you. I didn't think you'd ever feel the same way about me, so it was less painful to just not see you. I'm sorry."

"Y/N," Harry said sadly. "I'm so sorry you've felt so insecure about yourself. You are lovable and worthy of love. You're incredibly sweet and caring and talented. I love how passionate you get about your work and hobbies. I love your laugh. I love your smile. I love everything about you. You deserve to feel loved, and I want to help you feel that way."

Your eyes welled with tears. "You really mean all that?"

"With all my heart," he said softly.

You smiled widely and hugged his torso, leaning your head against his shoulder. "Thank you."

He wrapped his arms around you and kissed the top of your head. "I'll make sure you never feel unlovable ever again."

You sniffed and lifted your head, gazing into his eyes. A wide grin broke out on your face. "I love you."

"And I love you." He paused. "Can I kiss you?"

You nodded.

Harry leaned in and your eyes shut as your lips connected to his. He held you close, kissing you passionately as he poured his emotions into it. Euphoria erupted in your chest and spread throughout your body. You had never felt so at peace and so loved than you did in that moment.