Chapter 11 - In The Great Hall
Harry didn't know what happened at first. It might have been that his body usually did not get up at this point in time or maybe it was because he was anxious as to what Hermione might say, but for some reason or another, Harry's eyes lazily opened up from his dreamless sleep.
He rolled over on his bed, not wanting to get up at first. Then his mind kicked in and reminded him that unless he wanted Hedwig's plan to work to full potential, he would have to make his way to the Great Hall tired or not. Harry glanced at his watch.
"It's 11:45," he said to himself. "Almost time for lunch."
He sat up slowly from his bed, smoothened out all the wrinkles from his robes, pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, and went out the door to the Great Hall.
***
As soon as Harry walked out the door, someone slammed into him, consequently dropping all of the books he was carrying.
"Oh I'm so sorry!" exclaimed the boy, dropping to the floor to quickly pick up his things. He was taking short and quick breaths, probably because of the running he endured. He had the same raven-black hair as Harry did, although not as messy. From the looks of his uniform, he came from Gryffindor House though Harry had never seen him before.
"It's ok," he said, bending down and helping him pick up his things. "Just slow down and take it easy the next time around."
"Yes sir," the boy stammered, "I will sir."
After Harry had helped pick up most of the booked and arranged them in a way so that the boy could at least keep his balanced when he walked, he spotted another.
"Oh look!" said Harry, bending down to pick up another book that he had missed, "you forgot…"
Just as Harry looked up, the boy had disappeared. He frowned in confusion and scanned the corridor. But just as quick as the boy had bumped into him, he was gone. Letting curiosity get the best of him, he took a look at the book.
Secrets of Potions: Made Easy was different in size than what Harry was used to seeing. It was smaller and more compact than a library book, which was probably the reason why the boy had missed picking it up in the first place. However, unlike a library book, it was fairly in new condition. Harry pocketed it and continued to the Great Hall.
***
"Hi guys," greeted Harry as he sat next to Ron in their usual seating spot with Hermione sitting across from him.
Harry settled into his seat with a thump and propped the side of his head in one hand with a sigh.
"Hey Harry," Ron acknowledged, digging back into his plate for some more of his lunch.
"Are you ok Harry?" Hermione asked, looking sideways at him.
Harry looked up and opened his mouth to answer her, but found that no words came out. Though Hermione never realized it, she had him in one of those trances that Hermione was only capable of doing.
Hermione's look of concern was good enough to make Harry's insides lurch. In fact, just about any face Hermione made, made his insides flutter with happiness.
"You look…tired," she said.
"I am," yawned Harry, "I've been getting up early these past few days." Harry's mouth completely shut after his last sentence.
Oh great, thought Harry. I might as well tell her that an owl will come I here in minute now. The questioned that Harry feared she would ask came out a second later.
"Getting up early for what?" asked Hermione.
"Uh…" stuttered Harry, searching his brain for any answer he could find. "I've been getting up early so I could visit Hedwig."
"You have?"
"Yeah. I have to do it in the morning because I won't have time to see her at any other time of the day."
Harry sighed in relieve. He was so lucky that he had that excuse to use. Suddenly, he felt a tingle go down his spine. Hedwig has been in the Hospital Wing for only one day. How could I have been seeing her for the past few days? He prayed that neither of them noticed his flaw.
"So how is she?" asked Ron. Though he was munching away on food, he seemed to be listening in on the conversation.
"She's doing rather well," said Harry, relieved that Ron didn't notice. "But Madam Pomfrey doesn't like it when I go in at such an early hour."
"I can see why though Harry," said Hermione matter-of-factly, "It would be like you going into a store before it even opened!"
Harry laughed, not only because Hermione didn't notice it either, but that she didn't know exactly how right she was. "That's a good choice of words you used there."
"So are you still going to attend the Christmas Ball Hermione?" asked Ron, changing the subject.
"Well actually," started Hermione, looking down at the table and turning a bit pink, "because of the incident that happened yesterday, I won't be able to. Required formal wear remember?" she added when seeing Ron's confused face.
"That's right," Ron said, feeling foolish. "So how does Ernie feel about it Hermione?"
"He's a bit upset," she admitted, "but nothing too big. He said it wouldn't be the same without me, so he agreed not to attend too."
"Really!?" asked Ron incredulously. "Why did he do that!?"
"Don't know," shrugged Hermione. "He really shouldn't do that. But I have nothing else to do but respect his decision."
"I'm really sorry Hermione."
"Don't be. It's no big deal really…"
No big deal my foot, thought Harry. It was because of him that not only one, but two people were not attending the Ball. No worry, their problems would be over in just a few moments.
***
As if right on schedule, (if there actually was a schedule to abide by) the exact same owl that Harry had given the gift box to swooped into the Great Hall and dove toward the table where Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting. It was carrying an ordinary and unwrapped gift box. The owl dropped the box into Hermione's lap and left just as quickly as it had came.
"Whoa…" blinked Ron after a few moments of silence.
"What on Earth is this?" asked Hermione, more to herself than anyone else. She examined the tag, which said, 'Hermione' in an unrecognizable handwriting.
"Well Hermione," said Ron in a mock-impatient way, "judging from the size, shape, and look, I'd say it have to be a gift box."
"I know that!" snapped Hermione. "I mean why do I have this box? And who would send it to me?"
"Oh," said Ron blandly, going back to his plate for food, "I don't know then."
Harry on the other hand had not said a word. He was much to excited that his plan was going all to well. However, he realized that he was a little too quiet despite the situation.
"Wait!" said Harry, pretending to be suddenly interested. "How do we know that this box isn't dangerous?" Hermione's eyes lit up as of he was probably right.
"We don't," answered Ron absently, stuffing more food into his mouth. "But I'm sure someone else will think it's dangerous too."
Hermione suddenly looked hesitant to open the box. Harry wasn't quite sure that implying that the box was dangerous was such a good idea. What if Hermione didn't open the it?
"Is it heavy?" asked Harry, pretending to be curious.
Hermione weighed it in her hands carefully. "No, it's not."
Harry laughed at himself. "Then it's probably not dangerous. Usually if something is heavy it's either dangerous or expensive."
"What's going on here?" said an incoming voice from another direction. Harry frowned.
"Hi Ernie," smiled Hermione. He had put himself behind Hermione and stared at the box just as everyone else. "I just got this box in the mail."
"Well, go on open it then," persuaded Ernie, "I'm sure it's not dangerous."
"Harry thinks it's dangerous," insisted Hermione.
"I thought it was dangerous," corrected Harry. "I think Ernie's right, (though Harry hated admitting it) but I don't think it's dangerous."
"Hi guys!" said another voice from another direction, but two people were heading toward them.
"Ginny were have you been?" asked Ron, looking at her like how their mom would if she was wondering where her children were. "Oh, hi Colin."
"Hey Ron," said Colin from behind Ginny, as though something bad would happen if he had said something wrong. Ron eyed him suspiciously.
"I was helping Colin with his homework," explained Ginny. "And then…"
She seemed to not want to finish her sentence.
"And then what?" asked Ron.
"Uh… I'd rather not say," started Ginny, looking over at Colin and smiling. He returned the smile. "Not now anyway. I want it to be a surprise. But I can say that it has something to do with the Christmas Ball tonight…"
Harry, who was closest to Ginny, looked at her and made eye contact.
"What?" she whispered so that only Harry could hear him. He didn't answer, but looked over at Colin and back at Ginny, still with the "what?" look on her face.
Harry grinned. "Don't worry Ginny, I get it…"
"So what's going on?" asked Ginny, slightly scarlet in the face and trying to change the subject.
"Hermione got that box," said Ron, motioning toward her. "But she's afraid to open it because she thinks it's dangerous."
Hermione hadn't said a word, but looked at the box as if it were to explode any second. She looked really concerned.
"Oh nonsense Hermione!" exclaimed Ginny, eyeing the box. "I'm sure it's not dangerous!"
"Harry said it's dang…"
"I thought it was dangerous!" said Harry through gritted teeth.
Ernie put his hands on Hermione's shoulders and caressed them gently. Harry fought the urge to remove Ernie's hands from her himself.
"It's all right Hermione," whispered Ernie. "I don't think it's dangerous ok? I'm sure everything's going to be ok."
Hermione looked over her shoulder at him. "Ok…" she whispered.
"Now go on," said Ernie softly. "Go and enjoy yourself."
Hermione nodded, took a deep breath and opened the box…