Chapter 7 - Rumors
Harry tried to get by the next few weeks without seeming so down in the dumps; but with the thought of Ernie going to the Ball with Hermione, it was very hard to do. Sometimes, Harry couldn't control the facial expressions he had on; sometimes they would be as blank as a piece of parchment, other times it would be as vivid as a raging bull. There were, however, some small things that Harry noticed.
A lot of eyes would stare at him whenever he would walk the halls alone. Though he had gotten used to the eyes following him over the past few years, there was something different about the way he was getting looked at and how some of the students were acting.
There was one time when Harry was about to walk into the Great Hall for lunch, but the entrance was blocked by two 3rd years who were chatting away about something.
"Excuse me," said Harry politely so that they could move out of the way. One of the boys that were talking took one look at Harry and his eyes widened with fear.
"Oh I'm so sorry Harry!" he exclaimed, holding his hands up near his face. "I didn't mean to be blocking your way! I was just…"
"Hey, hey, hey," Harry interrupted, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder to calm him. This made the boy flinch slightly and shut his eyes tightly. Harry laughed through his nose at the reaction. "It's ok. Just make a little room so that I can pass, that's all."
"Ok," the 3rd year whimpered and moved to the side quickly. The other 3rd year that the boy had been talking to was silent the whole time and literally shaking on the spot, as if Harry might beat him up or something if he even breathed.
If that was a weird encounter for him, the moment he stepped in the Great Hall was even better.
He had taken no more than 3 steps when, as if on cue, every single head in the Hall turned toward him and the Hall fell into a complete silence. Harry's eyes moved inquisitively from one end of the Hall to the other. Some students were looking at him with a blank stare. Some were shaking more or less than the boy that was blocking the doorway. One girl looked so terrified that she was crying silently to herself; the girl sitting next to her tried to calm her down and it looked like she was trying to do it without Harry noticing. It would have been hilarious if the mood wasn't so serious.
As Harry made his way to the usual spot on Gryffindor table where he, Ron, and Hermione usually sat. He noticed that they weren't there yet, which was usual; Hermione, being the punctual person she always is, was usually there before him and Ron. If Ron was there first, it was because he had accompanied Rachel down. Not thinking about what could be up with them, (especially Hermione) he sat himself down and tried to get a head start on his homework. It was difficult though, with all the eyes of the other students on him as if they were anticipating an explosion or something.
A few moments later, a great white owl swooped into the Hall and landed right next to the book that Harry was reading, startling him a bit.
"Hedwig!" Harry exclaimed after reacting to her marvelous entrance. "You scared me to death!" He reached into his bag and put on the necklace that Sirius had given him which allowed him to talk to Hedwig.
"Sorry Harry," she apologized in the same hoot they always conversed in. "I've been looking all over for you."
"For what?" Harry hooted back softly, hoping that no other student was listening. It was one thing to hoot at your owl once, but to do it several times made it look very suspicious.
"Where's Ron and Hermione?" asked Hedwig.
"Don't know," Harry shrugged. "Haven't seen them since last night."
"How was your date with Hermione?" she asked, looking sort of excited and wanting details.
"It was ok," hooted Harry admittedly. "We ate at this wizard restaurant that travels around the world."
"Sounded like fun," Hedwig hooted as she helped herself to some of Harry's pumpkin juice. "Anything interesting happen?"
"Not really," sighed Harry. "But I did find this store afterwards and I already bought Hermione a gift!"
"How sweet," sighed Hedwig dreamily. "Is it impressive?"
"Should be to her," grinned Harry. "I got her Hogwarts: A Revised History Vol. I-IV."
"Really!?" said Hedwig in a screech so incredulously that students heads turned in the direction, probably thinking that Harry had committed cruelty to animals.
"Sorry," she apologized in a lower hoot. "But I think Hermione will love that! In fact, I believe that it hasn't even been released yet. Where did you get something like that!? I hope you didn't do anything illegal to get it."
"My secret," smiled Harry mischievously. Their conversation had naturally gotten louder, making other students look and get very suspicious.
"Harry try and keep it down ok?" hooted Hedwig when she noticed all the eyes staring in her direction. Harry nodded and there was a long and unusual pause as he continued to look at his book. "Are you ok with all of this?"
That made Harry stop giving all his attention to the book and it went toward Hedwig instead. "What do you mean?"
"I mean with all the students talking about you and stuff," replied Hedwig matter-of-factly.
"What the heck are you talking about Hedwig? What are the other students saying about me?" he boomed, getting a little angry that people were talking behind his back.
"Oh!" exclaimed Hedwig, taken aback. "I thought you knew. But that look on your face says that you have no idea what I'm talking about. But I think that now is not a good time to…"
"Talk," Harry commanded.
"Ok ok," submitted Hedwig, holding out her wings. "Now where do I start…" She took a moment to think and it looked like she was planning on what she was going to say. Harry sat and waited patiently.
"Well I listen to what some students talk about," started Hedwig. "Let's just say that rumors are spreading about you that's all."
"Like what?"
"Umm…," Hedwig continued. "You know about how Ernie asked Hermione to the Christmas Ball right."
"Unfortunately yes," Harry answered, his heart twisting just a little at the subtle reminder.
"Well it spread through the school like a plague."
"What's that got to do with me?" Harry asked quizzically.
"Well not directly. But indirectly it does."
"How?"
Hedwig took a deep breath and started to pace back and forth on the table, trying to think about how she was going to explain any of this. She stopped right in front of Harry and made herself comfortable on the table.
"It was a shock to many people when they heard that Ernie had asked Hermione to the ball."
"Why?" Harry asked quizzically, raising one of his eyebrows. "I know that everyone knows that I've taken Hermione out on a few dates. But big deal! Just because I've taken her out often, it doesn't mean that I have to take her to everything that requires a date…"
"It's not that simple Harry," Hedwig interrupted. "Yes, it's evidently true that you and Hermione have been out a few times, but in the eyes of hormone-crazed adolescence, they see something else and they assume things."
"Like what?" Harry inquired as he frowned.
"Many students thought that you and Hermione were dating, not because you two were great friends, but because they thought that you two were boyfriend and girlfriend." Hedwig elucidated in a way as if Harry should have known that.
"Oh," was all Harry could manage after a few moments of absorbing Hedwig's proclamation.
"I don't blame them for making such a notion," she added, fluffing her wings a bit. "I mean, it's very obvious Harry."
"What is?" he wondered. Hedwig could only manage a heartedly owl laugh.
"The way you two act silly," she smiled. "It's pretty blatant that the famous and Quidditch-playing Head Boy, Harry Potter has a romantic affection for the popular and studious Head Girl, Hermione Granger; not to mention very pretty too."
"Don't say that Hedwig," Harry said as he felt himself go red.
"But," she continued, ignoring Harry's request, "as for Hermione's feelings, I would have to say that her actions are very ambiguous."
"Not anymore," Harry grunted, looking down at his book but not reading the words. "Her going with MacMillian eradicates any speculation that she could possibly like me."
"Ernie asked her, Harry."
"So?"
"That doesn't mean that she likes him."
"So? She didn't have to say 'yes'."
"What was she supposed to say then?" snapped Hedwig, starting to feel impatient. "'Sorry Ernie I can't go with you because I'm waiting for Harry to ask me?'" she mocked incredulously.
"She should've," whispered Harry, hoping that Hedwig didn't hear.
"Now you're just being selfish Harry," she scolded. "Technically, Hermione's a free-bird; she can do whatever she wants."
"I just don't see how she can't tell that I'm in love with her," said Harry, more to himself than Hedwig.
"I just don't see why you don't just tell her you're in love with her."
Harry shut his mouth for a few moments. The question of whether or not Harry was going to admit his feels for Hermione was always brought up by Hedwig; however, Harry never did answer her question. It wasn't because he didn't want to, he just had a hard time answering it for whatever reason it was.
Harry just stared silently at the table, blinking occasionally, inadvertently making Hedwig feel sorry for him.
"It'll be all right Harry," she cooed, walking over to him and putting her wing gently on his arm. "I'm sure the Ball with Ernie won't be such a big deal to Hermione. She'll go and have a good time, then you can sweep her off her feet with that excellent gift you bought her!"
"I hope so," replied Harry sadly.
"Speaking of which," said Hedwig, looking to her left. "Here comes Hermione now." Harry's head immediately shot in the direction of Hermione, who was walking toward them, her bushy brown hair cascading over her shoulders and bouncing slightly with the rhythm of her walk. The simple act of walking affected Harry so much that he had to swallow; it was surprising at how powerful an effect she had on him. She had a medium-sized gift box tucked under her arm and she looked very happy to be carrying it.
"I'll leave you two alone," Hedwig whispered. Before Harry could answer, she nibbled affectionately on his finger, spread out her wings, and flew out of The Great Hall as fast as she had appeared.
"Hi Harry!" Hermione smiled as she sat down next to him and placed the box she was carrying on the table.
That smile that she had given him was probably the most powerful weapon she had against him; it was too bad she had no idea about it though. Harry wanted to say something drastic, something to match up to her smile and to repay her for rewarding him with such a heavenly expression. But all he could manage was -
"Hi."
Hermione sat herself down next to him and placed the box she had with her on the side. "Where have you been?"
"I should be asking that," smiled Harry as he unknowingly gave her an exquisite look. "But anyway, I've been here the whole time. Luckily, Hedwig was here to keep me company."
"I could see that," said Hermione as she looked off in the direction where Hedwig left. "Must be great to have a pet like her."
"What's in the box?" Harry motioned, trying to make conversation.
"Oh! The box… well," said Hermione uneasily, turning a bit pink as she looked at the box herself. Harry took her uncomfortableness as a sign.
"Oh! Never mind then," Harry said embarrassed, holding his hands up in defense. "I can see that it's a personal thing."
"Harry, it's ok I…"
"No no no," Harry assured, "it's none of my business anyway. Just… forget what I said."
"Harry," said Hermione, "it's quite all right. If you want to see…"
"I don't," solidified Harry. "Just… never mind."