`Harry,' she spoke up. Her voice had a faint quiver in it. `Did you...did you, mean it? Sincerely?'
`About what I wrote?'
~ A Malfoy Mystery ~
Before Potions class ended, Professor Snape took an unprecedented thirty points off Gryffindor. He knew quite well, as soon as he walked in the room, that Harry was absent. Crestfallen, Hermione and Ron trudged their way to the Great Hall for lunch - but Hermione had more important things on her mind then eating. They were only just sitting down at Gryffindor table, Ron reaching for the breadbasket, when Hermione stood up again.
`I'm going to the library to find Harry. Bye!'
`Wha - ' Ron objected, with half a bread roll hanging out of his mouth. He dislodged it before speaking again. `But, we just got here!'
`I said I'm going to find Harry, not you! You stay here and eat. I need to...' Hermione thought this over for a second `...er, well, I need to talk to Harry about something. Urgently.'
`About what?' Ron demanded, clearly sick of everybody's secretiveness. `Do you know what's wrong with him?'
`Don't be stupid! Why would I know? I only need to talk to him about...ah, school stuff! It's quite boring, really. You wouldn't be interested.'
Hermione went to turn and leave, but was suddenly confronted with Malfoy, taking his usual leave from the Slytherin table to taunt them.
`Good afternoon, Granger!' he said in a buoyant voice that was very unlike him, after which he sneered over at Ron - an action that was, alternatively, very like him. `Afternoon to you too, carrot top.'
`Greetings planet head!' said Ron with a salute. Malfoy stayed focused on Hermione.
`Miss me?'
`No!' she scoffed, raising an eyebrow. `Miss me?'
He shrugged. `A little.' Hermione scoffed again.
`Oh yes, I'm sure! How's the tattoo going?' She said this with a gratified smirk.
Predictably, Ron felt the urge to have a go at Malfoy himself. He stood up out of his chair and moved in front Hermione, shielding her from Malfoy.
`One word, Malfoy! One nasty word and I'll give you a crooked face!'
Malfoy wasn't threatened in the least. `Really, Weasley, no need for heroics. I'm only here to have a friendly chat.'
`Yeah right!' said Ron disbelievingly. `And Snape wants a new career as Harry's house elf!'
This, again, did little to thwart Malfoy's composure.
`Heard you can't go to the Annual Drakon Hunt this year, Weasley. Tragic isn't it? You could have made some money. You remember that word don't you? Money?'
`Why I oughta - '
Ron was set to charge at Malfoy; but Hermione, who still had her wits about her, pulled him back determinedly by the shirt.
`I of course,' Malfoy went on importantly, `will be taking time off school to go with my father. It's imperative I attend. The Malfoy's are, after all, one of the most respected Pureblood teams in the game.'
Hermione stepped out from behind Ron, glaring daggers at Malfoy.
`If you ask me, your lot are anything but pure!'
`No arguments there!' supported Ron, folding his arms. Malfoy ignored him and kept his attention on Hermione.
`Why don't you come with us, Granger? The Drakon could use some live bait.'
`Why don't you turn yourself into a bouncing ferret again, Malfoy, I'm sure that will be bait enough!'
Ron burst into laughter.
`Well!' said Malfoy, seemingly impressed. `Aren't we on the ball this morning? Can't talk any further I'm afraid, I must be going.'
`Darn! Do you have too?' said Ron, pretending to be upset.
`I'll see you soon, Granger,' he said, giving her another wink, and strode back to the Slytherin table. Hermione was left feeling slightly disconcerted.
`What was that all about?'
Ron, evidently, felt the same way.
`Just when you thought he couldn't become more of a git, he out does himself!'
Shaking this latest encounter of Malfoy's from her mind, Hermione resumed her previous endeavor.
`Anyway, I'll talk to you later Ron. I should go find Harry now.'
`Harry? But - '
`I'll see you later!' she cried, running off, before he had another chance to protest.
~ Moment Of Truth? ~
Harry sat by himself in the library, chewing his nails. It was a new habit. He developed it only ten minutes ago for relieving nerves. It didn't seem to be working…
`What am I going to do?' he exclaimed in agony.
`SSHH!' hissed Madame Pince, who was hanging around. `No talking to one's self in the library!'
`Sorry...'
Harry was in quite the predicament. His best friend knew he thought she was incredibly beautiful three times over - a fact he'd only become enlightened to recently himself. As a result, Harry's game plan had to change: he could either tell Hermione some made up story like `I must have been coming off the potion!'…or, he could tell the supposed truth.
`Harry?'
Oh god! Harry thought, sitting upright. She was standing right behind him! For how long, he didn't know. Steadily, he turned to face her. She smiled awkwardly. He smiled awkwardly. Both felt compelled to say something. Anything! For Harry's part, the bare sight of Hermione sent his mind into a frenzy. If you stop imagining her in that white nightie, Harry, you might manage to get some sound out of your mouth!
`I, ah,' Hermione finally spoke. `I noticed you weren't at lunch. Ron told me you'd come up here to study.'
Good one, Harry! he cursed himself, realising he was sitting at a table with no book to actually study from.
`Hermione…I…?'
`Can we talk, Harry?'
`Yes!' he breathed, a little too eagerly. `I mean, yeah sure...'
Harry gestured for Hermione to sit down. It was now or never!
`Thanks,' she said politely, swinging her bag to the floor and taking the seat next to him.
They both sat in silence for the moment, looking at anything but each other.
`So…' began Hermione.
`So...' echoed Harry.
They paused.
`Well, Harry. I really don't know where to begin.'
`I can start if you like.'
`That would be great.'
They paused again. Harry really didn't want to start!
`Er...' Harry mumbled, taking a moment to unbutton his top collar button. Why did it suddenly feel so hot? `I guess, you have your Potions book back.'
`Yes,' Hermione confirmed. `Neville gave it to me this morning.'
`Right,' said Harry, yanking the knot in his necktie down a touch. `I'm sorry I didn't return it to you earlier.'
`That's okay, Harry. I already took comprehensive notes on all the chapters in advance.'
`You did?'
`Ah…'
Hermione was suddenly upset with herself. Nice going, Hermione! Impress him by reaffirming you're the biggest book-head in the school! `Well, maybe not that comprehensive.'
`I studied your book all night and could only get notes on the first chapter.'
`You studied all last night too?'
`Yeah, I did…'
`Oh,' said Hermione, half-smiling. Harry picked up on her tone.
`I guess I wasn't alone then, huh?'
`Well,' she said nervously, biting her bottom lip, `you know me! Always studying.'
Harry glanced at her sideways. Did he know Hermione? Really? As Hagrid pointed out, Hermione wasn't the old eleven-year-old pal Harry had become use too - oh no. This new Hermione was the so-called `young woman' Hermione, and Harry found her frightfully uncomfortable, scary, and even a little...exciting? Why were the slightest details in her appearance suddenly so alluring? Her eyes, her skin, her hair, the way she bit her bottom lip like that…
`Hermione,' said Harry, forcing himself to stop stealing glances her way. `When you got your Potions book back…did you read what I think you did?'
Harry knew perfectly well she had, but wanted to ask anyway. Hermione took another bite at her lip.
`Yes, I did.'
Again, they paused, allowing this new information to sink in. Harry half expected Hermione to run away or tell him off. What were you thinking, Harry? Writing in a schoolbook! That's vandalism of school property, honestly! But she did neither. The fact she remained at all emboldened Harry somewhat.
`Harry,' she spoke up. Her voice had a faint quiver in it. `Did you...did you, mean it? Sincerely?'
`About what I wrote?'
`Yes?'
`Every word.'
There. He did it. He told the truth! A weighty silence followed the announcement. Fused with suspense, Harry permitted himself to look at Hermione directly for the first time since she'd sat down. Feeling his eyes on her, Hermione did the same. Harry was pleasantly surprised to find her smiling at him, and not puking with revulsion. Always a plus!
`You think…' she started, blushing, `…you think I'm beautiful?'
`I think the words were "incredibly beautiful", if I remember correctly.'
Hermione's smile broadened.
`Yes, I know. I believe you wrote it down three times.'
`Well then I really, really, really, mean it.'
They both laughed, Hermione's blush deepening. Harry was going a little red himself.
`So…' began Hermione.
`So…' echoed Harry.
`What happens now?'
`I don't know,' said Harry, contemplating this prospect. `Do you think I'm beautiful?'
They both broke into laughter again, trying to keep it down so Madame Pince wouldn't hear.
`Yes, but in a masculine way, Harry!' Hermione assured him, giggling. Harry now looked rather smug.
`Really? And how many times would you write it down?'
`Um...I'd say ten times.'
`Ten!'
`Ten is much better then three, don't you think?'
`Hey!' teased Harry, poking her arm.
`Hey yourself!' teased Hermione, pinching his ribs.
`Hey yourself times ten!'
`Hey yourself times infinity!'
`SSHH!' hissed Madame Pince, still hovering around like a bad smell.
`Sorry!' Harry and Hermione apologised together, struggling to curb their amusement.
Irritated, Madame Pince marched away, but not completely out of range. Hermione lowered her voice to Harry and said, `can you believe this is happening?'
`What do you mean?' said Harry, shifting his chair closer. `Madame Pince has never had a sense of humour.'
Hermione pinched him again. `Not her, Harry! I meant what's happening with us.'
`Oh! No...not really.'
'You know,' said Hermione, in an even more hushed voice, 'you said you had feelings for me when you were on the potion, but I didn't take it seriously. I didn't think it could be real.' Her voice was sad when she said this. 'Not that I didn't want it to be serious! I mean, well, I've been extremely confused. I've struggled with my feelings for you, Harry. I didn't want get carried away though, because I knew you were on love potion. I had to maintain control. I couldn't believe - '
Harry took her hand.
'It's okay, Hermione,' he whispered. 'I'm not on love potion any more.'
'I know,' she complied, peering down at his hand on hers.
'Do you still want it to be serious?' he asked, playing with her fingers.
Hermione knew what was coming, though she couldn't quite believe it. It was all so surreal. In response to Harry's question, she uttered, very simply: 'yes.'
There was no turning back. Though it remained unspoken, both knew the boundary they were about to cross could never be repaired; but even then, neither could comprehend the scale of it. How it would change everything - more then they could ever imagine. They locked eyes; Harry brought his attention to Hermione's lips, then to her eyes, then back to lips again. Hermione followed suit. Like magnets, their faces drew together. Closer and closer...until their noses brushed...until they could feel the warmth of each other's breath...so close! But then they heard him.
'Harry! Hermione! Where are you guys?'
Ron, feeling most left out of things, was hollering out for them. Madame Pince didn't appreciate his approach; they heard her close in and 'sshh!' him violently. He found them shortly after, completely unaware of what was going on. Harry and Hermione had no choice but to separate.
'There you are! You two should have come to lunch, the roast lamb was wicked!' he said spiritedly, and pulled a seat between them. He managed to notice the lack of books on the table. 'Weren't you supposed to be studying, Harry? Or do you only exclusively study at night now? You and Hermione better not be planning some kind of nocturnal study group.'
To make matters even more complicated, Fred and George entered the library.
'Ron!' they called, sending Madame Pince into another 'sshh!' fit. 'Sorry!' they muttered, bringing their voices down, and continued the search for their brother. Fred was the first to find him.
'Ron! Oh, hey Harry, hey Hermione. Listen, Ron! We're really worried about Ginny. She's been acting super weird!'
'Out of orbits more like it,' said George, coming to stand next to Fred. 'She's locked herself in the girl's toilets all day! You'd think the smell would be getting to her by now.'
'Professor McGonagall's been on our case non-stop, telling us to sort it out,' Fred continued. 'Ginny's been missing classes. We've tried talking to her but she's ignoring us!'
'I know, I know!' said Ron, agitated. 'She's been ignoring me too. She must have some kind of girl problem.'
'Good point, brother,' said Fred, stroking his chin intelligently. Then, making eye contact with Hermione, he was suddenly struck with a revelation. 'You're a girl!'
'Excuse me?' said Hermione, a tad insulted, as if Fred had only just made this discovery.
'And if girls have girl problems, they only want to talk to girls about them!' George carried on, triumphant.
'My analogy exactly! Let's go, Hermione,' said Fred, capturing her wrist and forcing her to her feet.
'Er, hold on!' she said, snatching her school bag on impulse. 'Can't this wait 'til later?'
'Nope,' said Fred, hauling her towards the exit. 'Got to get to the bottom of it now!'
'Can't have McGonagall hanging off us!' said George, grabbing hold of Hermione's other wrist. `How are we supposed to get up to our usual, good-humoured mischief with her always poking around?'
Stuck between two very adamant Weasley twins, Hermione had no choice but to go with them. She quickly waved goodbye to Ron and Harry, mouthing to Harry something along the lines of 'I'll see you later', and then she was gone.
'They're right you know, Harry,' said Ron, waving goodbye. 'Ginny really hasn't been herself. I wonder what's wrong with her?'
Harry couldn't help but not seem too interested. He let his head drop to the table like a weight.
'Harry, are you all right?' said Ron, concerned, and then joked, 'I didn't disturb your study session with Hermione did I?'
'No,' said Harry gloomily, looking up at Ron with a brave face. 'We weren't studying anyway.'
'Well, good then! You seem a bit frustrated, though.'
'Not at all!' said Harry, dropping his head to the table again. 'Not at all.'
-->