Chapter 9: The Room Of Requirement
Harry glanced over at Hermione; they were conducting their nightly patrols of the castle, checking to make sure every student was safely tucked into their dormitories and that nothing was amiss in any of the corridors or classrooms. As Hermione stopped to inspect a partially open broom cupboard Harry noticed that she was looking especially enchanting. Her hair was hanging loose about her shoulders, her cheeks held the faintest twinges of a rosy pink hue that haloed her face with a warm soft glow. Her deep chocolate brown eyes were sparkling beautifully in the lamp light and those full pouty lips of hers that he so adored carried a hint of shiny gloss that he was dying to know the flavor of. Distracted to no end by Hermione's closeness Harry ended the lackluster search he'd been doing of a classroom across the hall, and looked up and down the corridor. Seeing no one he walked over to where Hermione was now checking the neighboring classroom making sure no students were lurking about and that everything was secured Harry slipped his arms around her waist and began slowly kissing the back Hermione's neck. Hermione expelled a small whimper of pleasure before she wriggled out of Harry's arms. She shook a finger at him in a reproachful manner despite the small smile turning the corners of her beautiful mouth and said.
"Harry what in the name of Merlin do you think you're doing? You know we can't do that…not here! What if someone had seen us?"
Harry smiled devilishly and replied.
"If you expect me to keep my hands off you shouldn't walk around looking so bloody enticing!"
Hermione quirked an eyebrow and asked.
"And exactly what have I done that's so enticing?"
Harry stroked his chin thoughtfully and said.
"Let's see…walking…talking…breathing…pretty much anything you do entices me."
Hermione threw her head back and laughed merrily. Harry cocked his head to the side and said.
"We can add laughing to that list."
Hermione shook her head and said.
"You are completely incorrigible!"
Harry grinned again and replied.
"I try love…I try."
Hermione shook her head again as she giggled. Harry watched her for a moment then quickly covered the distance she'd put between them and backed her against the wall. Placing his hands on the wall at either side of her waist he leaned close and whispered huskily.
"How about we call it a night, wrap this patrol up and adjourn to our dorm?"
Hermione licked her lips with the tip of her tongue and responded in an innocent mocking tone.
"Harry we've got two more corridors to check. We can't just leave off in the middle of our duties."
Harry took a step closer and Hermione could feel the heat coming off his body as his warm breath fluttered against her ear.
"You're killing me you know that don't you."
Hermione smiled coyly.
"I don't mean to."
"Oh yes you do!"
Hermione chuckled wickedly as she said.
"All right maybe I do…but it's your own fault…you're so damned sexy when you pout!"
"Sexy am I? Well then tell me…is pouty Harry sexy enough to warrant a taste of those delicious lips of yours?"
Hermione let out an audible moan as Harry sculpted his mouth to hers and kissed her ardently. She looped her arms about his neck and opened her mouth in invitation to allow him greater access. Harry eagerly accepted the invitation and snaked his tongue into her mouth hungrily and deepened the kiss, pressing his body fully against hers making sure to feel every inch of her. Just as Hermione was about to haul Harry into the empty broom cupboard to their left Harry abruptly halted the kiss and leaned away from Hermione. She opened her mouth to protest and question his actions but Harry held up a hand to silence her. He then tapped his ear with his forefinger signaling for her to listen. Hermione complied and she heard the soft padding thud of footsteps. Harry stepped away from Hermione entirely and slowly drew his wand out of his pocket. Hermione raised her wand as well as they heard the footsteps draw closer. The moments between their hearing the approaching footsteps and the instant the would be intruder turned the corner seemed to last for ages when in reality it was only a few seconds. Just as the owner of the feet turned the corner Harry stepped out of the shadows and uttered the incantation "Lumos".
Parker Wesley sauntered around the corner and was temporarily blinded by a blast of light from a wand. He threw up a hand to block the offending light as he sputtered.
"What the devil…who's there?"
Hermione caught the haughty note in the voice and recognized it immediately. She reached out, and grasping Harry's arm, lowered it as she asked.
"Parker what are you doing wandering about the corridors at this hour?"
Parker blinked rapidly as his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit hall and replied in that annoyingly pompous manner he possessed.
"Hermione is that you? Well isn't this my lucky night…I never would have imagined I'd be running into you. What has brought your lovely personage down from your ivory tower this evening?"
Harry growled menacingly. Parker turned and looked up at Harry in imitation surprise as if he'd just become aware of his presence.
"Potter…my…my…our resident hero in training! What brings you here…some covert mission or are you simply testing your tracking skills…wait…hang on…I haven't interrupted anything have I?"
There was the sound of wood hitting against metal as Harry tapped his wand against the Head Boy badge pinned against his robes and answered back in a deadly tone.
"See this badge here…this badge says I'm Head Boy and that means I don't have to answer your questions…"
Harry paused and leveled his wand at Parker's chest and continued.
"But this wand says you have to answer mine…so why don't you tell me what you're doing skulking about the corridors like some blooding skiving sneak past curfew!!"
Parker smiled the smile of someone posing for the front page of the Daily Prophet and replied smoothly.
"No need to get all testy. I simply fancied a quiet moment in the loo. I was headed back to the Ravenclaw common room but obviously I got turned around somehow…still learning my way around the place I'm sorry to say…"
Hermione who had been silent since first recognizing Parker broke her silence as she cut in and said.
"The staircase on the next corridor should get you back on familiar ground. In future you might want to make your trips to the loo a bit earlier as no students are allowed out of their common rooms after midnight."
Parker inclined his blond head and flashed his picture perfect smile for the second time as he said.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Parker paused and nodded politely to Harry before saying "Good night" and setting off back down the corridor in the direction he'd come from. Hermione tugged at Harry's hand and began pulling him in the opposite direction.
"Come on let's get back to the common room."
Harry nodded and entwining his fingers with Hermione's set off for Gryffindor Tower all the while wondering why Parker had gone back the way he'd come if he'd been lost.
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Harry and Hermione entered the Great Hall in the throes of an intense discussion. As they sat down at the Gryffindor table Hermione poured herself a cup of tea while Harry added bangers and waffles to his plate and said in a decidedly perturbed manner.
"I'm telling you that git Wesley is up to something."
Hermione added milk and sugar to her cup of tea and replied with a sigh.
"Harry, you think he's up to something because you can't stand him."
Harry retorted rather heatedly.
"I've got good reason not to like him…always sniffing around leering at you, saying inappropriate things and pawing you…"
Hermione cut in.
"No one has been pawing me…"
She added in an undertow.
"Unless we count what you were doing to me last night."
Harry raised an eyebrow and replied in an affronted whisper.
"I didn't hear you complaining then."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"All I'm saying is that you are worrying over nothing…"
Harry interjected.
"Nothing…I'm worrying over nothing am I…well how do you explain the past three days then eh!! That smarmy little prat following us around all the time…turning up wherever we happen to be and looking at you like a starving man eyes a full course meal!"
Hermione heaved a frustrated sigh and answered with.
"Harry you know full well that Parker has been doing that since the start of term."
"You said he'd backed off!"
"He stops for a while then starts right back again."
Harry's eyes widened as he stared at Hermione.
"You lied to me!!"
Hermione frowned.
"What?!"
Harry repeated his earlier statement.
"You lied to me. I asked you if Parker had left you alone and you said yes."
Hermione shook her head.
"I did not lie to you…when you asked me that Parker hadn't said a word to me in weeks."
"But you knew he was likely to start up again!"
"How am I supposed to know what Parker is or is not going to do?"
"You just said he leaves off for a moment then starts up again…he's got a pattern…you never told me about any bloody pattern!!"
Harry pounded his fist on the table in his anger, rattling the dishes and cutlery. Hermione rubbed her eyes wearily and said.
"I'm done discussing this with you Harry…you're not being rational. I mean honestly we bump into Parker in a corridor during patrols and he says hello to me twice in your presence and you've got him trailing us and hatching foul plots against us. Personally I could care less about Parker Wesley and his strange behavior and I wish you would do the same!"
Harry glowered at Hermione as he replied.
"Right then…you don't want to talk about it…that's perfectly fine with me…just don't come crying to me when the git corners you in an empty classroom and tries to snog you! I won't mention the ruddy prat again!"
Having said that Harry resumed eating with a furious scowl on his face. Hermione gave an agitated humph and turned away from Harry and began spreading marmalade onto her buttered toast. Neither of them spoke another word until Lavender, Ron, Ginny and Neville joined them for breakfast.
"Morning you two!"
Lavender called brightly to Harry and Hermione as she and Ron sat down across the table from them, Neville and Ginny took up seats at their sides. Hermione mumbled a terse hello from beneath a furrowed brow while Harry merely grunted and scowled. The four newcomers exchanged bemused stares before Lavender asked.
"Everything alright?"
Hermione answered back evenly.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
Ron answered.
"Oh nothing…just that usually when a person mumbles, frowns or grunts it's a sign that something's wrong."
Ron's cheeky remark was met with silence as Hermione pushed her uneaten kippers and eggs around on her plate and Harry stared darkly into space. No more attempts at conversation were made until after Lavender slipped a measure of potion into Harry and Hermione's goblets of untouched juice when the morning post arrived. As soon as the owls cleared off Harry began guzzling his juice, Lavender looked to Hermione and asked.
"Herms are you sure everything is okay…you haven't touched your breakfast."
Hermione nodded.
"I'm fine Lavender I'm just not very hungry this morning."
Lavender wheedled.
"But you really should have a little something…breakfast is the most important meal of the day you know."
Hermione shook her head.
"I'll be fine."
Lavender tried again.
"Just a kipper or two?"
Hermione frowned.
"I'm really not hungry."
Ginny chimed in.
"Not even a bit of toast?"
Hermione shook her head. Ginny tried again.
"But you've got to get something in your system…otherwise you'll make yourself sick…at least have some juice."
Hermione sighed.
"Alright! If it'll stop the pair of you from nagging!"
Hermione picked up her goblet and drained it in three mouthfuls. She then picked up her schoolbag and stood to her feet.
"I'm off to Arithmancy…I'll see you all later."
Harry watched as Hermione quickly walked out the door. Suddenly he too rose from his seat and snatched up his bag. He muttered a round of hasty goodbyes and headed for the door also. Ron called after him and asked.
"Oy mate, where you heading off to?!"
Harry replied saying that he had an errand to run and dashed out the doors of the Great Hall leaving the foursome smiling at his withdrawing back. He sprinted down the corridor and caught up to Hermione just as she was turning the corner. Grabbing her hand he tugged her into a deserted side corridor and stepped into a curtained alcove that led to the Charms corridor. Hermione was about to apologize for snapping at him earlier about Parker but before she had the chance Harry was kissing her madly. When they broke apart she had to lean against the wall to support herself as her legs seemed to have turned to jelly. Harry rested his forehead atop hers and whispered.
"I'm sorry."
Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him close.
"I'm sorry too."
Their lips met again and they resumed their heated kisses. The sound of the bell signaling that it was time for morning classes to begin drove them apart. Breathlessly Hermione said.
"I have to go…I can't miss class."
Harry nodded blindly as he lowered his mouth to hers for a third time and kissed her. Hermione's fingers sank into the hair at the nape of Harry's neck as she forcefully returned his kiss. They savaged each other's mouths as their hands roamed wantonly over each other's bodies. The need to breathe finally forced them apart. Harry dropped his mouth to the smooth column of Hermione's throat and lavished her with kisses from her collarbone to the sensitive bit of flesh just beneath her ear. As she felt his hands disappear up her skirt Hermione regained control of her senses and stilled the frenetic movements of both she and Harry.
"Harry…sweetie…we can't not here…and definitely not now!"
Harry's voice was so low and husky when he spoke that it sent a thrill of desire down Hermione's spine.
"But I want you so bad! I can barely think straight!"
Hermione caressed his face and replied in a throaty murmur.
"I know sweetie…I want you too…but we can't just now…I can't miss any of my classes and neither can you."
Harry nodded glumly.
"I know."
Hermione kissed his cheek softly and said.
"Tell you what…I'll meet you in the Room of Requirement as soon as dinner starts…and we can pick things up then."
Harry smiled.
"Six o'clock…Room of Requirement…it's a date!"
Hermione returned Harry's smile as he stepped away from her. They hastily righted their clothes. Once she found her appearance presentable Hermione stood on tiptoe and brushed a kiss across Harry's lips as she whispered.
"See you tonight."
Harry nodded and replied.
"Yeah…tonight…see you then."
Hermione hurried out of the corridor and up the hall. Harry waited a minute or two before he too emerged from behind the curtain and walked off towards the main hall. Neither one of them saw Parker Wesley lurking in the shadows behind a suit of armor.
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Serena entered her dorm and dropped her schoolbag and cloak onto the blue duvet trimmed in gold that covered her four-poster bed. She toed off her shoes and walked to the wardrobe that held her clothes; she'd just left Herbology and her jumper and skirt had gotten splattered with soil and dragon dung fertilizer thanks to that dolt Anthony Goldstein who'd knocked the pot of Draconic Bellabors she had just replanted into her lap. Thank goodness she had Herbology right before lunch other wise she wouldn't have had the time to wash up and change. As she collected her change of clothes and toiletries she noticed a brown owl perched on her desk with a scroll of parchment tied around its leg. Walking over she tugged the scroll off the bird's leg and it immediately took flight out the open window. Curious as to who would be sending her an owl at midday she quickly tore open the scroll.
Dear Serena,
Sorry we never got around to having that date…seems I got a bit busy and lost track of time. I'd really like to make it up to you. Meet me in the Room of Requirement tonight at six. I'd really like to see you…who knows we may even get in those Defensive spells that have been giving you trouble.
Can't wait to see you.
H.P.
Serena read the letter through three times to be sure she wasn't imaging it. All her hard work had finally paid off. And to think she'd nearly given up on account of his being so indifferent the last few weeks. Grinning happily she tucked the note away safely in her desk drawer and grabbed her shampoo and conditioner out of the wardrobe before she hurried off to wash her hair and take a long hot bath. As she strolled along to the loo Serena decided to skive off Care of Magical Creatures, History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts, she wanted to look her best. No tonight she had to look perfect, after all it wasn't everyday that a girl landed a date like this! Serena could hardly believe it! Tonight she was meeting Harry Potter and it wasn't to study some silly old spell. It was going to be a night that neither one of them was likely to forget…she'd make certain of that.
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The day was proving to be longer and more difficult to get through than Harry could have imagined when he had gotten out of bed that morning. First he and Hermione had had an awful row over Parker Wesley's renewed attentions. Though he knew there was no need to be Harry was insanely jealous at the amount of attention the Ravenclaw showed Hermione. While Hermione insisted that she found him to be an egomaniacal dim-wit of a boy there was still the matter of his being handsome (in a useless pretty boy way), smart (he had been sorted into Ravenclaw hadn't he) and fantastically wealthy (upon first arriving at Hogwarts Parker had often been heard saying rather loudly that he came from two very old, very wealthy pureblood families and everyone knew his father was a Ministry Ambassador a very high paying job in itself). Logically he knew that none of those things mattered to Hermione…she didn't possess one superficial bone in that beautiful body of hers. But considering the fact that the pair of them had always claimed to be nothing more than friends and now they were shagging like bunnies every chance they got it was a bit obvious that people could change their minds about such things.
And there was also the incredibly critical matter of Parker not having some meglomaniacal Dark Lord waiting to murder him. Yet more than anything the fight between them had been because anytime any other boy so much as looked at Hermione Harry went into a murderous rage. He just could not stand the thought of her being with anyone other than him. In his past dealings with girls the prospect of them with someone else while not a pleasant thought was not one that incited violence in him. He couldn't figure out for the life of him why he was suddenly so possessive of Hermione. He hadn't acted this way when she'd dated Krum. He had been perfectly fine with that. Harry sighed. In all actuality he had not been fine with Hermione dating Viktor Krum. He'd hated every second of it but at the time he was aware of Ron's crush on Hermione and so he'd kept his own feelings to himself not wanting to ruin things with the two people closest to him.
Harry sighed. He was more confused than he had ever been in his life over a girl. One minute they were simply friends, the next minute they were shag buddies, the minute after that they were rowing like she and Ron usually did, a minute after that they were hold up in a deserted corridor going at each other like their lives depended on it. What in bloody hell was going on with him? He needed to get a grip on his emotions. Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Ron nudged him in the side as if to ask what was wrong, Harry shook his head slightly and redirected his attention to the dais in the Great Hall.
All the seventh years had been called into the Great Hall for a career intent meeting. They were all seated at their house tables listening to a string of speakers tell them about the various requirements and procedures for applying for various careers upon graduation. Ron stared at Harry's profile and wondered at what was preoccupying his best friend. Most likely it was the brown-eyed witch sitting to the right of him. It had been fairly obvious to anyone with eyes that Harry and Hermione had been in the midst of a row at breakfast. However the Scintillatus Solution seemed to have cleared that up right away. As soon as they drank it they were both out of the doors like a pair of bludgers being whacked by Fred and George. When Harry had turned up in the library twenty minutes later he looked a right mess, his hair was more of a mess than usual and his lips were red and swollen. He looked like he'd just had the hell snogged out of him. For the rest of the morning he'd been alternately fidgety and lost in his own thoughts.
Then the bell had sounded telling them it was time for Magical Theory and Harry and bolted out the door so fast that Ron had to run to catch up to him. Harry and Hermione had taken a seat near the back of the class; apparently Hermione had gotten their first and saved the spot for them. Ron took a seat with Lavender two rows ahead and though he couldn't see what they were doing he suspected something very naughty was happening underneath that desk. Once they broke for lunch Ron couldn't help having a bit of fun. He made a point of sitting between the two of them and talking non-stop to Harry about Quidditch. Lavender had really let into him about that one! Still it had been good fun to watch Harry attempt to act normally and chat like Ron's sitting there wasn't driving him nutters while Hermione seethed over the fact that he had spoiled their little under the table fun.
Ron glanced around the room and noticed Parker Wesley staring at Harry and Hermione with a strange look on his face. The git had a pleased look about him that was very much like the look Crookshanks wore when he was feeling particularly pleased with himself for having caught something foul like a spider. Ron leaned towards Harry and was about to point out Parker's strange behavior when he noticed Serena Chambers raptly staring at Harry with a visibly adoring look.
Hermione was very uncharacteristically not paying any attention to the witch standing before them discussing medical careers in the magical world. Not that she was particulary interested in a magical medical career but it was only polite to pay attention during a lecture. She imagined that the witch was wrapping up her presentation as she had been up speaking to them for quite sometime. Normally Hermione would have been listening diligently and taking notes but her mind was occupied with other thoughts at the moment. Truth be told only one thought consumed her these days. Actually it wasn't even a thought it was a person…it was Harry. Ever since they had ummm…discovered each other Hermione had been unable to think of little else other than Harry. Not that it bothered her to think of him, she always had, now her mental wanderings were more along the lines of what they'd actually done than what she'd like to do to him.
Harry scooted closer and pressed his thigh against hers. Hermione resisted the urge to smile and instead wrapped her leg around his underneath the table. Hmmm…perhaps she could slide her shoe off and run her stocking clad toes underneath his trouser leg…yes that seemed like an excellent way to pass the time. Hermione looked up to at least give the appearance that she was listening before she embarked on her planned torture of Harry, and as she did she glanced over her shoulder and caught sight of Serena Chambers. She was staring at Harry. No doubt she was plotting some tawdry way of getting Harry alone so she could throw herself at him again. A small furrow creased Hermione's brow as she directed her gaze back to the wizard who had taken over presenting and was speaking to them about careers in Magizoology. Without consciously thinking what she was doing Hermione reached over and slipped her hand into Harry's and entwined their fingers as she simultaneously leaned back against Harry all thoughts of playing footsy with Harry beneath the table departed.
As Ron moved his gaze from Serena watching Harry, he still wanted to tell Harry about Parker, they fell upon Hermione who was gazing at Serena as well. She turned away and as she did she grabbed Harry's hand and slipped her fingers between his and leaned against him. Seeing what Hermione had done Ron nudged Lavender and showed her Harry and Hermione's joined hands and closer than usual seating arrangement. As the two shared a smile over the fact that Harry and Hermione were finally letting their inhibitions fall away Ron completely forgot about what he'd been about to tell Harry.
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It seemed to Harry that it had taken much longer than usual for dinner to roll around. More than likely that was because he'd spent the whole day imagining the moment he'd be able to be with Hermione. His pace quickened as he made his way to the Room of Requirement. No doubt she'd requested this particular location because she had some deliciously wicked scene planned for him. By the time Harry reached the door to the Room of Requirement there was a noticeable bulge in the front of his trousers (thank heaven for robes) and his breathing was slightly erratic in anticipation of what was soon to come.
As he stepped into the Room of Requirement the sight that greeted him took him aback. Hermione was unquestionably in a playful mood. A great Victorian era four-poster bed was situated back against the wall, complete with gauzy lace hangings and mountains of fluffy white pillows. Candles blazed all about the room giving off a delicate scent of roses, and a fire burned low in the fireplace. Harry blinked as his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. He shrugged out of his robes and schoolbag as he strolled across the room to a settee and sat down. There on the table before him was a bottle of Elderflower wine and two glasses along with a bowl of strawberries dipped in chocolate. Harry sat down and popped one of the chocolate covered strawberries into his mouth and closed his eyes. He was just beginning to wonder where Hermione was when he felt a wonderfully warm female body straddle his lap rubbing against him wantonly. Harry smiled as he slipped his arms around her slim waist, he was about to ask Hermione where she'd been hiding when her mouth descended and closed upon his. As she slipped her tongue into his mouth Harry noticed something different about her kisses. There was a tentativeness and a clumsiness that hadn't been there before and she didn't taste the same as she usually did either. Harry gripped her hips and was in the process of pulling away from the kiss; he wanted to ask what was wrong, when the door to the Room of Requirement burst open. As the light from the hallway flooded the room Hermione's outraged voice reached Harry's ears.
"HARRY…WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!"
Harry started, how was it possible that he was hearing Hermione call his name from across the room if she was sitting on his lap kissing him just now? Slowly Harry's eyes opened and widened in shock as he took in the dark flowing curls and coal black eyes of Serena Chambers. He wretched his mouth away from hers and leaned back against the settee, staring dumbly back and forth between Serena's confused expression and Hermione's angry one. Serena looked over to Hermione and asked.
"What are you doing here?!"
Hermione looked about ready to start throwing hexes as she stalked across the room towards the settee that held Harry and Serena's compromised forms and spat out in a scathing tone.
"Funny you asking me what I'm doing here when you're the one whose sitting on my boyfriend's lap with your tongue down his bloody throat!!"
Serena's jaw flapped open and she stared at Hermione incredulously as she stuttered.
"B…b…b…boyfriend…"
She paused and stared back and forth between Harry and Hermione and said in an awe struck voice.
"Harry is your boyfriend!!"
Hermione leveled a furious glare at Serena but she didn't utter a single word. Harry had never heard Hermione use the word boyfriend in reference to him before and her use of it now brought him out of his stunned stupor and hastily he jumped to his feet, dumping Serena, who was still straddling his lap, unceremoniously to the floor. Harry turned pleadingly to Hermione and opened his mouth to speak.
"Hermione…hang on…this is all just a big misunderstanding…I…I…I thought she was you!!"
Hermione's tone was profoundly icy and deadly quiet when she spoke saying each word precisely.
"You…thought…she…was…me!"
Harry nodded he was about to speak but was cut off.
"WHAT?!"
Serena's voice cut through the air angrily. She'd gotten to her feet and was staring daggers at Harry.
"Harry Potter that's a lie and you know it…you knew perfectly well who I was…how could you not when you invited me here!!"
Harry looked at Serena as if she were mad and replied.
"I did no such thing!!"
Serena stalked over to the corner and retrieved a small scroll of parchment from her schoolbag she hurried back and shoved it under Harry's nose.
"If you didn't invite me here then what the bloody hell is this?!"
Harry snatched the parchment from Serena's hand and read the note a frown marring his face.
"Where did you get this?"
Serena sneered exultantly as she answered.
"From the brown owl you sent up to my room at lunch!!"
Harry shook his head.
"I don't own a brown owl, Hedwig's a snowy…"
Serena cut across his unfinished sentence.
"So what you could have borrowed one of the school owls!!"
Harry shook his head and said.
"I didn't do this…this isn't even my handwriting!"
Serena blinked as Harry turned to Hermione and handed her the note.
"You know full well I couldn't have done this…we were in Magical Theory right before lunch and we went down to the Great Hall together after…I was with you and Ron all through lunch and at that blasted assembly after that…I never left your sight…there's no way I could have done this! Plus you know my handwriting Hermione…and you can very well see that this isn't it. And considering the fact that we'd made plans this morning to meet here I'd have to be a real idiot to have made two dates with two different girls at the same time in the same place!!"
Hermione took the note Harry offered her and gazed at it intently…it wasn't Harry's writing. He hadn't planned a rendezvous with Serena but Hermione found little comfort in that considering that when she'd walked in Harry had been clinging to the overly made up trollop kissing her like there was no tomorrow. The note may have been a fabrication but that kiss certainly wasn't. Harry's voice intruded in on Hermione's itinerant thoughts.
"Hermione."
At the sound of Harry calling her name Hermione shook herself, raised her gaze to stare at Serena and replied in a quiet voce.
"This is not Harry's handwriting."
Serena looked at the pair of them in unreserved disbelief.
"I don't understand…who would…if Harry didn't send this…how could…why would anyone want to do such a thing to me?!"
Hermione rolled her eyes…honestly the daft twit thought the world revolved around her and her alone. Hermione opened her mouth to inform Serena that she doubted that this particular transgression was directed to her but she never got the chance as Serena's questions were answered by the condescending voice of Parker Wesley.
"Serena I wasn't after you…you were just the rather convenient means to an end."
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