"#1 Crush"
Chapter one-The letter.
I sat, picking at my food and pushing it around my plate with my fork. I wasn't hungry for some reason. Maybe it was those horrid exams looming a head next week or maybe it's what my parents sent me in the owl this morning. I couldn't believe it. After 15 years they decided to do this. I was angry at them but mostly at myself. I felt somehow responsible for what they did. I couldn't help it. The rest of the Great Hall was chatting excitedly. I looked up. Ron and Harry were walking up the aisle between the Gryffindor table and Hufflepuff. Ron sat across from me. Harry sat next to me.
"Morning. Blimey, you look cheerful," said Ron tilting his head to the side.
"You're not hungry? Is everything all right, Hermione?" asked Harry worriedly.
I looked at him.
"Just worried about those exams," I confessed.
Ron burst out laughing.
"Come on, really? You pass every one with top marks!"
Harry, however, was still watching me with his emerald green eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses.
"There's something deeper bothering you…isn't there?"
I sighed and put my fork down.
"Not really. I don't know why I don't have an appetite. Maybe I over stuffed myself last night at dinner,"
"You didn't eat much then either," said Ron bluntly.
"What's really going on, Hermione?" prodded Harry gently.
I sighed again.
"My mum sent me an owl today, just before you two came. My parents are getting a divorce,"
Ron and Harry looked at each other with solemn expressions.
"A divorce?" asked Ron.
"Yeah. Why didn't I see it coming?" I asked, angrily.
"Hermione, you had no warning! This isn't your fault!" said Harry surprised, looking at Ron with an astonished expression. Ron's eyes were wide and he shook his head.
"Yes it is! I could've stopped them!" I said, jumping to my feet.
My eyes flashing.
Harry got to his feet also.
"There's nothing you could've done! It was their choice! It had nothing to do with you!" said Harry as he put his hands on my shoulders. I shrugged them off, turned on my heel and stalked out of the Great Hall blinded as tears swelled in my eyes. I had no idea Harry was following me until he grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. I spun around so forcefully, my hair flipped over my shoulder.
"Stop!" said Harry.
We faced each other.
"What?" I snapped.
"Listen to me! THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT!" Harry said firmly. "You had no idea this was going to happen, so how could you put a stop to it? It was their choice to do this having nothing to do with you! Don't blame your self, okay? Ron and I are here if you need us, but don't blame yourself…got it?"
I regarded him for a moment before I nodded and burst into tears. He slowly wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to him. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my chin on his shoulder. His chin was resting on mine. He gently pressed his face into my curly light brown hair.
"It'll be fine. You'll see," Harry said, quietly.
"Thanks," I said, quietly and softly.
We pulled back from the embrace. He kept his hands on my shoulders and our faces were inches apart.
I found myself thinking how cute he looked in his tie, grey vest over the white shirt, matching grey slacks and black Hogwarts robe. We were all dressed the same way, only the ties were different. Ours was maroon and gold striped. The ties were colored according to the house color. I had a grey skirt instead of the slacks, which reached my knees and knee socks, which were pulled all the way up to my knees. I shut my eyes.
Where is this coming from?
I re-opened them.
"Are you alright now?" asked Harry softly.
I nodded and wiped my eyes with the back of my hands.
"Come on. Ron's probably eaten half the Gryffindor table," said Harry jokingly.
I chuckled, feeling much better and relieved as I followed him back into the Great Hall.
As we approached the Gryffindor table, I noticed Hedwig sitting on the table with a piece of parchment tied to her leg.
"She just arrived, Harry," said Ron, looking from Harry to me.
He was worried and hoping I was okay.
"It's okay," I said, smiling meaningfully.
Ron nodded looking relieved himself.
Harry and I sat down. He reached for the letter and untied it from Hedwig's ankle.
"Thanks, Hedwig," Harry said softly.
Hedwig hooted back softly and extended her wings. She took off flying, probably heading to the Owlery.
Harry unfolded the parchment.
I leaned closer to read it.
"What's it say, Harry?" asked Ron, leaning forward trying to peer over the top of the parchment.
"It says, 'I really like you. I think you're wonderful. I also think your brave and cute' signed, Your Secret Admirer,"
Harry colored.
Ron broke out into a grin.
"I reckon you've got a fan there!""
Harry quickly folded it.
"Probably just nonsense," he said quickly.
I studied him for a moment. I never really wondered how it would feel if someone liked Harry, not just as a friend, but a potential boyfriend. I suddenly felt a pang of jealousy.
Where was this coming from? This is totally new feelings!
I shook my head.
"Harry, why would it be nonsense? Someone obviously has a crush on you!"
Harry turned to me.
"Okay. Think of one person that has a crush on me,"
"Ginny," said Ron automatically.
"Right. This is probably from her. Maybe she couldn't tell me in person so she decided to send it in a letter,"
I frowned, biting my bottom lip.
"It's possible. But why would she write it?"
"Hermione, is your brain asleep? You know how Ginny gets around Harry. She just has to hear his name and she starts blushing! Imagine her going up to him in person and telling him she likes him? She'd be a basket case!" said Ron.
"Well I'm sorry, Ron. Right now I a lot on my mind," I snapped at him.
"It's okay, Hermione," said Harry, quietly. "Ron, is there anyway you can ask Ginny if she sent this?"
"Sure," said Ron nodding.
"Good. Let's get to Transfiguration class,"
After Transfigurations, Harry and I waited outside Professor McGonagall's classroom, watching as Ron pulled Ginny aside. He showed Ginny the letter. We watched as Ginny shook her head, gave Harry an embarrassed look, and then took off to her next class down the corridor. Ron came back and handed Harry the letter.
"She didn't write it," Ron said.
"What?" Harry asked.
"She didn't write the letter. She says she was in the library since early this morning. I reckon she was blushing at just the thought of writing you a letter," said Ron grinning.
"Huh. Then who else could've wrote it?" mused Harry.
"I dunno," said Ron. "Maybe we're just going to have to see what happens."
I was silent. For some reason, I was getting an awful feeling about that letter. I couldn't seem to shake the bad feeling in my stomach. Something didn't sit right with me. I followed Ron and Harry down to Potions.
I had no idea things would get worse…much worse.
The next day, Harry received another letter.
"What's this one say?" I asked, leaning close to him.
"I would like to be your girlfriend. Please respond by leaving this letter on the table. I will be by to pick it up later. Signed, Your Secret Admirer."
"Well, whatcha think, Harry? Going to have a girlfriend?" asked Ron grinning broadly.
"No. I don't think so. Hermione, got a quill?" Harry asked, turning to me.
"Yeah," I said, reaching into my bag and pulling out a quill and inkbottle. As I handed them to him, our fingers touched.
I fought to keep myself from blushing. I liked these new feelings. I never looked at him differently until now. It was kinda nice. Harry took the quill and inkbottle. He dipped the quill into the bottle and began writing on the bottom of the letter.
I'm so sorry. I don't feel ready to have a girlfriend now. I am really flattered though.
Harry.
"Blimey. I can't believe Harry's turning down a potential girlfriend," said Ron shaking his head.
Harry playfully punched Ron on the arm. His words stuck in my head like cement.
…I don't feel ready to have a girlfriend now…
How would he react if I told him how I was starting to feel? More than likely he'd laugh.
I shook my head and sighed.
He left the letter there and we set off for our classes.
He got one last letter the following morning. From the look of it, I didn't like the sound of it.
"This one says, 'Then let the games begin''" said Harry, raising his eyes to Ron and I.
"I don't like the sound of it," I said, quietly.
"It's probably just someone playing around," said Ron.
"I don't know. It sounds threatening," I said.
"Ron's probably right. It's more than likely some sick joke," said Harry, nodding.
Once again, I fell silent.
Over the next four days, Harry didn't receive anymore letters. They were certain that the joke was over, and went back to their old ways. I however, still had the sick feeling in my stomach. Something really wasn't right. When I suggested going to Professor McGonagall, Ron burst out laughing.
"Hermione! It's over! The joke is finished! Why would we go to Professor McGonagall?"
"Because something is not right, Ron!" I snapped. "Why did those letters suddenly stop?"
"Because the persons' obviously bonkers! That's why!" Ron cried laughing hard.
"Do you really think this is funny?" I demanded, folding my arms over my chest.
"Yeah! You're getting all worked up over nothing!"
Harry was silent though.
"Fine. If something happens to either one of you, I'll be the one who said, "I told you so," I snapped. "On top of being extremely upset!"
"Nothings going to happen, Hermione! Relax!" cried Ron.
"How can you be sure?" I argued back.
Finally, Harry stepped in.
"Hermione. Obviously, this person is sick. No more letters arrived so he or she must've decided to stop the game,"
I turned my eyes onto him.
"How can you be sure?" I repeated. "We don't know who sent those letters to being with! We don't know what they're like, what sort of temper they have, anything!"
"A person who is that set on Harry should really just come up to him and tell him in person!"
"Maybe they're like Ginny! Afraid to!"
All three of us fell silent shortly.
"Look. If it'll make you feel better, Hermione, I will keep a close watch on the owl posting. Okay? If I see another letter, I will go straight to Professor McGonagall,"
I sighed.
"Fine,"
It didn't make me feel any less relaxed.
We went to Potions.
I was sitting in-between Harry and Ron. I noticed Neville was missing from class.
"Where's Neville?" I whispered to Ron, dropping a caterpillar into the potion.
"I dunno. Come to think of it, he wasn't at breakfast," Ron mused.
"Maybe he's sick," Harry offered.
"Perhaps," I said, as I finished adding the ingredients to the potion and began copying down tonight's homework assignment.
When we went to the Care of Magical Creatures in the afternoon, Neville still hadn't shown up. Hagrid has us take care of a Beven, which is a combination of a unicorn and a Pegasus. It was a light blue color with wings like an eagle. Above its hooves was a little bit of long hair. The hooves were black with gold shoes. The mane and tail were curly.
Just before the class ended, Professor McGonagall met us out on the grounds.
"Please follow me into the Great Hall. There is an special assembly," said Professor McGonagall.
We all looked at each other before we followed her into the castle and the Great Hall.
When all the students were seated at their houses, Professor Dumbledore stood up.
"I have some very grave news," said Professor Dumbledore solemnly. "There has never been anything like this before."
The Hall was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
"One of your fellow students was found this morning by the lake. It appears to be that he drowned. On further examination, we found that he had been stabbed once in the stomach,"
The Hall then erupted with whispers.
"Stabbed?" called Seamus.
"Yes, Mr. Finnigan. Stabbed. With a knife," said Professor Dumbledore.
Whispers went around still. It really was hard to believe. No one has ever gotten stabbed here, more or less in the wizarding world. Normally wizards die of curses, old age or even illness. I'm not saying that it couldn't happen, it was just slightly unusual.
"Which house did he come from?" called a Ravenclaw.
"Gryffindor," said Professor Dumbledore.
Now, the alarms went off in my head. I felt panic starting to rise in my chest.
My breathing began sawing in and out and my heart was pounding in my chest loudly.
"Hermione, are you hyperventilating?" asked Ron, studying me.
Even Harry was watching me worriedly.
"You look pale, 'Mione. Are you all right?" asked Harry worriedly and softly.
"I don't think so," I whispered.
There was only one student that I knew was missing…
"Who is it?" called Lee Jordan.
My fears had come true after Professor Dumbledore said the name of the student.
"Neville Longbottom,"
At that, my vision began getting blurry. The Great Hall began swaying before my eyes and I felt myself getting light headed. My eyes rolled up into my head as I felt myself slipping off the seat. I landed on my side as I fainted.
"There there. She's coming around," a soft voice said from somewhere above me.
I slowly opened my eyes, emerging from the blackness. I blinked. I was lying in the hospital ward in one of the cots. Ron and Harry were sitting beside me. Madam Pomfrey had just put a cool compress across my forehead. I sat bolt upright, the compress sliding off my forehead and landed in my lap.
"Here. Drink this," said Madam Pomfrey as she handed me a Pepper-Up potion.
I drank it.
"What happened?" I asked looking from Ron to Harry.
"You fainted. Are you all right now?" Harry asked nervously.
"Yeah. Oh my God! Neville is dead!" I cried.
Ron and Harry nodded solemnly.
"I'm telling you. The person who sent those letters had something to do with it!"
Ron and Harry looked at each other.
"It might be just a coincidence, Hermione," said Ron.
"Coincidence my butt! Neville wasn't killed by a curse, or as a matter-of-fact, a wand. He was killed with a knife! Doesn't that sound strange to you in any way?" I cried. "The person has to have a muggle background. I'm not sure if witches or wizards know about stabbing. I'm sure they do, but right now, we've got to find out who's doing this!"
Harry nodded.
I felt relieved.
He believes me!
"I believe her, Ron. She wouldn't lie about something like this,"
"Blimey, but where do we start?"
"By showing Professor McGonagall those letters. Maybe she can recognize the handwriting,"
I was well enough a bit later to leave. Harry, Ron and I went to Professor McGonagall. She didn't recognize the handwriting. Now, we hit a dead end.
At dinner, Ron, Harry and I briefly left the Great Hall to visit Hagrid. He didn't even recognize it. We returned to the Great Hall and began finishing our dinner.
In the morning, Harry got a letter.
There's plenty more where that came from. I'd keep an eye on your best friend's sister if I were you.
Later on, Ron was called to the hospital wing. An unknown assailant had pushed Ginny down the stairs.