"Face your partners!" called Lockhart, back on the platform, "and bow!"
Harry and Malfoy barely inclined their heads, not taking their eyes off each other."Scared?" muttered Malfoy, so that Lockhart couldn't hear him.
"You wish," said Harry out of the corner of his mouth.
Who were they trying to kid? Did they think it was a big surprise when they entered the Great Hall holding hands? I could have sworn I heard Dean laughing and cheering, telling Seamus, "Ha! Seventh year! You so owe me five galleons!"
Harry and Draco didn't seem to notice the similar response among the other houses as they split apart, waving shyly to each other before taking their seats.
Idiots in love.
But I always saw that coming. And from the reaction by our fellow classmates, so did everyone else. In fact, I think I heard Trelawney talking to McGonagall about it. Even she saw this coming.
Of course, I think I hold the record for seeing it first. Second year... Geez, took the love birds five whole years to see what everyone else already saw. Stupid, clouded gray and green eyes.
I feel so bad for Harry! Being stuck with Malfoy. Ugh! Stupid git, Snape. Harry tried to move to me when Snape split him up from Ron but no, Snape's not going to give up that easily, of course not. So he sticks him with Malfoy! Of all the nasty Slytherins to give Harry to, he gives him to Malfoy!
Looking back now, it's amusing how ironic all of it turned out. Harry made Draco laugh, and Draco made Harry dance, both things neither boy would willingly do if given the choice not to.
Sort of like they bring out the best in each other, even back then, even if it was with the worst intentions.
Is Harry aware he's grinning like an idiot? I 'spose not... Not sure if he's aware of anything besides the – What were his words exactly? Ah yes – "Golden-haired angel" across the hall.
"What's that, Harry?" I asked curiously, looking at the Origami bird that just landed on Harry's plate.
Harry read over the note, blushed furiously, and quickly said, "Nothing!"
Ron grinned, and peered over Harry's shoulders, trying to catch a glimpse of the parchment. He pouted a bit, when Harry put it away before he could see it and, laughing, said, "What is it? An invitation to help him with his astronomy homework?"
Harry's blush darkened before he managed a weak, "Something like that..."
"I think they're saying something! Ron, what are they saying?"
"Do I look like a dog?" Ron asked, indignantly, and before I could answer 'Yes' he said, "I can't hear 'em, they're talking too softly!"
I wish I could hear what they're saying, but really their looks say it all. Pure and utter hatred. Stupid Malfoy. The only time he'll ever make any of us happy is when he's being put into the ground in some expensive coffin that his rich-boy money bought for him... Stupid little coward.
Well, maybe I don't know it all. But damn it, I know enough. I have eyes that aren't clouded by love. Well, at least not yet.
"Ron, eyes back in head, thank you," I said, sweetly, and he blushed.
I looked over at Harry, frowning. "Harry, you're buttering your bacon..."
"Wha? Oh.. Whoops."
'What's Malfoy plotting?' I thought, watching him as Harry and he readied to duel again. There was something in his eyes I couldn't identify and it scared me. I could usually tell what a person was feeling by their eyes, but with Malfoy... But it doesn't bother me much, Malfoy was evil, so he wasn't supposed to fit normalities.
"Serpensortia!" I heard Malfoy cry and I gasped at the sight of the long, black snake.
And what happened next scared and shocked the wits out of me.
"A parselmouth!" I said in a hushed whisper to Ron, "Harry's a parselmouth!"
Harry had hissed at it. There was not real other word for it, but that wasn't what confused me the most. It was that little spark that flickered behind Malfoy's eyes as he watched Harry speak to the snake, almost hypnotized by it.
"Oh my God!" I said aloud, not realizing it.
Ron looked at me, raising an eyebrow, "I know it's a shock he's a parseltongue, but really, Hermione, calm down."
"No Ron it's not that I mean..." I paused, looking from Malfoy to Harry, smiling softly. "You're right, Ron. Forget I said anything... I'm... Just a little shocked is all."
"Okay then."
I would laugh at the memory if I weren't at breakfast with all of Hogwarts. I faintly recall hearing Harry mutter a "See you guys at potions" and leaving the entrance hall, Draco leaving short after, but I wasn't paying attention.
"Really, Hermione," I heard Ron say, "We so have enough proof to get Harry and Malfoy chucked into St. Mungo's mental ward!"
I shook my head, disapprovingly, "Honestly, Ron. Call him Draco. And besides, they're in love. Haven't you ever been in love?" I asked, nibbling on the sugar quill I had in my hand that I had been using to edit my potions essay with.
"Well, I mean- I, er... Have you?" he asked bashfully, blushing.
"Of course I have, Ron," I said sweetly, and he looked nervous. "But I mean, Victor went back to Bulgaria so I'll have to settle for you, won't I."
I quickly stood and rushed out of the hall, with a stumbling Ron coming after me, shouting, "That wasn't funny, Herm'!" in spite of the Hall full of students.
As I ducked into an empty classroom with Ron running past, I smiled at how pleasant life was. Second year was such an eventful year, and so was this year.
I peaked out of the classroom and gave a little gasp to see Draco and Harry snogging in a corner of the hallway. They had the most nauseating looks of love on their faces as Harry hissed in parselmouth to Draco.
Draco grinned and had the same look he had on his face back at the dueling club.
"I hate you, Harry Potter," Draco said, sarcastically albeit affectionately.
"I love you too, Draco Malfoy. I love you too."
I smiled to myself and ducked out of the hallway and down toward the dungeons, Ron pulled me into a hug from behind and kissed me on the cheek.
Idiots in love...
"Hate is often an obverse form of love.
You hate someone whom you really wish to love but whom you cannot love."
- Sri Chinmoy -
