Hey! So far, I've been able to post a new chapter every day, hopefully I can continue to do so for the remaining 22 chapters :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

Chapter 04 - Discovery

Never had a week felt longer to Harry. The rumours were still running rampant, and didn't appear to be abandoned anytime soon. Harry had taken to hiding in the library to escape the madness. Even his own common room, was hostage to the rumours.

He really wasn't helping himself any, with his continued inability to keep his gaze away from the Slytherins. He finally had a free period and decided to use the time to take a walk. Merlin knew, he could do with a break. He was nearing the staircase to the east wing of the third floor when he heard a distinct thump followed by a string of curses. Turning the corner, he was surprised to see a girl picking herself up off the floor.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked, as he approached her.

"What? Oh, yes, I'm fine, thank you," the girl replied. She turned to see who had asked and apparently she wasn't the only one surprised.

Harry looked liked he'd been stunned. Shaking himself out of his stupor he smiled carefully at the girl. He hadn't recognized her from the distance.

"You've really got a problem with staring, don't you?" Pansy asked, quirking an eyebrow in amusement.

"Oh, uh, yeah, no... I mean, that is, oh, bloody hell..." Harry stammered, eventually trailing off in the end.

Pansy chuckled at Harry's expense. Kneeling down, she started to pick up her things. Apparently, Harry had gotten over his initial surprise, and kneeled down to help her. Words may have failed him, but thankfully, his limbs did not betray him as his tongue had. Eloquence was never his strong suit, but he certainly wasn't shy with words. Normally, that is.

Standing up, she shifted awkwardly, unsure if he had worked up the nerve to say something.

He had not.

"Thanks," Pansy said, smiling.

"Right, no problem," Harry replied, finally able to string a few words together coherently.

Turning, she walked away. Harry stared after her; his brain still unable to process what had happened.

Continuing his walk, he wandered away. Two hours later, he made an unexpected, and rather unsettling, discovery.

He fancied a Slytherin; Pansy Parkinson, to be exact.

Thanks for reading! Leave a review, please! :)