8
After that episode, Harry and Elle became just a little more closer. But though unaware of how they felt about each other, they weren't quick to hide it-both reasoning within themselves that friends could be that sweet sometimes. But even if they believed so, others couldn't help but notice the delicate transformation of their friendship, as a shy flower quietly blooms in Spring.
Hermoine observed as Harry and Elle's eyes met in one of the many walkways they passed leading to the Great Hall. Despite the sea of people, the two were still able to throw a furtive smile at each other—as if they read each other's minds. After seeing this, Hermoine cleared her throat.
"Harry, am I catching something with you and Matthews?"
"What?" said Harry as he turned to look at Hermoine, who had a teasing smile on her face. Harry threw her a bewildered look.
"I saw that." Hermoine said in above a whisper, stepping ahead to walk right in front of Harry. Her face so close to his that Harry drew back. "I d—don't know what you're talking about, Hermoine."
"Rubbish!" Hermoine jeered. This caught Ron's attention. He was walking just behind Harry, but caught up and tilted his head to get into their conversation. "What's going on?"
"Harry and Elle Matthews." said Hermoine, concluding. The sheepish smile still plastered on her face.
"Blimey, Harry! And you told me she was off limits." Ron hooted in disbelief. A few from the throng of people they were pushing through turned to look at them. Harry blushed.
"She was—she is. I mean, no. No, there's nothing going on between us, guys. Honestly." Said Harry as he managed to get passed Hermoine's probing stare to walk ahead. Ron and Hermoine exchanged teasing looks from behind.
"So, how long's it been, mate?" Ron asked aloud. Harry, still walking, shot him a dangerous look.
"I've already told you, it's nothing." They heard Harry say in a tiny but serious tone.
"Alright," Hermoine sighed. "Okay. We'll believe you. But tell us, honestly, you fancy her. Don't you?"
They reached the Great Hall and instinctively walked to the direction of the Gryffindor house table with Harry leading.
"It's not like that, Moine." Harry began, "we've gotten really close over time. You can't help it when you spend almost every night having boring walks around school grounds. We're just really good—"
"Don't say friends." Ron butted in.
"Friends." Harry said finally. He looked at Ron, annoyed, before setting his books on an empty slot at the table and sliding in to sit. Ron followed next to him on one side and Hermoine appeared on the seat across. She was still smiling.
"Harry, Harry. You don't have to hide it from us. There's nothing wrong with her. I mean, I'd throw you a party if you two get together. She is something, if you know what I mean." Ron said close to Harry, winking as he finished. Harry gave him a disgusted look.
"Don't talk about her that way, Ron." Said Harry calmly, but his voice reeked of disdain.
"Listen to how defensive you sound, Harry." Hermoine said from across the table. "Ron and I have known you for quite some time now. We're certain that this isn't how you talk or treat some 'friend'."
"You've snogged her, haven't you?" Ron shot eagerly.
"Ron!" Harry snapped. Hermoine giggled lifting a fist at Ron. Ron bumped it with his own.
"Where? In the library? In the Quidditch locker room? Under a tree? I'll stop if you tell us the truth. I know! In the Room of Requirement. That's just the perfect place to—"
"Alright!" Harry sighed, aggravated. Ron clamped his mouth shut and grinned. "Alright. I do. I like her."
"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" Ron said in relief and slapped Harry once on the back. "Best wishes to you both, Harry."
"Wait!" Hermoine began, looking around before continuing. "You don't think she likes you to, do you? I saw how you two looked at each other back there. There definitely is something in there."
"I don't know. But I do like how I feel about her, and I like how she makes me feel. That's quite enough for me." Harry admitted. "Please, you two, don't make it obvious when you see us. It's all compulsory."
"Have we ever made you feel stupid in front of your girlfriends, Harry? Of course we won't." Ron declared. He was now flipping through one of his books. Hermoine agreed with him then later bent forward to say something.
"You know, Harry. I could…spy on her if you want me to." She offered. Harry and Ron looked up from their books. "I mean, I am Head Girl. I have access to every student's personal file. If you want any background checking, you know, just to make sure, I could do it for you."
"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you, Moine. You just earned yourself points on the list of Hogwart's hottest witches." Ron commented, smirking.
"Don't be stupid, Hermoine. I have no plans in getting with her. Nothing of that sort." Harry said.
"Why not? You two make a good pair! Except of course for the part that she is a Slytherin, and Draco Malfoy's ex-girlfriend, but other than that, you two are perfect for each other!" Ron said whispering heatedly in Harry's ear. Hermoine nodded excitedly on the other side.
"She just got out of a serious relationship, and is still badly hurt by it. I don't want to try to be a hero when I can't even assure myself I'm good enough for her. She's more delicate than you think, guys. I just might be the one to ruin her life forever!"
"Or you might just be the one to save her." Ron concluded. Harry said nothing, mainly because that was a pretty smart conclusion and couldn't find anything to counter that. Instead, he waved a hand at Ron to shoo him away and returned to reading his book. Ron, who was so proud about what he had just said, chuckled with delight and also returned to his book.
But Hermoine, who remained staring at the both of them, kept quiet as the idea lingered in her mind. After all, what Harry wouldn't know, can't hurt him.
Being Head Girl was a thrill to Hermoine Granger. For one, it gave her every right to overrule just about any student below her. And the perks that went along with it were exciting. Her partner, though, Felipe Wormwood, a robust and tall seventh year from the Hufflepuff house, was just as annoying to her as every other student of average knowledge. They shared common room, but they might as well have been living in the same cupboard and still wouldn't talk to each other. They'd come and go every day without so much as a morning greeting or an evening bid. Sometimes even sit in the tiny lobby, warming up next to the same crackling fire, and still not look at each other. In other words, they lived in totally different worlds.
Hermoine rushed in one night with, as usual, a stack of books in her arms. Felipe was sitting on the round table they shared, writing something, when she slammed the pile on the space before front of him. Looking at it, he had to ask what all the fuss was about.
"None of your business, is what it's about." Hermoine breathed out while flipping through one book. But it didn't look like a regular book up close. It looked more like a record book. It had tiny pieces of parchment sticking out on one end in a neat row, each containing bold letters of the alphabet. The one she was flipping through ran from A to J. Felipe pulled one of the other enormous books and opened it.
"Would you mind keeping your hands to yourself, Wormwood?" Hermoine snapped, quickly pulling the book from him. But he had seen quite enough to figure out what it was.
"What in bloody hell are you doing with the Student's Record Books?" Felipe asked, mortified.
"None of your business!" Hermoine said yet again, but this time even more angrily. She closed the one and opened another. "I have no idea if they arranged it by surname or first name." she said to herself.
"This is just far too low for you, Granger." Felipe muttered. "It's by surname."
Hermoine glared at him for a second then continued on without another word. When she finally found what she was looking for, she exhaled in relief and sank down in a seat. She began to read.
Felipe Wormwood watched her. Hermoine's face melted into a traumatized expression. Unable to control himself, Felipe stood to peer over her and read the name at the top: Helena Matthews Pritelli.
"Who on earth… Matthews? You mean, Elle Matthews?" Felipe howled.
"Go away!" Hermoine ordered with a hand pushing on his stomach. It was a surprise to her when she felt it to be quite firm. "You nosy little bugger!"
"Me nosy? Look at you!" Felipe let out a laugh and stepped back. "If the headmaster finds out about this…"
"Oh he won't. And if you at all open that trap of yours, I will hurt you so hard your whole family back home will feel it." Hermoine threatened without taking her eyes from the book. She continued to read, and every now and then would mutter things like "I don't believe it", "bloody hell", and "no wonder." Felipe glanced at her every time she spoke.
Finally, when Hermoine thought she had enough information, she slammed the book shut and set it down next to the others. She sat thinking for a long while. Her face contorted in a thoughtful frown.
"I hope you're happy with what you've found out." Felipe said from the other side of the table, still writing. Shaking her head, Hermoine stood and began to pile the books.
"Not at all. I am not at all happy," said Hermoine grimly. When she had the books safe in her arms, she walked quietly toward the portrait hole and disappeared. A gush of wind blew through the room and Felipe heard the portrait door shut with a bang.
How are you all liking it? I like to keep endings wanting you more. Hope you're enjoying :)
~Leemah
