The Howler
They seemed to be going into the bell tower overlooking the forest. The girl was now thoroughly confused. Why was he taking her there and what had happened back at the lake. They climbed to the top of the tower. Then Harry went to the edge and looked out over the forest. She wasn't sure of what to do. "Harry? What happened back there? Are you alright?"
Harry turned to look at her, which made her slightly uncomfortable. He was staring at her. She looked away from him. "Why do you do that?' He asked. She faced him, puzzled at his question. "Do what?" she asked. "Every time I look at you, you turn away from me."He seemed sad. "I get uncomfortable. I'm not used to people looking at me. Especially someone like you."She almost blushed but thought better of it.
He walked over to her so he was standing right in front of her. "Do I make you uncomfortable?" he asked.
"Well uncomfortable and nervous. You have to understand though that I was ignored to such a level that more than normal attention to myself is awkward." she began fidgeting. "Do you want me to leave you alone?" He asked as he moved closer.
"No! I've never had any friends before. I'm just getting used to the idea." He moved closer. " Well I hate to rush you, but I want to be more than your friend." She looked up at him, eyes wide with realization. "What?" She asked in astonishment. "I know it's only been two days but ever since I saw you on the train I liked you. Then last night at dinner when you smiled at me it made me feel so happy and warm inside. You lit me up like a candle. I loved the feelings you were giving me and I want to have those feelings always. I'm asking you to be my girlfriend." He took her hands in his and pleaded with his eyes.
Well she was just shocked. She liked Harry too, but she didn't know what to say. She had never experienced this kind of thing before and it was all strange an frightening. "Harry you make me feel excited, well excited and scared. I've never felt like this before and I kinda like it. I also really like you. So, alright, I'll be your girlfriend, but only if you'll be my boyfriend." He smiled and laughed at her. She threw her arms around his neck and he brought her in for a hug.
" Oh, one thing I forgot to mention that might be vital to this relationship, my name." She said '"Right! So, What is your name?" He was very eager to learn it. " My name is Emily Madison Stone" She said with a smile. "It's beautiful" He said. They walked back to the castle hand in hand. When they got to the door Harry stopped. "What's wrong?" She asked. "I don't want people to know that were together jut yet. It might look strange seeing as we've only known each other for two days." She nodded her head in agreement.
On their walk back Harry had told her what had happened at the lake. He had gotten upset with Hermione because she kept flirting with him and acting like they were going out. Then when Emily looked away she had tried to kiss him. Emily wasn't surprised actually. Hermione had been coming in to Harry since the train ride and possibly before that.
So they continued on to the Great Hall a "Friends". She didn't eat much and headed upstairs early. She had a lot of homework anyway. Harry stayed awhile so he could tell Ron about the project. Then most of the Gryffindors went upstairs. She was sitting in a dark, enclosed corner so no one really noticed her or bothered her. Harry and Ron were still talking animatedly. Hermione was walking behind them. They seemed to be ignoring her.
Then without warning Harry and Hermione got into a fight. "You dirty rat!" She yelled 'You're supposed to be my friend, and now I hear you're going off with other girls!? How could you Harry?" " First of all, I am your friend. But, that's all I am. I'm sick and tired of you hanging all over me. You're not my girlfriend." Hermione began to cry. She pushed past the other students and ran up to the dorm. Some of the other girls followed her. The other students went back to what they were doing.
Harry sat down at a table and took out his homework. He began writing with a vigor. Ron sat down next to him and also began his homework. From her corner Emily had seen the whole thing. She decided not to go up to Harry thinking that it would be awkward, so she continued with her own work. A little while later Ron went up to the dorm room. He called back to Harry, " are you coming Mate?" he asked. "Yeah, in a minute, I'm just finishing some homework" Harry said.
Harry watched as Ron disappeared upstairs. Now only him and Emily remained in the room. Although Harry did not know she was still there. A rustling sound near the ceiling caught his attention. He watched as a large owl slowly flew down. It landed on Emily's chair and dropped a letter in her lap. It was a Howler, from mother. It came alive and began to recite its contents. "You wretched girl, how dare you lie to your father about me! You deserved what my boyfriend did to you! You little whore! I hope you rot in Hell! Don't bother coming home this summer or for that matter EVER!" Then, it shredded itself. She sat there in the corner crying her eyes out. Her owl nuzzled against her arm. Harry sat there, in utter shock of what he just witnessed. He walked over to her and put his arms around her. She cried into his shoulder for what seemed like hours. As suddenly as it had started it stopped. She had no more tears. Harry looked into her eyes. They were red and swollen from the tears, but they were magnificent. Hazel, he thought, brown with strands of green throughout. He put his cloak around her shoulders. She pulled it close around her. She managed a "thanks" before falling asleep in her chair. He put his head in her lap and also drifted into sleep.
He was woken up by her owl about three hours later. It was 2:43 in the morning. He looked at her. She was still asleep. "She is an angel when she sleeps," he thought to himself. He got up and stretched. He couldn't leave her down here, but he also couldn't get into the girls' dormitory. So, he picked her up and carried her to his own bed. He deposited her under the covers and lied down on the other side. He then fell asleep once more.