Title: Year of Discovery
Chapter: (20) Ah! Young Love!
Author: Laen
Editor: Fallohe Leng
Summary: When given a chance to leave the Wizarding world once and for all, Harry takes it. But what happens when he ends up bumping into one of his closest friends from Hogwarts at his new school? Will he ever escape magic? Or Voldemort?
Disclaimer: Not mine; I'm merely a fifteen year old kid who loves to write crazy fanfics like this one. Don't sue, since I'm not a brilliant genius like J.K. Rowling.
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Nick sighed as he entered his bedroom, and couldn't help but let a smile raise to his face. He placed his Firebolt into his closet, before falling backwards onto his comfy bed. For some reason, his heart rate wouldn't slow down, and he felt this warm feeling inside him.
"Kazu? You there?" Nick asked as a small pop was heard, and a wizard dressed in green emerald robes appeared.
"Do you ever sleep?" Nick asked when he saw Kazu's clothes.
"Once in a while. But that's not the problem here is it? Why'd you call me?" Kazu asked, getting straight to the point.
"I um... don't know." Nick sighed as he sat up on his bed.
"What?" Kazu asked in disbelief.
"Well... I... um... Hermione and I just went for a ride on my Firebolt and um... for some reason... I um... have this warm feeling inside me... and my heart rate won't drop." Nick muttered as Kazu smiled.
"Ah... I know what's going on now." Kazu said in a teasing tone as Nick got to his feet.
"What's going on then? Tell me? Do I have a disease or something? Am I going to die?" Nick asked.
Kazu could only laugh now.
"No! You're not dying! You don't have a disease either!" Kazu explained when he finally stopped laughing.
"Then what's going on?" Nick questioned.
"You're in love!" Kazu blurted out as a look of confusion, shock, and realization appeared onto his face.
"That's impossible!" Nick finally yelled as Kazu started laughing again.
"How is that possible? She's—she's my best friend!" Nick countered but Kazu waved his hand at him, as if saying that wasn't a good enough excuse.
"You know what they say, the best of friends make the best of lovers."
Nick had a look of fear on his face now.
"But—she—but—Merlin's beard!" Nick mumbled as he fell back onto his bed.
"If you weren't in love with her, why did you ask her out?" Kazu asked as Nick jumped to his feet away.
"You were spying on us?" Nick asked in disbelief.
"Well, yes, in a way." Kazu started to explain as Nick began pacing.
"I'm going mental. Seriously mental. Why can't anyone give me a straight bloody answer?"
"Nick, calm down! Remember the training we did over summer... breath in and out... meditate!"
Nick did as he was told...
"It's not working!" he yelled a few seconds later.
"Go fly then!" Kazu said as he waved his hand, Nick's Firebolt zoomed out of his closet, and into Kazu's hands.
Kazu threw the broom towards Harry, who caught it eagerly, mounted his broom, and flew out of his room after he got the window open.
Kazu could only sigh and chuckle to himself now.
"Ah... young love."
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Hermione Granger couldn't help but think about Nick when she returned to her dorm. He reminded her of someone so much, but she couldn't place her finger on who.
"Maybe... could it be?" Hermione asked herself in barely a whisper before she shook her head.
"Impossible. It can't be Harry. There's too much of a difference."
Hermione sighed as she shut her eyes and tried to go to sleep.
'I wonder what he meant... by training... I know he explained it as mentally, physically, and magically... but why is he training?' Hermione thought to herself.
'The battle... with Voldemort.' Hermione finally realized.
"I need to write to Ginny," Hermione Granger decided as she got up from her bed, and ran to her table.
She pulled out a blank lined sheet of paper, and a pen, before she began to write...
To Ginny,
How's life back at Hogwarts? Hope Ron's doing okay without me there. I've just been wondering, has Dumbledore mentioned anything about Harry lately? Oh yes, by the way, I forgot to tell you this earlier, there was an attack on Halloween night and...
Hermione stopped writing, and crumpled the sheet of paper up before throwing it away.
"What am I? Crazy?" Hermione asked herself as she pulled another sheet of paper out and began to write.
Ginny,
Sorry I didn't write to you earlier, but there was an attack at Scotland High on Halloween night, and I've gotten a lot more homework then usual so I've been really busy. Has Dumbledore mentioned anything about Harry yet?
Speaking of Harry, remember Nick? The guy who saved me from drowning? He knows Harry apparently. He says they spent the summer training. I think Harry's getting ready for the war with Voldemort.
I haven't seen Harry since my birthday, but I swear, Nick and Harry must be related or something! Think you can search the library and check if there were any students that attended with the last names Cliffmore?
Anyways, just thought I'd write to you. Going a bit crazy here... Nick asked me out on a date a few minutes ago and I think I might have accidentally turned him down... what am I supposed to do? I haven't actually 'liked-liked' anyone since the Tri-Wizard Cup was held at Hogwarts!
Please don't mention anything to Ron, I'd hate to see his reaction. Write back soon, and say hi to everyone for me.
From, your friend, Hermione
Hermione folded up the paper, and stuffed it into an envelope and marked the letter with Ginny's name before handing it to Hedwig, who was rather eager to fly about.
As they white snowy owl flew out of the window, Hermione began to wonder to herself if she should go on a date with Nick.