Siobhan
November 18th 1994
Things between Hermione and I have gotten weird. We're partners in multiple classes and yet she hasn't asked to study together in weeks. Everytime I ask her she always has something else to do, which I respect. She's been helping Harry with his first task but I'm still wondering what's going on with her. I thought, deep down, that she felt the way that I feel about her but I'm starting to doubt it.
"Siobhan," I turned towards Ophelia. She gave me a funny look. "Are you okay? You've been staring at Hermione for like ten minutes."
We're in potions and we're supposed to be working on our pepperup potion. I had gotten the bicorn horn and mandrake root and after I had sat back down, I guess I drifted off. Snape came by and checked to see if our calderon was warmed to the proper temperature before we continued.
"Well done, Clarke and Morton," he stated before moving on to the next table. We placed the ingredients in and boiled it for a couple minutes.
"I'm okay, it's just... I don't even know how to explain it," I said with a sigh. Ophelia looked over at Hermione and then back to me.
"I see... I noticed she has gotten quiet busy with her best friend in the tournament and all that... maybe wait until the first task is over to see," she said while I stirred our brew. I shrugged and gazed over at Hermione again. Snape came over and tested our potion.
"More mandrake," he simply stated before walking away. Ophelia put another handful in.
"So, I've been doing some research on animagus'," she said. I raised my eyebrows.
"Oh?"
"There's a potion that we have to create to be able to have that ability. We have to keep a mandrake leaf in our mouth for a whole month," she explained.
"Isn't making the potion dangerous?" I asked, "how are you going to keep a whole leaf in your mouth without McGonagall finding out?"
"I plan on doing it over the summer, plus there is still some more research I need to do. Plus I don't know what animal I want to turn into yet," she said.
"Just be careful," I stated. She nodded.
"I'm fairly confident in my potions abilities, I know the risks, just need the time."
During my afternoon break, I decided to go to Hogsmeade to Madam Puddifoot's. I walked in and greeted her and sat down. "Hi, love, what can I get for you?" she asked in her motherly voice.
"Hi madam, I'll have a dark roast please," I stated. She smiled and went back to the kitchen. I pulled out my parchment paper and my quill and started writing to my parents. I missed them a lot but all three of us know that Hogwarts is better for me than Ilvermorny. Plus I'd still be gone for most of the year if I went to Ilvermorny. Madam Puddifoot came back with my coffee and I finished my letter.
The door to the tea shop opened and in came Hermione, Ron, and Harry. Hermione waved at me and pulled the guys over to come sit with me. "Hey," she said as she sat down across from me.
"Hi," I said, blushing lightly.
"So sorry I've been blowing you off lately, I've been helping this idiot," she gestured over to Harry, "with his first task," she brushed some of her curly hair out of her face and smiled. I chuckled.
"That's alright, I get it," I said and took a sip of my coffee. Madam Puddifoot came back around and took the trio's order. Butterbeer all around.
"So," Hermione started, "I was wondering if you wanted to study for our History of Magic test?" she asked. I almost choked on my coffee.
"Y-yeah," I coughed. Hermione placed her hand on mine.
"You alright?" she asked with a slight laugh. I blushed a deep crimson and nodded. Ron and Harry gave us both a weird look but I was honestly too flustered to care about them in the moment.
"You hang out with my sister, don't you?" Ron asked.
"Winnie? Yeah I hang out with her," I stated. Ron shook his head and scoffed. Hermione slapped Ron on the back of his head. "What?" I asked.
"She's a Slytherin..." Harry piped up. I shook my head.
"That's no way to talk about your sister. She's not a bad person, not all Slytherins are bad people. From what I can understand-"
Ron interrupted me, "but Malfoy-"
"Did I say I was done? From what I can understand, the only person in your family who has a problem with it, is you. Do you know how hated she is by other Slytherins because of your last name? No. You need to stop being an asshole to your twin if you ever want to have a relationship with her," I took a deep breath and exhaled. I laid out a couple galleons on the table and stood up.
"See you later, Hermione," I said, sweetly and then left.