AN Here is another chapter for you guys because I just finished another one today. Again, do not get too used to it! The chapters won't be super long so I can get them out in a timely matter. Again, I don't know if I ever intended on posting this because I think it is a little ugly compared to my serious work but it is my car fic and if someone out there gets some joy reading it then it is worth it to me. That's what writing is all about, making people happy and giving them entertainment or a smile. If you like it let me know and I will probably work on it more because that is how our brains work.
The last two weeks had been different for Harry Potter. He had spent an unthinkable amount of time in the room of requirement with a witch he hardly knew researching the foulest of magical creatures. He knew so much he was thinking about them in their dreams. He had written to Sirius to see if the Black Library had any additional info on them and he had been sent two books in return. Of course, they had.
Meanwhile, Hermione Granger would sit opposite him and keep her nose tucked away in a book all the while taking notes. Of course, they did play one game. Each day he would have to find her and ask her to leave class while she fought him at every turn. Not verbally… but he could tell she was getting annoyed with him. It didn't matter of course! They needed to win and they were already making some good progress! They were collecting a lot of good notes and soon they would be able to get moving!
He caught her reading a few of her textbooks and he let it go. She seemed so stuck on them he doubted she'd be able to focus otherwise.
What he did find weird however was that the pair rarely spoke unless it was about their work. It did help them keep a good pace and get a lot of research done but it was very different… usually he had people squawking at him from every direction and he never needed to be the one to start a conversation with something new. It was different with his friends, they had known him for years and they talked easily but when he met new people they usually hounded him and even got him to sign his photos! It wasn't ideal but at least he didn't have to be the one to make the first move.
Except for today… today he would do just that.
He looked at her. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her eyes were furrowed on the book. Her right hand had a quill equipped and ready to roll as it scribbled down a note he couldn't make out. She looked rather cute if he was being honest but she was the definition of a Ravenclaw at the moment.
"Hermione?"
"Hmm?"
"Where did you grow up?" He asked. He had no idea why he had asked that particular question but like most times it just popped into his head.
She looked up at him and eyed him with something he couldn't quite place before replying "I live in Crawley with my parents."
"Really? My cousin lives in Surrey. I visit them a few times during the holiday. Not far I don't think." Harry replied.
"Yeah, that's not so far," Hermione replied before turning back to her book.
"What do your parents do?" Harry followed up.
She looked again at him strangely and looked him over. What was she doing? Didn't the woman know how to carry a conversation? Why was he even doing this! Could he just not stand the silence?
"My parents are both dentists- which me-"
"Yeah, they clean teeth and fix them when they need to." Harry cut her off.
"Sorry. Most people here really wouldn't know. Considering you're a pureblood." She said with a tinge of pink flashing across her cheeks.
"Yeah, my mum is muggleborn. And I have muggle relatives. I don't know everything but I know a lot I like to think." Harry replied.
"Must be interesting having a Pureblood father and a muggleborn mother," Hermione questioned.
"Yeah, it can be. We live in the muggle world most of the time believe it or not. Mum can't go without electricity and Dad had become quite addicted to the telly and his shows on the weekend." Harry chuckled.
Hermione chuckled at that which made him smile. He liked her laugh, and it wasn't something he had heard before.
"My Dad and his friends. Which are basically my uncles like to get together and watch spy movies together. They're alright but not exactly my cup of tea." Harry continued.
"Oh, and what kind of movies do you watch?" She asked.
"Well I hate to sound cliché but I enjoy a good comedy! Not that you could've imagined that!" He laughed.
"Oh yeah never!" She laughed.
"I can't say I spent too much time in the cinema but I try to watch a few things over holiday. We're usually quite busy around that time though." Harry responded when the laughter died down.
"Oh me too. My parents save up their holiday time and they'll take me places. We've been to Austria, France, Brazil, Australia, and Egypt now." She said happily.
"Did you have a favorite?" He asked.
She looked thoughtful for a moment before he could see the answer flash across her eyes except he didn't know what it meant yet.
"I can't say that I do. All of them have something going for them, not to mention the rich history they each have. Plus some of them were so long ago it's hard to remember." She replied.
"We went to the US over the holiday. It was nice, but it seems like half the attractions are just things everywhere has but much larger. Which is cool but, can drag." He said.
He smiled. That had gone… well. It was different than speaking with anyone else. They exchanged easily and he felt a certain excitement about learning about her. Maybe it was because he hadn't tried to make a new friend in a long time. Not since Luna. His circle just felt complete after she had joined them and he hadn't looked back. Not to mention that finding a REAL friend in his situation was nearly impossible. But she didn't seem so… affected like the rest. He was dying to know why though. Of course, being the lion he was he would only ask.
"I have a question for you. Why do you seem so… unaffected by me? You're not asking for anything and you're not jumping down my throat trying to be my friend. It is just… strange." He asked in the most polite way he could manage.
Unaffected? Well, that wasn't really true the only reason she was here was because of his position. But personally? Well, she wasn't sure she knew exactly how to vocalize it.
"I am a muggleborn. I didn't hear about you growing up. But I can't say I'm not affected by you. If I'm being no- if I'm being honest the only reason I'm here right now is that if I offend you I know the whole school would be mad at me and that's not something I want to deal with right now." She blurted out.
He looked at her with his eyes widening.
You've done it now Granger! Be prepared for the Snake treatment times ten! Why couldn't you just say 'I don't know!'
He looked confused now. Like he didn't know what to make of her proclamation but she wasn't sure she'd know what to say either.
"What do you think about me?"
"What's it matter?" She retorted.
"I want to know. I think it's fair to ask what you think of me. I'd tell you the same thing."
"Well, what do you think about me then?" She questioned.
"You're undoubtedly brilliant at theory but I've not really seen you cast spells. You read quickly but your notes are always precise. I know my best mate had a problem with you a few years ago but I have no idea why. Just today I learned you are pleasant and I enjoy talking to you." He replied without pause.
What could she do now? Honestly, she expected some sort of tirade about how she was the know it all of the school and a prude to back it up. Was it what he thought or was it an edited version he had prepared just for this?
What would she say!
Like her parents always said. Rip the bandaid off.
"Up until two weeks ago, we have never spoken. Which was okay obviously we are in different circles. I can't say I haven't noticed you but you have a cult following which I just find… weird and misinformed. I do know you're a great wizard for one reason or another but I also know that people around here would rather claw their own hearts out than burst your bubble! Honestly can't you see the treatment you get! It would annoy me! But I can say from speaking to you that you are at least somewhat pleasant if not arrogant! I want to be in class! I went to do this and I want to do it right but nobody is going to waive my exams like they will for you!" She burst. If ripping the bandaid off was to be demonstrated she had done it and would receive an O for it.
She feared to look at him but something about those emerald eyes let her know that he was staring. But she didn't care, she didn't risk looking up at him and instead raised the book she had been reading above his line of sight. She wanted to say that she regretted it… she wanted to say it but it wasn't true. It felt good to get it all out to… yell a little when she had been so frustrated.
"I'm sorry. You can go back to class tomorrow." He said softly.
"I'm sor-"
"No, you're right. I never asked if you wanted to get out of class I just assumed. Thank you though. It might be the first time someone's been completely honest with me in a long time." He replied again in a soft voice.
It was a weird voice, not one she had heard from him before. Most of the time his tone either annoyed her or made her feel like she could run through a wall if she wanted to. He had a tone of confidence that would wade into arrogance but now… he sounded so small compared to the rather large man he was becoming. It was a shock to her, and she felt bad about it. Then she pulled herself out of it because she had spoken her mind which had been the right thing to do.
"It's getting late. We should head out, what time would be good with you tomorrow?" He asked.
The question took her off guard for a moment before she met his downtrodden gaze.
"What if we did after dinner? It'll give us- I mean me time to start catching up." She suggested shakily.
"That sounds good. It's getting late, I should walk you back so you don't get a detention." Harry said closing his book and leaving it on the table.
When they came back to the room the books would be where they left them. Although they never chanced leaving their things there when she had questioned him about it he said most of the time it would be there. But you'd have to remember everything you left.
"Okay."
He was right. They had stayed later than usual. They would usually work throughout the day and take breaks for food. Sometimes Harry would call elves to bring them food which she silently despised. Next time she would say something about it… maybe.
She wasn't sure what time it was but she yawned and closed her book and packed away her notes in her bag. Harry stood and waited by the door as she strode over to meet him. He opened it for her and they left the magical room.
The halls were dark but they walked side by side anyway.
"Do you want to see something cool?" He asked in almost a whisper.
"Sure." She replied before she could even think of the consequences.
She swore she could almost hear him smile before he stopped. He looked to her and showed her his hands outstretched.
"No wand, see?"
She nodded.
Then he snapped his finger and it blinded her. Everything was blurry for a moment before her eyes adjusted and she could see a small ball of light in his hand. He was holding it like a muggle baseball and turned it to show her.
He hadn't used his wand! They had only started non-verbal spell casting two years ago and they had hardly done anything more than 4th-year spells! Of course, it was only a lumos charm but she had only ever seen Dumbledore himself use wandless magic to part the tables in the great hall!
Then slowly he brought it up to eye level before tossing it softly. It stopped in front of them before it started moving forward.
"Let's go then." He smiled. He stepped forward and followed the light that stayed a few feet in front of them and to the right out of their direct gaze.
He had done it so easily! It was still there guiding the way! Who had taught him that!
She had a million questions.
"I don't know you that well Hermione but I can see you want to ask." He said with a hint of amusement.
Then she remembered he was an arrogant ass at times. But if she asked would she be able to gain something from it? She put her pride aside and settled on a question.
"Did Dumbledore teach you?" She asked.
"No." He replied.
"How'd you figure it out then?" She retorted.
"I just cast it the same I do all my spells. Just without a wand."
She knew his temporary lapse in assery would only be just that… temporary. But she could sense he was gloating a little, would she in his position? She liked to think she wouldn't.
"Haha." She replied sarcastically.
"You people don't understand magic is all." He chuckled.
She felt a stab in her stomach at his comment. Why should she be surprised though? He was a pureblood of course he thought she didn't understand magic! She wanted to yell but she was used to it, she only hoped that since his MUM was muggleborn that he wouldn't be so idiotic.
They walked in silence as the light guided them towards her common room. She could feel him staring at her at times but she ignored him. He didn't deserve a response after saying something so ignorant. Now she would have to deal with him until the end of the year unless they managed to finish sooner but she doubted it.
When they reached the common room they were asked a riddle per usual but Harry just uttered something under his breath and the staircase was revealed.
"Goodnight." He called out as she hurried up the staircase