AU! Prequel.

WRITTEN FOR QLFC, RESERVE LEAGUE

SEASON 7, ROUND 3

Seeker: The Yoruba Dance from Nigeria; write about a character who celebrates small moments in life.

WC: 1170

Tom was sitting on his bed working on his Herbology homework when Hermione bounded through the door. He didn't look up at her as she hopped up onto the bed beside him.

"Tom," she exclaimed. "Guess what?"

"What?" Tom muttered, still busy scribbling notes in the columns of his textbook.

"I made you something!" Hermione bounced on the bed, almost upsetting the precariously balanced inkpot on his bed. He steadied it and continued writing. "Tom, look!"

Tom sighed and finally turned towards her, slightly irritated by her enthusiasm.

Although Tom had done his best to avoid the annoying Hufflepuff girl, Hermione had a way of finding him. She had been glued to his side for the past three months, starting from the moment they had bumped into each other on the Hogwarts Express. She had sat by his side at the Slytherin table, usually talking his ear off during meals and classes. The professors all claimed she was incredibly gifted and a brilliant young witch, but Tom wondered how intelligent she could really be if she didn't get the memo that he wasn't interested in befriending her.

Just a few nights ago, Tom had subtly hexed her to trip over her feet. The witch had fallen flat on her face before standing up and shrugging off the action without care. It was as if she would stop at nothing to be his 'friend'—a word that never failed to make Tom sneer and gag. He didn't need friends when he could rely on himself.

Now, Hermione sat beside him (unwelcomed), her eyes shining, a wide grin on her face, and a strange bracelet in her hands. It was rainbow-coloured, and tiny beads hung from the stray ribbons on its ends. It was the most vomit-inducing clash of colours Tom had ever seen in his life.

When she noticed him looking, she held it up for his inspection. "Look at what I made for you, Tom!"

"What is that?" Tom didn't bother to hide his contempt for the item in her hand. He didn't care if it hurt her feelings; he had no use for her.

"It's a friendship bracelet," Hermione exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. "See? I even added little beads with our initials on them! Look. T and H!"

Tom stared at the beads swinging from the bracelet, and something strange twisted in his gut at the sight.

She had made him a friendship bracelet. How...Hufflepuff of her.

Tom was surprised that he thought her action was a bit sweet. He had never had a friend before and often claimed he didn't need any. No one had ever cared about him at the orphanage, and he had grown used to that fact. His only constant companions had been the snakes slithering outside his bedroom window, but even they hadn't been his friends.

He'd had no one.

Hermione interrupted his spiralling thoughts. "So...what do you think? Do you like it? I know it's a bit colourful, but I figured you wouldn't lose it then."

Tom continued to stare at the hideous bracelet, and something bizarre happened.

His cold heart started to melt.

Mind you, it was just a little. But it did.

"Tom...are you...smiling?" Hermione asked, startling him.

Tom blinked and raised his hands to his face, realising too late that his lips had turned up in a small smile. He glanced at Hermione, who was staring at him with disbelief. He straightened his shoulders and stated, "Yes."

"Wow! I've never seen you smile at me before," Hermione said, cocking her head to the side. Her smile softened as she gazed at him. "It's nice. You have a really nice smile."

Tom tried not to fidget to show how uncomfortable he truly felt, but it was almost impossible. He didn't like her; he didn't want her following him around like a talkative shadow. He gained nothing by smiling at her.

Or did he?

"I do smile," Tom retorted, staring at her and trying to intimidate her, but for some reason, he never seemed to have any of the intended effects on her.

"Yes, only when you want to impress people," Hermione shot back at him. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and asked, "So...what do you think of the bracelet? Will you please wear it?"

A lump formed in Tom's throat as he lowered his gaze to the bracelet again. It was definitely the most ridiculous thing he'd ever seen, but...

"It's terrible," Tom blurted out and watched Hermione's excitement disappear. Her shoulders slumped, and tears welled up in her eyes. Tom's heart clenched, and he cursed himself for his emotions. "However, give it to me."

"So you can throw it away?" Hermione sniffled, raising her hand to cover her mouth. A tear trailed down her cheek, and Tom's resolve broke.

"No, because you need one too," Tom muttered, but he couldn't meet her eyes. How embarrassing was this situation! He should have been able to ignore her and that stupid bracelet, but he just couldn't. He was human, after all.

"What?" she whispered. Tom could feel the hope filling her question.

"Give it to me," Tom demanded, not wanting to repeat himself. If anyone else heard him or even found out about this, the reputation he was trying to establish would be on the line.

When Hermione handed him the bracelet, Tom pulled out his Charms textbook and began flipping through it, looking for a DuplicatingCharm. As soon as he found it, he mouthed the spell and flicked his wand at the bracelet.

A similar bracelet appeared in the palm of Tom's hand, and he handed it to Hermione. "Put it on," he grumbled, still clearly uncomfortable.

Hermione happily pulled the bracelet onto her hand. "Now, your turn."

Tom gritted his teeth and thought, 'Merlin, she's annoying.' Despite his irritation, he tugged on the bracelet around his wrist. Its weight felt strange; Tom refused to call it nice.

"Couldn't you have made me something in black? Or nothing at all?"

"I'll make you a black necklace," Hermione said happily, and then, all of a sudden, her arms were wrapped around his waist, and her face was buried against his chest.

Tom stiffened. Did she want to lose her limbs? What was she trying to do? Strangle him to death? Her curls were frizzy, and they tickled his chin.

"I'm so happy, Tom! Thank you! You're my best friend," Hermione exclaimed before she let go of him and pulled away. She jumped off the bed, almost tripping over her feet, and Tom's hand automatically shot out to grab her elbow to steady her.

"Thanks, Tom! I'll go look for some ice cream now. We should celebrate our friendship! I'll bring you some." Hermione skipped out of the room, humming under her breath.

Tom stared at the now-closed door. Something was definitely wrong with him. The witch must have cursed him! That was the only plausible explanation for the strange feeling of peace washing over him.