Chapter 13 – Heart has its reasons…
Hermione was busy during the coming week. Between her 7th grade courses, her detentions where she had to clean all the rooms at Hogwarts and her research on Clarence Wilford, for the first time in her life, she was happy to sleep late on Saturday. She was exhausted and didn't have time to think about her situation. Anyway, what more could she do?
Surprisingly and despite her difficult beginning, she could easily fit in her new life at Hogwarts. Thanks to Lily, Remus and her group, she didn't feel lonely and to live in this time was more and more pleasant, even if she terribly missed her friends and family.
She got along very well with Lily. Hermione understood that she was too sharp with her when she just arrived and apologized two days after her arrival. Lily accepted her apologies without blaming her. She even said with a wink: "If you help me with the contest, all will be forgiven!"
Remus was true to himself, always with a tired look but eager to help when someone needs him. He went on the research on Wilford and already gave her six books that talked about him. He even took some notes for her. She was grateful.
James and Peter followed them frequently. If he wasn't kissing Lily, James only talked about Quidditch to Peter's happiness who congratulated his performances when he could.
"When you participate at the Quidditch tournament, you will show them you're the best, James! You really are the best chaser of all time, James! I would dream to try your Nimbus 1985, James!" Peter repeated at any time.
Hermione has had enough but no one didn't dare saying anything. Of course, Sirius made laugh of him, from time to time, but nothing more. James seemed to like the attention that was paid on him and the others were used to it. She didn't understand but she didn't say a word and remained silent.
Sirius was as he used to be: always trying to get the attention of girls and he was used to be surrounded by girls. A lot of students looked at him when he was around. Being a handsome Black, a Gryffindor and a talented wizard made him popular. Hermione thought they were attracted by his bad boy and dark looks – linked to his different opinion with his family –. Women liked bad boys, didn't they? Sirius was used to all these looks and didn't pay any attention on them. Sometimes, he just found a target, a beautiful girl, then, got annoyed and found a new one.
Hermione couldn't bear it. Of course, most of the time, she just ignored him but, as if he had eyes on his back, he always knew when she was looking at him while seducing some other girls. And each time, he was happy about it and tended to work twice as hard to make her angrier.
She became mad when she saw him whisper some word to a 6th grade brown-haired girl in the Great Hall. They were eating their breakfast on the Gryffindor great table. The Ravenclaw girl was happy to have Sirius only for her and simper in front of him, touching her bright and shiny hair. The young man stroked her hair and turned toward Hermione, giving her a sidelong glance with a nasty smile. She winced and tried to read her Charms Spell book. Let him go to hell, she thought.
"From what I am seeing, you are very keen to participate to the contest," Lily said, pointing at her book with her spoon.
"Yes, I need to upgrade my skills," Hermione answered, with a sigh.
"You don't have to worry. If Flitwick took you in his team that will represent Hogwarts for the Charms contest, this is because he thinks you're talented. Indeed, this confusion spell you casted was outstanding."
"Thank you, Lily," Hermione simply answered.
She tried to read her book again.
Three days before, during her Charms course, Professor Flitwick, who looked 20 years younger, immediately discovered her talent for casting charms. He then tested her with different spells, and she didn't only stun the professor but also all her classmates. He decided to have her on his Charms team for the contest. Hermione couldn't refuse.
During the event, with her detention done, she thought she would have more time for her research, but this wasn't the case. Flitwick insisted that they met every evening during the week before the Charms contest that coming Friday. "We need to get ready and to coordinate all the team," he said with a happy voice. The professor was convincing. So, her evenings were again busy during this second week.
"I am sorry I cannot help you more, Lily, but as you know, with the contest preparation, I cannot be there for you," Hermione said with a disappointed tone.
"Don't worry! You will help me tomorrow to prepare the treasure hunt. There're a lot to do and even your help for a few hours is well accepted!"
Hermione smiled and looked at her book again.
"At what time will arrive Wichita Falls School?" James asked.
"Late afternoon," Lily answered. "They will arrive from London by train."
"Really?" He said surprisingly.
"Yes, they decided at last minute to visit London before coming to Hogwarts. So, we had to arrange a transport. We couldn't do better than by train."
"It's quite surprising," Hermione said, looking at her. "I thought wizards liked to show their know-how and tended to show off in front of other people."
"Professor Woodlock, the school Headmaster, is not like that. He's a very humble person," Lily claimed. "I used to talk with him by Chimney powder before their coming and I have never met a wizard like him, except for Dumbledore. He is respectful, smart and is not full of himself."
"So, he could teach other people," Hermione muttered while looking at Sirius who was laughing with the brown-haired girl.
Lily saw her and whispered: "I will only give you one piece of advice, don't fall in love with Sirius Black, Hermione!"
"Wh… What?" Hermione outburst. "Why do you think…"
She was blushing and looked around her to see if nobody heard Lily's sentence. Fortunately, the boys weren't listening to them.
"You never stop looking at him," Lily explained. "And I think he noticed it. He keeps making things worse by seducing new girls. You know, he's a ladies' man, he's not the kind of guy to date anyone…"
"Do you believe I want to be with Sirius Black?" Hermione outraged, while still whispering.
"Well… I don't know… you keep looking at him at any time…" Lily said.
"Honestly, don't worry! He's not my kind of men," Hermione answered.
She tried to smile and pretended to read her book again. Lily glanced at her. She wasn't a fool; she already saw her confusion and her ears was red as blood. But she gave in and sighed.
"At least, I warned you!"
Then, she turned towards James and ate her breakfast.
However, Hermione couldn't concentrate anymore. She knew she wasn't a good liar, except for emergency reasons, and Lily could easily read her. She suddenly felt stupid. But she promised to herself not to fall in love with Sirius. Yet, step by step, as the days came by, the more she saw him with other girls, the more she became jealous. She didn't want to admit her feelings but love never lies.
She looked again at Sirius who was still seducing the other girl and felt her heart as heavy as a stone. No, really, the faster she left this time, the better would it be for her.
