Hello, fans, and welcome to the anticipated second chapter of Consulting the Flower! This is going to be sooooooooo much fun to write…If you didn't know, I always write my intros before I actually write the chapters, then make changes as needed when I'm done…so I haven't actually written the chapter as I'm writing this now. Whatever, I'm probably confusing you, so please read and review as always, get over any R/Hr syndrome, and most of all, ENJOY!

Consulting the Flower

Rated PG, just in case

Chapter 2: Petals in the Wind

   Harry Potter walked to the Gryffindor tower alone, thinking about this afternoon. He smiled goofily as he relived every sweet moment of it, from Hermione's sweet voice, to her gentle touch. The mere thought of how close they had been made a warm tingle run up and down his spine.

   Arriving at the portrait of the Fat Lady, he uttered the password and ran up to the empty seventh year boys' dorm. He undressed with icy fingers, grabbed a warm towel, no doubt the courtesy of the Hogwarts house-elves, and gratefully dried off. When he was finished, he pulled on some new robes and jogged downstairs to devise the next step in Operation In Your Dreams. (Wasn't Harry optimistic?)

   Stepping lightheartedly into the inviting warmth of the common room, he found something lying in one of the empty chairs. Leaning down to get a closer look, he found it was a soft, white handkerchief. Embroidered on the corners were light, pink petals swirled in what he assumed was wind; cherry blossoms. In the bottom right-hand corner, there were sewed on some words in powder blue, loopy curves. It read:

"H. Granger."

   Smiling softly, he picked up the delicate cloth and smelled it lightly. It smelled just like her, a sweet, tangy mixture of crisp autumn air, roses, and something he couldn't quite put his finger on – sniff sniff – cinnamon sticks! Playing with it in his hands for a minute, he grinned widely and stuffed it in his pocket. Perfect for the plan…yeah, that's right! His mind reasoned, and Harry stood and nodded his agreement.

   But his ever-contradicting heart and soul chorused that he wanted it solely because he could carry a piece of Hermione everywhere he went.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

   Harry walked along the empty stone corridors toward the Owlery with some owl treats and an ornate wooden box filled to the brim with cherry blossoms in his hand. He had already devised the next part of his plan. It seemed pretty obvious by the embroidery on the handkerchief that Hermione must like cherry blossoms, so he had made some appear with a flick of his wand, and put them in the little wooden box that he had found in a box of things, given to him by Sirius and Remus, that had belonged to his mother and father. Pausing for a moment to place the little poem he had written (to Harry's pride, all by himself) on a card, signed "Hopelessly Pining" in the box. Satisfied, he whistled as he strolled merrily to the drafty tower.

   Passing a window, he looked down onto an empty courtyard, thinking he had heard Hermione's voice. He was such a sucker for her that just her voice could make him stop where he was and conjure impossible daydreams. But it must have been his imagination or a flicker of the shadows, because he saw nothing. Shrugging, he continued on his way.

   He didn't notice a small, perfect cherry blossom flutter down to the courtyard below. 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hermione stepped down the stone steps into the courtyard, humming lightly, and sat down on a bench, clutching her black velvet shawl closer about herself. She couldn't stop thinking about the wonderful, almost unbelievable time she had just had with Harry, her heart's desire. Gazing about happily, she noticed something pink floating in the air. It was a cherry blossom. That was strange; flowers like that had never grown around this chilly, mountainous country, let alone in the middle of winter. Smiling, she snatched it from its gloomy, cold confine in amidst the sky and twisted it about daintily, admiring it. She loved cherry blossoms; they were so…so cheery and uplifting, and so gorgeous. This lovely little flower didn't belong in the middle of a lonely gray courtyard where someone would undoubtedly crush it thoughtlessly under his heel. An idea sprang up in her head, and she tucked the little flowerlet in her hair, just by her ear. Giggling lightly like a little girl, she sprang up and danced off on the balls of her feet, extremely cheerful for absolutely no reason at all.

   Maybe it was because the little flower, for reasons unknown to her, reminded her strongly of Harry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I have no idea why I wrote this chapter, it was so short and pointless. I think it was to get my thoughts going for the next major "scene," and to act as kind of a bridge, or a breather, if you will, before I start building up to the climax. But anyway, I thought it was sweet, and it kind of fit, so… Anyway, thoughts, suggestions…you know the drill. Until we meet again, farewell!