When he disappeared, Sabrina pulled away from Harry and said, "Well." Her face was so close to his that he wondered if he should just go ahead and kiss her.

Sabrina put her hands on Harry's shoulders. "You're so perfect Harry. Everything I ever wanted."

Harry decided now was as good a time as ever, so he gently kissed Sabrina, putting his hands on her back. He felt her undo a button on his robes and a bit of his T-shirt was exposed.

Wow. Harry thought. Here I am, making out with the prettiest girl in Hogwarts. It just can't be!

But it was.

Suddenly a new thought pushed into Harry's head. He stopped kissing Sabrina and said, "Maybe we're moving too fast."

"No way," she told him, astonished, "The sooner the better," she sighed, "But we can stop for awhile if you want."

He nodded. "Yeah, I think we'd better," he gave her one last kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight Sabrina. I love you."

She looked at him, the happiness now gone from her face. "I love you too Harry," she responded a little heavily.

Harry turned and went up to his dormitory, leaving Sabrina now frowning in the darkness.

Harry awoke the next day feeling tired, happy, and nervous all at the same time. He had rarely felt so many different emotions at once. Would Sabrina be mad about last night? Or would she be happy to know that Harry loved her? Or (Harry gulped as he thought about this) did she tell anyone yet?

He now had a sick feeling in is stomach. Sure, it was okay if certain people knew about their new relationship, but others, like Hermione and Malfoy.

Harry walked down to breakfast in the Great Hall to find Hermione and Ron already there. When Hermione saw Harry, she narrowed her eyes and quickly left the table and swept out of the room. Ron sighed.

"Yeah, she's mad all right," he told Harry as he helped himself to toast. "Thinks Sabrina's out to get you."

"Out to get me? Like how?" Harry asked, confused.

Ron looked uneasy. "I think you'd better ask Hermione that yourself. And look - here's Sabrina."

Sabrina sat down next to Harry and across from Ron, who quickly stuffed a bite of egg into his mouth. She didn't say anything but simply poured herself a goblet of pumpkin juice.

Ron swallowed. "I'll see you later Harry. Good luck." And he left.

Harry took a deep breath. "Sabrina, I'm sorry," he said, "I'm just not used to that sort of thing."

"Neither am I," she said quietly, "Harry, I'm not mad. I'm just frustrated and, well. I don't know what else. But my parents died when I was ten, and I've been living with my foster parents ever since. Last year I heard about Hogwarts and wrote to Dumbledore. He accepted me. So here I am."

"Why are you frustrated?" asked Harry gently.

Sabrina took a shaky breath before saying, "My parents meant everything to me. When they died I cracked. I was completely unsociable and was always in tears. I always tried to find love and to give love, but I never found the right person. Then I met you, and it clicked. You've helped me get back on my feet," she looked into his face. "You're just so amazing, Harry. I-"

"Sabrina."

They both turned around to see Draco Malfoy standing behind them, a cocky smile upon his face.

"I'm sure you've heard about the ball, am I right?" When Sabrina shook her head, he continued, "Well, it's before the start of second term, and I sure you'd be delighted to come with me." Sabrina rolled her pretty brown eyes. "Guess again Malfoy. I'm going," her eyes narrowed dangerously, "with my boyfriend."

Malfoy was taken aback. "Boyfriend?!" he sputtered. "What're you playing at? Where's this boyfriend of yours?"

"Right here," said Harry smugly. "Looks like its back to the drawing board for you Malfoy."

"Potter!" Malfoy spat. "Come on Sabrina, you can do better than that- that- "

Sabrina whipped out her wand. "That what?" she said in a barely audible voice. Although soft, her voice was very powerful.

Malfoy backed away. "N- nothing. I mean, that's fine if you want to date him, but watch your back." He then hurried away.

Sabrina put her wand away and turned to Harry. "So," she said, "What's this about a ball?"

Harry explained the Yule Ball to Sabrina. "The Yule Ball," he began, "is the ball Hogwarts has on Christmas Day. They made it a tradition after the first one two years ago. Basically, it's a ball where fourth years and above, unless the younger ones are invited by an older student, go and have a feast and dance in the Great Hall. Four people and their dance partners are chosen to open the dancing. It lasts from eight until midnight."

Sabrina nodded. "Sounds like fun," she said, finishing her pumpkin juice.

"Does this mean you want to go?" said Harry, standing up. Sabrina followed suit.

"Sure," she told him. "We'll have a blast."

Harry was grinning from ear to ear as he and Sabrina walked to Charms. When they entered Professor Flitwick's classroom, Hermione shot the pair of them a loathing glare. Harry decided to talk to her that night after dinner. He had to find out exactly what was wrong. Plus, he missed her.

Having Sabrina as a girlfriend was a different experience for Harry. Never having had one, he suddenly found himself being bombarded with notes that smelled of a different perfume each time and that strange feeling he'd never felt before.

So, he thought with a bemused smile, this is what love feels like.

He was pretty sure the only people he'd ever loved were his parents, and he never really knew them. He had certainly never loved the Dursleys, that he could be sure of.

After dinner Harry found Hermione in the library, buried in a book entitled Early Magic In Britain. He cleared his throat as he sat down across from her.

"Hermione," he began, "why do you dislike Sabrina so much?"

Hermione sighed and put the book aside. "Harry," she said, looking him in the eye, "do you know who killed Sabrina's parents?" Harry shook his head. "No, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"It was You-Know-Who, Harry. He killed her parents. The Muggle way - with a gun that was Mr. Nyler's." Hermione bit her lip.

Harry was in shock. "When she was ten." He said slowly.

Hermione nodded. "And she's been living-"

WHAM! Something blue shot past Harry's cheek.

Harry whirled around. There was nothing there. But when he turned back to Hermione, he saw that she was on the floor, her eyes closed, breathing shallow.