A/N- This is the first chapter of Race Against Time. The end of the prologue took place one month ago. Please review!
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"Sod off Malfoy,' Hermione Granger said, while Draco Malfoy was trying to make her mad again.
"What's wrong? You don't find me charming? Many of the other girls do," Malfoy said, telling the truth. Many of the girls had started to fall for Malfoy, for he had finally grown into his body. Over the summer, he had gotten quite tan, considering how pale he usually was. He had worked out in the summer, and now was very muscular, and toned. He had grown into his scrawny body, and his face no longer was pointed.
Hermione looked him over, seeing all the new physical attributes of him that made him good-looking. "You're checking me out, Granger," he said in a drawling voice.
"I am not," she said huffily.
"You are, and you know it," he said, slapping her arse as he walked off.
"Ugh! The nerve of him!" she raged. "No sense of private territory at all!"
"Hermione, are you OK?" Harry asked, coming up next to her.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, blushing a little. "It was just Malfoy harassing me again. No big deal," she said, chuckling.
"Sometimes I just want to kill him. What'd he say?" Harry asked.
"Oh, er, nothing," she said, but then saw Harry's skeptical look on his face. "He just called me a mudblood, and stuff like that. You know, the usual," she said, plastering a fake smile on her face. She wasn't about to tell Harry that Malfoy was hitting on her. It might ruin any chances she had with Harry, because she liked him.
"I don't believe you," Harry said, seeing right through Hermione's act.
"You should. It's the truth," Hermione protested.
Harry opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted. "Very observant of you, Potter," said a drawling voice Harry could recognize anywhere.
"What did you do to Hermione?" Harry asked, his hands clenched tightly into fists.
"Protecting your girlfriend, Potter?" he asked, smirking at them. They were both transparent. It was obvious they liked each other, but neither would admit it. That was part of the reason Draco chose Hermione. She'd also blossomed over the summer. She was no longer flat-chested, or had hair that looked like something dead. It was sleek, and silky now. He just wanted to be able to run his fingers through her hair, and kiss her full lips. 'That'll happen very soon,' he told himself, grinning smugly.
"She's not my girlfriend," Harry said, and Draco saw Hermione's face fall. "We're friends," he said, and her face fell even more, she looked on the verge of tears.
"Oh well, then sorry for my mistake," Draco said to Harry. "Then you wouldn't mind if I took her?" he whispered, only loud enough for Harry to hear.
"She'd never go out with you," he spat.
"Oh really, why don't you ask her what we were doing before you came to her rescue," he said, trying to make Harry mad.
"I will," he said, a murderous look on his face, then turned to face Hermione. "Hermione, what were you and Malfoy doing before I came out?"
Her cheeks turned several shades of pink. "Noth-nothing," she stuttered, and became suddenly interested in searching for something in her bag.
"Ha! She cant even lie about that," Draco said, turning to her. "You know you were enjoying it," he said to her, and walked around to squeeze her arse again.
"Get away from her," Harry said, clutching his wand, and when Draco didn't move, he pointed it at him. "I swear I will Malfoy," he threatened.
Draco wasn't looking forward to spending time knocked out, so he took his hands off Hermione, and walked in front of her. "I'll just go then, shall I?" he said, and bent down to Hermione's face. "I'll see you later," he whispered, his mouth inches from hers. He made a move to kiss her, but then moved his mouth to her cheek, and kissed her there. "Bye Potter," he said, and walked down the corridor.
"Are you OK Hermione?" he said, rushing over to the spot where she stood, rooted to the ground.
"What?" she said stupidly.
"I asked if you were OK, after that creep had his hands all over you," Harry said, beginning to get mad.
"I'm fine," she said. "We weren't doing anything before, I swear. He was just winding you up," she said, looking Harry in the eyes.
"I know...but," he said, avoiding Hermione's eyes.
"You do believe me, don't you? I would never do anything like that with Malfoy! I hate him," she said quietly.
"You two looked pretty comfortable together. You barely even moved when he kissed you, or put his hands," he stopped. "You know."
"That's because I'm used to it!" she said loudly, and knew at once she'd said the wrong thing.
"Used to it? So you two do that all the time? Flirt like that? It's disgusting!" Harry said, very jealous of Malfoy.
"No! He does it to me. I've never returned it, I swear," she said.
"Wait till Ron hears about this," Harry muttered.
"Ron? No, Harry, please don't tell him!" she said, placing her hand on his cheek.
He shoved her hand away, saying, "I don't want filth like Malfoy all over my face."
Hermione's eyes filled with tears, and she ran down the corridor, only to be grabbed by someone, and brought into a broom closet. "Hey!" she screamed.
"Shh," replied the voice she knew all to well.
"What are you doing?" she yelled, and he placed his hand over her mouth, pulling her close to him. He looked out and saw Harry still standing there, dumbfounded. He eventually turned, and began walking Draco's way. Draco quickly brought his head back into the broom closet, and closed the door, putting a locking spell on it. Then he sound-proofed the closet, and let go of Hermione. "Finally!" she yelled, and went to open the door.
"It's locked," he said, a smile playing on his lips.
"Let me out Malfoy, or you'll be sorry," she threatened.
"Is that so?" he said, twirling his wand, then pointing at Hermione. "Accio wand!" he shouted.
"You can't take my wand!" she raged.
"I think I just did," he said, examining it.
"Taking my wand is not the way to win me over," she said menacingly.
He walked towards her, and stood so their toes were touching. "Then tell me how," he said in a intimidating tone.
She looked up at him, his eyes betraying him. They showed warmness, and passion. "You want me," she said, a smile forming on her lips.
"That is the general idea," he said, leaning closer and closer to her.
She jerked her head away when he was inches from her mouth, and he ending up placing his lips on her neck. He kissed her neck, and she knew was going to have a hickey there. Yet she still allowed him to do it. He moved his mouth up, and whispered to her. "I know you love Harry. I can see it in your eyes."
She froze, then looked at him. "No, no I don't," she protested. "And even if I did, it wouldn't matter. He just thinks of us as friends."
"He doesn't deserve you," Draco whispered, picking her head up, wrapping arms around her. "It's not his fault he doesn't see what I see. You've been under his nose for the past seven years, and he hasn't noticed what a wonderful person you are. You deserve much better than him," he repeated.
She lifted her head up, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. "I still care for him, and he's not the only one who's taken seven years to notice me. Why the sudden interest, Malfoy?" she asked.
"Fair enough. I'm guess I'm finally seeing you in a new light. All these years I knew of you as the mudblood who beat me in every class. Now, I see that you're a wonderful person, and I really want to get to know you better. You care about other people, and are able to love. I want you to show me how to," he said, half speaking the truth. 'And you're hotter than any other girl in this school,' he mentally said in his head.
"Thank you Malfoy," she whispered.
"Call me Draco. I want to hear you call me Draco," he said.
"Draco," she said looking in his eyes.
"That sounds so natural coming from you, Hermione," he said, emphasizing her name. It did feel natural to hear her speaking his name. He realized that his assignment was going to be easier than her thought. She would fall at his every move, and play right along. He wouldn't mind it either, for he was beginning to develop feelings for her. 'I can't let that happen,' he thought, knowing he would be in trouble if he did. Falling in love was not part of the plan. He needed to be able to dispose of her after he got her pregnant.
"Draco?" she asked.
"Yes?" he answered, being awakened from his bout of thought.
"Do you mean what you said?" she asked with a tone of hopefulness.
"Of course," he said, 'and I meant everything I thought, too.'
She smiled, and looked up at him. She licked her bottom lip, making Draco's body go crazy. He pulled her closer to him, so no light could pass between them. He looked in her cinnamon-brown eyes, and leaned closer to her face.
At once, their lips met and locked. Passion surged through Hermione's body, as she ran her fingers through Draco's hair. Draco had one hand tangled up in Hermione's hair, and the other was running down her back. No one had ever kissed Hermione like this, and she knew she liked it, and wanted more. Draco took his hands out of Hermione's hair, and unhooked the clip on Hermione's cloak. He pulled it over her head, and threw it to the ground. Then he loosened her tie, taking it off and tossing it to the ground next to the cloak. Hermione did the same to Draco, his green and silver tie twined with the scarlet and gold on the floor. Draco started planting kisses along her neckline, and then lower, towards her chest, unbuttoning the top two buttons on her shirt. She realized he was going a little far when his hand crept up her skirt, and she took it in her own. He moved his mouth back to hers, and they kissed like that, holding hands, for a long time.
The door swung open, and a gasp was heard. Hermione and Draco broke apart, looking flushed. "Oh my God," she whispered.
Harry looked in the closet. He saw two cloaks, and two ties on the floor. Hermione's Head Girl badge glimmered against the Prefect badge that belonged to Draco. The two ties were twisted together, and they lay forgotten on the floor.
Then his eyes looked up towards the two people staring at him. He saw Hermione with a hickey on her neck. She realized what he was staring at, and reflexively put her hand up to her neck, hiding the red mark from view. The first two buttons on her shirt were undone, and her hair was a mess. She was staring at him with her eyes wide, while Draco leaned against a wall, and triumphant smirk on his face.
"How could you?" Harry whispered to Hermione, not being able to look her in the eye.
"I don't know," she murmured. "I just...we just," she hung her head, lost for words.
"I knew it! How long have you been sneaking around with him?" Harry asked.
"This is the first time we ever, I mean, nothing's ever happened before. I promise," she said.
"I don't believe you. First Malfoy says you two were fooling around in the corridor earlier, now I come an see you and him snogging. You lied to me, Hermione. I can never trust you again," Harry said, and looked at Draco.
"And you, Malfoy! What do you want with her? You don't love her, and you never have. You'll never like her. She's way too good for you," Harry said.
"Do I have to remind you that she was just snogging me in a broom closet? You had your chance Potter, and you passed it by," Draco said, sneaking a glance at Hermione. She stood frozen, looking back and forth at Draco and Harry.
Harry was breathing heavily, apparently unable to comprehend the fact the he had walked in on Hermione and Draco having a snog-a-thon. "I don't want either of you every coming near me again. And you," he said, turning to look at Hermione. "if you even come near me again, I'll hex you. Malfoy's no good, and if you won't believe me, I don't know who'll you listen to. Ron is definitely hearing about this, so I hope a few minutes of snogging and denial was worth your oldest friends," Harry said with a look of betrayal on his face, then left, closing the door behind him.
Hermione bursted out crying, and fell to her knees, holding her head in her hands. "I've lost him, he's gone," she sobbed.
"Hermione, it's going to be OK," Draco told her. She just sobbed loudly, and more tears came pouring out of her eyes like waterfalls. "We'll get through together."
She looked up at Draco, and threw herself on him. "Oh Draco," she cried. "I don't know what to do. I don't want to lose Harry and Ron. I still love Harry, and I don't blame him for the way he acted," she said, not thinking.
"Gee, thanks Hermione. If a Slytherin ever catches us like that, I'll know not to blame them because you're a mud, muggle- born," he said, catching himself before he said mudblood.
"Sorry," she wailed. "I can't get over the fact that I've lost my first two real friends."
He was starting to see where she was coming from. It had always been Ron, Harry and Hermione. The Dream Team. Never saw one of them without the other two. Now, it'll just be the two musketeers. He felt pity flit threw his stomach, but then it was gone. He had no feelings for this girl. She was just a tool for him to get closer to the Dark Lord. Wasn't she? 'But you like her,' a voice in the back of his said. 'Never,' he answered back, squashing the voice in the back of his head.
"We'll get through this Hermione, I promise. We'll stick together," he said, picking her head up.
"Is that a promise?" she asked apprehensively.
"Yes, I promise we'll stick together forever and always," he answered, hugging her tightly as she cried against his chest. 'Give me a week, and the the Dark Lord will be rewarding me,' he thought.
¤Up in the Gryffindor Tower
"You swear you saw her and Malfoy kissing?" Ron asked Harry tentatively. Harry had just told Ron what had happened down in the corridor, and was just getting to the part when he walked in on them.
"My eyes are working perfectly fine! I went looking for Hermione after our argument, and I couldn't find her anywhere. I looked for half an hour, and then saw the broom closet. I tried opening it, but it was locked. I listened for noises, but there were none. I used the Alohomora spell, and when I opened it, I saw Hermione up against a wall, with Malfoy leaning against her. They were kissing and holding hands. Their cloaks and ties were on the floor, and Hermione's shirt was unbuttoned at the top," Harry said, recalling something he wanted to permanently erase from his memory. "She had a huge hickey on her neck too."
"Wow," was all Ron said.
"This worst part is that I was looking for her to tell her how I feel about her. Malfoy got there first though," Harry said dejectedly.
"I can't believe she'd do that. Are you sure she wasn't under some spell? Malfoy didn't drug her did he?" Ron asked, not wanting to believe what Harry had told him. Had Hermione forgotten all theses times Malfoy hurt her, and made fun of her? Was she blind?
"She seemed fine to me. All content and happy with Malfoy," Harry said.
"What happened when she saw you?" Ron asked.
"She and Malfoy broke apart, she said she didn't know what she was doing. She said this was the first time they'd even done anything. I don't believe her though, you should've seen the way he touched her out in the corridor. His hands were everywhere and she barely flinched! The she said she was used to it!" Harry spat.
"I know, you already told me," Ron said, but Harry wasn't listening.
"Then Malfoy was standing there with this triumphant look on his face that was screaming 'I beat you Potter, I got there first, and now she's mine.' He said I'd had my chance, but I'd passed it by. I guess he's right about that."
"Harry, nothing Malfoy says is right. You didn't miss your chance, believe me. It'll take a lot more than snogging to make Hermione fall out of love with you," Ron said, then covered his mouth, knowing he said something he shouldn't have.
"What did you say?" Harry asked.
"Nofing," Ron said, his hand still covering his mouth.
"You said she loved me, didn't you?" Harry asked.
"I don't know," he said, and shrugged with a innocent smile on his face.
"She loved me, she actually loved me back. Oh bugger, what have I done?" Harry said, putting his head in his hands.
"She still does. Harry, she's loved you since fourth year. It's going to take a lot more than one afternoon to change that, as I already told you. She was upset with you, so she's using Malfoy to make you jealous. It's pretty obvious," Ron said.
"How do you know?" You weren't even there," Harry said,
"Yeah, but you pretty much called her filth. That would qualify as making her mad," Ron told him.
"What? I never said that!" Harry said, remembering perfectly well that he had.
"You said, and I quote, 'I don't want filth like Malfoy all over my face,'" Ron said.
"Maybe I did say that, so what?"
"You were jealous. Get over it. You need to talk to Hermione, other wise you'll lose her to Malfoy. She's already developed something for him, she wouldn't just go snog any old guy if you make her mad. Get her back before Malfoy can get to her," Ron said.
"She probably hates me. She'll never forgive me," Harry said grievously.
"You never know. Would you rather her fall in love with someone who just wants her for her body, or someone who's loved her for years?" Ron asked. "I for one would rather see her with someone who loves her for her, and not her body."
"I can't talk to her. Maybe someday I will, but I just can't right now," Harry said, looking up at Ron.
"Fine, it's your decision, you can ruin your life, but do me a favor, and don't let Malfoy ruin Hermione's," Ron said, and went up the stairs to the dorms.
Harry sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "What have I done?" he asked out loud, and a tear escaped his eye. Then the common room door swung open, and Hermione came walking through it. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and she had a far-off look in her eyes. She could barely carry herself as she walked towards her chair in front of the fire. She seemed to not notice him, or she was ignoring him. Her eyes didn't meet his once.
"Hermione?" Ron asked from the landing at the top of the stairs.
She whipped her head around, looking shocked and scared. "Ron?" she asked quietly.
Harry just then remembered what he had told Hermione about Ron. About how he'd hate her. "Bugger," he said, smacking himself on the head.
She gasped, then slowly turned around to look at Harry. Her eyes widened and filled with tears once again. She looked at Ron, then at Harry, and got up and ran to a painting of a little boy climbing tree. "Godric," she said quietly, and the portrait swung open, revealing her room for a split second before she hurried into it, closing the door behind her. Being the Head Girl, she got her own room, which connected to the Head Boy's, and the Head Boy was Terry Boot from Ravenclaw.
"Why won't she talk to me?" Ron asked.
"Er...I kind of told her you'd hate her after I told you what happened," Harry answered dimly.
"You did what? Since when are we one person? What else did you say?"
"I told her I'd hex her if she came near me, and I told her she lost her first two friends," Harry responded, looking sorry.
"So she may hate me now? She may never go near me again?" Ron said angrily. "You messed up big this time Harry, and it's up to you to fix it," he said, and went into the dorm.
Harry sighed. "I guess I did mess up, but how do I fix it?" he said to an empty room.
"What happened?" ask a young boy's voice.
Harry turned around and saw that the picture of young Godric Gryffindor was staring back at him. "Did you say something?" Harry asked it.
"I asked what happened," Gryffindor asked.
"Why? Didn't you hear?" Harry asked, surely Godric had heard the whole thing.
"I guess, but I didn't understand," said the young boy.
Harry laughed. "You wouldn't. It's about girls."
"Girls? Eew they have cooties! Don't go near them, or else you'll get them too!" the picture replied. Godric must've been seven or eight in the picture.
"Well, some of them are OK. You know the room you're guarding? A girl lives there," Harry said, though it pained him to think of Hermione.
"Yeah, I know. She's very pretty, and she reminds me of my sister," Godric answered.
"You had a sister?" Harry asked. He'd never known that.
"Um, I have a sister. She always bugs me though. She's eleven," he said.
"What's her name?" Harry questioned. He was enjoying this conversation with the 8-year-old.
"Gabrielle Gryffindor. She's in love with a boy," he said in a sing-song voice.
"What boy?" Harry inquired. He didn't care that this happened thousands of years ago, he just needed a conversation going.
"Salazar Slytherin," Godric said, and Harry's jaw dropped. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just go on," Harry told him. Maybe Gabrielle Gryffindor was part of the reason Salazar hated Godric so much.
"I don't like him. He's always making fun of me, calling me little and stuff. But I'm not little," he said, gathering himself up, looking proud. "My mommy says I'm a big, growing boy. She says I'll be bigger than Salazar someday. I can't wait until then. Salazar also called me a baby, but I'm eight years old! I think Salazar needs glasses like yours," Godric said, pointing to Harry's glasses. "Gabrielle said she can't help falling in love with a bad boy. She doesn't stick up for me either," he said, looking hurt. "'I don't want to ruin my chances with him,'" she says.
Harry stared at the eight-year-old Godric Gryffindor who looked very sad. "I'm sure it's just a little thing. She'll like another boy someday," Harry reassured Godric.
"No, she keeps going on about how she's going to marry Salazar. He's only twelve years old, and my sister's only eleven! But she says she won't marry anyone except Salazar, and she'll die before marrying anyone else. She doesn't love me anymore. She only loves Salazar and no one else," said the little boy who had started crying.
"Have you ever talked to her about Salazar?" Harry asked, amazed at all this new information. Hermione would be so excited when she heard this. 'But,' Harry remembered, 'she's never speaking to me again.'
"I've tried, but she tells me to go away and leave her alone. She says she doesn't want some annoying little brother bothering her."
"Try again, you should never give up," Harry said, not realizing what he had told Gryffindor was what he should be telling himself.
"I guess," Godric answered dispiritedly.
"You never said, does Salazar love your sister back?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. I think he might, but he might be pretending. He plays make-believe very well," Godric replied.
Harry nodded, thinking hard. "Do you have a special girl in your life?" he asked Godric.
"Most of the girls have cooties, but there is one girl..."Godric said, a smile coming onto his face.
"What's her name?" Harry asked.
"You wouldn't know her, but her name is Rowena. Rowena Ravenclaw," he said, smiling wide now.
"Really? I've heard of her. Tell me, is she really smart?" Harry asked, making sure this was the right Rowena.
"Yes, she's the smartest one in school. She's 10, and very pretty," he said, blushing slightly.
Harry remembered back in his mind, seeing a picture of the four founders. Rowena had, indeed, been pretty. "I bet she is," Harry said to Godric.
"Yeah, she has curly brown hair and brown eyes. She's got brown things on her face, too," he said.
"Brown things?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, little light brown dots on her face," Godric returned.
"You mean freckles?" Harry said. Perhaps, he had not heard of freckles.
"Is that what they're called? I've never heard them being called that before," Godric said, a curious look on his face.
"Yes, that's what they're called," Harry, trying not to laugh at the boy. He was so small, Harry knew why Salazar made fun of him.
Somebody suddenly appeared in the frame with Godric. "Hello Helga, what are you doing here?" Godric said, turning to look at the girl next to him. She had strawberry blonde hair, and tight curls that bounced when she walked.
"Hi Godric, I just came to visit. Who's this?" she said, pointing at Harry through the frame.
"I don't know, actually. Some boy who I've been talking to. What's your name?" Godric asked.
"Harry Potter," he said, expecting their eyes to look at his forehead. Then he remembered that they had no idea who Voldemort was, or that Salazar was going to turn evil.
"Oh what's that on your head?" Helga said, pointing at his scar.
"This? It's a scar," he answered.
"But it's shaped like a lightning bolt," she persisted.
"It's a special scar," Harry said.
"How'd you get it?" Godric asked. They, being only little, didn't know about dark arts, or evil.
"I got it when I was little. Somebody, er, cast a spell that went wrong," he answered, praying they knew they weren't muggles.
"A spell? What one?" Helga asked, staring at it.
"Er...I don't know. I was only a little boy when it happened," he lied.
"Oh, OK," Helga answered, then turned and looked around.
"She doesn't know many spells yet. She just learned she was a witch," Godric whispered to Harry. "You find out when you turn 7, and she turned 7 a few months ago."
"I see," said Harry. "You know, we find out when we're eleven now."
"Really? But that's so old to be starting magic," Godric said, looking suspicious.
"It's true. I don't know why though," Harry said, shrugging.
"So where's Rowena?" Godric asked Helga.
"She's sleeping. And Salazar has a visitor. I bet you know who it is," Helga said, raising her eyebrows.
"Let me guess, Gabrielle?" Godric said, sighing.
"Right in one," Helga said. "I heard my mommy say that to my daddy," Helga whispered to Harry. "I thought it sounded grown-up," she said, a successful smile on her face.
"So Gabrielle left the family portrait again to go see Salazar?"
"Looks like it. He seemed a little bored though. You better tell your sister she's boring Salazar," Helga pointed out.
"She won't like that," he said glumly.
"Probably not," Harry said, and seeing the look on Godric's face said, "but it's worth a shot, eh?"
"I guess," he replied. "Helga, how long has Rowena been asleep?"
"I don't know, but Godric, it's night out. She'll be asleep till morning," she said.
"Oh yeah. Speaking of sleep, I think I'm going to get some. You might want to go back to your frame Helga," Godric told her.
"OK, goodnight Godric," she said, then continued, "Bye Harry Potter, and should you ever talk to Godric again, make sure he comes to get me, OK?"
"Er, I'll try. Bye Helga," Harry said, waving to the retreating figure.
She waved back and then paused. "By the way, my surname is Hufflepuff," she said, and disappeared.
"She seems nice," Harry said to Godric.
"She is, but she's always here," he answered, looking a little annoyed.
"I bet she likes you," Harry taunted.
"No, we're friends. She's one of my best friends," he said. "I'm to bed, night Harry," Godric said, closing his eyes, and falling asleep quickly.
Harry stretched, then said, "Sleep sounds very good to me." He went up to his dorm, thinking about the conversation he just had with Godric. 'I'm going to go looking for a teenage Godric tomorrow, maybe I can find out more about Gabrielle and Slytherin,' he thought to himself, and climbed into bed.
"Harry?" someone whispered through the dark.
"Yeah?"
"Are you and Ron in some kind of fight?" Neville asked.
"Did he tell you that?" Harry groaned.
"No, but it seemed like it. He kept muttering stuff under his breath," Neville said.
"Like what?"
"God dammit, Harry. How could you do that? I don't believe you," Neville said, quoting Ron.
"Is that all?" Harry asked, wondering if Ron had said anything about Hermione.
"No, he said some stuff like 'I can't believe her either, Malfoy that scum.'"
"So he's mad at Hermione, too," Harry said a bit too brightly.
"Is that a good thing?" Neville asked.
"Oh, no. Of course not," Harry said, fighting a smile.
"Are you three in some kind of fight?"
"Ugh, sort of. It's kind of private," Harry told Neville.
"Ron was making no point to keep his voice down," Neville said.
"Well, maybe he didn't know anyone was eavesdropping on him," Harry said, beginning to get annoyed.
"Well God, sorry. Didn't know it was a crime to be in your own dorm," he retorted.
Harry sighed then replied, "sorry Neville. I shouldn't of snapped. I'm just in a bad mood."
"I noticed," he said coldly.
"I'm just going to go to sleep," Harry said.
"Best idea you've had all night," Ron said, and turned over so he wasn't facing Harry.
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A/N- Please review! It will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
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"Sod off Malfoy,' Hermione Granger said, while Draco Malfoy was trying to make her mad again.
"What's wrong? You don't find me charming? Many of the other girls do," Malfoy said, telling the truth. Many of the girls had started to fall for Malfoy, for he had finally grown into his body. Over the summer, he had gotten quite tan, considering how pale he usually was. He had worked out in the summer, and now was very muscular, and toned. He had grown into his scrawny body, and his face no longer was pointed.
Hermione looked him over, seeing all the new physical attributes of him that made him good-looking. "You're checking me out, Granger," he said in a drawling voice.
"I am not," she said huffily.
"You are, and you know it," he said, slapping her arse as he walked off.
"Ugh! The nerve of him!" she raged. "No sense of private territory at all!"
"Hermione, are you OK?" Harry asked, coming up next to her.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, blushing a little. "It was just Malfoy harassing me again. No big deal," she said, chuckling.
"Sometimes I just want to kill him. What'd he say?" Harry asked.
"Oh, er, nothing," she said, but then saw Harry's skeptical look on his face. "He just called me a mudblood, and stuff like that. You know, the usual," she said, plastering a fake smile on her face. She wasn't about to tell Harry that Malfoy was hitting on her. It might ruin any chances she had with Harry, because she liked him.
"I don't believe you," Harry said, seeing right through Hermione's act.
"You should. It's the truth," Hermione protested.
Harry opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted. "Very observant of you, Potter," said a drawling voice Harry could recognize anywhere.
"What did you do to Hermione?" Harry asked, his hands clenched tightly into fists.
"Protecting your girlfriend, Potter?" he asked, smirking at them. They were both transparent. It was obvious they liked each other, but neither would admit it. That was part of the reason Draco chose Hermione. She'd also blossomed over the summer. She was no longer flat-chested, or had hair that looked like something dead. It was sleek, and silky now. He just wanted to be able to run his fingers through her hair, and kiss her full lips. 'That'll happen very soon,' he told himself, grinning smugly.
"She's not my girlfriend," Harry said, and Draco saw Hermione's face fall. "We're friends," he said, and her face fell even more, she looked on the verge of tears.
"Oh well, then sorry for my mistake," Draco said to Harry. "Then you wouldn't mind if I took her?" he whispered, only loud enough for Harry to hear.
"She'd never go out with you," he spat.
"Oh really, why don't you ask her what we were doing before you came to her rescue," he said, trying to make Harry mad.
"I will," he said, a murderous look on his face, then turned to face Hermione. "Hermione, what were you and Malfoy doing before I came out?"
Her cheeks turned several shades of pink. "Noth-nothing," she stuttered, and became suddenly interested in searching for something in her bag.
"Ha! She cant even lie about that," Draco said, turning to her. "You know you were enjoying it," he said to her, and walked around to squeeze her arse again.
"Get away from her," Harry said, clutching his wand, and when Draco didn't move, he pointed it at him. "I swear I will Malfoy," he threatened.
Draco wasn't looking forward to spending time knocked out, so he took his hands off Hermione, and walked in front of her. "I'll just go then, shall I?" he said, and bent down to Hermione's face. "I'll see you later," he whispered, his mouth inches from hers. He made a move to kiss her, but then moved his mouth to her cheek, and kissed her there. "Bye Potter," he said, and walked down the corridor.
"Are you OK Hermione?" he said, rushing over to the spot where she stood, rooted to the ground.
"What?" she said stupidly.
"I asked if you were OK, after that creep had his hands all over you," Harry said, beginning to get mad.
"I'm fine," she said. "We weren't doing anything before, I swear. He was just winding you up," she said, looking Harry in the eyes.
"I know...but," he said, avoiding Hermione's eyes.
"You do believe me, don't you? I would never do anything like that with Malfoy! I hate him," she said quietly.
"You two looked pretty comfortable together. You barely even moved when he kissed you, or put his hands," he stopped. "You know."
"That's because I'm used to it!" she said loudly, and knew at once she'd said the wrong thing.
"Used to it? So you two do that all the time? Flirt like that? It's disgusting!" Harry said, very jealous of Malfoy.
"No! He does it to me. I've never returned it, I swear," she said.
"Wait till Ron hears about this," Harry muttered.
"Ron? No, Harry, please don't tell him!" she said, placing her hand on his cheek.
He shoved her hand away, saying, "I don't want filth like Malfoy all over my face."
Hermione's eyes filled with tears, and she ran down the corridor, only to be grabbed by someone, and brought into a broom closet. "Hey!" she screamed.
"Shh," replied the voice she knew all to well.
"What are you doing?" she yelled, and he placed his hand over her mouth, pulling her close to him. He looked out and saw Harry still standing there, dumbfounded. He eventually turned, and began walking Draco's way. Draco quickly brought his head back into the broom closet, and closed the door, putting a locking spell on it. Then he sound-proofed the closet, and let go of Hermione. "Finally!" she yelled, and went to open the door.
"It's locked," he said, a smile playing on his lips.
"Let me out Malfoy, or you'll be sorry," she threatened.
"Is that so?" he said, twirling his wand, then pointing at Hermione. "Accio wand!" he shouted.
"You can't take my wand!" she raged.
"I think I just did," he said, examining it.
"Taking my wand is not the way to win me over," she said menacingly.
He walked towards her, and stood so their toes were touching. "Then tell me how," he said in a intimidating tone.
She looked up at him, his eyes betraying him. They showed warmness, and passion. "You want me," she said, a smile forming on her lips.
"That is the general idea," he said, leaning closer and closer to her.
She jerked her head away when he was inches from her mouth, and he ending up placing his lips on her neck. He kissed her neck, and she knew was going to have a hickey there. Yet she still allowed him to do it. He moved his mouth up, and whispered to her. "I know you love Harry. I can see it in your eyes."
She froze, then looked at him. "No, no I don't," she protested. "And even if I did, it wouldn't matter. He just thinks of us as friends."
"He doesn't deserve you," Draco whispered, picking her head up, wrapping arms around her. "It's not his fault he doesn't see what I see. You've been under his nose for the past seven years, and he hasn't noticed what a wonderful person you are. You deserve much better than him," he repeated.
She lifted her head up, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. "I still care for him, and he's not the only one who's taken seven years to notice me. Why the sudden interest, Malfoy?" she asked.
"Fair enough. I'm guess I'm finally seeing you in a new light. All these years I knew of you as the mudblood who beat me in every class. Now, I see that you're a wonderful person, and I really want to get to know you better. You care about other people, and are able to love. I want you to show me how to," he said, half speaking the truth. 'And you're hotter than any other girl in this school,' he mentally said in his head.
"Thank you Malfoy," she whispered.
"Call me Draco. I want to hear you call me Draco," he said.
"Draco," she said looking in his eyes.
"That sounds so natural coming from you, Hermione," he said, emphasizing her name. It did feel natural to hear her speaking his name. He realized that his assignment was going to be easier than her thought. She would fall at his every move, and play right along. He wouldn't mind it either, for he was beginning to develop feelings for her. 'I can't let that happen,' he thought, knowing he would be in trouble if he did. Falling in love was not part of the plan. He needed to be able to dispose of her after he got her pregnant.
"Draco?" she asked.
"Yes?" he answered, being awakened from his bout of thought.
"Do you mean what you said?" she asked with a tone of hopefulness.
"Of course," he said, 'and I meant everything I thought, too.'
She smiled, and looked up at him. She licked her bottom lip, making Draco's body go crazy. He pulled her closer to him, so no light could pass between them. He looked in her cinnamon-brown eyes, and leaned closer to her face.
At once, their lips met and locked. Passion surged through Hermione's body, as she ran her fingers through Draco's hair. Draco had one hand tangled up in Hermione's hair, and the other was running down her back. No one had ever kissed Hermione like this, and she knew she liked it, and wanted more. Draco took his hands out of Hermione's hair, and unhooked the clip on Hermione's cloak. He pulled it over her head, and threw it to the ground. Then he loosened her tie, taking it off and tossing it to the ground next to the cloak. Hermione did the same to Draco, his green and silver tie twined with the scarlet and gold on the floor. Draco started planting kisses along her neckline, and then lower, towards her chest, unbuttoning the top two buttons on her shirt. She realized he was going a little far when his hand crept up her skirt, and she took it in her own. He moved his mouth back to hers, and they kissed like that, holding hands, for a long time.
The door swung open, and a gasp was heard. Hermione and Draco broke apart, looking flushed. "Oh my God," she whispered.
Harry looked in the closet. He saw two cloaks, and two ties on the floor. Hermione's Head Girl badge glimmered against the Prefect badge that belonged to Draco. The two ties were twisted together, and they lay forgotten on the floor.
Then his eyes looked up towards the two people staring at him. He saw Hermione with a hickey on her neck. She realized what he was staring at, and reflexively put her hand up to her neck, hiding the red mark from view. The first two buttons on her shirt were undone, and her hair was a mess. She was staring at him with her eyes wide, while Draco leaned against a wall, and triumphant smirk on his face.
"How could you?" Harry whispered to Hermione, not being able to look her in the eye.
"I don't know," she murmured. "I just...we just," she hung her head, lost for words.
"I knew it! How long have you been sneaking around with him?" Harry asked.
"This is the first time we ever, I mean, nothing's ever happened before. I promise," she said.
"I don't believe you. First Malfoy says you two were fooling around in the corridor earlier, now I come an see you and him snogging. You lied to me, Hermione. I can never trust you again," Harry said, and looked at Draco.
"And you, Malfoy! What do you want with her? You don't love her, and you never have. You'll never like her. She's way too good for you," Harry said.
"Do I have to remind you that she was just snogging me in a broom closet? You had your chance Potter, and you passed it by," Draco said, sneaking a glance at Hermione. She stood frozen, looking back and forth at Draco and Harry.
Harry was breathing heavily, apparently unable to comprehend the fact the he had walked in on Hermione and Draco having a snog-a-thon. "I don't want either of you every coming near me again. And you," he said, turning to look at Hermione. "if you even come near me again, I'll hex you. Malfoy's no good, and if you won't believe me, I don't know who'll you listen to. Ron is definitely hearing about this, so I hope a few minutes of snogging and denial was worth your oldest friends," Harry said with a look of betrayal on his face, then left, closing the door behind him.
Hermione bursted out crying, and fell to her knees, holding her head in her hands. "I've lost him, he's gone," she sobbed.
"Hermione, it's going to be OK," Draco told her. She just sobbed loudly, and more tears came pouring out of her eyes like waterfalls. "We'll get through together."
She looked up at Draco, and threw herself on him. "Oh Draco," she cried. "I don't know what to do. I don't want to lose Harry and Ron. I still love Harry, and I don't blame him for the way he acted," she said, not thinking.
"Gee, thanks Hermione. If a Slytherin ever catches us like that, I'll know not to blame them because you're a mud, muggle- born," he said, catching himself before he said mudblood.
"Sorry," she wailed. "I can't get over the fact that I've lost my first two real friends."
He was starting to see where she was coming from. It had always been Ron, Harry and Hermione. The Dream Team. Never saw one of them without the other two. Now, it'll just be the two musketeers. He felt pity flit threw his stomach, but then it was gone. He had no feelings for this girl. She was just a tool for him to get closer to the Dark Lord. Wasn't she? 'But you like her,' a voice in the back of his said. 'Never,' he answered back, squashing the voice in the back of his head.
"We'll get through this Hermione, I promise. We'll stick together," he said, picking her head up.
"Is that a promise?" she asked apprehensively.
"Yes, I promise we'll stick together forever and always," he answered, hugging her tightly as she cried against his chest. 'Give me a week, and the the Dark Lord will be rewarding me,' he thought.
¤Up in the Gryffindor Tower
"You swear you saw her and Malfoy kissing?" Ron asked Harry tentatively. Harry had just told Ron what had happened down in the corridor, and was just getting to the part when he walked in on them.
"My eyes are working perfectly fine! I went looking for Hermione after our argument, and I couldn't find her anywhere. I looked for half an hour, and then saw the broom closet. I tried opening it, but it was locked. I listened for noises, but there were none. I used the Alohomora spell, and when I opened it, I saw Hermione up against a wall, with Malfoy leaning against her. They were kissing and holding hands. Their cloaks and ties were on the floor, and Hermione's shirt was unbuttoned at the top," Harry said, recalling something he wanted to permanently erase from his memory. "She had a huge hickey on her neck too."
"Wow," was all Ron said.
"This worst part is that I was looking for her to tell her how I feel about her. Malfoy got there first though," Harry said dejectedly.
"I can't believe she'd do that. Are you sure she wasn't under some spell? Malfoy didn't drug her did he?" Ron asked, not wanting to believe what Harry had told him. Had Hermione forgotten all theses times Malfoy hurt her, and made fun of her? Was she blind?
"She seemed fine to me. All content and happy with Malfoy," Harry said.
"What happened when she saw you?" Ron asked.
"She and Malfoy broke apart, she said she didn't know what she was doing. She said this was the first time they'd even done anything. I don't believe her though, you should've seen the way he touched her out in the corridor. His hands were everywhere and she barely flinched! The she said she was used to it!" Harry spat.
"I know, you already told me," Ron said, but Harry wasn't listening.
"Then Malfoy was standing there with this triumphant look on his face that was screaming 'I beat you Potter, I got there first, and now she's mine.' He said I'd had my chance, but I'd passed it by. I guess he's right about that."
"Harry, nothing Malfoy says is right. You didn't miss your chance, believe me. It'll take a lot more than snogging to make Hermione fall out of love with you," Ron said, then covered his mouth, knowing he said something he shouldn't have.
"What did you say?" Harry asked.
"Nofing," Ron said, his hand still covering his mouth.
"You said she loved me, didn't you?" Harry asked.
"I don't know," he said, and shrugged with a innocent smile on his face.
"She loved me, she actually loved me back. Oh bugger, what have I done?" Harry said, putting his head in his hands.
"She still does. Harry, she's loved you since fourth year. It's going to take a lot more than one afternoon to change that, as I already told you. She was upset with you, so she's using Malfoy to make you jealous. It's pretty obvious," Ron said.
"How do you know?" You weren't even there," Harry said,
"Yeah, but you pretty much called her filth. That would qualify as making her mad," Ron told him.
"What? I never said that!" Harry said, remembering perfectly well that he had.
"You said, and I quote, 'I don't want filth like Malfoy all over my face,'" Ron said.
"Maybe I did say that, so what?"
"You were jealous. Get over it. You need to talk to Hermione, other wise you'll lose her to Malfoy. She's already developed something for him, she wouldn't just go snog any old guy if you make her mad. Get her back before Malfoy can get to her," Ron said.
"She probably hates me. She'll never forgive me," Harry said grievously.
"You never know. Would you rather her fall in love with someone who just wants her for her body, or someone who's loved her for years?" Ron asked. "I for one would rather see her with someone who loves her for her, and not her body."
"I can't talk to her. Maybe someday I will, but I just can't right now," Harry said, looking up at Ron.
"Fine, it's your decision, you can ruin your life, but do me a favor, and don't let Malfoy ruin Hermione's," Ron said, and went up the stairs to the dorms.
Harry sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "What have I done?" he asked out loud, and a tear escaped his eye. Then the common room door swung open, and Hermione came walking through it. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and she had a far-off look in her eyes. She could barely carry herself as she walked towards her chair in front of the fire. She seemed to not notice him, or she was ignoring him. Her eyes didn't meet his once.
"Hermione?" Ron asked from the landing at the top of the stairs.
She whipped her head around, looking shocked and scared. "Ron?" she asked quietly.
Harry just then remembered what he had told Hermione about Ron. About how he'd hate her. "Bugger," he said, smacking himself on the head.
She gasped, then slowly turned around to look at Harry. Her eyes widened and filled with tears once again. She looked at Ron, then at Harry, and got up and ran to a painting of a little boy climbing tree. "Godric," she said quietly, and the portrait swung open, revealing her room for a split second before she hurried into it, closing the door behind her. Being the Head Girl, she got her own room, which connected to the Head Boy's, and the Head Boy was Terry Boot from Ravenclaw.
"Why won't she talk to me?" Ron asked.
"Er...I kind of told her you'd hate her after I told you what happened," Harry answered dimly.
"You did what? Since when are we one person? What else did you say?"
"I told her I'd hex her if she came near me, and I told her she lost her first two friends," Harry responded, looking sorry.
"So she may hate me now? She may never go near me again?" Ron said angrily. "You messed up big this time Harry, and it's up to you to fix it," he said, and went into the dorm.
Harry sighed. "I guess I did mess up, but how do I fix it?" he said to an empty room.
"What happened?" ask a young boy's voice.
Harry turned around and saw that the picture of young Godric Gryffindor was staring back at him. "Did you say something?" Harry asked it.
"I asked what happened," Gryffindor asked.
"Why? Didn't you hear?" Harry asked, surely Godric had heard the whole thing.
"I guess, but I didn't understand," said the young boy.
Harry laughed. "You wouldn't. It's about girls."
"Girls? Eew they have cooties! Don't go near them, or else you'll get them too!" the picture replied. Godric must've been seven or eight in the picture.
"Well, some of them are OK. You know the room you're guarding? A girl lives there," Harry said, though it pained him to think of Hermione.
"Yeah, I know. She's very pretty, and she reminds me of my sister," Godric answered.
"You had a sister?" Harry asked. He'd never known that.
"Um, I have a sister. She always bugs me though. She's eleven," he said.
"What's her name?" Harry questioned. He was enjoying this conversation with the 8-year-old.
"Gabrielle Gryffindor. She's in love with a boy," he said in a sing-song voice.
"What boy?" Harry inquired. He didn't care that this happened thousands of years ago, he just needed a conversation going.
"Salazar Slytherin," Godric said, and Harry's jaw dropped. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just go on," Harry told him. Maybe Gabrielle Gryffindor was part of the reason Salazar hated Godric so much.
"I don't like him. He's always making fun of me, calling me little and stuff. But I'm not little," he said, gathering himself up, looking proud. "My mommy says I'm a big, growing boy. She says I'll be bigger than Salazar someday. I can't wait until then. Salazar also called me a baby, but I'm eight years old! I think Salazar needs glasses like yours," Godric said, pointing to Harry's glasses. "Gabrielle said she can't help falling in love with a bad boy. She doesn't stick up for me either," he said, looking hurt. "'I don't want to ruin my chances with him,'" she says.
Harry stared at the eight-year-old Godric Gryffindor who looked very sad. "I'm sure it's just a little thing. She'll like another boy someday," Harry reassured Godric.
"No, she keeps going on about how she's going to marry Salazar. He's only twelve years old, and my sister's only eleven! But she says she won't marry anyone except Salazar, and she'll die before marrying anyone else. She doesn't love me anymore. She only loves Salazar and no one else," said the little boy who had started crying.
"Have you ever talked to her about Salazar?" Harry asked, amazed at all this new information. Hermione would be so excited when she heard this. 'But,' Harry remembered, 'she's never speaking to me again.'
"I've tried, but she tells me to go away and leave her alone. She says she doesn't want some annoying little brother bothering her."
"Try again, you should never give up," Harry said, not realizing what he had told Gryffindor was what he should be telling himself.
"I guess," Godric answered dispiritedly.
"You never said, does Salazar love your sister back?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. I think he might, but he might be pretending. He plays make-believe very well," Godric replied.
Harry nodded, thinking hard. "Do you have a special girl in your life?" he asked Godric.
"Most of the girls have cooties, but there is one girl..."Godric said, a smile coming onto his face.
"What's her name?" Harry asked.
"You wouldn't know her, but her name is Rowena. Rowena Ravenclaw," he said, smiling wide now.
"Really? I've heard of her. Tell me, is she really smart?" Harry asked, making sure this was the right Rowena.
"Yes, she's the smartest one in school. She's 10, and very pretty," he said, blushing slightly.
Harry remembered back in his mind, seeing a picture of the four founders. Rowena had, indeed, been pretty. "I bet she is," Harry said to Godric.
"Yeah, she has curly brown hair and brown eyes. She's got brown things on her face, too," he said.
"Brown things?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, little light brown dots on her face," Godric returned.
"You mean freckles?" Harry said. Perhaps, he had not heard of freckles.
"Is that what they're called? I've never heard them being called that before," Godric said, a curious look on his face.
"Yes, that's what they're called," Harry, trying not to laugh at the boy. He was so small, Harry knew why Salazar made fun of him.
Somebody suddenly appeared in the frame with Godric. "Hello Helga, what are you doing here?" Godric said, turning to look at the girl next to him. She had strawberry blonde hair, and tight curls that bounced when she walked.
"Hi Godric, I just came to visit. Who's this?" she said, pointing at Harry through the frame.
"I don't know, actually. Some boy who I've been talking to. What's your name?" Godric asked.
"Harry Potter," he said, expecting their eyes to look at his forehead. Then he remembered that they had no idea who Voldemort was, or that Salazar was going to turn evil.
"Oh what's that on your head?" Helga said, pointing at his scar.
"This? It's a scar," he answered.
"But it's shaped like a lightning bolt," she persisted.
"It's a special scar," Harry said.
"How'd you get it?" Godric asked. They, being only little, didn't know about dark arts, or evil.
"I got it when I was little. Somebody, er, cast a spell that went wrong," he answered, praying they knew they weren't muggles.
"A spell? What one?" Helga asked, staring at it.
"Er...I don't know. I was only a little boy when it happened," he lied.
"Oh, OK," Helga answered, then turned and looked around.
"She doesn't know many spells yet. She just learned she was a witch," Godric whispered to Harry. "You find out when you turn 7, and she turned 7 a few months ago."
"I see," said Harry. "You know, we find out when we're eleven now."
"Really? But that's so old to be starting magic," Godric said, looking suspicious.
"It's true. I don't know why though," Harry said, shrugging.
"So where's Rowena?" Godric asked Helga.
"She's sleeping. And Salazar has a visitor. I bet you know who it is," Helga said, raising her eyebrows.
"Let me guess, Gabrielle?" Godric said, sighing.
"Right in one," Helga said. "I heard my mommy say that to my daddy," Helga whispered to Harry. "I thought it sounded grown-up," she said, a successful smile on her face.
"So Gabrielle left the family portrait again to go see Salazar?"
"Looks like it. He seemed a little bored though. You better tell your sister she's boring Salazar," Helga pointed out.
"She won't like that," he said glumly.
"Probably not," Harry said, and seeing the look on Godric's face said, "but it's worth a shot, eh?"
"I guess," he replied. "Helga, how long has Rowena been asleep?"
"I don't know, but Godric, it's night out. She'll be asleep till morning," she said.
"Oh yeah. Speaking of sleep, I think I'm going to get some. You might want to go back to your frame Helga," Godric told her.
"OK, goodnight Godric," she said, then continued, "Bye Harry Potter, and should you ever talk to Godric again, make sure he comes to get me, OK?"
"Er, I'll try. Bye Helga," Harry said, waving to the retreating figure.
She waved back and then paused. "By the way, my surname is Hufflepuff," she said, and disappeared.
"She seems nice," Harry said to Godric.
"She is, but she's always here," he answered, looking a little annoyed.
"I bet she likes you," Harry taunted.
"No, we're friends. She's one of my best friends," he said. "I'm to bed, night Harry," Godric said, closing his eyes, and falling asleep quickly.
Harry stretched, then said, "Sleep sounds very good to me." He went up to his dorm, thinking about the conversation he just had with Godric. 'I'm going to go looking for a teenage Godric tomorrow, maybe I can find out more about Gabrielle and Slytherin,' he thought to himself, and climbed into bed.
"Harry?" someone whispered through the dark.
"Yeah?"
"Are you and Ron in some kind of fight?" Neville asked.
"Did he tell you that?" Harry groaned.
"No, but it seemed like it. He kept muttering stuff under his breath," Neville said.
"Like what?"
"God dammit, Harry. How could you do that? I don't believe you," Neville said, quoting Ron.
"Is that all?" Harry asked, wondering if Ron had said anything about Hermione.
"No, he said some stuff like 'I can't believe her either, Malfoy that scum.'"
"So he's mad at Hermione, too," Harry said a bit too brightly.
"Is that a good thing?" Neville asked.
"Oh, no. Of course not," Harry said, fighting a smile.
"Are you three in some kind of fight?"
"Ugh, sort of. It's kind of private," Harry told Neville.
"Ron was making no point to keep his voice down," Neville said.
"Well, maybe he didn't know anyone was eavesdropping on him," Harry said, beginning to get annoyed.
"Well God, sorry. Didn't know it was a crime to be in your own dorm," he retorted.
Harry sighed then replied, "sorry Neville. I shouldn't of snapped. I'm just in a bad mood."
"I noticed," he said coldly.
"I'm just going to go to sleep," Harry said.
"Best idea you've had all night," Ron said, and turned over so he wasn't facing Harry.
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A/N- Please review! It will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,