Chapter Eight - Hermione's Love
Day Two:
Harry and Ron didn't speak to each other last night and are thinking of doing the same today. They dressed in silence. Walked to the Great Hall for breakfast in silence. Sat in their usual seat in silence. Watched the hundreds of owls carrying students' mails in silence until something red dropped onto Harry's plate. Harry looked up in surprise, and caught a glimpse of Hedwig through the flying specks of brown. Harry flipped the envelope around to see whom the letter was from. He expected it to be from Sirius as they promised to each other that they would keep in touch even though he's so far away. The familiar gold print of the wizard's post met his eye but the letters did not read 'To Harry Potter'. Instead it read, 'To Daniella Capricona'. This must be a mistake, Harry thought. This should be sent to Daniella. So with that, Harry got up from his seat and headed towards the Slytherin table.
Harry spotted her among a cluster of Slytherin girls. He hurried to her. Some Slytherins were staring at him as if he was crazy.
Harry's heart was pounding. I won't make a fool out of myself in front of Malfoy, Harry promised himself.
"Daniella?" Harry managed to say.
People from the nearby table turn their heads around.
"Yes, Harry?" Daniella asked politely, her cheeks slightly pink from all the attention.
"Thislettalanditonmyablebutitsaddretou, so'ereitis" Harry babbled, yanking the red letter from his sweaty left hand. Daniella accepted the envelope with a questioning look, and gave him an unsure smile.
Darn it! Harry thought. He took a deep breath. "This letter," Harry pointed to the sweat-drenched envelope on the table. "it landed on my table but it was addressed to you, so here it is."
Daniella looked relieve and said thank you.
*
I am such a coward, Harry remarked to himself when he was back at the Gryffindor table. Why? Wh-
A sudden boom echoed through the Hall. Harry strained his neck to see where it came from. Everybody's head was turned towards the Slytherin table.
"It's a howler!" someone yelled. Harry kneeled on the bench and unquestionably, there in the mid air floated a red envelope. It's opening was formed into an ugly scowl and it was chanting.
Daniella, Capricona, We hate you! We hate you!
It'll be the BEST, If you're out of Slytherin house. And we mean NOW! We mean N-O-W!
The chanting continued for minutes until the envelope exploded into pieces. The shreds of thin paper drifted slowly down until it landed on the table. Harry couldn't see anything for a moment as people, especially the Weasley twins in front of him were practically standing up on their bench. His neck was getting sore and he was ready to sit back down and finish his breakfast when finally Fred and George lowered their knees down to their seat.
"Oh my god, Harry."
"Huh? What are you talking about, Fred?"
"That envelope you gave to that Slytherin girl over there was a howler!"
Harry's eyes widen. He stood up as tall as he can. Students' heads were constantly moving, blocking his view. Eventually a few of them retired back to their table, leaving a big gap for Harry.
"Oh my holy shit!" Harry cursed at the scene before his eyes. Sitting at her seat, was Daniella. She didn't shout or cried, she merely sat there like a dummy. The emotionless face remained emotionless. Finally, a low, hoarse whisper protruded from her lips.
"This is some kind of joke, isn't it?" Daniella turned to her friends. They didn't answer for a moment. Then one of them spoke up.
"Daniella, we just thought that you just don't fit in our house. Helping Gryff."
"HELPING GRYFFINDORS? Is that what ALL this is about?" Daniella shouted, picking up the tear envelope and threw it in the air.
"HELPING GRYFFINDORS?" she repeated, exasperated.
"All of you," she continued screaming at her house, but to no one in particular. "All of you are so SELFISH! I don't know WHY I was put into this house because it just STINKS!"
"But I do know that some people," Daniella set her fiery, brown eyes upon Draco Malfoy. "are so pathetic that they make things up just so his friends could look up to him. I don't know and I don't care who did this but I do care that whoever you are hopefully knows that you've hurt many people's feelings." Her furious eyes deepened into sorrow.
The Slytherin girl grabbed her bag and ran towards the entrance of Great Hall. She slowed to a stop when she reached the doors. Everyone held their breath, suspicious about why she stopped. But Daniella didn't do anything. She stood there for a moment and finally walked out.
"Weird, I tell you." Whispered Ron who decided to become friends again with Harry.
Harry smiled warmly, but it soon faded away. His mind went back to the horrible words the howler was chanting. How can anyone in the world be that cruel? He thought angrily while at the same time, feeling sorry for Daniella.
"Ron, do you think Malfoy is interested in Daniella?" Harry said suddenly. It made sense for Malfoy to be jealous and say things to upset her when she was helping Harry, himself. I mean, Malfoy would do anything to get what he wanted and if he doesn't, he would make that person he wanted feel sorry and regret what they've done.
"What do you care, Harry? She's in Slytherin. Slytherin goes with Slytherin. Makes sense to me." Ron commented. "And why are you all concerned? You are not interested, are you?" Ron choked on his bacon by the thought of it.
"O-of course I'm not!" Harry looked down, embarrassed.
"Then why are you blushing? Your face were full of envy and hate when you asked if Malfoy was interested in that Capricona." Ron added, fully enjoying the expression on his friend's face.
"Oh shut up!" Harry snapped. "See you in Transfiguration."
"Hey! No need to get all upset, Potter!" Harry heard Ron yell after him.
*
What the hell's wrong with Ron? Harry thought with frustration. I am so NOT in love with that Slytherin girl!
Then, why did you think she was BEAUTIFUL when you first saw her. (A voice in his head said.)
I did not think that!
Well, you WERE gawking at her until Hermione shut you up!
I was not!
Whatever. I'll leave it for you to think about.
*
When Harry walked to Transfiguration class, he could not stop thinking about the voice in his head. Am I really interested in Daniella? Yeah, sure she's beautiful, but a Slytherin? I can't be in love with a Slytherin! NO WAY!
Harry made his way to his seat in the third row, well away from Ron who was at the back.
"Harry Potter?" Professor McGonagall said, marking the role.
"Is everything going well? Er. with er. everything?" she whispered to Harry, meaning the 'thing' about Hermione.
"Uh, yeah." Harry lied. Oh my god! I've GOT to find that stupid book bag this afternoon. I MUST!
Professor McGonagall nodded appreciatively and continued calling out names.
"Daniella Capricona?"
No answer.
"Miss Capricona?" the professor repeated louder this time but there was only silence.
"Where is Daniella!" she turned to the Slytherins at the far corner.
"We don't know, Professor." They replied. Most of them were laughing, especially Malfoy.
"RATS!" cursed Harry under his breath.
"Ok. I'll be back in a minute. EVERYONE of you stay in your seats and remain there with your mouths z-i-p-p-e-d." and with that, Professor McGonagall hurried out of the classroom. The second she was out of sight, Malfoy howled with hysterical laughter, followed by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Stop it, guys." A girl from Slytherin whom Harry has never seen urged. She was probably one of those many people who get bullied by Malfoy even though they were in the same house.
"Oh shut your mouth!" Malfoy pushed the girl off her seat. Harry could no longer control his temper. He was ready to strike when suddenly, Ron pushed his chair back roughly and stalked towards Malfoy who was not aware of the disaster ahead.
"You brat!" Ron yelled as he swung his fist right into Malfoy's jaw. Malfoy, taken by surprise, fell of his chair and landed heavily on the floor. He quickly struggled to get up. Before any further injuries took place, Professor McGonagall stepped into the room.
"What on EARTH is going on?" she questioned heatedly, reaching for Malfoy. She then turned to Ron who was standing there snickering with rest of the Gryffindors.
"Ron Weasley, TWENTY points will be taken for your astounding behavior, and detention tonight!"
*
"It should be the first door to our right, up those stairs." Ginny said, studying the map Dean drew for her. Harry and Ginny made their way up the stone steps and through the first door on their right. A messy room full of clothes, shoes, books (everything you can imagine) met their eyes.
"Whoa! How are we going to find a school size bag out of these mountain high hills of stuff." Harry remarked.
"May I help you?" a voice said, startling them both. A big, fat and friendly looking lady appeared from behind a bookcase full of lose wands.
"Um, yes actually." Ginny smiled at the lady. "Was a black book case with a 'Hermione Granger' sewed on it sent to here two days ago?"
The lady scratched her head.
"Ah, yes. Hermione Granger, did you say?"
Harry nodded.
"Let see."
They waited as the lady, who turned out to be Margaret searched for it.
"Here it is!" Margaret sang triumphantly, reappearing behind another bookcase of wands.
"Thank you so much, Margaret." They both signed in relieve as they grabbed the brand new book bag.
*
"Phew!" Harry signed again.
"Oh no! We always seem to be running out of time! Harry, is it ok if you have a look at the diary without me. I have detention." Said Ginny. Her face displayed anxiety.
"Sure."
*
Now, which way was it. Right? No! Left? Must be, Harry thought to himself. No, wait a minute. This isn't right. Oh, what have I got myself into!
Harry tried to find his way back to the Gryffindor tower but with no success. He looked up and down the corridors, trying to remember which way he came from. Finally, he decided to head down the stairs.
Ginny made her way fine through the school. Why can't I be the same!
Harry huffed and puffed the stairs. It's so quiet up here. I wonder what this part of the castle is built for? Harry pondered as he reached the bottom step. He suddenly stopped dead. What was that?
Harry inched forward a little. And there it was again, the fast babbling of a woman. The voice seemed anxious and scared. The babbling stopped, then, there were footsteps. Harry pressed himself against the hard, cold stone. It's no use, he thought. I'm going to be caught in any moment. But miraculously the footsteps stopped, few feet from Harry.
"But it's unsafe, Dumbledoor." A voice said which was unmistakably Professor McGonagall's.
"Minerva, I know it's unsafe. I know two people were attacked." Dumbledoor said.
Two? Attacked?
"Albus, you know it's best for all of us, especially the students to not let them go anywhere without a teacher. It's the best, Albus." The voice pleaded.
"But we want to find the person who did this, don't we? He would only come out when he thinks it's safe for him to come out, which is not when every part of Hogwarts is guarded by mine, your, or any other professor's eyes. I'm not saying that we should leave it and let the intruder continue attacking, but I'm saying that we should pay attention to any odd, little details, yet, NOT in an obvious way."
"I understand, then I'll tell the other professors straight away."
Uh-oh. Got to hide! Hide where?
Again, the footsteps stopped, but this time only a few inches from where Harry's standing.
"Miss Daniella Capricona wasn't attacked in the same way as Miss Hermione Granger, was she?"
"I'm afraid so, Minerva." Replied a gloomy voice.
*
Not until Harry made his way up the stairs and back to the missing property room, did he stop to think about the conversation between Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall that he overheard. Horror dawned over him as he began to realize what happened. Daniella was cast under the simple but powerful spell Dumbledoor mentioned, Wallisvinara.
Tell me this is not happening, Harry shook his head to clear away the horrible thoughts. I've got to get back.
*
Sweating and panting, Harry finally arrived back at his dormitory, thanks to Margaret's directions. He sat on his bed for a moment. Yeah, sure he felt heart broken when he heard that Hermione was in danger, but it was different with Daniella. The feeling was worse than a broken heart. It's like a burning sensation which was slowly eating his heart away.
"Hey, what's wrong, mate?"
Harry looked up and saw Seamus staring at him oddly.
"Your eyes were all watery."
Harry blinked in embarrassment and quickly wiped his eyes which were certainly watery.
"Nothing, Seamus. I'm alright." "Really." Harry added, catching his friend's unsure look.
"Ok, I'll leave you alone, then."
How embarrassing! Harry thought. He fell back on his bed and closed his eyes.
"The diary!" he quickly shot back up and snatched the bag from the floor. Nervously, Harry ripped open the bag and pulled all the stuff out. Books, food and hair clips landed on the bed with a thud.
"Huh?" Harry said. There was no sign of an old, black leather book. He searched again. It wasn't there, not on his bed anyway.
"NO!" he groaned with frustration, throwing his head on the pillow. "NO!"
Harry kept muttering and cursing at himself. He punched everything in sight.
"WHY?" Harry shouted, giving a tremendously big kick at Hermione's bag.
"OWW!" Harry yelled in pain. His feet hit something hard. That 'something hard' was in the bag he kicked. Was there something else in the bag? Without any a do, Harry reached for it.
No, the bag WAS empty, Harry thought. But what was that he hit? Wait a minute. What the hell is this?
Harry felt the inside of the bag repeatedly, searching for something.
"Here it is." Harry said and turned the bag inside up. There hidden by a flap of material, was a zipper. He unzipped it, reached inside, and yanked out an old, black leather book.
"Thank god!"
It was an antique, Harry could tell. Hermione's name was skillfully carved onto it's cover.
"This must've cost a fortune!" Harry whispered as he fiddled with the lock. Because it was an antique, the lock wasn't too hard to break. And thanks to the Weasley twins, Harry learned many tricks such as this.
"Here we go." Harry said, opening the diary to review the first page.
Dear Diary, I am very troubled. For all these years at Hogwarts, I've always had problems with one person. He annoys me, does anything to upset me, and even calls me 'a mudblood' for fun. He's just one of those people who would never change. Bullying is their life, it's how they can get through all the troubles in life. I hate him for what he's done to me. I hate him even more for what he's done to my friends but sometimes I ask myself: Do I really hate this person? And the answer would be: No, I don't. I wanted him to change. To change into a better person so I could like him for what he really is. So I could learn to love him for the real him.
Hermione
"This can't be right!" Harry reread the entry in horror.
*
"Ginny! She can't be serious!" Harry shouted with a disgusted face.
"Harry, face the facts!"
"I can't! How am I supposed to face the facts! It's too difficult!"
"Harry, tell me who always calls Hermione a mudblood?"
Harry sniffed. "Malfoy." Sniff, sniff.
"Tell me who's always against us?"
Sniff. "Malfoy."
"Come on, Harry. It's obvious. Hermione is in love with Malfoy!"
"NO!" Harry cried in frustration.
"Ok, quote: 'so I could learn to love him for the real him'. There, isn't already obvious?" Ginny said, rolling her eyes.
"Ginny! Fine, you're right but how are we going to persuade that brat to wake her up!"
"We'll just have to try. Start tomorrow morning at breakfast."
**
There. Chapter 8. Disappointed by the plot? Love the plot? REVIEW.
Harry and Ron didn't speak to each other last night and are thinking of doing the same today. They dressed in silence. Walked to the Great Hall for breakfast in silence. Sat in their usual seat in silence. Watched the hundreds of owls carrying students' mails in silence until something red dropped onto Harry's plate. Harry looked up in surprise, and caught a glimpse of Hedwig through the flying specks of brown. Harry flipped the envelope around to see whom the letter was from. He expected it to be from Sirius as they promised to each other that they would keep in touch even though he's so far away. The familiar gold print of the wizard's post met his eye but the letters did not read 'To Harry Potter'. Instead it read, 'To Daniella Capricona'. This must be a mistake, Harry thought. This should be sent to Daniella. So with that, Harry got up from his seat and headed towards the Slytherin table.
Harry spotted her among a cluster of Slytherin girls. He hurried to her. Some Slytherins were staring at him as if he was crazy.
Harry's heart was pounding. I won't make a fool out of myself in front of Malfoy, Harry promised himself.
"Daniella?" Harry managed to say.
People from the nearby table turn their heads around.
"Yes, Harry?" Daniella asked politely, her cheeks slightly pink from all the attention.
"Thislettalanditonmyablebutitsaddretou, so'ereitis" Harry babbled, yanking the red letter from his sweaty left hand. Daniella accepted the envelope with a questioning look, and gave him an unsure smile.
Darn it! Harry thought. He took a deep breath. "This letter," Harry pointed to the sweat-drenched envelope on the table. "it landed on my table but it was addressed to you, so here it is."
Daniella looked relieve and said thank you.
*
I am such a coward, Harry remarked to himself when he was back at the Gryffindor table. Why? Wh-
A sudden boom echoed through the Hall. Harry strained his neck to see where it came from. Everybody's head was turned towards the Slytherin table.
"It's a howler!" someone yelled. Harry kneeled on the bench and unquestionably, there in the mid air floated a red envelope. It's opening was formed into an ugly scowl and it was chanting.
Daniella, Capricona, We hate you! We hate you!
It'll be the BEST, If you're out of Slytherin house. And we mean NOW! We mean N-O-W!
The chanting continued for minutes until the envelope exploded into pieces. The shreds of thin paper drifted slowly down until it landed on the table. Harry couldn't see anything for a moment as people, especially the Weasley twins in front of him were practically standing up on their bench. His neck was getting sore and he was ready to sit back down and finish his breakfast when finally Fred and George lowered their knees down to their seat.
"Oh my god, Harry."
"Huh? What are you talking about, Fred?"
"That envelope you gave to that Slytherin girl over there was a howler!"
Harry's eyes widen. He stood up as tall as he can. Students' heads were constantly moving, blocking his view. Eventually a few of them retired back to their table, leaving a big gap for Harry.
"Oh my holy shit!" Harry cursed at the scene before his eyes. Sitting at her seat, was Daniella. She didn't shout or cried, she merely sat there like a dummy. The emotionless face remained emotionless. Finally, a low, hoarse whisper protruded from her lips.
"This is some kind of joke, isn't it?" Daniella turned to her friends. They didn't answer for a moment. Then one of them spoke up.
"Daniella, we just thought that you just don't fit in our house. Helping Gryff."
"HELPING GRYFFINDORS? Is that what ALL this is about?" Daniella shouted, picking up the tear envelope and threw it in the air.
"HELPING GRYFFINDORS?" she repeated, exasperated.
"All of you," she continued screaming at her house, but to no one in particular. "All of you are so SELFISH! I don't know WHY I was put into this house because it just STINKS!"
"But I do know that some people," Daniella set her fiery, brown eyes upon Draco Malfoy. "are so pathetic that they make things up just so his friends could look up to him. I don't know and I don't care who did this but I do care that whoever you are hopefully knows that you've hurt many people's feelings." Her furious eyes deepened into sorrow.
The Slytherin girl grabbed her bag and ran towards the entrance of Great Hall. She slowed to a stop when she reached the doors. Everyone held their breath, suspicious about why she stopped. But Daniella didn't do anything. She stood there for a moment and finally walked out.
"Weird, I tell you." Whispered Ron who decided to become friends again with Harry.
Harry smiled warmly, but it soon faded away. His mind went back to the horrible words the howler was chanting. How can anyone in the world be that cruel? He thought angrily while at the same time, feeling sorry for Daniella.
"Ron, do you think Malfoy is interested in Daniella?" Harry said suddenly. It made sense for Malfoy to be jealous and say things to upset her when she was helping Harry, himself. I mean, Malfoy would do anything to get what he wanted and if he doesn't, he would make that person he wanted feel sorry and regret what they've done.
"What do you care, Harry? She's in Slytherin. Slytherin goes with Slytherin. Makes sense to me." Ron commented. "And why are you all concerned? You are not interested, are you?" Ron choked on his bacon by the thought of it.
"O-of course I'm not!" Harry looked down, embarrassed.
"Then why are you blushing? Your face were full of envy and hate when you asked if Malfoy was interested in that Capricona." Ron added, fully enjoying the expression on his friend's face.
"Oh shut up!" Harry snapped. "See you in Transfiguration."
"Hey! No need to get all upset, Potter!" Harry heard Ron yell after him.
*
What the hell's wrong with Ron? Harry thought with frustration. I am so NOT in love with that Slytherin girl!
Then, why did you think she was BEAUTIFUL when you first saw her. (A voice in his head said.)
I did not think that!
Well, you WERE gawking at her until Hermione shut you up!
I was not!
Whatever. I'll leave it for you to think about.
*
When Harry walked to Transfiguration class, he could not stop thinking about the voice in his head. Am I really interested in Daniella? Yeah, sure she's beautiful, but a Slytherin? I can't be in love with a Slytherin! NO WAY!
Harry made his way to his seat in the third row, well away from Ron who was at the back.
"Harry Potter?" Professor McGonagall said, marking the role.
"Is everything going well? Er. with er. everything?" she whispered to Harry, meaning the 'thing' about Hermione.
"Uh, yeah." Harry lied. Oh my god! I've GOT to find that stupid book bag this afternoon. I MUST!
Professor McGonagall nodded appreciatively and continued calling out names.
"Daniella Capricona?"
No answer.
"Miss Capricona?" the professor repeated louder this time but there was only silence.
"Where is Daniella!" she turned to the Slytherins at the far corner.
"We don't know, Professor." They replied. Most of them were laughing, especially Malfoy.
"RATS!" cursed Harry under his breath.
"Ok. I'll be back in a minute. EVERYONE of you stay in your seats and remain there with your mouths z-i-p-p-e-d." and with that, Professor McGonagall hurried out of the classroom. The second she was out of sight, Malfoy howled with hysterical laughter, followed by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Stop it, guys." A girl from Slytherin whom Harry has never seen urged. She was probably one of those many people who get bullied by Malfoy even though they were in the same house.
"Oh shut your mouth!" Malfoy pushed the girl off her seat. Harry could no longer control his temper. He was ready to strike when suddenly, Ron pushed his chair back roughly and stalked towards Malfoy who was not aware of the disaster ahead.
"You brat!" Ron yelled as he swung his fist right into Malfoy's jaw. Malfoy, taken by surprise, fell of his chair and landed heavily on the floor. He quickly struggled to get up. Before any further injuries took place, Professor McGonagall stepped into the room.
"What on EARTH is going on?" she questioned heatedly, reaching for Malfoy. She then turned to Ron who was standing there snickering with rest of the Gryffindors.
"Ron Weasley, TWENTY points will be taken for your astounding behavior, and detention tonight!"
*
"It should be the first door to our right, up those stairs." Ginny said, studying the map Dean drew for her. Harry and Ginny made their way up the stone steps and through the first door on their right. A messy room full of clothes, shoes, books (everything you can imagine) met their eyes.
"Whoa! How are we going to find a school size bag out of these mountain high hills of stuff." Harry remarked.
"May I help you?" a voice said, startling them both. A big, fat and friendly looking lady appeared from behind a bookcase full of lose wands.
"Um, yes actually." Ginny smiled at the lady. "Was a black book case with a 'Hermione Granger' sewed on it sent to here two days ago?"
The lady scratched her head.
"Ah, yes. Hermione Granger, did you say?"
Harry nodded.
"Let see."
They waited as the lady, who turned out to be Margaret searched for it.
"Here it is!" Margaret sang triumphantly, reappearing behind another bookcase of wands.
"Thank you so much, Margaret." They both signed in relieve as they grabbed the brand new book bag.
*
"Phew!" Harry signed again.
"Oh no! We always seem to be running out of time! Harry, is it ok if you have a look at the diary without me. I have detention." Said Ginny. Her face displayed anxiety.
"Sure."
*
Now, which way was it. Right? No! Left? Must be, Harry thought to himself. No, wait a minute. This isn't right. Oh, what have I got myself into!
Harry tried to find his way back to the Gryffindor tower but with no success. He looked up and down the corridors, trying to remember which way he came from. Finally, he decided to head down the stairs.
Ginny made her way fine through the school. Why can't I be the same!
Harry huffed and puffed the stairs. It's so quiet up here. I wonder what this part of the castle is built for? Harry pondered as he reached the bottom step. He suddenly stopped dead. What was that?
Harry inched forward a little. And there it was again, the fast babbling of a woman. The voice seemed anxious and scared. The babbling stopped, then, there were footsteps. Harry pressed himself against the hard, cold stone. It's no use, he thought. I'm going to be caught in any moment. But miraculously the footsteps stopped, few feet from Harry.
"But it's unsafe, Dumbledoor." A voice said which was unmistakably Professor McGonagall's.
"Minerva, I know it's unsafe. I know two people were attacked." Dumbledoor said.
Two? Attacked?
"Albus, you know it's best for all of us, especially the students to not let them go anywhere without a teacher. It's the best, Albus." The voice pleaded.
"But we want to find the person who did this, don't we? He would only come out when he thinks it's safe for him to come out, which is not when every part of Hogwarts is guarded by mine, your, or any other professor's eyes. I'm not saying that we should leave it and let the intruder continue attacking, but I'm saying that we should pay attention to any odd, little details, yet, NOT in an obvious way."
"I understand, then I'll tell the other professors straight away."
Uh-oh. Got to hide! Hide where?
Again, the footsteps stopped, but this time only a few inches from where Harry's standing.
"Miss Daniella Capricona wasn't attacked in the same way as Miss Hermione Granger, was she?"
"I'm afraid so, Minerva." Replied a gloomy voice.
*
Not until Harry made his way up the stairs and back to the missing property room, did he stop to think about the conversation between Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall that he overheard. Horror dawned over him as he began to realize what happened. Daniella was cast under the simple but powerful spell Dumbledoor mentioned, Wallisvinara.
Tell me this is not happening, Harry shook his head to clear away the horrible thoughts. I've got to get back.
*
Sweating and panting, Harry finally arrived back at his dormitory, thanks to Margaret's directions. He sat on his bed for a moment. Yeah, sure he felt heart broken when he heard that Hermione was in danger, but it was different with Daniella. The feeling was worse than a broken heart. It's like a burning sensation which was slowly eating his heart away.
"Hey, what's wrong, mate?"
Harry looked up and saw Seamus staring at him oddly.
"Your eyes were all watery."
Harry blinked in embarrassment and quickly wiped his eyes which were certainly watery.
"Nothing, Seamus. I'm alright." "Really." Harry added, catching his friend's unsure look.
"Ok, I'll leave you alone, then."
How embarrassing! Harry thought. He fell back on his bed and closed his eyes.
"The diary!" he quickly shot back up and snatched the bag from the floor. Nervously, Harry ripped open the bag and pulled all the stuff out. Books, food and hair clips landed on the bed with a thud.
"Huh?" Harry said. There was no sign of an old, black leather book. He searched again. It wasn't there, not on his bed anyway.
"NO!" he groaned with frustration, throwing his head on the pillow. "NO!"
Harry kept muttering and cursing at himself. He punched everything in sight.
"WHY?" Harry shouted, giving a tremendously big kick at Hermione's bag.
"OWW!" Harry yelled in pain. His feet hit something hard. That 'something hard' was in the bag he kicked. Was there something else in the bag? Without any a do, Harry reached for it.
No, the bag WAS empty, Harry thought. But what was that he hit? Wait a minute. What the hell is this?
Harry felt the inside of the bag repeatedly, searching for something.
"Here it is." Harry said and turned the bag inside up. There hidden by a flap of material, was a zipper. He unzipped it, reached inside, and yanked out an old, black leather book.
"Thank god!"
It was an antique, Harry could tell. Hermione's name was skillfully carved onto it's cover.
"This must've cost a fortune!" Harry whispered as he fiddled with the lock. Because it was an antique, the lock wasn't too hard to break. And thanks to the Weasley twins, Harry learned many tricks such as this.
"Here we go." Harry said, opening the diary to review the first page.
Dear Diary, I am very troubled. For all these years at Hogwarts, I've always had problems with one person. He annoys me, does anything to upset me, and even calls me 'a mudblood' for fun. He's just one of those people who would never change. Bullying is their life, it's how they can get through all the troubles in life. I hate him for what he's done to me. I hate him even more for what he's done to my friends but sometimes I ask myself: Do I really hate this person? And the answer would be: No, I don't. I wanted him to change. To change into a better person so I could like him for what he really is. So I could learn to love him for the real him.
Hermione
"This can't be right!" Harry reread the entry in horror.
*
"Ginny! She can't be serious!" Harry shouted with a disgusted face.
"Harry, face the facts!"
"I can't! How am I supposed to face the facts! It's too difficult!"
"Harry, tell me who always calls Hermione a mudblood?"
Harry sniffed. "Malfoy." Sniff, sniff.
"Tell me who's always against us?"
Sniff. "Malfoy."
"Come on, Harry. It's obvious. Hermione is in love with Malfoy!"
"NO!" Harry cried in frustration.
"Ok, quote: 'so I could learn to love him for the real him'. There, isn't already obvious?" Ginny said, rolling her eyes.
"Ginny! Fine, you're right but how are we going to persuade that brat to wake her up!"
"We'll just have to try. Start tomorrow morning at breakfast."
**
There. Chapter 8. Disappointed by the plot? Love the plot? REVIEW.