A/N: HEEEELLLLLLOOOOO EVERYONE!!! So, how are y'all liking the story so
far? I'd really like to know, so drop a review. Chapter seven is here, and
there's a lot of speculation floating about between Ron and Harry as to why
Megan and Alina went to see Professor Snape. OMG, do y'all wanna hear
something weird? Anyways, I started high school, and I met all my teachers
on Friday. My science teacher, get this, is the female equivalent to
PROFESSOR SNAPE!!! The thing that really gets me is that science is, like,
the equivalent to Potions. Weird, huh?
All of y'all know the disclaimer. On to chapter seven!
Chapter 7: Unknown Feelings
"Snape? Why was Megan going to Snape of all people?" Ron asked Harry frantically as they headed to the Great Hall for lunch. Harry had the same thing on his mind, but Alina had seemed to concern him more.
The two of them flopped down onto their seats at the Gryffindor table, and they nonchalantly began to search through the throngs of students entering the Great Hall for Megan.and Alina. Hermione marched over to the Gryffindor table, totally blocking Ron and Harry's view of the door. She arched an eyebrow suspiciously at them as she sat down slowly. She waved a hand in front of their eyes.
"What're you two doing?" Hermione asked as she sat down.
"It's got nothing that concerns you, Hermione." Ron snapped as he tried to look over Hermione's head (and puffy hair). She stood up to block his view completely.
"Are you two looking for someone? Perhaps I could help." Hermione said.
"This doesn't concern you." Ron hissed at Hermione, and looked back up towards the door.
Harry watched as Hermione slowly and quietly sat down. He noticed her facial expression, and noticed that she had never before looked so sad in her entire life. He looked back at Ron, who seemed to not be caring about what Hermione was feeling whatsoever. Harry nudged Ron.
"What?" Ron snapped. Harry shook his head.
"What's up with you?" Harry asked quietly, although it still sounded as though he were spitting fire. Ron didn't make an effort to turn his head to look at Harry. Instead, it seemed as though Ron was choking. "R-Ron. Ron!" Harry exclaimed when Ron didn't answer to his calls. Even Hermione's head had shot up, and her sad face was soon washed over with alarm. "Ron!" Harry called again. Hermione was now standing up, jumping, and giving Harry orders on how to help Ron.
"Ron! Ron, please-" Hermione stopped jumping and shouting (and basically every movement or sound she had previously been making). She just stood there and stared as Ron held out a shaky finger to point out something. Hermione followed the finger's path to the Slytherin table, where none other than Megan and the rest of the new girls were sitting. Hermione's face turned scarlet as she leaned across the table. She then slapped Ron across the face in a slap heard 'round the Great Hall. Heads at every table turned to see what was going on at the Gryffindor table. Even Professor Dumbledore stopped to put his goblet of pumpkin juice down to see what was going on.
After Hermione had slapped him, Ron quickly brought a hand to his face as his ears turned pink.
"What was that for, Hermione!?" Ron exclaimed. Hermione shook her head at Ron in disbelief.
"Don't EVER do that again! I thought you were actually CHOKING! You scared Harry and I half to death! If you ever try and pull a stunt like that again, I swear the outcome will not be pretty! MARK my words, Weasley!" Hermione screamed. She banged her fists against the table and threw herself back onto her seat.
The Great Hall was silent.
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat from the staff table. The students seemed to take that as a sign and everyone went back to their business as if nothing had happened.
Ron leaned over to Harry.
"What is that Ravenclaw girl doing at the Slytherin table?" Ron whispered. Harry shrugged. "Even worse, what are those Gryffindor girls doing at the Slytherin table?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged again. Ron sighed and went back to his sandwich, but still took quick glances over at the Slytherin table.
No, Ron's eyes hadn't deceived him. Camille of Ravenclaw, and Megan, Alina, and Penelope of Gryffindor were sitting at the Slytherin table with Mikaela and Erin of Slytherin. It was then Harry's turn to lean over to Ron.
"If you hadn't noticed, Mikaela and Erin of Slytherin, Camille of Ravenclaw, and Penelope, Alina, and Megan of our very house all came here at the same time, and they're all in the same year. Has it occurred to you that maybe at their previous school they were all good mates?" Harry asked. Ron looked at him and shook his head. "Ron, that's probably the reason why they're hanging out together."
"You think that maybe Megan, Penelope, and Alina went to see Snape because they wanted to change houses and be with their friends? He is the head of the Slytherin house." Ron said.
"That would be horrible if they change houses!" Harry thought.
"Ugh! Look at Malfoy!" Ron exclaimed in a disgusted manner as he tapped Harry on the shoulder and pointed towards the Slytherin table. "That Malfoy is all over Alina!" Ron said.
"Malfoy all over Alina?" Harry thought. "But she's a Gryffindor. What's he playing at? His father would permanently disown him. The Slytherins would be after him. Pansy would obviously be leading the pack. Pansy would want to strangle Alina. If she did that, I swear I'll... Never mind that last thought... The Gryffindors would surely be after Malfoy. I'd be first in line. He will never get Alina. I swear... Wait, what am I thinking?" Harry shook his head and heard Ron calling his name.
"Harry. Harry. Harry, are you okay?" Ron asked, "You just dropped a goblet full of juice on the table without even noticing. Are you sure you're okay? Well, I guess seeing Malfoy all over a girl is revolting... Are you sure you're cool?" Ron kept asking. Harry nodded, but his eyes were still fixed on the Slytherin table.
Malfoy wasn't the only one laughing anymore (as he usually always is the only person laughing at things). Alina was laughing along with him, and so were the other girls. Harry thought Malfoy must be pretty desperate to get disowned by his family. Or maybe he wanted Pansy to go away. Or did he like Alina?
Harry kept watching on as Alina and the rest of her friends were in a huge fit of giggles. Penelope looked like she was laughing the most, for she looked like she was going to fall out of her seat and take the rest of the table with her. It was evident to Harry that Camille was the quiet one. She was laughing, or that's what it looked like. Camille had her hand covering her mouth as she laughed. Mikaela seemed to be a bit like Camille, laughing with her hand covering her mouth, although she did seem like Penelope at times. She was a cross. She laughed with her hand over her mouth, but occasionally let herself be free. That was almost the same case for Ron's goddess of all goddesses, Megan. Erin, though, seemed to be like Penelope's twin soul. She, like Penelope, looked like she was going to fall out of her seat, too. And then, to Harry's horror, or so it seemed, he watched as Alina laughed as hard as she possibly could, and practically fell on Malfoy. Malfoy was now laughing as hard as Penelope and Erin, and didn't seem to mind that there was a girl almost connected to his arm. Harry thought he felt his insides boil.
"That's just sick." Ron said, and he actually looked like he was going to be sick. But Harry had a feeling it was because Ron was watching Megan sit with his rivals.
"You know, maybe they do want to be in Slytherin." Hermione said, crinkling her nose. Harry and Ron looked at her in surprise, for it was the first thing she had said after she had yelled at Ron. But then again, that wasn't the only thing that surprised Harry. For when he heard Hermione say that last statement, he could've sworn he heard a bit of hope in her voice.
Obviously, Hermione just wanted Megan to go away.
"Go to Slytherin for all I care." Hermione thought. Craning her neck, she turned to the Slytherin table. She watched along with Harry and Ron as Alina's head fell onto Malfoy's shoulder. For a moment, Hermione thought she was feeling jealous. "Jealous? Why should I be jealous of Malfoy and some girl? That's nothing to be jealous of. I find it sick that any girl would want to be with Malfoy... But then why do I feel like I almost want to be with him... EWW!" Hermione's eyes widened at her last thought. "That's sick." She mumbled.
"Huh? You say something, Herm?" Ron asked, looking up from his sandwich (amazingly not Megan) to look at Hermione. For the first time, Hermione didn't feel her cheeks burn up when Ron said her name... She didn't even blush when Ron had called her "Herm".
"Strange." Hermione thought.
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted when the bell signaling the end of lunch sounded. Hermione got up, as did Harry and Ron and everyone else in the Great Hall. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all seemed to be caught in thought for they hadn't said anything to each other on their way to Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures.
On the way to a class, Hermione usually thought excitedly about what she'd be learning. But instead, that day was different. She thought of different things...like boys...and it was that certain redhead...
******
"An' yeh hold 'em like that. Make sure yeh s'port their bottom, an' hang on to their upper half. They have a habit of squirmin' out of yer grasp. Take it from someone with experience." Hagrid said as the Gryffindors and Slytherins held baby unicorns in their arms. Hagrid decided to do more work with unicorns by popular demand. Besides, unicorns were also fairly easy to handle.
Harry stroked his baby unicorn, which was a beautiful gold that shined in the sun. He looked up and got a quick glance over at Alina stroking the unicorn she held in her arms. He looked back down at the unicorn in his arms, but quickly looked back up and saw Malfoy lean over and whisper something to Alina. He watched as a blush crept on her cheeks, and her smile dared to make Harry's heart melt.
Harry looked over at Ron, whose hand was barely even touching the unicorn. (If you know what he was paying attention to, then you'll know why he was so far off from the whole lesson.) But he came back to reality when the baby unicorn head-butted him. Ron jumped, but then smiled and started to stroke the unicorn thoroughly.
"An' now, if all the young ladies would come o'er here, I've got eh full grown unicorn for yeh to pet." Hagrid said as he led the girls of Gryffindor and Slytherin around to the back of his hut, leaving the boys of Gryffindor and Slytherin unattended with baby unicorns.
"Alina's really something." Harry's ears perked as he heard Malfoy's voice. Harry heard Crabbe and Goyle grunt in reply, it was probably in agreement, but don't all grunts sound the same and almost always mean the same thing? "She's quite nice...for a Gryffindor." Malfoy said. He heard Crabbe and Goyle grunt in reply again. "And you two have got to admit, she's quite a head-turner...you know, for a Gryffindor." This time, Harry heard Crabbe and Goyle say "yeah" in reply.
"You heard that?" Harry jumped when Ron walked up behind him.
"Have you been listening in as long as I have?" Harry asked Ron quietly. Ron nodded.
"You think maybe Malfoy fancies Alina?" Ron asked.
"I think Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle like Alina." Harry said.
"Poor thing." Ron said, with a bit of sympathy in his voice.
"I know, just imagine being liked by Malfoy of all people." Harry said.
"That's just unfortunate." Ron said.
"At least we know she could protect herself." Harry said and Ron rolled his eyes.
"Don't even remind me of that day!" Ron said, covering his ears. After the girls came back from petting the unicorn, Hagrid dismissed the class. But before Harry and Ron headed back to the school, Hagrid invited them, and Hermione, over to his hut. The boys agreed and then headed to the castle for their next class, Transfiguration.
******
"Where's Hermione?" Hagrid asked as he opened the door to his hut to find only Ron and Harry.
"Hey, it's better than nothing!" Ron exclaimed. Hagrid laughed it off and led the two in.
"So, what're them new girls like?" Hagrid asked as they sat around a wooden table.
"Why do you ask?" Harry asked.
"Well, we've ne'er exactly had a case like theirs." Hagrid said. Then, the look on his face looked as if he totally resented saying that last thing.
"What do you mean by, 'a case like theirs'?" Harry asked.
"Well...we've ne'er had students come to our school durin' the fifth year on exchange. We've ne'er had exchange students, period." Hagrid said with shifty eyes.
"Really? What's their story? Did they screw up at their old school?" Ron asked.
"I bet it wasn't that bad." Harry said.
"Yeah, don't you see the trouble we get into? And we still haven't been sent to a different school." Ron said. When Hagrid didn't answer, Ron and Harry decided that it was too touchy of a subject and stopped talking about it completely.
"What happened to Hermione?" Hagrid asked. Harry and Ron were now the ones in a bad situation. They sure didn't want to tell Hagrid that Hermione gave a flat-out "no" when they asked her if she wanted to see Hagrid. They still didn't know what was up with her, and they didn't know why she'd ever turn down a chance to meet with Hagrid.
"Well, you know Hermione, she's always going nuts over school. But actually she's...at a Prefect meeting." Ron said. Harry nodded quickly in agreement as Hagrid smiled.
"That's Hermione. I'm so proud o' her, always tryin' ter do 'er best. I really want 'er to become Head Girl. But I guess having her hang out with you two has changed a couple of minds along the way." Hagrid said.
******
"You know, I think Dumbledore should make a rule that all Gryffindors should sit with Gryffindors, as with all the other houses. I mean it's outrageous that Megan, Penelope, Alina, and Camille are allowed to sit with the Slytherins. Doesn't anybody care? Doesn't anybody else think it's crazy?" Ron asked as he and Harry went up to the Gryffindor Tower after visiting with Hagrid. Transfiguration had gone without a hitch, and Alina and her friends sat at the Slytherin table at dinner. Harry agreed with Ron in his mind, but he didn't want to mention it to Ron. He might think he has a crush on one of the girls.
"I don't have a crush on any of them. That's such a Ron thing. Basically, that's just not me." Harry thought as they entered the common room. It was quite empty, to Harry's surprise. After the table fiasco, he was almost sure that he'd find Ravenclaws and Slytherins alike in the Gryffindor common room. The two were more surprised, though, by the fact that Penelope, Megan, and Alina were nowhere to be found.
"They're probably in the girls' dormitory." Harry assured Ron, while seemingly assuring himself, too.
"I wonder why Hermione didn't want to visit Hagrid." Ron said as he and Harry sat down by the fire.
"She said she had homework. Well, before she slammed the door in our faces." Harry said.
"Harry, she only has one class that isn't with us. Professor Vector gives no homework. And all our other classes had no homework, probably because of the new students. So, what's up with her?" Ron asked.
"Well, maybe she's got things on her mind." Harry said.
"Like what? 'Oh my god, there's no homework! How will I go on?'" Ron mimicked Hermione in a fairly good impression of her fainting dramatically.
"She's probably stressing over the O.W.L.'s" Harry said.
"Ugh, the typical Percy thing to do." Ron said in distaste. They were quiet for a while as Ron looked around every inch of the common room. But he always seemed to avert his eyes towards the direction of the staircase to the girls' dormitories. He looked back at Harry. "They can't stay in those dormitories forever." Ron said.
"They can if they wanted to." Harry said and half wishing it weren't true. Ron stood up.
"I'm going to do something about it." Ron said, marching towards the staircase. A few minutes later, he came sauntering back. "Hermione said they weren't in there." Ron said. He yawned heavily. "I'm going to sleep now, you coming?" he asked as he started up the stairs to the boys' dormitories. Harry shrugged.
"I think I'm going to stay and think for a while." Harry said. Ron rolled his eyes.
"Don't stress! 'Oh my gosh, the O.W.L.'s!'" Ron squeaked. Harry laughed a bit as Ron left. Harry turned away from the stairs and to the fire. He sat there and focused on it for a while. His mind was totally blank. And then, as if on cue, everything he had ever thought about those past few days popped up in his head.
"Here I am, thinking. Why am I here thinking? I really would rather be sleeping. So why am I thinking? Am I sorting things out? I guess that's what I'm doing. Okay. So, time to sort. Cho's pretty. I mean I've thought of her that way since my third year. I guess she'll always be pretty. And I guess I do have a crush on her... But why did I just turn down an open offer from her? Strange. I mean I honestly thought I'd jump quickly at the chance to be with her. What's keeping me back? Cedric? No, it can't be. No, it's definitely not Cedric. It's this new girl, Alina. I don't even know why I feel this way towards her. I don't even know her. But then again I don't know Cho. But at least I've known of Cho for two years. But the way I feel towards Alina is like I've known her for as long as I've known Hermione. It's weird... It is weird, but I think I...I think I'm developing a crush on her..."
A/N: Okay now, Harry likes Cho. Harry likes Alina. Who will get Harry? Ooh...I know y'all can't wait to see how it will turn out! ::evil grin:: Does Draco have a crush on Alina? What did he say to get her blushing? Was it something along the line of, "these unicorns are as cute as you." Muahahahahaha!!! ::clears throat and says in a Brittany Murphy voice:: I'll never tell. Now, what's the deal with Hermione? What's Hagrid not telling the duo? I think I'll post chapter eight today as well, so sit tight. Oh yeah, much thanks to Dark Fairy for reviewing! I'm glad you like my story! -Gryffindor Heiress
All of y'all know the disclaimer. On to chapter seven!
Chapter 7: Unknown Feelings
"Snape? Why was Megan going to Snape of all people?" Ron asked Harry frantically as they headed to the Great Hall for lunch. Harry had the same thing on his mind, but Alina had seemed to concern him more.
The two of them flopped down onto their seats at the Gryffindor table, and they nonchalantly began to search through the throngs of students entering the Great Hall for Megan.and Alina. Hermione marched over to the Gryffindor table, totally blocking Ron and Harry's view of the door. She arched an eyebrow suspiciously at them as she sat down slowly. She waved a hand in front of their eyes.
"What're you two doing?" Hermione asked as she sat down.
"It's got nothing that concerns you, Hermione." Ron snapped as he tried to look over Hermione's head (and puffy hair). She stood up to block his view completely.
"Are you two looking for someone? Perhaps I could help." Hermione said.
"This doesn't concern you." Ron hissed at Hermione, and looked back up towards the door.
Harry watched as Hermione slowly and quietly sat down. He noticed her facial expression, and noticed that she had never before looked so sad in her entire life. He looked back at Ron, who seemed to not be caring about what Hermione was feeling whatsoever. Harry nudged Ron.
"What?" Ron snapped. Harry shook his head.
"What's up with you?" Harry asked quietly, although it still sounded as though he were spitting fire. Ron didn't make an effort to turn his head to look at Harry. Instead, it seemed as though Ron was choking. "R-Ron. Ron!" Harry exclaimed when Ron didn't answer to his calls. Even Hermione's head had shot up, and her sad face was soon washed over with alarm. "Ron!" Harry called again. Hermione was now standing up, jumping, and giving Harry orders on how to help Ron.
"Ron! Ron, please-" Hermione stopped jumping and shouting (and basically every movement or sound she had previously been making). She just stood there and stared as Ron held out a shaky finger to point out something. Hermione followed the finger's path to the Slytherin table, where none other than Megan and the rest of the new girls were sitting. Hermione's face turned scarlet as she leaned across the table. She then slapped Ron across the face in a slap heard 'round the Great Hall. Heads at every table turned to see what was going on at the Gryffindor table. Even Professor Dumbledore stopped to put his goblet of pumpkin juice down to see what was going on.
After Hermione had slapped him, Ron quickly brought a hand to his face as his ears turned pink.
"What was that for, Hermione!?" Ron exclaimed. Hermione shook her head at Ron in disbelief.
"Don't EVER do that again! I thought you were actually CHOKING! You scared Harry and I half to death! If you ever try and pull a stunt like that again, I swear the outcome will not be pretty! MARK my words, Weasley!" Hermione screamed. She banged her fists against the table and threw herself back onto her seat.
The Great Hall was silent.
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat from the staff table. The students seemed to take that as a sign and everyone went back to their business as if nothing had happened.
Ron leaned over to Harry.
"What is that Ravenclaw girl doing at the Slytherin table?" Ron whispered. Harry shrugged. "Even worse, what are those Gryffindor girls doing at the Slytherin table?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged again. Ron sighed and went back to his sandwich, but still took quick glances over at the Slytherin table.
No, Ron's eyes hadn't deceived him. Camille of Ravenclaw, and Megan, Alina, and Penelope of Gryffindor were sitting at the Slytherin table with Mikaela and Erin of Slytherin. It was then Harry's turn to lean over to Ron.
"If you hadn't noticed, Mikaela and Erin of Slytherin, Camille of Ravenclaw, and Penelope, Alina, and Megan of our very house all came here at the same time, and they're all in the same year. Has it occurred to you that maybe at their previous school they were all good mates?" Harry asked. Ron looked at him and shook his head. "Ron, that's probably the reason why they're hanging out together."
"You think that maybe Megan, Penelope, and Alina went to see Snape because they wanted to change houses and be with their friends? He is the head of the Slytherin house." Ron said.
"That would be horrible if they change houses!" Harry thought.
"Ugh! Look at Malfoy!" Ron exclaimed in a disgusted manner as he tapped Harry on the shoulder and pointed towards the Slytherin table. "That Malfoy is all over Alina!" Ron said.
"Malfoy all over Alina?" Harry thought. "But she's a Gryffindor. What's he playing at? His father would permanently disown him. The Slytherins would be after him. Pansy would obviously be leading the pack. Pansy would want to strangle Alina. If she did that, I swear I'll... Never mind that last thought... The Gryffindors would surely be after Malfoy. I'd be first in line. He will never get Alina. I swear... Wait, what am I thinking?" Harry shook his head and heard Ron calling his name.
"Harry. Harry. Harry, are you okay?" Ron asked, "You just dropped a goblet full of juice on the table without even noticing. Are you sure you're okay? Well, I guess seeing Malfoy all over a girl is revolting... Are you sure you're cool?" Ron kept asking. Harry nodded, but his eyes were still fixed on the Slytherin table.
Malfoy wasn't the only one laughing anymore (as he usually always is the only person laughing at things). Alina was laughing along with him, and so were the other girls. Harry thought Malfoy must be pretty desperate to get disowned by his family. Or maybe he wanted Pansy to go away. Or did he like Alina?
Harry kept watching on as Alina and the rest of her friends were in a huge fit of giggles. Penelope looked like she was laughing the most, for she looked like she was going to fall out of her seat and take the rest of the table with her. It was evident to Harry that Camille was the quiet one. She was laughing, or that's what it looked like. Camille had her hand covering her mouth as she laughed. Mikaela seemed to be a bit like Camille, laughing with her hand covering her mouth, although she did seem like Penelope at times. She was a cross. She laughed with her hand over her mouth, but occasionally let herself be free. That was almost the same case for Ron's goddess of all goddesses, Megan. Erin, though, seemed to be like Penelope's twin soul. She, like Penelope, looked like she was going to fall out of her seat, too. And then, to Harry's horror, or so it seemed, he watched as Alina laughed as hard as she possibly could, and practically fell on Malfoy. Malfoy was now laughing as hard as Penelope and Erin, and didn't seem to mind that there was a girl almost connected to his arm. Harry thought he felt his insides boil.
"That's just sick." Ron said, and he actually looked like he was going to be sick. But Harry had a feeling it was because Ron was watching Megan sit with his rivals.
"You know, maybe they do want to be in Slytherin." Hermione said, crinkling her nose. Harry and Ron looked at her in surprise, for it was the first thing she had said after she had yelled at Ron. But then again, that wasn't the only thing that surprised Harry. For when he heard Hermione say that last statement, he could've sworn he heard a bit of hope in her voice.
Obviously, Hermione just wanted Megan to go away.
"Go to Slytherin for all I care." Hermione thought. Craning her neck, she turned to the Slytherin table. She watched along with Harry and Ron as Alina's head fell onto Malfoy's shoulder. For a moment, Hermione thought she was feeling jealous. "Jealous? Why should I be jealous of Malfoy and some girl? That's nothing to be jealous of. I find it sick that any girl would want to be with Malfoy... But then why do I feel like I almost want to be with him... EWW!" Hermione's eyes widened at her last thought. "That's sick." She mumbled.
"Huh? You say something, Herm?" Ron asked, looking up from his sandwich (amazingly not Megan) to look at Hermione. For the first time, Hermione didn't feel her cheeks burn up when Ron said her name... She didn't even blush when Ron had called her "Herm".
"Strange." Hermione thought.
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted when the bell signaling the end of lunch sounded. Hermione got up, as did Harry and Ron and everyone else in the Great Hall. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all seemed to be caught in thought for they hadn't said anything to each other on their way to Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures.
On the way to a class, Hermione usually thought excitedly about what she'd be learning. But instead, that day was different. She thought of different things...like boys...and it was that certain redhead...
******
"An' yeh hold 'em like that. Make sure yeh s'port their bottom, an' hang on to their upper half. They have a habit of squirmin' out of yer grasp. Take it from someone with experience." Hagrid said as the Gryffindors and Slytherins held baby unicorns in their arms. Hagrid decided to do more work with unicorns by popular demand. Besides, unicorns were also fairly easy to handle.
Harry stroked his baby unicorn, which was a beautiful gold that shined in the sun. He looked up and got a quick glance over at Alina stroking the unicorn she held in her arms. He looked back down at the unicorn in his arms, but quickly looked back up and saw Malfoy lean over and whisper something to Alina. He watched as a blush crept on her cheeks, and her smile dared to make Harry's heart melt.
Harry looked over at Ron, whose hand was barely even touching the unicorn. (If you know what he was paying attention to, then you'll know why he was so far off from the whole lesson.) But he came back to reality when the baby unicorn head-butted him. Ron jumped, but then smiled and started to stroke the unicorn thoroughly.
"An' now, if all the young ladies would come o'er here, I've got eh full grown unicorn for yeh to pet." Hagrid said as he led the girls of Gryffindor and Slytherin around to the back of his hut, leaving the boys of Gryffindor and Slytherin unattended with baby unicorns.
"Alina's really something." Harry's ears perked as he heard Malfoy's voice. Harry heard Crabbe and Goyle grunt in reply, it was probably in agreement, but don't all grunts sound the same and almost always mean the same thing? "She's quite nice...for a Gryffindor." Malfoy said. He heard Crabbe and Goyle grunt in reply again. "And you two have got to admit, she's quite a head-turner...you know, for a Gryffindor." This time, Harry heard Crabbe and Goyle say "yeah" in reply.
"You heard that?" Harry jumped when Ron walked up behind him.
"Have you been listening in as long as I have?" Harry asked Ron quietly. Ron nodded.
"You think maybe Malfoy fancies Alina?" Ron asked.
"I think Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle like Alina." Harry said.
"Poor thing." Ron said, with a bit of sympathy in his voice.
"I know, just imagine being liked by Malfoy of all people." Harry said.
"That's just unfortunate." Ron said.
"At least we know she could protect herself." Harry said and Ron rolled his eyes.
"Don't even remind me of that day!" Ron said, covering his ears. After the girls came back from petting the unicorn, Hagrid dismissed the class. But before Harry and Ron headed back to the school, Hagrid invited them, and Hermione, over to his hut. The boys agreed and then headed to the castle for their next class, Transfiguration.
******
"Where's Hermione?" Hagrid asked as he opened the door to his hut to find only Ron and Harry.
"Hey, it's better than nothing!" Ron exclaimed. Hagrid laughed it off and led the two in.
"So, what're them new girls like?" Hagrid asked as they sat around a wooden table.
"Why do you ask?" Harry asked.
"Well, we've ne'er exactly had a case like theirs." Hagrid said. Then, the look on his face looked as if he totally resented saying that last thing.
"What do you mean by, 'a case like theirs'?" Harry asked.
"Well...we've ne'er had students come to our school durin' the fifth year on exchange. We've ne'er had exchange students, period." Hagrid said with shifty eyes.
"Really? What's their story? Did they screw up at their old school?" Ron asked.
"I bet it wasn't that bad." Harry said.
"Yeah, don't you see the trouble we get into? And we still haven't been sent to a different school." Ron said. When Hagrid didn't answer, Ron and Harry decided that it was too touchy of a subject and stopped talking about it completely.
"What happened to Hermione?" Hagrid asked. Harry and Ron were now the ones in a bad situation. They sure didn't want to tell Hagrid that Hermione gave a flat-out "no" when they asked her if she wanted to see Hagrid. They still didn't know what was up with her, and they didn't know why she'd ever turn down a chance to meet with Hagrid.
"Well, you know Hermione, she's always going nuts over school. But actually she's...at a Prefect meeting." Ron said. Harry nodded quickly in agreement as Hagrid smiled.
"That's Hermione. I'm so proud o' her, always tryin' ter do 'er best. I really want 'er to become Head Girl. But I guess having her hang out with you two has changed a couple of minds along the way." Hagrid said.
******
"You know, I think Dumbledore should make a rule that all Gryffindors should sit with Gryffindors, as with all the other houses. I mean it's outrageous that Megan, Penelope, Alina, and Camille are allowed to sit with the Slytherins. Doesn't anybody care? Doesn't anybody else think it's crazy?" Ron asked as he and Harry went up to the Gryffindor Tower after visiting with Hagrid. Transfiguration had gone without a hitch, and Alina and her friends sat at the Slytherin table at dinner. Harry agreed with Ron in his mind, but he didn't want to mention it to Ron. He might think he has a crush on one of the girls.
"I don't have a crush on any of them. That's such a Ron thing. Basically, that's just not me." Harry thought as they entered the common room. It was quite empty, to Harry's surprise. After the table fiasco, he was almost sure that he'd find Ravenclaws and Slytherins alike in the Gryffindor common room. The two were more surprised, though, by the fact that Penelope, Megan, and Alina were nowhere to be found.
"They're probably in the girls' dormitory." Harry assured Ron, while seemingly assuring himself, too.
"I wonder why Hermione didn't want to visit Hagrid." Ron said as he and Harry sat down by the fire.
"She said she had homework. Well, before she slammed the door in our faces." Harry said.
"Harry, she only has one class that isn't with us. Professor Vector gives no homework. And all our other classes had no homework, probably because of the new students. So, what's up with her?" Ron asked.
"Well, maybe she's got things on her mind." Harry said.
"Like what? 'Oh my god, there's no homework! How will I go on?'" Ron mimicked Hermione in a fairly good impression of her fainting dramatically.
"She's probably stressing over the O.W.L.'s" Harry said.
"Ugh, the typical Percy thing to do." Ron said in distaste. They were quiet for a while as Ron looked around every inch of the common room. But he always seemed to avert his eyes towards the direction of the staircase to the girls' dormitories. He looked back at Harry. "They can't stay in those dormitories forever." Ron said.
"They can if they wanted to." Harry said and half wishing it weren't true. Ron stood up.
"I'm going to do something about it." Ron said, marching towards the staircase. A few minutes later, he came sauntering back. "Hermione said they weren't in there." Ron said. He yawned heavily. "I'm going to sleep now, you coming?" he asked as he started up the stairs to the boys' dormitories. Harry shrugged.
"I think I'm going to stay and think for a while." Harry said. Ron rolled his eyes.
"Don't stress! 'Oh my gosh, the O.W.L.'s!'" Ron squeaked. Harry laughed a bit as Ron left. Harry turned away from the stairs and to the fire. He sat there and focused on it for a while. His mind was totally blank. And then, as if on cue, everything he had ever thought about those past few days popped up in his head.
"Here I am, thinking. Why am I here thinking? I really would rather be sleeping. So why am I thinking? Am I sorting things out? I guess that's what I'm doing. Okay. So, time to sort. Cho's pretty. I mean I've thought of her that way since my third year. I guess she'll always be pretty. And I guess I do have a crush on her... But why did I just turn down an open offer from her? Strange. I mean I honestly thought I'd jump quickly at the chance to be with her. What's keeping me back? Cedric? No, it can't be. No, it's definitely not Cedric. It's this new girl, Alina. I don't even know why I feel this way towards her. I don't even know her. But then again I don't know Cho. But at least I've known of Cho for two years. But the way I feel towards Alina is like I've known her for as long as I've known Hermione. It's weird... It is weird, but I think I...I think I'm developing a crush on her..."
A/N: Okay now, Harry likes Cho. Harry likes Alina. Who will get Harry? Ooh...I know y'all can't wait to see how it will turn out! ::evil grin:: Does Draco have a crush on Alina? What did he say to get her blushing? Was it something along the line of, "these unicorns are as cute as you." Muahahahahaha!!! ::clears throat and says in a Brittany Murphy voice:: I'll never tell. Now, what's the deal with Hermione? What's Hagrid not telling the duo? I think I'll post chapter eight today as well, so sit tight. Oh yeah, much thanks to Dark Fairy for reviewing! I'm glad you like my story! -Gryffindor Heiress
