Chapter Three: Attraction

Lydia had been in the halls after the feast, and had seen Harry leading out some children towards the Quidditch field. She was curious about his teaching skills and walked out onto the field to watch the practice. Harry wasn't a very good professor, but everyone was enthralled by him nonetheless. Lydia laughed at his obvious nervousness. He looked very attractive on his broomstick as he showed them all the latest moves. The class followed, and picked up on what he was trying to show them very easily. Harry had flown by the place where Lydia was sitting and waved in her direction. He had almost fallen off of his broomstick in his inward excitement. When Lydia's eyes were intently upon him, he nearly lost his breath. Her hair was blowing wildly in the wind-the bright blond hair that all Malfoys possessed. Her face was now beginning to haunt his thoughts. But unlike magic, this was a feeling that would not simply fade away with a flick of his wand
After the session, he retired to his quarters, but his thoughts remained with Lydia and Ron. He said he was intent on following Hermione - he could not lose his one chance. Harry wondered if his own chance for happiness like this was being presented to him. Lydia had already presented so many fascinating challenges for him - and thus far he had been able to outwit every other challenge he had ever faced during his years at Hogwart's - but this time was far different. Love was a completely different predicament that he had never begun to ponder since it had never occurred to him before. He thought again of his parents, how they instantly knew it was meant to be. He grew saddened by the fact that he would not feel that instant magic with Lydia - because she was a Malfoy and they had always been destined to hate one another because Harry always knew that he had willed his own magic to be aid mankind and defeat dark magicians like Voldemort, but all Malfoy's seem to want were power and money at the cost of anything to obtain it. Lydia had already given a clear indication that she clearly wished to defy her father and everything that the Malfoy family stood for.
Lydia was lying by the fireplace reading her book of spells when Courtney came to her side, gazing at her with steadfast admiration. "Girl, you mustn't stare at me so!" Lydia complained. The little girl only blinked at her dumbfounded. "I hope I learn as much as you have" she said softly as Lydia handed her the book she was reading. "It takes many years to master certain spells, but if you have the will and determination you can learn" she remarked to the other girl's comfort. "When did you know that you were.that you possessed magic?" Courtney asked her quietly as she perused the book. "Well, I shall tell you if you promise to keep my secret" Lydia said. "Of course!" She said. She picked up her wand and laid it aside. "The truth is this is utterly useless to me" "you wand? Why?" Courtney was still far too young to understand where Lydia was going with her explanation - but Lydia felt desperate to confide in someone. "I do not need it" Courtney already looked baffled. "Dear, I'm psychokinetic, and can use this to perform spells without the use of a wand" she paused, standing, "watch" Lydia stared at the fireplace again with a heavy look of concentration. A few moments later a fire appeared. Courtney was wide eyed. "Wow!" Lydia then shut her eyes and the fire disappeared. "I have never seen anything like that before" "It is rather rare - but I have also heard rumors that other possess this talent - but only when provoked into using it. I have to frequently fight off the physical temptation and sometimes have to hide myself away. I have done things in the past that were past my control. Some have called me evil" Lydia saw the changed expression on young Courtney's face, and it was one of immediate fear. "I'm sorry Courtney, it had not been my intention to frighten you" the other girl only nodded. "Have you ever done anything bad? To anyone?" "Not intentionally. Sometimes I have my spells where I have no idea where I am, but these were beyond my control. I would never seek to hurt anyone" "it must be scary to feel helpless like that" the other girl replied. "It is, but more importantly I have been wanting to have others understand it and not pass judgment. Everywhere I've gone others have called me an evil witch and I have done nothing to merit it. I may be a Malfoy but I'm not like them." Lydia whispered. "I'm also a metamorphmagus" she added quickly. "A what?" The young girl sounded highly confused. "I can change my appearance at anytime of my so choosing" she showed her. "I do not recognize you!" Courtney said loudly. "Yes, but I would rather not do that. I see it as deception" Courtney only nodded silently.
Thus far, Draco and Lydia had not seen one another, nor would either want to have any sort of relations. Lydia had been watching the Quidditch matches and had taken and immediate interest in the game. She wanted to learn about the specifics. She had also been watching that Potter boy very closely. They had not talked since their brief interlude a few weeks before. He was bright, if not abit quiet and shy - not handsome, but his face and the well-known scar that he had always been trying to hide did make him stand out. "He is a funny looking fellow, isn't he?" Lydia asked Courtney quietly as they watched the match. "Yes, but he has endeared himself to everyone. Mum talked of him all of the time, she told me every story of him since I was a young babe. I know that he has defeated he-who-must -not-be-named on several occasions and saved Hogwarts." "Quite a feat for an seventeen year old, I'd say" Lydia said with a sharp sarcasm. She had little patience for all of the rumors and stories about the "famous" Potter. It made her ill - hearing her father curse his name and to hear his fury as he cried out for revenge and loathing of everything that he considered mudblood. "Little Courtney, promise me that you'll steer clear of all of that 'he-who-must -not-be-named' business, it is a rather troubling issue that the wizards have been dealing with for many decades" her young friend only raised an eyebrow.
Once Harry was alone, all of the tensions he had felt during the Quidditch match had faded away and he felt free. He loved feeling the air through his hair; loved being at Hogwarts. It was home. He then remembered the words.. Welcome home Harry; Ron always seemed to understand. But then, he remembered all of the envy and anger he had felt - about being born Muggle, for being alone for nearly fourteen years of his life- alone; alone! He thought sadly. Still alone- no parents; no siblings - no one to understand my frustration. He then nearly fell from his broom when he saw that familiar blond hair. She was standing in the middle of the field, watching him intently. Her dark blue eyes met his. She was so beautiful. Lydia. Lydia Malfoy. Draco - his only real enemy here. She had turned slightly away, threw off her Gryffindor cloak and revealed her broom. Harry had just then suddenly realized that he had not been seen. Lydia was lost in a daze - but her eyes had nearly burned into his own. She had flown up, straight into the air and looked as if she had the intent to fall. Harry had immediately flown towards her and she collapsed into his arms, as if she had no idea that he were even there. "LYDIA!" He cried out her name, in hopes that she would respond.but she made no sounds that were recognizable to him. She fell slowly from her broom into his strong arms. She then opened her eyes and let out a small cry. "What." she shook her head and then cried when she saw Harry. "Oh, dear lord! It has happened again," she uttered, her face flushing with fear and deep embarrassment. "What has 'happened again?' " Harry asked her in bewilderment as he held her in his arms while trying to steady himself on the broom without falling. "Care to put me down please?" She asked him just as quietly. "Oh ye-s" Harry said more shyly, realizing that he was still holding onto her slim waist. "Please tell me what happened" Harry began as Lydia brushed herself off. She let out a sigh. "I have moments where I - don't know where I am" she lowered her head. "It sounds like sleepwalking" Harry said softly. "I've been doing it since I was five. Like I am being pushed by something evil" she stopped short. She dreaded telling anyone what she felt was her undoing. He could feel her emotional tension as she spoke. "I mustn't stay here," she said, finally picking up her broom. "But Lydia -" Harry reached out for her, but she had quickly ran towards the tower.
Lydia had returned to her room, and leaned against the door, her face still flustered from the warm air. Courtney had immediately come to her with a strange expression on her face. What has happened? You look terrible" she said. "I do not know!" Lydia covered her face with her hands in agony. "It keeps happening to me.I was nearly killed!" She sobbed. Courtney threw her arms around her friend as her entire body shook from fear. "Do not be afraid!" She said softly. "I am, I am! Terribly" Lydia broke down. "Please do not cry" Courtney begged her tenderly. Lydia lowered her head and went to sit by the fireplace. "I was having one of my spells and nearly fell off my broomstick I did not even realize I had it with me for Christ sake" Lydia sighed. Courtney only listened with interest. "I fell into Harry's lap" Lydia shuddered at the memory. "Harry Potter?? Oh my! You are so lucky!" Courtney said with her familiar dreamy expression whenever someone mentioned Potter. " Lucky? Good lord, no! Foolish and humiliated was more like it!" Lydia argued. "He only looked at me with a vacant expression and ask me too many questions in which I have no answers for" Lydia had sighed with a renewed frustration. Courtney only blinked.
Harry's hands were still warm. In fact, his entire body felt warm with longing. He had held her in his arms for a fleeting moment. But.she had not known she was there. She had only gazed up at him in confusion. Her eyes were empty and glassy. She had no idea where she was - or who I was, he thought with frustration. Why? What was it about her that made his pause go haywire? Admitingly, he had felt a strong admiration and liking for Cho Chang, but his feelings then were nothing like this - what should I do? His instinct told him to avoid her like the plague; but his heart was telling him otherwise.