SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Feallan Steorra

Chapter 2: Orion

Author's jibberish: Thanks for the reviews…to those who did. I really appreciate it (to my sister, Xiaoyu, and kronic) Please keep them coming!

            "Swear. Must we always have Potions with Slytherin?" Ron complained. It was their second day and already he was growling about school.

            Harry agreed. "It's just our luck." Beside him, Hermione was getting out 3 pieces of parchment and her quill, ready to jot down notes.

            Professor Snape came storming in the room, his signature sneer on his mouth, "Silence!" he greeted them, causing the Gryffindors to jump in their seats. Without a word of welcome back, he started his lecture.

            Then he asked "Where can one find the main ingredient to the blood-freezing toxin?" Hermione's hand shot up into view. "Anybody..." Hermione wiggled her arm for attention, and then switched arms. "Besides Ms. Granger?"

            Another hand rose from the back corner of the dark dungeon. Professor Snape nodded. "Yes, Mr. Morell?"

            Everyone turned. Ron tapped Harry on the shoulder, "It's him," he whispered.

            The same boy that bumped into Hermione yesterday spoke. "The main ingredient, white snow moss, is native to the caverns of the Swiss Alps."

            Hermione looked over to him, then realized Morell's eyes turned to her. He smiled briefly, then looked back to the Professor. She returned the action.

            Snape raised an eyebrow in half-amusement. "Ten points to Slytherin...and ten points from Gryffindor because Mr. Weasley insists on speaking while other are."

            Ron's jaw hung, his ears slightly pink. Snickers came from Draco's crowd as the class continued.

            Hermione finished her History of Magic homework in the library. She noticed a figure approaching her, then stopped close by. She looked up and saw the same boy. "Can...can I help you?"

            "Just wanting to accompany you Ms. Granger," he said. "If you don't mind?"

            "Oh," Hermione held her hand out to the seat beside her. "Help yourself, Morell."

            "Please," he pulled out the chair, sitting down. "It's Orion."

            "Orion? As in the constellation?"

            "The very one. My mother had a mad fixation for the stars, Ms. Gra–."

            "Hermione," she offered and they shook hands.

            "Hermione," he repeated. "It's such a melodic name; it's quite beautiful."

            She felt her cheeks go pink. "Oh," she stammered, "well, thank you."

            "In all honesty, Hermione," he said her name with a smile, "I was wondering if you would help me. That is, of course, if you're too busy–."

            "Oh, not at all," Hermione shook her head. "What do you need help with?"

            "Transfiguration," Orion said, pulling out the text. "The concept here..."

            "Uh-huh..."

            Together, they read the paragraphs, with her explanation of the process to turn a leaf into a piece of paper.

            Meanwhile, behind a bookshelf:

            "'It's such a melodic name'," Ron squealed, making poor imitations. "'Oh, thank you! Tee-hee!'" He rolled his eyes. "It's enough to make a sane person vomit."

            Harry raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure why Ron insisted to follow Orion Morell. Was he jealous? "I have to admit, it is a bit weird. A good-natured Slytherin publicly conversing with Hermione. Maybe he doesn't have a complex about pure-bloods."

            "Still, I don't like him. He's a Slytherin for a reason. I bet you he's a spy of some sorts for Malfoy!" Ron exclaimed.

            Has his friend gone mental? "Why?"

            "To find out other ways to insult her! Oh! I'll get him!" Ron pulled out his wand, aiming it at Orion.

            "Ron, no," Harry pushed the wand down, its end towards the floor.

            "A simple Jelly-leg Jinx wouldn't hurt much..."

            But at that moment, Orion was walking away. He exited the library. Swiftly, without being seen, Harry and Ron exited the library as well. "We got to find out what he's up to," Ron said, "He's probably trying to find dirt on–."

            "You're pathetic!" came a familiar voice. The duo stopped in their tracks as they heard Draco giving someone a scolding in the adjacent hallway. "You muggle-lover! You're a disgrace to Slytherin! Why in the seven hells did the Hat dump you with us? Keep sticking around with that Granger-mudblood and just you wait...you better be careful of your bed tonight." Draco, Crabbe and Goyle walked away, their footsteps becoming less audible.

            Harry turned to Ron. "A spy, huh?"

            Ron shrugged.

            An owl swooped down into the Gryffindor common room. It was late afternoon and Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in front of the fire. The brown owl landed gently on the armrest of Hermione's chair, a letter wedged in its beak.

            "Thank you," Hermione smiled. She took the envelope and peeled it open. She began to read the letter.

            "Who's owl is that?" Ron asked.

            "Viktor," she answered.

            "Krum? You're still dating him?" he asked.

            Harry peered up from his Care of Magical Creatures textbook. His eyebrows furrowed, hoping an argument won't arise.

            "Not dating; we were very interested with each other but..." Hermione shrugged. "We're still just friends.

            "Krum gave you the boot?" Ron asked, trying not to laugh.

            Hermione held her head high. "As a matter of fact...yes. He said..." she trailed off. She folded the note back into the envelope. "Oh nothing."

            "What did he say?" Harry asked. Even he was curious.

            Hermione looked up at him. A questioning look was in her eyes. She slipped the note in her book. "I...I have to..."she walked out the portrait hole.

            "What got her knickers in a bunch?" Ron asked Harry.

            But Harry just stood, put down his book and ran after her. "Hermione!" Harry called. He came out of the portrait hole catching sight of her. "Hermione wait!" He caught her by the wrist.

            A sudden chill ran up Hermione's arm. She whipped her head around, locking eyes with Harry's jade eyes. "Harry–."

            "I'm sorry for nosing in. I didn't think it would upset you."

            "No, you did nothing wrong, Harry," Hermione assured, placing a hand on his upper bicep. "I just...didn't want to say anything in front of Ron. I'd rather have him think Viktor and I split because of fading feelings. He might tease me..."

            "'Fading feelings'? Is that why you two didn't work out?" Harry asked, letting go of her wrist.

            Hermione's eyes looked to the ground. Suddenly, that crack under her foot seemed so interesting. "No, he insisted I..." her hand clamped to the back of her neck.

            Harry craned his neck, trying to get eye contact. "Insisted you what?"

            "He insisted that I shouldn't be with him but...with someone else," Hermione responded in a soft voice. "Silly...isn't it?"

            They were silent until "Is it true then?" Harry asked. "Are you two not together because you fancy someone else?"

            "Um..."Hermione seemed at a loss of words. They locked eyes and even Harry though his mind blanked out for a second. A shy smile appeared on her face and she shrugged. "That's what he says," was her answer. She turned on her heels and walked off quickly.

            Puzzled, Harry returned tot he common room.

            "Is she alright?" Ron asked.

            "I suppose."

            Ron sighed. "Didn't mean to upset her. She's awfully fragile. Girls..." He returned to his Care of Magical Creatures homework.

            Fragile...Harry flopped back down on the couch, placing the book on his lap. Fragile...Harry made a loose fist and imagined the sensation of holding Hermione's wrist. It was so thin and delicate...