SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Feallan Steorra
Chapter 3: Fancying Hermione
Author's jibberish: Hmm...nothing to really say...just thanks for the reviews; keep them coming!
"You are going to the Halloween feast tonight, aren't you?" Hermione asked.
Orion shook his head. "And sit alone at my own house table? I can't stand the embarrassment," he said, turning a brown sock into a pair of glasses.
They were sitting in the quad area, their books sat beside them on the stone benches.
"You...haven't made any friends in Slytherin," she pouted. "You don't seem to belong there."
Orion looked up at her. "I don't? Why is that?"
She shook her head. "I supposed it's because most Slytherin detest me."
"Just because you are a muggle-born?"
She nodded. "But I still don't understand why the Sorting Hat placed you in Slytherin."
Orion looked up to the sky, thinking of what to say, until he revealed "My father was a Slytherin...and later became a follower of the Dark Lord all those years back."
Hermione's eyes widened, though she tried to hide it. "Oh."
"Then when he rose, my parents...well, they panicked. They left me to my guardian and ran...but..."Orion bit his lower lip, pain written on his face.
"Oh my god," Hermione gasped.
"I...I don't know if they're still out...or if he already got to them." Orion released a heavy sigh, as if a large weight came off his chest. "Why did my father join him all those years ago? What a fool...If he didn't, he and my mum would be..." he ceased his words, unable to speak.
Hermione tried to comfort him, gently grasping his lower arm. "Maybe that's why you are where you are...you want to make yourself better than your father?"
"Perhaps," Orion slowly nodded. Slowly, he took her hand in his, and held it, gazing into her eyes. "You are a true comfort to me, Hermione. I'm grateful."
She smiled meekly. "I'm here for you as a friend," she began to blush under his gaze.
"Harry! Harry!" Lavender Brown walked downstairs from the dormitories and found him sitting in the common room. "Harry have you seen Hermione?"
"No."
"Do you mind?" Ron huffed. "You're interrupting our game of Exploding Snap."
Lavender raised an eyebrow. She skipped to Ron's long-back chair, placed both palms on the armrest and leaned over. She pouted slightly. "I need to see Hermione immediately and I'm in desperate need of your help," using the most innocent, helpless tone she could muster.
Ron gulped, eyes fixed on Lavender's quivering lips. "Right...come on Harry," he said, slowly turning his head to his friend, "let's go find her."
Harry held back a chuckle. Ron seemed to have no clue what kind of hold Lavender had on him.
The two boys left the common room and headed to the typical Hermione spots: first the library, then all the classrooms.
They eventually split; Ron headed towards Professor McGonagall's room while Harry headed towards the quad. He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw two figures.
Orion took Hermione's hand and they exchanged smiles, gazing at each other. Harry's feet felt numb and a sudden, violent twitch rattled his insides. What was that?
"There she is," came Ron's voice. "Hermione!" he called, heading towards her across the quad. He was soon followed by Harry.
"Oh, I better go now, Orion." She stood and their hands detached. She collected her things. "See you later."
He nodded. "Of course."
Hermione left Orion's side, meeting Ron about ½ way. "Lavender's looking for you," he informed.
"Thank you," she said. "See you two at dinner tonight." She ran off to Gryffindor tower.
"Hey Ron! Harry!" Orion called, walking towards them.
They turned. "What does he want?" Ron muttered under his breath.
"I was wondering..."Orion began, "Are either of you courting Hermione?"
He was answered by Harry's raised eyebrows and Ron's hanging jaw. "Why?" Ron asked in utter disbelief.
"I was just wondering if she liked someone or if one of you like her..." Orion seemed slightly embarrassed about the whole idea.
"She's not with anybody, if that's what you're asking," Harry said.
"And neither of us like her in that way," Ron added. Harry said nothing.
Orion smiled brightly, like a child at the sight of candy. "Good," he said, giving a friendly slap on Harry's arm. "Great. I'll be seeing you two later."
Orion left with a happy step.
Ron frowned. "Funny...a Slytherin fancying Hermione..."
"Yeah," Harry responded. A twist began in his stomach; he didn't even notice the slight throbbing in his head.
