More Than Just Friends (by ilukaiba who doesn't own HP…)
Chapter 5
The school year was passing by very quickly, and before the first-years were even able so master three spells the students of Hogwarts were going home for winter break. Ron was going home for the break, while Harry was torn apart between somehow staying with Sirius even though he was on the run and staying at Hogwarts. But after much convincing from Professor Lupin, who pointed out that Voldemort was still a danger to him and Grimauld Place was no longer safe, he decided that he'd stay at Hogwarts.
And so on the day the students left for the break, conversations were directed to the subject of who'd be going where.
"I'm going home." said Ron for the seventeenth time that day.
"Yeah…" said Harry.
"And you two are welcome to come along! Mum said so…"
"Nah… I think I'll keep Professor Lupin company…" mumbled Harry.
"Suit yourself. But 'Mione you can come over."
"Uh… thanks Ron but… I think I'll stay at Hogwarts too… I want to get some studying done… after all the N.E.W.T.s are just around the corner."
Ron gasped. "THEY ARE NEXT YEAR HERMIONE!"
Hermione blushed. "Well yes… but it couldn't hurt to prepare a bit early…"
"Whatever… well you two have fun… all right?"
"Bye Ron…" said Hermione after him.
"Yeah… G'bye." added Harry.
((A/N See how Harry's acting really confused and all… yeah… ^^; Ya better make yer move soon Harry… the readers are waiting!))
Harry looked at Hermione, hoping he wouldn't do anything stupid. He was determined to hide the fact that he was falling for her. 'Gotta maintain my dignity…' he said to himself.
"So it's just us then." he said.
"Yeah…" replied Hermione.
"So you're seriously gonna study for the N.E.W.T.s?"
Hermione reddened once more. "Uh…" She wasn't really planning to… the only reason she had stayed was because of Harry. "I suppose."
"Oh… but we can still hang out and stuff, right?"
"Of course!" she said with a smile that could warm up the heart of any Dark wizard… well… almost any…
He gazed at her, trying to memorize her every feature. That glow in her eyes, the sparkles on her lips, the pink on her cheek, the smell of her hair, the…
"Harry? Is something wrong?"
He mentally kicked himself for thinking of her like that again. "No… nothing…"
"Oh," said Hermione, trying to hide her disappointment.
~ ~ ~
Soon it was Christmas morning. Harry woke up to see somebody standing by his bed.
"H-Hermione?"
She beamed at him. "Merry Christmas!" she exclaimed, giving him a gift wrapped in green wrapping paper. He also handed her a box.
"Can I… open it now?" he asked cautiously.
She giggled. "Of course." She proceeded to open her latest gift too.
Harry looked at his present with excitement. It was a photo album, entitled "Memories". And inside were pictures of everything exciting that had ever happened in Hogwarts while he attended it. And in each one, he and Hermione (usually with Ron) waved and smiled. There were pictures of them escaping the three-headed dog, Fluffy, that they had encountered during their first year. He looked at pictures from the Deathday party they went to in their second year. He saw pictures from when he had first met Sirius in their third year and when he had just completed the first task in the Triwizard Tournament. And there was a picture of them at Sirius' house from fifth year. The very last picture was of him exchanging gifts with Hermione, from just a few minutes ago. He didn't want to ask her how she got it.
"Do you like it?" she asked hopefully.
"I love it." he said with a grin. He hugged her and cherished the feeling of her in his arms… until he realized what he was doing. Blushing furiously (as was Hermione) he let go of her.
"Uh… let's go to the Great Hall for breakfast… after you get ready of course…" suggested Hermione, who was already clad in her school uniform.
She sat on his bed and waited for him to come out of the bathroom also dressed in his uniform.
They walked to the Great Hall, which was covered with Christmas decorations. In the middle was a single table, with enough seats for all of the professors who were staying and the few students who remained: Harry and Hermione from Gryffindor, Draco Malfoy and a seventh year from Slytherin, three shy first years from Hufflepuff, and one fourth year Ravenclaw.
Harry looked around. The remaining professors were the Headmaster, Snape, McGonnagall ((A/N spelling?!)), Flitwick, Lupin, Trelawney ((A/N she was re-hired)) and Hagrid.
Professor Dumbledore smiled at all of the students and teachers. "Merry Christmas everyone!" he said.
"So…" he said glancing around, "I presume we are all eagerly awaiting our meal?" He tapped his glass and in front of them appeared a Christmas feast.
The third year Slytherin immediately began to serve himself, ignoring the glare from his fellow Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, who in spite of his rudeness had enough manners to wait politely for everyone else to begin.
Food soon filled everyone's plate as they helped themselves to the smorgasbord of food that lay in front of them ((A/N I love that word! ^^))
Everyone began chattering loudly and happily. At the far end of the table, Dumbledore led a rather strange conversation with Professors Snape and Flitwick. It revolved around Muggle sweets.
"Severus, you really should try a lemon drop, they are wonderful!" said the Headmaster enthusiastically, while Snape rolled his eyes and nodded. Flitwick smiled and told the Headmaster that he would make sure to try one during the summer.
Professor McGonnagall was being 'treated' to a conversation with Professor Trelawney.
"Minerva… I am sensing some strange vibrations. Do you think that Death is approaching our table?" The Divination professor shuddered and refused to eat anything more of her meal.
"Sibyl!" said McGonnagall loudly, "I ASSURE you NO ONE at this table is dying."
Trelawney looked at the Transfiguration professor with horror. "You are not respectful of the dead! You have been warned!" Ignoring the giggles from Hermone, Harry, and Malfoy, she ran away screaming.
Meanwhile, Hagrid and Lupin were talking about the magical creatures Hagrid was planning to add to his curriculum.
"Hagrid I really don't believe that working with Sphynxes is a good idea." said Lupin with a smile.
"Drat!" exclaimed Hagrid.
And amidst all of this, Malfoy was taking the opportunity to insult Harry and Hermione.
"So Harry, how's your snivelling godfather?" he asked quietly, "Is he getting the right amount of bones in his diet."
"Go to hell Malfoy…" muttered Harry annoyedly.
"Woof woof!" said Malfoy loudly, sniggering. Lupin looked at the three for a moment, knowing what Malfoy was talking about.
Malfoy began to verbally harass ((A/N lol I didn't want to say insult again.)) Hermione.
"So Mudblood, how come you're not at home? Do your filthy parents not want you back?"
Hermione frowned at him. "Shut up." she said quietly.
"Oh… does the poor Mudblood not like it when her Superiors are mean to her? Get used to it, bitch!"
Harry glared at him. "You heard her, so shut the fuck up."
"Oooh has Potty got himself a girlfriend? The poor ickle Mudblood can't stick up for her own pathetic self?"
"Stop calling her that!"
"What? A Mudblood? Well if I did, wouldn't that be lying?"
Harry's eyes glinted menacingly as he took out his wand. "If you don't stop calling her that, I'll make you wish you weren't born."
"Is that a threat Potter?" asked Malfoy, also taking out his wand.
"No, it's a promise."
"Well Potter… if you want me to stop, tell your bloody Mudblood bitch to go kill herself."
They raised their wands high and attacked each other. Malfoy doubled over wheezing while Harry was thrown at the wall.
"BOYS!" yelled Dumbledore. Hermione ran to Harry screaming, closely followed by Lupin and Hagrid. Snape ran over to Malfoy, who pushed him away and pointed his wand at Harry.
"YOU RUINED MY LIFE YOU BASTARD! YOU GOT MY FATHER IN JAIL!"
"WELL HE DAMN WELL DESERVED IT!" retorted Harry angrily
"SHUT UP POTTER!"
"WHY DON'T YOU!"
"Harry!" said Lupin soothingly, "Ignore him, you shouldn't mess with him. I know you are enemies but-"
"You were a Marauder yourself! If someone insulted my father or Sirius or Peter you'd do the same. He had NO RIGHT to say that to Hermione!"
Lupin reddened. "That's beside the point Harry… I did many wrong things when I was young but I didn't know better."
"Well maybe I don't either!" He charged at Malfoy who immediately aimed another curse at him. Malfoy screamed at put his hands on his face, which was growing large boils. Harry on the other hand was on the floor holding his stomach and spitting out blood.
"STOP IT!" yelled Dumbledore, standing in between the two.
Hermione was sobbing by Harry's side. "You shouldn't have done that Harry." she cried.
"You're my best friend Herms. I'd do anything for you." He smiled weakly before collapsing next to her.
Snape muttered a countercurse for Malfoy's boils, restoring his face back to normal. Harry, however, was still out cold, being carried to hospital wing by Lupin, with Hermione on his tail.
~ ~ ~
A/N:
Okay here's one more chapter because I love you guys so much… and it's a longer one too! just to keep you occupied while yer waiting… -_-;; but no review responses this time either because I am really short on time. So keep reviewing, tell me what you think! I feel really bad about making Malfoy so mean but he was the only person who could attack Harry and still stick to the basic plot… I mean, having one of the professors attack him would be strange and I don't want any major original characters… so sorry Malfoy… lolz
Anywho, just wondering, does anyone here watch anime? If ya do, which one's do ya watch? lolz I watch quite a few ^^ cuz I am obsessed. Visit the links in my user pro to see my fansite and weblog and stuff ^^
Anywayz… Jaa everyone see ya soon hopefully, I don't think I can get in another update before I leave for 3-4 weeks so sorry. Byee…
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