10/31/03: Happy Halloween! My 7-month old daughter is going to be a bumblebee…she is so cute I think I might pass out! Anyways, here are the continuing adventures of H/Hr fluffiness. This is sorta like my last story, where a bunch of H/Hr chapters somehow found their way in between the plot. If it's not your cup of tea, don't fret, only one more chapter before the action picks up again.
12. Falling for a Gryffindor
Harry walked to the Great Hall the next morning bleary-eyed and half-asleep. He hadn't gotten much, if any sleep at all, last night, and it was all her fault. Hermione Granger. Harry's interrogation by the girls left him realizing things he'd have much rather have left alone: that Harry actually had feelings for his best friend. Harry's previous romantic experience essentially boiled down to a wet, tearful kiss with Cho Chang, at least in his Gryffindor world. Over the night, Harry tried to remember if he had any romantic moments with girls in his Slytherin world, but aside from a few bouts of flirting, he came up empty. Harry didn't even have anyone to turn to for a "guy's" opinion; he had no father or brother, Sirius was otherwise occupied, and he certainly couldn't talk to his Slytherin mates about his feelings for a Gryffindor. Harry was grateful that the Slytherin girls supported him, but their constant talk of flowers, perfume, and romantic sunsets soon gave him a headache.
Harry sat down heavily at the Slytherin table, mumbling a few morning greetings as he reached for the plate of sausages. A few of the girls gave him sly looks, but he didn't have the strength to glare back. Harry ate quietly and let his eyes wander the Great Hall until they finally rested on the object of his affection. Hermione sat across the Hall from him, and he had to shift his position a little bit to get a clear view. She sat between Lavender and Ginny, reading her morning Daily Prophet as usual. The sun seemed to filter in from the enchanted ceiling just so, highlighting her hair and giving her a look of radiance. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed as she read in concentration, her left hand idly playing with her fork, her lips pursed-
"Harry!"
Harry jerked up from his trance to find himself the center of attention: all the Slytherin sixth-years were staring at him, the boys confused, the girls silently laughing at him. "Er, what?" he asked lamely.
Pansy smiled at him tolerantly. "Can you pass the bacon? I've been asking for awhile now."
"Er, yeah, sure…sorry," Harry said as he passed over the plate. "My mind was elsewhere."
Daphne giggled next to him. "No kidding!"
"No kidding what? What's going on?" Blaise asked suspiciously, eyeing Daphne.
"Nothing, nothing at all," Daphne said lightly. "Harry's just found something more interesting to look at then his breakfast."
"Ah!" Ted chimed in. "Does ickle Harry Potter have a crush?"
Harry felt his cheeks redden. "Oh, leave him alone," he heard Tracey say. "I think it's sweet…very Romeo and Juliet!"
"Very who?"
Tracey groaned. "Don't you Neanderthals know anything about Muggles - Shut up, Malfoy - and great literature? Shakespeare? Hello? Ring a bell?" Tracey looked around at the table and finally threw her hands up in frustration.
"Anyways," Malfoy said, after shooting a perplexed look at Tracey, "who is it, Harry?"
Harry grew uncomfortable. Daphne leaned over. "You can tell them Harry. We're behind you all the way. They're going to find out eventually." Harry looked over at her and the other girls; they were all giving him looks of support, urging him on.
Finally, Harry sighed. "It's Hermione. Hermione Granger."
"What! You have got to be bloody joking!" Malfoy yelled, leaping to his feet.
"Sit down!" Daphne hissed. Malfoy looked around, suddenly realizing he was the focus of attention of everyone in the Great Hall. He sat down, an embarrassed look on his face.
"Well, still! Granger?! Please tell me you're kidding!"
"Shut up Draco!" Pansy said.
"What's wrong with Hermione?" Harry demanded, annoyance overcoming his reluctance to speak about his developing feelings.
"She's a mud-"
"Think about what you're going to say," Harry interrupted in-between gritted teeth.
Malfoy paled slightly, barely noticeable though with his already pale skin. "I-I mean…she's a Gryffindor! Surely there's a nice Slytherin girl that's better for you! Here, take Tracey!"
"Draco!" Tracey cried indignantly.
"I don't like Tracey, I like Hermione," Harry said firmly. Then, realizing what he said, he turned quickly to Tracey, "No offense Tracey. You're a wonderful girl, and any guy would be lucky-"
Tracey giggled. "No offense taken Harry."
Harry smiled, then turned back to face the surprised Slytherin boys with a grim face. "Now listen here. I'm not saying I'm in love with Hermione, but I definitely feel something for her. If you've got a problem, keep it to yourself!"
Blaise swallowed uncomfortably. "No problem here, mate. Just surprised, that's all. I mean, you've never even mentioned her before. Plus, she's so…bookish. Doesn't seem like your type."
Ted nodded. "We have nothing against Granger. Honest. True, she's a little annoying being a know-it-all, but that's it. It's just going to take a little getting used to. I mean…a Gryffindor!"
Harry chose to ignore the little jibes at Hermione. "Well, get used to it gentlemen, because I'm hopefully going to be spending a lot of time with her." He looked at Malfoy.
Malfoy scowled when he noticed all eyes turn on him. "I still can't…a m-Gryffindor! Millie, surely you can't be fine with it?"
"At first, I wasn't," Millie admitted. "But it is kind of cute. I mean, she's going to Head Girl next year, and Harry'll be Head Boy, so it's like destiny!" she said with a dreamy look in her eyes.
Malfoy looked disgusted. "I can't believe you said that." Then he grew resigned. "Fine Potter. You and Granger. Great," he said half-heartedly.
Harry clapped him on the back. "It'll be fine Malfoy. Maybe if you're nice, I can set you up with Ginny Weasley?" They all laughed at Malfoy's horrified look, and even Malfoy chuckled. Harry looked around the table as the conversation turned to safer topics, absolutely flabbergasted at the support he found from a group of Slytherins. He did notice Malfoy's odd look, but decided that he would need a few days to get used to the idea.
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Harry found Potions to be extremely difficult that day. Not because of the subject matter - Harry could brew that particular potion in his sleep - but because of the distraction provided by Hermione. Not that she was doing anything besides paying attention in class, mind you; her very presence made it hard for him to concentrate on his work. If Snape noticed Harry's distraction, he didn't mention it at all during class. After the bell signifying the end of class had run, Snape called out, "Mr. Potter, may I have a word with you after class?" Malfoy gave Harry a sympathetic look as he shouldered his bag.
"Want us to wait?" Pansy asked.
"No, go ahead. I'll meet you at lunch." She nodded and left, not really worried at all that Harry would be in trouble in Potions. Harry waited until the class emptied (managing to share a smile with Hermione that made his insides flutter) before making his way to the Potions Master's desk.
"Professor Snape? You wish to see me?"
Snape looked at Harry in the eye, and Harry instinctively cleared his mind. Snape shrugged slightly. "I noticed your lack of attention today during class. Because you're usually very attentive, I'm curious."
Harry squirmed a little. "It's nothing Professor Snape. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
"Yes, I see." Snape paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "They can be very distracting," he said knowingly.
"What? Who can?" Harry asked confused.
"Why, girls of course!" Snape said. Harry stared at Snape in shock. Was Snape actually talking to him about girls? It was so surreal; his surprise was so great he didn't notice his face grow warm. Snape just looked at him and smiled. "As hard as it is to believe, I was young once also. While I myself would not prefer a Gryffindor, they're a bit too…crass…I can understand the attraction. If there's anything you want to talk about, have questions about, or certain potions you might need, please don't hesitate to come to me," Snape said with a genial smile. "But don't let it interfere with your schoolwork, Mr. Potter," he said in a more Snape-like fashion before dismissing him. Harry could only nod dumbly before he left the classroom.
Harry walked the halls in a daze, his mind still not able to comprehend what had just happened. Did Snape just offer to talk about the birds and the bees? He supposed he should be used to surprises by now, but a nice Snape giving out girl advice was still too much. It was a little creepy. Harry found his way to the Great Hall and sat down.
"What did old Snape want?" Tracey asked.
"Er, nothing," Harry stammered. "Just potions stuff." For some reason, he couldn't talk about it. It was still too unreal. Tracey looked at him, clearly not believing, but decided not to press the issue.
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Harry found to his great dismay that spending time with Hermione would be much harder then he thought. Being in different Houses, much less Houses that hated one another, made it difficult to cross paths; they had no common room in which to meet, and the route to Gryffindor Tower and the Slytherin Dungeons were far from each other. Harry began to grow desperate, knowing that asking Hermione to spend time with him in an empty classroom would only work so long. Harry finally hit on an idea, deciding to use his Slytherin-ness to its fullest extent. After dinner, Harry wandered about until he spotted his prey. "Hey Anthony," he called out. Anthony Goldstein, the Ravenclaw prefect, stopped and turned to see who called his name. He, and those he was walking with, froze at the sight of Harry Potter walking up to them.
Harry reached the group of Ravenclaws that Anthony was with and stopped. And waited. He grinned inwardly at the looks of unease and surprise that greeted him. Finally, Harry found himself growing a little tired of the silence. "So, hi Anthony. Can we talk a moment?"
"Uh….s-sure Harry."
Harry frowned. "Alone?" he said, pointedly looking at the other Ravenclaws.
Anthony eyes widened and he backed up slightly bumping into Terry Boot. He looked at his Housemates. "Er, sure Harry."
Harry grinned as the other Ravenclaws walked slowly away, but not before asking Anthony if he was sure he wanted to be left alone. "So," Harry said, "I was wondering if you'd mind switching patrol night with me."
Anthony stared at him a moment before he let out a deep breath and let his shoulders slump. "Is that all?" he asked with obvious relief. Harry nodded. "Sure thing Harry. My night is tonight. When's yours?"
"Thursday," Harry replied. "Thanks a bunch Anthony; I owe you one. I'll go tell the Head Boy and Girl now," he said as he walked away, leaving Anthony to slump against the wall in relief.
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Harry stood nervously outside the Transfiguration classroom, fidgeting from foot to foot. Finally, he heard the telltale sounds of footsteps, and Harry quickly straightened his clothes and checked his hair with his hand. Then, he put on his most charming smile.
"Harry? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?" Hermione walked up to Harry, concerned. Harry watched her walk, observing the graceful way she moved. He noticed her eyes, her brown eyes filled with concern for him. The way her dainty hands held on to the strap of her bookbag, and the-
"Harry? Are you okay?"
Damn, caught staring again. Harry blushed slightly and smiled. "Everything's fine. I just switched nights with Anthony. He, er, came to me and asked to switch."
"Oh…ok," Hermione said, and Harry couldn't tell if she believed him. "Well, let's get started then." Hermione indicated down the hallway, and the two started their patrol route.
Harry found himself suddenly tongue-tied, his mind unable to think of a single topic of conversations. This was crazy! It's Hermione, his best friend of five years, and yet Harry was a bundle of nerves. Hermione noticed his anxiety. "Are you sure everything is okay?"
Harry nodded. "I'm fine."
"Are you having trouble adjusting to Slytherin House?"
Harry grasped onto the question like a lifeline. This was something he could talk about! "Not really. Actually, it's been a lot easier then I thought it would be, though Malfoy is still a git." Hermione laughed, and Harry forgot what he was saying, distracted by the sound. Oh yeah. "I'm actually surprised at how nice they are," he continued.
"Nice? Slytherin's and nice don't go well together."
"You just have to get to know them. I know, I know, it's hard breaking down the walls between the Houses, but you always used to tell me how important inter-House relations are."
"I did? Well, it is something that I say," she said, smiling at him. Harry loved to see that full smile. Whoops, focus, she's still talking.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Harry asked lamely.
"Honestly Harry, you're acting very funny today. I asked you if you told anyone else about your…situation."
Harry shook his head. "There's no one else that I trust," he said. "I would tell Ron, but I know he won't believe me."
"No, he definitely wouldn't," Hermione agreed. They continued on their patrol, discussing their prefect duties and things not related to Harry's predicament. They finished their patrol together, having run into nothing exciting, and Harry walked Hermione back to Gryffindor Tower. When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Harry suddenly felt uncomfortable, unsure as to what to do next. Should he kiss her on the cheek again? Did she like it the first time? Would she think he was creepy if he did it again?
"Well, er…" Harry began.
"Good night Harry. Thank you for walking me back," Hermione said sweetly, before leaning forward and giving him a kiss on the cheek. She smiled warmly at him as she gave the password and disappeared behind a smiling Fat Lady. Harry stood there a moment, his hand to his cheek. Then a wide smile broke out on his face. Harry gave a small fist pump of celebration before heading to the dungeons. The past three days had been really busy: Harry woke up in Slytherin; he found he enjoyed being in Slytherin; Professor Snape was actually nice; and he developed feelings for his best friend. As Harry climbed into bed, he wondered idly what awaited him tomorrow.
A/N: Some may wonder where are Crabbe and Goyle throughout all the Slytherin conversations. Basically, I know how Malfoy talks, and I can make up the others. But I really don't know exactly how dumb Crabbe and Goyle; I don't want them to sound like imbeciles, but I also don't want them to sound smarter then they are. So, I figure they're either too dumb to have any input at all, or they figure they'll just ask Malfoy what to think later.
Ok, so why isn't Draco vehemently against the H & Hr pairing, despite his fear of Harry? Shouldn't his hatred and the hatred of all Slytherins of Hermione show through? Well, no. Why? My theory is that the only reason why all the Slytherins are extra-mean to Hermione and Ron is because they're pals with Harry. Draco is basically the ringleader, and he hates everything Harry-related. Well, in this world, Harry is more the ringleader then Draco, and Harry was equally abusive to all the other Houses and didn't single anyone out. Draco doesn't really care about Ron and Hermione except for the fact that Ron is poor and Hermione is a know-it-all. So, in the early years, the Slytherins mocked Hermione more as she was a show-off, but she started to mellow with the hand-raising and the Slytherins eventually got used to her being the smartest. In this world, the Slytherins mostly see the Gryffindors as House rivals, not hated enemies.
Basically, although Malfoy is still a slimy git, he's not as bad as in canon since he's not jealous of Harry; scared, but not jealous. Hopefully you're not too disappointed in Malfoy's reaction, though hang on a bit, we haven't heard the last of him.
Narcissa-Malfoy-22: I'm a bit bored at work, so I've been able to write nonstop! I dunno why, but I just couldn't leave Hermione's teeth alone. I was afraid it might be too cheesy, so I'm glad you liked it. I'm up to chapter 10 of your story, but I'll just go add a review later today rather than talk about it here.
A.M.bookworm247/Galen: The girls are still pretty cliquey, but without Malfoy's hatred, they don't go out of their way to torment other people, at least not now since they're older and more mature. None of them necessarily like Hermione, but they're all willing to give her a chance because of Harry.
onkel: I'm glad you liked the teeth scene; as I said to Narcissa, I was nervous about it.
ears91: the girls are good, and Malfoy accepts it…or does he? dramatic music in the background
naughty little munchkin: Good luck on your exams! If it's multiple choice, just guess "C."
szelij: thanks for reviewing my other story. Sorry about not having more dark curses, but to be honest, I'm just no good at making up spells. You'll see in this story I just mostly write "flick of a wand" and let the spell effect show as my way of getting around it. Good catch on my misquote, I missed that one. But then again, I can't imagine Hermione lapsing into Old English :) I'll see if I can fill out my favorites, but it's very unorganized.
Calen: they're not all slimy once you get to know them…well, Millicent is, but the others aren't ;)
aniolek: all, or maybe most, of your questions will be answered next week builds suspense
Don't forget, be on the lookout for another update later today!