CHAPTER 3

Hermoine and Ron walked in two seconds later.

'Why weren't you at lunch?' asked Hermoine.

'Um... Lera is upstairs. I think you should talk to her.' Said Harry

Hermoine walked up the stairs and cautiously opened the door asking 'Lera?'

Lera was in the corner of the room shaking.

'Lera? You ok?'

Lera sat there shaking until she said,' I won't let it happen again.'

'Let what happen again?'

'Let that happen.'

'What is that?'

'I can not love him.'

'Why not?'

'Last time it ended in the loss of my father.'

Hermoine edged closer.

'What happened?'

'I fell in love with the wrong person. His father came after me. He was a powerful wizard. He came to keep me away from his son. Permanently. Dad got in the way of the deadly curse. He was wearing an amulet mum had made him. He didn't die. He just lost everything else.'

Hermoine was silent for a minute.

'That happened once. It won't happen again.'

'How do I know?'

'You don't. You have to trust yourself. Besides Harry doesn't have a dad and he really likes you. I can tell.'

The girl didn't reply.

'c'mon,' said Hermione,' lets go to Muggle studies.'

And the girl nodded her head and grabbed her books and walked out of the dormitory.

It was three weeks after Lera had come to Hogwarts. She had settled down well and was thoroughly enjoying herself. Harry hadn't kissed her again, but the two had spent many nights sitting up and talking in the common room when everyone else had gone to sleep. They also shared moments of just looking in each others eyes. Brown into green. And often their hands would brush against one another's. Nobody really noticed as romance was all over the hormone raged teenagers. Well, that is to say that nobody except Ron and Hermoine noticed. Ron had silently given up on the idea of Lera and him and Hermione was always there for Lera to talk to. We find the two girls sitting on Lera's bed sharing a bag of every flavoured bean.

'I don't know what to do,' sated Lera.

'Just tell him how you feel,' replied Hermione, taking a bite of a red bean.

'He doesn't seem to want to make the first move,'

'He already did. But he frightened you. He is waiting for you,'

'Why can't he just do something,'

'do you want me to talk to him for you?'

'could you? thanks so much Herms.'

The two girls sat in silence.

'what do you want him to do?'

'something. Kiss me again?'

'I'll talk to him,' she promised.

'Harry!' called Hermione as she saw him coming through the portrait hole.

The common room was empty and Harry had just gotten back from Quidditch practice.

'what's up Hermione?' he asked.

'where is Ron?'

'having a shower.'

'I think we need to talk about Lera,' said Hermione.

'why?'

'Because you are ignoring what is in front of your nose.'

'how so?'

'ok...' started Hermione as though she was explaining something to a toddler, 'you like her, she likes you,'

'so?'

'so do something about it.'

'last time she got scared.'

'she won't this time.'

'how do you know?'

'I've been talking to her and I think she is over it.'

'So what should I do?'

'I will not plan it for you. Think about it yourself.'

And with that she walked off leaving Harry standing there, deep in thought.

It was two days later and Lera was walking back from some last minute study in the library when a voice behind her said

'Hey Lera,' and out stepped Draco Malfoy.

'um... hello,' said Lera. She was a bit unsure about this person as he was such a bastard to her friends.

'I Just got a new Broom, sent from home. You want to try it out?'

'um.. no thanks,' she said and started walking away from him.

He grabbed her arm, 'c'mon'

'no,' she said trying to pull free.

'I know you want to,' he said as he pulled his face near hers.

It was more than Lera could take. She punched him in the face. He let go of her swearing. He reached for her again. She tried to run but he was too quick. He grabbed her shirt and slapped her face.

'You'll pay for that bitch,' he said.

'let go of me!' she yelled.

He smiled at her. A crazy sort of smile. 'no.' he pulled his hand back as though he was about to punch her. His hand began to come down but something stopped it. Harry had arrived when he heard her terrified screams. He pulled Malfoy off her. Lera blacked out.

After Harry was finished with Malfoy. He bent down and picked up the limp form of Lera and carried her back to the common room. He laid her out on the couch. She slowly opened her eyes. She reached out her hand to his face. He leant over and kissed her. She kissed him back. When he pulled away he was afraid he would see that same fear, but it wasn't there. A small smile played on her lips and she lay back down closing her eyes.

Harry sat there for a bit longer before he too lay down and went to sleep.

He woke up half an hour later to noise in the room. He quickly sat up. Lera was still next to him sleeping peacefully.

Ron entered.

'what happened to her?'

'Malfoy attacked her.'

'oh.' Was all he could say. 'is she ok?'

'yes.' Harry chose to not mention what she had done when she woke up, 'she'll be fine.'

Ron and Harry looked at each other for a bit.

' you like her, don't you;' said Ron

'yes,' replied Harry.

Ron nodded and turned to leave.

' Ron, why are we like this?'

Ron shrugged and walked out.

Ron pushed past a figure in the door.

'sorry Hermione.'

Hermione looked at Harry, exasperated. 'Are you two fighting again?'

'I don't know what his problem is.'

'oh Harry, isn't it obvious?'

'No.'

'I explain it to you nearly every year. One day, maybe one day you will listen. He is jealous Harry, you beat him again. But this time it was to a girl.'

Harry sighed. 'can you talk to him for me please?'

'fine,' said Hermione as she turned to leave. It seemed to her that all she was doing was sorting out other people's problems. She sighed. They were her friends. She climbed out of the portrait hole and went to look for Ron.

Harry turned his attention back to Lera. She was waking up again. She would be all right

Lera recovered fine. Malfoy, how ever had a nasty bruise over his eye, where Lera had punished. However he would have rather died than admit that a girl had beaten him up.

A couple of days later a notice appeared on the Gryffindor notice board.

It read

5TH YEARS AND UP

ON THE 1ST OF JANUARY THERE WILL BE A BALL

ALL STUDENTS FROM 5TH, 6TH AND 7TH YEARS

ARE EXPECTED TO BE THERE.

MUGGLE CLOTHING.

BALL GOWNS ETC TO BE WORN

Today was the 20th of December and there was a hogsmede trip coming up. it was the holidays so no one was really worrying about schoolwork so everyone's attention was turned to the ball, partners and what to wear.

'Hermione, I have nothing to wear,' said Lera one afternoon as they were sitting on Hermione's bed discussing the ball.

'we can by something tomorrow in Hogsmede if you want,' said Hermione. She had her dress picked out but hadn't told anyone what it looked like. She needed to buy accessories anyway.

'that would be so good. What are you wearing?'

'Big Surprise. You'll see on the 1st.'

'Not fair Herms.'

'has Harry asked you to go with him as a date?'

'He asked me this morning. I said yes. Has anyone asked you?'

'Yes. Ron asked me.'

'what is happening with you and Ron?'

'nothing,' replied the girl going slightly red.

'sure, sure. I can tell and even if you don't tell me, I will find out.'

Hermione sat there for a minute contemplating whether to tell or not.

She decided against saying anything. All would be revealed in the fullness of time.

the next day, the 24th Christmas Eve, dawned bright and clear. Today would also be used for last minute Christmas shopping as well as dress shopping. Hermione and Lera decided it would be best if the boys weren't with them as they thought it would be a better surprise for them. They started at the fashion witch, Dress for formal occasions. They walked in and looked at some clothes.

'I like this one,' said Lera holding up a dress. Hermione screwed up her face.

'you don't like it?' asked Lera.

'No,'

they looked around for a bit longer.

'what about this one?'

the answer was the same as they first. They went through this about 3 more times before Lera found the perfect dress. She payed for it and they walked out into the street. Next they went into an accessory shop and both bought some gorgeous jewellery. (a/n you will find out what they bought later.)

they then met up with Harry and Ron for lunch.

'hey Harry,' said Lera as she went up and kissed him.

'hey Lera,' he replied, 'what did you buy? Can I see?'

'you can see on the first.'

'no fair.' He grumbled.

The rest of the day he kept trying to see into the bags until Lera finally got annoyed and magically made the contents invisible. Harry grumbled for a second but then gave up. they had lunch in one of the cafes. Lera ordered Lasagne, Harry order spaghetti, Ron ordering a burger and Hermione ordering a salad.

After lunch they decided to split up again. Harry and Lera, and Hermione and Ron. They went their separate ways saying that they would meet up in an hour.

Lera walked side by side with Harry holding his hand.

They went into a few shops and bought some last minute presents. After that they decided to go up to the shrieking shack. They sat there on a rock, wit5h Lera resting her head on Harry's chest, listening to him breathe.

'Lera,' said Harry.

'yes,' she sighed

'I love you,' he stated simply.

Lera's head came off his chest and she turned to face him. She reached out her hand to him.

'I love you too.'

They leant over and kissed and then went back to their previous positions but each of them had this warm feeling in their hearts. The knowledge that they were both loved.

Christmas day dawned bright and clear. Lera awoke to find a pile of presents on the end of her bed. Hermione woke too and they both started to unwrap their individual presents.

'Merry Christmas.'

'Merry Christmas.'

From Hermione she had received a book, from Ron she had received a bag of assorted lollies and from Harry she had unwrapped a beautiful case. Curiously she opened it. In the case contained a ring. (not an engagement ring. They're too young!) but a beautiful ring which had 3 blue sapphires in the middle of an ornate shape. It was beautiful and Lera immediately put it on her right, ring finger. She admired it before Hermione came up to her.

'wow, is that from Harry?'

Lera couldn't answer. She just nodded her head.

'thanks for the present by the way,' said Hermione, 'I love it,'

Lera smiled.

'lets go down for breakfast,' said Hermione.

They walked down the stairs. At the bottom were Harry and Ron waiting for them. Lera immediately ran up to Harry and kissed him passionately. 'I love it so much. Thank you.'

Harry was surprised to see tears of joy in her eyes.

'thanks for the watch,' he replied. He placed his arm around her and they walked down to breakfast.

They day appeared to blur together for Lera. There were celebrations, exchanges of gifts and Merry Christmas and then the Christmas feast at the end. Lera fell asleep that night with a warm feeling of security in her stomach. She was safe and loved.

The next week past quickly for everyone. Finally it was the first of January. The girls left the boys at lunchtime with a quick kiss from Harry they made arrangements to meet at 6 o'clock that night for the dance. The girls went up stairs. They both had showers and dressed in their dressing gowns did facials and relaxed in the safety of their dormitory. It was very noisy all through Gryffindor house as everyone prepared themselves for the dance. Lavender and Pravati were also in the Dormitory. They too had facemasks on and the four girls lounged around reading fashion magazines and talking excitedly.

All the dresses were laid out on the beds and accessories on the tables. At around 4 o'clock all faces were washed and hair dried.

'Hermione and Lera talked excitedly about the dance and their dates. Hermione did Lera's hair and make up and in return Lera did Hermione.

At 5 minutes to 6 they were all ready. They walked down the stairs to see the guys waiting below for them.

To Harry it was like a dream. The girls left thyme at lunch. He and Ron had spent the rest of the time in the common room until 5 when they went and got ready. They had then gone and waited down stairs for the girls. At 6 o'clock on the dot Hermione and Lera came down. They both looked gorgeous. Lera wore a deep blue, silky dress with thin straps. Two thin bits of hair at the side of her face were tied at the back of her head, leaving her long, thick hair to fall down her back. Around her neck she wore the 3-leaf clover necklace she always wore. On her wrist she had a beautiful bracelet and in her hair she had a small tiara. Her face had light make up on which just highlighted her beautiful features. To put it plainly she looked so pretty that he was sure he would die if he couldn't have her forever. His attention moved to Hermione.

She wore a red dress, similar to Lera's. she too looked gorgeous.

Harry held out his arm for Lera. She took it. He whispered in her ear,' You look stunning.'

She blushed slightly 'thank you. You look pretty hot yourself.' He smiled

'thank you.'