Chapter 10

Harry's Secret Crush

Disclaimer: Nothing that you recognize is mine!

A/N: My English is terrible so please, bare with me.

For the first time in the history of her life, Hermione was actually not paying attention in class. She was studying Arithmancy, with the teacher nicely talking in front, and her mind was wandering off somewhere while her hand was busy playing with her quill. She had a lot on her mind and none of them were easy to sort out. Things just kept getting more and more complicated and on top of it all, it was only the first day of school. Her mind recalled the incident that had just happened a few minutes earlier.

~*Flashback*~

"Miss Granger, could I see you for a moment?" Professor McGonagall called her before she could enter her Arithmancy class.

Hermione nodded, told her teacher that she'll be out for a moment and walked towards Professor McGonagall, closing the doors behind her.

"Yes Professor?" she asked, her curiosity was well hidden.

"I don't have much time since class is about to start so I'll just get straight to the point. I need you to tutor Mister Dursley for the time being. None of the teachers seem to be able to do it since we are all busy putting up necessary precautions for the safety of the students. Since you are the top student in this school, I feel that it is only right for you to help him. Besides, you could take it as a revision," Professor McGonagall explained.

"I'm sorry professor but can't you get someone else to do it? How about the second or even the third in the school?" Hermione said, pleadingly.

"The best after you is Mister Malfoy but I don't think he will teach Mister Dursley much. You know how he is." Hermione nodded slowly. "And the third is Mister Potter. I can't ask him to do it since he will be busy with Quidditch practice. And besides, I don't think he would agree to do it. Please, Hermione. This is only temporary. At least until the protections are up," Professor McGonagall said.

Hermione wanted to refuse but the look in the Professor's eyes… She just couldn't do it. She slowly nodded her head. Professor McGonagall gave her a warm smile.

~*End of Flashback*~

"Daydreaming eh, Granger?"

The voice of Malfoy snapped her back into reality. Hermione turned, only to find an uninvited guest sitting beside her.

"What do you want Malfoy?" she asked him coldly, her voice barely a whisper but annoyance could be heard clearly from it.

Malfoy raised an eyebrow at her, then he smirked.

"Don't tell me you weren't listening to what Professor Vector (Is that right? Who exactly is the Arithmancy teacher anyway?) was saying just now," he asked.

"Well, it might have slipped my mind. What does that have to do with everything anyway?" Hermione snapped, blushing a little.

"If you weren't daydreaming about Potty just now, you might have heard that he was paring us up for our next assignment," Malfoy said.

"First of all, Malfoy, I wasn't daydreaming about Harry. And second of all, for someone who's the second smartest in the school, you sure are dumb. It's Potter, not Potty. Think you can handle that much information in one go?" Hermione said, this time, she was smirking.

Malfoy's smirk quickly vanished and his eyes darkened.

"Watch it Mudblood or you may be sorry the next time you say such things to me," he said dangerously.

Hermione rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the front of the class to where the Professor was informing them about the assignment they were supposed to do together.

~*~

"Ron, have you seen Hermione at all today?" Harry asked as he sat down beside Ron.

They had just finished their Quidditch training and were about to sit down for dinner when he noticed that Hermione wasn't there to greet them as usual. Ron looked around the Great Hall, trying to spot her.

"Now that you've mentioned it, I haven't seen her since our last class. I wonder… wait. I think I know where she is. Usually, when she's missing like this, where do we always find her?" Ron asked, now piling food onto his plate.

"Of course! The library!" Harry exclaimed.

"Exactly. Now, and usually, when she is in the library and it's time for dinner, she's always…" Ron trailed off.

"Late," Harry automatically replied.

"Exactly. So, I don't think we should worry about her. In fact, I think she'll be here just about… Now!" Harry turned around, only to find Hermione walking into the Great Hall with a stack of books in her arms and her bag dangling at her side.

Harry laughed.

"Man, you've got E.S.P.!" Harry exclaimed.

"What's esp?" Ron gave him a blur look and Harry grinned.

"Never mind." Just then, Hermione took a seat across from Harry and placed her books on the chair beside her.

"Sorry I'm late. I was in the li-" she started, slowly trying to put some books into her bag.

"Library. Yeah, we know Herm. Don't worry 'bout it," Harry cut in.

Hermione smiled and poured some pumpkin juice for herself.

"Wha er oo doig ere?" Ron said a mouthful.

"What?" Hermione asked.

Ron swallowed while Harry laughed at their behavior.

"Gees, one would think she could understand him by now, even if he has a mouth full. Oh well… who can blame her?" thought Harry, as Hermione and Ron stared at him.

"As I was saying, what were you doing there? We just started school. None of the teachers had given any assignment to us… yet," Ron asked again, before digging into his pile of food again.

"Oh, I was just doing some research," she replied, then taking a sip of her juice.

"For what?" Harry asked, looking up and grabbing hold of his goblet.

"Nothing much. Just stuff about Arithmancy," Hermione lied quickly.

She hated lying to them but she couldn't tell them about the Prophecy just yet. Not until the time is right.

'Lucky for me they're not taking Arithmancy,' she thought to herself.

"You and your Arithmancy. Anyway, make sure you come up to the Common room with us after this. We're gonna show you that thing we said we should," Ron reminded her with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Honestly, I wish you two would quit being so secretive about this whole thing and just tell me about it," Hermione sighed while playing with her food.

"What's wrong Herm? You look kinda stressed. You've been playing with your food a lot now a day. Since yesterday, I think," Harry asked, concerned note in his voice.

"It's nothing." She quickly lied again because she didn't want them to worry about her.

"No it's not. We know you better than that," Ron said.

He put his fork down and looked at Hermione.

"Professor McGonagall asked me to tutor Dudley for a while. I don't know why but I think he must be doing really badly since it's only the first day of school and still he can't cope. It's not that I don't want to do it but I've got a lot on my plate as it is," Hermione sighed.

Harry's eyes suddenly turned cold when she mentioned Dudley's name. His eyes traveled from Dudley, who was sitting at the very end of the table alone, to the Dursleys'. Uncle Vernon was eating almost everything on the plates in front of him while Aunt Petunia was eating like a snobbish woman. Almost all the staff was staring at them. Even Professor Snape looked well mannered compared to Vernon. Harry turned back to Hermione.

"I'm really sorry Hermione. I shouldn't have agreed with Dumbledore to let them come here. It's even troubling you and the rest of the Gryffindors. I mean, look at all the points he lost this morning. I just wish that Voldemort didn't show up when he did. Things would've been much easier," Harry apologized to Hermione, clearly upset by the whole event.

"Don't worry about it, Harry. I'm all right. It's you we should be worrying about. I mean Voldemort is after you, not me," Hermione smiled as he reached for Harry's hand that was stretched out on the table and gave it a small squeeze.

Harry gave her a small smile in return.

"I wish he was dead," Ron said suddenly.

"I wish he was too but we have to be patient. He will, in due time," Hermione said.

At the back of her mind, she remembered some of the information she had found in one of the oldest book in the library. She didn't even know the book actually existed and she knew the library by heart already. The thought still made her wonder. It was really weird. She was pulling a couple of books in the back of the library and some of them fell. She was picking them up when the book caught her attention. She picked it up and saw that it was the book that Dumbledore was talking about. Now she just had to tell Malfoy.

"Hey Herm. Are you with us?" Harry asked gently.

Hermione snapped back into reality.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying?" Hermione asked.

"We were wondering how you and Malfoy are getting along," Harry said again.

"Nothing has change. He's still the slimy git we all know and hate. To think that he would change his attitude after being Head Boy this year," Hermione answered.

"Well, I guess some people can't change. He's one of them," Ron said.

"I guess so," Hermione said softly.

After dinner that night, Hermione followed Harry and Ron back up into the Common room. It's been a while since she had last been there. She didn't actually sleep in her old dorm room anymore so that meant she didn't have to be there. They were talking about tomorrow's DADA class when they bumped into a sixth year Gryffindor girl. Harry quickly looked up and smiled at her. She smiled warmly at him and blushed. She quickly walked away. Hermione, who saw the whole incident, gave Harry a look.

"What was that all about?" she asked, smirking.

Harry quickly turned scarlet and mumbled something under his breath.

"What was that?" Hermione asked again.

"I sorta like her," Harry mumbled again but a little louder this time.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other before bursting out into laughter.

"Quit it!" Harry exclaimed but that only made Hermione and Ron laugh even harder.

They had to hang on to each other so that they wouldn't fall. Finally, after about five minutes of laughing, they calmed down.

"Did you know about this?" Hermione asked Ron, smiling broadly.

Ron just shook his head.

"How come you didn't tell us?" Ron asked, clutching his stomach that was hurting from all the laughing.

"Because I know you two would act like this. Beside, I don't know how she feels about me," he replied shyly.

"At least go talk to her. What's her name anyway?" Hermione said.

"Jade." Harry said with much love and care.

"Erm…How about adding a last name to that?" Ron asked.

"That I won't tell you," Harry said, walking ahead.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other again and then ran after him

"Why not?" they asked in unison.

"Because you wouldn't believe it and you'll probably tell me not to go ahead and date her," Harry said.

"No we won't," Hermione said.

"Yes you will."

"No we won't," Ron said.

"Yes you will.
"We won't," Ron and Hermione said together.

"You will,"

"Won't"

"Will!"

"Won't!"

"Will!!! Forget it. I'm not telling you guys and that's final," Harry said.

"How come?" Ron asked.

"Because…"

"Because what?"

"Just because. Now can we please drop the subject?" Harry asked.

"Fine," Ron and Hermione said together.

None of the said another word until they were standing in front of the Fat Lady. They were just about to say the password when somebody called Harry.

"Harry! Wait a sec!" All three of them turned around and saw Dean running towards them.

"What is it?" he asked when Dean caught up with them.

"Do you think I can have a go at the tryouts tomorrow?" he asked.

"Sure! If you're good enough," Ron said.

"Great! And by the way, someone wanted me to pass this to you," he said, handing Harry a piece of parchment to him. Harry said his thanks and the four of them entered the common room after Ron had said the password. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down on one of the empty couches in front of the fireplace. There was no one in the common room. Harry opened the note and read it.

"Who sent it?" Ron asked when Harry finish reading the letter.

"Jade. She was wondering about the first Hogsmeade trip," he said without taking his eyes off the paper.

"Why? It's not until the end of this week," Hermione said.

"I know. It's just that she was wondering if I want to meet her for a drink at The Three Broomstick," Harry blushed again.

Both Ron and Hermione were grinning this time.

"Well, well, well. It's seem as it the Great Harry Potter will no longer be available," Ron said.

"C'mon Harry. Please tell us her last name. We promise we won't make fun," Hermione pleaded.

"Why is it that you want to know her last name so badly?" Harry sighed.

"We just do. It's seems kinda weird to know her by only Jade. We wanna know her last name too," Ron said.

"Okay but please, when you do find out, don't say that I shouldn't go out with her or anything, okay?" Harry warned.

"We promise," Ron and Hermione said together.

"I'm only saying this once and I will NOT repeat. Ever! So listen carefully. Her name is Jade Iris G-"

"Harry! C'mon, we wanna see that thing you were talking about!" Seamus yelled suddenly, drowning Harry's voice until Ron and Hermione couldn't hear what he said.

"What?!" Ron and Hermione exclaimed together.

"I said it already and I will only say it once. Better luck next time," Harry grinned.

"But Seamus-" Ron said.

"Was talking-" Hermione continued.

"Too loud!!" they finished together.

"Well, too bad. C'mon, let's go see that thing I promised, Hermione," Harry said cheerfully.

Ron and Hermione stood still, unable to move from their spot.

"He's evil I tell you," Ron said.

"Yeah. Only he could plan such a thing," Hermione agrees as both of them watched Harry, Dean, Seamus and Neville walk towards the seventh year dorm.

Eventually, the both of them got up from their seat and followed the four boys into the dorm.

~*~

Harry was lying down on his bed, hands under his head and staring at the ceiling. They had just watched the recording of Dudley setting off a Dungbomb at Snape's class and had to go straight to bed. Laughing too much can cause headaches sometimes and this time, it was true. None of them felt it was necessary for a trip to the Infirmary to get the potion for the headache. So they all settled for a good night sleep instead. Besides, it was Snape who makes the potions and for all they knew, it could be poison.

Harry, on the other hand, couldn't sleep at all. He had a lot of things in his mind but mostly; he had a lot to think about. They were about Jade and Dudley. He'd rather think about Jade right now, though.

He knew both of his best friends were disappointed that he didn't tell Jade's full name. Why they wanted to know puzzled him. "It wasn't a big deal. I mean, what's in a name?" He wanted to tell them but then, if they knew the truth, they wouldn't let him go through with it.

Jade's a nice girl. She is one year younger than he was and he had started to notice her last year. They had become friends over the holidays. She actually sent him a letter. Harry had replied it and soon, they were sending letters to each other often. Ron didn't find out about it because Hedwig always managed to come back with the reply at strange hours of the night.

Background didn't really bother him that much. She was a nice girl and that's all he has to know. It was too bad for Ron and Hermione if they didn't like her for it. And with that as a final thought, he fell into deep sleep.

A/N: Hahaha! Who is the real Jade? I'll tell the FIRST reviewer why I put Dudley in Gryffindor AND how come he can see Hogwarts who can tell the EXACT full name AND guess who the next keeper is so don't forget to put your e-mail address in your review!!! I gave all of you a LOT of hints that I'm not sure if it's a fair play. Anyway, guess away. A few of you wanted me to put Dudley into Slytherin or don't want me to put him into Gryffindor. Please, don't ask me about that because I have my own reason. You'll find out about it later. It actually plays a big part in the whole story. Another asked me about how Dudley is able to see Hogwarts. That too will be revealed in due time. Be patient, okay?

MagicalMoonPrincess- Thank you very much. Next chapter will be out soon and review that one too would ya! This one too! :)

Snowwolf- You're sitting beside me again!!! Love Miss Hameeda for it!

Legolasbaby- The two poyos! Aishapoyo and Zuepoyo! My classmates nonetheless! Aishah, congrats! You made it into the Clare Cheerleaders' Team! Assunta will win this year though!!!!

Ron_2- You were wondering about my first language? Well, it's Malay. I don't think you know exactly what it is but if you wanna a sample, read Legolasbaby's review. My two crazy classmates wrote it! Thank You Very Much for the compliment!!!

--casvv--em- Thanks! The Quidditch season should starts real soon.

JOYMalfoy- I have my reason for putting him there. You'll find out later!

Kimbra- the clues are up there. Try and guess. Maybe you'll be the one I'll give the sneak peek to.

Seekerpeeker- thanks for the offer for the beta reader. I'll be considering it. Gimme a few weeks, okay?

Summersun- Thank You!!

T- well, Harry will have a girlfriend. I'm actually giving an intro about her. Descriptions will be given about her later.

Lily- sooner or later, you'll find out the reason!!

Zopoyo- sabar, zue. Sabar. Still under construction.

Meredith R- thanks 4 reading!

EyesWideShut- I'll kill you if u tell anyone bout the things I've told you!

Cassie- as u requested

Orange- don't worry. I'm not as young as you think I am. I think a senior in high school is mature enough bout u using that word, right? Anyway, thanks for reviewing,

Tabi- well, he is gonna fall for Hermione but… I'll tell u that much!

Fe- thanks!!