Disclaimer: Harry Potter is from the creative genius that is J.K. Rowling.
We are not her. This is merely a fan fiction to tide us over until Book 6.
A/N: No disrespect is meant by the Star Trek mention. There will be some R/Hr action in the next chapter. Enjoy. ======================================
The next morning dawned bright and clear, a perfect day for studying by the lake. Or, as Harry spied his broom, it's a perfect day for some early Quidditch practice. He quickly dressed then grabbed his broom. The rest of the guys were already gone on individual pursuits. Ron was probably doing prefect stuff. Seamus would be in the Great Hall chatting up his latest victim over breakfast. Dean would be outside practicing football drills. And Neville would be in the greenhouse. Perfect. He could fly undisturbed for once.
He had almost made it down the first floor corridor when he came across a crowd of boys standing on a stairwell outside an open classroom.
"Shhh!" he heard Seamus shush someone who was gasping.
"I'd eat dog biscuits everyday for that downward dog," he heard someone say in a loud whisper.
"What's going on?"
A pair of hands quickly grabbed him and dragged him into the stairwell out of sight of the open door.
"It's an all girls yoga class," said Dean.
"Yeah, so?"
"Educate the boy," said Seamus.
"Budge over Weasley." Harry looked over surprised to see Ron move down a step while continuing to stare at the classroom. Harry sat down in the vacated spot and looked to see what the fuss was about. He almost fainted.
One of the rarely used classrooms had been transformed into an exercise studio. Instead of the usual stone walls, the room was covered in mirrors and windows. There was a long, narrow window in the outer wall facing the stairwell. Harry focused on the figures inside. There were about 20 girls in various stages of dress. Some wore tight, long-sleeved shirts and leggings. Others were in shorts and sleeveless tops.
Then he spotted a trio that made him grasp the banister for support. Leading the class through various poses were Ginny, Hermione, and Alaire. Each was wearing some sort of short top with thin straps. They also wore tight white pants that ended at their knees.
Every girl in the class was covered in sweat. So were the boys in the stairwell as they watched the girls go through the exercises.
"Well, Harry?"
"Forget Quidditch!"
"Brilliant, isn't it?" Ron whispered.
"When did this start?" Ron answered without taking his eyes off the room. "Apparently, Ginny discovered yoga last year during Advanced Muggle Studies. She mentioned it to Alaire who had done it back in the states. Then, they talked to Hermione about getting a room and, it turned out that Hermione had done yoga over the summer at her parents. They were going to keep the location a secret but . . ." Ron's voice trailed off as the twenty girls leaned over and grasped their ankles.
"You followed Hermione?"
"Yeah."
There was a collective sigh from the boys as the girls slowly straightened then leaned backwards stretching their arms over their heads. Too soon, the class was over. The girls began to pack up their mats and pull on warmer clothes and shoes. The boys quickly backed up the stairwell and ran as the room emptied.
Safe on the second floor, Dean called out, "The next meeting of the Yoga Watching Club will be meeting next Saturday at the same time and same place."
"Keep your yobs shut! Don't let them know!" someone else said loudly.
Ron turned to Harry as they made their way out to the Quidditch pitch, "That's it, mate. I'm done for."
"What do you mean?"
Ron stopped and looked his best friend in the eyes, "The pie was bad enough but this . . . this." He looked down at his toes. "How do I ask out someone who has been one of my best friends for the past seven years? What if she doesn't feel that way? What if I screw it up?"
"Ron, mate, you couldn't screw it up worse than you already have." Ron looked up slightly hurt. "Hermione is an attractive, intelligent girl. If you don't get in there and take a chance SOON someone else besides Krum is going to take your place."
"You're right."
"Yeah, I know I'm right. Look, I'm going to bring Alaire out by the lake later today to study. Why don't you suggest to Hermione that you and she study in the Room of Requirement? It's quiet. It's private. If she turns you down, you can imagine a noose and do yourself in."
"That's a good idea."
"What? The room or the noose?" Harry was rewarded with a cuff to his head.
Alaire found Neville down in the common room after she changed from the Yoga workout, and had asked him if he was ready to go to the greenhouses to help her with herbology. Neville seemed a bit flustered at first, which confused Alaire, but had smiled and agreed to go. They soon found themselves in greenhouse three looking at several plants the third years were working on. While Alaire recognized quite a few of them, there were some plants she could not identify.
"What are these?" Alaire asked as she reached out to touch a crimson flower with blue tips.
Quickly Neville, yanked her hand back. Alaire could fell the fear and anxiety in him. "You really don't want to touch that."
"What is it?"
"A Devil's Fork. It's a relative of the Devil's Snare."
"The Devil's Snare is a vine that chokes people right?"
"Basically."
"What does this do?"
"This emits a moderate level toxin into the blood stream. You'll be bedridden for weeks if you touch the petals. You have to touch the stems only. It's used to protect precious items and when harvested the toxin is used in certain sleeping potions."
"Oh," she said slightly disappointed.
"Why don't we look at something ... less hazardous."
"You mean something boring."
"No," Neville said sternly before he continued wholeheartedly. "Nothing in this greenhouse or another greenhouse is boring. Everything has a greater purpose."
"Including us?" she teased.
Neville was slightly thrown off by the question. "Especially you," he said before a blush crept up into his cheeks. Looking anywhere but at Alaire, he said lightly, "Let's go over here, shall we? We need to look at the hellebore."
An hour later, the couple had gone through most of the plants in the greenhouse. Alaire had a list of new plants to research and, in turn, Neville had a new appreciation for the American's knowledge of plants plus a healthy fear of her seemingly endless curiosity and courage. He had saved from the Devil's Fork but they had even nearly died laughing as a tickling tentacle plant let lose on them.
Alaire spent almost fifteen minutes sneezing after sniffing a FeverFew plant by accident.
"It had such – Achoo! – beautiful – Achoo! – flowers! Achoo! Why does it have to – Achoo! – be such a – Aaaachoo! – pain!" "What time is it?" asked Alaire looking out at the Hogwarts grounds as she daintily wiped her nose for the twentieth time.
"Don't know. We've been here for awhile," said Neville shrugging. "Do you have to go somewhere?"
"I have to meet Harry by the lake after lunch."
Suddenly Neville felt his heart fall to his knees. Of course this girl was interested in Harry, he thought. Oh well.
"Are you all right?" Alaire asked him as she took his hand.
"Fine," Neville croaked out. "Why don't you go on? I have some work to do in my study anyway."
"You did promise you'd let me see this famous study of yours," Alaire said smiling.
"Some other time," Neville sighed as he openned the door to the greenhouse for her. Neville watched as Alaire walked toward the lake.
Sighing, he decided to go and check on his rose. It had been growing extremely well, though he couldn't exactly pinpoint a reason. Besides, a little voice said in his head, you'll be able to see Alaire by the lake from the study window. Smiling lightly at the thought he headed up to the study.
After a lunch of sandwiches and pumpkin juice, Harry and Alaire gathered their things and walked slowly down to the lake. Alaire had worn her warmest clothes but could already feel the chill beginning to eat at her fingers and toes. Harry spread a blanket on the ground while Alaire unpacked a set of books, some parchment, and two quills. She then set out two cups and a thermos of hot chocolate.
Lastly, she pulled out a package of cookies. Harry looked at them with interest. "What are those?"
"Only some of the best cookies in the world. They're called NutterButters. Want one?"
"Yeah." Alaire took one out of the package then stopped and asked, "Not allergic to peanuts, are you?"
"Nope, only deatheaters." Alaire chuckled. "Ok. Close your eyes and open your mouth." Harry looked at her warily. "Don't you trust me?"
Harry swallowed. "Of course, I do," he said and timidly closed his eyes to a slit and open his mouth. Alaire placed the cookie in his mouth.
"I hope you like it." Harry bit down then chewed the cookie. There were no surprises, only peanut butter cookie. "Hmm. That's good. Don't let Ron know. He'll be pestering you for them all the time."
Alaire shook her head as she bit into her cookie. "Does that boy ever think about anything other than food and sex?"
Harry thought for a moment then asked, "Should he be?" Alaire had to laugh.
"Typical boys! But, for you I'd add Quidditch and for Neville I'd add plants. And for Seamus, I'd delete the food part."
"If you'd like me to talk to Seamus . . ."
"Don't you dare! I can handle myself. But if Seamus shows up one day with a black eye, you'll know I've run out of patience."
"You should ask Ginny about her bat-bogey hex. Its quiet effective."
"Who did she use it on? You?"
"Oh, no! It was Draco Malfoy."
Alaire giggled. "Ah, the course of true love never runs smoothly."
"You better never let Ron hear you say that! I don't know who he'd kill first, you, Ginny, or Draco."
"Draco is a bit of a snot but what's so evil about him? The mere sound of his name tends to push you guys into overdrive."
"His father is a Deatheater who tried to kill us."
Alaire sat up shocked. "Excuse me? Tried to kill you?" She looked at Harry's serious face. "I'm missing something aren't I?"
Harry stared out at the lake wishing this conversation didn't have to occur. "Look, I know you're THE Harry Potter. Even in the States, we heard what happened. But I only know what was reported in the papers and then in our History of Magic textbooks."
Harry shuddered. "I'm in the textbooks?" "Afraid so. But it's not much. A little inset at the end of the book with a drawing of you as a baby."
Harry fell backward on the blanket, rolled onto his stomach, and buried his face in the soft wool. "Ugh."
He felt Alaire touch his shoulder. "It's a cute picture. You should have worn a diaper, though. Showing off your, ahem, assetts that early in life . . ."
Harry looked up horrified. "NO!" he began to squeal but stopped when he saw Alaire laughing. "You are so bad."
"Gotcha."
"Seriously, am I in your history book?"
Alaire sobered up quickly. "Yeah, Harry, you are." "Then you know my story."
Harry looked back down at the blanket whose lint suddenly seemed much more interesting than the girl sitting beside him. "Yeah. I know your story."
"Well, I'll save you from asking," Harry said petulantly. He sat up and placed his face close to hers. "Here's the world famous Harry Potter lightning scar."
Alaire held her breath as she looked into Harry's green eyes for what seemed an eternity. Then, slowly, she looked up at his forehead. Her fingertips reached out to trace its shape. She looked back into his eyes. "May I?"
Harry could feel his insides turning to jelly. He managed a quick nod. Alaire's fingertips traced the scar as lightly as possible then Alaire left her fingers on Harry's forehead and closed her eyes. Harry watched as Alaire's face contorted in pain. She removed her touch as a single tear fell down her face. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I had no idea."
"What did you just do, Alaire?" Alaire looked up at him more serious than he had ever seen her.
"You've got to promise not to tell anyone; only Dumbledore and McGonagall know." Harry nodded cautiously. "I mean it, Harry. If this gets out, I'll never have a friend here at Hogwarts. I'll have to go home." Now Harry was worried. He nodded again. "Harry, I'm empathic."
She watched as he furrowed his brows. "Not in some weird Star Trek way; but," she paused to gather her thoughts. "I'm just very sensitive to people's emotions especially negative ones. I could feel a lot of sadness from you. You were thinking of your past and, possibly, your future. It doesn't make you happy. I'm sorry."
Harry just looked at her. Alaire felt tears coming to her eyes. "I'm sorry. I understand. No one wants to be around someone like me." She started to grab her books to leave.
"Hang on! Did I say that?"
"No. You don't have to. I've seen that look enough. One minute, you're friends and the next you're afraid I'm going to feel every little emotion you have. So you start acting different. Holding yourself in check. Finally, you won't be able to take it anymore. You'll begin to hate me for what you see as an invasion of privacy. And," Tears began to stream down her face. "And, that'll be it." She wiped her face and turned toward her books again.
"How often does that happen to you?"
Silence.
"Is that why you're here?" Alaire nodded.
"I-I lost my best friend at home when she found out. We had been friends since we were in kindergarten together. When this 'gift' showed up a few years ago, I thought she'd help me deal with it when actually the opposite happened. Soon, no one in my school would come near me."
Harry watched as she hunched her shoulders over and hugged her knees. "I thought about going to a Muggle school but I would have been so far behind in their studies that it didn't make sense. Mom had heard of Hogwarts and thought it would solve my problem and be an adventure for me. So here I am."
"Can you turn it off?"
"Um. Sometimes. I can block certain people and tune others in more sharply. I'm still working on controlling it." Harry looked at her quizzically.
"So, I'll save YOU the bother of asking. Yes, I have been tuning in to you. I felt kindness from you and the others. And," she paused and looked into his eyes. "You are feeling very curious right now as to whether or not, I've felt some of your 'more-than-kindness' thoughts."
Harry felt himself blush. "Um, well. That's not a bad thing."
"No, its not. It's a good thing."
Silence fell between them. They sat staring at the lake for a very long time before Harry broke the silence. "Come here."
He patted the spot beside him. Reluctantly Alaire move up beside him. "So is this the real Alaire? The quiet one who's afraid of losing a friend again?" She nodded then smiled as Harry hugged her tight. "You know, it might just be nice to have someone know how I feel and not have to fight with them about it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Besides, we could all use an early-warning system as to when Snape or McGonagall are in a really, really bad mood."
Alaire sighed and put her head on Harry's shoulder. "Don't tell anyone, OK? People are just starting to trust me. I couldn't stand to be here if you guys quit talking to me."
"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
They sat quietly together enjoying each other's comfort when Alaire broke the silence. "Don't you think we'd better at least look at the potion's book? Hermione might quiz me when we go inside."
With a laugh, Harry opened up the book closest to him, wrapped his cloak around them both, and began to read.
Inside the castle, Neville stared out a window at the couple by the lake. He shook his head. Harry and Alaire. It was inevitable in his mind. But, perhaps, they could stay friends. He could be satisfied with that, he told himself with a sigh as he examined his rose hybrid. It was thriving beyond belief. It would be ready to test by Christmas. He gave it a smile as he walked out the door. At least something in his life was going right.
A/N: No disrespect is meant by the Star Trek mention. There will be some R/Hr action in the next chapter. Enjoy. ======================================
The next morning dawned bright and clear, a perfect day for studying by the lake. Or, as Harry spied his broom, it's a perfect day for some early Quidditch practice. He quickly dressed then grabbed his broom. The rest of the guys were already gone on individual pursuits. Ron was probably doing prefect stuff. Seamus would be in the Great Hall chatting up his latest victim over breakfast. Dean would be outside practicing football drills. And Neville would be in the greenhouse. Perfect. He could fly undisturbed for once.
He had almost made it down the first floor corridor when he came across a crowd of boys standing on a stairwell outside an open classroom.
"Shhh!" he heard Seamus shush someone who was gasping.
"I'd eat dog biscuits everyday for that downward dog," he heard someone say in a loud whisper.
"What's going on?"
A pair of hands quickly grabbed him and dragged him into the stairwell out of sight of the open door.
"It's an all girls yoga class," said Dean.
"Yeah, so?"
"Educate the boy," said Seamus.
"Budge over Weasley." Harry looked over surprised to see Ron move down a step while continuing to stare at the classroom. Harry sat down in the vacated spot and looked to see what the fuss was about. He almost fainted.
One of the rarely used classrooms had been transformed into an exercise studio. Instead of the usual stone walls, the room was covered in mirrors and windows. There was a long, narrow window in the outer wall facing the stairwell. Harry focused on the figures inside. There were about 20 girls in various stages of dress. Some wore tight, long-sleeved shirts and leggings. Others were in shorts and sleeveless tops.
Then he spotted a trio that made him grasp the banister for support. Leading the class through various poses were Ginny, Hermione, and Alaire. Each was wearing some sort of short top with thin straps. They also wore tight white pants that ended at their knees.
Every girl in the class was covered in sweat. So were the boys in the stairwell as they watched the girls go through the exercises.
"Well, Harry?"
"Forget Quidditch!"
"Brilliant, isn't it?" Ron whispered.
"When did this start?" Ron answered without taking his eyes off the room. "Apparently, Ginny discovered yoga last year during Advanced Muggle Studies. She mentioned it to Alaire who had done it back in the states. Then, they talked to Hermione about getting a room and, it turned out that Hermione had done yoga over the summer at her parents. They were going to keep the location a secret but . . ." Ron's voice trailed off as the twenty girls leaned over and grasped their ankles.
"You followed Hermione?"
"Yeah."
There was a collective sigh from the boys as the girls slowly straightened then leaned backwards stretching their arms over their heads. Too soon, the class was over. The girls began to pack up their mats and pull on warmer clothes and shoes. The boys quickly backed up the stairwell and ran as the room emptied.
Safe on the second floor, Dean called out, "The next meeting of the Yoga Watching Club will be meeting next Saturday at the same time and same place."
"Keep your yobs shut! Don't let them know!" someone else said loudly.
Ron turned to Harry as they made their way out to the Quidditch pitch, "That's it, mate. I'm done for."
"What do you mean?"
Ron stopped and looked his best friend in the eyes, "The pie was bad enough but this . . . this." He looked down at his toes. "How do I ask out someone who has been one of my best friends for the past seven years? What if she doesn't feel that way? What if I screw it up?"
"Ron, mate, you couldn't screw it up worse than you already have." Ron looked up slightly hurt. "Hermione is an attractive, intelligent girl. If you don't get in there and take a chance SOON someone else besides Krum is going to take your place."
"You're right."
"Yeah, I know I'm right. Look, I'm going to bring Alaire out by the lake later today to study. Why don't you suggest to Hermione that you and she study in the Room of Requirement? It's quiet. It's private. If she turns you down, you can imagine a noose and do yourself in."
"That's a good idea."
"What? The room or the noose?" Harry was rewarded with a cuff to his head.
Alaire found Neville down in the common room after she changed from the Yoga workout, and had asked him if he was ready to go to the greenhouses to help her with herbology. Neville seemed a bit flustered at first, which confused Alaire, but had smiled and agreed to go. They soon found themselves in greenhouse three looking at several plants the third years were working on. While Alaire recognized quite a few of them, there were some plants she could not identify.
"What are these?" Alaire asked as she reached out to touch a crimson flower with blue tips.
Quickly Neville, yanked her hand back. Alaire could fell the fear and anxiety in him. "You really don't want to touch that."
"What is it?"
"A Devil's Fork. It's a relative of the Devil's Snare."
"The Devil's Snare is a vine that chokes people right?"
"Basically."
"What does this do?"
"This emits a moderate level toxin into the blood stream. You'll be bedridden for weeks if you touch the petals. You have to touch the stems only. It's used to protect precious items and when harvested the toxin is used in certain sleeping potions."
"Oh," she said slightly disappointed.
"Why don't we look at something ... less hazardous."
"You mean something boring."
"No," Neville said sternly before he continued wholeheartedly. "Nothing in this greenhouse or another greenhouse is boring. Everything has a greater purpose."
"Including us?" she teased.
Neville was slightly thrown off by the question. "Especially you," he said before a blush crept up into his cheeks. Looking anywhere but at Alaire, he said lightly, "Let's go over here, shall we? We need to look at the hellebore."
An hour later, the couple had gone through most of the plants in the greenhouse. Alaire had a list of new plants to research and, in turn, Neville had a new appreciation for the American's knowledge of plants plus a healthy fear of her seemingly endless curiosity and courage. He had saved from the Devil's Fork but they had even nearly died laughing as a tickling tentacle plant let lose on them.
Alaire spent almost fifteen minutes sneezing after sniffing a FeverFew plant by accident.
"It had such – Achoo! – beautiful – Achoo! – flowers! Achoo! Why does it have to – Achoo! – be such a – Aaaachoo! – pain!" "What time is it?" asked Alaire looking out at the Hogwarts grounds as she daintily wiped her nose for the twentieth time.
"Don't know. We've been here for awhile," said Neville shrugging. "Do you have to go somewhere?"
"I have to meet Harry by the lake after lunch."
Suddenly Neville felt his heart fall to his knees. Of course this girl was interested in Harry, he thought. Oh well.
"Are you all right?" Alaire asked him as she took his hand.
"Fine," Neville croaked out. "Why don't you go on? I have some work to do in my study anyway."
"You did promise you'd let me see this famous study of yours," Alaire said smiling.
"Some other time," Neville sighed as he openned the door to the greenhouse for her. Neville watched as Alaire walked toward the lake.
Sighing, he decided to go and check on his rose. It had been growing extremely well, though he couldn't exactly pinpoint a reason. Besides, a little voice said in his head, you'll be able to see Alaire by the lake from the study window. Smiling lightly at the thought he headed up to the study.
After a lunch of sandwiches and pumpkin juice, Harry and Alaire gathered their things and walked slowly down to the lake. Alaire had worn her warmest clothes but could already feel the chill beginning to eat at her fingers and toes. Harry spread a blanket on the ground while Alaire unpacked a set of books, some parchment, and two quills. She then set out two cups and a thermos of hot chocolate.
Lastly, she pulled out a package of cookies. Harry looked at them with interest. "What are those?"
"Only some of the best cookies in the world. They're called NutterButters. Want one?"
"Yeah." Alaire took one out of the package then stopped and asked, "Not allergic to peanuts, are you?"
"Nope, only deatheaters." Alaire chuckled. "Ok. Close your eyes and open your mouth." Harry looked at her warily. "Don't you trust me?"
Harry swallowed. "Of course, I do," he said and timidly closed his eyes to a slit and open his mouth. Alaire placed the cookie in his mouth.
"I hope you like it." Harry bit down then chewed the cookie. There were no surprises, only peanut butter cookie. "Hmm. That's good. Don't let Ron know. He'll be pestering you for them all the time."
Alaire shook her head as she bit into her cookie. "Does that boy ever think about anything other than food and sex?"
Harry thought for a moment then asked, "Should he be?" Alaire had to laugh.
"Typical boys! But, for you I'd add Quidditch and for Neville I'd add plants. And for Seamus, I'd delete the food part."
"If you'd like me to talk to Seamus . . ."
"Don't you dare! I can handle myself. But if Seamus shows up one day with a black eye, you'll know I've run out of patience."
"You should ask Ginny about her bat-bogey hex. Its quiet effective."
"Who did she use it on? You?"
"Oh, no! It was Draco Malfoy."
Alaire giggled. "Ah, the course of true love never runs smoothly."
"You better never let Ron hear you say that! I don't know who he'd kill first, you, Ginny, or Draco."
"Draco is a bit of a snot but what's so evil about him? The mere sound of his name tends to push you guys into overdrive."
"His father is a Deatheater who tried to kill us."
Alaire sat up shocked. "Excuse me? Tried to kill you?" She looked at Harry's serious face. "I'm missing something aren't I?"
Harry stared out at the lake wishing this conversation didn't have to occur. "Look, I know you're THE Harry Potter. Even in the States, we heard what happened. But I only know what was reported in the papers and then in our History of Magic textbooks."
Harry shuddered. "I'm in the textbooks?" "Afraid so. But it's not much. A little inset at the end of the book with a drawing of you as a baby."
Harry fell backward on the blanket, rolled onto his stomach, and buried his face in the soft wool. "Ugh."
He felt Alaire touch his shoulder. "It's a cute picture. You should have worn a diaper, though. Showing off your, ahem, assetts that early in life . . ."
Harry looked up horrified. "NO!" he began to squeal but stopped when he saw Alaire laughing. "You are so bad."
"Gotcha."
"Seriously, am I in your history book?"
Alaire sobered up quickly. "Yeah, Harry, you are." "Then you know my story."
Harry looked back down at the blanket whose lint suddenly seemed much more interesting than the girl sitting beside him. "Yeah. I know your story."
"Well, I'll save you from asking," Harry said petulantly. He sat up and placed his face close to hers. "Here's the world famous Harry Potter lightning scar."
Alaire held her breath as she looked into Harry's green eyes for what seemed an eternity. Then, slowly, she looked up at his forehead. Her fingertips reached out to trace its shape. She looked back into his eyes. "May I?"
Harry could feel his insides turning to jelly. He managed a quick nod. Alaire's fingertips traced the scar as lightly as possible then Alaire left her fingers on Harry's forehead and closed her eyes. Harry watched as Alaire's face contorted in pain. She removed her touch as a single tear fell down her face. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I had no idea."
"What did you just do, Alaire?" Alaire looked up at him more serious than he had ever seen her.
"You've got to promise not to tell anyone; only Dumbledore and McGonagall know." Harry nodded cautiously. "I mean it, Harry. If this gets out, I'll never have a friend here at Hogwarts. I'll have to go home." Now Harry was worried. He nodded again. "Harry, I'm empathic."
She watched as he furrowed his brows. "Not in some weird Star Trek way; but," she paused to gather her thoughts. "I'm just very sensitive to people's emotions especially negative ones. I could feel a lot of sadness from you. You were thinking of your past and, possibly, your future. It doesn't make you happy. I'm sorry."
Harry just looked at her. Alaire felt tears coming to her eyes. "I'm sorry. I understand. No one wants to be around someone like me." She started to grab her books to leave.
"Hang on! Did I say that?"
"No. You don't have to. I've seen that look enough. One minute, you're friends and the next you're afraid I'm going to feel every little emotion you have. So you start acting different. Holding yourself in check. Finally, you won't be able to take it anymore. You'll begin to hate me for what you see as an invasion of privacy. And," Tears began to stream down her face. "And, that'll be it." She wiped her face and turned toward her books again.
"How often does that happen to you?"
Silence.
"Is that why you're here?" Alaire nodded.
"I-I lost my best friend at home when she found out. We had been friends since we were in kindergarten together. When this 'gift' showed up a few years ago, I thought she'd help me deal with it when actually the opposite happened. Soon, no one in my school would come near me."
Harry watched as she hunched her shoulders over and hugged her knees. "I thought about going to a Muggle school but I would have been so far behind in their studies that it didn't make sense. Mom had heard of Hogwarts and thought it would solve my problem and be an adventure for me. So here I am."
"Can you turn it off?"
"Um. Sometimes. I can block certain people and tune others in more sharply. I'm still working on controlling it." Harry looked at her quizzically.
"So, I'll save YOU the bother of asking. Yes, I have been tuning in to you. I felt kindness from you and the others. And," she paused and looked into his eyes. "You are feeling very curious right now as to whether or not, I've felt some of your 'more-than-kindness' thoughts."
Harry felt himself blush. "Um, well. That's not a bad thing."
"No, its not. It's a good thing."
Silence fell between them. They sat staring at the lake for a very long time before Harry broke the silence. "Come here."
He patted the spot beside him. Reluctantly Alaire move up beside him. "So is this the real Alaire? The quiet one who's afraid of losing a friend again?" She nodded then smiled as Harry hugged her tight. "You know, it might just be nice to have someone know how I feel and not have to fight with them about it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Besides, we could all use an early-warning system as to when Snape or McGonagall are in a really, really bad mood."
Alaire sighed and put her head on Harry's shoulder. "Don't tell anyone, OK? People are just starting to trust me. I couldn't stand to be here if you guys quit talking to me."
"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
They sat quietly together enjoying each other's comfort when Alaire broke the silence. "Don't you think we'd better at least look at the potion's book? Hermione might quiz me when we go inside."
With a laugh, Harry opened up the book closest to him, wrapped his cloak around them both, and began to read.
Inside the castle, Neville stared out a window at the couple by the lake. He shook his head. Harry and Alaire. It was inevitable in his mind. But, perhaps, they could stay friends. He could be satisfied with that, he told himself with a sigh as he examined his rose hybrid. It was thriving beyond belief. It would be ready to test by Christmas. He gave it a smile as he walked out the door. At least something in his life was going right.