Disclaimer: Harry Potter's not mine. It's because Hermione Granger owns him. Lolz! Just joking. I mean J.K. Rowling…

WHITE LILIES

CHAPTER EIGHT: SWEET DREAMS

"Thre huge grete teeth in his throte...the voys of a serpente in suche wyse that by his swete songe he draweth to hym the peple and deuoureth them."

The word manticore came from the Persian word martikhoras which means 'man-eater'. Physically, the manticore was known as having the body of a red lion, human face, ears and blue eyes, three rows of teeth in each jaw, a fatal sting like a scorpion's in the end of his tail, and poisoned spines along the tail which could be shot, like arrows in any direction. The manticore was also attributed with having a voice that was the mixture of pipes and a trumpet. The beast is very swift and has very powerful leaps. The manticore is reputed to roam in the jungles of India, and is known to have an appetite for humans...

I lifted my head from the parchment and gazed down on it. I already have a foot and seven inches of parchment more than what Professor Vermont (the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher) asked for. I randomly opened my book and it opened at the page where I placed a lily. I grew fond of the lilies so much that I placed a lily in each book so when I open them, I would be reminded that someone loves me.

It's been a week since that event happened in my room. He didn't return again but he's been giving me lilies by owl ever since.

It was already ten minutes before midnight and I was sitting in the common room, studying alone. Harry & Ginny have Quidditch practices every night. Their second match with Ravenclaw's only three days away. Harry's having a big problem with Ron because he's still playing terribly. The only chance that they could win the Cup this year is when Harry catches the Snitch before the opposing team could score a hundred-and-fifty points and above, or when Ron recovers from his – er – terrible heart ache. They're always practicing until midnight, and Harry and Ron still have to catch up with their school work. Ron's still not talking to me and he's avoiding Harry and me as much as possible.

I heard the portrait of the Fat Lady open and I saw the Gryffindor team walked in. They were all exhausted so all of them went straight to their dormitories except for Harry. He saw me sitting in front of the fire, gave me a weak smile, and walked towards me.

"Why are you still up?" he said and he sat beside me.

"I was waiting for you," I replied. "I bet you're be very exhausted after your practice so I decided to help you out with your school work."

"Thanks."

He pulled a roll of parchment towards him with his book and started scribbling.

"How was practice?" I asked as I watched him.

"It was terrible as usual," he said, not lifting his eyes from his work.

"Is it Ron?"

"Yes," said Harry. "I don't know what to do about him. I even threatened him that I'll throw him off the team if he keeps on playing like that."

"What did he say?"

"Said that I should do whatever I want to do because I am the captain of the team. He doesn't care. But I'll never do that to Ron. I know he's a good Quidditch player."

Then there was silence except for the crackling of the fire and the scratching of Harry's quill on the parchment. My eyes were drooping and I felt very sleepy.

"Done," he said suddenly and pushed his work towards me.

I scanned his work for errors and tapped each of them with my wand to correct them. "Manticores roam in India, Harry, not in Mexico."

"Uh, sorry," he yawned.

"Here. There are no more errors," I said as I handed him his essay.

"Thanks."

"Now, let's get some sleep, shall we?" and I stood up then swayed on the spot and almost fell over but Harry caught me.

"Whoa, easy, Hermione," he said as he steady me.

"Just tired, that's all," I replied.

"Let me carry you up."

"No – I'm fine, really," but when I said that, I stumbled and landed on the sofa.

"Oh, come on." He lifted me and carried me up the stairs towards my room before I could protest.

"But – our essays –"

"I'll get them after I put you to bed." He smiled at me and I nodded. I relaxed in his arms and closed my eyes. He was being sweet again. I hate it when he does that. It just makes me want to ravish him right there, at that precise moment.

"Almost there." He stopped in front of my door and opened it. I could imagine him carrying me like this into our bedroom after our wedding.

Get a grip, Hermione...

He walked towards my bed and laid me gently on it. "There you go. I'll go fetch our essays now, okay?"

"Okay," I murmured. "Thanks."

"No problem," he said and he walked away from my bed.

"Harry?" I called out before he could close the door behind him. He turned to face me.

"Yeah?"

"Good night."

He face brightened up and he beamed at me. "Same to you, Hermione. Sweet dreams." And he disappeared behind the door.

I closed my eyes and smiled to myself. Yeah, sweet dreams.