Chapter 2: Shedding Some Light
The scene looked entirely believable to the Slytherin boys. Every one of them, including Malfoy, gave looks of disgust and turned around from the sight of who they thought was just an ordinary couple having a private snogging session.
Malfoy, however, felt he had to do a double take. To him, something was too familiar about the girl's bushy brown curls and the boy's unruly jet-black hair.
Disbelieving, Malfoy gasped, "Potter? Granger?"
At this, Hermione finally broke the kiss to look up. "What do you want, Malfoy? Can't you see we're busy?" She assumed a sitting position on Harry's knees and placed her hands on her hips, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Still obviously shocked, Malfoy croaked, "I…er…I saw…umm…Potter….stinksap…" Hermione looked to be between amusement and annoyance.
"What's the matter Malfoy, ferret got your tongue?" Hermione smirked. If nothing else, this was enough to snap Malfoy out of his stupor.
"I see me and Potter have something in common then, only having a Mudblood caught onto your tongue is a far more sickening thought, I'm afraid." The usual guffaws and snickers erupted from the Slytherin boys. "First the little Weasley brat, and now the Mudblood? Merlin, Potter, I didn't know you were that desperate."
Up until that instant, Harry was still laying on his back with glazed-over eyes, completely oblivious to the outside world. Upon hearing Malfoy's insult, however, Harry's head immediately snapped towards Malfoy.
He jumped to his feet a split-second after Hermione got off him and did the same. Both of them whipped out their wands and aimed them at Malfoy and the Slytherins. Harry had his positioned like a sword at Malfoy's neck, and he growled, "Take it back, Malfoy. Take it back now."
Hermione lowered her wand and set her own anger aside when she heard Harry's tone. Every inch was completely lined with anger and hatred. From her close proximity to him, she could almost feel the negative energy Harry was giving off, and it was enough to make her stomach start to crawl. Hermione decided she had to calm Harry down quick, not because she cared for Malfoy's well being; she just didn't want Harry to do something stupid while she was standing right there.
Hermione put her hand on Harry's left shoulder, she softly pleaded with him, "Harry please, just let it go." When he showed no signs of relenting, she added even more softly in his ear, "They'll all get what they deserve after this is over, I promise you."
With Hermione's pleading and the strange calming effect her touch had on him, Harry slowly lowered his wand. Harry shot a look of pure venom at Malfoy and his gang and hissed, with malice traced in every syllable, "I'm letting you go now with my promise that if I ever hear you say that about Hermione again, I will make you wish I had killed you right here." And with one last final glare, Malfoy and his gang scampered off back into the castle.
They stood in silence while Hermione waited for the rapid pulsing in her heart to slow before she considered saying a word.
Suddenly aware that her hand was still on Harry's shoulder, Hermione quickly removed it and backed away a step, wiping her sweaty palms on her wool skirt. After this, she made no sudden movements and allowed the memories of the last few minutes to slide through her mind. There was so much confusion as to her actions, that Hermione thought her head might explode. More for that later, she thought, I have to see how Harry is first.
Once he had finally calmed down enough, Harry turned around to face Hermione.
"I'm ok now. I just can't believe I let that idiot Malfoy get to me!" he looked perplexed for a minute.
"Well, Malfoy's a flaming git, we all know that!" Hermione uttered a small chuckle in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, I know, but it was like I couldn't control myself for a bit there. I thought I was going to go mad!" Harry looked frustrated, and Hermione never liked seeing him that way. She took his arm in one hand and rubbed it with the other.
"It's a good thing that didn't happen then. The world doesn't need more people with tempers like Ron when dinner's delayed." Finally, a chuckle from Harry.
"That would be a frightening image. Total anarchy if I've ever heard of it." Harry mused. They both shared a small laugh at their best friend's expense.
Then something happened that never had before: an awkward silence passed between them, and Hermione knew Harry sensed it too. There was never supposed to be an awkward anything between the two of them, and this started to worry Hermione. Stupid me! she thought. You just had to kiss him didn't you? Couldn't think of anything else in the world that would have helped!
"Oh, I've just remembered, I have to meet Seamus in the Great Hall in a bit." Harry said suddenly. "I better go." Hermione mumbled an okay.
Seeing her downcast expression, Harry immediately felt guilty for evading the situation so obviously. He took one of her hands in his and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. Hermione's eyes shot up, and the meaning of the look in his deep green eyes was intense and clear: we'll talk later.
Harry started to walk away slowly, and as his head disappeared behind the bushes, Hermione only whispered after him, "But when will that be, Harry?"