Chapter 15

- Coolio -

"She was so upset, I'm going to meet her and Harry in the library now." Teddy said as he watched Arkie walk around the green room, tending to a plant with long snapping vines.

"I thought that might be the case."

Teddy picked up a small hand shovel and began turning it around in his hand, wiping dirt off the blade. "What do you mean?" Arkie took the hand shovel from him and began using it to put soil into a large pot. She wiped her hot forehead with her glove, leaving a dirt stained behind. "Well, apparently Lavender let it slip that you and Hermione were having a 'moment'."

"What?" He bent down to help her lift the heavy pot onto the table. "Arkie, I promise you that isn't-"

"I know. I didn't think it sounded like something you would do either."

They grunted in unison as the pot landed on the table, making it shake and creak. "I barely know that girl and I already hate her." He sighed, putting his hands on his waist.

"Careful, Teddy." Arkie replied. "Hate is a strong word."

"I'm sorry, but I just don't get a good feeling around her. And now she's Ron's girlfriend, he spent all morning explaining how he and Lav were 'soulmates'." He shuddered.

"You gotta be supportive of Ron, Teddy."

"And I will... try."

Arkie made a small hole in the pot and put in one of the strange plants. "Anyway, give Hermione my best."

"I will- Oh, that reminds me were you invited to Slughorn's Christmas party at the end of the term?"

"No, I wasn't."

"Well then." He said standing in front of her. "Will you consider joining me as my date?" He asked, remembering when he had first ask Arkie to the Yule Ball. He'd been so nervous. Arkie's golden flecked eyes shone. "Why yes, Teddy. I would love to." She raised herself on to her toes and kissed his cheek.

Hermione moved through the library, her back straight a huge pile of books in her arms. Both Harry and Teddy followed behind her. "Ron's at perfect liberty to kiss whomever he likes. I really couldn't care less." Teddy knew better but instead nodded, sensing she was not in the mood to be pointed out as mistaken. "Was I under the impression he and I would be attending Slughorn's Christmas party together? Yes." She huffed.

Teddy watched as she placed her books back onto the shelves as she walked. "Now, given the circumstances, I had to make other arrangements."

"Have you?" Harry asked.

"Yes. Why?" She asked, finally stopping to look at him.

"Well, I just thought seeing as neither of us are going with who we'd really like to... We should go together, as friends." Hermione's eyes widened and she let out a soft groan.

"Why didn't I think of that?"

Teddy looked between the two. "Well, who are you going with?"

"Um..." Hermione went a deep shade of red. "It's a surprise. Anyways, it's Harry's we have got to worry about. You can't just take anyone." She looked around,s tanding slightly closer to the boys and whispering. "You see that girl over there?" Her eye flicked to a beautiful black haired girl who'd been watching Harry since he'd entered the library. "That's Romilda Vane. Apprently, she's trying to smuggle you a love potion."

"Really?" Harry said, almost sounding honored.

Hermione snapped her fingers sharply in front of his face. "Hey! She's only interested in you because she thinks you're the Chosen One."

Harry smiled childishly. "But I am the Chosen One." Teddy let out a quick laugh, covering his mouth with his hand.

Smack!

Hermione's book collided with the back of Harry's head and he blinked, snapping back into reality. "Okay, sorry, um... Kidding. I'll ask someone I like." He paused. "Someone cool."

Sorry for the short chapter, will update soon.