Chapter 7
Hello Lovely Readers!
I am so sorry for the delay on this chapter. College started up again the last week of august and it's been a whirlwind. From now on, I hope to update weekly!
Anyways, I hope you like this chapter.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything….I own nothing
….
Greg heard the cheers of the crowd as he flew around the Quidditch pitch. The quaffle came flying towards him and he knocked it into space. It almost hit the Ravenclaw chaser in the head on its way out of the pitch. This wasn't a game. It was a blood bath. Ravenclaw had no talent this year and they were putting up a weak fight.
Throughout the game, Greg's eye kept searching through the cloud for a head of windblown chestnut curls belonging to the Head Girl. Greg saw Blaise in the stands cheering with a much-battered looking Theo. Madame Pompfrey had assured Theo that the marks covering his face, which looked something akin to acne scars would disappear within two to three days. However, neither Ginny nor Hermione were anywhere to be seen. It was rare for Ginny to miss a Quidditch match. Hermione? Well, it was understandable. Ginny always cheered and looked for weak spots. She could really play professionally.
Now that Theo was out of the picture and Greg knew that Hermione wanted him, Greg decided that it was time to try to woo Hermione. Greg wanted something serious with Hermione, not just a fling. He was hoping that Hermione wanted something serious as well. Greg was at a loss of how to begin his seduction. The Slytherin Beater knew he had never been good with words. Maybe it was better to show rather than tell with some romantic gestures. Maybe he could write her a love letter, but Greg wasn't exactly in love yet, more near love.
Greg wished he didn't have detention this week. There wouldn't be a lot of time to spend with Hermione outside of the few classes they shared. He'd have to cancel their tutoring sessions for this week. Unless, he could think of something else. There was Blaise and Ginny's party. He could ask her to go with him. Although Blaise and Ginny hadn't set a date yet. He could ask Hermione to go to Hogsmeade with him. A Hogsmeade date felt so juvenile though.
Greg realized his mind was drifting when a bludger almost flew into his head. He quickly raised his beaters bat and hit it, sending it flying out of the pitch. Not long after, Draco had caught the snitch to many cheers. Most students were just happy the unfair game was over. Greg landed in the middle of the pitch and headed towards the locker room. With the game over, his mind focused completely on wooing his Gryffindor Princess. Girls like flowers, Greg thought. Right?
Draco was complaining about Cho Chang. Only Draco would be annoyed at such an easy victory. Greg began to pull his jersey off, absent mindedly looking over his shoulder to see Harper sneaking a sixth year Slytherin girl into the locker room. The pair headed towards the showers to celebrate. Wanker, Greg thought. Still, Greg knew he wouldn't mind it if Hermione was here celebrating Slytherin's easiest victory over Ravenclaw with him. If Greg closed his eyes, he could picture Hermione on her knees in front of him. Smiling sweetly up at him as her small hand stroked his cock. Her pink tongue reaching out to lick the tip. Greg quickly put a towel around his waist to hide his growing erection, heading towards the shower stall.
…..
Hermione awoke to the sound of distant cheering. Looking at her muggle alarm clock, Hermione saw that it was almost one in the afternoon. Merlin, she had never slept this late. Of course, after yesterday, Hermione needed it. Hermione looked at the left side of the bed, noticing it was empty. Hermione was certain that Ginny had gone to the match without her until she heard some clanking. Looking to the door, the brunette saw her friend walk in levitating a tray of sandwiches and pastries as well as some pumpkin juice and a pot of tea.
"Rise and shine sleeping beauty," Ginny said, in a happy voice.
"You missed the match?" Hermione asked in complete disbelief. Missing Quidditch matches was not like Ginny at all.
"Sad, but true," Ginny admitted, looking down and ashamed. "I woke up about an hour ago and thought, "fuck it." Besides, it's not like you to sleep so late. I was worried."
"That's very sweet, but I'm fine," Hermione smiled. "Yesterday was just so..." The brunette found herself at a loss for words.
"We learned some interesting things, but most of all," Ginny nodded, trying not to laugh. "I want to see what Theo looks like."
"Oh, I can't even imagine," Hermione said, covering her eyes. "I hit him with a stinging jinx and a terrible hex at the same time. I hope Madame Pompfrey was able to do something."
"Well, at least he knows, for certain that you are not interested." Ginny said, picking up a ham and cheese sandwich and biting into it. "And not to mess with you."
"What is it with him?" Hermione asked as she began buttering a croissant. "He acted like he was doing me a favor by gracing me with his presence. He just pushed past me to walk in and put his feet up before I'd even…"
"He's used to girls just throwing themselves at him. I can understand why…he's gifted." Ginny explained, giggling. "He's very cocky!" Ginny said, blushing and Hermione giggled a bit at the pun.
"Besides you had no interest in him," Ginny continued. "which was not a first but made you a challenge. Sometimes I feel like girls give into him easily just to…you know… ride his broom."
"Well, gifted or not, I'm sure there's not enough penicillin left in the world," Hermione snorted. "His penis is probably dirtier than a hot dog that's fallen into a sewage tank."
Ginny snorted pumpkin juice through her nose which almost made Hermione fall off the bed. The brunette grabbed her side, laughing so hard a snort sneaked out.
"Like brother, like sister!" Hermione said, out of breath from fits of laughter.
"Shut up!" Ginny said, in between fits of coughs and giggles. "I am not anything like Ron!"
"He he he he he," Blaise mock laughed. His voice a few octaves higher than normal. "What's so funny?"
"Ginny pulled a Ron," Hermione giggled. Blaise gave a curious look and Ginny smacked the brunettes arm, embarrassed. "Pumpkin juice came out of her nose."
"Eww," Blaise said, feeling the damp bedsheet. The raven-haired wizard cast a quick drying spell before hopping on the bed and grabbing a chocolate croissant.
"So, you missed an epic Quidditch match!" Blaise teased excitedly, knowing the Ravenclaw team was at a horrible disadvantage.
"Really?" Ginny said, looking disappointed.
"No," Blaise laughed. "Of course, naturally, Slytherin won! Ravenclaw was horrible though. Cho Chang couldn't manage a team if you paid her."
"Well, that's obvious," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "I'm still upset that Slytherin won, though."
Blaise grabbed Hermione's pillow and playfully whacked the redhead.
"You just wait," Blaise laughed. "Slytherin will beat Gryffindor as well!"
At this, Ginny picked up a pillow in retaliation and began hitting Blaise with it. Hermione jumped out of the way as the two fell off the bed laughing.
"Alright, children," Hermione said, in a mock authoritative tone. "Watch it! You're going to spill the tea," Hermione said, ducking as Ginny through a pillow at her friend.
Hermione was about to pick up a pillow to join the fight when she heard a tapping at her window. Scuttle, Greg's grey owl, flew outside the window. Opening the window, Hermione saw Scuttle was carrying a letter with a single red rose attached. Hermione took the letter and the rose, but not before giving Scuttle some treats.
Hermione,
I hope you are alright after yesterday. I also hope you are not holding Ginny against her will. I have detention all this week so it may be hard to make time for tutoring.
Greg
P.S. put the rose in water.
Hermione grabbed a glass, pointing her wand at it she spoke, "Augamenti," the put the single red rose in the water. To Hermione, Ginny and Blaise's amazement, the single red rose became a huge, beautiful bouquet. Out of the bouquet flew two monarch butterflies, flying around Hermione before disappearing. Ginny and Blaise wiggled their eyebrows at each other as Hermione caught her breath. The roses were so large and beautiful, and the butterflies took her breath away. The only other boy to give her flowers was Viktor, but they were not as beautiful as these. There was certainly no charm on them either.
"Well, I will let you two get changed," Blaise said, grabbing one last croissant.
"Wait, Blaise," Ginny said with a mischievous smile. "Why don't you walk me back to Gryffindor tower?"
Blaise smiled at the red head as if he read her mind. Greg had stepped up his game a bit. Perhaps now it was time to throw that party.
…..
For the remainder of Sunday and early into the week, Ginny and Blaise had been very secretive. They were inseparable, whispering and planning. When Draco and Hermione returned from patrol on Wednesday night, they found the pair in the Heads common room, huddled together. Hermione had heard the tail end of Ginny's "No, I can't do Friday. Harry's taking me out." The two broke apart quickly when they saw the Heads enter the common room. Blaise hurrying over to kiss Draco's cheek before gesturing to Ginny with a wave of his hand.
"Where are you two going?" Draco asked puzzled. "We just got here."
"Oh, don't worry, Malfoy. I'll return your boyfriend soon," Ginny smiled, giving Hermione a quick hello and goodbye hug.
Blaise and Ginny gave the Heads a coy smile before leaving. Draco shook his head, leaning towards Hermione as the portrait door closed behind the mischievous pair.
"I don't know about you," Draco said to Hermione. "But I'm worried."
"Me too," Hermione smiled, before heading to her room.
Hermione had to admit the evenings were lonely without Greg. She missed their nighttime tutoring sessions. On Monday night, Hermione had gone to the Library forgetting about Greg's detention. There was a single red rose laying on their table. The note attached to the stem read, "Just in case you forgot." Hermione smiled softly, lifting the rose to her nose before sitting down to work on her homework. They were still partners in the classes they shared so she wasn't completely without him.
It was frustrating for the Head Girl because neither Greg nor Draco would tell Hermione why Greg had detention. Hermione was annoyed with their silence as well as insanely curious. Draco gave only one clue, "Anton Harper has detention too." What could have happened between the two boys? A fight? Anton Harper was vile. He often stared at her or made obscene gestures toward her, but he was never as forward as Theo.
Sometimes it worried Hermione how prone to violence Greg can be, but then she would think about how gently he had held her that day during their flying lesson, how safe and aroused she felt. Her mind would drift to that day often.
Entering her bedroom, Hermione placed her bag on her chair by the desk. Hermione had never really felt sexually frustrated before, but now, being around Greg so much, she had been awakened to so many strange sensations. Ginny's comment, "I thought you two were going to run off and start shagging" had put some ideas in Hermione's head. Sometimes when Hermione was falling asleep, she would begin to fantasize if Ginny hadn't interrupted them. These fantasies left an aching in her core that just couldn't be satisfied. Hermione began undressing, letting her mind wander.
If Ginny hadn't interrupted, they would have kissed. Hermione kept imagining what lips would feel like pressed against her own. They looked so soft. Would she be able to feel the small scar on his upper lip? Maybe if she were to dart out her tongue to taste his lips. Hermione took in a deep breath. She unhooked her white cotton bra, throwing it aside. Leaving her only in her panties. She let her hands wander over her breasts, feeling her nipples harden beneath her palms.
What if Greg were here right now? His calloused fingers pinching her nipples instead of her own soft ones. Hermione bit her lip. She began picturing Greg coming up behind her, his hands moving across her stomach instead of her own. She slid her hands into her panties past the little patch of pubic hair. Hermione laid down on the bed closing her eyes, and picturing Greg above her. His calloused fingers running over the delicate petals of her pussy, rubbing his long, finger over her clit. Kissing her or whispering softly in her ear like he did on the broom. Hermione moved her fingers lower, tracing the opening to her womanhood, before slipping a finger in. She pulled her middle finger in and out slowly as her thumb softly caressed her clit. Hermione felt her juices coating her fingers. It felt good, but it wasn't enough.
Hermione had started masturbating just a few weeks ago. She hadn't been able to work herself to a climax yet. It was frustrating, like the itch you couldn't scratch. She huffed in annoyance sitting up. She thought about re-reading one of her mum's old trashy, romance books. Hermione was angry that there was nothing in the library about sex, not even in the restricted section. How was she going to learn….? Hermione's mind wandered to the fifth floor girl's bathroom, wondering if Greg's name was written on the wall. What would it say if it were? Looking at her muggle alarm clock, it was only 7:30. Who would have written it? Blaise had mentioned Millie, Daphne, and Pansy, but were there other girls?
Hermione didn't want to admit it, but she had been looking at Daphne and Pansy differently these past few days. The brunette noticed that she felt more sympathy for Pansy now. Since talking with Blaise, Hermione had noticed the way Pansy would look at Draco longingly before turning away, but the black-haired girl looked less depressed recently. Hermione noticed (with much relief) that Pansy never looked at Greg with the same longing she gave to Draco. Hermione had also noticed the way Neville would glance in Pansy's direction during meals. Neville was a sweet guy. He would treat Pansy right. After everything Pansy went through, she deserved a good man.
"Come back to the Heads Dorms," Hermione scrawled on a piece of parchment, tapping it with her wand with a spell which sent it straight into Ginny's hand. It was a little spell she had perfected over the years.
Hermione quickly changed into a knee length skirt and a t-shirt, placing her robe on over it. She waited outside the portrait. Ginny came running down the hallways Blaise jogging behind her.
"What is it?" the redhead asked out of breath. "What's wrong?"
"No. Nothing's wrong," Hermione said, brow furrowing. "I just…" Hermione looked at Blaise standing there, and her voice trailed off. Hermione was about to ask him to leave, but Blaise beat her to it.
"I think I'll go spend some time with my boyfriend," Blaise said, taking the hint. "Owl me later, Gin." Blaise waved over his shoulder as he walked into the Heads Common Room.
"Ginny," Hermione started, looking down at her feet. "Do you know about that wall in the fifth floor girls bathroom?"
"Um, yeah!" Ginny said with an obvious tone of voice. "You didn't?"
"No," Hermione whispered, a bit embarrassed.
"Well, come on, then!" Ginny, practically squealed. "We've got to go now."
The spirited redhead began to drag her slower friend behind her. They entered the fifth floor bathroom and went behind the stalls to where the forgotten showers were. There across the wall was the name of almost every sexually active boy in the school.
"See there!" Ginny pointed to Cormac Mclaggen's name. "likes dirty talk, has a small "wand.""
"Well, at least you weren't attracted to him," Ginny continued as Hermione wrinkled her nose.
"There's Neville," Ginny blushed, knowing she had written that.
"Hmmm…likes to dominate, but is sweet," Hermione read, giggling. Who knew? Hermione began looking through all the names. How did she not know this was here? Hermione felt a bit stupid.
Some of them made Hermione cringe: "Ernie MacMillian- looks like he's having a seizure when he comes" or "Terry Boot- Will pull your hair so hard you'll have an inch of regrowth." Or "Theo Nott- Length of his cock will challenge your gag reflex."
Some of them seemed sweet or at least less cringeworthy: "Adrian Pucey- lots of eye contact, loves to cuddle after" or "Anthony Goldstein-foreplay goes on and on. Fucks to please," or "Marcus Flint- don't let the teeth fool you, he knows how to use his mouth."
Ginny noticed her friend glancing through the names. The redhead figured Hermione was looking for the tall, muscular Slytherin.
"Looking for Greg's name?" Ginny asked quietly.
Hermione turned away from the wall, a bit flustered. "I've just…I was curious," Hermione wanted to read more but felt awkward with Ginny staring at her.
"Hermione, there's nothing to be embarrassed about," Ginny said looking at Hermione with a serious expression. "It's okay to be curious." Ginny grabbed Hermione's shoulders, turning her around. The girls began walking closer to the wall. "Don't worry. If there's anything written, we'll find it!" Ginny smiled confidently.
The two girls searched through the wall. Laughing and cringing at some of the things written. They read over every name, and it took a good forty-five minutes between the two of them, but they couldn't find Greg's name anywhere. Although, they did find James Potter and Sirius Black written on the wall; the writers praised their skills.
"Hmmm…like father, like son," Ginny laughed as Hermione said, "Ewwww."
"Are you disappointed?" Ginny asked, on the walk back to the Heads Dorms. "That we didn't find anything?"
Hermione paused to think for a moment. Unsure how to answer. She was ambivalent. On the one hand, she was happy she didn't see anything, unsure how she would feel or react to the new bit of information. On the other hand, she was kind of disappointed. She wanted some sort of clue as to what being intimate with Greg would be like. Was he vile like some of those boys? Or did he have the qualities of the sweet ones?
"Yes and no," Hermione answered, shrugging. "Maybe it's for the best. Maybe if I knew, I would act differently around him."
"Hermione, have you been thinking about what it would be like to…you know? With Greg?" Ginny asked, very quietly. The hallways seemed to be empty, but still, someone could be lurking in the corner. "I just ask because…of the wall."
"Yes," Hermione said, turning a violent shade of red. "Sometimes, but I've never actually seen a…. "wand." I just…I guess I'm kind of naïve. I understand the mechanics, but…" The brunette trailed off. "I've only ever read about these things in my mom's very naughty books."
"You mean you didn't even peak at the boy's "wands" while you were on the run?" Ginny asked curiously.
"No," Hermione said, the brunette's nose wrinkling. "Harry's like a brother to me. I don't want to know what his looks like. Ron was sort of the same way. We didn't get that far when we were together."
"I understand," Ginny said, nodding. They reached the Heads dorms. "I don't want to know what my brother's "wands" look like either." The redhead's nose wrinkling.
"I know you haven't been interested in sex until now," Ginny said, grabbing her best friends' hand as they stood outside the portrait. "And if you ever want to talk about this stuff. I want you to know that I'm here."
"Thanks, Gin," Hermione smiled, giving her friend a hug before they parted. Ginny decided to head back to Gryffindor Tower before Mr. Norris set out on his prowl to catch students out of bed.
…..
On Friday, Professor Slughorn began lecturing about the importance of measuring ingredients. Today the class was to make a draught of Liquid Luck. Unfortunately, if they succeeded, they were not allowed to keep the draught. Many students groaned at this, wanting the chance to have a moment of success either on an exam or on a more personal venture.
There was a mix of seventh and eighth year students in the class. Greg and Hermione were standing in front of a few cauldrons filled with different potions. Draco and Blaise were standing next to Greg. Seamus and Dean were on the other side by Hermione. Neville and Lavender were off to another side. Pansy and Daphne were off on the edges of the group. Anton Harper was next to them, stealing glances at the Head Girl. Theo, standing next to the darker boy, was as far away from Hermione as possible.
She changed her shampoo, Greg kept thinking while standing next to Hermione in Potions. He'd noticed it a couple of days ago. Now every time Hermione turned her head, Greg smelled lavender instead of coconut. It wasn't a bad combination with the vanilla, just different. Maybe I could find out where she buys the coconut shampoo, Greg thought when Hermione's hand shot up to answer a question for Professor Slughorn.
Over Hermione's head, Greg's blood began to boil noticing the way Harper's eyes were traveling up and down Hermione's body. Most students had their robes off today. The heat from the many cauldrons could not be tamed by even the most powerful cooling charm. Without the baggy, shapeless robes, Hermione's curves were on display as were most of the other girls, but Harper didn't notice them. The Head Girl's breasts, and hips had filled out since transitioning into womanhood. It excited both wizards and witches alike.
When Slughorn passed by the draught of Living Death, he dropped a large chunk of wood in it to show how quickly the draught could dissolve and kill, especially large objects. However, when the absent-minded professor dropped the wood into the draught some of the burning liquid splashed out of cauldron and would have hit the Hermione had it not been for Greg.
As the wood dropped into the draught, Greg put his arm around Hermione's waist, pulling her against him and out of the line of fire. Hermione's face and body pressed against Greg's hard, muscular chest. Hermione felt a heat spread within her traveling straight down to her lower belly at the sensation of her soft body being pressed against Greg's strong, muscled torso. Hermione placed a hand on Greg's chest and the other on his bicep to steady herself, muttering a quick and flustered, "thanks," before pulling away, flushed. Greg let go of the soft, curve of her waist, felt the absence of her warmth. Unnoticed by Hermione, Greg gave the scowling Harper a look that warned, "She's mine. Back off."
And Hermione was his, she had to be. It was the only way Greg could describe what he was feeling for her. He found an incredible, innate urge within himself to protect her, to take care of her, to love her. There was an ache in his heart at the thought of being without her. Unknown to Greg and Hermione, Blaise was smirking over Draco's shoulder at the pair. He couldn't wait to tell Ginny what happened today.
"Oh, Miss Granger," Slughorn began, hands covering his forehead and mouth. "I'm so sorry. Where is my head today? Fifty Points to you, Mr. Goyle, for your bravery." Blaise clapped for his friend which started the others to clap. All except for Harper, who scoffed while crossing his arms. With that, Slughorn sent them off with a "pip, pip."
Greg and Hermione moved to their station, setting to work. The ingredients were out. Hermione began cutting up one of the roots while Greg measured out some of the liquids needed. Still quite flushed and flustered from the feel of Greg's body against hers, Hermione worked silently. Trying to calm the fire within herself. There wasn't any tension between the pair, but an awareness of what had transpired between them. Both wanted to fill the silence about the situation, but in a crowded classroom, nothing so personal could be discussed.
"How has detention been?" Hermione asked clearing her throat, absent mindedly.
"Not as bad as you might think. It's good to be friends with the Head Boy," Greg explained with a chuckle. "Draco made sure my punishment is less severe." Yesterday Greg cleaned the beakers in Slughorn's classroom, the day before that he polished the trophies in the trophy room. These really weren't bad punishments considering Harper would be scrubbing toilets for the remainder of the week. Greg looked over in Harper's direction. The dark boy looked pissed off as he worked alongside another clueless seventh year Slytherin. Luckily for Greg, Draco had no trouble believing what Harper had said about Hermione. Harper had made downright filthy comments like that before. Greg as well as Draco hoped it would never get back to Hermione.
"Well, don't make a habit of it," Hermione said, with a small smile. "It's not good to get behind in our tutoring sessions."
"Well, well, Granger," Greg teased the Head Girl as he walked behind her. Greg reached for the jar of a powdered root, his body pressing ever so gently against the Head Girl's back. "Is that another way of saying that you miss me?" Greg asked, softly. He smiled watching the blush spread across her cheeks. Greg could hear the sharp intake of breath as he pressed against her before moving back to his original spot.
"Maybe," Hermione said, with a small smile and a shrug. She grabbed a beaker of liquid, pouring it into the cauldron. Hermione tried to remain calm and cool, ignoring the way her panties dampened. She wanted to be pressed against him once more. She stole a quick glance at Greg before turning her head. I want to be pressed against him naked. Hermione thought, eyes beginning to darken with lust, biting her lower lip. And on the desk or bent over the desk, And…No! Stop! Hermione took a deep, steadying breath. She rubbed her thighs together, but unfortunately the friction went straight to her clit making her nipples harden. Hermione hoped the hard peaks weren't visible. She turned to grab a clip from her bag and pulled her hair up and off her neck.
But Hermione's little internal sexual interlude did not go unnoticed by Greg. Merlin, she looks so aroused, Greg thought. Watching the way Hermione had rubbed her thighs together, Greg wondered if what transpired between the two made Hermione's panties wet. It took every ounce of strength not to pull the pretty brunette to him and kiss her. Greg wanted to hold her against him, wanted to know exactly what was going on in that beautiful mind of hers. Greg attempted to refocus his attention on something boring. He shifted his trousers.
While Hermione's back was turned, Greg felt like someone was staring at him. He turned his head to see Pansy, her eyebrows raising as she mouthed, "I told you so!" Greg nodded and smiled at his friend. Greg and Hermione's potion was finished, there was nothing to do except wait for Slughorn to come observe their work. However, Slughorn was tending to Seamus and Dean. Like always, Seamus had a way of blowing things up.
Hermione looked across the room, trying to find something to distract herself with. Her gaze fell on the Head Boy and his partner. Draco and Blaise were smiling and giggling while making the potion. Blaise kept swatting Draco's hands away from the beaker of liquid. Naturally, Draco believed he could measure it more effectively, having a steadier hand that the raven-haired wizard.
"They're so cute together," Hermione smiled, not really focusing on the couple. Hermione tried to summon Slughorn to come, check their work, and excuse them. Merlin, she just wanted to leave. Flushed and embarrassed, not wanting to look Greg in the eye. Greg glanced across the room at the sweet easiness between the two men, the way they looked at each other, so in love.
Greg used to be envious of the couple and the way they were completely devoted to each other. Greg thoughts briefly flashed to Millie, how she would never commit. He understood why but…Merlin, it was so fucked up. Greg looked at Hermione, her beautiful brown eyes meeting his before she quickly lowered them again, blushing, her tongue wetting her lips. He wondered if Hermione knew about the whole mess that was Millie, Daphne, and Pansy. If she didn't and they became involved, should he tell her about it? Would Hermione think less of him? Before he could think about it longer, Slughorn came to their table.
"Well done Mr. Goyle and Miss Granger!" Slughorn said, testing the potion. "It's a perfect batch of Liquid Luck!" Slughorn added points to both Gryffindor and Slytherin, smiling. Before Slughorn could shake Hermione's hand or Greg could offer to walk her to dinner, Hermione left.
"Oh, Merlin's beard!" Slughorn said, turning to Greg. "Mr. Goyle, do you think the Living Death incident frightened her?"
"Perhaps, sir," Greg replied, placing a hand on Slughorn's shoulder before leaving. "Perhaps." Greg walked off to the Great Hall knowing it wasn't Slughorn's doing. It was the electric charge between his tutor and himself.