Chapter 7 – Ice cream

I tried so hard to tell Harry what I felt for him. But there was never a good time. So many things were happening at the same time. Umbridge was wrecking havoc in school. She got Harry, Fred and George banned from the quidditch team. Harry was very upset about this. He really wanted to hex Umbridge. We were loaded with so much work, whatever little spare we found, we used it for Dumbledore's Army or for sleep.

A lot of people in the group were showing a lot of improvement. Luna was a surprise package. She would catch up soon and then she would help Harry to teach the rest of the group. Sometimes, she is faster than Hermione as well. There were a few times, I saw Cho trying to gain Harry's attention. Hermione told me that she heard someone say that she's been crying a lot lately. Guess she misses Diggory a lot. I can also understand her need to be near Harry. Maybe, she still needs closure and Harry was with him in his last moments. But I couldn't help be a bit jealous. I didn't tell Harry this because I don't want to seem like an insecure girlfriend.

I decided not to let it bother me. They are only talking a little and exchanging smiles in the corridors. Nothing to be worried about, right? I asked Hermione about this one day. "H, can we talk?"

"Nat, I still have two more essays to complete. So, we'll talk later." She looked at me for a moment, "Okay, what's bothering you?" She huffed.

"Gee, thanks for the enthusiasm, H."

"Do you want me to go back to completely my essays?"

"I'm a bit worried."

She raised her eyebrow at me. "Why? What happened?"

"Cho has been trying to gain Harry's attention a lot lately. And I'm feeling a little…"

"Jealous?" She asked and I nodded. "I noticed that. But I thought it didn't bother you. You seem to be a bit nonchalant."

"I don't want come across as an overbearing, possessive or insecure girlfriend."

"Maybe, you should talk it out with him."

"What should I say?"

"I honestly don't know. If you bring it up once, I'm sure you'll find the words."

I rolled my eyes, "Some friend you are, H."

Then I felt his lips on my cheek, "Hi, what are you both talking about?" Harry asked sitting next to me.

"The essays." I said before Hermione could say something. She narrowed her eyes at me. Ron settled down next to Hermione.

"Hermione, please help me with the charms essay." Ron asked Hermione.

That got her attention off me. She is right though, I need to talk it out with him. How do I bring it up?


"Since, this is the last meeting before Christmas, I was thinking that we should brush up on all the spells we've learned so far. Let's start with the Impediment Jinx and then go to the Stunning Hex." Harry announced once everyone had come in.

Everybody partnered up someone. I partnered up with Neville. The boy has improved so much since the first meeting. His confidence level has also increased but still he is still the down to earth boy he always was. Harry was moving around the room and helping those who needed help. A few times I saw, him and Cho exchanging sweet smiles. In my moment of distraction, Neville hit me with a stunner.

"I'm sorry." Neville apologised after he revived me.

"Hey, I should have been ready. Not your fault." He helped me get up.

After an hour, Harry called for everyone's attention. He wished everyone 'Happy Christmas and happy holidays'. As every time, we all started leaving the room of requirement in smaller groups. I left with Andy, Fred and George. The twins were cracking us up. Andy was looking at Fred…or was it George? Anyways, he was looking at one of the twins with an expression I was having a hard time deciphering. Is it longing? I have to find out. Of us four siblings, Andy is shy, quiet and an introvert guy. He doesn't open up to people easily.

"Guys, I want to talk to my brother, so please excuse us." I told the twins and dragged Andy away.

"What is it Nattie?"

"You have a crush on one of them?" I wish was a bit more tactful.

His jaw dropped, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You have a crush on Fred…or is it George?"

He looked like he was forming the words in his mind, "Nattie, I've lots to study."

I blocked his way, "Come on, Andy. Tell me. I'm your sister."

"That's exactly why I don't want to discuss this with you."

"Andy, don't make me point my wand at you."

He narrowed his eyes at me, "You wouldn't."

"Try me."

He sighed, "If it gets you off my back, fine. I have a crush on one of them."

My eyes sparkled, "Which one?"

"George." He answered in a small voice.

I hugged him, "Andy. I'm happy for you."

"So, you're not upset or sad that I'm gay?"

I thought about it for a moment. It is a valid question. But he's my brother, if he's happy, then I am. "It doesn't matter to me. You're my brother and I'll stand by you no matter what. That's what family does. You don't choose who you fall in love with."

He let out a breath, "I've not told anyone about this. Please don't tell anyone, Nattie."

"Hey, I understand. You're secret is safe with me but I think you should tell mom and dad. And Mike. And Will."

"I will but not now."

I hugged him again, "Okay. You can talk to me anytime you want. I love you, Andy."

"I love you too, Nattie."

"You should tell him if you think you really love him."

He considered me for a moment, "It's too soon to say if I love him. But if you love him, you should tell him."

"I hope you mean Harry and not George. I want to tell Harry but there's never a right time."

"I meant Duh-Harry. Right Harry! I don't know why I want to keep forgetting that you're dating him."

He was going to say Draco but I let it go. I chuckled, "Maybe because I'm your little sister."

He threw a hand over my shoulder, "Ya, that must be it. There's no time like the present, Nat. If you want to tell him then you should."

"Thanks Andy." I pecked him on the cheek. "I'm going to do it now. All I needed is encouragement from you."


My heart is beating real fast. I hope, he was still in the room. If he's not there, I'm just going to send him a quick message to come back to the room. I hope I can say it. I hope I say the words out right. I asked the room to allow me entry to the room we just practiced in. When I opened the door that appeared in the wall. For a moment I felt like I'm in a nightmare. I saw Harry kissing Cho. He is kissing her. My boyfriend is kissing another girl. I'm going to explode. I left the room as quietly as I came in. 'If I draw attention to myself, I'll say something, I'll regret later', I told myself.

Harry is kissing Cho. Harry is kissing Cho. Harry is kissing Cho. My mind will not stop shouting that. When I left that corridor, I broke into a run. I didn't know to where I was running off. I just kept running, hoping what I saw wouldn't catch up with me. Another voice in my head kept shouting 'run, run, run'. I stopped in front of a portrait with fruit basket. I was out of breath, I waited a bit to catch it then I tickled the pear. A doorknob appeared. I opened the door and the kitchen as always is buzzing with activity. Dobby was one of the first ones to notice me.

"Ms. Natalie, what can Dobby do for you?" He asked me kindly. Other elves started asking me the same thing.

"May I please have some dark chocolate ice cream?" I sat down on the spot and started crying.

"Why is Ms. Natalie crying?" Dobby asked cautiously.

One of the elves handed me a huge bowl of dark chocolate ice cream with a big spoon. "I just saw Harry kissing Cho." I stuffed a huge portion of the ice cream into my mouth, hoping the brain freeze will dull out the voice in my head. "I love him and I was going to tell him that but he was kissing someone else." I took another spoonful.

Dobby and a few more elves, who sat down to hear me, looked sad for me, "I'm sorry, Miss."

"Oh, it's not you who should be sorry." I wiped my nose on my robe sleeve. One of the elves gave me tissues. "I mean I always knew I was not his first choice. I'm just someone he stumble upon by mistake." They hung on my every word, "Each of you, promise that you will not tell about this to another soul." They quickly promised. "Especially Harry." They promised again. "I never knew heartbreak hurt so bad. Could I get some more ice cream please?" Someone handed me another huge bowl. "Do you know how difficult it is to get his attention? He sees H and I as one of the guys. And once a girl is in the friend zone, do you know how difficult it is to get noticed? He asked me to the Yule ball as his last option, that's how difficult it is! Some more ice cream, please?" The female elves started crying with me.

"Sure, I didn't tell him about my engagement with Draco, but would he have dated me if I told him I was engaged to his arch nemesis. I don't think he would even be friends with me. Since the day, Harry told me that we are officially boyfriend-girlfriend, I told Draco to not kiss me again. Draco and got engaged way before I even met Harry. We are looking for a way to end the contract without getting killed in the process. Maybe, Harry doesn't love me or maybe he doesn't love me enough. Maybe, he loves me only as a friend. Another bowl, please?"

I kept crying and ranting for Merlin knows how long. The elves were so sweet, they listened to me with a lot of patience. Bowls of ice cream later, I decided that I cried enough. I still didn't know if I want to confront him about it or wait for him to tell me. I quickly washed my face and made sure I didn't look like I poured my eyes out. "Thank you for listening to me. Please don't tell anyone about this."

"Miss, we not tell anyone. Thank you for sharing that with us." A female elf, Vega said. Other female elves nodded in agreement and said the same thing.

I turned to Dobby, "Please don't tell Harry. I know, he is your friend but please don't tell him."

"Miss, Natalie, I not tell Harry Potter sir." He told me solemnly. He looked like he wanted to tell me something else but decided not to.


I left the kitchen feeling much better. Now, I could only feel this dull pain. I went to the tower. I found Harry, Hermione and Ron sitting near the fireplace, our favourite spot in the common room. Harry looked torn. Ron looked a conflicted like he couldn't decide if he should be in awe of him or be angry. Hermione was angry. She looked like she wanted to break something. Ron spotted me while I was sneaking up to the dorm. I pleaded with him with my eyes to let me go.

"Nat! There you are!" Ron exclaimed. Why do I even try?

"I'm going off to sleep. I'm really tired." I faked a yawn.

"Sit with us for a while." Harry said. He sounded tensed.

Do I really want to do this now? I sat next to Hermione. She didn't say anything but she put her hand on my hand and squeezed it lightly. At least she is going to be with me.

"Where have you been?" Harry asked me. "I spoke to Andy and he told me you went to find me."

"I was coming to find you but I took a little detour and went to the kitchen. I, suddenly, felt like I want to eat ice cream."

Harry smiled at me, "I want to talk to you about something. Shall we go for a walk?" I nodded. We didn't go far from the tower when he said, "I kissed Cho."

I stopped mid-walk. Should I look at him? What should I say? "I know." I stopped my eyes from filling up with tears. "I saw you both."

He didn't know what to say. I guess, my confession must have ruined whatever speech he prepared. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how it happened. She was crying and I wanted to comfort her. And then I kissed her. I don't know why I did it but I just did it."

I wanted to scream at him but I couldn't, "Harry, do you even want to be with me?"

He held my hands in his, "Of course. I do."

"I need time. I can't do this right now. I think you still have some unresolved feelings for her. You need to sort those feelings out first. We'll talk about us, once you know what you really want." Before he could say anything I turned around and went back to the tower. I went to Hermione's bed. She held the covers up for me so I could get in, "H…"

She held my hand, "I know, it's okay. Sleep it off. Everything will be fine tomorrow."


This last part about Nat getting into Hermione's bed is drawn from personal experience! My besties and I do it when we need it!

Please read and review! Thanks for reading so far!

Enjoy! Neepa :-)