Chapter 1: (Narrator's POV)
On the Brink
"You still have those? It's been a year!" Ron blurted out after seeing Harry pull out from his drawer the three petals of that silver rose.
"Well, I don't get something like this every night."
"Yeah, but they're wilting!"
"It still reminds me of everything that happened that night." He paused, "I still have to find her."
"You're a very eager man!" Ron chuckled, "There are approximately 750 Slytherin girls from first to-"
"I only need fifth to seventh year girls."
"Alright…" Ron said, pretending to think thing over. " Well, that does narrow it down to THREE HUNDRED!"
Harry just chortled. "Well, we'll soon determine who she is…"
"If she was blonde-"
"Yeah, she'd be easier to find…"
"SEE? Even you know that it's almost impossible to know who she really is!" Ron said, hoping that Harry would just drop the idea off.
"There's no harm in trying… I guess." Harry smiled. "Perhaps, she was the only one who had a silver rose. Everybody else had a green one on a silver stem!"
Ron shook his head, "I don't Harry…" After saying this, the bell rang.
"We better get going. Our Charms will be starting in a few minutes."
"Ron, do you think maybe she's looking for me, too?" Harry asked. It seemed like he didn't hear what Ron had just said about Charms.
"Maybe…" Ron said absent-mindedly. He couldn't find his overdue Charms Homework.
After their classes that day, he decided to take a stroll by the Black Lake. Quidditch practices were soon coming, and his free times would be well-spent again.
Hermione approached Harry upon seeing him by the lakeside.
"Harry-"
"Hey Hermione!" Harry greeted, cutting her short.
"I have to tell you something." Hermione continued as she at down beside him.
"I have a lot to tell you, too." He smiled.
Her heart started to race, "You go first."
"No, you start."
"I insist, Harry."
He gave in, "Alright, alright." He paused and took a deep breath. "There was this girl that I met during the Dance last year. I already told Ron about this. I need your help. I have to know who she is."
Her heart sank, "Uh, yeah…sure." Her gaze didn't meet his. She remained looking at the serene waters.
He smiled broadly. "What were you going to tell me?"
She shook her head and forced a smile across her face. "Nothing… it slipped out my mind." She chuckled. "I'll tell you when I remember."
He sensed the uneasiness in her, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah… just a bit tired." She breathed in, "Oh. And I actually need your help for the Potions research… Are you through with it?"
"Oh, that! Actually, I haven't lifted my fingers to write anything about it yet." He stood up, "Library it is, then!" He laughed, and took her by the hand… just like the old times.
Months have passed, and the Quidditch season had gone by. The Cup was bagged by Gryffindor.
Harry looked at his trophy, within the glass frame, beside his father's.
"There it is, Harry!" Hermione said, hugging her best friend. "You're such a great team captain!"
He gave Ginny and Ron a hi-five for doing a great job.
"Malfoy's team was ganging up you earlier! It was great how you pulled it off! Is your arm still sore, though?" Ginny asked with concern.
"No, it actually feels better now." He smiled, but this faded almost instantly. "I left my broom by the Quidditch field entrance! I'll meet you all in a while." He set off.
Running hurriedly past everyone, he still had to stop a few times to thank those who were congratulating him.
"Excuse me… please- I'm sorry- oh, my- excuse- Oh, I'm sorry…" He said before he bent lower to pick up the books of the student whom he hit.
"Thank you…" She said softly.
Familiar Voice… he thought. Just then, his eyes fell on the pressed rose that fell off from her book. He picked it and handed it over to her. Silver.
"Sly-"
"You were amazing up there, Harry. Congratulations." She smiled that sweet and familiar smile. She stood up when someone repeatedly said her name to catch her attention.
"Wait," he said, getting on his feet again.
"Pansy, hurry up!" Yes, her name… "Pansy!" Draco repeated, his temper worse than the usual.
"I have to go… thanks and congratulations again…"
For once, he was kept hanging. Was she… could she be the masked unknown?
"Harry!" He turned to face whoever called on him.
"Hey, Luna!" He beamed, brushing his thoughts aside. "How has everything been?"
"Pretty awesome,. And uh, here's your broom. I saw it by the Field entrance." she replied. "You were such a seeker, swerving air lanes with the youngest and most arrogant Malfoy."
Harry gave a chuckle. "Thanks. Just got lucky, I suppose."
"Harry Potter," one of the Creevey brothers said, holding the camera right into Harry's face. "May I?"
Harry smiled, and the flash of white light temporarily blinded him. When everyhitng else was cleared up, he saw, from where he stood, she was smiling at him.
"Harry, let's go!" Luna said, still holding onto the broom that Harry left. "The whole of Gryffindor is waiting for the Team Captain!" They made their way to the common room.
Loud cheers, victorious cries, hugs and words of congratulations overwhelmed him. He was happy, he knew. But at the back of his mind, he was even happier for having met her… again.