Chapter 3: To Mingle or Not to Mingle, That is the Question?
Today was finally Tuesday. The fantastic part of my timetable where I had double Alchemy in the morning and double Astronomy in the evening. It was going to be a blast. Except for the fact that I didn't know anyone in either of them. But it didn't matter. My goal after school and finishing my N.E.W.T.S next year was to become an astronomer or perhaps some kind of witch archaeologist and I could work on ancient ruins to study runic scriptures on actual stone and parchments, and see how the wizarding world developed their astronomy and belief in Arthimancy with the help of the muggle world. This was another reason why I was taking two extra-curricular activities, Ancient Studies after lunch on Wednesday and Advanced Arithmancy Studies after lunch on Thursday. And hopefully in the future I could begin discovering famous artifacts of the wizarding world. I had told granddad my dream numerous times and he has supported me ever since he raised me. He would always find me in the backyard as a youngster tearing up soil and dirt looking for things to discover. Always making me wash my hands three times before I ate because of the amount of dirt that was always in my fingernails.
I smiled to myself. As I walked down the flight of stairs to the common room to go to breakfast I noticed a group was standing near the portrait door. Harry, Hermione and Ron were there but also that pudgy boy from yesterdays DADA class and a girl who looked related to Ron with her fiery red hair.
"Hey Rina, this is my little sister Ginny. She wanted to meet you," Ron said smiling as I approached them.
I smiled politely, "Nice to meet you."
"You too," Ginny said.
"And this is Neville Longbottom," Hermione indicated a proper introduction to the round-faced boy.
I smiled warmly at the guy. He seemed a bit fidgety. I remember granddad telling me something about his parents, but I just couldn't remember at the time.
I began the small talk to be friendly, "So what morning class do you have today Neville."
He seemed comfortable now, knowing that I was talking to him.
"Herbology, which I can't wait for today," he told me.
"Oh really, looks like to me you have a knack for it?" I said urging him on.
"Yeah, it's the one thing I'm good out. Who knows maybe I'll be a Herbology Professor one day," he beamed.
I looked at the faces around him and smiled. "I think you will be," I stated.
After our chit chat we went down to the Great Hall and ate breakfast. It was nice to know I was getting along with more people. Ever so slightly though. After hearing the enthusiasm from Neville's voice about how fondly he talked about Herbology I admired him. But I still dreaded the subject and glad I had dropped it for the rest of my schooling. The subject just brought back those torturous memories of how I lost dad. Because he died in his laboratory experimenting with some stupid plants and trying to find their uses. He was hoping to make a new discovery, and he always locked himself up in that gloomy tower, hoping there was a miracle he would find. I was always down stairs in the main living room listening to my father's wild exasperations. And if I was lucky, granddad would come over and tell me some wonderful jokes, or I would go over his house and spend some time with Hagrid. I always used to think Hagrid was a big, brown cuddly bear. It's funny when you think back on it now. On how much I have changed with all my experiences in life. God I miss dad. Even though he spent more time in his laboratory then with me, I still missed his presence and comfort. And even mum. Even though I was never able to meet her, but hearing all the interesting stories about her, I feel like I missed out a huge part of my life of having no parents. But hopefully one day I will be able to meet them. Oneday.
I eventually said goodbye to everyone and made it to my first Alchemy class. I sat in middle of the classroom so that I wouldn't look too excited or too lazy to be there. The professor was already there and she introduced herself as Professor Adelynn Dalfer. She was middle-aged with a hallow face and wore squared silver glasses that was more noticeable than her pointy nose and hazel eyes. Her hair was brown and shortly cut like a man, but it was fluffy. She seemed alright for an Alchemy teacher.
"Alchemy is the belief in natural and symbolic unity of humanity- that includes the wizarding and muggle world, with the cosmos. So those of you who are doing Astronomy, it is a crucial help in his subject. Now today's first class will involve understanding the wide variety of relative chemicals and base metals. You will in due time learn to list each one off by heart and know each of their principles," she began, her wand flicking a line on the board that said 'Relative Chemicals' and 'Base Metals.'
"In knowing these bases I will teach you transmutation of common metals and chemicals into silver and gold today. This we shall do in the second part of our double lesson. Your homework will then be to write a six-inch essay on what 'Panacea' is, how significant it is to Alchemy and how it can be created. As well as I want each of you to write another six-inch essay this time on either the formation of the philosopher's stone and how vital Alchemy was to produce it and its impact or you can write about the history of the elixir of life and which famous wizards accomplished in producing this potion. The last essay is your selection but either way the research on both topics are similar."
I raised my hand.
"Yes Miss Dumbledore," Professor Dalfer asked, surprised I raised my hand.
"If we want, can we write all three of the set essays?" I always loved hearing granddad talk about the Philosophers stone and Nicholas Flamel.
"If you wish," she said smiling kindly.
The lesson drew on with us writing down acronyms of each metals and chemicals such as iron, nickel, lead, zinc, copper, hypophosphorous, ergonovine and much more. It was going to be a long morning.
I eventually joined Hermione, Harry and Ron in the Great Hall for lunch. Before I sat down at the table they were in a heated discussion about their potions class. I saw Harry holding a battered-looking book of AdvancedPotionsby Libartius Borage.
"I think it's unfair that you won that Felix Felicis," I heard Hermione say.
I grabbed a cup of orange juice and drank, listening to this conversation.
"Hermione, I won it fair and square," Harry muttered, rolling his eyes, probably sick of the discussion.
"Yeah, leave the old bugger alone. We checked that the book didn't have hidden magical properties. It just had useful tips," Ron said, patting Harry on the back for support.
"I still think you should-" Hermione started saying.
"Hermione, if anything happens I won't use it anymore. But I'm keeping it," Harry declared, victorious.
"What's wrong with the book?" I interjected, wanting to be involved.
"Harry was given an old copy of a potions advanced book and he's been using the notes written in the pages instead of the instructions," Hermione told me, not amused.
"And your just trying to warn him to be careful with it," I said.
"No, she's just jealous she didn't win the Felix flask," Ron announced, high-fiving Harry.
"Oh sod off," Hermione proclaimed, grabbing her bag and leaving the Great Hall.
"Nice work their Ron," Harry said, watching Hermione walk out.
"She's been very irritable lately," Ron muttered, looking inside his juice as he held his cup. Lost in thought.
"Don't worry. It must be because of all the homework we received for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy yesterday," I advised him not to worry. But because I had noticed them bickering a lot of the time. I kind of had a hunch that Hermione liked Ron, and he liked her too. But they both seemed too stubborn to reveal their feelings.
"Hi Ron," a girl giggled walking by.
"Hi Lav," Ron answered smiling, eyeing Lavender as she walked away. I could tell she wanted to flirt with him but kept a distance because I was there. It was weird.
Ron looked down at his plate. Grabbed a piece of bread and his bag and said, "I'll see you both later in the common room," and he ran after Lavender.
Oh bollocks. Hermione was probably not going to be too happy. I looked at Harry who just shrugged his shoulders. And I shrugged mine back and we both laughed.
"Could I see the Felix flask?" I asked him.
He pulled out the bottle from his inner pocket and handed it over to me. The liquid inside was golden and shiny. "Congratulations," I enthused handing the tiny bottle back to him.
"Thanks," he said putting it away. "I'm wondering when I can use it."
"On a special day, or when you need it most," I said, eating some food from my plate.
"So how was Alchemy?"
"Absolutely il fabule," I beamed in French.
"I'm guessing you said fabulous?"
"Oui," I answered.
"And that meant yes," Harry stated.
"You're catching along," I proclaimed smiling at him intently.
"I think it's ilfabule that your know another language," he told me, eating his lunch.
"Merci Monsieur," I said.
"That actually sounds funny," he said.
"Monsieur Harry Potter, sounds very proper," I said laughing.
"And that rhymed," he laughed with me.
Soon lunch was over and I had a long break until after dinner when Astronomy finally started. Harry went back to the Gryffindor common room but before he showed me around Hogwarts library. The room was enormous with tens of thousands of books on thousands of shelves in hundreds of narrow rows. I started researching for my three essays for Alchemy. I needed to get them out of the way so that by the end of the week they were finished. I took out my timetable and started organizing what I would do in each of my study breaks. By the looks of things I was becoming well prepared for the year.
Finally after dinner I walked up the steep spiral staircase leading up to my Astronomy class at the top most level of the astronomy tower. The professor was already there and she introduced herself as Professor Aurora Sinistra which everyone around me would have already known. She was of African descent, wearing a pointed hat and olive coloured robes. She appeared to be serious and strict about her duty as an astronomer. I could feel my heart beating in my chest excitedly. I was smiling inside as I took out my parchment and quill to begin writing. Thinking fondly about my globe of the solar system and globe of the galaxy I brought with me from home that were in my trunk. Granddad had given them to me as birthday gifts. I kept having the prickling need to take out my telescope waiting inside my bag to observe the stars.
"Each month in Astronomy you will need to complete a star chart of the set out planets and their moons I select each of you to do for that month. Which means each of you are on your own. Think of this as a way to test your ability of patience and interest in this class as Astronomy is an observational and documentary subject. The beginning of the class will focus on the theories of the creation of the world, especially that of the wizarding world. You all must note that the planets and stars hold key to this ever going discovery. The second part of the double class will include practical work of each of you first drawing to memory on a star chart what each eighty-eight constellations are."
I heard most of the students gasp. She wanted us to remember alleighty-eightconstellations.That was insane! I then realised Zabini was in the class, and so was Lavender and Parvati my roommates. I was so entranced with Astronomy I didn't bother to take a look around.
"I know this might come to you as a shock. But as N.E.W.T students now, the work is more advanced and as a Professor I expect the best from all of you. Whoever remembers the most out of the whole class shall have my written permission to use the Astronomy tower for one month using my very own complex telescope that I invented. And the great thing is, that every month you all shall be retested again till I start seeing results, and all eighty-eight constellations are learnt and memorized. After you each hand in your drawings I will allow you free time to observe the stars and planets tonight with your telescopes. I shall call you all back into the room once I'm finished marking."
Gallopin gorgons! This Professor was serious. She expected too much from us.
I could feel my hands sweating and becoming clammy. I was going to be tested soon on my knowledge of the constellations. I remember most of them…by name, but not all eighty-eight, and especially not all of them I could draw by heart on a star chart! This was going to be a very, very long lesson.
Professor Sinistra first lectured us on the creation myths of the universe of the Ancient worlds using the drawn constellations (she hinted to us) on the board to explain the view points of the ancient people. She then moved onto muggles theories in our times and then of our own wizarding theory. Eventually the second part of the double class came and I started frantically drawing down whatever I could remember about the shapes of the constellations and which stars were grouped in which order and what their names were. I was writing so much on my star chart that I didn't notice Zabini walk past and bump my elbow which caused my arm to spill my ink in my small bottle. I watched as the ink spoiled the top quarter of my star chart on the right. My eyes opened widely with the shock and I breathed in deeply, exhausting out my frustration as I realised what happened. I looked up at Zabini and he smiled at me.
"Morceau de merde," I swore under my breath, calling him a piece of shit. It wasn't very nice but he did technically shit ink over my star chart.
"Times up, hand them over. There's only about twenty of you in the class so it won't take me that long," the Professor said.
I dropped my quill exasperated. I collected my things, shoved them into my bag and handed over my star chart to Professor Sinistra.
"What happened her Miss Dumbledore?" she asked me.
"I had an accident with my ink," I replied, looking at Zabini when I said this.
"I'll see if I can fix this for you. My, you sure worked hard."
"Astronomy is my forte," I told her, smiling.
I went up to the roof of the astronomy tower and saw Lavender, Parvati and her twin sister Padma together. I went over and joined them and took out my telescope. Once I set it up I began observing the night sky, looking at the glistening stars and then my direction turned towards the sparkling moon, looking at its deep craters. As a child I used to think an actual man lived on the moon which I thought was made from cheese…that happened to be silver. Your imagination as a child never seemed to be limited to boundaries of reality.
While I was observing the sky I could hear Lavender talking about Ron. Talking fondly of Ron matter-of-factly. I could hear her giggling childishly when the twin girls encouraged her to ask him out. I didn't know if I should tell Hermione or not because it was none of my business but I thought she already had a vibe herself. Girls just knew these things, it was an instinct.
Fifteen minutes went by and it was nearing 9 o'clock. Some boy named Terrance Boot from Ravenclaw came and informed us that Professor Sinistra was had finished marking. We all scuttled back down to our classroom. We all stood around her desk. I was waiting eagerly to hear the results.
"Now I know all of you hadn't been warned about this test, but it's good to see your long-term memory kicking in. It tells me where most of you are at. With improvement I can see this being the best class I've had in three years!" she grinned, holding out a list of parchment in her hand. "Now, in last place came Parvati Patil, and I'm only announcing this so it teaches all of you to be strict and disciplined with yourself to not be the lastplacewinner, but Parvati you did score thirty-three which is very good but your classmates just knew more, behind you was Lucinda Asile who just scored half a mark more, now in third place came Padma Patil with firty-two, in second Blaise Zabini with fourty-four points, and Sabrina Dumbledore with an excellent fifty-nine!"
I grinned inside but kept my cool. Good to know that old noggin of mine still worked.
"You're lucky Miss Dumbledore that I could give you your extra sixteen points from that mess on you chart. Otherwise Mister Zabini over here would have beaten you with one point."
From the corners of my eyes I could see Zabini sniggering to himself with amusement. I was glaring at him on the inside.
"The rest of you ranged between these marks, I'll but it up outside the door so you can all see what you scored. By having score sheet there it will be a constant reminder for all of you to keep improving on memorizing these constellations because I will tell you this. In your N.E.W.T exam I guarantee a star chart of the constellations shall be there and you must draw fifty of them."
I heard everyone moan. I couldn't believe it either.
"So my teaching methods are fair. You shall all do your best."
The next day was Wednesday and I was sitting with the trio at lunch after our first Charms class of that year with Professor Flitwick. It had been a bigger class than I had expected but Charms had been a core subject in our younger years.
I listened to the squabble between Harry and Ron about being pissed off that I got Draco Malfoy as my partner for Charms for the rest of the year. They just kept rambling on about how dim-witted Malfoy was and how he was a stuck up prune. I could definitely understand, but Zabini to me appeared more ruthless.
"Just don't put up with Malfoy's pitiful behaviour and you'll be fine. Show him whose boss and that your both equal," Hermione advised me eating her lunch.
"Honestly Rina, I think we should stick to Ron's plan and go have a talk with Professor Flitwick about having Malfoy as your partner," Harry said, looking at me sternly.
Ever since Malfoy had sat down next to me in class because he had been paired with me and started talking to me, Harry had been very annoying, warning me to be careful around Malfoy.
I just chuckled, "Guys it's not a big deal, he was doing the work we are both assigned in class, he's not slacking off." Whichwasasurprise…
"Just you wait and see, you'll be grateful now, but wait until he mimics you and stabs you in the back…you can take that literally or figuratively," Ron commented.
"Oh come off it Ron," Hermione said while gently slapping Ron across the arm.
"Ow! That hurt."
"Well you guys should stop being so, so I don't know over-protective for no bloody reason," Hermione said.
"We're just warning her. Besides I think he's up to something," Harry muttered.
"Alright, alright. Just leave it. Look. If I see that he's not doing the work or he acts fishy I'll ask for a new partner," I settled.
"Thank you, that's all I wanted to hear," Harry said smiling.
"Yea, but what about you Harry, don't you have Pansy Parkinson as your partner?" Hermione asked, laughing with Ron.
"Oh shut it. She is so lazy that she doesn't even bother to lift up her quill and take notes. And she keeps grunting throughout the entire lessons. It makes me sick," Harry boasted putting his hands over his head and leaning back.
"Don't worry mate, I think Rina will be changing partners soon, knowing Malfoy," Ron explained.
"You're right, how bout' that Rina. If you change partners, we could both become paired and Malfoy gets Parkinson. Everybody wins!" Harry said triumphantly leaning forward.
"We'll see."
"Anyways, I think we should get to class now, I don't like being late," Hermione stated getting up.
"Really Hermione?" Ron rhetorically said, he looked fed up with Hermione's diligent behaviour for some reason.
"Hey, you're lucky to have me as your friend because you should be grateful that you have me as your partner for Charms, or better yet maybe Ishould ask for a new partner if you don't contribute to any of the work we get Ronald," Hermione bickered.
"You sure did it this time Ron," I heard Harry utter.
"You both can be a pompous git when you don't even know it," she heatedly said turning and stomping away.
"It could be that time of the month mate," Harry joked with Ron.
I looked at them bemused, raising one eyebrow at them. Their behaviour and remarks were foolish. I quickly ran off to catch up with Hermione. Her curly hair was a mess and her face was stern. I realised that she techincally only had Harry and Ron to talk to, including the other Weasleys, but what she really needed was a girl her age to talk to. Even though she had her roommates I didn't think she was a girl that was welcoming to spill out her issues.
"Hermione wait up, what was that all about?" I asked curiously.
"It's a long story."
"I have time, and I'm a good listener."
"Maybe later." And that was it; I didn't want to push the issue. I had to wait till later to hear the story. What on earth were they fighting about this time? Yesterday night when I came back from Astronomy Hermione had being bickering about Ron being inconsiderate because he kept talking to Lavender Brown, on the common room couches while Hermione was doing her homework and then this morning before Charms the same thing happened at breakfast over the same issue. All because Lavender was flirting with Ron right in front of Hermione. Boys…
My next class of the day was my extra-curricular subject, Ancient Studies. This lesson was going to be like I always say il fabule. We had started learning about Ancient Egypt's magic spells that have been discovered to protect Egyptians in the afterlife. Once the class had finished I went to the library to start writing my essays for Alchemy and to get them finished by tonight. And then hopefully do some night Astronomy observing with my reward from Professor Sinistra.
Half an hour into finishing off my first essay I looked up from staring down at my parchment and research for so long. I closed my eyes, and tilted my head back, moving it side to side, so the muscles in my neck could relax from being bent for so long.
"Well, well, well if it isn't Dumbledore," I heard a cocky voice say.
I lifted one eye open and saw Malfoy their watching me. A pile of book in his arms and parchment on top of them.
I closed my eye. "What do you want?" I asked, still focusing on relaxing my neck, not caring that Draco was there.
"Nothing really, just admiring your workmanship."
"If you ask me, you should change that word to 'workwomanship' but that doesn't make sense does it?" I said.
"No, it doesn't," I heard Draco chuckle, then a thump in front of me
I instantly opened my eyes and looked at him sitting down in front of me at mytable with his books to his side.
"Why are you sitting with me?" I asked him, suspicious of his behaviour.
"Can't a guy work on his homework with his partner for Charms?" he said, a smirk itching on his face but he kept it at bay.
I raised an eyebrow at him. "So you're telling me those books there are for our essay on the Aguamenti charm?"
"Read them and weep," he said, pushing the pile towards me.
"You do know we didn't even plan when to meet up and work on this assignment? Besides can't you see that I'm busy already working on others?"
"I'm here now so let's work on it. Look, I just want to get this bloody essay out of the way so that I can relax for the rest of the week."
I exhaled out a long sign of regret. Knowing that Draco had ruined my whole schedule for the rest of the day. I organized my parchments and put them aside, then grabbed the parchment on top of the pile of books that Draco had brought. We worked for forty-five minutes not really talking that much. We decided on what parts of the essay we were going to write ourselves and then just left it at that. Only talking for a moment to ask if he had written about this or that.
"Why on earth do you still hang around St Potter?" I heard him say out of nowhere.
I looked up at him and stared at his grey eyes. They looked like a storm of clouds, intent and never changing. "I should be asking you the same question about Zabini," I responded.
"Hey, I asked you first."
"And I asked you second," I stated.
"This question is going to take us nowhere."
"At least we just agreed on the same thing," I said, surprisingly smiling inside.
We then went back to writing our essay. Finally after another fifteen minutes we both gave up. "So how much work did you get done?" I asked.
"Three pages worth, you?"
I looked down at mine, "Three as well."
"You're such a crap liar," he said, grabbing my parchment and flipping through it and giving it back to me.
"Well lying is a poor habit to have."
"But it gets you out of things, because the truth could be worse."
"Well, that just depends on the situation you're in. Anyway at least we got a good amount of work done for today," I said collecting my things and leaving the library with Draco to eat dinner.
We started walking down the flight of stone stairs, "So when did you want to finish the essay and combine our work?" he asked me as I followed him down
"How about, this Saturday at the Library. We'll be too busy with our other homework to meet up earlier," I said walking at a fast pace to keep up with him.
"Meeting up sounds like we're hanging out." He said with a smirk. "That's ridiculous for a Slytherin to slyther-in a Gryffindor," he boasted out laughing.
Two could play at this game.
"Well you better not otherwise I'll gruff then grab your balls at your House door," I said, smirking for the first time.
Draco stopped laughing and was surprised with what had just come out of my mouth.
"My god, you aredirty minded," he proclaimed.
"Na," I said.
"Aha," he said.
"Na."
"Aha."
"Oh dear god, we sound like wrangling children," I confirmed laughing at mine and his stupidity.
"We'll isn't that what friends do, they complain and argue with each other," he said, smiling at me.
"So you're verifying that we're friends?" I asked, looking at him suspiciously. That was out of character from the guy I had first met at the carriages to Hogwarts.
"Maybe."
"But you just said it yourself," I replied watching him.
"So you're agreeing?"
"Well who wants to know?" I said, looking at him peculiarly.
He just stood there still holding the pile of books. "I'll see you…whenever," and he walked off not taking a glance back at me.
That was very odd.
After dinner I sat myself beside Hermione who was looking very impatient on the common room couch. I wondered what the problem was now. It was really obvious that it was about Ron. I took out my second Alchemy essay and started jotting down notes on the sides on what I needed to write more about.
Eventually I got fed up sitting there waiting for her to talk, "Okay, it is later now; please tell me what this story is all about?"
"Mmmm…"she muttered.
"Oh come on Hermione, I'm your friend for goodness sake. What's bothering you?" Her behaviour wasn't proper for her. I hadn't seen her act this way before. And it was only Wednesday!
She muffled something and turned away.
Later at nine o'clock I sat next to Hermione on her bed in our dormitories before she went to bed. Our roommates were still down stairs in the common room doing their homework.
"Hermione could you please tell me now, you've been looking miserable all day, I want to know what's wrong with you so I can help you?"
She just looked at me her face sad, her eyes droopy. It didn't suit her.
"It's Ron."
"I knew it."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Well, from my point of view it is," I said sitting down next to her. "I've been watching you the past three days."
"Ron is flirting with Lavender and well-"
"You're jealous?"
"No…well…yes…but he doesn't know I like him. He's too stubborn and dim-witted. And I can't talk to Harry about it, he's a guy."
"I understand."
"It's annoying listening Lavender going on and on about how light headed she feels whenever she talks to Ron. And her incestuous giggling, my gosh!"
I interjected, "I know. She talks and giggles about him all the time with the Patil twins. She's started squealing too now whenever she sees him."
"It's annoying sharing a room with her, knowing she likes Ron."
"Why don't you try and talk to him. Maybe tell him how you feel?" I said.
"Ron feels insecure because of who I am, the brilliant witch and all. If I'm in a relationship with him I don't want to have to dumb myself down to help him with his ego if he's not doing well in something," she reveals to me. "That makes me a bad person doesn't it."
"No, it just makes you stubborn like him," I laughed with her.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "What should I do?"
"Like I said. Talk to him…otherwise Lavender might get her claws on him before you. And obviously you don't want that," I advised.
"Thanks Sabrina, you're a good listener." Hermione said hugging me.
The next day after History of Magic in the morning with Hermione we discussed that she should talk to Ron tonight. Draco I had noticed was also in our class. But he didn't look my way. He seemed colder to me today than from yesterday.
Eventually the day was going by smoothly and I had Advanced Arithmancy Studies with Professor Vector. My workload was growing ever so quickly. And so was the first week of school. I really wished it was holiday time now…
After dinner I talked to Ron that Hermione wanted to speak to him and they went inside an empty classroom on the first floor. Harry had followed us of course.
"So what do you think they are saying to each other?" Harry asked me as he tried to peer in.
"Harry, stop being so nosy. Give them their privacy. And stop hogging the bloody door," I said shoving him over so I could look in as well.
"You know Ron's always liked her," Harry revealed to me.
"Well I'm not sure howlongHermione had liked Ron, but the point is, that she does like him," I said. I could see them standing further back in the classroom and that Hermione was trying to negotiate about the problem between them. Gosh I felt nervous for them. It was hard revealing your feelings to someone. Especially if they rejected you. I for one had never experienced that before. I had never bothered to ask out a guy, and I hadn't ever been asked out by one either.
I felt bad prying to ears drop on what they were saying. I knew that I should have been respecting their secrecy but it was just so tempting. Harry and I eventually gave up and walked around the first floor waiting a new couple to submerge from the classroom.
"Ron was always too shy to ask Hermione out," he explained.
"Well hopefully they get together today and they're both happy," I clarified while walking beside him.
I felt small chills run down my back. It was really chilly tonight and I had forgotten to grab my jacket off my bed when I walked out to dinner.
"Are you cold? Do you want my jacket?" Harry asked me, turning to face me. He looked so bright and happy most of the time when I was around him. But I knew something was up. I had seen granddad today and he told me he was having teaching sessions with Harry but he didn't tell me what about. I became suspicious but at least granddad was telling me half the truth.
"No thanks, I'm alright," I said rubbing my arms.
"Sabrina it's not good to lie," great now I was lying like Draco.
"Here, just put it on," he said swinging his robe over my shoulders. I could smell the sent on his robe. It was a beautiful aroma that smelt faintly like coconut and mint. I held his robe close and I felt the warmth and relaxation of my body. I smiled for a brief second and looked at him.
"What are you smiling at?" he beamed. I could have sworn I saw this beautiful glint in his emerald eyes.
"Oh nothing."
"Alright then. Have you been wondering who you would like to go with to the Valentine 's Day ball?"
"That's a bit early to be thinking about," I said looking at my hands as I blushed. I wasn't really sure if Harry was going to ask me. It would be nice going to the ball with him. And yet I shouldn't be thinking this way. I had tonnes of homework to do. Learning eighty-eight constellations, two more Alchemy essays to write, my partnered essay, Ancient Runew homework, Arthimancy…Ancient Studies…Oh my god! I had way too much on my plate. I can't be thinking about liking a guy- I don't have the bloody time!
"Well I was thinking maybe if you liked we could—"
"There you are Rina, I was looking everywhere for you," I heard a familiar voice shout out.
I swiftly twisted around after having freaked myself out with the amount of work I had to complete for next week and saw the gleaming eyes of Draco. I could feel Harry's tension beside me as he began fuming underneath his breath. They really did hate each other…
'Malfoy' I heard him mutter.
"Yes Draco," I said as he came strolling to us with parchment in his hand.
"I couldn't find you after dinner and I was hoping we could change our plans so that today we could combine our Charms essay because I was just told at my quidditch meeting that I have practice on Saturday. So after my practice we could finish off the essay," Draco explained looking at me firmly.
I could tell Harry detested being in the presence of Draco.
I realised that it was good to finish off this assignment, to get it out of the way ASAP. "Sure Draco, let me just go get my notes from my dorm and I will meet you at the Library."
"Great, I'll see you there," he said.
"Not a problem," I replied as he disintegrated down the corridor.
"As if ferret face," Harry said grinding his teeth together.
"Harry please, can't you at least be civil with him?"
"Are you crazy? This is Malfoy. He's never nice unless he wants something out of it. The bloody hypocrite," he burst out glaring at the place Draco once was.
"Harry he's trying to be friendly," I replied angrily.
"How can you defend him? I've known him for four years and I know he's up to something. Look Sabrina, I didn't tell you this before but the reason why I had blood all over my face at the welcoming feast and why I hadn't arrived on time was because Draco attacked me on the train."
"Why did he attack you?" I asked, surprised that Draco caused Harry's injuries.
"I was…well…eavesdropping on his private conversation in his carriage, but that's not the point-"
"You eavesdropped? And he did that to you?" I said, not believing him.
"Listen Sabrina, he kicked me in the nose and paralyzed me on the train and no one would have found me, but luckily Luna had-"
"Didn't he see you eavesdropping?" I asked astonished with what Harry was telling me.
"No I was wearing my invisibility cloak, now listen-"
"You have an invisibil-" I began.
"He has a Death Eater mark!" Harry shouted out me.
I went still and blinked at him. Now there was silence between him and I.
"Look," he began calming down, "You kept interrupting me-"
"How do you know?" I said in a normal stone, eyeing him intently. My face stern. I didn't like being yelled at. But I wasn't one who would lose my cool so easily.
Harry looked at me, thinking if he should tell me the truth. "I saw him at Borgin and Burkes and he showed his arm to the owner. I don't know why but I'm trying to figure it out. Listen, I don't know if Dumbledore knows."
"So now you're insulting my grandfather?" I stated, taking a step closer to him.
"Malfoy has probably used a curse on you to believe him or you must be foolish," he snapped back at me.
My anger rising. I started clenching my teeth then snapped back, "How dare you call me foolish?You're the idiot who went and got yourself attacked on the Hogwarts Express and have done countless of foolish things over the years that granddad has told me about. You're the foolish and reckless one."
"I'm not reckless; you're the numbskull who associates herself with a Death Eater when her grandfather is the Head of Hogwarts. You're a moron for doing so. He's just using you to get to Dumbledore!"
"Oh my God! He's my bloody partner for Charms- what else can I do? We're just working on assigned work together. And I think I would know if he's a Death Eater or not. I'm not that stupid!"
"He's working for Voldermort your imbecile, open your bloody eyes!"
I just stood there and glared at Harry. "My eyes are open and I can take care of myself," I said briskly walking past him.
I was so furious with him. How could he assume that I was that weak? That stupid?
For goodness sake I was giving Malfoy a chance. Not even a chance- I was bloody assigned with him for Charms, there's nothing I could do about that! How dare he! I would know better than to become friends with a Death Eater. And granddad would have told me so…wouldn't he? Did he know about Draco? Was what Harry saying true?
He called me foolish…that I was a fool, daft; stupid, a moron a bloody imbecile he called me! That prick!
I repeated the word in my head, infuriated that I actually let myself believe that Harry was nice to go with to the ball. Heinsultedme.
Oh gosh, I still had mounts of homework to get through…curse this school.