Scusa Ma Ti Chiamo Amore
Summary: "Somewhere between all our laughs, long talks, stupid little fights, and all our jokes, I fell in love." – Unknown. FemHarry.
Just a warning: AU, FemHarry, Age Difference, Smart!FemHarry, Loyal!Hermione, Clichés, Messed Up Timeline, More in the future
Chapter 2 – All Hail the Beautiful Cupcakes!
Having always been forced to wake up early in the morning by her Aunt Petunia so she could cook her relatives' breakfast, Harry was always the first girl to get out of the bed in her dorm room.
Not that she didn't like waking up early. It was actually a good thing since she didn't need to worry about Lavender Brown or Parvati Patil waging war over the bathroom or Fay Dunbar panic about what accessory to use that day or how to wear hair.
Tying the laces of her shoes, Harry turned around to check her reflection on Lavender's mirror and smiled, feeling satisfied with what she saw. The raven haired witch closed her robes so no one would notice that she wasn't wearing her uniform and walked toward Hermione's bed.
"Hermione, wake up. Hermione!" Harry whispered, shaking the older girl who grumbled a little but didn't move. Harry looked down at her perfectly polished nails, "Hermione, did you finish Snape's essay? Because we're going to have a test about it today and I want to –"
The raven haired witch didn't didn't even need to finish. Hermione jumped from the bed and crossed the room, looking like a possessed woman. In less than ten minutes, she took a bath and got dressed before looking over her things in search of the so called essay.
Harry was rather disappointed when it took three and a half minutes for her best friend to notice that something was wrong. Tut, tut. She had thought that Hermione was smarter than that.
"Wait a second," The older girl muttered, "There's no essay or test today…" Letting go of her book bag and turning to stare at the whistling green eyed witch, "Harry." She growled with a crazed look on her face.
Said girl smiled sweetly and wiggled her fingers cheerfully.
"Good Morning, Hermione!"
Hermione didn't return her sentiments.
"Burn in hell, Henriette." The bushy haired witch snarled.
Amused, Harry watched as Hermione walked back into the bathroom only to come out as if nothing had happened. It was always interesting to see how bipolar Hermione could be in the morning.
Together, they walked down the spiral staircase and into the common room. The moment they appeared, though, the few students who had already finished breakfast and were just hanging out there broke into applause. Hermione glared at them, hissing much like her monster of a familiar as she took hold of Harry's arm as if warning them to stay away or else.
Harry eyed her Housemates with disgust and wondered for a moment if they were all just plain delusional or if their magic had affected their brains somehow. All of them were so focused into the novelty of having a Gryffindor Champion for the Tournament that they completely ignored her refusals or the fact that she had said a big and fat No to Dumbledore's face last night.
She truly hoped it wasn't the magic. Harry was rather attached to her own magic and would be devastated if she had to stop using it because it had some type of effect over people common sense.
The green eyed witch and her friend walked resolutely to the portrait hole, determined in ignoring their Housemates, and pushed it open, climbing out of it before founding themselves face-to-face with Ron of all people.
Harry looked up.
What did I do? Why do you insist in punishing me like this?! She mentally cried to the heavens, not caring about which omniscient being heard her, I just want some peace!
"Good Morning, Ron." Hermione greeted him, eying the boy was as if he was a bomb.
With how dangerous his temper was, Harry couldn't blame her.
"Hello," Ron was grinning but it was ugly and strained sort of grin that twisted his face.
Harry didn't bother to answer. All she wanted was for this to be over so she could have her breakfast and talk to Hermione about the decision she made yesterday.
"So," he continued as if she wasn't staring at him with unimpressed eyes, "Congratulations."
"Thank you," His expression darkened a little but she ignored it, "I'm really happy for not having to participate in this death trap of an tournament."
"Why do you keep saying that?" Ron rolled his eyes, "Stop trying to gather more attention Harry. Look, it's okay, you can tell me the truth. It isn't like you'll be in trouble anyway," He said bitterly, "How did you enter your name? The Invisibility Cloak?"
She didn't even bother to answer him. Harry had already decided that she won't waste her precious oxygen with repeating the same words over and over again. If people believed her then fine. If they really thought that a fourteen years old could bypass Dumbledore's spells and wards then that wasn't her problem.
Hermione scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous, Ronald. The Invisibility Cloak wouldn't have let her over Professor Dumbledore's Age Line."
Unfortunately, Ron was too simple minded to listen. He had gotten it into his head that Harry had cheated somehow and put her name in the Goblet then clearly, that was what happened.
"Then how did you do that, Harry? Potions? A spell from the Restricted Section? I'm not stupid you know, I know you did something."
When Hermione looked like she was ready to start ranting at the boy, the raven haired witch placed one of her hands over the older girl's hand and shook her head when the bushy haired witch sent her a confused look.
Harry smiled at the red head much like how she did with her cousin when he was being annoying. With a sweet smile and kind eyes, she started walking away from him.
"Our definition of stupid must really differ from each other then."
Harry started counting backwards from ten to zero. It was enough for Ron to mentally translate the grow up words she had used.
"Hey!"
She smirked while Hermione started giggling.
The two girls went downstairs, crossing the entrance hall quickly without even sparing a glance toward the Great Hall where people must have been waiting for Harry to show up. Soon, they found themselves sitting under a large tree near the lake, hiding from everyone's view and eating from the picnic basket one of the House-Elves brought for them after Harry commented out loud that she was hungry.
Thankfully, Hermione had long since come to accept that it was in the House-Elves nature to sever and she didn't say anything.
Harry took a slip of her hot chocolate, closing her eyes with a hum. It was a chilly Sunday morning so the warm drink was very welcome.
"Now, what are you planning to do about the Tournament?" Hermione asked as she munched on toast with poached eggs. "You do have a plan right?" She was suspicious.
Harry took out a apple from the basket, shooting a mock offended look at her friend.
"Of course I do." Harry made a pause, "But you'll not like it."
Hermione groaned before she made a motion with her hand for Harry to explain. And that was exactly what the green eyed witch did. Shetold Hermione about the decision she made the night before and how she would be putting it into motion before the First Task.
The older girl didn't say anything as she talked and Harry could see that she wanted to. But Hermione knew Harry well enough to know that the raven haired girl wasn't going to back down on her decision.
"Ok…" Hermione sighed after Harry stopped talking, breaking the silence between them, "Ok…"
"You're not going to try to stop me?" Harry asked.
Hermione scoffed indignantly.
"All I want is for you to be safe and happy, Harry. And all the Wizarding World brought to you is pain and suffering." She said bitterly, sending a glare in direction of the castle, "One just doesn't simply start to have constant anxiety attacks for nothing."
Harry didn't notice that she was tense until she relaxed at those words. Hermione always understood her the best, she always saw what others refused to see and she knew how much Harry needed a break from the Wizarding World.
"There's one thing though." Hermione looked into her eyes.
Harry smiled, "Yes?"
"You're not leaving me behind. Someone has to keep an eye on you."
The green eyed witch's smile widened as she threw her arms around her friend.
"Never!" Harry said, so loudly that several bird in the tree took flight in alarm, "You're stuck with me!"
Hermione hugged her back, laughing.
It's nice, Harry thought, having someone who'll always support you by your side.
"Well," Hermione said after a moment, "You know what to do now right? Before you go along with your decision."
Harry blinked, "Pa –"
"No Harry," The brown eyed girl interrupted, "You need to write to Sirius."
Harry pursued her lips.
"Why?"
As much as she liked her Godfather, she couldn't trust him. Sirius trusted Dumbledore far too much for her liking. If she told the man anything, he would more likely tell Dumbledore and then she would have to deal with the Wizarding World bullshit and its sheep until she was forced to go back to Duskaban (aka. her relatives' house) at the end of the year.
"No." Harry shook her head, "He doesn't need to know."
Hermione didn't look happy with her answer but still accepted it with a sigh.
"Ok, but I'm telling my parents."
"Go for it." Harry smiled.
They finished their breakfast and a House-Elf popped beside them to get the basket before the two girls stood and walked back to the castle. Harry lead her friend to one of the several secret passages she knew, using the Marauder Map to guide through the narrow corridors until they reached the Owlery.
Hermione took out a piece of parchment, a quill, and a bottle of ink, then sat down in a table on the corner of the Owlery to write her letter to her parents. Meanwhile, Harry walked around the long lines of perches, looking at all the different owls, only stopping when she found herself facing Hedwig.
"Hey, Hedwig," Harry smiled, running her fingers though the snow white feathers gently, "How have you been?" Her owl looked into her eyes with intelligent amber eyes before hooting. It wasn't difficult for Harry to understand, "I wish I could say the same…"
"Hoot." Hedwig blinked.
Harry sighed, "It's nothing. You don't need to worry about it," She assured her owl, "Look, Hermione need to send a letter to her parents, can you carry it for her?"
Hedwig gave her a look that couldn't be interpreted as anything but Duh!.
"Of course you'll," The small witch rolled her eyes, "Sorry, silly question."
She chuckled when Hedwig hooted fondly in return.
"I'm finished," Hermione as she approached them. At this, Hedwig flew down onto his shoulder and held out her leg, "Thank you for this, Hedwig – Oh, you don't mind staying with my parents for a while right? It'll be safer." The brown eyed witch asked the owl who turned to look at Harry.
"I agree with her, Hedwig…" Harry said, "You're too recognizable."
Good old Hermione, always thinking ahead. Harry hadn't even thought about what Hedwig could mean to her plans. If she truly wanted to stay away from the Wizarding World, then she couldn't have a very eye-catching snow owl with her all the times.
Hedwig hooted in agreement and flew off. Harry and Hermione watched her go before they walked out of the Owlery, intent in putting Harry's plans into motion.
Muggle School had anti-bullying propaganda, they tried to help their students. Hogwarts? Harry couldn't remember one single time when someone got detention or lost their House a point or two for bullying. The teachers turned a blind eye and Harry couldn't even find it in herself to feel angry about that; she had already gotten used to it in her Second Year when the whole school turned on her for thinking that she was the Slytherin Heir.
What did make her furious was how people kept trying to destroy her books. They could curse her all they wanted but those books had belonged to her mother. They were some of the only things she had of the woman if anyone even succeeded in destroying them, Harry was going to murder someone.
"Ignore them, Harry." Hermione whispered as they walked out of Charms.
"I'm trying." Harry said gritted her teeth.
Frantically, she checked her mother's old Charms book to see if it hadn't been burned somehow when Susan Bones decided to use the Summoning Charm on it and accidentally (Please, notice the sarcasm) let it fall a few inches away from the fireplace Professor Flitiwick had in his classroom.
"You'll only have to deal with them for a few more hours then you're free."
Harry took a deep breath. Right. She couldn't curse anyone or break their bones for – Green eyes widened as someone hit her shoulder, pushing her aside without care. Hermione cursed before she let go of her bag and grabbed the smaller witch's arm, pulling her back before Harry ended falling down the stairs.
That was close, Harry thought as she looked down. She didn't think that not even her would survive falling from this distance.
Harry turned to see Cedric Diggory – the real Hogwarts Champion – surrounded by a large group of simpering Ravenclaw girls, all of whom were looking at Harry as though she was a type of disgusting bacteria.
The green eyed witch returned their look with a sneer worthy of Snape.
Hermione snarled, looking like she was ready to punch or curse those girls as they giggled, "Look where you're going!"
"Ops," One of the girls, Cho Chang, said apologetic. "Sorry."
No, you're not. Harry thought, narrowing her eyes.
"Why you –" Hermione stopped as Harry squeezed her hand and smiled sweetly.
"Oh, it's ok." She said, "No harm done."
The girls as well Cedric looked at her as if they couldn't understand her. Before Chang could say anything though, a group of Slytherins lead by Draco Malfoy walked down the corridor in their direction.
"Hey, Potter," His grin was unpleasant to see if not plain ugly, "What do you think?"
He showed her the large badge on the front of his which bore a message in luminous red letters that burnt brightly in the light coming from the windows of the castle: SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY- THE REAL HOGWARTS CHAMPION!
Harry stayed in silence as she observed the group. By the corner of her eyes, she noticed that Chang and the other girls were also using it.
"Like them, Potter?" Malfoy asked loudly as he stopped a step away from Harry. "Now, pay attention!"
He pressed his badge into his chest, and the message upon it vanished only to be replaced by another one which glowed green: POTTER STINKS!
Harry raised a eyebrow. That was actually pretty smart.
She hummed, rubbing her chin in thought.
The Slytherins howled with laughter after Malfoy demonstration. Each of them pressed their badges too, until the POTTER STINKS message was shining brightly
Beside her, Hermione was fuming. Lightning was cracking around the older witch as she glared at the Slytherins but it was so weak that Harry doubted anyone else had noticed it.
"Very funny," Hermione growled.
Malfoy grinned, "Want one, Granger?" He asked, holding out a badge to the bushy haired girl.
Diggory looked like he wanted to step in but Chang, who Harry thought was his Girlfriend, held his arm and shook her head, whispering something to the boy with a sweet – so sweet that Harry felt cavities growing on her teeth – smile and he stopped.
It was almost pathetic to watch.
"I've got loads of them. But don't touch my hand." Harry turned her attention back to Malfoy, "I've just washed it, you see; don't want a Mudblood sliming it up."
Harry stepped between Malfoy and Hermione before the girl pushed him again. As much as it would have been fun to watch the bushy haired witch break his nose like she had done last year, Harry couldn't let Hermione get detention for hitting the git.
"I want one." Harry said, making a grabbing gesture with her hand. "Two actually." She added after a moment.
Malfoy wasn't the only one staring at her as if she had lost her mind.
"So?" Harry asked, impatiently, "What about the badges?"
Wide eyed, Malfoy took out two badges from the pocket of his robes and gave it to Harry. Humming, she used her wand to check the spells on them before muttering a few spells of her own.
"Here Hermione," She said, handing one of the badges to her friend, "We can match."
Hermione stared for a moment before she accepted the badge and giggled when she saw that hot pink letters had replaced the red ones and that it now read; I'M A BEAUTIFUL CUPCAKE IN A WORLD FULL OF MUFFINS. The green message with the POTTER STINKS was replaced by a cute cupcake with several little hearts around it.
"I like it," Hermione said, placing the badge on her book bag.
Harry grinned, happy to see that her friend was calmer, "Cute right? Maybe we should sell them."
"That's a good idea." Hermione said, "We could make T-Shirts too!"
Laughing, they started to walk away from the two groups which were watching them go in a stunned silence.
That was the last time anyone saw the two of them in Hogwarts.
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-Cissnei.