CHAPTER 16 – It's Not a Love Story
Author's Note: First of all, I'm sorry this took so long! I got writer's block and needed some times off from the computer just to get the juices flowing. Second, this story will definitely confuse you guys. I can guarantee that. Third, this chapter takes you nearer and nearer to the ending. Now, I want you to ask yourselves some questions after reading this chapter and ponder upon it.
Question 1: What is Fred and George really up to?
Question 2: What is Oliver's reason for not spending time with Harriotte anymore?
Question 3: Why does Harry care so much about Harriotte?
I hope you will be able to ask yourselves these questions after reading this chapter. Cheerio! Hope you review!
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The sky was of clear blue when the Lady Harriotte walked out of her bedroom through her balcony door. She gazed at the surroundings under her. Hogwarts was beautiful both inside out. Harriotte scanned throughout the ground and saw a couple of students walking down on the snowy field, all of them bundled up. She also saw Hagrid walking towards the lake, wanting to see if it was still frozen or not. Harriotte turned back and walked inside her bedroom. She waved her right hand and, immediately, the balcony door closed.
It was already seven in the morning and Harriotte was greeted with the smiling faces of her ladies' maids as she entered her dining area. She sat down at the far left of the table, just across from her brother who was already seated and was reading a copy of The Daily Prophet.
"Good morning, Brother," Harriotte silently greeted her brother.
"Yes, good morning to you too, Sister," Hilton greeted back, not bothering to look up from his reading material.
They remained in silence for the next few minutes. All the while, the ladies' maids inside the dining room were busy delivering the different breakfast courses for that day. Hilton was given dark coffee, while Harriotte had coffee with cream. Harriotte took a bite out of her croissant and set down her fork and bread knife. She stared at the food platter in front of her croissant plate then looked back at her croissant. Hilton, at that moment, disposed of The Daily Prophet then looked at his sister.
"Do you not like the food?" Hilton asked.
All the ladies' maids gasped in embarrassment at the question of the young Lord. They didn't know what the Lady would answer. They knew that if she answered 'yes', the young Lord would not be delighted about it, and they certainly didn't want Hilton to be upset.
"No, the food is just fine," Harriotte answered, returning to her croissant.
Hilton gestured for the maids to leave them alone and they followed soon. He took his fork and knife and cut a piece of bacon that was sitting on his plate. He took a bite and got a piece of white bread from a basket and spread butter on it. He took a few bites before placing it in his plate. He took his fork again and began to eat the scrambled egg on his plate.
"Do you seriously plan on partaking in that preposterous date?" he suddenly asked in between bites.
"I have already made my decision. I do plan on sticking to it," Harriotte silently said.
"Yes, very well, I guess there is nothing that I could do about that. Now, have you spoken with Oliver?"
"No."
"Do not take this any further, Harriotte. Just talk to him and discuss what is going on with the two of you."
"It is not that important, Hilton. It can wait. I am sure that Oliver is just busy that is why he has not been able to come and visit me."
"Fine. I shall not interfere with your problems with him, but remember this, Harriotte, once Mother and Father find out that something dire has happened between the two of you it will not be a very pleasant sight to see."
"You are exaggerating the situation, Brother. It is nothing close to dire."
"Whatever it may be, fix it soon."
Harriotte did not reply to what her brother had said. She continued to eat her breakfast, skipping a few dishes along the way. After fifteen minutes of silence between the two, Harriotte set down her cup of coffee and looked outside the window.
"Will you be staying here?" she asked Hilton.
"I beg your pardon?" Hilton asked, setting his cup down and looking at her across the long dining table.
"I asked if you will continue to stay here at Hogwarts."
"Well, I was honestly planning not to, but at the current state you are into, I realize that I must extend my stay here."
"That is simply unacceptable - a rather contemptible excuse."
"My stay here is not of importance as of now. What I want to discuss with you is your behavior yesterday evening."
Harriotte gave him a blank stare before taking a sip from her cup. She set it down and stared at him again, waiting for him to proceed. Hilton gazed at his sister and sighed. She has not changed.
"Forget it. Now, what is your schedule for today?"
"I believe today is when I am to be informed about the details about this date that the Weasley twins had set up."
"Oh, yes. Today is that day. Where are you meeting?"
"As I can recall, it will be by this coming lunch at the Great Hall. I have a strong feeling that they will announce it at the whole school."
"I see. Do you have a lunch appointment with Mother today?"
"Lunch with Mother? I do believe that I have not been informed of such a thing; so, I can tell you that I have no set appointment with mother today. Why have you asked?"
"Just this morning, I asked a ladies' maid to take a message to Mother asking if she wanted us to have a lunch appointment with her, but she informed me that she already has a set appointment. And I assumed that it could be you, but it seems that I am mistaken."
"Well, it could probably be Mrs. Weasley."
"I highly doubt that, Harriotte."
"How so?"
"Of course, it is a Saturday and Mrs. Weasley would prefer to spend it with her family. After all, four of her children are residing at Hogwarts. It is rare that they get to spend time together during school days."
"Well, whoever it may be, we should not bother to know. Mother will eventually tell us."
"I guess you are right."
"Hilton?"
"What is it?"
"Do you suppose Mother and Father will carry on with the earlier plans of my marriage?"
"Are you referring to the plan of executing it when you turn seventeen?"
"Yes."
"Well, if Mother and Father had planned it, I am positively sure that they will go forth with it. You know full-hand that once Father or Mother says it, it has to be done. Technically, it really is not our choice. Why have you suddenly bothered to ask?"
"Nothing in particular, Brother."
"Harriotte, is there something that you are not telling me?"
"Of course none, Hilton, I have not a thing to hide from you."
"Now, Harriotte, you are sixteen years old and I must admit that you will soon commence with that wedding arrangement you have agreed upon with Mother and Father. But I do want to know something so I will ask you this."
"What might that be, Brother?"
"Are you still fully submitting yourself to be the wife of Oliver Wood?"
There was suddenly a pause. Harriotte kept her gaze away from her brother. The quietness remained for at least two minutes before Hilton finally stood up from his chair and walked towards the door. Harriotte looked at his back facing her.
"I suggest you think about that, Harriotte. Think about the things you really want in life-before everything is too late. You are sixteen years old and I expect you to be able to stand your own ground. Do not be a cowardly damsel. I know you are stronger than you seem to be. Take that as an advantage. Excuse me, but I have certain matters that I must attend to. I will see you for lunch," Hilton said as he left the dining room.
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Harry watched as the falling snow stopped short from its usual downpour that day. It was already eleven in the morning but Harry was still cooped up inside the Boy's Dormitory. He was not in the mood to go down to lunch just yet. He wanted to absorb the remaining sanity left inside him alone. He knew that once he goes down the Great Hall, his mind will be boggled by all the information Fred and George will plant inside his brain. I know that sooner or later I will have to go down there, but as of this moment, I want to stay here and keep away from the impending chaos to come.
Just as he was about to take his wand from the side table, the door slammed open. He saw his best friend Ronald Weasley panting fast by the door. He looked as white as snow. Harry could tell that something happened and he was quite sure that Ron would tell him that soon.
"H-H-Harry! Y-Y-You need to get d-d-down now!" Ron told him in a shouting manner.
"Ron! Calm down. What happened? It's still too early for lunch isn't it? Why are you asking me to go down now?" Harry asked him, standing up and walking towards him after summoning water for his friend.
"Harriotte-she-she has already arrived in the Great Hall and everyone is just waiting for you to come. Draco is already reasoning it out with Oliver to back out from this rubbish but it seems that he would not listen. You have to get down there, mate. Fred and George are already sweating from fear because of the impatient look planted on Hilton Henson's face."
"Okay, Ron. I'll go there now. Is everybody there already?"
"Yeah, most likely. Professor Dumbledore and the other members of the faculty have already arrived. It looks like the whole school is waiting for Fred and George's announcement-except for Harriotte's parents."
"I doubt they'll show up."
"Are you not even the slightest bit nervous?"
"How can I be nervous? I've already filled my mind and body with thoughts on how to get out of this mess Fred and George has put me into."
"Harry, I don't think you need to worry about that anymore. You really can't escape from this situation anymore-the way Draco and I have looked at it. Think about this: you are not the only one in that kind of situation. Think about Cho, Hermione, Cedric, Oliver, and Lady Harriotte. I'm sure they are thinking the same thing as you are."
"I know, Ron. I know what you are implying. It's just too weird to be in this kind of situation. Anyhow, where's Hermione?"
"Oh, she's already down there, waiting for us to arrive. You must see her! She's very nervous. It's like ten times more than when we battled Death Eaters."
"She's going on a date with Oliver Wood, how can she be nervous?"
"Is that being sarcastic or being jealous?"
"Jealous?! Me?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter. I meant you."
"What kind of ridiculous question is that? I am not, in any way, jealous."
"If you say so, Harry, but mind you, if Oliver had managed to charm the Lady, Hermione will be easy for him."
"Oh, sod off!"
"Harry, look at the big picture here! We are months away from our seventh year at this school and Merlin knows what would become of us after we leave Hogwarts! Seize the moment, mate, before it's too late."
"It won't be."
Ron walked past Harry as they entered the Great Hall. Harry touched dust off a small amount of ghost powder on his shirt that he obtained when he collided with Nearly Headless Nick who was hurrying inside the Hall. Harry suddenly felt the Hall go silent and all eyes were somehow directed at him. He felt an uneasy feeling arise over him, refusing to give him the urge to look up. He slightly shifted his gaze from his shoulder to his right and caught a glimpse of Dean Thomas staring intently at him. Harry breathed in and finally looked up from his shoulder. When he did so, he saw how his speculation was immediately proven. He walked towards Ron who was standing beside Ginny in the near front of the Great Hall. As Harry came into view of the front, he saw Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and some more faculty members. He looked beside them and found Hermione, Cho, Cedric, Oliver, Draco and Harriotte who was sipping tea.
"Uhm, sorry I'm late. I thought it was going to be announced during lunch time," Harry said, apologetically.
"Don't worry, Harry. It's not a problem. It's not that important. Anyway, shall I begin then?" Fred announced.
"Fire away, Mister Weasley," said Professor Dumbledore.
George took a step forward and extracted a parchment from his pocket. Fred, following George's move, also took a parchment from his pocket. They briefly looked at each other before opening the roll of parchment at the same time. Harry glanced at Harriotte, who has now left her cup of tea on the table. She wiped off her mouth and patiently waited for the twin's announcement. Harry shifted his gaze towards Hermione. His eyes suddenly softened, remembering how she looked like last night. He observed as Hermione's breathing became faster and faster by the second. He knew she was very nervous. Hermione hated being unprepared for anything, although throughout the years they've been friends, Hermione had always been put under test in the most unexpected moments. Harry smiled at this thought.
"Okay, George," Fred said.
"Yes, Fred," George answered.
"I will be assigned with Lady Harriotte's date with Harry and Cedric," Fred stated.
"And, of course, I will be the one supervising the date of Professor Wood with Hermione Granger and Cho Chang," George followed.
"For Lady Harriotte's date, here are the details. Both Harry and Cedric must be at Lady Harriotte's room at exactly eight in the morning. They will have breakfast at the garden near the lake. The meal will be called "Picnic Under the Sun". After the meal, the three of you will explore the beauty of archery by-"
Fred was cut off by the voice of Harry from the back. All the eyes looked at him. Harry gulped and swallowed. He nervously came up front. He stopped in front of Fred and George and just beside Cedric.
"Archery? Why is that involved?" Harry asked in a demanding tone.
"Nothing in particular. We just wanted to add that," George answered for the both of them.
"Actually, we found bows and arrows inside Filch's storage closet and thought it might be a good idea to have some unskilled wizards use it. Unskilled in sense that you have no idea on how to use a bow and arrow. So that's that. Let me continue, please. After archery, which we have scheduled to be by ten, since it would be bad if you engage in a strenuous activity right after a meal, you will have lunch by the lake. The food will be Italian cuisine and it shall be dubbed as "Little Italy by the Lake". Isn't that catchy? Well, that would be at twelve-thirty. After your lunch, you shall escort Lady Harriotte to the Pitch to explore the wonders of Quidditch. Of course, that will not be a problem for Harry and Cedric considering you are both well-known Seekers," Fred continued.
Fred stopped and stared at the people in front of him, waiting, as if, for any complaints from any of them. He smirked when no one said a word. You think it is this easy, my friends, you are gravely mistaken by what you believe is to be a simple date.
"And so, we've scheduled that for 2 p.m. After Quidditch, that would be approximated as five in the afternoon, you will be spending dinner at the Pitch too. This one will be called as "Cumulez deux Emplois". Which is translated as -"
"Moonlight." Fred was cut-off by Oliver's voice answering for him.
"Yes, that's correct. Of course, you will not have dinner as early as five in the afternoon; you will have dinner by seven-thirty. Between those times, you will have to take showers, of course. And then, when you finish off early, you can take a walk for a while and have a little chat, just as long as you are at the Pitch by seven-thirty. And after dinner, you have a session at the Astronomy Tower, which we have already discussed with the professor in charge. You'll see what you have to do there once you get there. And by ten-thirty in the evening, you shall escort Lady Harriotte back to her quarters and bid your goodbyes in a gentlemanly manner, of course. After which, the both of you will be returning to your rooms and the date is finally over," Fred finished off.
Harry remained silent and allowed the facts to sink inside of him. He didn't know what to say. He never expected things to be that simple, knowing Fred and George were behind it all. I can't help but feel as if there something missing. I mean, is this the right moment to say "that's it?"
Fred stepped backward, giving the center stage to his twin brother George. George cleared his throat and nodded at Oliver, Hermione and Cho. Oliver, for that matter, was eager to hear what George had to say, yet he can't seem to put himself into the situation.
"Alright, the itinerary for Harry and Cedric's date with Lady Harriotte is just similar to Oliver's. Of course, the places would differ and the manner of execution is too. Oliver will pick up Hermione first at the Gryffindor Common Room, since he sleeps there too, at eight in the morning. He will, with Hermione, pick up Cho outside the Ravenclaw Common Room at eight-ten. They will then proceed to the room of Oliver, the one assigned to him by the school, where we have prepared a breakfast for them. I really have no name for this thing because I'm not as good as Fred in coming up with ridiculous names for thing like these. After breakfast, you will proceed to the Quidditch Pitch, that's right, you will first use the Pitch before they do. There, you will find out what you have to do because I will meet you up there, for now, Fred and I will keep that to ourselves. Now, after that, you will have lunch at the Pitch then. I also don't have a title for this. After lunch, you will proceed to the Library. Why the Library? Well, we got this from Hermione's love for books, I'm sure you will discover what you have to do once you get to the Library. Dinner will follow after your session at the Library. Your dinner will be a few yards before you reach Hagrid's Hut. After which, you will have to travel to Hagrid's Hut to retrieve something we had left there for you three. Then, Oliver, you may escort the ladies back to their room, starting with Cho, and then Hermione. You shall, as I was informed by Professor Dumbledore, reside in your quarters from then on," George began and finished.
Oliver didn't expect things to be that simple. It was even simpler than Harriotte's date with Harry and Cedric. He glanced at Harriotte who was quietly seated in her place. It's weird knowing that I will be on a date with someone else.
"So, basically, that's the point of it all. We must remind all of you here that no one must, in any form, interrupt any of them whilst they are at their date. It's okay for you to say hello, but don't take too much advantage of it, okay?" Fred said.
"Oh, and by the way, the clothes are just casual. By casual, we mean plain shirt and pants or whatever you want to wear. Since it's winter, winter clothes are suggested because you will be spending time outside," George said.
"Are there any questions?" the both of them asked in unison.
"Do tell me why they have to partake in such a thing," Draco spoke out.
"Well, we had an agreement," both answered again.
"Agreement? Agreement with who?"
"Oliver."
"Oliver?" Draco asked in a shocked tone.
All eyes were directed towards Oliver as he had realized what Fred and George just said. He looked around him and saw everyone giving him an odd look as if he committed a federal crime.
"I do recall that I have, if my memory serves me correctly, agreed into participating with something they have cooked up for some people. Although, it has not been informed to me whatever that thing may be. I know it is my carelessness but I think this is not something we should be worried too much about. I do say that it is quite an unusual event, but when you think about it, it is just a simple date," Oliver stated, staggering ever so often between words.
"Well, that fully answers my question," Draco said, looking slightly annoyed at the facts that suddenly poured down upon him.
"Okay, now that everything is settled, we expect all of you to be on schedule tomorrow, alright? Don't worry; this is just a date and nothing more. It's just an agreement that one of your careless professors had agreed upon, putting all of you under our control for that very day," Fred said.
"Yeah, so no need to get over it so much. You'll live through it," George said.
"So, for the last time, are there any more questions, comments, violent reactions?" both asked again.
At that moment, Lady Harriotte stood up and walked towards Fred and George. She smiled ever so sweetly at the both of them and handed them each a piece of muffin off her plate. They both took it and smiled at her with a mixture of delight and fright.
"I have a question," Harriotte said, breaking the tension inside the Great Hall.
"Wha-What could that be, Lady Harriotte?" George asked her.
"Why must I take on Quidditch?"
"We-Well, we have decided that-that it will be good, I mean, a good idea for you to get in touch with the sport," Fred, this time, answered.
"Ah, I see what you mean. Well then, thank you for your time. I have enjoyed this fine little congregation we have had. I find that I must set off. I have a lunch appointment with my brother. Good day to you, professors. Please excuse me," Harriotte said, bowing down slightly and walking away from the crowd in front.
Draco sighed and walked towards the empty faces of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Ginny joined them soon with Cho and Cedric. Oliver, meanwhile, was held up with his chat with Professor Dumbledore and the other professor, who, the whole time, kept mum about the whole situation.
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"Do you think Lady Harriotte is really going to go on this date with Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory?" Draco heard a third year Hufflepuff boy tell his fellow Hufflepuff student.
It was already after lunch and Draco walked throughout the halls of Hogwarts trying to find a place where he can think clearly without hearing anyone blabber about regarding the date. He had left the Great Hall the moment he took a last bite at his chicken. It was only half eaten but he couldn't bear to eat anymore and so he left. It was bothering him how the situation just fell into place. It was not supposed to be that way.
Draco continued to walk, not caring about anything or anyone. Certain portraits called after him when they saw him pass by but he did not look back to them. He just wanted to get away for a moment and think. But his thoughts were interrupted when a voice called out to him from behind.
"Draco!" shouted the voice that seemed to be getting closer to him.
Draco stopped and turned around. He saw Ginny running towards him, her face filled with tiredness. It was as if she had been running after him the whole time that he had left the Great Hall. Draco half smiled, half frowned at seeing her. It was not like he didn't want to be with her, he just didn't want to be with her, or anyone else, right now.
"Ginny," Draco said calmly.
"Where are you going?" she asked, finally reaching him.
"Nowhere. I am just planning to go for a little walk around the school," Draco answered, still in a calm voice.
"Don't play dumb with me. What is happening with you?"
Draco looked away from her and sighed heavily. He walked a few steps towards the wall and leaned on it. He rubbed his face with his hands and sighed even more. He slowly slid down on the floor; his back still leaned on the wall. He remained silent yet thoughtful. Ginny walked towards him and sat down beside him. She kept her gaze locked on him, yet she didn't do anything. For a moment, Draco thought that she had left, but when he shifted a little he realized that she was still there. Draco sighed even more.
"Ginny, look, I'm fine. This is just nothing. I'll be okay," Draco finally said.
"You don't look fine to me," Ginny contradicted.
"Oh, but I am. I really am, Ginny."
"Draco, tell me what's wrong."
Draco sighed. He looked at her with serious eyes. Ginny kept her gaze on his and didn't look away. Draco knew that he had no other choice but to tell her what's really wrong. Am I going to regret this?
"Okay, Ginny, I'll tell you the truth," Draco began and stopped.
"I'm just worried about Harriotte. No, I'm just really worried about this whole thing," he continued on.
"Why would you be worried about this? Like what Oliver had said, it's just a date," Ginny implied.
"You don't understand, Ginny. I'm worried because this is not just a simple date. Ginny, look, you have seen my Uncle Edward, right?"
"Yeah, he's that big man who's Harriotte's father, right? The Duke of Epingworth?"
"Yes, precisely, he is Harriotte's father. Ginny, Uncle is no ordinary father. He-He has these crazy ideas up his head about everything regarding his children. Did you take a closer look at Hilton when he tried to stop Fred and George when his father interrupted? He was ill-stricken. He was scared."
"What are you saying?"
"Ginny, Edward Henson is not a father, he is a tyrant. He is a living madness. He was the one who sent his son into Lexington Academy, a million miles away from their home and apart from his sister, just because he didn't want them to see each other that often for reasons that they needed to get used to the fact that they are not to stay as one family forever. He sent Harriotte to Wardsworth, also a million miles from home, allowing Harriotte to see Hilton only during holidays because during summer breaks, she is sent off to Scotland while he is sent to Rome. And that's not all. He was also the one who had arranged the engagement of his son to Countess Georgina. He didn't even ask him if he wanted to marry her. And if anything else is to be blamed, he is the one responsible for Harriotte's arranged marriage to Oliver Wood."
"W-Wait, I thought Hilton and Harriotte were okay with being engaged."
"They weren't. They really were against it, but knowing those two, they just kept it to themselves. Think about it, Ginny. Your just a little child, and then suddenly you receive a news that you have been engaged to someone you don't know-much more you haven't ever seen yet!"
"But I thought they loved each other."
"They did, or so we think. Hilton, yes, he loved Georgina, because he was given time to love her. He met her when he was 13 years of age and they always spend summers together. In the case of Harriotte, she, well, it's not that important."
"No, Draco, tell me about Harriotte."
"Harriotte is – she's - well, she didn't like the idea of having an arranged marriage. But since it was he father's orders, she complied with it. Harriotte found out about her marriage to Oliver when she was 5 years old. She had been with Oliver even before she turned 1, but, you know, they were just playmates. Harriotte looked at Oliver in a brotherly sort of way. He was always there to look after her, and Harriotte felt that it was all brotherly care. It was no surprise that Harriotte became shocked at what they had told her, but she never said a word about it. She continued on with the orders that her father had given her and spent time with Oliver. They became really good friends, and I'm sure that Harriotte loved him like a brother. The marriage, in all, was what Harriotte was truly afraid of. They-her parents, mainly Uncle- arranged for the wedding to be when Harriotte turns seventeen."
"Seventeen? Wait, isn't that a bit too early?"
"Not when it is a marriage of noble blood. The legal age of marriage for royalty is not going beyond fifteen years old."
"And Harriotte is…"
"Sixteen, as of this moment."
"One year?!"
"Yes, a year from now Harriotte and Oliver will get married."
"But, if Harriotte and Oliver agreed upon that decision, it's not that bad, right?"
"Oliver and Harriotte agreed on it? I doubt it. Harriotte never agreed on it. Her parents just informed her of it and didn't even mind asking if she was okay with it."
"But after all these years, I'm sure she has thought about speaking her mind out."
"Ginny, can't you see? The way she just agreed upon this engagement, the wedding date, and this ridiculous arrangement of the Weasley twins - it's all she can do. Sometimes I think Harriotte's just too nice."
"She doesn't want to disagree."
"She feels she doesn't have to because she thinks that everything that her parents had planned out for her is for her betterment."
"But that's ridiculous! Getting your child dragged into something she really doesn't want to is not a good parenting value!"
"Harriotte was raised that way. She was raised to follow orders and that's that."
"What about her brother?"
"If Uncle Edward is strict on Harriotte, he's even harder on Hilton."
"What do you mean?"
"Hilton is very close to Harriotte. He values her so much. He loves her so much. That's why Uncle Edward sent him to Rome for him to study at Lexington and Harriotte at Wardsworth. Did you ever wonder why they sent their children to different schools when they themselves graduated here at Hogwarts?"
"I did come into that question."
"Edward Henson thought that Hilton and Harriotte needed to learn how to go their separate ways and not get too attached with each other so that when the time comes that each of them gets married, they won't have trouble parting ways from each other. Although I think it's not really the case. Uncle Edward made sure that Harriotte or Hilton won't be able to contradict their father's orders by having each other as a back-up. He wanted both of them to stand their ground alone."
"But isn't he just tearing them apart as siblings? Shouldn't siblings rely on each other for support from everything? Shouldn't they be allowed to just spend time together?"
"That's why I told you that Uncle is no ordinary father."
"Is that why…"
"Yes. Uncle Edward doesn't treat his children like his very own children. He treats them like they are his people, mere servants. Whatever he says, goes. Hilton and Harriotte look like caged birds. You may think that a royalty's life is easy, think again."
"But Lady Harriotte looks so happy."
"She is, she is happy. She's grateful for everything. She thinks that having her father ordering her around means that he still sees her."
"That's so sad. And Hilton too. He seems to be such a fine you man."
"Have you ever noticed that Hilton is rarely seen with Harriotte. That's because Hilton was bombarded by loads of work by his father. Harriotte, meanwhile, is supposed to spend all her time with Oliver; although that is also negotiable at this moment."
"I've been meaning to ask you about that. I have noticed that Oliver doesn't seem to be spending time with Harriotte as often as he did before."
"I'm sorry, but even I don't know what's going on. I doubt Harriotte does too."
"I thought Oliver loves Harriotte."
"He does or he did. I don't really know."
"It's so sad. How come something picture perfect is all of a sudden a big lie- just a big charade? I used to think they were the perfect couple, but it turns out…"
"It's not a love story, Ginny. It's not. And I doubt it will ever be."
Silence feel upon them as Draco said his last word. They waited a few more minutes before Draco finally stood up and extended his hand towards Ginny. She took his and he helped her up. They decided to go back to their respective rooms and just wait until dinner. Ginny concluded that Draco needed a well-deserved rest. He was very much stressing over it. For the first time, Ginny saw how much Draco valued his family relationship with Harriotte. It was true, what she had heard, that Draco really was close to Harriotte. Maybe it was also true that Harriotte was the only one who truly cared for Draco when his father was too hard on him. No matter what it was, Ginny just smiled at how Draco was finally showing his soft spot. I am a lucky girl.
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"Harry, you seem a little troubled. What's bothering you?"
Harry quickly looked at the person beside him, who was Hermione, and smiled. It was already two in the afternoon and they were inside the Gryffindor Common Room. Hermione noticed how Harry remained silent all throughout lunch time. She kept looking at him when she noticed that he was staring blankly into his plate. When they finally got back inside the Common Room, Harry just sat down on the chair beside the fireplace and kept quiet. Hermione, by that time, couldn't contain herself from asking.
"I'm fine, 'Mione. There's nothing wrong," Harry answered, giving her a sweet smile.
"Please, Harry, you don't look alright to me. Tell me what's bothering you," Hermione persuaded.
"'Mione, okay, I'll tell you since I know you wouldn't let me get off the hook. I'm just worried, somewhat, by this date, and, honestly, by what we had argued about last night. Regarding me worrying about Harriotte-I still am worried, 'Mione."
"I see. Harry, why are you so worried about Harriotte?"
"What are you talking about? I'm just worried about her, that's all."
"No, you're acting like, like, like you're Oliver."
"I'm not, Hermione. I'm not acting like him. I'm just worried about Harriotte as her friend. There is nothing to it."
"You say it like it's a bad thing."
"I'm just implying that I don't feel anything for her."
"I never said you did, Harry, but after hearing that, I'm thinking something else."
"Hermione, look, okay, I'm sorry I said that. That was out of the question. Look, I'm just probably tired, that's all."
"Harry, exhaustion and mutual feelings don't go together. Be honest to yourself, Harry. For once, admit that you really want something more than what you have, before it's too late."
Hermione got up from her seat and walked towards the stairs to the Girls' Dormitories. She stopped just before the first landing and looked back at Harry, who was still staring at the fireplace.
"This is not a fairy tale, Harry. This is real life. Sometimes, magic just doesn't do the job. And happy endings don't come as often as you think they do, not unless you make it happen yourself."
Hermione then left him. Harry sighed a heavy sigh and leaned back on the armchair. He thought of what Hermione had said. He knew she was right about everything, but he was still confused. Do I really have feelings for Harriotte?
Harry took out a piece of parchment from his pocket and opened it out. He read and reread the words on it. He smiled as he saw one paragraph from it and read it out loud:
"I have but one wish, and that is to be with you, for always…"
Harriotte Elizabeth Lilian Henson
Harry stared intently at that specific line. He knew that Harriotte meant every single word of that line. He smiled and folded the letter back and stuck it inside his pocket. He stood up and walked towards the stairs to the Boys' Dormitories. He looked back at the burning fire and thought to himself. Did my mother ever sent a letter to my father when they were together? Or did my father ever sent a letter to Mum before they were married? Maybe Sirius or Remus can answer that, or maybe not. Happy endings, they're not just for fairy tales, right?
Harry grinned to himself and chuckled at what he had just thought of. He was turning into some mushy lovesick bloke. He definitely needed to get some fresh air and the practice they had for that afternoon was the key. I gotta get away from romance novels.