Chapter 8

Somebody Else

Dahlia and Ron were sitting on a bench in the courtyard in the center of the school. She ran her fingers through his hair and tugged gently on his tiny curls. Ron liked it when she did that, it made him feel relaxed. More relaxed than he had ever been with Hermione. She was always so jumpy and do-it-now. She was always stressed and so serious. He was not going to miss that. Not at all. Ron sighed.

Dahlia noticed this and frowned. She stopped messing with his hair. "Ron?"

"Yeah?"

"She dumped you...hard. I would never do that to you. I just want you to know that." Ron didn't reply. I never thought she would do that either. Dahlia leaned over and kissed him gently. "Ever. Till death do us part."

Hermione was sitting in the Library reading a book. She hadn't done that in a while. She was so busy spending time with Ron. Well, now I get time to myself. Personal development time. Hermione time. Alone time...

"Hey," a voice from behind her said. She turned to see Actovious with his own book. She gave a small smile.

"Hi. How are you?"

"Just peachy." Hermione giggled at his answer. It wasn't original, but the way he said it made it seem so funny.

"SHH!" Hermione turned to see the librarian glare at her. She had horn-rimmed glasses and a gray bun. I've never gotten in trouble in a library before. She giggled again, trying to muffle it with her hand. The librarian rolled her eyes and walked away.

"Maybe we should go somewhere else before you get in trouble," Actovious smiled. Hermione felt another outburst coming. She nodded. That seemed like a great plan. Hermione had never been this giggly before, but she didn't want to get in trouble for it. She stood up and Actovious led her outside. "So, I assume you're doing better now."

Hermione stopped giggling. "Well, maybe a little... but..."

"Why don't we have a picnic? It would be fun and it'd help you take your mind off of things." His smile was hypnotizing. Hermione shook her head.

"I can't... I,... I have to study." What a lame excuse.

"You can bring your books with you. We could make it productive, but relaxing at the same time. How about it?" Hermione didn't know what to say. Maybe she did need to see someone else, Ron was...

"Okay. You win. Where at?" Hermione asked.

"The park. We could eat dinner under the gazebo there. It's quiet, relaxing, and just what you need." He turned and began to walk. Hermione watched him leave. "I'll pick you up from your room later!" He called. Hermione blushed.

"Umm, Dahlia?"

"Yes Ron?"

Ron sighed. He hoped he wasn't stepping out of line. "The other day in Potion's class. The professor mentioned your father... You seemed so... distracted? Do you mind telling me about it?"

Dahlia tensed up. She didn't want to talk about it. "Well... I didn't have the best childhood." She sighed. "My mother raised me, but she always wanted everything to be perfect. My father was killed a few years ago. I loved him, but he was hardly ever around. I don't think he ever loved me back." She started crying. Ron hugged her. Why does he even care?

Actovious spread a blanket out on the gazebo floor. Hermione looked around at the flowers. She noticed that the spring flowers were open, but it was only fall. I love magic! She pulled out one of her textbooks and opened it to study. Actovious was busy pulling out the food. He had decided to be simple. He had sandwiches, chips and pie. A muggle picnic.

Actovious seemed to read her mind. "I thought something nonmagic related would be best. I wanted to cook something by hand," he laughed. "But I can't cook worth my life." He smiled at her. "I decided to stick with ham and cheese sandwiches."

Hermione laughed. "How thoughtful." And sweet. "What about the pie?"

Actovious laughed. "I didn't make that. My cousin did. She wanted to apologize for what she did. She feels bad, but she knows that you are better off apart. Harry thought so too. He said he missed it when you two were just friends."

Hermione didn't know what to think. Should I forgive her? Perhaps she's right. She doesn't seem so bad when she isn't around Ron. Hermione and Actovious ate their sandwiches in quiet. Actovious began cutting into the pie. His hand slipped and he pulled it out. It was covered in cherry filling. They both laughed. He reached over and put some of the sauce on her nose. "Eww! That's disgusting!" Hermione laughed. She took the knife and served the pie. She took a bite of her pie. It was delicious. "Could you tell me more about Dahlia? I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I think we could be friends if only I understood her."

"Well," Actovious said. "Her mother was a beauty. She was graceful, beautiful, and very cunning. Dahlia got all of that from her. Her father... he was almost killed when she was a child. She didn't ever saw him because he was in hiding for eleven years. After that he fought to protect himself, and his family. He was murdered her last year of school."

"Oh, the poor girl." Hermione couldn't imagine what the girl had gone through. She had both of her parents. Of course, Harry didn't have either of his. Maybe he could empathize with her. Hermione began to feel a little sleepy.

"Oh. And one more thing. Dahlia is a wiz at making potions. No pun intended." He laughed. "A sleeping draught is a very simple potion to make."

What? Hermione blacked out.