I approached the hospital wing to find the Pot-heads guarding it.
That’s right. Ron and Hermione stood side by side, arms folded and chins raised.
“What do you want?” Ron narrowed his eyes.
“Humph!” I scoffed and tried to walk around them.
The insufferable besties shuffled sideways, blocking my path.
“I don’t think you’re welcome here.” Hermione shook her head.
“And why not?” I folded my arms and looked down my nose at her.
“You were seen at the Hollow King’s tomb with the Death Eaters,” Ron said, lowering his voice for the last part.
“You’re with them. I always knew there was something rotten about you,” Hermione scoffed.
I regarded the insufferable girl.
“The rotten thing here is a Mudblood barring my path,” I said.
“HEY!” she snapped.
She charged towards me, chest puffed out and fists clenched. Ron held her back.
“Hey, hey! Don’t fall for her tricks. She’s manipulating you, like always.” Ron narrowed his eyes at me.
I looked him up and down.
“Do the Weasleys even celebrate Christmas? Ha! Probably not, judging by your attire. Look at you! Still wearing the same clothes you had on before Christmas break. Ohhh, wait. Those are hand-me-downs. Let me guess, your dad wore them first. No wonder they’re so out of date.” I chuckled, covering my mouth.
“You!” Ron lunged towards me.
Hermione held him back, and the role reversal made me laugh even louder.
“Go away! GO!” Ron shooed me off.
I opened my mouth to speak, but the doors swung open, and Madam Pomfrey eyed us each in turn.
“Just what is going on here?” Pomfrey snapped.
Immediately, I pouted and let my wrist droop. I went into full sick-puppy mode. Large, watery eyes, pouty lips, and just a hint of fear in my expression.
“I sprained my wrist, Madam Pomfrey. I… I just wanted something for the pain, but… but these bullies wouldn’t let me see you.” I sounded on the verge of tears.
“Miss Granger! Mr Weasley! What is wrong with you? How dare you stop students from entering! I expected better from you than this!” Pomfrey snapped.
The nurse shooed the others away, wrapped an arm around me, and ushered me inside.
“There, there. We’ll get you all patched up,” Pomfrey said.
I looked back at the others and stuck out my tongue. I caught their stupefied expressions just before the door slammed shut.
I glimpsed Harry talking to several people from the Order. One was a burly man with a weird magical eye. Wait, I remember him Professor Moody from last year’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class, well he made it two thirds of the year before having to leave for unknown reasons. His eye rotated and watched me as I entered.
I stuck up my nose and ignored them.
“We’ll discuss this later.” Weird-Eye Guy patted Harry’s shoulder, and Harry nodded.
The Order members left, and I caught Harry’s eye. I bit my lower lip and tried to look apologetic.
Pomfrey sat me on the cot beside Harry’s, with a curtain separating us.
“Tell me where it hurts,” she said.
I invented an ailment to ensure she gave me only mild potions, and she hurried away to fetch them.
I yanked the curtain aside.
“You all right?” I hissed.
“Fine… thank you.” Harry massaged his chest.
“I was scared. I thought Daddy had really hurt you.”
“He did hurt me. A lot.” He nodded.
“Can we talk? You know… without the Pot-heads?”
“Draconia, I…” He looked away.
“Please!” I rushed over and squeezed his hand.
He looked away, furrowed his brow, then nodded.
“Yeah,” he said.
“All right, I have your potion ready!” Pomfrey announced.
I rushed back to my bed and tried to look as though I were in pain.
I met Harry in the room with the creepy mirror. I’d arrived early and waited for him.
I’d even cleaned the filthy place.
What? Reader, don’t look at me like that! I’m NOT an elf. I didn’t clean this place to be nice. No, I merely needed somewhere to sit without covering my clothes in dust, which seemed to be the most prevalent substance in the room.
I really should have a word with the staff about upkeep.
Harry entered wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and his Gryffindor cloak.
“Yeah?” he asked.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I’d been holding everything in since the battle.
I rushed over and hugged him. I needed to feel his warmth. I needed to know he was all right. I needed—
Wait.
Why wasn’t he hugging me back?
I pulled away. He couldn’t look me in the eye.
No, no, no! This wasn’t happening! What had I done? Oh no, he was mad because I’d insulted his friends!
“Malfoid, I…” He stopped.
“No!” I squealed.
“We can’t do…” He stopped when I clamped a hand over his mouth.
“Harry, please. Just… just give me a chance. I know there are differences between us. You’re a yellow, and I’m a green. But didn’t you feel it? That night! We… we kissed, and it was amazing, and…”
“We’re enemies.”
“We’re not! I swear I’m done with that Death Eater stuff. I don’t want anything to do with them! Please, I want… I want you!” I took his hands.
He stared at the floor, his expression changing every few seconds.
Wait. Was he warring with himself? Was this what I looked like whenever I denied my feelings for him?
What should I do? What could I do?
This was spiralling WAAAY out of control. He was going to leave me, and… and… and I was going to be heartbroken. Then he’d fall in love with someone else.
I imagined him holding the hand of some faceless girl. The two of them laughing. Kissing.
Where was I?
Watching. Sad, alone, heartbroken.
“Harry, just give me one date. Then we can break up. Just be my boyfriend for one day, and then you can let me go. We don’t have to mention this ever again. Please… just give me one chance.” I gripped his hands.
He looked at me for a long time.
Then he nodded.
Dinner time arrived, and Harry chatted with his friends while I sat alone at the Slytherin table.
The entire student body had dwindled to about twenty-five people, and students from different houses shared tables as they enjoyed the New Year’s Day feast.
Dumbledore strode into the room, followed by the professors. McGonagall spoke to him while he listened. I watched as the Headmaster reached the podium.
A few students noticed him. Others continued talking.
Dumbledore raised his wand and sent a small rocket shooting from its tip. Tiny fireworks exploded above his head, and the hall fell silent.
“Happy New Year, children.” Dumbledore smiled.
“Happy New Year!” everyone cheered.
“As we begin this new year, I’d like each of you to look around. Your years at Hogwarts are fleeting. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. So please, enjoy your youth while you can,” Dumbledore said.
The students looked confused.
What was he talking about?
“Now, regarding the houses. I see no reason why any student should have to dine alone. Ah, Potter, Weasley, and Granger. You’re all in the same year. Please make an effort to… spread out.” Dumbledore glanced at Harry, then at me.
“With that, I wish you all a happy New Year. Enjoy the rest of your meal.” Dumbledore raised his cup.
Harry spoke to his friends, then came over and sat beside me.
I lit up.
My smile faded when his friends joined us and sat opposite.
“So, you’re lonely, hah?” Ron scoffed.
I turned to Harry and smiled, then suddenly remembered that the others couldn’t know about us.
“Thank you for your courtesy,” I said, bowing my head.
“No problem. So, we were talking about going to the Black Lake tomorrow, and…” Harry continued chatting while I pretended to be disinterested.
I sidled closer until our legs touched.
He glanced at me and noticed.
I raised my chin and pretended nothing had happened.
Then I slipped a note into his hand and gave his hand a squeeze.
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. I had to bite my lip to suppress my own smile.
Ronald noticed.
“What, plebeian!” I stuck up my nose.
“Hey!” Hermione snapped.
“Be nice,” Harry told me.
I sighed and relented.
“Fine.” I did my best not to smile.
The following day, I looked absolutely adorable.
I wore a deep-red dress with a frilly hem and leggings. My black boots had high heels. Over my dress, I wore a thick, dark-crimson jacket with a fur lining and fluffy hood.
I’d applied a full face of makeup because, of course, the hottest red lipstick and eyeliner made my grey eyes totally pop.
I waved my wand in a circle, summoning a watery reflection, and checked my face. My blush was perfectly applied, giving my cheeks just enough rosy colour without making me look like a clown.
My hair flowed over one shoulder, with red ribbons braided into it to make it pop.
I spotted movement and whipped around, dismissing the mirror with my wand.
Harry approached in a brown jacket, jeans, and a T-shirt. He didn’t look his best, but I didn’t care.
Harry Potter was going on a date with me!
ME!
Eeeeeee!
No, stay calm, girl. Chill.
“Hiii!” I waved.
“Hey.” He had his hands in his pockets.
“I have a gift for you,” I said.
“What, really?” He looked surprised.
“Here!”
I threw a snowball. It exploded against his chest.
“And another!” I bit my lip as I hurled a second snowball.
“Hey!” He ran for cover behind a bush.
He scooped up a snowball, hurled it, and missed.
“You left me waiting, so I came prepared with ammunition.” I pulled out my wand.
Nearby, a pile of snowballs rose into the air. They pummelled him as he laughed and ran. He hid behind a tree, and the balls exploded against the trunk.
He whipped out his wand, and a tidal wave of snow came my way.
My face fell as a shadow descended over me.
And then…
Whoosh.
I was covered in snow.
I stood there, arms outstretched and utterly mortified. Harry doubled over laughing. Chunks of snow fell from my jacket. Worse, my hood was full of the stuff, and I could feel ice sliding down the back of my neck.
“You!” I glared at him.
“Oh no!” he yelled.
I whipped out my wand. Snow rose from the ground and formed a giant snowball.
Harry ran as I swung my wand.
The snowball struck a tree and exploded.
He fired back with more snowballs, several of which struck my face. My cheek stung.
“I’ll kill you!” I screamed.
I chased after him, and we laughed as we exchanged snowy attacks until I finally caught up.
Wow. Did anyone know boys could run that fast?
Whatever. I tackled him into a pile of snow.
“Youuu!” I drummed my fists against his chest.
“Well, now I can call you Snow Princess.” He smiled.
I narrowed my eyes, then smiled. My cheeks burned.
“What?” He sat up.
“You’re the only person who’s never called me princess.”
“Oh… hah…” He looked past me and noticed my hood.
He grabbed it and dumped the snow inside all over me.
I stared at him in mortification.
He threw his head back and laughed.
“You!” I grabbed his collar and shook him.
Later, we walked towards town.
“Sicciavi!” I waved my wand.
Ribbons of meltwater flowed from me, forming droplets that splashed against the snow.
“I might have overdone it,” he said.
“You think?” I rolled my eyes.
He chuckled, but stopped when I gave him the side-eye.
Oh no! I was doing it again.
“Oooh, come on!” I grabbed his sleeve.
“Where are we going?” he called.
The doorbell rang as we entered Gladrags Wizardwear.
The tailor wore a chequered suit and had coiffed hair and a triangular beard.
“Good day to you. How may I assist you?” Gladrag asked with a smile.
“I need to dress him. Something befitting a… ah…” I leaned closer.
“First date,” I whispered.
The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up.
“Of course! Right this way, lad.” Gladrag ushered Harry away.
“But I…” Harry protested as he was carried off.
We emerged from the shop with Harry looking like a refined gentleman. He wore black trousers, a white shirt, a waistcoat, and a blazer, topped with a trench coat.
Oooooh, he was sooo handsome!
“Thank you for buying me this, but… I was fine in the other stuff.” He held up the bag containing his old clothes.
“That jacket was sooo last year,” I scoffed.
“It was my dad’s jacket.”
“Oh…” My face fell.
“Yeah, but… like, thanks.” He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
Oh no. I was screwing it up again.
“Well, tea!” I grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
We had lunch at Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop.
We chatted, but Harry looked a little bored and uncomfortable. I excused myself and went to the washroom.
There, I pulled out a list of date ideas. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
I’d stayed up all night researching the perfect date, and so far, all I’d done was attack him with snow, insult his dad’s coat, and take him to a boring lunch.
I chewed the edge of the list as I read through the options.
“Shopping! Yeah.” I nodded.
I emerged from the washroom and smiled.
“I was thinking maybe we should stop this,” Harry said as I sat down.
I froze.
“What?” I squeaked.
“I can see you’re trying, but you need to stop.” He took my hand.
What?!
No!
Already?!
“How about I take you out?” He smiled.
“What?” I gasped.
“Yeah, come on. Let’s ditch this stuffy tea shop and have some fun.”
I squeezed his hand.
The shop owner stood nearby, her jaw hanging open. She looked ready to scold him, but I nodded.
“Yeah, let’s do it!” I agreed.
Harry wore his old jacket as we skated across the Black Lake.
Well, he skated.
I shuffled.
“Hey, newbie! Need a hand?” he called as he slid past me—backwards!
“I’m good!” I grimaced.
He curved around and came back towards me, then snatched my wrist.
“Come on!” He grabbed my hand.
He pulled me along, and soon we were gliding across the ice.
I slipped and squealed.
He caught me and steadied me.
We stood inches apart. He began to release me, but I pulled him closer.
My heart hammered.
His cheeks turned bright red.
He leaned forward, paused, and then…
I kissed him.
When I pulled away, he blinked. I think he’d been about to kiss me, and I’d caught him off guard.
“See? I can do it too.” I stuck out my tongue.
He pulled me closer and gave me a deeper second kiss.
When we parted, my cheeks felt as though they were on fire. I fanned my face and couldn’t look at him.
“This is how I learned.” He moved behind me.
He placed his hands on my waist. The touch tickled, and I stifled a squeal of surprise.
“I’ll push you. You just… ah… slide, I guess. I can’t really describe it, but you need practice.”
He pushed off, and we glided forward.
I tried to slide, but I couldn’t stop thinking about his touch. I stumbled.
He caught me by the wrist and pulled me against him. I landed in his arms, burying my face in his chest.
We continued gliding. He propelled us forward while I rested against him, and together we slid across the ice.
The sun set, and we walked through Hogsmeade hand in hand.
“Malfoid!” a boy exclaimed.
Malcolm Baddock stood outside a shop stall with his parents. The second-year Slytherin had spotted me holding Harry’s hand.
Baddock looked from me to Harry. Meanwhile, his parents were speaking to a clerk with their backs turned towards us.
“Excuse me.” I released Harry’s hand.
I approached Baddock with a sway in my hips, then knelt and locked eyes with the little twerp.
“Speak one word of this, and I’ll have you evicted from Slytherin House,” I whispered in his ear.
He went pale.
“Understand me?” I growled.
“Y-yes!” Baddock nodded.
“Oh, hello there! Are you one of Baddock’s friends?” asked a plump lady, who was clearly Mrs Baddock.
“Yes. I was just telling your son how surprised I was to find another Slytherin here during Christmas break.” I smiled and held out my hand for her to shake.
“Oh, well, we live a few towns over, and it’s always nice to shop somewhere with only our kind around. I’m sorry, young lady. I didn’t get your name.” She shook my hand.
“Draconia Malfoid.” I raised my nose.
She snatched her hand from mine and went pale.
“Oh… OH! I apologise if my son has been a bother. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, but we… ah… have an appointment.” Mrs Baddock gripped her son’s shoulder.
The father looked confused, but his wife smacked him and ushered her family away.
“Farewell!” I smiled and waved.
“What was that?” Harry asked as he approached, his hands in his pockets.
“Nothing. Now, let’s continue our date.” I linked my arm through his and pulled him along.
We had dinner at the Three Broomsticks. Of course, I made sure we got a room on the top floor for some privacy.
Afterwards, we walked back to school holding hands. Harry carried a box under one arm.
“These are going to be great,” he said with a grin.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
We reached the school, and he pulled out a map. I noticed moving dots on it, each labelled with a name.
“This way is safe,” he said.
We entered through a side door and sneaked through shadowy corridors to avoid the other students.
Then we climbed the Astronomy Tower and emerged onto the roof.
Harry unpacked the box and removed the rockets. He tapped them with his wand, and fireworks shot into the sky.
They looked so much better up close!
We wrapped our arms around each other as we set off the fireworks. Brilliant explosions filled the sky, and we turned to look at one another.
We moved closer.
Then we kissed.
Yeah. This was the perfect first date.
Nothing could possibly spoil it.
“Oi! Who’s up there setting off fireworks?” a man yelled.
“Hagrid?” Harry gasped.
“Children! Who gave you permission to buy fireworks?” McGonagall shouted. I glimpsed the professor approaching on a broom.
“Oh no!” I squealed.
We grabbed hands and ran inside.
The professors landed on the roof and chased us. We laughed as we fled from the light of their wands, sprinting down the spiral staircase.
McGonagall actually swore as she pursued us.
We ducked into a side room, and Harry gently closed the door.
The light from McGonagall’s wand illuminated the gap beneath it. It lingered for a moment before moving away as she walked off, promising detention to whoever had set off the fireworks.
Harry and I stood in the darkness, our hearts hammering. Moonlight was the only thing illuminating our faces.
I rose onto my tiptoes and kissed him.