two rings and bad things

17_ petrified

Unfortunately, the trio's plan didn't go exactly as planned- Hermione was in the hospital wing for weeks because the hair from Millicent Bullstrode's cloak wasn't hers, but her cat's.

Ed was worried about her friend, she had no idea what happened and Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let anyone see her.

And once Hermione was healed, she wouldn't tell Ed what happened.

"Hey, Hermione! Are you okay? I tried to visit you, but Madam Pomfrey said you needed to rest," Ed said as she approached her.

"Oh... yes, I'm fine. I just... I was just feeling under the weather, that's all," Hermione stuttered.

But Ed didn't buy it.

"And Pepperup Potion didn't work?"

"I suppose not..." stated Hermione.

"Well, I better get going now. I need to... um... catch up on some homework. See you!" She continued as she rushed down the corridor towards Harry and Ron.

"That was strange," Ed thought.

Hermione, like herself, wasn't the kind of person to fall behind on schoolwork, even if she was sick.

And Pepperup Potion would've cured a cold, was there something Hermione wasn't telling her?

And if so, why not?

_______________

A couple weeks later, the sun was shining, making it a perfect Valentine's Day, or at least for Lockhart, who made sure everyone knew how many Valentines he had received during breakfast.

The Great Hall was also decorated in pink, and apparently dwarfs would be delivering Valentines throughout the day.

"Imagine getting a stupid Valentine from one of those ugly things, how embarrassing!" Malfoy said to Crabbe and Goyle at the Slytherin table.

Many of the first years laughed, even Ed, because she too thought it was all a little much for a holiday that only older students would care for.

She was just happy with the candy and chocolate her family sent her.

Later that day, Malfoy saw Potter frantically picking up the things that fell out of his bag in the hallway.

"What's going on here?" he asked, clearly looking for trouble.

But before Harry could answer, the Valentine from the dwarf at Harry's side started singing.

His eyes are as green as fresh pickled toad
His hair is as dark as a blackboard
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord

Everyone, especially Malfoy, bursted into laughter.

Harry tried to laugh, but deep down he was more embarrassed than ever.

In the midst of the distraction, Draco noticed a black leather book on the ground, the same one his parents talked about at the beginning of the year.

He grabbed the diary and briefly showed Crabbe and Goyle.

"Give that back," Harry demanded when he realized what Malfoy had taken.

"Wonder what Potter's written in this?" He said to his friends, smirking.

"Give it," Harry said, much sharper than before.

"Once I've had a look," Malfoy he provoked while waving the book in Harry's face.

But Harry had enough.