Notice Me! (Drarry)

2. Help!

 As expected, Hermione sat in the common room with Harry, who had just started with his potions essay. Ron interrupted her explanation about Murtlab tentacles. "Hermione. I need to talk to you."

"Ron." Hermione and Harry looked at their panting friend. "What happened?"

"I- I'm not sure. I need to talk to you. Alone." He added with a glance at Harry, who frowned and looked hurt. "Look, I'm sorry mate. I will tell you, but first I want to talk to Hermione, it's urgent. And it's probably a false alarm anyway."

"Alright." Hermione said. "Let's look for some privacy."

Harry rolled his eyes and turned to his essay. Ron felt bad for excluding him but he felt like it was not a good idea to confront Harry with his suspicions when he himself had trouble processing it. Maybe he was overreacting. Hermione would know what was going on better than him.

So Ron and Hermione climbed through the portrait hole and walked down the stairs. Once Hermione cast a quick Muffliato spell Ron tried to recite exactly what he had heard in the Three Broomsticks. "What do you say? It's weird, isn't it?"

Hermione looked like she was in deep thought so Ron let her be quiet for a few seconds. They reached the door and wandered outside. Ron pulled his robes a bit tighter around himself. Hermione did not seem to notice much of the coldness. She had this look on her face that she always got when she got lost in her own thoughts. "How did he say it?" Hermione said eventually. "Like, what tone?"

"I don't know." Ron said. "Like Malfoy. Does it matter?"

"I'm not sure." Hermione said. "Malfoy could want Harry to notice him in several different ways."

"Which ways, Hermione?" Ron sounded frustrated.

"Let's not jump to conclusions." Hermione said calmly. "How exactly did he say 'Why does he never notice me'? Maybe he needs help. From Harry."

"But Hermione." Ron said. "That Parkinson didn't sound surprised. Or worried. Just... I don't know."

"Like she was used to it?" Hermione said and Ron nodded. "So let's get this straight. You think Malfoy has complained to Parkinson about Harry not noticing him in the way he wants to be noticed, and not for the first time."

"Yes." Ron said.

"So what is your guess? How does he want Harry to notice him?" Hermione looked closely at her best friend.

Ron let out a heavy sigh. "Don't make me say it." Hermione just raised her eyebrows challengingly. "It sounded to me like... He wants to, like... notice, I mean, that Harry is his... friend, or something." Hermione raised her eyebrows even higher. "Hermione." Ron groaned. He was extremely uncomfortable with the situation. "Malfoy said Harry's hair looks perfect. Who even says stuff like this?"

"It sounds to me like you already made your mind up about what's going on." Hermione said. "What do you need me for?"

"To tell me that I'm wrong? I don't know." Ron groaned. "Why are you not shocked?"

"I am, a bit." Hermione said. "But if you think about it... It's not that absurd. He wanted to be his friend in first year, he was rejected, and he's being mean to Harry ever since. I mean, I'm not saying Malfoy is an angel, but he's never cared much about insulting other people than Harry and us."

"Hermione." Ron said. "Afterwards, when he saw me listening to them, he looked extremely... shocked? No, more scared. I think there's more to it."

Hermione laughed. "I think you already know what it is."

Ron looked uncomfortable. "It's not necessarily true." Hermione shrugged. They walked quietly around the lake for a few minutes, both lost in their own thoughts. In a silent agreement, they started heading back to the castle. "Do you think Harry is... I mean he likes..."