Mischievous Glint | George Weasley

Chapter 42

At Gryffindor common room at night, Hermione and I did our homework while Harry peered at the Marauder's Map. We were the only ones present.

"Have you ever thought about how you guys don't let me stay in my common room? I almost feel like a Gryffindor." I joked.

"Of course. We told you we won't let you be alone when we first snuck into your dorm in our first year remember? You're stuck with us." Hermione replied with her lips slightly turned up.

"I'm grateful to have friends like you." My voice sentimental.

"Oh, please. You're like a guardian angel always saving our arses." Harry added as we laughed.

"Says you."

"Also Harry, did you actually expect you could just walk up to Ol' Sluggy and ask him to reveal his deepest, darkest secret? Honestly, Harry, sometimes I think the Daily Prophet should call you the Dim One." Hermione said.

"Nice." Harry muttered.

"You're going to have to persuade him somehow. And now, I'm afraid, you've made it a lot harder." Hermione rose up to go.

"Hermione. I think Malfoy's leaving the castle." Hermione stopped dead amd looks back at Harry then me.

I nodded agreeing with Harry.

"I've seen it. Sometimes... sometimes he just disappears off the Map." Harry stated.

"That's... not possible. No one can leave the castle these days. The Map is wrong." Hermione denied.

"The Map is never wrong." I said, confirming that Harry's words were true.

Hermione frowned thinking, then shook her head turning away. Harry and I shared a glance then went back to stare at the fire.

     ♠️

Next early morning at the Hospital Wing- Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Ginny, me and a very somber Hermione circled Ron's bed as Madam pomfrey ministered to him. Slughorn sat off to the side in a chairlooking stunned.

"Quick thinking on your part, Harry. Using a Bezoar. You must be very proud of your student, eh, Horace?" Dumbledore said.

"Hm? Oh. Yes... very proud." Slughorn replied.

"I think we all agree that Mr. Potter's actions were heroic. The question is why were they necessary." McGonagall asked.

"Why indeed." Dumbledore took the half-empty bottle of mead still bearing a bit of giftwrap. "This appears to be a gift, Horace. You don't by chance remember who gave you this bottle, do you which by the way possesses remarkably subtle hints of licorice and cherry when not polluted with poison."

"Actually I had intended to give it as a gift myself."

"To whom might I ask?"

"You, Headmaster."

Just then the door bursted open revealing Lavender Brown.

"Where is he? Where's my Won-Won! Has he been asking for me?" I rolled my eyes. She stopped immediately glaring daggers at Hermione. "What's she doing here?"

"We might ask you the same but we're too polite and who are you to question us." I spat.

"I happen to be his girlfriend."

"And I happen to be his... friend." Hermione said.

"Don't make me laugh. You haven't spoken in weeks. I suppose you want to make up with him now that he's suddenly all interesting."

"He's been poisoned, you daft dimbo! And for the record, I've always found him interesting." Hermione frowned a bit embarrassed.

"Are you always this annoying? I wonder how Ron deals with you." I said sarcasm lacing in my voice.

Suddenly Ron snorted and stirred.

"Ha! See? He senses my presence. I'm here, Won-Won. I'm here."

"Her... Mio... Nee... Er!" Ron was in a haze and reached out blindly. Hermione blushed then took his hand. Instantly, he fell unconscious again. Lavender vibrated with rage and stormed out.

"Ah, to be young and feel love's keen sting. Come, everyone, I think Mr. Weasley is well tended." Dumbledore beamed and leaded the others past Harry. Ginny passed me. Her face very close as she she whispered and indicated Ron and Hermione.

"Bout time, don't you think?"

"Right?" I giggled.

Harry watched her go. Hopelessly smitten and saw that Slughorn has paused in the doorway.

"I've always cherished my students. They're my life..." Then he was gone too. Harry turned back and studied Hermione. Her hand enfolded over Ron's. She looked up and saw his faint smile. She then glanced at me at the other side of the bed and seeing I had the same look as Harry, she blushed more.

"Oh, shut up." She couldn't hide her smile.

"We didn't say anything." Harry smirked.

     ♠️

At the Great Hall, I sat beside Hermione. Ron and Harry sat across us. Harry spooned soup into his mouth while perusing the Half-Blood Prince's Potion book. His eyes lingered as before over the Sectumsepra Spell. Ron absently twirled his wand as he covertly eyed Lavender. Hermione frowned over the Prophet when a snowflake fell upon her nose.

"Stop. You're making it snow." She spoke up.

"Huh?" Ron looked up and saw that it was snowing exclusively over us. Hermione placed her hand atop his wand and he blinked as if the gesture kindled some sense-memory.

"Tell me again how I broke up with Lavender?" Harry paused on his soup, exchanges a glance with Hermione, and I. Hermione carefully withdrawed her hand from Ron's.

"Um, well, she came to visit you in the hospital, you see, and you talked. I don't believe it was a long conversation." Hermione mutterd.

"Y/N sassed really hard at her I must tell you." Harry added making me snort.

"Really? Don't get me wrong. I'm bloody thrilled to be shot of her. It's just she seems... a bit put out."

We four glanced over at Lavender and were rewarded with a lethal squint.

"Does, doesn't she? And you say you don't remember a thing from that night? Not one thing?" I asked.

"Well... there is... something." Ron paused. "But no. It can't be. Besides, I was completely boggled, wasn't I?"

"Right. Boggled." Hermione slumped back frowning.

Harry and I smiled with amusement. Just then a mild commotion drew his attention. At the back of the Hall, a group of girls surrounded a new arrival.

"That's Katie. That's Katie Bell." Hermione said as Harry got up.

Katie Bell who was pale but smiling greeted the other girls. After a moment, she looked up and found Harry standing before her. The girls drifted off. We kept looking at her as Harry spoke to her. Suddenly Katie's eyes shifted and she went ashen faced. Harry turned followed her gaze and I his and found Malfoy staring at her. Katie backed away retreating to the other girls. Harry watched her go, then looked back. Malfoy quickly fleed the Hall. Harry ran after him.

"Where's he going?" Ron asked.

"I don't know. Y/N you go after them." Hermione suggested as I quickly got up and sprinted at their director.