Ten Questions (Harry Potter x Slytherin reader)

Chapter 23

The library.

Harry Potter was in the library on a Saturday morning.

Surprised, I approach Potter slowly. He notices immediately and looks up, jumping slightly when I carefully take the book from his hands and flip through it.

"I hope you're studying for the second task and not some overdue charms essay," I say at last when I finally hand the book back. Potter snatches it with a grunt and resumes reading. A smirk tugs at the corner of my lips. "You're grumpy this morning," I note.

"I know, and I'm sorry," Potter sighs and snaps the book shut, setting it down. I study him carefully, noticing the slightly dark shades under his eyes and his disheveled hair. He must've been here for a while.

"You know, you could've just asked me to study with you instead of doing it by yourself," I point out.

"I didn't want to bother you. Besides, I wanted to prove I could do it on my own."

"You bother me no matter what, Potter. Now, move." Harry immediately obeys and scooches a few spots to the right, allowing me room to finally sit down. "So," I say, "have you come across anything interesting?"

"Yeah, actually." To my surprise, Potter opens the book and flips through several pages until suddenly stopping when he gets to a certain page. He hands me the book, and I carefully lift the book from his hands and take a look. In large letters in the upper hand left corner of the page are the words The Bubble head charm. "We learned it last year," he adds nervously as I scan the page. "I mean, we never got to actually cast the spell, but it seems easy enough."

"Mhmm."

The Bubble head charm is a spell that produces a bubble-like shape around the head and nose of the caster, providing the user with a large supply of oxygen to breathe underwater. This is incredibly useful for anyone who needs to hold their breath for a long period of time.

"The bubble head charm?" I scan the paragraph once more, making sure I didn't miss any crucial information. I glance at Potter. "How long does it give you until you run out of air?"

"Didn't say," he replies with a shrug. "Should be long enough, though."

I nod and set the book down, seemingly uninterested. I heave a sigh, then look up at Potter. "When should we start practicing?"

"We?" A grin splits across Potter's face. "I didn't know you were that eager to see me."

"I'm not." My voice is soft and gentle. "I mean, if you'd rather drown-"

"How about six?" Potter asks with a hint of annoyance, knowing where this is going. I stop mid sentence and study Harry curiously, surprised with his response. My lips then curve upward into a smile.

"The potions classroom?"

Potter stares at me, then nods.

"Yeah... okay."

I nod, then open my mouth to speak, trying to think of something to say, but nothing comes out, so I close it quickly and furrow my eyebrows, slightly confused. I then glance at the charms book and pick it up, feeling the weight of the pages beneath my fingers.

"Can I borrow this?" I ask, eyebrow raised. Potter nods, and I give a small smile. "Thanks." I hesitate, wanting to say something else, but nothing comes to mind, so I turn the other way and begin to walk before suddenly stopping a few steps in. "Potter?"