Magic | Lily Potter x Draco Malfoy

19 | Boys Will Be Boys

LILY

I'm walking along the bridge back towards Hogwarts with Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Fred and George, and after watching everyone sign the roll of parchment, I am convinced this day could not get any better. 

Harry interrupts my thoughts with a singular word. "Right," he says. 

Typical, I think. 

"First we need to find a place to practice where Umbridge won't find us." Harry continues, walking quickly and confidently ahead of the group. 

"The Shrieking Shack," Ginny suggests enthusiastically. 

"'S'too small," Harry says and I almost scold him for shooting Ginny's comment down so quickly. Then he sends her an apologetic look and I shrug it off. 

"Forbidden Forest?" Hermione asks. 

"Not bloody likely," Ron replies, laughing nervously. We had a terrifying encounter with giant spiders in our second year. Not fun. 

"Harry," Ginny starts again, "what happens if Umbridge does find out?" 

"Who cares?" Hermione says recklessly. Honestly, I thought she was supposed to be the smart one when it comes to feelings. I slow my pace a little to hang back with Ginny. 

"Doesn't know what she's talking about," I whisper in Ginny's ear, and she smiles. 

"I mean," Hermione continues, "It's sort of exciting, isn't it? Breaking the rules?" 

"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" Ron asks with that same nervous laugh. 

Hermione smiles giddily. "Anyway," she says, "At least we know one positive thing that came from today." 

"What's that?" Harry asks. 

"Cho couldn't take her eyes off you, could she?" Hermione says, smiling. I notice Harry slow his pace, probably smiling stupidly. Ginny's face has turned into a frown for the second time this afternoon, and I look back to see Fred and George fighting back laughter. Neville is looking oblivious, as usual. 

"Right," Harry starts again when we near the front doors of Hogwarts "Over the next few days we should each come up with a couple of possibilities of places we can practice. We've got to make sure that wherever it is, there's no chance anyone can find us. . . ." 

I zone out. I can't believe it! It's been twice today that Hermione's been completely reckless towards Ginny, first shooting down her question and then hinting that Harry's got a chance with Cho. As if Ginny isn't even here. I'm going to have to talk to Hermione later. Hermione has always been clever, whether it's Charms, Arithmancy, Potions, you name it! And I thought she was supposed to be good with feelings too. Turns out even she  can be a bit oblivious sometimes ―

"Oi, watch it, Potter!" a familiar voice exclaims as my left shoulder erupts in numbing pain. 

I turn to see Draco yet again, and for a moment my feelings are scrambled. I want to greet him happily, question him angrily, and turn away coldly all at the same time. Then he mouths 'sorry' with an apologetic look in his eyes and I remember about our little secret. 

"Shove off, Malfoy!" I yell at him before returning the silent apology. I continue walking, but then bump into someone else. "Honestly, people need to watch where they're going! ― oh, Harry." 

My brother gives me a questioning look. "So there's really nothing going on between you two?" 

Yes, there is, I fancy him and he fancies me and he kissed me today and we're going out!  my brain screams, but my common sense gets the better of me. "Harry, I told you. Nothing's happening, alright? Calm down." I say, brushing past him. 

"Hey, Lily, wait!" Harry says, quickening his pace to catch up with me. 

"You want me to speak with Cho and see if I can hook you up?" I ask sarcastically, looking sideways at him. 

"What? No. I mean ― I wasn't going to ―" Harry thinks for a moment, his face reddening slightly. "Well, I suppose you could. But that isn't what I was going to say." 

I smirk. "Well then what where  you going to say?" 

"I, um . . . sorry. For thinking you would actually fancy Malfoy, or be involved with him romantically, or whatever," Harry says. "It was stupid of me, really . . ." 

My smile disappears, but I quickly replace it with another. "Er, yeah . . . it was, wasn't it?" I nudge Harry playfully and he laughs. 

Inside, I feel guilty and ashamed. Honestly, what am I thinking? Me and Draco Malfoy, for Merlin's sake! I've really lowered my standards, and I've lowered Harry's as well, without him even knowing it. 

I guess I'm not thinking. I'm feeling. That's my problem. I'm not using my common sense. I'm listening to my heart and not my head. 

What am I going to do?