The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

39. Young Hearts Run Free

The colour completely drained from Harry's face.

It happened so quickly that Sloane almost burst out laughing immediately. He stared at her in horror, eyes wide behind his glasses as though she had just announced his deepest darkest secret to the entire village.

Which, honestly—

She basically had.

Sloane clapped a hand over her mouth to stop herself laughing too loudly. "Don't worry," she whispered conspiratorially, leaning closer toward him. "Your secret is safe with me."

Harry sagged with visible relief. "Thank God—"

"Sloane will do," she smirked.

Harry groaned softly. "You're enjoying this far too much."

"Oh, immensely."

They continued walking slowly down the busy Hogsmeade street while the others drifted ahead of them.

Students bustled between shops carrying bags of sweets and joke products. The cold autumn air smelled faintly of chimney smoke, sugar and butterbeer drifting from nearby cafés.

Harry glanced ahead toward Ron and Hermione. They walked side by side several feet ahead, deep in what looked like a serious conversation. Hermione was gesturing animatedly while Ron frowned thoughtfully beside her.

And yet—

There was distance between them. Not physical distance exactly. Something else. Something subtle.

Harry sighed quietly. "Not that it matters anyway."

Sloane looked at him curiously.

"She's my best friend," Harry continued softly. "And she's dating my other best friend. I would never do anything to jeopardise either friendship."

The sincerity in his voice made Sloane's chest ache a little. Because Harry Potter really was painfully good. Not perfect. Not flawless. But good. The kind of good that hurt sometimes.

Sloane leaned her head lightly against his shoulder as they walked. "That," she said gently, "is because you are an amazing person."

Harry snorted softly.

"No really," she insisted. "Truly one of a kind." He looked embarrassed immediately. Sloane smiled faintly. "But honestly?" she continued thoughtfully. "I don't think you have anything to worry about anyway."

Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"

Sloane glanced ahead again toward Ron and Hermione. Then shook her head slightly. "I don't think they're well matched."

Harry blinked in surprise. "You don't?"

Sloane shrugged lightly. "As awful as it sounds, Hermione needs someone more... independent."

Harry listened carefully now.

"More mature," Sloane continued. "More headstrong. Someone who challenges her intellectually but also understands when to stand beside her rather than behind her."

Harry looked thoughtful. "And Ron?"

Sloane smiled faintly. "Ron needs someone carefree. Someone who finds his childishness charming rather than frustrating."

Harry immediately thought about all the times Hermione snapped at Ron over homework, laziness, forgotten responsibilities or insensitive comments.

Merlin.

Sloane wasn't wrong.

"Hermione overlooks a lot because she loves him," Sloane added quietly. "But eventually admiration isn't enough if you fundamentally frustrate each other."