falling ; hp

─── thirty two

"Willow! Willow!" Willow turned to the other side of the bed and pulled the blankets over her head. And the blanket was also snatched which made Willow groan.

"Get up!" Willow slowly opened her eyes to see Hermione. . . With tears?

"What's the matter?" She asked in a hoarse voice. Hermione took a deep breath and wiped her tears.

"Ron's dad was attacked by a snake!" Willow immediately sat straight and furrowed her eyebrows in disbelief. Hermione narrated the whole story of how Harry witnessed it in his dream and how it happened in reality. Poor Ron. He wasn't alright the previous night itself, which made her worry for him even more.

"Let's go and see Dumbledore!"

"That's not gonna work," Hermione said anxiously. "I've tried once and he's not ready to allow us. He said to wait for a day and we'll be free to go it seems," Willow sighed heavily and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"Harry?"

"He's sent with them," Willow nodded her head and ignored the little disappointment she felt.

"He'll be fine, Hermy," Hermione nodded her head helplessly.

"And," Willow started off as she hugged her pillow. "Why were you with Leo yesterday? "Hermione's face went red as she opened her mouth to talk, but, Willow didn't leave her. "For past two months, only Ron comes alone after duty snd you come late. What's the matter, Hermy?"

"Fine! I and Leo would just— talk! As friends, I suppose," Hermione said with her face flushes even more. "But, yesterday. . . Things were different, "

"Spill the tea," Hermione heaved a sigh in defeat.

"We kissed," Willow choked in the air as she coughed. Hermione immediately took a glass of water and gave it to Willow, who drank it without refusing.

"Only on his cheek!," Willow relaxed and looked at Hermione with a grin.

"I fucking knew it!" She exclaimed happily which made Hermione frown in confusion.

"What?"

"You like him!" Hermione blushed and shook her head in denial. But, Willow knew the truth.

Later that day, Hermione and Willow were seated below a tree and were doing their assignments. Willow was worried about Harry and Ron. What would their mental status be? Was Ron fine? Was Harry fine after his nightmare? She knew that he would blame himself .

"Hermione?" The duo looked up to see Leo, who had a little smile which made Willow to gape.

"Never seen your smile," Willow commented. Leo's cheeks went red and threw a glare at her.

"Never asked your opinion, " Leo retorted to which Willow rolled her eyes. Hermione chuckled seeing their interaction.

"Stop it, guys," she said, but still the duo were glaring at each other. "Anyways, what's the matter, Leo?"

"Um. . . I asked Dumbledore about sending you guys to check up on Weasley and. . . He agreed," Hermione couldn't believe her own ears. Willow and Hermione looked at each other with a wide grin as Leo bit back the smile on his lips.

Willow was so happy to see Harry and Ron.

"How? I mean, why would you do something like that?" Willow asked as the duo pulled away.

"Just because," he mumbled, staring at Hermione. This time, Hermione blushed as she muttered a 'thanks'. Willow was glad to see Hermione happy. She knew that Hermione never had a genuine smile for the past two years and now that she has got something or someone to cherish, Willow was definitely glad to see that.