A Love Story At Hogwarts (Year 2)

T U L I P S

The train screeched loudly and jolted sharply enough to make Ron hurl into the floor while he was asleep as it came to a halt.

"What the hell?" he mumbled, still lying on the floor.

"We couldn't be there yet." Hermione said, "It's just half past five right now!"

Harry peered through the window. The sun was half covered by clouds and there was no sign of the moon yet. Just then a robotic voice boomed into the compartment.

"My lovely students, there is some kind of technical fault in the train. And I am afraid to say that it will take almost an hour to get it working again. But, good for you all, the train broke down right between the most beautiful tulip farm in London. Why don't you all just get some fresh air and take a stroll while we work on the train? Thank you very much!"

"Oh my god, it's the Prairie Paradise tulip farm!" Luna said. "I've been dying to come here!"

"Come on, let's go out then!" Ron said. "Come on, Harry!"

"You guys go on! I'll stay here!" Harry said.

"My brother's an outcast." Carol joked.

"Oh, come on, Harry! It'll be fun!" Hermione said. She grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him outside the compartment.

The tulip farm, which was silent and peaceful a second ago, was now full of children running and roaming around, creating chaos. Harry saw Malfoy waving at Carol from a distance.

"I am going with Malfoy!" she said, already scampering towards him.

"You do realize what's going on, don't you?" Ron whispered in Harry's ear.

"I do," Harry said, looking at Malfoy, who stared dreamily at Carol while she talked.

"Dude," Ron scoffed, "I think you've got bigger things to worry about."

Harry looked at where Ron pointed and his heart sank. There that asshole was, making out with a girl, Harry was supposedly in love with. Anyone who'd see the sight would be so delighted to see two lovers making out on a tulip farm, with the sun sinking behind their heads. It was quite picturesque. But not for Harry. Anger started flooding through his veins, but suddenly it drained out when Hermione and Marcus pulled apart and Hermione smiled.

Harry could have punched Marcus that day in Diagon Alley, but Hermione's smile was doing things to him. It kept reminding him that she was happy with him. And splitting them apart only meant that it would make her sad. Which Harry can't afford.

So, he stood there, watching Hermione and Marcus sit down by a tree Marcus wrapped his arm around Hermione and she read a book. Harry smiled inwardly. Typical Hermione. Maybe love didn't change her at all. That was a thing Harry was relieved about. He could hear Hermione's laughter as she laughed at something Marcus just pointed out in the book.

That laughter and the happiness in it inspired Harry to do things that could make Hermione smile. Deep down, he knew that this year was not going to be easy. But he also knew that he would be fine as long as Hermione's happy.

An hour flew by as Harry watched Hermione and Marcus enjoying the tulip farm. Hermione had kept her book aside now to concentrate more on what Marcus was talking about. Marcus must have been amusingly funny because she was laughing after every sentence he spoke. Then suddenly, Marcus got up and dashed into the train. Most probably, because he wanted to pee. Hermione reached out for her book again, but it wasn't there.

Harry felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, mate! The train's starting." Ron said. Harry got on the train accompanied by Luna and Ron. He looked back to see Hermione, who was still looking for her book around the tree.