Flames Of Destiny : Conflicting Emotions // HJP [2]

Chapter Three : Growing Attraction

(Y/n) looked up at Harry, feeling the heat creep up her cheeks. Her lips curled into an awkward, sheepish smile.

"Hi, Harry! Didn't realise you were here already," she mumbled, letting out a nervous chuckle, trying to break the tension.

Harry stared at her for a moment, his brows furrowing briefly, as if he was about to unleash his fury on her, but the outburst never came. Instead, he quickly averted his gaze, finding sudden interest in the wall beside them.

Had he just... ignored her?

Was this the silent treatment?

While Ron and Hermione had endured the full force of his anger, here she was, standing in awkward silence. (Y/n) couldn't decide which was worse—Harry's silent treatment or a good old-fashioned yelling.

"What are you doing, eavesdropping?" Ron's voice broke through her thoughts.

(Y/n) snapped her head towards him, her heart racing. She had completely forgotten that she was caught red-handed. In her curiosity to know what was happening, she had forgotten that Fred, George, and Ginny had all seen her loitering outside the door before the twins had vanished to show off their Disapparating abilities. Ginny had also spotted her, leaning against the door, clearly listening in.

"Well—I—uh..." (Y/n) stammered, her mind scrambling for an excuse, especially now that Harry's attention had swung back to her. Why was she suddenly sweating? Was Harry that intimidating? Was she actually... scared of him?

"I—uh—"

Harry rolled his eyes, cutting through her nervous rambling. Turning to Ginny, he said, "What were you saying?"

Wasn't he supposed to be furious with her?

Or had he just saved her from total embarrassment?

Ginny grinned.

 "You just chuck stuff at the door, and if it can't make contact, the door's been Imperturbed. I've been flicking Dungbombs at it from the top of the stairs. They just bounce right off, so the Extendable Ears wouldn't stand a chance getting under the gap."

Fred let out a deep sigh. "Shame. I was really hoping to find out what Snape's been up to."

"Snape?" Harry interjected quickly. "Is he here?"

"Yeah," George replied, as (Y/n) carefully closed the door behind her and sat down beside him on one of the beds. Fred and Ginny followed, taking seats as well. "He's giving a report. Top secret stuff."

"Git," Fred added casually.

"He's on our side now," Hermione said, a hint of reproach in her tone.

Ron snorted. "Doesn't stop him being a git. The way he looks at us when he sees us..."

(Y/n) nodded in agreement, remembering all of Ron's rants about Snape. He really had no love for the man.

"Bill doesn't like him either," Ginny chimed in, as if that settled the matter.

(Y/n) glanced at Harry, wondering if his anger had faded. His frustration seemed to have turned into a thirst for information. He sank onto the bed opposite the others, his expression more focused now.

"Is Bill here?" he asked. "I thought he was working in Egypt?"

"He applied for a desk job so he could come home and work for the Order," Fred explained. "He says he misses the tombs, but..." he smirked, "there are compensations."

"What d'you mean?" Harry asked, intrigued.

(Y/n) smiled inwardly, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed.