Memories of the Heart || Harry Potter x Reader

Y4 ~ Just One More Kiss

The Great Hall hummed with its usual morning energy, the scent of sizzling sausages and freshly baked bread mingling with the lively chatter of students. Sunlight streamed through the enchanted ceiling, dappling the long Gryffindor table with golden hues. Y/N sat across from Harry, a cup of tea cradled in her hands as she observed him. Something was off. His usually bright green eyes seemed unfocused, his gaze locked on the Ravenclaw table.

Curious, Y/N turned her head, catching sight of Cho Chang. The Ravenclaw beauty's glossy black hair fell perfectly over her shoulders as she glanced over her shoulder. Her delicate smile lingered on Harry for a moment before she turned back to her friends. Harry, caught off guard, attempted to smile back, only to choke on his pumpkin juice, spilling a stream down his front.

Y/N's lips pressed into a thin line as she snapped her gaze back to her plate, annoyance bubbling within her. She unfolded the Daily Prophet with a bit more force than necessary, holding it up to shield her face. A pang of something sharper—jealousy—twisted in her chest. Get a grip, Y/N. He's just being Harry.

"Hi, Harry," the Patil twins chirped in unison as they passed, drawing a sheepish smile from the boy in question.

Y/N's irritation boiled over. She slapped the newspaper onto the table, making the plates clatter and silencing nearby conversations. Heads turned her way, but she didn't care. Her voice cut through the din like a whip.

"Look at this!" she said, jabbing a finger at the offending article. "'Miss Nightingale, the Girl Who Lived, an ambitious girl, seems to be developing a taste for famous wizards. Her latest prey, sources report, is none other than Bulgarian bonbon Viktor Krum. No word yet on how Harry Potter is taking the latest emotional blow.'"

Harry blinked, caught off guard, while Hermione's eyes narrowed in disgust. Ron, mid-bite, nearly choked on his toast. "Bloody Skeeter," he muttered.

"It's complete rubbish!" Hermione exclaimed, snatching the paper from Y/N.

"You and Krum. That's rich," Harry said with an awkward chuckle, his ears turning pink as he tried to defuse the tension.

Y/N fixed him with a glare so sharp it could cut glass. "Oh, so you think it's funny?"

Harry's laughter died in his throat. "I-I didn't mean it like that. It's just... well, Krum's famous, isn't he?"

Y/N's eyes narrowed further, her voice low and biting. "So? Aren't we more famous than he is? Are you saying I wouldn't have a chance with him?"

Harry opened and closed his mouth like a fish, stammering, "Well—that's not what I—ah, I just meant—"

Hermione groaned and dropped her head into her hands. Ron shook his head, grinning at Harry's futile attempts to dig himself out of the hole.

The Great Hall buzzed with its usual morning energy as Nigel, a small first-year with a mop of messy hair and wide eyes, approached the Gryffindor table. His steps were hesitant, as though every inch closer required a dose of courage. In his hands was a slightly battered package.

"Package for you, Mister Weasley," Nigel said, his voice wavering as he held it out to Ron.

Ron took the parcel with a bemused expression. "Ah, thank you, Nigel," he said, already examining the wrapping.

But Nigel didn't leave. Instead, he stood rooted in place, his gaze flitting nervously between Harry and Y/N. Harry, clearly uncomfortable, glanced away, pretending not to notice. Y/N, however, offered the boy a small, sheepish smile and a quick wave.

The effect was immediate. Nigel's face flushed as red as a Gryffindor banner, his hands twitching at his sides. He looked as though he might faint from the mere acknowledgment.