Memories of the Heart || Harry Potter x Reader

Y6 ~ The Infirmary

The flickering torches along the dim corridor cast long, wavering shadows on the cold stone walls, the flames dancing like restless spirits. The faint scent of burning wax mixed with the damp chill of the castle air. Hermione, Harry, and Y/N walked briskly down the hall, their footsteps ringing in sharp contrast to the eerie silence that surrounded them. The tension between them was almost palpable, an unspoken weight pressing down with every step.

Hermione's voice, tight with frustration and concern, shattered the quiet. "It's far too easy for them to get to you. You're blood lucky you two weren't killed," she lectured, her brows knitting together as she shot Y/N a pointed look. "You have to realize who you are, Y/N. What you mean to them."

Y/N's pace faltered for just a second before she turned to Hermione, her eyes flashing. "I know who I am, Hermione, all right?" she snapped, her voice edged with exhaustion and something dangerously close to anger.

Harry, sensing the tension thickening between them, quickly interjected. "She just means you have to be careful," he said, glancing between them with unease. His green eyes flickered with concern, his fingers twitching slightly as if bracing for an argument.

Y/N sighed, the initial burst of frustration melting into something heavier. Her shoulders slumped, and she ran a hand through her hair. "Says the one who followed me into the fire," she muttered under her breath. Then, after a brief pause, her tone softened. "Sorry, Mione. Harry. I don't mean to sound harsh. I'm just... tired. That's all."

Hermione's stern expression wavered before dissolving into understanding. She exhaled, offering a small nod, her worry evident but unspoken.

As they turned a corner, they were met with a sight that made Hermione stop in her tracks. Ron and Lavender were perched on the edge of a stone window sill, completely entwined in each other. Lavender giggled against Ron's lips, her fingers tangled in his hair, while Ron, oblivious to everything but her, held her as if she were the only thing in the world.

Harry's stomach twisted unpleasantly. His grip tightened around the strap of his bag, nails digging into the worn fabric. After their conversation on the train, he had hoped—practically prayed—that Ron would have ended things with Lavender by now. But here he was, just as infatuated as ever.

Hermione's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but instead, she pressed them into a thin line. A flicker of hurt crossed her face, but she masked it with well-practiced sarcasm. "Excuse me, I have to go and vomit," she said flatly, before spinning on her heel and walking away, her curls bouncing with every sharp step.

Y/N let out a heavy sigh and turned to Harry. The fire in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by something unreadable. "Come on," she murmured. "We have more important things to deal with."

Harry swallowed down the bitter taste in his mouth and forced his attention away from Ron and Lavender. "Like Dumbledore," Y/N continued, leveling him with a look that made his insides twist with guilt. "Didn't he say he wanted to see us the minute we got back from break?"

Harry blinked. The reminder hit him like a cold slap of reality. He had nearly forgotten. He opened his mouth, but his hesitation betrayed him. "I—I was just about to remind you," he stammered, the lie feeble even to his own ears.

Y/N arched a brow, crossing her arms. "Harry." Her tone was exasperated, but her lips twitched slightly.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine. I forgot."

A small smirk curved Y/N's lips. "Yeah, no offense, but you're rubbish at lying." She chuckled, shaking her head as she reached for his arm. Despite himself, Harry smiled. He was grateful for her honesty, for the way she always saw right through him.