Chapter 8

100 6 1
  • Dedicated to Pat Mac
                                        

As I sat, content, in the plush armchair near the fire, Rose, of course, walked up to me, red frizzy hair covering half of her body, abnormally large and heavy-looking stack of books covering the rest. 

"Merlin's pants, Hermione!" she exclaimed and began the troublesome task of shoving her many books into her tiny bag. This just made me all the more jealous that Rose could just perform fifth-year spells and all I could do was produce a few extraneous sparks when I got particularly frustrated.

"Back up, Rose," I said, bored. This was simply routine.

"James has a girlfriend." Rose was practically tearing up, for my sake, I was assuming.

"Oh. That's too bad." I tried to act nonchalant about it, but inside, I was hurting. What b-... horrible person would James ever go out with?

"I know you care, you're just acting like you don't. Fine, fine, I'll leave you alone, but just know that I'm here to talk if you need it. And I know it's a pride thing for you, but just try to let it go. Okay?" Rose started up the stairs before I could even roll my eyes at her.

James had a girlfriend! How could that happen? Now I definitely have to ask him about tutoring. First, though, I need to find out who this chick is.

A few days later, I was in Potions with James. We wrapped up a conversation about how harsh McGonagall was when I, not so cleverly, led it into a conversation about grades.

"I don't know if you heard, but I'm not doing so well in this class." James said awkwardly. Even when he said something awkward, it sounded perfectly fine.

"You are, are you?"

"Yes, I am. I was wondering, since you're obviously much better at this than I am, if maybe... you could... tutor me?" James was uncomfortable, I could tell. But I couldn't believe it! Just as I was about to ask him, he asked me! I was so happy I could barely get out a breathy, though attempted nonchalant "yes", and James looked satisfied. I was barely hiding my broad beam throughout the entire double Potions class. Before leaving the room, I glanced at James, questioning.

"Oh, uh, seven tomorrow night? You've got Astronomy around six, right? You'll have time to get together beforehand." James knew my schedule! I nodded excitedly and grinned at him, to which he responded with a lopsided James-grin. When he turned away, I couldn't hide my smile anymore and beamed. Upon arriving in the common room, Albus gave me an odd look and a lopsided Albus-grin, similar to James's, but less, charming? Anyways, Albus and I were just friends.

"Happy much?" Albus inquired sarcastically. I didn't respond, just beamed some more, and this time, Albus's smile was not sarcastic, but legitamite joy at seeing my smile, because that's what friends do.

Can Hogwarts Make a Mistake?Where stories live. Discover now