Can Hogwarts Make a Mistake?

Chapter 11

HERMIONE'S P.O.V.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I sat on the bench underneath the shady oak tree with my book bag, waiting for James. Doodling on a piece of parchment, I glanced up at random intervals, hoping to see his messy-haired self heading my way. For about the billionth time, I took down and set up again the cauldron. Why was he so late? Was this what it was like to be stood up? Really James? I reassured myself, saying it was only a few minutes. Give the guy some time!

Over the course of my tedious waiting, I brewed the potion James and I were supposed to be brewing during the tutoring session. I don't know if it was the fumes just blurring my vision or if I was tearing up. I told myself to chill out, that just because he didn't show up once didn't mean I had to get all upset about it. After forty-five minutes had passed, I packed up and left for the Gryffindor common room.

Clambering clumsily through the portrait hole, I prepared what I'd say to James when I next saw him. What I didn't expect, however, was to see Rose and Albus conversing, hushed, in a different corner of the common room than usual. When they saw me, Rose gave me a sad look, almost despondent, and Albus rolled his eyes, smiling, and shrugged. My eyes followed his gesture to the niche that Rose, Albus, and I usually occupied and fell upon James and the girlfriend, snogging. I was infuriated and devastated at the same time. Telling myself that he could do whatever he wanted, that I didn't really like him that much anyways, I headed over to Rose and Albus.

"Are you okay?" Rose asked, very concered. This was a good thing about Rose: she was very sincere and genuine. For Albus's sake, I rolled my eyes, brushing off her comments.

"Fine. Why?" Rose just sighed. Albus went back to work on his Defense Against the Dark Arts work.

"I... I just wanted to see if your... uhh... spell work has improved." Rose was a terrible liar. I think Albus knew we were talking about something different, but he either couldn't care less or didn't want to know.

"Oh. Well, no," I said, slightly uncomfortable about her bringing up the fact.

"Maybe Rose could tutor you," Albus suggested. The word "tutor" brought back my anger at James. It was all I could do to restrain myself from marching over to him and the b- horrible person and tearing them apart... Oh, that bloody -

"What?" I asked, not paying attention at all. I kept my eyes from straying over to that spot...

"Maybe Rose could help you with your spellwork!" Albus said slowly and carefully. Rose brightened up.

"Yes! Oh, Hermione! That'd be perfect, absolutely perfect!" Rose was so excited, obviously, so there was really nothing I could do but respond with a halfhearted, though masked by fake enthusiasm, nod.

"Sounds fun," I said, slowly turning my gaze to James and Ms. Davies, who had broken apart from their sickening embrace and were just talking now. About what? This was torture... Next tutor session, I was going to harass him about her. Who  was she? What did she want with James? Well, I probably didn't have to ask that one... Anyways, he had better have a good excuse. I need to calm down and stop spending so much time with Rose.