Mischief Unmanaged ➰ H.P

XV. Torn Between Two Snakes

The spirit of Christmas can barely feel in the Godrics Hollow, there's no children singing Christmas carol outside nor people strolling around for last day's Christmas shopping. Hermione wondered why despite of the popularity of the village, only few wizarding family are living there. She pressed her body even more against the couch, a cup of hot chocolate in her hands while she's watching the snow hitting the window glass.

Hermione woke up alone in Harry's bed, she searched him in the entire house but he's nowhere to be found. The Christmas eve will be that night and Hermione cannot totally say that she's ready to face Harry's parents. And the worse part is, she forgot to buy presents for them.

Before she could take another sip to her cup, the door behind her creaked open and Harry walks inside. She bolted up and put down the cup to confront him.

"Where have you been? You should've  leave a note at least!" she began.

"I've been in Uncle Sirius', I didn't wake you up so you can rest fully," he answered. He removed his coat and hang it behind the door.

"Okay, I'm sorry for fussing. It's just that... I don't have any presents yet," Hermione admitted.

She looks really disappointed about it, Harry chuckled as he realized how emotional she is. "Then you better change if you still want to find ideal gifts," he said.

Hermione's face immediately brighten up, her innocent smile makes him forget that she's the person he supposed to make the life miserable. Her presence suddenly becomes a weird excitement. And for Harry, that is not a good news.

"Alright! Wait for me!" Hermione jogged upstairs to change.

"You have five minutes, finish or not, I'll leave!" Harry called.

He slumped down against the couch, removed the scarf around his neck as his fingers find their way to his chin. A lot of things started to bother him again, he thought that his stupid feelings for her already vanished after they fooled her at the beginning of the term.

It's a terrible thought. He couldn't be possibly considering falling in love with her, could he? Harry grunted irritably on his seat. There comes the confusion again. And he hates it. He hates how his heart beats fast when talking with her. He hates that the idea of seeing her with Draco was giving him unwanted rage. He hates that his hate for her slowly turning into likeness.

He didn't realized that fifteen minutes had already passed until Hermione tapped his shoulder. "Hey! Let's go!"

Harry lifted his face as his eyes immediately locked at her face. She looks so gorgeous without putting the least effort. He finally noticed what her difference to other girls he's been with. Hermione doesn't wear make up, her lips were natural pink, as well as the cheeks. Her eyebrows were perfectly lined and her eyes were just perfect. She's perfect. Literally.

Harry wasn't expecting the next thing that happened, Hermione's hand rose in the air and slap him on the cheek. "What the hell?!" he barked.

"You're doing it again!" she covered her chest with her hands. Harry realized that his gaze already lowered on to it.

"I'm just kidding dork! They're not enchanted," he widened his eyes before walking pass by her.

Hermione stopped for a while as if something heavy just lifted out of her chest. "You're such a jerk!" she yelled before following him outside.

They traveled all the way to London, using muggle transportation. Harry was quiet during the entire ride, the fact that he agreed to shop in a muggle department store, and to even blend with non-magical people doesn't give him the usual disgusted feeling was so strange. He used to degrade them, especially the Dursleys  which were the family of his Aunt Petunia.