Him - A Harry Potter Love Story

Chapter Forty-Four

"I can't believe this," Hermione said softly, rubbing her thumb over Ron's hand. I smiled a little at her, knowing that Ron would be happy she was here if he were awake. I've heard it from both of them countless times; they hated fighting with each other. This is the first time I've seen Hermione this close to him in a long time.

"He'll be okay, Hermione. Don't worry." Harry was standing behind her, a hand on her shoulder. "Madame Pomfrey said he'll just be asleep for a while."

"Ron! Oh no, where is my Won Won?!"

I let out a groan, turning around as Lavender stopped in her tracks, staring at Hermione. Her eyes narrowed.

"What's she doing here?"

"I might ask you the same question," Hermione snapped, glaring.

"I happen to be his girlfriend!" she gasped, taking a threatening step forward.

"And I happen to be his...friend," Hermione shot back.

"Please! You two haven't spoken in weeks!" she cried out. Her attention snapped over to Ron as he started to mumble. "See? He senses me."

I frowned a little as she ran over to Ron's other side, taking his hand.

"What's he saying?" I murmured to Harry.

"I can't tell."

"Oh Won Won, I'm here. I'm here!" she said breathlessly.

"Her-Hermione. Hermione."

Her eyes shot up to Hermione's face, which was turning slightly red. But she was also smiling.

Lavender let out a cry of anger and stormed out of the room.

"Ah, to be young and feel love's keen sting," Dumbledore sighed. I grinning, glancing over at Harry. He shook his head a little, obviously trying to keep from laughing.

Everyone started to clear from the room until it was just Harry and I watching Hermione look at Ron. Harry wrapped his arm around my waist, and I leaned my head on his shoulder, smiling.

Hermione turned her head, and, seeing our faces, blushed. "Don't you dare say anything."

"It's not fair. You said things when I fancied Harry," I said, pouting.

"Fine. But later." She laughed softly. "I guess I did go a little overboard, though. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Hermione. It's okay."

Harry and I walked through the halls, heading towards the Room of Requirement. We didn't even say we wanted to go there; we just took the one different turn down the hall to it.

"What do you want it to be?" I asked him as we approached the wall.

"I was hoping you'd have thought of something by the time we got here," he said, trying to hold back a smile. I raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I don't know either."

"Just someplace to hang out. I'm sure the room can come up with something," Harry sighed, walking back and forth in front of it. When the door appeared, we walked in to find a very large room with piles and piles of anything you could think of; furniture, jewelry, random objects you'd see around a house. But a single book stood out to me, sitting alone on a table close to the entrance.

"What's this?" I asked, picking it up. The leather cover and binding were worn down, the pages were rough but fragile. I ran my fingers over the indents on the front, frowning a little.

"I don't know."

I opened the book to the first page, my eyes widening a little. "Harry, what did you think of?"

He hesitated. "I...don't know."

I walked towards him, showing what was written on the page. His eyes widened as well.

Adeline Hayes was written in the front.

I flipped through a few more pages, seeing beautiful and neat handwriting along the paper. I kept turning them, finding words all the way until the end. When I got to the last page, something fell out.

Harry bent down and picked the paper up, showing me that it was a picture.

Adeline and Emmet. They stood under an arch decorated with flowers and leaves. Mum was in a stunning white dress, one exactly as I've always dreamed of having. Dad wore a simple black suit, but he looked amazing. And they were kissing, a man standing behind them with an open book in his hands. Several other people stood to their sides, three on each. Three bridesmaids, three groomsmen. I ran my fingers over the picture, biting my lip to keep tears from spilling out of my eyes.

I moved the picture to see what was written on the last page. It was only two sentences, dated May 24, 1980.

"I am no longer Adeline Hayes. I am Adeline Winters."

"I can't believe this is here," I whispered. "She...she wrote this all. And it's here, it's...but how did it get here?"

"She filled this entire book...Cassie, this might tell you where she went," Harry said, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. "It had to have been here for a reason. The room wanted you to find it."

"You're right...oh my goodness." I laughed through the tears now pouring down my cheeks, twisting around and throwing my arms around him. "Harry, I might find my parents!"

He pulled me closer, pressing his lips against mine.

Only a few minutes later, we found a couch in the room. We sat down, and I opened the book to the second page, where the date September 1, 1972 was written. I began to read it out loud.

"Today is my first day of Hogwarts. I must admit that I'm terrified. My parents are what they call 'muggles.' Children coming here have known magic all their lives, and I don't know much.

"However, I did meet someone on the train. His name is Emmet. He's going into his first year as well, and was very nice to me. He told me how to get onto the platform, which is completely insane, if you ask me.

"He spent the whole ride telling me about this place. He's explained the houses (which I understood better at the sorting; I'm in Gryffindor!), the different classes, and quidditch. I'm very interested in the game, I must say. He wants to be a beater when he's older, and I think I would like to try chaser.

"I know I just met Emmet, but it feels like we've known each other for forever. He treats me like no one has before. My parents, they never let me speak. When I do, they don't listen. Emmet not only listens, but he understands. I feel like I told him everything about my life in just that one short ride.

"I learned a lot about him, as well. We both shared things that I think neither of us have ever thought we'd share to someone we've only just met. He's in Gryffindor, too, though, so I know I'll get to continue getting to know him. I'm excited for this year. I know it will be amazing, especially with Em-Emmet..."

I covered my mouth and looked up at Harry, not able to continue. I knew that I was probably getting too emotional about this, but I could help it. Reading words that my mother wrote about her experience at Hogwarts, about how she met my father...I couldn't read without my voice breaking every sentence.

"Do you want me to read, Cassie?" Harry asked softly, brushing a tear from my face. I nodded wordlessly, handing the book to him.

"We even continued to talk throughout all of dinner. He was just so incredibly nice and sweet, he even has offered to take me to his house at Christmas and show me around..."

He trailed off. I leaned over, seeing Godric's Hollow written where he left off.

I slowly began to read again, and Harry did as well. We spoke in unison, curled up next to each other, our bodies close together. As hard as it was, I read through the rest of the things she had written that night.

We sat in silence for a long time after that.