Bella and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Seventeen

A/N: Don't forget to follow my Instagram!

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On Halloween morning, I awoke with the rest and went down to breakfast feeling slightly depressed, but I was doing my best to act normally. When I looked at Harry I could tell he was thoroughly depressed but like me, put on an act. I smiled at him and squeezed his hand when he grabbed mine.

Honestly, we act like a couple and we're not. I wish we were, but we're not. 

"We'll bring you both lots of sweets back from Honeydukes," Hermione said to us, looking sorry for us both.

"Yeah, loads," Ron agreed. He and Hermione had finally forgotten their squabble about Crookshanks in the face of mine and Harry's disappointment. 

"Don't worry about us," I said, in what I hoped was an offhand voice. "We'll see you at the feast. Have a good time"

We accompanied them to the Entrance Hall, where Filch, the caretaker, was standing inside the front doors, checking off names against a long list, peering suspiciously into every face, and making sure that no one was sneaking out who shouldn't be going. 

"Staying Potter?" Malfoy shouted. He was standing in line with Crabbe and Goyle. "Scared of passing the Dementors?"

"You shut your mouth you bleach blonde haired freak!" I shouted back to him. Malfoy glared at me but said nothing else. Wise choice. 

Harry grabbed my hand and we made our way up the Marble Staircase, through the deserted corridors, and back to the Gryffindor Tower. 

"You didn't have to do that, you know," Harry mumbled as we walked. 

I looked at him. "Do what?"

"Stick up for me like that"

"I'm always gonna be there to stick up for you," I chuckle and playfully nudge his shoulder. "You're stuck with me now"

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he looks at me in my eyes and I blush. "I'm being serious, Bella. When I'm with you I feel like a different person...I can't explain it"

I look at him, not noticing we had stopped walking. 

"I feel the same way"

He starts to lean closer to me. Oh. My. God. Is he going to kiss me? Is Harry James Potter about to kiss me? I hope he does! I lean my face up, I could feel breath on my face. Our lips were inches apart when...

Footsteps were heard making us jump back. 

Damn it!

I cleared my throat. "We should - erm - get going"

"Yeah - yeah," Harry stuttered, looking very red and breathing heavily.

We continued walking in silence until we reached Gryffindor Tower. My heart was still beating fast. 

"Password?" The Fat Lade asked, jerking out of a doze.

"Fortuna Major," Harry said, his voice husky. Damn...

The portrait swung open and we climbed through the hole into the Common Room. It was full of chattering first - and second - years, and a few older students who had obviously visited Hogsmeade so often that the novelty had worn off.

"Harry! Harry! Hi, Harry!"

It was Colin Creevey, a second-year who was deeply in awe of me and Harry and never missed an opportunity to speak to us. 

"Aren't you going to Hogsmeade? Why not? Hey-" Colin looked eagerly around at his friends, "you can come and sit with us if you like"

I look at Harry, wide-eyed.