The Mermaid and The Wizard

Cousins:

This next chapter was inspired by the song above

The weather turned wet and cold as September gave way to October.

Hermione and Draco met at their private and hidden corner in the library as much as possible. Their friendship was slowly growing and both were happy about it. Sometimes they sat in comfortable silence, other times they helped each other with their notes and assignments. Hermione's favorite part though, was when she would say something about the muggle world and then explain it to Draco, who had that childlike curious and confused face about it.

Because of this, Draco slowly asked little by little more about the muggle world.

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Over at the Gryffindor Tower, many students were gathered around the fire for warmth and comfort among one another. Some were working on homework, others on wand movement and studying for tests or quizzes.

Away from the cluster of people, sitting on a table by a window that looked out to the Lake and forest, sat three Gryffindor. Though it wasn't willingly since two of the students couldn't stand one another, while the third simply took his friend's side.

Ron Weasley was glaring at Hermione with anger, annoyance and even a hint of envy could be detected. In return, Hermione gave him a look of obvious dislike and more than sufficient annoyance. Harry on the other hand looked at one and then the other, staying silent.

"Why can't you stay out of our business?"

"Our? Last time I checked it's only Harry's not yours, so stop trying to make yourself better because you're friends with The-Boy-Who-Lived."

Ron's face tuned as red as his hair in anger at her words, while Harry stared at her in shock and anger; yet he was also feeling doubt due to them. He was trying to will her to take back her words to apologize and say that it was a joke.

She didn't.

All of this started after Draco mocked Harry earlier today after our first Flying Lesson, believing he was getting expelled for flying without a teacher present and without permission. Instead, Harry was given the position of Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Draco didn't know that, but challenged Harry to a Wizard's Duel, to which Ron quickly accepted for him, and appointed himself to be his second.

Hermione was sure that the youngest Weasley wasn't the brightest of the bunch. Now she was convinced that he was the stupidest boy in Hogwarts.

Not only had Ron accepted Draco's challenge for Harry to duel him and his appointed second Crabbe, he had agreed to his terms of meeting in the Trophy Room. At midnight.

She had shaken her head mentally and given Draco a look that clearly said 'we'll talk about this later.' At least he had the decency to look a little ashamed before smirking her way.

Boys!

They were only first years for goodness sake! Neither party had any knowledge on dueling spells or the like at their disposition.

"Why don't you keep your nose out of other peoples business and in your book, since it's the only way anyone can stand you--oh wait, now they can't because you're such a bloody and annoying know-it-all!"

He'd gone to far and Harry knew it. He turned to Hermione and watched as her eyes had gotten a little wide before hardening, yet Harry could see that they were getting wet with tear. She collected her things, shoved them into her bag and promptly left Common Room. Turning to his best friend, he got upset at seeing the smug look on his face.