The Girl Who Lived (Draco Malfoy x OC)

The Wintering Ode

October 16th 1996

Harper offered Slughorn one more upbeat grin before closing the door behind her. There was a delicate pressure at the bottom of her belly from the amount of food she consumed. It was her favourite thing about the Slug Club dinners, eating to her heart's content. Hermione stretched her arms out with a yawn, feeling her own food coma.

"Boy, Ron will be jealous," she said, giving her tummy a rub.

Hermione's elated expression immediately fell at the mention of him. "Yes, well he can have a taste of his own medicine."

Harper released a sigh. As far as she was concerned, Hermione's grudge against him was being drawn out for too long. She understood her sadness when he started dating Lavender, after all the girl was heartbroken. But how long could she stay mad at their ginger friend? Ron didn't even know Hermione fancied him so how could she continue being mad for this long? Of course Harper bit back the words, knowing Hermione would blow up about it again.

She did say, 'he was at liberty to be with whoever he wanted,' yet continued to throw him dirty glares across the castle.

"Enjoy that?" McLaggen's voice interrupted her thoughts. He had followed the duo out of Slughorn's office.

"It was delightful," Harper said, noting how high her voice accidentally went.

"And you, Granger?"

"It's good to spend quality time with the Professor, but I have to admit some meetings are more beneficial than others. I wish he could release some sort of curriculum with an indication of what to expect so I can balance my time between recreation and-"

"Yes, true true," he interrupted, flashing a smile at Harper, "Slughorn mentioned his Christmas Party again, I suppose you will be going, right, Potter?"

It felt like the sun started shining on the apples of her cheeks as a blush crept its way. Tonight she noticed how McLaggen's cinnamon cream eyes kept regarding her. She knew it wasn't an accident when he licked ice cream off his finger and glanced her way, the faint gesture of a smirk.

"I should be," she smiled, not wanting to confirm anything yet. Things had a way of going wrong in the girl's life that she never knew what awaited her one month down the track. Not when an evil dark wizard was out there wanting her head.

"Brilliant," he lilted. "Don't forget, Potter, you do owe me," he winked.

Now the sun was beaming on her cheeks as she recalled the other day when McLaggen undoubtedly caught a glimpse of her underwear.

A nervous laugh escaped her. "How could I forget, McLaggen?" She tried to match his badgering timbre, but sudden nerves were pulling at her vocal cords.

He chuckled, before sending Hermione a nod and then walking away from the girls. As soon as he was out of ear shot, a sigh of relief escaped Harper, making her realise how strung up she was in his presence.

"Last time I saw you that nervous you were looking a Hungarian Horntail in the eye," Hermione commented.

She gave her a side-eye frown of offence. "He caught me off guard."

"Explain?"

She just shrugged. "He's pretty cute."

"'Pretty cute' doesn't have you talking like this," her voice went up ten octaves at the end.

She elbowed her friend. "Oh please, I didn't sound like that."

"You definitely sounded like this," she continued the high pitch for both of them to share a giggle. "I guess it's quite clear what your type is, Harper."