The Boy // A Harry Potter Story

10

Timeskip - 1 week after Hogsmeade

"Hey," Calliope appeared behind me, as I got used to her doing.

"Hi," I greeted happily. I had a very important question to ask her.

"How was your week?" she asked, as we walked back from what had quickly become her favorite subject, Herbology.

"Enlightening." I said. "Yours?"

"Boring." she said calmly.

"Oh. Well, I have a favor for you."

"Name it." she smiled.

"Okay." I breathed in. "Can you... sense any ghost?"

"Sometimes. Not always," she replied, interested. "But most of the time, yes."

"Can you maybe, TRY to sense my parents?" I asked, scrunching my eyes closed. "Oh. Of course!" she said. "What were their names?"

"Sierra and Sebastian Simberly." I answered.

"Kay." she closed her eyes. She swayed softly. I didn't really expect her to do it right away, but she was. She hummed a little.

"They.... I can't sense them in the spirit world." she said in a soothed voice.

"I didn't think you would." I replied.
"Huh?" Calliope broke free of her trance and looked at me. I didn't think it was my imagination that her eyes seemed bluer and brighter than normal.

"Oh.. nothing...." then I stopped. I couldn't lie to Calliope. I just couldn't. "Draco Malfoy says they're alive. Even though we've spent our whole lives knowing they're dead."

For the first time since I met her, Calliope displayed an emotion that wasn't casual nonchalantness. She gasped and held my hand tightly. "The dead....the living.... It's all very confusing. But I'm right here, if you need me."

"Thanks," I smiled and hugged her, happy to have her who understands.

***

I made my way back to the Common Room, splitting with Calliope who went to the Ravenclaw Common Room. What a surprise to see none other than Draco Malfoy sitting on a sofa by the merry fire. I reluctantly went over, something very different than my parents on the mind.

"Hey." I said, sitting in the same chair but on the complete opposite end.

"Hey." he said, and I could tell he was already interested.

"Um." I said. Plainly.

"Yeah?" he asked, turning to me.

"You said... when we were in the Three Broomsticks... and I asked you about why you called me Jewel-"

"I meant it." There it was again- the steel grey meeting to my sapphire eyes. But a weird feeling followed it... like a million butterflies flying free in my stomach, a melty feeling reaching my face, yet being splashed in the face with cold, cold water.

"Oh. Uh." I muttered, trying to think.

"Hey. You guys never offered me a reward for telling you all that stuff." he shrugged. "You owe me. Three Broomsticks. 8 on Saturday."

"Are... are you asking me out?" I blinked.

"No... I'm telling you out." Draco smiled and winked. Then got up and left the Common Room, swaggering more than ever.