Written In The Stars IV -[Harry Potter xF!Oc]

Chapter Twenty-Five: Quick Lies.

Ron and Hermione were speaking to each other, but it was ridiculously formal. When they told her about what they'd heard about Hagrid, Hermione wasn't surprised, quite the contrary, she firmly believed that it meant nothing and Mel had to admit she was right, Hagrid was as dangerous as her cat.

Then Harry tried to apologize again after breakfast, but she refused to hear it. She interrupted his speech and said he was her oldest friend, it just felt right to go together, no pity whatsoever, in her mind Harry was the fittest option. That was only half true, but he didn't need to hear the rest.

The thing was that after their talk, Harry became a bit more... touchy. In the literal sense of the word. Mel liked the feeling of his arm around her shoulders and the soft and gentle ways he'd touch her to get her attention. She particularly enjoyed when he sat beside her in the common room and laid his head on her lap so she could play with his hair. 

One time he'd even kissed her cheek to wish her a good night (the twins were there to witness it, to her dismay). Parvati asked her once if they were dating, but Mel had laughed it off. She could be in denial all she wanted, but she wasn't sure that they weren't, in fact, something. 

However, she was handling it just fine until Hermione pointed it out. 

They were on their way to Care of Magical Creatures, Harry hadn't done anything to confuse her that day -yet- and he and Ron were walking ahead, talking about their Divination homework.

"Don't you think it's time you admit it?" Hermione asked her.

"Admit what?"

"There's something going on," Hermione replied. "Harry's acting weird and–"

"Thank God, I'm not the only one!" Mel grabbed her hand in distress and pulled her closer. "I don't know what's happening! He's been acting really sweet but... I don't know what I did to get this reaction– Did you say something to him?"

"No– Wait, you're not together?"

"That's what I'm saying! I talked to him the day after the ball and it was normal– and then he was all... I dunno, feely-touchy!" She exclaimed in a hurried whisper.

Hermione remained quiet for a long time, so long that she only spoke again until they reached Hagrid's cabin.

"Meet me in our room after dinner," Was all she said after turning back to where Hagrid was supposed to meet them... only that this time, Hagrid was nowhere to be seen.

"Hurry up, now, the bell rang five minutes ago," A woman told them in a bossy voice. 

"Who're you?" said Ron. "Where's Hagrid?"

"My name is Professor Grubbly-Plank. I am your temporary Care of Magical Creatures teacher."

"Where's Hagrid?" Harry asked again.

"He is indisposed," said the woman, wasting no time and redirecting her attention towards the rest of the class.

Behind them, Draco Malfoy let out a dry chuckle when he heard the news. All of the Slytherin class looked jolly, it was probably the first time Mel'd seen them walk to class in such a cheerful mood.

"This way, please," Professor Grubbly-Plank interrupted her thoughts as she guided them to where the Beauxbatons horses were kept. 

"What's wrong with Hagrid?" Harry said. The Professor heard him and answered once more in her blunt voice.

"Never you mind."

"I do mind, though," said Harry in his how-dare-you voice. "What's up with him?"