the chariot 12-20

12

It was Wednesday afternoon and unseasonably warm. The weather had not quite made up it's mind, and so had started the day off with a few showers and then brightened up considerably, lightening up the grounds.

Harry, Ron and Hermione, decided that they might possibly hit the books after lunch as they had the afternoon free. Hermione was starting to get end of year exam jitters.

'Hermione calm down, the exams aren't till next term. We have ages and ages,' Ron said in vain as they walked down to the library.

'No Ron, we have to do really well in these exams. They count towards next year! If we do badly we might have to drop a subject and then our second year will be totally ruined!' Hermione looked frazzled.' I really think we should start pacing ourselves, seriously. '

Harry gave a small smile, ' I'm sure you'll be fine Hermione,' he said his eyes twinkling.

He was in a good mood today. A lot better than he had been yesterday morning. Yesterday, he had woken up feeling worried and fretful. Draco had been avoiding him and Harry had felt the beginnings of slight panic swirl around in his stomach. But then Draco's kisses and words had reassured him greatly.

Objectively speaking though, he was usually in quite a good mood nowadays. Previously he had pushed all his thoughts and emotions to the back of his mind, allowing himself to feel nothing most of the time. But Draco had sparked off a flame of happiness inside of him, which he hoped would not extinguish.

He smiled happily and Hermione gave him a puzzled look.

'It's just not right Harry for you to be smiling so much,' she said dismissively, gripping the large books in her hand.

Immediately Harry's smile froze on his face.

He looked on as Ron tried to ease Hermione's burden by adding two books from her pile to his. Ginny caught up with them as they reached the entrance of the library.

'Thought I'd get a start on my History of Magic essay,' she said coming up close.

'Look Herm, Ginny is the one doing her OWLs this year, not us. We should be taking it easy. We deserve to,' Ron said.

Hermione didn't answer and Ginny shot Harry a smile. They watched Hermione untangle her hair from the shoulder strap of her bag.

'Lets get in shall we,' Ron sighed and they finally went into the library.

It was mostly packed with fifth and seventh year students.

'See,' Ron exclaimed, ' hardly any sixth years in sight. They have the sense to be out enjoying the sunshine and us ...' he trailed off due to a murderous glance from Hermione.

'Us being conscientious, are smart doing all this extra homework,' Ron finished off.

Ginny eyed a table and they ran to it quickly, putting their bags down. Hermione dropped her bag on the table and was off like a shot to the bookcases as the others sat down.

'She's lost it,' Ron muttered. 'She had a dream last night that she had failed her NEWTs and was being put back into the first year. I told her that was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard in my life but she's been on edge all morning.'

Harry looked at him, 'she'll settle down,' Ron nodded.

'Not that you're much better. You've been like Hermione number two,' he gave Harry a meaningful glance.

Harry stayed silent and took out some books. Hermione's earlier comment had dumped a bucket full of ice-cold water over him.

A few minutes later, Harry glanced around the library, his sixth sense pricking his ears like a little dog. He could always tell if Draco was nearby. And he was not wrong.