Till The End | h.p

still my girl

The day of Sulghorn's Christmas party, Harry sits down about a foot and a half away from Sam in the Great Hall.

"Hey, um- I was wondering, and it's totally okay if you don't want to, but would you maybe want to go to the party with me?"

Sam looks at him for a moment and he panics, "I mean- I just- I'm not sure where we stand and it's okay if you don't-"

"I'd love to," she says simply.

He looks at her in surprise and then hopefulness, "Are you still my girl?"

She gives him a reassuring smile, "Always."

Hermione walks through the hall, heading up to Gryffindor Tower to get ready for the evening ahead, when Malfoy passes by her.

Without stopping he says, "He's been taken care of."

That night, Harry waits outside her room as she puts on her dress. She steps out of her room wearing a black dress that flares out at her hips. It's a simple dress, but she paired it with her mother's necklace and a pair of dangly earrings she found at Grimmauld Place that summer.

He smiles, "You look beautiful, as always."

She returns the smile, "Let's have a good night."

He nods and they walk out of the common room and make their way towards the party. When they arrive, it's already in full swing. Neville walks by and hands them both a drink. Everyone is standing around socializing together when Slughorn comes up to Harry and Sam.

"Shall we have a picture?" He asks them.

Harry looks at Sam and then back to Slughorn, "Sure."

He stands between them so Sam doesn't get uncomfortable as the camera flashes.

"Now, let's have a picture of you both, I think it ought to make the shelf."

Harry smiles and whispers to Sam, "Don't worry, we won't touch, I'm just going to make it seem like my arm is around you, okay?"

She nods gratefully. They stand and smile as the camera flashes once more. Slughorn bids them a good evening and walks off to go speak to other students. They both notice Hermione run behind one of the curtains, so they make their way over and hide behind them too.

"Hermione. What are you doing? And what happened to you?" Harry asks.

"I've just escaped. I mean, I left Cormac under the mistletoe."

"Cormac? That's who you invited?" Sam asks in shock.

"I thought it would annoy Ron the most," she responds, "He's got more tentacles than a Snarfalump plant."

"I don't see Aaron here," Sam acknowledges.

"Oh, right, I forgot," Hermione chuckles, "He's been taken care of. We won't be seeing him again."

Harry looks at her in shock, "What did you do?"

She grins, "I did nothing. I had someone else do it for me," she turns to Sam and whispers, "I told Malfoy. I have no idea what he did, but whatever it was, no one has seen him since."

Sam's jaw drops, "Thank you."

A waiter steps behind the curtain, "Dragon tartare?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you," Hermione responds.

"Just as well. They give one horribly bad breath," he informs.

Hermione grabs the entire plate from him, "On second thought. It might keep Cormac at bay. Oh God, here he comes."

She sneaks off and out of the curtain as Cormac steps behind it. Sam inches backwards to stand behind Harry, a good distance away from him. Harry stands protectively in front of her.

"I think she just went to powder her nose," Harry tells him.

"Slippery little minx, your friend," he responds, "Likes to work her mouth too, doesn't she?"

He begins to shove the food into his mouth, "What is this I'm eating, by the way?"

Harry hesitates, "Dragon balls."

Snape throws back the curtain just as Cormac throws up the food onto his shoes. As he stands up again and meets Snape's glare, his eyes widen in fear. Harry and Sam try to escape.

"You've just bought yourself a month's detention, McLaggan. Not so fast, Potter, Black."

They stop in their tracks and turn to face him, "I only wish to convey a message," Snape states, "From Professor Dumbledore. He asked me to give you his best, and he hopes you enjoy your holiday. You see, he's travelling, and he won't return until term resumes."

"Travelling where?" Harry inquires.

Snape stares at them both for a moment before walking away, leaving them both quite confused. Suddenly, Filch drags Draco into the room and Sam watches intently.

"Take your hands off me, you filthy Squib!" Draco shouts.

"Professor Slughorn, sir. I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party," Filch states.

"Okay, okay. I was gatecrashing. Happy?"

Snape walks up to the two of them, "I'll escort him out."

Draco shrugs off Filch's hand, "Certainly, professor," he spits out.

They both exit the party and Harry turns to Sam before the both agree to follow. They follow Snape and Malfoy into an empty corridor and hide around the corner as they eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Maybe I did hex that Bell girl. Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?" Draco sneers, his usual attitude coming back full force.

"I swore to protect you," Snape whispers aggressively as he pushes him into a wall, "I made the Unbreakable Vow."

"I don't need protection. I was chosen for this. Out of all others. Me. And I won't fail him."

"You're afraid, Draco."

Sam puts a hand over her mouth as they listen in. She suspected all along, but she hoped he wasn't involved.

"You attempt to conceal it, but it's obvious. Let me assist you," Snape continues.

"No! I was chosen. This is my moment."

Harry stares at the wall opposite of them, but Sam nods her head for them to leave. As they get a safe distance away she looks at him.

"Let me talk to him, I can-"

"No, don't you see? I was right, and if I was right about this, who's to say the rest of my dream wasn't accurate."

"Harry, I'm going to talk to him either way."

"I'm sorry, but no. I'm not budging on this. You can be angry with me, that's fine, but it's not happening. I'm not risking it."

She rolls her eyes in agitation, "It's not healthy to try to control me."

"I know," he sighs, "But if you haven't noticed, you tend to throw yourself into life threatening situations-"

"Mostly to save you."

"That's beside the point, I usually don't control your choices or what you do, right?"

She nods halfheartedly, "I mean, yes."

"Well, you keep pushing me on this, but I'm not changing my mind. So the more you push, the more I'm going to control."

"Is it messed up for me to think that's kinda hot?" She blurts without thinking.

He stops walking and turns to look at her in amused shock. She quickly realizes what she said and blushes deeply.

"Oh my God, I didn't mean-"

"No, it's not weird at all. We're not going to be a toxic couple, but if you find it hot..." he shrugs with a smirk.

She laughs, "Shut up."

"Never."