Chapter 45: Not Good For Her!

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In reply she turns and runs away, straight up the girls stairs.

"You have a gift, mate," Harry says, chuckling as he comes up from behind me. "I don't think anyone surprises or confuses her as much as you do."

"Make her angry, you mean," I say. "And I rather think it's a curse."

"Oh, Ron might give you a run for your money with that one. You wanna head up?"

"Sure." Once we enter the currently empty room, I watch him for his reaction. "She's a pretty girl, you know."

He jerks when he hears that. "What? Hermione?"

"Yeah. Let me guess, you've known her since before she grew into one, so you've never looked at her like that before."

He's silent for a moment. "What are you trying to say?"

I shrug. "Only that. I don't think anybody else our age realizes it yet. Even her. Especially her."

"What do you mean?"

"Well just think about it: the other girls plaster on the makeup and do their hair, but she doesn't do any of that. I don't think she particularly needs to, either, because guys like you and me can see right through that. But she doesn't try to draw attention to herself, that's why nobody else has figured it out."

Harry turns to me with an unreadable expression. "Do you like her?"

I grin. "Of course I like her. But..." My grin falters and I look away. "I'm not right for her."

"Look, I'm rubbish at this sort of thing, but I don't think that's true at all. Frankly I thought you'd be together by now. You two were inseparable less than a day after you met!"

I didn't answer for several moments. "No, it's my...past...my secrets. I'm not...it can't work."

Harry shuffles uncomfortably. "If you say so."

I sigh. "I do. What about you? I've already established that you love her." My grin returns.

He grimaces. "That was quite awkward, springing that on me earlier."

"Sorry, I felt like you should know."

"I'm not sure that it helps. I mean, I'd never thought of her as more than a really good friend."

"Well, that's how it starts, eh? Personally I think you only considered Ron your best mate because he's a guy. Hermione's the one that's always looked out for you. Even when you were angry at her for getting your Firebolt taken away, she was really just scared for you."

The thoughtful silence returns. Several moments later, he replies. "I know, but I'm not right for her either."

"Why not?"

He looks at me pointedly. "Did you even hear any of the things you told me yesterday?"

I return the stern look. "I specifically recall the part where I said you're not going to die."

"But it's not certain, is it? How could I be with anybody knowing that's looming over me?"

"I'm sure there is a wise proverb out there that says something about how you shouldn't be afraid to live your life."

"Well, you must have butchered it because I'm not reassured at all."

"I'll have Hermione look it up for me and she can reassure you then," I say, getting a small smile out of him. "Seriously though, you'll go mad if you focus on your supposed destiny all the time. We just need to take one challenge at a time, starting with getting you ready for the First Task, whatever it is."

"I won't have much time for girls in that case," he says with a frown. "I tend to be rather busy."

"Nonsense! You already spend lots of time with Hermione."

"Yeah, but that's for school and other stuff. Which you know about."

"Hey, I'm pretty good with leaving you guys alone when you need some alone time."

Harry rolls his eyes. "It's Hermione, William."

"Yes, yes it is," I say with a grin.

"You're awful. I...don't know if I can think of her like that. It feels like...like I shouldn't."

"Well you don't have to do anything differently. In fact that's a surefire way to make it awkward for both of you. Just act normally. And if you happen to see an opening, just lean in a bit—"

"I can't do that!" He cuts me off quickly, then shakes his head. "I think you're a bad influence, William."

I grin. "You and Hermione think alike."

He snorts. "I really should stop talking to you now." He looks over at me with a solemn expression. "I never said thank you for what you've told me and done for me so far. So thank you, William. I really appreciate it."

"No problem, Harry. Just doing what I think any friend would do."

He shakes his head. "Not just any friend. You're a good friend, William."

"Good friends, then."

He nods firmly. "Good friends." He turns and busies himself preparing for bed. When we're both about ready to climb into bed, he clears his throat. "That's really creepy how you know about the Firebolt thing and all that other stuff, by the way."

"Sorry about that," I say, then I mutter, "I have to admit it's rather creepy for me, too."

"What?"

"Nothing. Good night, Harry."

"Good night, William."

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If I didn't feel so bad the whole situation in the greenhouse might be hilarious. Of course the Hufflepuffs are glaring at Harry for ruining their House's chance for glory...even Sprout is short with him. In retaliation, some of the Gryffindors are glaring back. Ron appears to be glaring at everybody. But on top of that, Hermione keeps glaring at me over Harry's head.

"It's a good thing that looks can't kill...these Bouncing Bulbs would have to pot themselves. Seriously, are we going for a Hogwarts record for most glares in a single class?"

Harry snorts and several more glares are turned my way. "You get used to it," he says with a shrug.

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