When The Heart Lies

CHAPTER 3

Blush

"Whoa!"

Draco Malfoy sat on the velvety couch frozen. Whether in amazement or in fright, he wasn't sure. They were all mixed up. Questions were randomly popping out of his mind, but nothing escaped his mouth. His voice box seemed to have shut down and his tongue - all curled up.

His currently dilated gray eyes though were kept focused on the coffee-brown notebook whose wheat-colored pages lay wide open for him to see. Yet, there was nothing to see - no writing, no name, nil. All there was to be seen were the wrinkled pages and unexpectedly, a split-second flash of what Draco thought was 'March 03, 1995', instantly followed by a sudden gush of ink ripples.

"Bloody hell!" blurted Draco, now with even more widened eyes.

A group of third year girls in the nearby table had suddenly turned their attention towards Draco. Draco irritably shot the girls a deadly stare.

"Did I ask you to watch?" Draco kept his eyes on the four stiffly sitting girls as he adjusted his cloak to reveal his well-polished wand. The girls immediately scooped up their sundaes and ate quite hurriedly.

Meanwhile, as the girls shortly drew Draco's attention, the ink ripples converged towards the center of the notebook. In a jiffy, the ripples were reduced to a single circular ink blot which suddenly shot itself up and out of the notebook where it quickly disappeared - or more precisely, evaporated and instantly transformed into...

"Shite! Did I just say - Did I just think that?! Perfect, fifty billion points from Gryffindor!"

Draco reverted back his attention to the queer notebook showing even more interest. "What?"

Instantaneously, the notebook again flashed the same date. Then, ripples of ink converged and erupted at the notebook's center. Draco was bewildered at the site: it was like a miniature firework of black shiny ink! He leaned closer to the notebook. What excited him most were the ink's disappearance and the sudden resonance of the intriguing voice of the mystery girl.

"What? Now, I'm blushing? Ugh! Had Snape just continued with the lesson and not - argh! I wouldn't have this distraction! What was I even thinking? A devout Slytherin isn't a good distraction; he's destruction! How could I even consider calling myself a Mrs. H--"

"MALFOY!"

"Son of a goblin!" Draco impulsively snapped the notebook shut, and as though hit by a thousand volts, stood very upright.

He murderously glared at the massive boy who called out his name. Being short of 'electrically shocked' wasn't really his idea of a 'hello.' "VINCENT CRABBE!"

Crabbe, wearing a black shirt with a large orange 'V' on it, nervously dropped the three paper bags he was carrying. Something tells him that the boggart in his old closet will have a new form to imitate next time.

* * *

"PIG!" Hermione Granger grabbed hold of the box of owl treats Pigwidgeon just bumped into. "No Pigwidgeon, stop that!"

Hermione had just entered Magical Menagerie some seconds ago (she wanted to replenish her stock of treats for the delivery owls), and already she had run to and fro the shop's every corner, saving cages, boxes and bottles from falling.

"I'll take this," said an exasperated Hermione as she handed some sickles to the witch behind the counter. The witch could only crease her face and drop her jaw in response at the almost disastrous site.

Hermione shoved the box into her already packed backpack when she turned her pinkish apologetic face back at the witch. "Keep the change."

She hurriedly opened the door and glared at the flying creature. Soon after hearing the clink of the chimes, the little tawny owl cheerfully flew - or rather danced - its way out of the store. Hermione ruefully bowed her head down as she let the door go and walked away.

"I would NEVER go in a store with YOU again!" She marched her way on the crowded street while running her fingers on her messed up hair. "You hear me?"

She turned her head back at the little owl still cheerfully hooting and dancing in circles a few feet from her. Catching her attention more, however, was a slim girl in a pink dress, who was about to enter Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

"How nice," she muttered while snobbishly rolling her eyes. "First Goyle, then her!"

She continued to walk with her hands on the straps of her backpack. Her thoughts though remained at the other end of the street.

Good thing then that I left before Pansy or any other person arrived. Otherwise I'd have an even worse morning - what with her flaunting that skimpy dress all over Malfoy, she thought as she beamed at Susan Bones, who had also given her a warm smile as she passed by. After some five steps, the thoughts finally sunk in her, making her to suddenly stop in the middle of the street. "Oh, shite..."

Her eyes roamed in every direction, surveying every creature near her. She was also controlling her breath as though no breathable air was available.

"Other thoughts, other thoughts..." she muttered trying to shake the picture of two teenagers out of her mind. Finally producing the thought that she had seemed to have lost her companion, she blurted, "Pigwidgeon!"

She sharply turned around to look for the little owl, not realizing that it was right behind her. She ended up almost kissing the bird's whole face.

"Eew!" She backed off, waving her hand frantically in front of her face. She was about to scold the bird, but decided not to. After all, she reasoned. It didn't listen to anyone but its deranged little mind. Even Ron gave up on telling it off. The scenario would have been really stupid.

Instead, she made an angry sound and stomped her way to Diagon Alley's famous bookstore. Pigwidgeon simply hooted and followed the pink-faced Hermione.

* * *

As crowded as Diagon Alley might be, the place's leading bookshop wasn't. One could actually do jumping jacks without worry of tripping over anyone - not that they would do that (with the exception of the prankster Jack Trickety who caused the place to do major renovations some years ago). The reason was not bad business, for the books were stilling selling hot in the market. Too hot, actually, for that matter - literally - that instead of crowding inside the 'sizzling' bookstore, the customers had to line up outside Flourish and Blotts.

"What's taking Hermione?" asked a dark-haired teenager.

"It's not Hermione that's taking long, Harry," said a redhead boy. "It's that stupid owl again fluttering around like some nasty little pixie--"

"Ron!" yelled the girl beside Ron Weasley. "You're treating Pigwidgeon like it's not your pet!"

Ron was preparing to defend himself but his sister spoke again before he let air pass into his mouth. "Besides, I'm sure Pigwidgeon's already delivered the message. Hermione's probably struggling against the crowd by now."

"Ginny's right, Ron," added Harry Potter. "Maybe she was just finishing some book or essay."

"Book?" said Ron, relieving his face from his scowl. "How could she read a book on the last day of summer?"

"Well, you know Hermione!" Harry smiled and shrugged.

"Well, speaking of..." Ginny motioned her head towards her right. "Looks like somebody joined the troll marathon."

Harry and Ron both looked at the direction of the girl striding her way towards the bookshop. Both boys immediately had smiles of 'hello' on their faces as their best friend neared. Harry stepped forward to give his friend a friendly hug. His arms however stayed hanging in the air. The girl, whose head was slightly bowed, walked completely past them.

Harry looked at the girl who just ignored him, and then at his two companions. "What was that?"

"Oy, Hermione!" called out Ron. "Not running off to the library now, are we?"

Hearing out her name, Hermione slowed her pace down and turned around. Suddenly figuring out the scenario, she walked towards them, again, and greeted each of them quite fondly, while giving each a hug. Well, maybe not Ron who still had that awkward expression on his face every time Hermione would try to hug them.

"Harry! Ginny! Ron!"

Ron instead of accepting the hug offered a high five instead.

"Ron, there isn't a library here, you know?" said Hermione as she placed a hand on her waist. "It's on the other side."

Ron had a disbelieving expression on his face. Harry and Ginny both chuckled.

"Still, you completely missed us." Ron crossed his arms smugly.

"Well," said Hermione as she held on the straps of her backpack. "I didn't see you."

"We were right in your face," said Ron continuing his interrogation.

"Ron," said Harry, giving his friend a 'give-it-up' look. "Maybe she had some things on her mind."

"Or maybe, she had someone on her mind." Ginny teasingly smiled at her friend.

"Eh," said Ron in a slightly higher tone. "What someone? Who's someone?"

"Ho-" Hermione changed her mind and instead said, "Please!" 'Honestly' wasn't really the honest thing to say.

Fortunately for Hermione, Ron wouldn't be able to continue his 'spy' work at the moment. It was their turn to enter the hot bookstore.

"Our turn!" exclaimed Ginny while tapping her brother. "Oh Ron, here's my list. You'll go get my books right so I'll have to stay here, out of the heat and wait."

"What?" Ron said not believing a word of his sister's speedy talk.

"Oh, you're a great brother, thanks!" Ginny then pushed Ron in the bookstore and waved goodbye.

"What about you?" Harry asked Hermione before entering the store.

"I've already bought them." Hermione backed away from the store's door. "I'll stay here with Ginny."

"Alright." Harry, whose face was already filled with sweat, entered the door.

"We'll be at the benches!" Ginny shouted before the door finally closed.

The two girls walked side by side towards one of the empty benches across Flourish and Blotts. Hermione finally relieved her back from her heavy bag by placing it in between her and Ginny. Ginny kept malevolently grinning at her.

"So?" Ginny began.

"Oh gosh! Pigwidgeon!" blurted Hermione.

"Oh, don't worry about it." Ginny shrugged her shoulders. "It probably went somewhere to hunt or something. It'll come back later. Anyway, as I was about to say what-"

"Where's Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione looked at Ginny with too-interested eyes.

Ginny looked at her curiously before answering. "She's at home with Fred and George. She wanted to have this 'bonding' with them before their last year. Actually, they're grounded, and she wanted to personally see to it that they don't do a single Wiggling Cauldron before we go off to Hogwarts."

"Oh!" Hermione nodded.

"You're changing the subject."

"How's Mr. Weasley's job?"

Both girls looked at each other after speaking in unison. Ginny had a knowing smile. Hermione had a defensive expression.

"I'm not!" Hermione said. "Besides, we didn't have any subject."

"Uh-huh," muttered Ginny sarcastically.

"We didn't!"

"What were you thinking about again?"

"I wasn't thinking of anyone!" said Hermione. "I just didn't see you."

"Hermione," Ginny smiled as she said her name. "I asked what, not who. Well, tried to ask really; you kept interrupting."

"It's the same thing!" Hermione continued to argue as she adjusted her dress.

"Well, coming from you, it's not." Ginny was triumphantly smiling. "Come on Hermione! Spill it out!"

"There's nada Ginny, nada!" Her face resembled their house color.

"Oh come on!" Persistence was really one of Ginny's assets. "There must be something interesting that happened in Bulgaria!"

"Oh!" That's good! Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I didn't go. Mom wouldn't let me. So, Viktor just sent me this."

She pulled out a slim box from the side pocket of her bag. She carefully opened the box to reveal a delicately carved crystal vial. It was beautifully shaped like a blooming rose. Inside the vial was a pink concentrated liquid. Emerging from the rose's center was the sweet and mesmerizing scent of...

"A rose-filled heaven!" Ginny exclaimed. "It smells so nice!"

"Yeah, he gave me three." She held the rose and gave it to Ginny. "He said it's a product from their rose farm in Bulgaria. I think the perfume's called Blush."

"The vial's so gorgeous!" Ginny said holding out the rose in front of her face. "And the smell's just so hypnotically sweet!"

Hermione giggled. "Wanna give it a try?"

"Yeah, you may want to give it a try Weasley," drawled a voice mockingly. A slim shadow was cast between the two girls, revealing the person that neither of them wanted to see that day or any day actually. "After all, a family of your status could never afford such a thing."

* * *

Draco had crossed his arms and looked smugly at the two girls on the benches. Crabbe and Goyle, who were as usual - behind him, gave out a low-pitched snicker.

He raised his eyebrow and stared at the red-eared Ginny. His mind though was focused on the other girl on the bench.

So that Krum gave her an expensive perfume... big deal! He tried to shift his gaze at Hermione but thought otherwise.

"Well Weasley, go on and use it." Shifting his 'anger' to another person was a habit. "Oh how foolish of me! You wouldn't know how to use it. You aren't--"

"Shut it Malfoy!" Hermione was glaring at him.

And she just had to speak up! Draco thought as he finally looked at her. Still the bushy soft hair, beautifully contoured face, mesmerizing eyes... grown a few inches -

"Why don't you just get lost!" Ginny said as she stood up to face Draco.

Draco eyed her from top to bottom before replying. "I apparently am! Imagine I'm now talking to a lowly creature!"

"Then why don't you go and find your way back to your little tramp!"

* * *

Hermione stood up beside her friend with a look that seemed to be shock. Oh gosh! I said that out loud...

Draco, Ginny, and even the clueless Crabbe and Goyle were looking at her. Ginny had the same shocked expression as Hermione. Crabbe and Goyle just stared at her since, well, they saw the rest doing it. Draco's shocked eyes were later on softened with a glint coupled with a slight grin. It was really not in Hermione's character to curse or to say mean words - harsh meanings in well-chosen words, maybe, but not blatant words.

Draco took a step closer to Hermione. "Granger, didn't the Muggles teach you any manners?"

"They certainly taught me more than the Purebloods did to you." She looked him intently straight in the eye. This is a bad idea Hermione!

Draco glared back. After about three seconds, he broke free from her eyes and smirked. He seized the crystal rose from Ginny's hands and held its stem elegantly.

What is he doing? Hermione watched Draco raise the perfume in front of his face. And why did he have to look charming this way?

"Give it back," asserted Ginny. "That's Hermione's!"

"Another hotheaded Weasley, I see." Draco glanced at Ginny before returning his eyes back at Hermione. "Pity that Krum couldn't have better judgments."

He tapped the rose once before shoving it to Hermione's hands. The sweet scent of the perfume gradually spread over them. Perhaps the perfume was being true to its name that all five of them seemed to have blushed. Then again, each had a different for blushing. Some had obvious reasons like the one with some clothes stains, the one with girly shopping bags, and the other one with embarrassment. The other two were just some curious cases.

The little prat! What is he blushing for now? Though it's nice to see colors in his face - adds to the charm... Oh sheesh! Honestly, Hermione Granger!

"Bugger off, Malfoy!" shouted Ron Weasley a few feet from the rosy-faced teenagers. Harry was right beside him.

"Ron! Harry!"

Draco turned, swishing his cloak smoothly. "Ooh, Potty and Weasel!"

"Leave them alone, Malfoy!" said Harry firmly as they reached the benches. "Bugger off."

"Protecting your girlfriend Potter?" Draco sneered. Crabbe and Goyle automatically chuckled since it was the only intelligible thing they could do at the moment besides standing beside Draco as if they were his bodyguards.

Harry reached for his wand. Ron was about to do the same. Both had red cheeks - either because the perfume mystical aroma or they were mad or some other things.

Hermione, on the other hand, impulsively went between her two best friends and held their wand hands. "No magic outside Hogwarts, remember?" she whispered. Besides, I still feel guilty for that train event at the start of summer.

Draco smirked. "I'm wasting my time here with lowlife creatures."

Okay, maybe not that guilty, now that he's talking. She gave a sideways stare at Draco who gave the group a last scrutiny before leaving. Crabbe and Goyle both sneered at the four then turned to follow their leader. But, even as they walked, the scent of the perfume still lingered on their noses.