Obiter Dictum

Tucked away in a corner of Hogwarts library was a table that over looked the lake and the hills surrounding it. If you were to come round the corner of shelves, you would find a boy sitting at the table, bent over a piece of parchment, writing slowly and deliberately. Once in a while he would bring his head up, intense green eyes scanning the parchment, and then moving his eyes to look out the window and take in his surroundings.

"Harry! There you are!"

Harry whipped around to see Hermione standing at the end of the row of shelves with her hands on her hips. She had grown into her body beautifully over the summer holidays. Hell, everyone had, mused Harry. Ron was a lucky guy. They had been dating for quite some time, now.

Harry himself had changed over the summer as well. His features were a little more chiseled looking, giving his face definition and angles that most of the girls (and some of the boys as well) had taken notice of. His eyes had taken on a darker green tinge and once in a while shown a bright jade green when he was happy. Quidditch had certainly taken its toll on Harry's body. He was of course, still tall and lanky. But his well toned arms were just discernible when his robes clung the right way, and his stomach taught with abdomen muscles that were a consequence of Harry's strict work-out regimen over the summer.

"Now get a move on, we're going to be late for double Potions!"

Harry's eyes widened. "Hermione, what day is it? Are you sure we have Potions?"

Hermione was getting exasperated. "It's Tuesday and yes I'm sure, now let's go!" Hermione moved forward to help Harry collect his things.

She picked up a piece of random parchment off the desk. "Working on your Transfigurations essay?" she asked as she unfolded it. Harry made a lunge to grab it but missed. He continued his attempts but was held off by Hermione, whose face had gone from curiosity and concentration to confusion as she read the parchment.

"I hate you. I know that's a lousy way to start a love letter, but it's true!? Harry who is this for?" she asked, curious and astounded at the same time.

Harry felt himself go a brilliant shade of red as he muttered, "No one," and grabbed the parchment out of Hermione's hands and all the other ones he decided were trash. "Let's go." Harry swept past Hermione and out of the library. Hermione looked at Harry inquiringly, but decided not to press the matter any further. She shrugged and followed him out.

On the floor near the table in the corner was a bit of parchment that had fallen from Harry's sheaf of papers.

* * *

Draco Malfoy sauntered to his usual spot in the library. The table was in front of a window that had an enjoyable view of the lake and hills.

He came here often to read or do school work, or to just get away from the hubbub of the school. A Malfoy needed his time and space away from the others.

Today he was here to read and do some serious relaxation after an especially tough Potions lesson. Normally Potions did not post a problem for Draco, but today's lesson was particularly difficult. That's seventh year potions for you, thought Draco.

Draco settled his lithe form into the chair and propped his feet up on the table. He knew Madam Pince would come and scold him for this, but he didn't care. Draco shook his platinum blonde hair out of his silver-gray eyes and looked out at the lake, thinking about Potter's strange behaviour today.

Normally the other boy's movements were smooth but quick, like when he played Quidditch, but today they were erratic and clumsy and his hands shook. Once in a while Draco would catch Harry staring at him, and Harry would blush furiously and look away.

Potter's looks however were exquisite. Draco had noticed how Potter's robes clung to him and how when he stretched before getting up to leave; his shirt had drawn tight over his muscled stomach. There had always been something about Potter that Draco found appealing, but now even more so after these last summer holidays. Even the messy hair had an attractive quality.

Harry Potter was hot. Especially when he blushed.

As Draco moved his eyes from the window to his book, his thoughts became distracted as he eyed a piece of parchment that someone had left unawares.

Draco bent down to grab it.

It's a letter, thought Draco with interest as he settled down to read it, book forgotten on his lap.

"I hate you. I know that it's a lousy way to start a love letter, but it's true. You've ruined my life, and I'll never forgive you. There are a thousand things I should be worrying about right now not the least of which is my classes, but I can't concentrate on a single one of them. How am I supposed to be the saviour of the wizarding world if I can't hold a single thought in my head but you?

Every day I see you torment, but when I don't I think I might die. Has Voldemort sent you here to do what he has never been able to do? You could kill me with a word, break my spirit, destroy the tiny spark of my soul you haven't already taken possession of. And -."

That's where it ended. Draco's curiosity was at top level and he turned the paper over several times in frustration to find the rest. Whoever this person was really hated - and loved the other person, thought Draco as he reread the letter. The untidy scrawl was strangely familiar. He'd seen it before on potion vile labels in class.

Harry Potter.

Draco's eyes went wide. Harry Potter was in love. Draco sighed and settled into the chair again. And found it very hard to concentrate on his book.