Something About Harry: The Lilia Watt Files

Chapter Three

"I'm going study for the Arithmancy test on Monday, Ariana. See you later," I told her as I exited through the portrait hole.

"Bye," she called back.

I walked sullenly down the stairs to the library, with so much on my mind. I missed the trick step - nothing new - and my foot sank into it. "Damn it!" I said, rather louder than I meant to.

"Need a hand?" queried a familiar voice behind me.

Oh, no, not again. Not him...was it? Of course. Potter.

"We seem to be running into each other a lot," he said smilingly, with a nervous sort of laugh as he lifted me out of the step.

"Thank you," I answered miserably, as I sat down on the staircase massaging my ankle. "I hate that step," I said resentfully. "Don't you have somewhere to go, Potter?" The weight of my stress was getting to me. I won't break, I won't let Ginny be right, I'm not going to let anyone see me cry, I promised myself.

"What's wrong?" he asked, obviously noticing my tone.

I bit my quivering bottom lip. "Nothing, I just...."

"It doesn't sound like nothing," he said seriously.

"What would you know?" I returned angrily, standing and starting toward the library. "As if Famous Potter has any problems........"

"Lilia, wait," he said, ignoring my comment, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back. "You.... can trust me."

I shook violently out of fury at Ginny and all the people who'd laughed at me, and spoke randomly.

"No, no I can't, I can't trust anyone...my best friend - no, my ex-best friend - was she ever my friend at all? Well, she hates me, all over something stupid...you're the last person I would tell, I don't even know you!"

I yanked my wrist from his grasp, fighting my tears as I stormed in the direction of library once more. Harry just stood there for a moment, looking hurt and slightly bewildered, then, having reached a decision, ran after me, standing in my way.

"Wait," he said plaintively. "If this has to do with Ginny, I can help, right?"

"No," I sputtered, "It's not all to do with Ginny, but you can't fix it anyway. Not you." I blinked furiously to clear my vision.

"I...want...to help," he said, sounding as though it were difficult to get the words out.

I didn't want to tell him anything. He wouldn't understand, he was everyone's "perfect child", what a joke...... "Look, I don't know what you're after, but don't think I haven't already read all about you and your glory seeking......"

I had hit a nerve. "Blasted Rita Skeeter!" he exploded. "Don't believe everything you read. You said it yourself, you don't know me." His voice became calmer. "Now tell me. I'll listen."

I broke down; the words tumbled from my mouth before I could stop them. "I hate this school, I hate being a witch - though I'm nearly a Muggle - I hate being thought of as a awkward dunderheaded prat!" By this point, I was sobbing unrestrainedly, and I buried my face in my arms, sitting back down on the staircase.

Harry sat beside me and put an arm awkwardly around me. I couldn't help myself; I just let it all go, crying through my hair onto his shoulder. He simply sat there, silent, letting me finish.

"I don't think of you as a prat," answered Harry finally.

"Y- you don't?" I sniffed, looking up with my face all wet.

"No," he said firmly. "Lilia, I'm sure you're a good person, and one day you will be a great witch. Then you can say 'Ha, look at what I've become!'"

"That's easy for you to say. You're the 'Boy Who Lived' and everyone loves you. You've escaped Lord Voldemort four times. You're already a great wizard," I managed, gasping.

"You can hardly expect yourself to ever be a great wizard," he told me, trying to wipe my tears.

I dodged his hand and laughed weakly.

"Besides, being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be, people staring at me wherever I go....misleading newsprint..."

"Oh, people do stare at me, because I'm tripping over one thing or another," I said, sniffing again.

"That can't be true," Harry replied.

I gave a hollow laugh.

"Aw, come on, dry your eyes. Where were you headed anyway?"

"The library," I answered in a small voice.

He grinned. "Shall I...walk you there?"

"Can't say I didn't warn you," I grinned back.

"Come visit me in the hospital wing," he joked.

I suppose this could be called something of a turning point. I wasn't completely convinced, though...

"Lilia?" Harry said, jerking me out of my thoughts. "Did you really want to study?"

I shook my head sheepishly. "How could you tell?"

"Well, for one, you were drooling on the book."

"Ew. Oops.," I said, mortified.

He laughed. "So...what's really wrong between you and Ginny?"

"Don't be nosy. I can't tell you."

"Sorry," he answered, backing away. He didn't pursue the subject, for which I was grateful.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"I mean, why are you even bothering to talk to me?"

He quirked an eyebrow. "Is there...something wrong with that?"

"No. Yes."

"Does this have anything to do with what you think I'm like? Honestly, Rita Skeeter made up all of it. The most I've ever said to her is 'Erm'."

We talked a lot that day. A lot. It was amazing how little I really knew about him, and how what people said was different from reality.

"Myth or fact...Parselmouth?"

"Fact. I didn't even know until I talked to that boa constrictor in the zoo."

"Weird...I hate snakes. Erm...myth or fact...heir of Slytherin?"

"Myth, that's some stupid rumour Ernie MacMillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley started." He grinned. "My turn..."

I laughed nervously.

"Er...pumpkin juice stain on library copy of Hogwarts, A History?"

"Whoa, myth. Ariana did that, and I took the wrap."

"Oh, okay. That nasty burn on Snape's hand?"

I smiled maliciously. "All me. He was grading a Pepper Potion, and I accidentally knocked a beaker into the cauldron, and it made a big splash. Too bad he covered his face with his hands," I finished sadly.

We talked late into the night, leaving only when Madam Pince shooed us out.

There was a bit of an awkward moment, as it was midnight when we got back to the common room.

"Ooh, what were you two doing out this late?" asked the Fat Lady, winking.

"Medea," replied Harry, rolling his eyes as the Fat Lady swung forward. We climbed into the common room, and approached the stairs.

"Well...thanks, Harry," I said with a smile.

"No problem," he answered, flashing a gorgeous smile back at me.

My head spun as I tried to sleep that night...he sure was nice, like Ginny had said...ooo, Ginny, she's been so awful to me...but I don't even like Harry...do I? Does he like me? Why do I care, I don't even know him. Will I feel terrible from lack of sleep tomorrow morning? What if......