From Friendship, True Love Springs

Harry Potter fanfiction 3

Harry and Ron were sitting in the Gryffindor common room, Ron told Harry all about his latest run in with Malfoy. Ron also confessed what he felt about Hermione. Harry knew already of course, he would have to be stupid if he hadn't already guessed. He didn't tell Ron this and pretended that he was surprised by what Ron was telling him.

After Ron had finished, they tried to work out what they were going to do about Malfoy.

"He's got something to blackmail us with now, hasn't he?" said Ron glumly.

"We're going to have to do whatever he tells us to, to keep him quiet," added Harry.

"Only me though," said Ron. "You don't have to get involved if you don't want to. I'll handle Malfoy on my own."

"No way," intercepted Harry. "We're friends aren't we? We're in this together."

Ron smiled gratefully.

The bell, ringing for afternoon lessons interrupted their talk.

Unfortunately they had Potions with the Slytherins.

Ron and Harry left their common room, and went down all the way to the corridor where they had potions. They arrived just as everyone was going inside the classroom and so Malfoy didn't have a chance to be nasty to them. It was the first bit of luck they had in ages.

They entered the classroom and sat down. Harry deliberately tried to ignore Malfoy.

"Today we are going to create a potion that cures the common cold," said Snape icily. "You will work in pairs. Granger work with Weasley. Potter work with Malfoy. Finnegan work with..."

Ron nervously picked up his belongings and slid into the seat next to Hermione. She smiled at him pleasantly. Ron felt his insides twinge.

Behind them, Draco was pleading with Snape. "Please Professor, don't make me work with him. You know I don't want to."

"Draco, I know it's hard but you will have just have to work with him for this one lesson" replied Snape before moving away.

Later on in the lesson, Ron and Hermione were still figuring out the potion ingredients.

"Are you sure we put in a handful of pondweed gathered at midnight?" questioned Ron. "I'm sure we put in frogs legs instead."

"Yes Ron, I'm sure," said Hermione exasperatedly, "and I'm also sure we add three cat's eyes.

"Okay" muttered Ron, "you do what you think is best."

He leaned back and watched Hermione work. Her long frizzy hair fell forward as she measured out the ingredients. She concentrated as she added each drop of the rainwater, her forehead wrinkled up. He found her dedication to her work, endearing. It had been so annoying before but now he liked it.

He suddenly felt useless just sitting there. He wanted to help. She looked as if she needed the themomether soon. He stretched his hand over to pick it up but at the same time, Hermione reached over to pick it up. Their hands touched. Hermione looked up, surprised at this sudden contact.

Then slowly, as smile creeped across her face. It grew into a smile she had never smiled at him before. It was like she had just realised something.

"Hermione," said Ron

"Ron," said Hermione.

But before they could said anything else there was a huge crash behind them.

"POTTER, YOU FOOL! I TOLD YOU NOT TO ADD THE TWIG OF THE BEZOAR TREE!"

It was Malfoy. Ron and Hermione twisted around in their chairs to watch the commotion behind them.

Draco was red in the face. The potion was across the table and the flask it was in had cracked. Harry was pushing his glasses up his nose.

Snape swept across the room to their desk. "Potter, typical of you to think you know best, to not listen to others. Your father was just the same.Get this mess cleared up imediately. And five points from Gryffindor!"

He turned to the rest of the class. "Get back to work the rest of you! There is nothing to see here!"

The class turned around and began to chatter quietly. Gradually work was resumed and the incident was forgotten. Ron and Hermione continued to work on their potion, trying not to look at each other.

No one saw Draco Malfoy narrow his eyes and a vicious look cross his face as he glanced at Ron and Hermione.

TO BE CONTINUED.....

By Claire Chambers