The Essence of Gryffindor

The Essence of Gryffindor

Chapter 6

Harry, Ron, and Hermione all knew that their day wouldn't be complete without some sort of comment from Malfoy. Today however it happened to be during lunch.

The four of them sat together and there happened to be space on the bench next to Harry, which Malfoy decided to occupy. "It was nice of you to save me a seat, Potter," he drawled slowly.

"What do you want now Malfoy?"

"Oh, nothing. I just thought I'd offer my services by offering to be your potions partner. I've heard Snape's class is wicked hard and you'll want to get a good mark."

"In your dreams, Malfoy."

"Well, if that's how it is," he drawled, beginning to stand up, "good luck. Oh, and if you get a bad mark, don't go blaming me." He started to walk away.

"That's right, just walk away, Malfoy," Ron said loudly.

"What was that, Weasel?" Malfoy said turning around and walking back towards them, but he came face to face with Harry.

"Just go, Malfoy," he said, not taking his eyes off Draco's.

"Am I suppose to be scared Potter?"

"I never said anything of the sort, but I should be asking you the same thing."

"Why you little..." Malfoy started reaching for his wand. Arelise was then on her feet standing in front of Harry.

"Leave Harry alone."

Malfoy couldn't resist, "Oh look, Potter, another mudblood to add to your collection," he obviously knew who Arelise was. Ron and Hermione were now on their feet as well.

He reached out to touch her face. Arelise cringed as Malfoy's ice-cold fingers touched her cheek, but stood her ground. "Skin so soft," he said, "but ruined by being the gift of muggle parents."

Harry couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed Malfoy's wrist and yanked his hand away from her face. "Don't touch her, Malfoy." He pulled his hand from Harry's grip and reached for his wand, but by the time he looked up again he had four wands pointing directly at him.

"Get out of here," Hermione said, glaring at him, as were the others as well. He sneered at the four of them, then turned on his heel and stalked off.

~*~*~*~*~

Saturday morning rolled around and Arelise woke with joy and excitement for the day ahead. She had talked to Hermione the night before about her feelings for Harry and had more she wanted to talk to her about. So she dressed and headed down to the common room.

She was slowly walking down the stairs when she heard voices and stopped. It was Hermione's voice she heard, "Harry, you have to tell her how you feel. It'll only get harder the longer you wait."

"But what if she doesn't feel the same way?"

"Harry, you're my best friend, please believe me when I tell you that she absolutely adores you. I can tell just by the way she looks at you. Trust me, there can only be a good result."

"Alright. I'll tell her."

Arelise smiled, and blushed in her hiding spot. She then headed back up the stairs for a shower. When she came back she acted as if she hadn't heard a thing. "Good morning!" she said when she saw the two of them sitting on the sofa, lost in conversation about the day ahead.

"Oh, hello Arelise. Good morning!" Hermione replied, "Harry, would you go wake Ron? We don't want him sleeping this beautiful day away." She was in a magnificent mood and as soon as Harry was out of sight up the stairs, she ran towards Arelise and hugged her tightly. "I have wonderful news."

"I know," she said, "I was coming down this morning when I heard you talking to Harry. Didn't want him to know so I went back upstairs, showered, then came back down and acted like I didn't know anything."

"Why, you little sneak!" Hermione said. Arelise just smiled.

"So when do you think he'll tell me?"

"I'm sorry to say I don't know. He told me that he'd tell you, but he wouldn't say when."

Just then they heard the boys coming down the stairs. Ron was the first one they saw. "Well," he said, "I'm starved. Let's get to breakfast before It's all gone." He had a hold of Harry's shirt and grabbed Hermione's hand. She grabbed Arelise's wrist and pulled her along as well.

The two of them did not let go of the others until they were out of the portrait hole and halfway down the corridor. Harry, being completely puzzled, spoke up, "Now what was that all about? Ron jumps out of bed the moment I touch him, then drags me down the stairs and we're all rushed out of the common room like it's perfectly normal."

"I'm just really hungry," Ron said, smiling at Hermione, who smiled back.

"And the quicker we eat," she said, "the quicker we can get to Hogsmeade."

The two of them obviously knew something that Harry and Arelise didn't. Arelise knew that she had talked to both Ron and Hermione about her feelings for Harry. What she didn't know was that they had both talked to Harry about his feelings for her as well. All she knew of was what little of the conversation she'd heard between Harry and Hermione earlier that morning. Harry, on the other hand, had also talked to both Ron and Hermione about his feelings, but had no clue that they had both been talking to Arelise as well.

~*~*~*~*~

It was a perfect day for a Hogsmeade visit. The walk down was quite enjoyable. Harry was thinking all the while of how he would tell Arelise of his feelings. They were wandering the village for a while when he finally decided to just get it over with. "Arelise, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Um...sure," she said, knowing, or hopefully guessing, exactly what it was about.

Not wanting to ditch Ron and Hermione, he said, "Meet us in the Three Broomsticks in an hour."

"Alright, Harry. We'll be there," Hermione said.

Harry led her to a small wooded area just outside the village where he knew that they could be alone. It was very beautiful and he thought it was the perfect spot. He stopped and turned to face her.

She stood facing him, waiting for him to speak. She hadn't realized until now that Harry was much taller than her. He had to have been about five foot ten, while she stood at a mere five foot five. She continued to look at him. He was beautiful, she thought. His black hair was shaping his face as he looked down at her. His scar was very pronounced in the dim light of the woods. And of course his eyes, which she couldn't even begin to describe. He finally spoke:

"Arelise, there's something very important I need to tell you," He began, taking her hands in his, "I...I think I love you. I know it must sound crazy, but it's complicated for me even. I've only just met you a week ago. Not even. But it seems I fell in love with you the first time I saw you."

She was quiet for a while then finally spoke, "Harry, I don't think it's crazy at all, because I feel the same way," she looked up into his eyes, "At first I wasn't even sure if my feelings were real. But now I'm more certain than I've ever been. Harry..." she paused and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to force back the tears that threatened, for she had been waiting for this moment, it seemed, all her life. She then opened them again and gazed back into his. "Harry, I love you," she said as one small tear found its way down her cheek. He wiped it away and she smiled.

His touch was warm and loving and she took his hand and held it to her cheek. She wrapped her other arm around the small of his back and pressed against him, closing her eyes, wanting nothing but to feel close to him. He had his arm around her as well, not wanting to ever let go.

They stayed that way for a while. Then Harry backed away, taking both of her hands in his again. "I...um...I want you to have this," he said as he removed the ring Hagrid had given him from his finger. He placed it on her finger and it shrunk to fit her small hand.

She smiled, "Harry it's beautiful," she said and looked up at him again.

"A beautiful ring, for a twice as beautiful girl," he said and smiled. She moved closer to him, not taking her eyes off his. He leaned in and kissed her. She could feel the love and compassion he possessed. She returned the gesture with just as much emotion if not more. She had one arm wrapped around his back and her other hand was at the back of his neck. He had both of his arms wrapped tightly, but gently, around her back. Both lost in each other, neither wanting to pull away. And neither would have if they weren't interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Oh how touching," came the voice of none other than Draco Malfoy. "Tell me Potter, have you ever heard of the term PDA?"

"Why yes, Malfoy I have. I believe it stands for Public Display of Affection. Yes, well, we aren't really in public now are we?" he asked looking around at the surrounding wooded area, "It seems you, Malfoy, on the other hand are jealous."

"Tell me, Potter. Why would I be jealous of you?"

"Well, why wouldn't you Malfoy...considering, of course, the fact that I have the most beautiful girl in Hogwarts on my arm." Harry was in an extremely good mood. All Arelise could do was smile.

Malfoy narrowed his eyes at Harry who simply shrugged. Having been shown up by Harry twice in one week, Malfoy rolled his eyes and turned to walk back to the village to join Crabbe and Goyle.

"What is with him?" Arelise asked when he was out of earshot.

"He's a Malfoy," Harry said, "It's his job to make people miserable, but he couldn't make me miserable today even if he tried." He smiled at her and she hugged him. He looked at his watch, "We'd better get back. We were supposed to meet Ron and Hermione ten minutes ago."

As they walked, she took his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. She rubbed his arm with her other hand and he kissed her forehead. She tilted her head up to look at him and they kissed once more before they reached the village. This was by far the best day of her life.