A Little Thing Called Love

Chapter 1

He looked pretty cute even when he was frowning, she had to admit. Which he was doing quite often, since he sucked at Potions and was paired up with Ron Weasley.

Catherine sighed and returned to her cauldron. She was repeatedly getting low grades ever since her infatuation with Harry Potter since her fourth year at Hogwarts. Two years and a half, she thought. It was really his own fault, she decided, for being so damn sexy.

"Catherine!" hissed today's partner, Hermione Granger. "You're supposed to put in the leaves after it boils. Dammit Cathy, we're never going to pass our N.E.W.T.s if you keep screwing up."

Annoyed, Catherine pointed out, "Look. It is boiling. Besides, you know I fucking hate Potions." She had known Hermione just a few years, but they had been getting closer and closer friends lately. Cathy kind of felt sorry for her; her only friends were a pair of guys anyway. Very cute guys.

Hermione winced at the curse. She still hadn't gotten comfortable around Catherine's swearing. "No, it's simmering. It said full boil, you twerp."

Oops. "Bugger. Well it can't hurt much, can it?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

Still, their potion turned out to be the best in the class, even if it turned a bright pink instead of the dull red it was supposed to turn. Snape didn't appreciate this, but contented himself by insulting Harry and Ron's potion instead.

"Really, Potter," he snarled, walking around their cauldron. "Toad warts? I said frog's eyes. But obviously, you couldn't tell the difference. Five points from Gryffindor," he said silkily, "for your incredible stupidity. And another five points from Mr. Weasley, who egged Potter on."

"That's it," said Harry while walking out of Potions. "I'm pairing up with Hermione next time."

"No, I am," countered Ron. "I'm not going to let you have Hermione all to yourself. I need help too, you know."

"Save it Ron." Harry punched him in the arm and hurried to catch up with Hermione. Ron followed suit.

Hermione was talking to Catherine when Ron interrupted. "Hermione, be my partner in Potions. I really need your help," he said breathlessly.

"And I can't pass my N.E.W.T.s without you," called out Harry from behind.

"I'm flattered," said Hermione sarcastically. "But as you could see, before you interrupted me, I already have a partner."

Harry and Ron turned to Catherine with blank looks. She blushed.

"Who is she?" demanded Ron. Then he turned to Cathy. "Hermione's ours, in case you didn't notice."

What Cathy did notice was how Hermione was getting increasingly red in the face. "I'm not yours," she snapped. "And this is Catherine. She's a Gryffindor, just like us, and one of my best friends."

Harry started extending his hand towards her." How come I've never seen you before?"

Catherine took his hand, blushing slightly. He looked even better up close. "Just call me Cathy." She started to say something else, but Hermione interrupted her.

"I can't believe you guys," she said spitefully. "You only use me for your grades. You know, I was starting to think that six years of knowing each other might make a difference. But you're just like you were when I met you. You suck." Hermione turned on her heels, fighting back tears. "C'mon, Cathy," she said, pulling her away from Harry and Ron, leaving them speechless.

"I think she's angry," Ron whispered to Harry, when they were out of sight.