The Spell of Undying Love

Chapter 2

A new day was beginning. Sun surged through the Great Hall windows, students chatted among themselves and hundreds of owls poured through the open windows dropping gifts and letters to awaiting students.

"Yay!" Hermione smiled with glee when a great, big owl dropped a very big package on top of her lap. "It's from Viktor!" She started to rip open the package, squealing like a pig.

"Ah yes, your 'pen-pal'." Ron made quoting signs with his hands. "I'm surprised he still remembers you."

"Of course he does!" Hermione had finally uncovered what was inside. "Oh and look, he sent me a letter and a picture of himself!" She showed it to Ron and Harry, then began hugging it. They burst out laughing.

"What an egotistical person! And it's framed and everything." Hermione gave them dirty looks. "Are you going to put it on your bedside table and kiss it every night before you go to bed?" Harry was holding an invisible frame and kissing it.

"You all are just jealous because I am cared for, while you two are not." And with that, Hermione gathered her things and left Ron and Harry speechless.

Ron leaned over. "Tell you the truth, she's got a point with that." 'Yeah.' Harry thought. 'Damn, she still likes him.'

~

Harry and Ron did not see Hermione until Potions, which was their last lesson of the day. As usual, there was an assignment on the board. And as usual, Hermione was done first. Harry watched her gather some potion and put in into a beaker. Then, she sat back down at her desk and pulled out the parchment that she had gotten from Viktor. She had read it at least three times.

"Potter!" Harry looked up. It was Professor Snape. "Is it possible for you to follow directions?" Harry then glanced down at his cauldron. It was bubbling and pink liquid was cascading over the sides. "Honestly, it's surprising that you don't hurt yourself brushing your teeth."

Moments later class was finally over. Harry still watched Hermione. She still held the letter in her hand.

"Harry," Ron said. "Where are you going?" Harry stopped. He was following Hermione. "The common room's that way." Ron pointed in the opposite direction.

"I'll meet you there." Ron looked confused. "I have to take care of something." Ron nodded and headed towards the common room. Harry looked down the hall. She was walking towards the girl's bathroom.

~

"What's wrong pet?" asked Moaning Myrtle. Hermione looked up. Her eyes were blood shot and tears streamed down her cheek.

"Myrtle, this is really not the best time," Hermione said as she wiped her eyes.

"Of course it's the best time." Myrtle swooped down from above her toilet.

"Hey Myrtle. Harry's taking a bath in the prefect bathroom." Myrtle rushed to the nearest faucet. Clanging sounds echoed throughout the empty bathroom. 'Finally,' Hermione thought, 'I'm by myself.'

"Hermione?" Harry sprinted into the bathroom. "Are you alright?" She started to cry.

"No," she said as she held up Viktor's letter. "It's awful." She handed it to him. "Look." It read:

Dearest Hermione,

By now you have probably seen the newspapers. It is true: I am betrothed to a very amazing woman. Her name is Julia Burns and I am deeply in love with her. For this reason, I think it best if we do not see or talk to each other again. I fear that my feelings for you could cost me my future. I hope that you will understand. I wish you only the best of luck.

All my love,

Viktor

"What a jerk!" Harry handed the letter back to Hermione.

"That's not the worst part." Hermione opened her bag and pulled out a few newspapers. "He sent me the newspapers of him and Julia, you know, for some light reading." The newspapers had pictures of Viktor and Julia embracing each other. "Quite a gentleman, isn't he?" Tears ran down her cheeks.

"You're too good for him, Hermione." Harry held out his hand and raised her head so they were looking at each other.

"You really think so?" Hermione wiped away the tears that had got astray.

"Defiantly." Harry leaned in and kissed her. He had wanted to for so long and he finally had built up the courage. As they kissed everything went away. It was just he and Hermione.

The pipes started clanking again, but Harry did not want to break away.

"You lied to me!" Moaning Myrtle sprang out from one of the faucets. "Harry wasn't bathing! Ron was! Now I have to wash out my eyes!" She had finally noticed Harry. "Oh Harry." She fixed her hair. "I'm so surprised to see you." Harry had just broken the intimacy between him and Hermione. "Hermione! How could you?" Myrtle started to cry and dived straight into her toilet.