I have been at Hogwarts for a month and a week. Harry has definitely shown an interest in me. I feel even worse now for lying to them. They're actually good people. Especially Hermione... I shake my head.

"What's wrong?" Ron asks.

"Hm? Oh, nothing. Just thinking. I can't believe it's already been over a month since I got here." I smile.

He chuckles. "Yah, me too. Hermione and Harry are really enjoying your company. I am, too, but you're kind of stealing my best friend."

I laugh. "Well, I'll try and not take up so much of his time."

"Won't help much. He's distracted by you even when you're not around," he says. 

Great. So Father was right. He would  fall in love with me. "Oh, really?"

He rolls his eyes. "Yes!"

I smile.

"Do you like Harry? Because he's really into you. So don't wait to tell him if you don't. His heart will be shattered." Ron makes a cracking sound with his mouth and acts like he's having heart problems.

I burst out laughing. "I do. I really do, okay?" 

"What are you guys talking about?" Hermione. 

"Nothing," I say. "Just small talk."

"Hm." She walks in between Ron and I. "What kind of small talk?"

"Homework. How long I've been here..."

"Harry?" she asks.

"So-so," Ron tells her.

"Oh. Okay. So, Vallee, I was wondering if you would want to go hang out with me this afternoon. After our classes, of course." She looks at me.

"Yeah," I say way too quickly. 

"Hey, we better get to Herbology," Ron says to me.

I look at Hermione. "I have to go."

She nods and purses her lips.

I hurry after Ron. "I hope we're not late," I murmur.

"Yeah, I know," he breaths. 

We run the rest of the way. 

"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Skaal, how wonderful of you to join us," Professor Sprout says with a hard look in her eyes.

"So, very sorry, Professor. I had to go to the bathroom and Ron waited for me. It's my fault, really." I look at her to show her how sorry I am.

She sighs. "Don't let it happen again." She resumes her teaching and Ron and I sigh in relief. We look at each other and try to hide our smiles.

                                                        *                                 *                             *

Hermione walked through the mushy grass. I didn't know where we were heading, but that was the last thing on my mind. She gave me butterflies and woke my senses. My eyes were alert and she was all I could look at. We walked next to each other, but she was ahead so she could lead the way. 

"You're very quiet," she murmurs. "What are you thinking about?"

"Uh, nothing," I squeak. Bloody hell, what is wrong with me?

"Mm." She continues walking. 

Eventually, I saw the Quidditch stands. They were really pretty in the sunset, actually. 

Hermione reached for my hand. I gave it to her, nerves making me shake. I felt like I was going to barf... or have my head explode. She intertwined her fingers with mine and started running. We ended up in the center of the arena and she fell to the ground.

"I know your secret," she whispers.

I freeze; turn to stone, really. "What secret?" I breathe.

She turns to me and smiles. "You like Harry." Something flashed in her eyes, but I can't put my finger on what.

I can't say no, because then everything will be ruined. But I... 

Her eyes narrow in concern. "Was I wrong?" There's a sharp note of excitement at the end of her question.

I run my hand down the side of her face softly. Nervously. I lean in and start to close my eyes. I hear her take a sharp breath. I open my eyes and see her running away quickly. I stand and hurry after her. She's too quick. I think about casting a spell to make me go faster, but I decide it's not worth it. What would I say, anyways? Sorry, I didn't realize you were straight, even though you have a clear interest in Ron. I cover my face with my hands and slump to the ground. Now things would be awkward. 

At least I have Harry. Harry! Oh, no. What if she tells Harry? What if I just blew everything? What if Father finds out?

"Vallee." It's the voice of a boy, but I don't look up to see who it is. I don't care at the moment. "Vallee Skaal."

That makes me look up. Draco Malfoy. "Yes?"

"You should get inside. Before you get in trouble for being out." He extends a hand to me. I glance at his hand, at Hogwarts, then at his face. He raises a questioning brow. He smirks slightly. "I'm not going to hurt you. Besides, I'm merely offering a truce. The boundaries of Gryffindor and Slytherin do not occur to us."

I smile softly. "I'm sorry. But I best get back. I have plans with Harry." I put an emphasis on Harry's name so he knows which Harry I mean.

His grin leaves his face. "Harry Potter? Are you kidding me? Blimey!" His eyes turn cold. "I'll get you for this. Just watch. Just watch." He walks away with a sour look on his face.

I sigh and get up, my ego hurt and my heart cracked. Tomorrow would be better. It had to be.