heather; chapter three

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'FAVOUR'
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The bright midday sun leaked through the castle windows and warmed the side of her face as she moved to the side of the hallway, away from the crowd of students flooding loudly to their next classes. Adjusting her shoulder bag, Mina squinted at her schedule, trying to discern the writing that had become virtually unreadable from the fragile creases in the paper where she'd folded it too many times.

"Hey," a voice said, and she looked up to meet the face of Harry standing before her. Despite the limited time she had to find her next class, Mina lowered the paper.

"Hey."

"How's the first day going?"

"Alright," she smiled, watching as the sunlight filtered through his messy hair. "Although I think I might actually die from History of Magic this year."

He grinned, leaning against the window frame. "I still can't believe you continued it."

"Means I can catch up on some sleep," Mina joked, warmth filling her chest as he laughed.

"So..." he started, eyeing her face as she peered outside, admiring the grounds adorned beneath the blue sky. She looked back to him, leaning on the window frame; subconsciously mirroring his stance. "About that favour you owe me..."

She groaned, though the smile lingered on her face. "What now? Do I have to dangle off the Astronomy Tower handrails?"

"Nothing like that," He shook his head, chuckling. "Although I'll save that one for next time."

"What is it then?"

"Well," Harry leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice. She felt her face grow warm. "Y'know the new girl? Heather?"

Her heart dropped. "Yeah?"

His eyes moved from hers to look at something behind her. Turning around, following his line of sight, Mina spotted Heather amongst a small group of fellow Gryffindor girls walking down the hall amidst the bustle of students, talking feverishly, laughing, unbeknownst to the duo's gazes.

Looking back to Harry, she watched his eyes as they walked by—remaining focused only on Heather, seemingly forgetting about their conversation. Mina swallowed down the burning pit she felt in her stomach.

"You were saying?" she mustered in an attempt to regain his attention.

"Help me get a date with her." He said as he turned around. Her eyebrows shot up.

"What?"

Harry laughed at the relentlessness growing on her face. "A deal's a deal! I'm officially redeeming the favour you owe me."

"I—" Mina stammered, fiddling with the paper of her schedule. "How am I supposed to—"

"We'll talk later, yeah?" He cut her off, patting her shoulder teasingly before backing away, keeping his eyes locked on hers; relishing in his victory as she remained speechless; dumbfounded at this proposition. By now, many of the other students had filtered out of the hallway.

"Oh, and—" he said just before she turned away. "Meet me at the quidditch pitch this afternoon. 4:30!"

"But—"

"Don't be late!" Harry pointed at her as he neared the end of the hall, grinning, and she nodded reluctantly, feigning annoyance—though, as he turned around, smiled at his receding figure.

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