Chapter 19
It was strange having Professor Crane around the castle. Despite having absolutely no magic to him, he walked around like he owned the place, and yet there was a deep heir of respect to him like he knew he didn’t fully belong.
Harry was amazed though, how he interacted with Peeves. At first the Poltergeist would taunting and torment him, but only three days in and the poltergeist; who took orders only from the Bloody Barron, was almost cautiously listening. Harry knew it could be a combination of seeing Crow within, but he had to wonder if the two had allowed ‘the Doctor’ to slip forward, even for a moment to gain the respect that he had.
“Mr. Potter.”
“Professor.” Harry smiled respectfully as he headed down towards the Potion’s room. “What brings you down here?”
“I was interested in observing this class. As you know I am quite capable in the subject myself, in my own way.”
“True, Alyssa seems to think it would be wonderful to magically analyze it. At this point there is one fairly light hearted, semi-jokey rumor going around.” Harry smiled. “Snape is gunning for the DADA position, and Alyssa is gunning for his just as hard.”
“They have taken to potions quite a bit. They have always been interested in how things work.” Professor Crane smiled. “I think that’s because they wonder how they work. To them the body and the mind are an alchemical process, to understand them would be to understand why.”
“Why what?” Hermione asked as she headed up to them.
“Simply why. There is no what, that’s the trouble of it all.”
“Should you be telling us any of this?”
“I don’t see the issue, besides it’s not something they have said in confidentiality, or have indicated that they do not want people knowing.” He gave a shrug as they entered the classroom, making his way to Professor Snape.
“What an odd man.”
“He’s from an odd place, and an odd situation.” Harry nodded, heading to his Cauldron, watching as Alyssa was called to the front. “I wonder what’s going on.”
“Who know’s; Alyssa’s not talked about these things with me.”
“Hermione, can I… Say something?”
“Of course.”
“Maybe you should break up. You three are young yet, we don’t really have to find who we are meant to be with. Alyssa will understand. It might hurt for a bit, but it’s best done still on good terms.”
“Oh… I mean. I do very much love them.”
“But the feeling aren’t mutual. Isn’t it best to just be friends then to rip apart a relationship that may have been chosen too early?”
“They are still very close with Draco.”
“Yes, and that relationship works. They are on the same page. I think Alyssa feels a bit obligated to this. Not due to anything you’ve done, but perhaps slightly what I have done.” Harry smiled gently. “I think I made them think they had to date both of you because they care about both of you. But I don’t think that’s how things work. You can be made for each other and truly just be friends.”
“You might be right, but I don’t want to hurt them,” Hermione said, pausing as Professor crane turned to them and smiled. “Can.. They here us?”
“Were not exactly whispering.” Harry gave a small shrug as Alyssa turned, head tilted slightly before heading up to them.
“Hermione?”
“Alyssa.”
“Be honest with me, is this the heltheyes we can be?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is this how you think we are meant to be?”
“It’s not what I want.” Hermione sighed softly and Alyssa smiled. “What?”
“Then we shouldn’t be this. I cant do romance, but that is what your heart needs. We can hurt together for a bit, we can handle that because we are friends, and some space is coming.” Alyssa per Hermione’s cheek. “Find love Hermione, okay?”
“I can try.” She nodded, watching Alyssa take her place. Harry gently squeezed his friend’s hand, smiling softly as she let out a sigh. “It’s okay Harry. You’re right you know this was how this was meant to be.”