Before I start this fanfic, I want to give a specialized "thank you" shout-out to my wonderful-beyond-means girlfriend: Thanks for helping me with this, Heather-sama! I am glad you don't get tired of me asking you for help on my fanfics (haha).
Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, shape, form or spell own the rights to Harry Potter. I am very disappointed by this fact.
Warnings Avalible: This is a yaoi ("boy lurve"/boy x boy)-type fanfic. If you are not okay with that, please don't let this site hit you in the butt on the way out of my story.
"So, what do you have for classes today, Harry?"
Harry Potter, famous wizard, glanced up at his second best friend over his morning bowl of porridge. Staring blankly into the chestnut eyes of Hermione Granger, it was difficult to tell from his facial expression if he was annoyed or was unable to process the inquiry. Hermione sat in silence, smiling patiently while waiting for her answer. While Harry just looked at her, Ron plopped down on the bench beside his best friend.
"You know, Hermione, that's not very nice." Ron commented. "Just because you don't have to go to double Transfiguration-"
"I
don't have to go, Ron," Hermione stated matter-of-factly.
"Because I studied and I was able to pass my
exams. Professor McGonagall said-"
"'Anyone who is able
to complete this lesson and preform the spell for me by the end of
this week will be able to skip the double-Transfiguration you have
scheduled the following Monday'." Ron completed, his voice in a
high scratchy tone that resembled very little of the teacher he was
trying to immitate. "I know, Hermione."
"Well then, "Hermione concluded, a smug smile on her face. "It is not my fault you two didn't study, is it?"
"What are you even doing here, Granger?" Ron asked, his ears growing pinkish with anger. "You could be sleeping right now instead of taunting us because we didn't study."
"You could have." Hermione pointed out. "I am trying to show that you two hold no responsibility for yourselves. Is this what you want your life to be like? Falling behind because you want to do something else instead of what you need to accomplish?"
"We. Had. Quidditch." Ron said, drawing out each word and syllable in an overtone, as if speaking to someone who is growing deaf.
"Not all week." Hermione retorted. "And not all the time. I caught you and Harry playing at least two games of Wizards' Chess in the main hall of the dormitory- you could have studied then. And then you would not be a sour loser because you have to go to Transfiguration and spend the next couple of hours working on the spell you refused to look at for over a week." At this point, her smugness went to full-out pride as she sat back to study the effect she had on her two best friends. Ron was glowering and his ears were turning redder by the minute; but he knew he had been beaten and could therefore not say anything back that would properly defend him; quidditch had been his best excuse.
Harry continued to stare.
"Well," Harry finally spoke, sitting back and pushing away his porridge as if losing his appetite for it. "I guess we have nothing to say then, do we? You're right, Hermione; as usual. And we should just stick our tails between our legs and forget this mess happened, then attend Transfiguration like the losers we are." Picking up a crossaint, he bit into it. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched in mild bemusement the reaction Hermione had. Everything about her body language showed her confusion. She tried to decipher if Harry was ridiculing her beneath his statements, or simply giving her credit where credit was due. As she continued her search for the true meaning behind Harry's abrupt words, the flutter of owls sounded above. Smiling, Harry put down what was loft of his pastry. "Mail's here." He announced unnecessarily.
As it had been for some time since Voldemort regained power, there were a lot less owls than the Great Hall had come accustomed to seeing on a daily basis before the dark wizard's return. Harry was not expecting anything in the mail after having never re-subscribed to getting the Daily Prophet; although, for some reason, he caught himself watching the owls expectantly. His heart fluttered in anticipation like it would if he was seeking something to come from one of the various birds flying throughout the room. Wondering why he would be excited for no reason, Harry was only mildly surprised when a brown barn owl plopped down on the table beside him and gave him a little 'hoot'; almost in saying: "'Ere you are, mate." A bit shocked, but having curiosity take the better of him, Harry removed a poorly wrapped parcel from the owl's leg. The nocturnal bird proceeded to pick at what was left of Harry's meal before giving another hoot, stretching it's long magestic wings, and setting flight.
Leaning closer to their best friend, both Hermione and Ron asked simulataneously: "What is it?"
Harry found himsef laughing; overjoyed as he looked at the package in his hands. He was not sure on any level why he should feel excited; especially since he knew not what lay inside the wrapping paper. "I don't know what it is." He responded to his friends.
"Then who sent it?" Hermione asked.
Harry checked. His heart fell as he saw it. "...there's no return." Both Hermione and Ron openly stared at their best friend. Looking up at them and meeting their gaze, Harry could instantly see worry painted all over their features. Trying to reassure them of something he knew they thought, he began: "I'm sure it's no-"
"Take it to Dumbledore." Hermione said instantly.
Harry paused, caught off-guard by her abruptness. "What? Why?"
"Just do it!" Sounding panicked, this emotion from his usually calm and organized friend caught Harry off-kilter.
"Hermione," Ron tried to but in on Harry's behalf, but Hermione was unbudging on this one.
"Take it to Dumbledore now, Harry! It could be something dangerous!"
"No!" Pressing the parcel protectively to his chest, Harry's eyebrows narrowed as he watching Hermione from across the table. "I'm not going to take it to the headmaster. What makes you think it's something bad?"
"Because there is no return address, Harry." Hermione explained in a rush. "And you know what the Order keeps saying about being cautious about your mail. If there is no return or no indication who it's from, it could be hazardous!"
"Why would anyone send me something hazardous?" Harry asked, knowing the question sounded ridiculous as soon as he had uttered it. In the reply, even Ron joined in Hermione's defense.
"Because it could be from you-know-who!" The two of them hissed.
Feeling his heart defalte as he was hit head-first with this possibility, Harry nodded his head slowly. "Fine." he agreed. "I'll go to the headmaster after quidditch tonight-"
"NO!" Hermione exclaimed, startling a few first years who were sitting a few feet from them. "Take it to him now."
"I have class in less than ten minutes!" Harry retorted. "McGonagall will already be chewing at us for not having studied; if I am late for that class, who knows what she'll do!"
"He's got a point." Ron muttered.
"Fine." Hermione sounded exasperated. Holding out her hands, she said, "Then let me take it to Dumbledore."
Holding the package close to his chest one more time, Harry glared at her. "No." He responded.
"Harry!" Hermione stated shrilly, as if saying his name that way would convince the famous wizard he should give in to his friend's demands.
"No!"
"Harry..."
Ron cut in, turning to face his best friend and look him dead in the
eye. "Why aren't you willing to give it up? I mean, it's a great
possibility you won't have to. It could not be from you-know-who
after all. I mean, I don't think he is that stupd to try and murder
you under Dumbledore's watch."
"That hasn't stopped him
before!" Hermione shrieked, losing patience with the two of them
very quickly. Ron ignored her.
"Just take it to Dumbledore and he'll inspect it... you'll probably have it back a few minutes later, you know?"
"You don't understand." Harry muttered, shaking his head. "You both really don't. I know there is nothing wrong with this."
"How can you possibly know that?" Hermione asked. It was evident in her tone of voice that her patience and understanding were forced at that moment.
"I just..." Harry began, being fully aware how pathetic it sounded. "I have a... feeling."
"Harry, feelings aren't always fool-proof." Hermione was quick to point out. "Someone can't ever really tell what they're feeling, so how can you be so sure that that thing isn't lethal?" Harry had nothing to say. Knowing they were both right, Harry sighed heavily and nodded his head. Standing up from the table, he kept his head low as he mumbled a promise to his friends. "I promise I will take it over to Dumbledore's during lunch, okay? That's the easliest I can manage. Is that fair?" He watched Hermione for confirmation. Knowing she had won and it would be a pointless effort to try fighting with him more on the subject, she gave in and nodded her head.
"That's fine." Hermione curtly nodded her head. "Now promise."
"Hermione...!" Ron interjected on Harry's behalf. "He said he would go! Isn't that enough?"
"No." Hermione replied without a moment's hesitation. "I want him to promise." As she spoke to Ron, her eyes never left Harry's face.
"But-"
Harry raised his hand to silence the youngest Weasley male in his outburst. "It's okay, Ron." Looking square in Hermione's eyes, Harry said, "I swear. Now, I think Ron and I really have to go to Transfiguration; or else I would not have a body left to keep this promise to see Dumbledore."
(Several hours later...)
Feeling beaten, bruised and bludgened by the end of class, Harry and Ron (with a few other "losers who didn't study the assignment" from Ravenclaw and Gryffindor) made their way down the hallway with heavy heads and hearts. Very few by the end of the double Transfiguration lesson were able to accomplish the spell; and in those very few were not included Harry and Ron. Both had made a decent enough effort towards it, but Ron's wand decided not to work halfway through the lesson, and Harry was equally as unlucky. The spell itself was not a difficult one, and Harry was sure he could have mastered it quickly enough if his mind had not been pulled away the entire time. It had remained focused on that mystery parcel that still lay unopened in the bottom of his bookbag.
As lunch was right after the morning double dosage of McGonagall, Harry parted ways with Ron halfway to the Great Hall for their noon meal. When Harry tried saying "see you later", Ron turned to face him directly.
"Are you really going?" He asked. Harry was caught off-guard.
"Ron," he started off slowly. "You were on Hermione's side, telling me to go."
Squrming uncomfortably as he was hit back with this reality, Ron nodded his head and continued to talk in a much softer tone of voice. "Yes, but... you know... you don't have to. I mean, it would make Hermione feel better if you did, but you don't have to listen to us." Harry smiled. Seeing his friend look so shy was so endearing... almost cute.
"I know this, Ron." Harry stated. "But you both have a point. I should at least have Dumbledore look at it to be safe; not just because I want Hermione to stop nagging me about it. But, like you said, it's quite possible there is nothing amiss with it, and I can have it right back. By getting it checked out with the headmaster, though, I do get Hermione off my back." Ron smiled, nodding his head.
"Alright. Do you want me to wait up for you in the dining hall?"
Harry shook his head in response. "No. I think I will be okay. I don't know how long this will take. I'll catch up with you later."
"Sure." Ron agreed, leaving his best friend and heading off a different hallway then the one Harry was facing. "Good luck, mate." Ron waved shortly before disappearing behind the corner. Harry smiled softly and nodded his head.
"I might need it." He muttered. Turning to face his own path of choice, Harry Potter's feet travelled down the familiar hallway to Dumbledore's office.
