September 2, 1997
The Gryffindor boys woke late the next morning, nursing hangovers and thanking the gods that it was Sunday. After lazily going through their morning ablutions, they made their way down to the Great Hall for a late breakfast. For some reason, the builders of Hogwarts decided that their dormitories should be at the top of the school, while the Great Hall was on the ground floor. Godric Gryffindor might not have minded walking 20 minutes for breakfast, but they had no idea what the man was thinking. Ron had even talked about transferring to Hufflepuff, just to be closer to food.
They entered the Great Hall – it was a massive room, with high vaulted ceilings enchanted to look like the sky outside. Four long tables were set up for each house, with a head table for staff. Harry glanced over to the Slytherin table and grinned.
"Excuse me, lads," he said, and peeled off from them. "I need to lay some ground work." He walked towards the Slytherin table.
"Oh, I gotta see this," Dean said.
Seamus pulled on his arm. "Coffee first," he said.
"But-" Dean said.
Ron pushed him on the other side. "I'm half-starved, mate," he said. Dean let them drag him to the Gryffindor table, as Harry sat down next to Draco Malfoy. Draco was a tall, blonde boy with aristocratic features set in a permanent scowl.
"Hey cousin," Harry said brightly and grabbed a muffin from a platter.
"Potter, what the hell are you doing?" Draco asked. The other Slytherins stared at Harry in anger, shock, and hatred.
"Do I need a reason to visit my favourite cousin?" Harry asked, and poured himself a cup of coffee.
"We are not cousins," Draco said. "Now leave."
Harry frowned. "Are you sure? Because isn't my dad's mum your mum's grandfather's sister… or something," he said. "Pretty sure that makes us, like, half-cousins?"
"If Black was your father, which he is not, you'd be my second cousin," Draco said.
"Godfather, father, whatever," Harry said with a shrug. "The man raised me, he might as well be my dad."
"As fascinating as this is," Draco said drily. "Leave."
Harry took a sip of his coffee and nodded at the other Slytherins. On Draco's other side there were his two friends/bodyguards – Vincent Crabbe and Greg Goyle. Greg was incredibly tall – there was a rumour he had to get a special bed, and Vincent was so wide he had to walk through doors side ways, and it was more muscle than fat. Across the table sat Pansy Parkinson, a black haired girl with an upturned nose and dark eyebrows, Theo Nott, a weedy boy with pale brown hair, and Blaise Zabini, an incredibly handsome black boy. Beside Pansy sat Millicient Bulstrode, a large girl with lank brown hair. Beside her sat Tracy Davis – strawberry blonde with big eyes and a smirk – and Daphne Greengrass – tall, blonde, perfect.
Harry furrowed his eyes at her. "Did you do something with your hair, Daphne?" he asked. "You look nice today."
Daphne looked at him – her hazel eyes revealing nothing. "Thank you, Potter," she said, and turned back her conversation with Tracy.
"Potter," Pansy said. "Your cadre of cretins is staring at you."
Harry and Draco turned around to see the seventh year Gryffindors staring at them. Harry waved and took a bite of his muffin. Draco pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Potter, do you have any reason to be here other than annoying me?" Draco asked.
"Oh!" Harry said, spraying Draco in muffin crumbs. "Right, I was thinking about a game of Quidditch this afternoon. You in?" he asked. Draco stared at him, and struggled to find his voice. Harry blinked. "It's a simple yes or no question."
"Why – why would you ever think we'd play with you?" Draco asked. "We hate you." Harry looked around the table at the other Slytherins nodding.
"Hey now," Harry said. "Hate's a strong word."
"That's why I used it," Draco said.
Harry stood up. "Fine, I can see when I'm not wanted," he said, and grabbed his coffee. "I'm keeping the mug."
"Hold on," Draco said, and looked around the table. "We'll be there."
"Really?" Theo asked. Draco glared at him. "I mean, of course."
"Cool," Harry said. "Just a friendly game, right?"
"Quidditch pitch, 1 o'clock," Draco said. "We will break you."
Harry blinked. "Right, just a friendly game," he said, and turned. "Psycho." He walked back to the Gryffindor table and sat down with his dorm mates. Lavender – a girl with curly, honey brown hair – and Pavarti – a pretty Indian girl – were also sitting with them. Everyone looked at Harry inquisitively.
"We've got Quidditch at 1," Harry said.
"Against Slytherin?" Dean asked. "Mate, it's the first day."
"It's just a friendly game," Harry said, and looked halfway down the table to a girl with a mane of bright red hair – Ginny Weasley. "Oi, Weasley! Quidditch at 1!"
"I've got plans!" Ginny complained.
"Break them!" Harry yelled. "This is important!"
Ginny grumbled and turned back to her friends.
"Harry?" Neville asked. Harry grunted inquisitively around a mouthful of muffin. "What the hell?"
Harry swallowed and shrugged. "I needed an excuse to sit down there," he said.
"You're unbelievable," Neville said, and shook his head.
##########
One would think that after six years they would have gotten used to how quickly word spread in Hogwarts, but, nonetheless, the 7th year boys – plus Ginny – were surprised when they stepped onto the pitch. It seemed like half the school had shown up for the 'friendly' match. The pitch itself was a wide ellipse, with three hoops on long posts at either end.
"Oh gods," Ron said, his face pale. "Why're we doing this?"
"Why are we doing this?" Ginny asked.
"Good question," Dean said. "Harry, care to enlighten us?"
Harry, meanwhile, was scanning the stands with a frown. "I don't see her," he said.
"Her?" Ginny asked, and turned to face Harry. "We're doing this for a girl?"
"Harry's doing this for a girl," Neville said while he stretched. "We got dragged along."
"Unbelievable," Ginny said.
"That's what I said," Neville said.
"Merlin," Seamus said. "They wore their uniforms."
The other five looked at the entrance to the changing rooms, where the Slytherin team was striding towards them. Sure enough, they were wearing their emerald green uniforms.
"Fuck," Harry said. "I should have thought of that." His friends glanced at him. "What? We look good in them." The others shrugged and nodded in agreement, then turned to greet their counterparts.
Ron leaned towards Harry. "You sure about this, mate?" he asked.
"Relax," Harry said. "Just a nice, friendly game. Nothing's going to happen."
#############################
Three hours later
"Malfoy, you fuckin' asshole!" Ginny yelled, as an amused Harry and bemused Neville tried to drag her out of the hospital wing. "I'm going to make you pay for my new broom! And then, I'm going to shove it straight up your gaping vagina!"
Harry had a black eye, Neville had a broken nose, and Ginny had needed a dozen stitches above her left eye. Dean, Seamus, and Ron were waiting outside in the crowded hallway. Dean had his arm in a sling, Seamus was in crutches, and Ron was holding an ice pack to a bump on his forehead. Ginny shrugged off the two boys and glared at them. The five boys were trying very hard not to laugh, and failing miserably. Ginny looked around at the crowd of students staring at her.
"What?" Ginny barked. The crowd suddenly looked interested in anything that wasn't her.
Harry laughed. "Come on, Gin," he said, and threw an arm around her shoulder. "Let's get drunk."
Ginny allowed him to lead her, but looked uncertain. "We have class tomorrow," she said.
"So?" Seamus asked. "It's the first day. Not like we'll cover anything important."
Ginny nodded, then planted herself. "Hold on," she said. The five boys turned to look at her. She crossed her arms. "I'm still angry."
"Yeah," Dean said. "At Malfoy. We noticed."
"No, at you, Potter," Ginny said. "I lost my broom! Because you wanted to get laid."
"A most noble sacrifice," Harry said with a nod. Ginny's lip twitched, but she held up her glare. "Fine, I'll get you a new one. But we have something much more important to discuss."
Ginny looked at the five boys, and her curiosity overrode her anger. "Yeah?" she asked. The boys looked at each other.
"We talked it over while you were getting your stitches," Harry said.
"And you did the Weasley name proud on the pitch today," Ron said.
"And you sacrificed your broom because Harry's an idiot," Neville said.
"And we figured we could use a more… feminine perspective on some things," Seamus said.
"And since Ron declared you off limits," Dean said.
Ginny glared at Ron, who had the good sense to look away. "What are you saying?" she asked slowly.
Harry looked at the other boys, who nodded. "We have decided to invite you to join our exclusive organization," he said.
Ginny blinked. "You mean 'The Rogues'?" she asked. Harry nodded with a benevolent smile. "Why would I want to do that?"
The seventh year Gryffindor boys – or the Rogues, as they were known by the school – looked at each other. "Sorry?" Dean asked.
"I mean, you guys are cool and all," Ginny said. "Hell, you're probably the most popular guys in school, but why would I join your secret club? Seems like all you do is drink and talk about girls."
They actually looked offended by her accusation, but then straightened up and looked at someone behind Ginny. She turned around to see Professor Minerva McGonagall approach through the crowd. McGonagall was a tall witch with a severe face and iron-grey hair tied back in a tight bun. She looked very angry.
McGonagall stopped a few feet away from them. "Well?" she asked. "What do you have to say for yourselves?" Ginny glanced at the boys, and followed their lead. They had much more experience with the deputy headmistress than she had.
Harry shrugged. "Fun game," he said. "Shame it got out of hand." McGonagall's face whitened, and her lips were so tight they threatened to disappear.
"Right," Dean said. "Sorry about that, but you know Quidditch. Tensions run high in the skies."
McGonagall's eyes narrowed. "Over twenty students were sent to the hospital wing this afternoon," she said. "What in Morgana's name were you thinking?"
"Over twenty?" Ginny asked, surprised. There were only twelve players.
"There were several duels in the stands," McGonagall replied. "Now answer the question. Why were you playing against Slytherin?"
Harry stepped forward. "That was my fault, Professor," he said. "See, during the summer, I did some thinking. You know, I'm of age now, and this whole Gryffindor-Slytherin thing just seems so… childish. I mean, what are we really so wrapped up in? A game? A cup? Whether red is better than green when together they make Christmas?"
"Your point, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"Right," Harry said. "So this morning, I swung by the Slytherin table and proposed a friendly game – you know, in the spirit of inner-school unity. How was I supposed to know Draco would take it so seriously?"
McGonagall pinched the bridge of her nose. "Mr. Potter, you and Mr. Malfoy have been antagonizing each other since the your first train ride," she said. "While your stated intentions are commendable, your actions were exceedingly reckless. Since you did not technically break any rules, and the semester has yet to actually start, I cannot punish you. But bear in mind this is a very important year for all of you, with the exception of Miss Weasley. I trust you not to get into too much trouble."
McGonagall turned and strode back down the hall. As the professor turned a corner, Ginny let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Merlin, Harry," she said. "I can't believe you bullshitted McGonagall like that."
Harry smirked. "The best bullshit has a bit of truth," he said.
"What does that mean?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, just that-" Harry said as he turned around. "Fuck."
The other five turned to see a very irate Hermione Granger stomping towards them and pushing through the crowd, followed by the Head Boy – Ernie MacMillan. Hermione had bushy brown hair pulled back in a plait, and a serious face. Ernie was blonde, blue eyed, and cheerful.
"What was that?" Hermione practically shrieked.
Ginny tensed up again, but the boys visibly relaxed, with the exception of Ron.
"Ernie. Alright, mate?" Harry asked, and nodded at the boy. Ernie nodded in reply. "Hermione, what seems to be the problem?"
"The problem? The problem?" Hermione asked. "The problem is that 23 students are in the hospital wing because of your little stunt!"
"It was just a friendly-" Harry began, but was cut off.
"Oh don't give me that, Potter," Hermione said. "I know you. I know your tricks."
"We were just talking to McGonagall," Dean said, and pointed over his shoulder.
"Oh like the head of Gryffindor is going to be fair to you," Hermione said.
"We've lost more points to her than anyone else," Neville said.
"And served more detentions," Seamus said.
Hermione actually growled. "I don't care," she said. "This is my year. My opportunity to make a difference in this castle, and I will not have you screw-ups mess it up for me! Come on, Ernie." She turned, and stomped down the hall. Ernie nodded at them, somewhat apologetically, and followed.
"Wow," Ginny said. "She really doesn't like you guys." They laughed, except for Ron.
"Come on, Roguette," Seamus said. "Let's get back to base." He walked off, and the other boys followed.
"I said no to your recruitment attempt," Ginny said, but followed anyway.
"Rogue Rule number one," Neville said. "Never take no for an answer."
"Wow," Ginny said. "That is incredibly troublesome."
The boys looked at each other in horror. "Merlin, not like that," Ron said. "You really think – No! No, no, no, just for, you know, fun things you want to do, but think you shouldn't."
"Like turning the main stairs into a waterslide," Seamus said.
"That is a fantastic idea," Harry said. "Neville, write that down."
"Why do I have to write it down?" Neville complained.
"Because Harry's illiterate," Dean said. Harry smacked him in his freshly healed arm, and he winced. Ginny giggled – this might actually be fun.
"Seamus!" Lavender yelled, and ran up to them. She hugged Seamus tightly. "Oh, I was so worried."
"Hey, hey now, I'm alright," Seamus said and patted her on the back. "Just a sprained ankle."
"Why would you do something so stupid?" Lavender asked.
Dean snorted. "I can't believe you're still asking that question," he said.
"I know," Lavender said with a sigh. "I'm just constantly hoping he'll grow a brain." She kissed Seamus on the cheek. "Let's nurse you back to health."
Seamus raised his eyebrows. "Yeah?" he asked with a grin. Lavender let him go, and walked off. "I'll see you lads later." He hobbled after her in his crutches.
"Gross," Ron said. Ginny stared at him.
"Potter!" a feminine and angry voice yelled.
Harry looked around. "Who else did I piss off today?" he asked, then saw Tracy walk towards them.
"Can I have a word with you?" Tracy asked.
"Sure," Harry said.
Tracy stared at him, and tapped her foot. "Alone," she said.
"Oh, yeah, of course," Harry said, then turned to his friends. "I'll catch up with you guys." His friends frowned and nodded, then walked away. He turned to Tracy, who turned on her heel and walked into an empty classroom. Harry followed her, and she turned to face him.
"So, what's up, Tracy?" Harry asked.
"What are you playing at, Potter?" Tracy asked. Her voice was low and angry.
Harry blinked. "Uh," he said. "What?"
"Don't play coy," Tracy said, and took a step towards him. "You're not nearly as clever as you think."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Harry said, and stepped back.
Tracy barked out a sarcastic laugh. "Please, your little come on to Daphne at breakfast?" she asked. "It wasn't exactly subtle."
Harry snorted. "You're actually grilling me about my intentions?" he asked. "Are you her father?"
"I know your intentions, Potter," Tracy said. "I know you. She's just another conquest to you, another notch on your bedpost."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "And if I said that's not the case?" he asked.
"I wouldn't believe you," Tracy said. "And even if that were true, she's far too good for you."
Harry leaned against a desk and smirked. "No one's too good for me," he said.
Tracy glared at him. "Gods, you're such an asshole," she said. "Just forget about it. You'll just embarrass yourself. Worse, you'll embarrass Daphne."
Harry sighed, and looked Tracy in the eyes. She faltered for a second. "Look, Tracy, the honest truth is that I think Daphne is beautiful, and interesting, and I want to get to know her better," he said. "That's it."
Tracy stared at him, and snorted and shook her head. "You're good, Potter. You almost had me there," she said. She walked past him and stood at the door. "By the way, if you really want to know her, you probably shouldn't have hospitalized her boyfriend." She turned, and walked out.
"Her what!?" Harry yelled after her. Tracy smirked to herself.
###################
Ginny stood in the seventh year dorm, and looked around. Scattered cards lay on the table, along with a half-empty bottle of firewhiskey and an ashtray with a couple roaches. In one corner there was a small stack of cases of beer, along with a few more liquor bottles. In another, there was a sizable record collection and a record player. The walls were adorned with posters of girls and quidditch players.
"So, this is base," Ginny said, and sniffed at the air. "Smells kinda like dude. And wow, that is a lot of liquor."
Dean and Neville sat at the table. Dean gathered up the scattered cards. "Yeah, we had a hell of a time sneaking it all in," Dean said.
Neville laughed. "It was even harder to convince the elves not to report us," he said.
Ginny paled slightly. "They do that?" she asked, and thought about the pack of cigarettes hidden in her trunk.
Dean laughed. "Relax, most of the time they don't report anything," he said, and started to shuffle the cards. "But considering the sheer bulk of illicit goods, we had to cut a deal."
"What sort of deal could you possibly make with House Elves?" Ginny asked, and examined a poster of two girls making out in their underwear.
"We threatened to do all our own cleaning unless they kept their mouths' shut," Dean said.
Ginny snorted. "And they believed that?" she asked, and picked up the quaffle on the ground.
"Elves aren't the smartest creatures," Dean said.
"How did you figure out that they snitch?" Ginny asked. "I never heard anything like that."
"Third year," Dean said, and nodded at Neville. "Captain Planet here decided to sneak in a Devil's Snare and got busted."
Ginny's eyes widened and she turned to Neville. "You smuggled in Devil's Snare?" she asked.
"It's a fascinating plant," Neville said, with a slight grumble. "It's perfectly safe in the right conditions."
"The right conditions being?" Ginny asked.
"Five miles away and on fire," Dean said with a grin. Ginny laughed, then looked around.
"Do I want to know why Ron's been in the bathroom so long?" Ginny asked.
"He's just sulking," Neville said with a shrug. "Best leave him be."
Ginny frowned and glanced towards the bathroom door. "What about?" she asked.
"Granger," Dean said. "Your brother has a thing for her. And after today's altercation.."
Ginny sighed. "He thinks she hate him," she said.
"Bingo," Dean said, and pointed at her.
Behind her, the door slammed open. She jumped and spun around to see Harry. "She has a boyfriend!" he yelled. He stomped in and pulled the cork off the firewhiskey.
"Who?" Ginny asked.
"Greengrass," Harry spat. He took a gulp from the bottle and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Whatever. I'm over her. She's a bitch, anyway."
Ginny stared at him, and jumped again when the bathroom door slammed open. "Ha!" Ron yelled from the door. He walked across the room towards Harry, with a triumphant grin. "I win!"
"She has a boyfriend," Harry said. "Bet's off."
Ron grinned wider. "No it's not," he said. "You should've done your research before you shook on it. I win!"
"That's not fair!" Harry said.
"Rules is rules," Ron said.
Harry shrugged. "Then the bet's still on," he said.
"What? Are you going to break them up?" Neville asked.
"Of course not," Harry said, and took another swig off the bottle. "But as Ron will never get with Granger, so I can take my sweet-ass time waiting for them to break up."
Ron and Ginny were glaring at Harry, but Ginny opened her mouth first. "Hold on," she said. Her voice had a dangerous edge to it. "Don't tell me you're betting on girls."
Harry and Ron glanced at each other. "It sounds bad when you put it like that," Ron said.
"Then how would you put it?" Ginny growled.
Harry winced. "Me and Ron have a gentlemen's agreement to see who could first court the young lady of our respective fancy," he said. "It's harmless."
Ginny huffed. "You are both unbelievable," she said. "And what if they say no? Or aren't interested?"
"Then we'll back off," Ron said, and Harry nodded rapidly. "Promise."
Ginny glared at the two boys. "And you chose them because you're genuinely interested?" she asked. They nodded. "This isn't a game or a joke?" They shook their heads. "Good, and if you hurt either of them, I hurt you. Clear?" They nodded. Ginny nodded and sat down at the table. Dean was continuing to shuffle the playing cards. "Are we playing or not?"
Ron looked at Harry. Harry handed him the bottle, and Ron took a swig of it.