A/N – A double chapter update because I was feeling kind :)

I do not own Harry Potter but damn-it, this Fic is mine okay? I'm claiming that as my own but just encase you're reading JKR I'm willing to make a trade. Just hand me the rights to the Harry Potter franchise and I'll give you this, deal?

Chapter 4 - Still Just a Teenager

Dear Harry,

As I'm sure you know we're going to the Quidditch world cup this summer with Ron. The rest of his family were due to pick you up on the 24th of August to ensure everything goes to plan regarding your family, and to avoid any hiccups.

However, it just so happens that Mr and Mrs Weasley are out for the evening the night before and so their planning to take advantage of it. Ron and the twins, insisting to keep up their idiot ways, intend to come a day early and didn't even think to tell you, hence my letter.

They are now coming on the evening of August 23rd! Their parents don't even know their doing it!

I think Ron feels bad about not being able to send much for your birthday. I told him you wouldn't mind but you know what he's like - once the twins found out there was no stopping them.

I wrote this letter as soon as I found out; I only hope Pidwidgeon (Ron's new owl) makes it to you in time.

Yours sincerely,

Hermione.

Thirty minutes of frantic packing, a heated argument with Vernon Dursley followed by a rushed floo power trip and Harry's face found the tiled floor of the burrow. "God, I hate floo powder."

He never was much of a traveller and apparently nothing he did over the summer changed that.

Slowly getting to his feet Harry was swatting off dirt when he found himself nearly reunited with the floor thanks to a tight hug, "Hermione?" He guessed, although it didn't smell like her?

"Course it is you dummy, how was your summer?" Came the muffled voice buried into his chest. Having done some growing over the summer Hermione looked great. The once frizzy untameable hair seemed to finally be under control as it fell perfectly framing her face.

Harry pulled away to get a better look and then poked her forehead in a childish fashion, "Damn Hermione, it's good to see you again. Thanks for the letter by the way, arrived just in time." He smirked, "I see you revisited the land of sugar, spice and everything nice too. You're looking great."

Before she could hit him he pulled her into another hug...ah, it was good to be back in the real world.

"Speck for yourself," Ron grinned as he came through the fireplace in a burst of green flame and gave him a fist bump. "Bloody hell Harry, I barely recognised you. I'd guess you're nearly as tall as me now."

He wasn't lying, Harry had done some growing up over the summer and to put it plainly, puberty had hit like a train and then reversed back over him for good measure. The last of his baby fat still clinging to his features had vanished and his hair sat untamed, as long and messy as ever before.

"Yeah Harry right enough, you're starting to look like a member of one of those muggle boy bands, not a good thing Harry dearest," George joked handing him his trunk.

Fred raised an eyebrow, "Right enough, we can't have that Harry people will start saying things."

Harry snorted; it was good to be back. "Gotta have flaws somewhere right? So how have you lot been? Enjoying the summer break and what about this Quidditch game? Damn I can't..." His voice trailed off as emerald eyes peered around the room spotting more than a few familiar faces, then they snapped back to the twins in an incredulous manner. "Just what the hell's going on here?"

"It's your birthday party, pea brain. Didn't think we forgot about you, eh?"

"We weren't gonna let you wither away with your freaky family."

"You're a big boy now, and that means you need a party."

"Thankfully, we have supplied one."

The twins grabbed onto each shoulder pushing Harry further into the house where he was met with tables stacked with food, floating confetti and smiling faces. He only got a glance before being pushed on but he was pretty sure he even spotted his Quidditch team among the crowd.

"No worries of course Harry, this party's especially for you."

"And a fantastic excuse might I add for some pre-world cup celebration."

"No need to thanks us."

"We're more than happy to arrive at your muggle home via floo power, unannounced and a day early I might add."

"Like the heroes we are Fred."

"Like the heroes we are George."

They agreed with one another satisfied, before giving a strong salute.

"Your uncle looked like he was going to eat you so it was best to get you out of that house as soon as possible."

"Seemed like a lovely chap all the same, lives up to the stories."

"Next time you see him Harry do apologise about the vase, I'd no idea it'd smash so easy."

For once in his life Harry was speechless, they didn't need to do all this for him.

"Oi, keep your eyes to yourself Katie."

"Yeah, you're practically undressing him in plain sight!"

"Naughty girl. Plenty of time for that later!"

Sure enough, Harry found himself squashed tightly beside Katie at the Weasley dinner table and having only just arrived he was way too many drinks behind.

Harry was a teenager, a male one for that matter and therefore always up for doing the do in recent times whether he liked it or not. Thus was the effect of male hormones. That being said he was also fourteen, and while still thinking rationally, was quite hopeful that the twins were not newfound seers.

Katie was one of the few popular, pretty girls that he got on well with. Quidditch practice ensured he had a good enough friendship with her all things considered and they had always got a kick out of winding each other up. It was just what they did but with this many shameless eyes giving them looks, not to mention the occasional eyeballing from Ginny, Harry thought it a little awkward.

Taking another sip of her drink Katie laughed as she watched Harry try and cram a roast potato into his mouth. "Happy belated birthday Harry, you seem to be enjoying the party, or the food at least?"

"Comfort eating," was Harry's muffled reply before gulping it down and smiling. "Best party I've ever had, although we can't talk yet Katie."

Katie looked a little taken back until Harry pointed an accusing finger. "You didn't get me a present and although the banana split you brought looks delicious you're getting the cold shoulder until I taste it."

Katie laughed at his antics. "As humble as ever Harry, good to see your humour hasn't changed with the rest of you this summer; though you have been a little more extreme since the whole Dementor thing."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh so I'm not the only one that noticed? That's good. Hermione just thinks I'm going through a phase and Ron blames puberty. New school year new me though, I swear. I'll go back to being pretty boring soon enough."

Harry did little to back up his statement as he absentmindedly flicked a pea at Ron halfway through the sentence. With a green splat on his check the confused red head put the blame on the twins and thus chaos ensued.

It wasn't long before a small food war had started and Harry could only watch on in pride at his handy work.

Fighting back another laugh Katie got his attention with a poke to the chest. "Harry you little twit, if someone even thinks about throwing my banana split you're getting the blame."

"Don't judge me Katie, the school year hasn't started yet," Harry quipped with a snigger. "I wouldn't worry about your desert either, plenty for everyone."

When her eyes danced with mischief Harry realised he'd made a mistake and Katie smiled and leaned in with a whisper. "Yeah but the banana split was especially for you."

She let out a giggle at Harry's red face. "Let's hear your witty response to that one chub."

Fuck. He was in deeper than he thought and she was always better at this kind of thing than.

To hell with it; act now regret later and so Harry turned to look at her with a funny face. "Oh so I've graduated to you using a nickname now? I'm so happy, no more flashes of McGonagall when you call me Potter." Then he frowned, "Although, if you're gonna keep using that it'll get pretty awkward when people start asking you what my chub's like."

If Katie cared she didn't show it. "Between that thick head of yours and a love of danger I didn't think you'd ever notice the little things, you're improving though."

Harry shrugged slightly confused, "What do u mean, love of danger? It always finds me. I'm like a magnet for bad things and like I said I'm a changed man. No more killing basilisks, no more pissing off Snape and no more danger. Good grades, playing Quidditch and the occasional drinking session at Hogsmeade to shake things up a little."

Harry was actually being serious for once. Like hell he wanted a repeat of last year.

Katie looked sceptical but pleased nonetheless. "Yeah sure, I'll remember you said that when you walk back into the dormitory covered in Basilisk blood. God you smelt so bad that day, why didn't you get a shower first."

"Hello? I killed a seventy food noodle with the sword of Gryffindor. You can call me He-Who-Shall-Not-Shower, for the rest of my life, I don't care, that day was so freaky I needed my bed," Harry reasoned as he laid into another roast potato. "When people get sick of my story and I become old news I won't crash and burn like every other child celebrity. I've made enough awesome memories in three years to do me a lifetime. When I feel the need for a spending spree I'll just sell a memory off and I'll make a fortune."

Katie could only roll her eyes. "Harry, has anyone ever told you you're an egotistical idiot?"

Harry gave her a hearty smile. "Yeah, Hermione does all the time actually. Don't worry though, she's not competition. Nobody gets me down quite like you."

Katie shook her head laughing all the same. "So what's your plan for tonight? Once we get dinner I think they're planning on a few games."

"Great," He said unenthusiastically. Harry knew well enough to know what that meant. "Some good ole fashioned spin-the-bottle, right? That won't be awkward at all when Wood spins onto Ginny."

Katie nearly spit out her drink.

Getting out of his seat Harry let out a loud yawn along with a stretch much to the amusement of those around him. As much fun as it is being a shameless flirt nature was calling and he never was one to keep the circles of life waiting. "I'll be right back. Gotta hunk out a dirt snake."

At that Katie did spit out her drink.

Hermione Granger was the brightest witch in her generation, a living product of where hard work could get you and had many times been told of her promising future. With this knowledge, one could understand how she wouldn't condone the current happenings around her.

Fred and George stood atop the Weasley kitchen table, dancing and shouting at the top of their lungs they were the life and soul of the party. Ollie was the opposite, sitting back in an old rocking chair deep in thought, no doubt thinking up Quidditch tactics over a glass of Firewhisky whilst enjoying the view of Angelina and Katie. It looked like he was giving more attention to some parts of the female anatomy than others though.

Alicia, despite starting sensibly, had ran to the bathroom needing to puke quite some time ago and on top of that there were a few notable faces such as Lee Jordan passed out on the kitchen floor.

Hermione could only shake her head as one of the twins slipped off the table with a thud followed by a groan. It had all been going so well until one of them cracked out that case of Firewhisky.

Surrounded by chaos Hermione sat cross legged, tucked into the corner of the Weasley couch reading Ancient Runes Made Easy by Laurenzoo Oliveer. She was still enjoying herself all the same, although it was rather bothersome playing mother hen yet again.

Speaking of which, her best friend instincts kicked in as she realised her chocolate brown eyes hadn't settled on Harry for over thirty seconds. Things would tend to go south when he was left to his own devices.

Just as the thought entered her mind Harry vaulted her sofa from behind, landing beside her with the grace of a flying elephant and laughing to himself as he went.

Hermione failed to hold back a shriek and reacted just as the boy expected. "Harry you scared the life out of me, don't do that!"

A slap to the back of his head didn't do much to stop him breaking out a jolly smile and soon she couldn't help but crack one too, somewhat amused. "You seem in a good mood, better than Ron at least?"

Glazed over emerald eyes gave her the 'what's wrong with Ron now' look. How one could convey such a specific question through facial expressions alone was a golden trio trade secret.

"He passed out," Hermione said, a twisted pleasure evident in her voice. "Serves him right too. He drank half of one of those Firewhisky bottles in ten minutes, honestly he's an idiot. Just what did he expect?"

Harry hoped the question was rhetorical as he was too busy having an internal debate and not really listening to the sultry threats Hermione was continuing to direct his way.

His blurry hand reached out for the mostly empty glass in front of him, and then it stopped.

'Glasses are for the weak... make Ron proud,' his inner devil taunted.

"- and Mr and Mrs Weasley will be home shortly, they can't actually expect to get away with this."

Harry zoned back to life at the end of Hermione's rant and his blurred hand latched firmly onto a barely touched bottle of Firewhisky. He darted before Hermione could take it away.

"Harry please don't tell me you're planning on drinking all that?"

Harry giggled and tucked it further into his chest. "Just a little, it'll keep me ticking over."

The raven haired teen didn't help his case when he stumbled on nothing.

Arms crossed, single foot tapping, Hermione's patience was running thin as she resembled the very definition of authority. "Harry, give me the bottle...Now!"

It was one of those moments when time seemed to slow and Harry weighed his options.

On one hand he could trade this bottle for Hermione's book on Runes, he hadn't got it from Hogwarts and from what he saw it looked limited addition too, no doubt costing the girl a pretty penny.

Hermione of course would accept the deal looking out for his wellbeing. Damn, she was a great friend.

Or there was the other hand.

Firstly, this was the last bottle of the good stuff left; he would be doing everyone else a favour if he took it, right? He was the birthday boy after all and it would be a sin if he somehow ended up remembering the night.

On top of that Katie looked great, like she'd spent a good deal of time in front of the mirror today and he didn't need to be Quirrelmort to tell she was checking him out all night when his back was turned.

Now Harry was no love guru but even he could see the signs, then her banana split comment had come and the events of the night had been all but sealed. All he had to do was run over there, a little bit of the ole Potter sweet talk and Hermione wouldn't dare interrupt a snogging session.

He could kiss the girl and keep his drink... 'But I won't get the book.'

Harry cursed the voice in his head. He really did hate himself sometimes.

The decision was clear to any normal guy but Harry knew well enough by now he wasn't normal. Something about that Dementor had seriously messed him up and he wasn't so much of an idiot to call it puberty like Ron. He felt different, he acted different and he was different, but damn-it, with everything that had changed he was still a winner.

Call Harry greedy and he'd agree but it would be all or nothing from this point on.

Resigned to the self-afflicted curse of striving for the best Harry took a large drawn out gulp straight from the bottle that sent his throat alight and an uncontrollable shake through his body. Then he gave a wink towards an astonished Hermione before he straightened up and gave his best charming smile.

An empty bottle of Firewhisky lay in the corner, Hermione's book sat on his trunk and Harry was failing to wash Katie's lipstick off his neck.

"I'm never drinking again."

Despite the successful night he was feeling it the next morning. Having spent the summer in his cage he had sprung at the chance to let loose and maybe ended up going a little overboard. Two full months of fun had been blasted out in one night and he was beginning to regret it.

No he did regret it.

Even the thought of drinking a butterbeer right now made him want to puke and he'd have to think of a way to sneak Hermione's book back to her. Then there was Katie, how did that even start?

Maybe it would help if he remembered some of it? The lipstick told him it happened and he knew for a fact he enjoyed it but still.

His normally glowing emerald eyes were dull and bloodshot as Harry looked at himself in the mirror. He'd seen better days alright but figured he was still in better shape than Ron. As luck would have it Molly and Arthur came home in the early hours of the morning and hell hath no fury like Molly Weasley.

The twins, Ron and even Ginny were marched down the stairs, berated like nothing he'd ever witnessed and then they'd been cleaning ever since.

God did that women scare him.

Of course anyone who wasn't a Weasley was as good as gold in the matriarchs' eyes, and if he remembered right he even got a hug from the woman before bed. Or it could have been Katie, he honestly wasn't sure anymore.

Shaking his head Harry brushed his teeth and did his best to look presentable. He made sure to give the Weasley children a rather wide birth, he couldn't imagine they'd be in too good a form this morning and as he walked down into the kitchen he was met with three rather different expressions.

Ginny was glaring daggers his way, never a good sign. Hermione was failing miserably to wipe the smirk off her face and finally Mrs Weasley was beaming at him.

He did not deserve that lady.

"Oh Harry dear, you're awake." She walked around the table making him sit, already using her magic to prepare him a breakfast. "Arthur is already away to work and Percy never came home so what would you like for breakfast? I've already made Hermione some pancakes, would you like that too dear?"

Harry suppressed a grimace; Molly was royally pissed if she wasn't even acknowledging the misbehaved children. "Thanks Mrs Weasley but I'll have to pass. I think I must have eaten something last night, I'm feeling a little off. I'll be more than happy to come back in an hour or so if you're still offering."

"Oh of course dear, maybe take a walk outside and get some fresh air."

Well that played out rather nicely.

After a few minutes of motherly interrogation Harry was on his way outside, trudging along the parameter of the burrow enjoying the country air and trying to keep his stomach settled before eventually heading towards the Weasley barn.

Harry made sure to close the doors behind him, not sure how the little guy would react to the new surroundings.

On that note he hadn't told Hermione or Ron about him either. It's not like it was a secret, he just never brought it up. Harry supposed there were a few things about him now that he kept to himself, but it's not like he really meant too.

He had told them both he was reading all his books and notes again in preparation for the upcoming school year and he mentioned quite a few times that he wanted to really knuckle down and improve.

That being said he'd never mentioned his interest in wandless magic or the fact that he was practising Ancient Runes. Harry didn't even want to think of Hermione and Ron's reaction to his scar flaring up again either. It had only ever meant one thing.

"You wouldn't happen to know what happened to my copy of Ancient Runes Made Easy."

Harry jumped in shock, "Fuck Hermione, ever heard of a warning." He looked over his shoulder not having noticed her enter the barn and scratched his check, "Yeah, about that. Sort of stole it last night. Don't worry you'll get it back."

Hermione's eyes narrowed for a few moments before she shrugged seemingly accepting the answer. "What did you even want it for though; you're not doing the subject?"

Harry thought about his answer. "Couldn't possibly imagine what I was thinking, you saw the state I was in."

Hermione's face grew suspicious but quickly seeing she wasn't going to get another answer she let it drop. "Well then, is there any reason you've closed yourself in the barn or have you finally gone loopy on me."

Harry nodded, "Yep. Contrary to popular belief ickle Voldy-kins didn't fuck my brain up, well maybe a little but still. I'd just like to point out, Harry three, dark lord zero by the way too! That's a record and a half right there, who else can say that?"

As he was rambling Harry reached into his pocket revealing a lightning blue crystal, long and rectangular with curved edges, it also had two small silver pendants on either side of it where a thin black chord had been attached as an afterthought to make it a necklace. "You know what this is Hermione, I'm sure you do. Hagrid covered them in class last year."

Silly question, of course she knew, "Harry how did you get one of those?"

Hermione was by his side immediately for a closer look. "A companion pendant, a rare item used for housing magical creatures in their natural habitat..." Then she paled, "Please don't tell me you raided your vault for that Harry. A cage is more than sufficient for Hedwig."

"Oh god no, it's not for Hedwig," Harry said, putting the necklace where it belonged around his neck. "I didn't have it on last night encase somebody saw it but I suppose it really doesn't matter too much, I was planning to tell you and Ron pretty soon anyway."

It wasn't very often curiosity got the better of her. "Well what sort of thing do you have in there to justify buying a companion pendant? Really Harry, you ought to be more careful with your money."

Harry was going to respond to that until he realised she was right. He had an eye for the extravagant which was usually pretty pricy. Hell, if it weren't for Hagrid he'd have bought a solid gold cauldron during his first trip to Diagon Alley.

Just imagine Snape's face. Maybe he should invest in one of those actually.

"I wouldn't worry about it Hermione," Harry defended. "A pen pal I made over the summer insisted on sending me it and he has them by the dozen, got them back in the day when they used to be dirt cheap so he doesn't mind."

"Who do you know willing to ju-"

Harry put a hand to her mouth and shushed her, "All in good time." The last thing he wanted to do was spend the day explaining how he became BFF's with Newt Scamander.

"Look, wait till you see this," Harry held the pendant out from his body, a little excitement making its way to his face. "Come on out buddy."

On Harry's command the pendant glowed before a blue shot of light burst forth, slowly taking the shape of a silver bird its feathers shimmering in the centre but with traces of bright blue at the tips. A head formed first, similar to that of an eagle only with two pointed ears on either side. This was followed by six powerful wings, two large ones were they should be and four smaller ones symmetrical down its bulky body.

The little bird let out a shrill screech that Harry figured would have sounded quite terrifying if it wasn't the size of a chicken. "Oi, common you, there's not enough room for the both of us to show off."

In awe Hermione was left speechless, so many questions racing through her mind she simply couldn't help but fire them out. "What's her name? What even is it? How did you get it?

"What's his name actually," Harry laughed. His reaction had been much the same when he woke up to find a small pint sized chick trying to peck a hole it his desk. "And to answer in that order, it's a thunderbird. The end of last year, you remember the night Dumbledore was asking to see me while I was at Quidditch practice, apparently I was the only one compatible with the little guy whatever that means, so I was asked to take care of him."

As Harry talked his new pet soared and played above them, gracefully diving then rising with only a few flaps of its powerful wings before something seemed to catch his eye. The bird's two largest wings were held out straight whilst the bottom four flapped fast making him hover in place not unlike a humming bird, then it swopped and chirped cheerfully when a small mouse was caught in its talons.

Harry's eye quirked, "Well that's new, I've seen him shoot sparks a few times but I didn't know he could hover in place like that."

Having started to get over her surprise Hermione's gaze followed the bird with something akin to awe. Seeing this Harry smiled and let out a whistle. "That's no way to treat a friend, get over here buddy and introduce yourself buddy."

Playful eyes looked over and in a flash the bird was hovering by his side, although Harry couldn't help but notice how it kept its distance from the strange new face, "Hermione, meet Omelette the thunderbird."

Hermione couldn't believe him, "Omelette? You called him Omelette! Harry you buffoon you can't call him that."

"Well what else was I meant to call a pet egg," Harry shouted back quite defensively. He thought Omelette was kind of cute.

"Did it ever occur to you that he wouldn't be an egg forever?" Hermione ground out still not quite believing him.

Harry stood straight and cracked his back, "Yeah well I like it and so does Omelette, isn't that right buddy!"

When the little ball of fuzz chirped happily in response Hermione could only palm her face in defeat, "You've already made him like you, great. At least Hedwig knew you were an idiot."

Harry held out his hand and Omelette slowly hovered down before perching on it, his little head help high and sharp eyes giving Hermione the once over now they were eye to eye. "His kind's actually a distant cousin to phoenixes, don't be too rash though, he's a playful little thing but he doesn't have Fawkes temperament as my dearest cousin found out."

"He's amazing Harry," Hermione breathed out. "It's okay, I won't hurt you."

Just like Harry had done with Buckbeak, Hermione edged forward slowly but surely until she was only a few feet away.

Harry couldn't help but notice Omelette slowly recoil and sure enough Hermione got a shock when she put a tentative hand forward.

Hermione let out a yelp, "What did I do wrong?"

Omelette chirped with glee causing Hermione to narrow her eyes. "Well that wasn't very nice now was it?"

Her best scolding voice made the chick look somewhat ashamed which in turn made Hermione's gaze soften ever so slightly.

"I wouldn't worry about it Hermione, he doesn't seem like much of a people's person to be honest." The chick demolished his attempt at consolation when it buried his head into Harry's check. "I don't really know, so far he's only let me near him but I'm sure he'll come round."

At hearing that Omelette shook his head rather sharply.

Hermione practically melted which earned her a bird's best attempt at a glare. "Wait, he can really understand us can't he? What else can he do?"

Before Harry could respond Omelette kicked off his shoulder and with another chirp started spinning and playing as he circled, every now and then a few bright blue sparks flew out in all directions making Harry grin. "He's a real show off isn't he, as for what he can do, well they've never really been studied properly before because they're so rare. My pen pal reckons Omelette might actually be one of the last of his kind."

Hermione scrunched her eyes, deep in thought, "When we get back to Hogwarts I'll check the library to see if I can learn anything, you've got his living conditions covered but what about food? He needs the right diet but if he's related to a phoenix it should be pretty similar. He's also magical which means he'll have abilities to contend with too. You've your work cut out for you Harry."

The list went on and on as Hermione entered control mode. When she was interested in something or felt the need to help out she did so in the only way she knew how, knowledge.

Harry rolled his eyes but appreciated the help all the same. "I wouldn't worry about it too much Hermione; he sorts himself out food wise. When he busted out of his shell he ate it which was a real pain because apparently it's worth a lot of money. Anyway, my pen-pal told me the shell most likely gives him the kick start he needs to grow and since then he's just hunted when I let him out at night."

With that Hermione seemed satisfied although no doubt still planning a trip to the library to try and find something useful.

The pair watched in silence for some time, giving Omelette the chance to play and watching as he flew around the barn inspecting every nock, cranny and crevice with enthusiasm.

Hermione let out a small squeak every time the chick looked back making sure Harry was still present and watching.

Walking over to a bale of hay Harry jumped onto it and lay back with a loud stretch. "I think I could go straight back to sleep you know, I'm still not feeling right after last night."

Eyes never leaving Harry's new companion, Hermione smirked. "I can believe that alright. You drunk more than Ron and he passed out before the night even began." She gave him an amused glare, "Who knew Harry James Potter was a raging alcoholic in the making."

Another satisfied stretch and Harry grunted, "Another one of his many talents I presume. Wait till Rita Skeeter hears about this. It'd make front cover news, guarantee it."

Hermione adopted a rare mischievous grin. "Oh but just imagine what she'd write if she knew about you're adventures with the opposite sex last night too."

"So that's what that look was about," Harry sat up looking at her incredulously. "How did you know, I thought we snuck off pretty quietly?"

"Oh I didn't know at first. Ginny did, who then told everyone." She laughed when Harry buried his hands in his face. "Then about half an hour later you came back, a few remnants of lipstick on your face and encase you haven't noticed there's a hicky on the side of your neck too."

Quite unlike herself Hermione was in stitches at his over the top reaction to finding the love bite.

Blushing furiously Harry palmed his face, "Oh my god what have I done? Katie for sure took advantage of me; no way would I have done that. It was the drink not me." The entire Weasley family had blackmail on him for life. "I guess that explains Ginny too?"

"Yep," Hermione chided. "She's probably been deciding on ways to kill you all morning."

Harry gulped.

"Honestly Harry, I wouldn't be too worried. Katie's popular, she's part of the Quidditch team, and she's pretty and kind. You could do a lot worse."

Now he was really surprised. What the hell had summer done to everyone? "Wait, so you're actually condoning this?"

Hermione signed and crossed her arms. "I didn't say that Harry, I'm just making the point that you could do worse is all. We're all growing up and it's just what happens when you get older, these kind of things that is. I simply said that you could do a lot worse; Katie's a nice girl."

There were a few moments of silence before he spoke next. "Where did this even come from?" Harry said, thinking aloud. "One second we're talking, the next its banter about banana splits and before you know it… I just can't understand."

"You'll never change Harry," Hermione groaned in frustration. "Katie's had a thing for you since second year; and just when I thought you finally figured it out too. Now please tell me you're going to do something about this."

Harry let out a low whistle upon hearing that. Well that bit of information had sailed right over his head. He finally reacted with a shrug. "I think I could do with one of Mrs Wesley's pancakes."

At that he jumped off the bale completely oblivious to Hermione's death glare. "Or do you think I could get away with asking for an early lunch? I'm actually quite peckish now."

Thankfully for Harry, looks couldn't kill.

A/N - Okay, I've pumped out those two chapters one after the other pretty quick so enjoy. They were mostly filler but I needed to have something wrote for summer so yeah, plus it gives me a chance for character building which is all good.

I've did my part on giving you more material to waste your time, read, review whatever, it's 1am, I'm tired and I got shit to do tomorrow...

Later