Disclaimer: I own nothing!

A/N: I know it's a short chapter, but my students come back to school Thursday, so I'm swamped with that. My next chapter will either be tomorrow or Friday. Thanks for the reviews, fans, and follows!


The rest of Harry's holiday spent with Maria flew by. They spent as much time together as possible. On the couple of nights Maria had to work, Harry would sneak in before her shift was over to walk her home.

"Harry, I'm perfectly safe. I've been walking myself home for a while now." However, she liked feeling protected by Harry, and she felt like he needed to do this. Must be some sort of "hero" mentality or something. She'd have to ask Hermione; she and the girl had actually begun talking over the last two days, especially since Maria had gotten over her discomfort with her boyfriend spending all of his time with the pretty brunette.

Harry smiled. "I know you can take care of yourself," he responded as he watched her lock the café, "but I like walking you home. It lets me know you're safe, and it eases Rachel's mind as well, at least while I'm here. Plus, the company's not bad," he said with a smirk.

The two walked the five blocks to Maria's apartment in the snow, talking about their plans for the next week. As Maria told Harry about going to her dad's house on Monday, Harry was distracted by a shadow to his right. Holding tight to his girlfriend's hand with his left, he stopped, pretending to scratch his leg, but really checking to see if his wand was secure in its holster on his right leg. Luckily, he'd worn loose jeans, but unless he absolutely needed the wand, he couldn't pull it out.

Damn Statute of Secrecy. If I let Maria see magic, she'll be obliviated. He kept his eyes open, though, and, sure enough, the pair was being followed. Harry glanced around, looking for a way to find out who was stalking them. If the predator was muggle, he could handle that. Eleven plus years of Dudley and his posse had prepared him for a fight. However, a magical assailant was a different matter. He, being only sixteen, was not allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts, and he was in the presence of a muggle. No matter, if danger approached, Harry would be prepared. No one would touch Maria tonight.

"Harry, are you okay? You're distracted." Maria stopped Harry again, looking in his eyes.

The boy looked back at Maria. Her eyes shone in the moonlight. Thank Merlin he had decided to walk her home tonight. "Yeah, I'll be honest though. Don't look around, but I think we're being followed. Let's walk around a bit before we get to your house, okay?"

Maria nodded. The two walked around about twenty minutes before their shadow finally seemed to completely disappear.

Harry looked around again. "Seems he or she tired out or was getting a bit chilled. I think we can get you home." The couple walked quickly back to the apartment, making sure no one was following them once more. Seeing the path cleared, they entered to an anxious Rachel.

"Finally! Where've you been?" Rachel grabbed her daughter in a hug.

"We walked around the block. It's a nice night out, Mum." Maria looked over her mother's shoulder for confirmation from Harry. She didn't want to worry Rachel any more tonight.

Harry hated to lie to his new friend, but he understood why Maria was doing it. "It truly is. The Christmas décor is still up, and we wanted to look at it before it's gone."

Rachel looked at them both. "Okay, you two. Whatever. Well, tomorrow's our gathering here. You and the Grangers will be here at two?"

"Actually, I'll be here earlier, if that's okay. I have some things I have to cook that will be better if freshly prepared…"

Rachel hugged Harry. "Of course. The door's open whenever, Harry. Just come on in."


The dinner with the Grangers went splendidly. Rachel and Hermione's parents were wonderful together. Maria's mother did see why her daughter was intimidated by the relationship between Harry and Hermione. Anyone could see that the two were close; however, that same person could also see that there were no romantic feelings lost between them. Hermione would stand over Harry, commenting over how he needed to add this spice or mix this a certain way.

Rachel could have sworn she'd heard Harry mutter something like This isn't a damn potions class, Hermione, before she huffed and went to talk to Maria. Huh…

Dinner was wonderful, with Harry concocting a shrimp linguini that melted in Rachel's mouth. She knew now why he didn't want to just bring it over. For dessert, he made a chocolate soufflé, knowing his two favorite girls in the room had a weakness for chocolate.

"My God, Harry. Where'd you learn to cook like this?" Both Rachel and Maria were shocked. Who knew this boy had this talent hidden under that messy head of hair?

Harry laughed. "Well, when you live with my aunt, who hosts dinner parties often, and have an uncle and cousin who love to eat, you learn these things." Harry continued joking about the Dursleys, but Rachel noticed not him, but the two girls. Maria was scowling, apparently knowing something more than she did, but it was Hermione's reaction that was frightening.

The brunette was still clenching her fork as if her life depended on it, but if Rachel didn't know any better, she could have sworn there were…sparks? No, that couldn't be. There was no way sparks could be coming out from that fork…right?

Apparently, Harry noticed as well. "Hey, Hermione! Could you help me get the coffee from the kitchen? Please?"

Maria's eyes followed the two, but she couldn't get over the way Harry bottled his feelings. She looked across the table at her mum; apparently, she had caught more than she let on.


"What the hell was that, Hermione?! You almost blew something or someone away with your fork!" Harry was shocked. Hermione rarely let her temper get that bad.

The girl dropped her head. "I know. It's just whenever I hear you laugh about those damn Dursleys," she bit the word out. "It's not a joke what they've been doing to you, Harry. I won't let you go back there; I don't care if it is just a few more weeks."

"Dumbledore…"

"Will take care of you! Those "blood wards" or whatever can take care of you wherever you are. I don't buy that. I respect Dumbledore as much as anyone, but taking abuse isn't worth that. We can protect my parents' house or somewhere else this summer. We have a few months to figure it out. Come on, let's get the coffee and go back out."


The rest of the evening went smoothly with the Grangers leaving and Harry and Maria going to see a movie. Harry had told Hermione about their stalker the night before when he got home; Hermione, being seventeen and fully equipped with an apparation license and no tracking on her magic, decided to follow the two home with the use of Harry's invisibility cloak (and with Harry's permission, of course).

After leaving the movies and grabbing ice cream, Harry sent a message to Hermione telling her they were on their way to the apartment. She apparated to an alley about a block from the couple and found them quickly, following at a distance to give them privacy and to watch for potential predators.

About three blocks from Maria's apartment, Hermione noticed a dark figure following the two; the shadow ducked into alleys and behind buildings to avoid Harry's watchful eyes. When the way was clear and the two turned a corner, Hermione shot a quick Stupefy and dragged the victim into the alley where he/she was hiding. What she found shocked the hell out her.

"Are we alone?" Maria smiled up to her boyfriend.

"I think so. I really had fun today. Thanks for having us all over. One day I'll subject you to all of the Weasleys, and you can decide just how much you really love me." He grinned as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"I can't wait. I love meeting your friends and family. Speaking of friends, I really should spend tomorrow with Amy and Leah. It feels like forever since I've seen them."

Harry nodded. "You should. I don't like keeping you from your friends. I've forced you to hang out with me and mine all week. They deserve Maria time too. I have one request though."

"What's that?"

"Keep your bracelet on. I can't afford some lonely bloke to come up and try to steal my girl, can I? Plus, it looks good on you." Harry, of course, couldn't tell her he had charmed the hell out of that bracelet, but he could "charm" her and make sure she kept it on.

Maria smiled. "Can't let that happen, eh." She turned serious. "I'm going to miss you. When will you be back?"

"June 10th. Hermione swears I'm not going back to the Dursleys', but legally I have to until I'm seventeen. We'll see." Harry bent down and kissed Maria. "Either way, I'll see you. I'll talk to you." Another kiss. "You can't get rid of me. I'm telling the Weasleys about us this week. I'm proud of us. Here," he pulled out his phone and turned her face toward it. Just as he snapped the picture, he kissed her cheek, capturing her large smile.

"Perfect."


Harry was walking out of the complex when he got a call from Hermione to come to her. He ran two blocks back, quickly finding her in an alleyway close to where Maria lived.

"What is it, Hermione?"

"I caught your stalker." Hermione had a pale look on her face.

"Already?!" Harry had underestimated his brilliant friend. "Who was it?"

"At first I thought it was just a random muggle going to try to rob you. However, the longer I waited, I began to notice things. Polyjuice potion, Harry. It wore off while I was waiting to call you. Look." She grabbed his hand and took him down the alley.

Harry looked at the sleeping face of none other than Gregory Goyle.

"Goyle?"

Hermione nodded. "I'm thinking he's helping out either Malfoy or his own father. You did say his dad was with You-Know…Voldemort that night, right?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah. It could be a little of both. Goyle could just be working his way up the ranks to Junior Deatheater. Shit! This close to Maria and Rachel, and I can't warn them! Maria has some protection, but Rachel doesn't. Is there any way to put protection charms around their home?"

Hermione shook her head. "They're muggles. No wizards there, the charms won't hold. Maybe if we tell the ministry, they'd let you tell them about us?"

"I'm telling the Weasleys tomorrow. Tonight, however, I'm staying here."


Maria opened the door to an incessant knocking.

"Harry?" She had already gone to bed, but it looked as if Harry hadn't even gotten home yet.

He looked shy. "Hey. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here." At her nod, he continued. "Well, at my request, Hermione followed us from the ice cream shop tonight. Last night had me a little freaked out. She saw a guy following us and somehow took him out about two blocks back. He's being picked up by the authorities as we speak, but just in case, do you mind if I sleep on your couch? I don't want you two left here alone tonight."

Maria was shocked. Some random guy was following them? "Did you know him?"

Harry's eyebrows flew up. "W-what?"

"Did you know the guy following us? Simple enough question."

Harry looked as if he wanted to lie. "I've seen him before. Not a threatening guy, but I'm glad Hermione took him out when she did."

Maria laughed a bit. "I can see why you're friends with her. Come on. I'll get you some blankets."