"Counterjinxes," said Snape quietly on Friday morning, "as so many of you clearly know nothing about, given the quality of your essays, are your best defense against minor jinxes, however, should you find yourselves faced with a more dangerous spell, they will do you little good." His dark eyes swept over the silent class as they copied down this information. "For these spells, you will need to learn not only defensive, but offensive attacks," he continued, but Harry was finding it difficult to listen. The amount of sleep that he had accumulated over this week was probably equivalent to what the average person required in a night. This was due to the pile of assignments that miraculously seemed to be accumulating as fast as he could complete them. Ron felt the same way, but Hermione, predictably, took another stance.

"Well, if you had used your homework planners, you wouldn't have this problem," she said that day at lunch, helping herself to a turkey sandwich. She was referring, Harry knew, to the Christmas present that she had given each of them last year: a homework planner that gave what were intended to be inspiring phrases related to timeliness. Harry was fairly certain that his was still under the loose floorboard under his bed at Privet Drive, along with the Monster Book of Monsters.

"Yes we would," said Ron, putting down his goblet of pumpkin juice. "We'd just have yet another person telling us that they were late." Harry grinned and reached for a slice of mince pie. He and Ron had vowed to catch up on their homework this weekend so as to avoid another week like the current one. This would have to be put on hold on Saturday, however, so that Harry could attend Slughorn's party with Hermione. At this point, it seemed that every Gryffindor with the exception of McLaggen knew that Harry and Hermione were not actually dating. No one seemed very keen to fill him in, however. This supposed love triangle had also brought another unexpected benefit: Lavender Brown was no longer hostile towards Hermione, which Harry commented on during potions later that day.

"Yeah, well, I reckon she thinks that between you and McLaggen, Hermione won't be going after me," Ron muttered, adding basil to his cauldron. He glanced towards Hermione at the neighboring table. "Not that she'd be going after me anyways, obviously, but Lavender thinks—"

"Yeah, I know," said Harry, deciding not to inform Ron that Lavender's suspicions were, in fact, echoed by almost the entirety of the Gryffindor house, including himself. He bent over his own simmering Curiosity Concoction, which was a pleasant shade of mint green. This particular potion, as Slughorn had explained, would provoke anyone it was given to into a bout of strong interest in the person who had slipped it to them. Its impact was similar to a love potion, but without the amorous side effects. Thus, Slughorn had explained, it would be unwise to give any Curiosity Concoction to an enemy, as they would become highly suspicious, obsessive, and very good at uncovering information.

"I wonder if I could get Malfoy to slip me some," said Harry quietly, squinting to read the Prince's rewritten instructions. Ron rolled his eyes.

"Harry, mate, you don't need any of this to be highly suspicious and obsessive about Malfoy," he said, now trickling a few drops of salamander blood into his cauldron. "Is it supposed to turn purple?" he asked nervously, consulting his own book.

"Er…I don't think so," said Harry, who's own potion had remained the same color of green after he added the blood. "But I'm right about Malfoy, he's up to something, and I'm definitely not very good at 'uncovering information'" he said, glancing across the dungeon to where Malfoy was stirring his potion. Ron shrugged and said no more.

"And once again, you show your mother's talent!" said Slughorn with delight as he passed by Harry's cauldron half an hour later. "Although," he said jovially, "judging by the talk I've been hearing in the corridors about you, you certainly don't need the interest of any more young ladies!" Harry glanced at Ron, and Slughorn continued, waggling his eyebrows. "So which lucky girl will you be taking to my little get-together, then?" he asked. Harry cleared his throat.

"Oh, er, actually, I'm taking Hermione," he said, looking over at her.

"Ah, wonderful! Keeping it in the club, then, shall we say," he chortled, cuffing them each on the shoulder, and Hermione and Harry both grimaced. All in all, they were glad to exit the dungeons at the end of class.

"Mad, isn't he?" said Ron as they trudged up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. Upon reaching the Fat Lady, however, the portrait swung open and several people clambered out.

"I wouldn't go in there, if I were you," said Katie Bell, and Parvati, who was next to her, shook her head in agreement.

"Why not?" asked Ron, but his question was quickly answered for him by noise from within the common room.

"—Always doing things like that, as if I can't do anything for myself!" Harry heard Ginny yell loudly.

"I'm just trying to be helpful!" Dean shouted back. "Is that a crime now?"

"I don't need your help, Dean, I can help myself!"

"Sorry for showing human decency, then!"

"Sorry for not being the girl who needs you to put your cloak over puddles before I step in them!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked at each other. Harry felt the bizarre urge to grin, but decided that this would lead to awkward questions, and therefore desisted.

"Shall we go to the library, then?" asked Hermione, and they quickly agreed. Usually this was not an enjoyable activity, but Harry felt that he should probably get started on his homework before he had to spend another week listening to Snape make snide comments about his tired and vacant expression. (You are cut from the same mold as your father, Potter, staring into space, expecting others to fill in the gaping holes in your knowledge later.) They made their way to the library, all avoiding the topic of Dean and Ginny's shouting match. Harry found that he was able to get through his work at a much faster pace than usual, which probably had something to do with his buoyant mood. At half past seven, the vulture-like Madam Pince appeared suddenly and with alarming stealth to inform them that the library would close in half an hour.

"Scary, that one," Ron said, shaking his head as the librarian retreated into the shadows. "I swear, she makes me feel like I'm insulting her precious books by breathing on them." Just then, another noise put them on the alert.

"Brilliant, she heard you," whispered Harry. He tried his best to look studious and respectful of his transfiguration textbook as the footfalls came closer. However, to Harry's surprise, it was not Madam Pince who came around the corner, but Ginny. She looked startled to see them there, and turned on her heel to leave. Harry noticed that her eyes were red.

"Oi! Ginny, where are you going?" Ron hissed, confused. Ginny turned around, not meeting his eyes.

"Oh, well, the common room was a bit crowded, and I needed somewhere to read," she said.

"Come here," said Hermione, closing her books and going to meet Ginny. The two of them disappeared into the darkness.

"Er…" said Harry, looking at Ron.

"I dunno," said Ron, shaking his head. He closed his book and leaned back all the way in his chair, stretching his arms over his head. "It's a girl thing, I reckon." Harry shrugged and closed his books as well. Now that he was distracted, it seemed pointless to continue. The two of them waited for Hermione to return, but it was not until five minutes to eight that she did. Ginny was not with her.

"What were you doing?" Ron asked as they gathered up their books and made their way to the door.

"She needed someone to talk to," said Hermione matter-of-factly. "She'll be fine."

"Was it about her and Dean?" asked Harry, attempting to keep the interest out of his voice. He knew that Hermione would see right through this, but he figured that it was probably best for Ron to stay in the dark.

"Yes," said Hermione, narrowing her eyes at him. "They're still together, for now at least", she said, sparing him the necessity of finding a covert way to ask that particular question. They had reached the doors of the library, where Madam Pince was waiting, lantern and wand in hand. She watched them beadily as they skirted past her and through the open door, and then locked it behind them.

"She just locked herself in! See, I told you, she's bloody mental," said Ron fervently, looking between the two of them.

"What?" said Harry, who hand't been paying attention.

"No, Ron, her quarters are just off the library," said Hermione in exasperation.

"Oh…right…" said Ron thoughtfully. They all found that they were very tired after reaching the common room, and only played a few games of exploding snap. They said goodnight to Hermione at around nine, and then retired to their separate dormitories. Harry changed into his pajamas, grateful that he would be able to get a good night's sleep without having to wake up for anything in the morning; Slughorn's party was not until six.

And Ginny and Dean had a row, he thought, grinning into his pillow as he drifted off to sleep. Hermione might be irritating sometimes, but for once, Harry was very glad that her reputation of always being right was holding true.

Despite having intended to sleep late, Harry found himself awake early on Saturday morning, feeling fully rested. He could see the sleeping forms of the other sixth year boys in their beds, so he slipped out of his four-poster, dressed quietly, shouldered his Firebolt, and headed down to the Great Hall. It was almost empty but for Ernie Macmillan and Susan Bones, who waved merrily to him as he walked to the Gryffindor table. Grabbing some toast, Harry strode out of the Great Hall, through the entrance hall, and out the giant oak doors to the frosty grounds. His breath exited in puffs, but the temperature was not at all unpleasant. Looking down the sloping lawns, Harry could make out the distant figure of Hagrid, who seemed to be building a small bonfire outside for himself and Buckbeak. Harry had the urge to go and visit him, but he knew that Ron and Hermione would be upset if he didn't include them, so he continued on towards the Quidditch pitch. It was blissfully empty, and Harry, feeling no need to hurry, sat on one of the team benches and contentedly finished his toast before mounting the Firebolt and kicking off from the ground. He soared joyfully around the pitch for a few minutes, looping in and out of the goal hoops, skirting the stands, and even practicing the Wronski Feint a few times. Harry pulled out of a particularly well-executed dive, feeling exhilarated, and paused, hovering a few feet above the ground on the edge of the field for a moment.

"Nice one," called a voice from behind him, almost causing him to fall off of his broom. He wheeled around to see Ginny, holding her own broom, standing just outside the exit to the Gryffindor locker room. Sincerely glad now that he had managed to remain on the Firebolt, he touched back down and walked to meet her.

"Hey," he said cautiously. . It was the first time that they had been alone together since the orchard at the Burrow.

"I was hoping that I'd find you here," she said, and curiosity got the best of him.

"Oh. I er….I sort of got the impression that you were avoiding me, actually," he said, running his hand through his hair. She grimaced.

"Well, I need to talk to you," she said. "I don't want us to have to stop talking altogether just because I'm with someone," she said. "It's stupid. We're friends, and, honestly, we both have enough drama in our lives without this, too.

"Right," said Harry, not really sure what he was agreeing to.

"Unless you don't want to be friends, obviously," said Ginny, biting her lip. Half of Harry wanted to tell her that no, she had missed her chance. Don't do anything stupid, said Hermione's voice in his head.

"'Course we can be friends," Harry said with an attempt at bravado. She wasn't fooled.

"Look, Harry, I'm so sorry," Ginny said, and she truly looked it.

"Let's just not talk about it," Harry said quickly. She took a deep breath.

"Are you flying any more?" she asked.

"No, I was about to go and find Ron and Hermione," he said, looking up at the castle.

"Okay," said Ginny. "I'll see you at Slughorn's party, then?"

"Yeah," said Harry, shouldering the Firebolt and heading towards the caste. "Bye!"

"Bye…"

Harry found Ron and Hermione at the breakfast table, and, sitting down next to Ron, he helped himself to some bacon and eggs.

"We wondered where you'd got to," said Ron, looking at the broomstick that Harry carried.

"Yeah, I reckoned I'd do a bit of flying," Harry said as Seamus sat down on his left. Dean approached the long table from the other side and sat across from the four of them.

"Anyone seen Ginny?" he asked moodily. Ron and Hermione shook their heads, Hermione rather absentmindedly, as she was reading her copy of Advanced Potion Making, which was propped open on a jug of pumpkin juice. Harry cleared his throat.

"She was down by the Quidditch pitch a few minutes ago, he said, in what he hoped was an offhand voice. Hermione's eyes flickered between Harry and Dean as Dean clenched his jaw and pointedly avoided looking at Harry. Dean grabbed a bit of toast and then left the Great Hall, leaving a very confused Seamus in his wake.

"I reckon he's tense, lately," said Ron, shoveling scrambled eggs into his mouth. "Bet it's something between him and Ginny." He nodded wisely at Hermione, who looked politely incredulous. Once Ron had gone back to devouring his food, Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry. The rest of the meal passed without much conversation, and after a time, Harry, Ron, and Hermione returned to the common room, while Seamus went to find Dean. Feeling oddly productive, Harry spent the rest of the morning and into the late afternoon finishing his assignments, much to Hermione's approval. At around four, the three of them sat in their favorite armchairs in the common room, Harry and Hermione helping Ron to struggle through McGonagall's essay on animagi. When Ron disappeared for a few minutes to search for a new ink bottle, Harry rounded on Hermione.

"So," he said. "Not that I'm complaining, but why are you two speaking again?" he asked. She sighed, and gave no answer. "Hermione…"

"Oh, all right then. I apologized," she said, turning faintly scarlet. "It's a lot of effort to stay angry with him, and I have studies to focus on," Hermione said. Harry laughed at this exceedingly logical answer. Ron returned seconds later, and they fell silent once more. At around five-thirty, Hermione announced that she needed to prepare for the party, and left for the girls' dormitories. Harry, who didn't have much preparing to do, kept Ron company for another quarter of an hour before going to change into his bottle green dress robes. He met Hermione, looking very pretty in dress robes of pale purple, in the common room at ten minutes to six, where they said goodbye to Ron and then set off.

Once more, Slughorn's office was dimly lit, but brilliant all the same. Jars of live faeries hovered above their heads as they mingled with the crowd. Harry was amused to see McLaggen with Romilda Vane, both of whom glared at him and Hermione as they passed. Harry was equally surprised, and yet much happier, to see Luna standing with Neville.

"Hi," he said conversationally, looking at the pair of them. "I thought—"

"Oh, Professor Slughorn doesn't believe that either of us have the talent to be in his club, but he thought that my knowledge of rare creatures was fascinating, so he invited, me, and I brought Neville," said Luna, displaying her uncomfortable honesty once more.

"Er…great!" said Harry, taking in her robes, which were an almost blinding shade of lime green.

"Yes, isn't it?" Luna said mildly, and Harry, grinning at Neville, bid the two of them goodbye to seek out Hermione again. As he rejoined her, his eyes swept the party, looking for Ginny.

"She's not here yet," said Hermione, interpreting his glances correctly. He grimaced apologetically at her.

The rest of the evening passed rather enjoyably, but, to the confusion of Harry, and eventually Hermione as well, neither Ginny nor Dean ever arrived.

"Yes, I suppose it is odd," said Hermione, frowning, after Harry had voiced his concerns for the umpteenth time on their way back to the common room. "Ginny told me specifically that she would see me here not two hours ago." As they neared the portrait hole, Harry felt a twist of anxiety in his stomach. Horrible images of Ginny lying unconscious in the hospital wing flashed before his eyes. Thus, it was surprising to him that when he entered the portrait hole with Hermione, the first person that he saw was none other than Ginny herself. She was alone, curled on the sofa, reading a book. Crookshanks, Hermione's fluffy, ginger cat, was perched ceremoniously on her feet. It would have been a rather funny image, if Harry hadn't been so worried.

"Where were you?" he asked, in a more accusatory manner than he had intended. Hermione glanced at him.

"I didn't feel like going," Ginny said, raising her eyebrows at him. "Although I suppose that I should be reporting my every plan and acquaintance to you as well, should I?"

"I was just wondering—" started Harry, but she cut him off cooly.

"Don't." She snapped her book shut, and walked briskly up to the girls' dormitory, leaving a rather offended Crookshanks in her wake. Harry turned to Hermione.

"What did I possibly do that time?" he asked miserably.

"Well, you did sort of interrogate her," she said wearily. "Although I suspect that this has little to do with you."

"What d'you mean, I'm the one she's mad at…"

"Oh, Harry, do you ever listen?" asked Hermione with exasperation. "She said 'to you as well.' You saw Dean at breakfast this morning when you told him that you'd seen her. He probably said something to her about you. She's tired of Dean thinking that she's running around behind his back all the time, so it's natural that she's defensive." Harry nodded, his brows furrowed. Girls were becoming far too complicated for his liking.

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AN: I just wanted to let you guys know that I appreciate each and every review so very much! They really are lovely, and I'm so glad to hear what you all think. Thank you for reading!