The weeks flew by quickly when you had things to do to take up your time, rather then just hanging around the common room, as most students did when it was too cold to go out, he would spend time with Katie, his friends and cousins and sister were all alright with it now that they had grown accustomed to the idea of Harry dating, and the proof that Katie was up for sticking around.

In fact worryingly Harry and come across Samantha asking Katie for advice on what to wear on a date, which Katie told her to go casual, thankfully, sending a wink in Harry's direction.

"Morning," Katie said, kissing Harry on the cheek as she walked into the common room, it was mid October already and there was a Hogsmeade weekend, they had agreed to spend half the day with friends and half the day with each other, something that their friends were grateful for. "See ya at two, outside honeydukes?" Katie asked, double checking to make sure she had it right.

"Yep, see ya then," Harry said, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze before watching her leave.

"I must admit I like Katie, she's really nice," Mackenzie said thoughtfully as she wandered with Harry down towards the entrance, everyone else was following behind them.

"It's taken you this long to come to this conclusion?" Harry laughed, nudging his cousin slightly as he grinned at her.

"Well no, but I'm voicing my opinion. She's lent me her Quidditch around the World book, it's quite interesting," Mackenzie informed Harry.

"Katie's nice like that," Harry said grinning.

"Hey Harry, it's a minute 'til two," Sophie pointed out as she looked at her wrist watch. Harry thanked her and shoved a bunch of coins down on the table.

"Drinks are on me guys," Harry grinned, as Sophie rolled her eyes, and got Ron to go with her for another round of butterbeer. Harry walked out into the cold air, a radical difference to the warmth of the three broomsticks. He looked across the street and saw Katie waiting for him; she caught his eye and grinned at him, crossing the road to meet him.

"Do you trust me Harry?" Katie asked quietly, smirking.

"I'm not sure…" Harry said suspiciously, but only jokingly so.

"Of course you do, great, follow me," Katie said grinning, and led the way back towards the school.

"Are you bored of Hogsmeade already?" Harry asked as he wrapped his arm around Katie's shoulders and pulled her close.

"Nope, but guess what," Katie replied, lookoing at him through the corner of her eye, a big smile on her face.

"What?" Harry asked curiously.

"Most of the school is going to be deserted."

Harry,

I am so glad that things between you and Katie are going well; I know you haven't exactly told me about it yet, but Sophie mentioned it in her monthly letter. Why didn't you tell me? Your father has been moping around the house; he thinks you don't trust us. But then again your father thinks the microwave is a TV.

I hope that you've been keeping up with all your school work, no detentions; I won't hesitate to ask Albus if you have been playing up, but I trust you not to.

We miss you very much dear, and Jonathon wants you to know he is very bored, as daddy is working hard and won't play quidditch with him when he gets back from work.

I will see you over Christmas when we can have a

proper talk,

All my love

Mum x

"How's your mum Harry?" Ron asked as they sat down at breakfast.

"Alright by the sounds of it, but dad isn't so great, apparently he's tired all the time," Harry said dejectedly.

"Harry, your dad is the Head Auror; he has a lot on his workload with you-know-who still around," Ron replied, but understanding, his father was starting to feel the strain as well.

"Yeah, tell me about it."

Harry watched Hedwig fly from the window, carrying a note he had sent to his mother, before she begun to worry about his lack of reply and turn up at school. It was late and he was tired. The O.W.L preparation that they had the fifth years doing was ridiculous, and not giving him a lot of time to do anything but homework.

Sighing, he gave up on the distant thought of doing another potions essay, and much like he dorm mates he got into his bed, a fell asleep instantly.

"Harry!" A familiar voice whispered, Harry blinked his eyes open and let his eyes focus to the darkness but realised he hadn't got on his glasses and fumbled around for them. "Get ready, now, hurry up." Katie whispered. She was smiling at Harry and it was morning and he wasn't quite awake yet and so he did not question her. Instead he crawled out of bed and towards the bathroom, he emerged five minutes later wearing a jumper and jeans and fully washed.

Katie smiled at him; they'd been together for almost a month Harry realised as he looked at the calendar, beside the door. Katie took his hand in her own and led him out of his dorm and down the stairs to the common room.

"Are you going to tell me what this is all about?" Harry asked her, Katie looked back at him, biting her lip mischievously before shaking her head, she grinning at him before leading him out of the common room.

Harry was about to question Katie some more, they were now on the fifth floor corridor that was empty expect for a couple of torches which lit the corridor in the early morning light. But Harry never got his chance as Katie suddenly kissed him.

He was a little surprised as he felt Katie lean into him, but not at all discouraged. He in turn poked his tongue out slightly, touching Katie's lips; she opened her mouth, allowing him entrance. As if this was a major boost of confidence Harry gently pushed Katie against the nearest wall. He heard a small purr of approval; one then went right through him like a shockwave.

He hadn't really kissed anyone before, not like this, and mainly he was going on guess work, but Harry was pretty sure he was quickly getting the hang of it, especially when as he nibbled carefully on Katie's neck and her hands fisted in his jumped, pulling him closer.

And then she did something slightly unexpected, her hands travelled up under his jumper, delicately tracing her nails over his back, the sensations were not helping him to think clearly at all – and then Harry thought 'screw thinking clearly'.

He could feel Katie pushing herself against him, as he traced her collar bone with his tongue, and then he realised, the middle of a corridor was not the place, especially since the school would be waking soon. So he pulled away with a grin and led Katie towards the nearest abandoned classroom.

"Harry, you alright? You look like someone has used the Confundus Charm on you," Ron pointed out as Harry sat down at breakfast a few hours later, Benjamin already there and eating away. "Well, you might as well eat as much as you can, Angelina is going to have us working our ar-"

"Ron!"

"Bottom's off. Happy now Hermione?" Ron asked rolling his eyes, irritated at Hermione's objections to his foul language.

"Oh I do apologise for refusing to sit around and listen to your filthy language, if your mother was here she's wash your mouth out," Hermione scowled pointedly, turning away from her redheaded friend, the simple fact she was right kept Ron from arguing any more with her.

"Hey, Weasley, Potter, Wood! Out! NOW!" Angelina yelled at them over the breakfast table, she turned and marched away, Katie and Alicia waited for the three boys.

Instinctively Harry took Katie's hand in his own and grinned at her, Katie's cheeks flushed bright red as she caught Harry's eye and she had to look away to control herself, Alicia looked sick at the pair of them, while R On and Benjamin simply looked confused.

"I SAID OUT NOW!" Angelina's voice screamed from the entrance hall.

"Coming!" Benjamin yelled back, shaking his head back. "I'm starting to wonder why I even signed up for this; it's like being in the freaking military."