Chapter Twelve

Harry stumbled as he tripped over the foot in the hallway. One of the books he had been carrying fell from his hands and slid across the floor. Loud and obnoxious laughter erupted behind him as he tried to regain his footing. His eyes narrowed and jaw clenched, Harry spun around and came face to face with his cousin.

"Oops, sorry Potter," Dudley said with a huge grin as he watched Harry bend over and retrieve his book. "Didn't see you there."

"Like hell you didn't," Harry muttered as he straightened himself back up and glared at his overly-large cousin. He was surrounded by his lackeys, as usual; Harry hardly ever saw Dudley alone when they were at school. Then again, he hardly ever saw him outside of school and he counted that as a blessing. Dudley was in the same grade as him, but they had none of the same classes; his cousin took remedial courses while Harry took the regular ones.

That didn't stop Dudley from hunting him down in the hallways on occasion, just to harass him and try to get him into trouble. It had always been a favorite game of the large boy's back when they were younger: Make Harry's Life Miserable.

"What's the matter Harry? Not gonna fight back?"

"Piss off Dudley," Harry said. He ignored the guffaws coming from the buffoons around him.

"You can't talk to me like that Potter!" Dudley yelled. "You don't want me to tell dad now do you?"

Harry paled considerably; Dudley often made threats like that and he often went through with them just to see Harry suffer. It was hard to tell whether or not he meant it now. But that stubborn part of the brain that Harry was unfortunately born with wouldn't let the situation drop.

"Okay Dudley, let your father handle your fights for you," Harry retorted, regaining his calm. "Real tough that is; Big bad Dudley running to his daddy." He was pushing his luck now and he knew it.

"Shut up Potter, I could beat you into the ground if I wanted to." Dudley was angry now; he was cracking his pudgy knuckles menacingly as his cronies stood around him expectantly, waiting for the blood to spill. Kids in the corridor were beginning to group around, waiting for another round of Dudley wailing on his tiny cousin. "You think you're so big, but you're just a bug."

Dudley walked up to Harry and knocked all of his books out of his hands. The books fell and scattered to the floor. There was a hush throughout the small crowd of people surrounding them; they were waiting to see what Harry would do.

"It's been awhile since I taught you a lesson," Dudley sneered. Harry glared at him, his fists clenched as he made no move to fight the bigger boy or to pick up his books and leave.

"Well aren't you going to say anything?" Dudley seemed even further enraged at Harry's silence and charged at him, meaty hands raised. He made to grab at him, but Harry ducked underneath him and sidestepped the boy. Dudley growled in frustration and made for another attack. Cheers and encouragement came from Dudley's group of friends as he started backing Harry up against the wall.

Harry look around; he saw only the faces of the jeering crowd, all hoping to see him get the stuffing knocked out of him. It made him feel like the world was closing in on him. As he continued to back up, looking for a way out, his foot caught on one of his fallen textbooks and he tripped over it. He brought his arm back to break his fall, landing hard on the ground. Everyone laughed and Dudley looked smug.

Harry rolled away just as Dudley's enormous foot came to connect with his ribs. He got up on his hands and knees and had just a moment's time to move out of the way as Dudley swung at him again. He felt like some helpless prey, dodging the other boy's attacks and advances.

Harry jumped to his feet and stumbled against the wall. He raised his leg and kicked out with it just in time as Dudley charged at him. His cousin howled in pain as his foot connected with his kneecap.

"Dudley! What are you doing?"

"Yeah Big D, pound that little squirt!" The group of kids were snickering and giggling at Dudley's display of incompetence. Dudley flushed with embarrassment and anger as he set his little eyes on Harry.

"You're gonna pay for that." He reached out for him again but Harry swerved around the hand, knocking it out of the way and made to run past Dudley. His cousin reached out his large arm and grabbed Harry by the scruff of his neck. "You're not going anywhere."

Even though Harry felt his feet leaving the ground, he just glared his cousin in the face.

"Do it then. If it makes you feel good about yourself, just do it. You've done it so many times before. At least I know I'm ten times better than you without ever having to touch you." Dudley looked at him with wide eyes; his fist was raised in the air and everything just seemed to pause for a second. Harry continued to give his cousin a hard stare, knowing full well what was about to come.

"Shut up!" Dudley screeched finally, about to bring his fist down to meet Harry's face when a hand landed on one his shoulders from behind. The fist froze inches from Harry's cheek and both turned to look at the person the hand belonged to.

Harry was shocked to say the least; there stood Draco Malfoy, face and composure calm as his eyes glittered with a hint of…something. His long fingers clamped down on Dudley's beefy shoulder in a sort of silent warning.

The other kids witnessing the scene immediately began whispering excitedly.

"That's Draco Malfoy."

"Malfoy?"

"I heard he killed a guy; Dudley's in for it now!"

Draco didn't seem at all fazed by everything that was being said about him, he just continued to look Dudley in the eye.

"What?" Dudley spat out. Harry was still dangling in the air like a rag-doll.

"Put him down." That was all Draco said. His voice wasn't harsh or loud or threatening; it was just simple demanding statement.

"What's it to you?"

"I'm just trying to get to class like everyone else. But it makes it difficult when the hallway is blocked by a crowd of people watching a little kid get beat up."

'Little kid!' Harry protested angrily in his mind. Even though Draco was helping him out, it didn't mean he had to insult him at the same time! It was about at that time a distant sound of running feet came to their attention.

"Teachers!" Everyone pushed and shoved, trying to get out of there before the teachers showed up. Dudley was looking from down the hall and back to Draco's face, obviously trying to decide what to do. He just shrugged and threw Harry into Draco.

"Take him then. I'll have other chances," and with that, he and his other friends walked away to their classes. Harry flushed as he realized he was leaning against Draco, his hands on his arms to balance himself upright. He quickly stood straight and smoothed out his clothing.

"Sorry," he muttered in embarrassment as he began picking up all of his books from the floor. He could feel Draco's eyes on him as he did so, which only seemed to make the situation even more awkward. He looked up when several teachers arrived on the spot, looking about ready to spout out detentions.

"You two! What happened here?" one of them demanded as she pointed them out. Harry and Draco were the last two standing in the hallway and therefore were the only ones to blame.

"I was just giving Harry a helping hand," Draco said with a nonchalant shrug. "He dropped his books." He plainly pointed out the few books that were still spread out on the ground.

"Somehow, with you involved Mr. Malfoy, I highly doubt that's all that happened here."

"He didn't do anything," Harry piped up suddenly. The teachers looked over to him as he gathered up his last book. "Really."

Harry had credibility with the teachers seeing as he was hardly the trouble-making sort; they knew him as one to often find himself in troublesome situations, but never the one to start it.

"Well, if you're sure…" they seemed doubtful, as if they thought Draco was intimidating Harry into lying. Harry just gave them a smile. "Then get to class both of you!"

The teachers waited for them to gather themselves and head down the corridor with the rest of the school.

"You really are a magnet for trouble, aren't you Harry?"

"I didn't ask for your help you know," Harry said grumpily. The first time Draco had to see something like that and it had to be one of the times Harry was losing.

"Yes. I'm sure you didn't need it. You looked like you were handling the situation so well."

"I've dealt with it before. By myself."

"How often does that guy pick on you?"

"Ever since I can remember. He's my cousin."

"Really?" Draco looked at him, shock clearly written on his face. "I see no resemblance whatsoever."

"He gets it from his dad's side."

"Ah."

"But I guess I should thank you for helping and all."

Draco merely nodded before turning and walking up the stairs without a word. Harry watched as he ascended the steps.

"Um…okay nice talking to you!" Harry called after him. Draco raised a hand in the air, waving him off. "We should do it again sometime," Harry muttered as he went in the direction of his class.

----

Harry stood by Hermione on the school steps that afternoon as they waited for Ron to come around with his truck. They had started getting rides from Ron after school instead of Hermione's parents; Harry had argued it was more convenient than having her mum or dad coming all the way out there for them everyday. Besides, Ron seemed completely happy with the setup.

"If he doesn't hurry up we're going to be late for practice," Hermione whined impatiently as she tapped her foot against the cement. Harry just rolled his eyes toward the sky. When he brought them back down to earth, they landed on a certain blond headed fellow walking away from the school.

"Hey 'Mione, stay here for a sec," Harry said as he dropped his book bag on her arm and ran down the path. He jogged through the gate opening and made his way to the boy.

"Draco!" Harry called out. Draco tensed and stopped his progression. He turned around and his expression was blank as Harry caught up to him.

"Hey," Harry panted slightly. "Where are you heading?"

"I've got work," Draco answered simply.

"Oh." Harry suddenly seemed at a loss for what to say now that he was actually talking to Draco.

"Anything else? Otherwise I'm going to be late."

"Um well, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime."

"Why?"

"Because um…I think you're interesting and we could, I dunno, do the friend thing?"

Draco's eyebrow rose up and his face, to Harry, seemed to have been made from some kind of emotionless stone. 'Damn, he has to make this hard doesn't he?'

"Halloween's this week," Harry stated kind of lamely. 'No wait, I can work with that.' "And Hermione and I always do something; nothing big, just going out and having fun. Maybe you'd like to join us or something…"

"Sure."

"Really?"

"I guess. I have that night off from the restaurant."

"Great. You can just stop by Hermione's house that night, here I'll give you the phone number and address." Harry rummaged around in his pockets for a scrap of paper and a pen. He uncapped the pen with his mouth and hastily wrote down the necessary information.

"Here." He pressed it into Draco's hand. Harry shuddered slightly when his fingers came in contact with the other boy's flesh. Draco just stared at it for a few moments before pocketing it. There soon-to-be-awkward silence was cut off by a loud honking coming from the student parking lot. Harry whirled around and saw Ron's truck sitting there, with Hermione inside; she was leaning across Ron's lap and laying it on the horn pretty good.

"That's my ride," Harry said with a grimace. "Hey, do you need a lift to your work?"

Draco's eyes glanced over at the rusty car with the horn-crazy girl inside, waving frantically for Harry to hurry up; as well as at the red-headed Weasley behind the wheel.

"Uh…no."

"Okay, well I better go. See you later!" Harry waved at Draco and took off back to where Ron and Hermione were waiting. He jogged up to the truck and over to the passenger side, where Hermione threw the door open and pulled him inside with her brute strength.

"Are you trying to make us lose one of those spots?" Hermione asked as he squeezed into the limited space.

"Sorry Hermione," Harry said meekly. He didn't feel like fighting with Hermione, especially not while his side was jammed painfully into the window crank.

They pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street; once again Ron had his music blasting; this time it was hardcore rock from the early 80's.

"Is there anything you don't listen to Ron?" Hermione questioned as her nose scrunched up in distaste at the choice of music.

"Probably," Ron shrugged as he kept both of his hands on the steering wheel and head-banged all the while.

"And will you please stop doing that? You'll get us into a wreck!"

"I will not. This is perfectly safe."

"It's breaking your concentration on the road!"
"Hermione, I've done this plenty of times before and I…" Harry tuned out their bickering. They had been doing that a lot lately ever since Ron had started becoming frequent in their lives again. It drove Harry completely mad and he was surprised he hadn't tried to jump out of the moving vehicle by now. He stared out the window as the two scrabbled over the station dial, trying to gain control of which station they listen to.

When they finally reached the dance studio (not entirely too soon either) Harry fumbled for the door handle and freed himself from the suffocating atmosphere that was inside Ron's truck. He cracked his back and rubbed his sore side as he waited for Hermione to follow him. When he noticed she was still inside the truck, fighting with Ron, he decided he'd best get her attention.

"Ahem," Harry cleared his throat. Hermione didn't seem to hear him. "Hermione!" Said girl turned around in her seat and looked at him.

"What?"

"If you haven't noticed, we've arrived; and since you were so keen on not being late earlier, I think it'd be best if we go now."

"Oh! Sorry!" She quickly scooted out of the front seat and slammed the truck door closed. Ron turned off the ignition to his car and got out as well. They left their school stuff in the front while they grabbed their duffle bags from the back of the truck. They had put it in there earlier that day so they wouldn't have to carry them around classes.

Harry felt his stomach begin to flutter as they climbed up the stairs in a single file. This was the moment he and Hermione had been anticipating; would they get chosen? Their routine had been sloppy at best. Sure, they had pulled off quite a few stunts and their improvisation had impressed their instructor, but would it be enough?

They walked into the dance room; everyone else was already there, standing around and chatting. Harry spotted the other three groups: they looked just as nervous as he felt. He suddenly wondered how they had done on their routines; he hadn't gotten to see them like everyone else.

Ron went and took his usual seat on the far-side wall bench; he took out his headphones and placed a cassette in his walkman. He leaned against the wall, his head nodding with the music and his foot tapping against the floor.

Harry turned to Hermione, who was already in the process of stretching out her muscles. He stood beside her, swinging his arms back and forth trying to warm up his body. The butterflies in his stomach only seemed to worsen.

When at last Miss Miranda walked through the door, everyone was finished with their basic warm ups and were standing around anxiously. She pulled off her traveling coat and bunched her hair up into a messily done pony-tail before joining them.

"Alright class," she said as she rested her hands on her hips. "I know you're all so impatient to learn of which groups I chose…" the class all perked up in unison, expecting her to continue. "But first we're going to be doing some class training together!" Everyone in the room groaned.

"Can't you just tell us please?"

"No." Miss Miranda winked at them. "I've noticed quite of you are getting a little flabby and out of shape. Today, we're going to do a series of grueling aerobic and training exercises."

"What!"

"We're not going to dance?"

"But we've already done those!"

Miss Miranda waited for the complaining to die down before continuing, "To be a top condition dancer, one must continue to train their body. Now, no more complaining, everyone get into lines."

The class shuffled quickly, their feet moving grudgingly over the polished floor. They stood in formation lines and waited for further instruction.

"One of the most important parts of the dancer's body is the legs," Miss Miranda said as she walked in front of them. "Without strong legs, you will surely fail." Harry looked down at his legs; he was wearing a pair sweats rolled up to his knees. He could just make out the lithe leg muscles he had acquired over the years.

"So first exercise today will focus on strengthening the legs," she informed them. "Everyone lie on your backs." Harry looked at Hermione, who was standing right next to him before they, and everyone else included, sat on the floor and then lay back. He rolled his shoulders a bit, trying to get used to the feeling of his shoulder blades digging into the hardwood.

"Make sure your arms are at your sides and tuck your chin to your chest. Raise your feet into the air with your heels together and toes turned out. You may use your hands under your hips for support." Harry took a deep breath and then rolled himself until only his upper back was supporting his body. He placed his hands under his hips as he felt his balance wobbling. Breathing in again, and once in the correct position, he exhaled and waited.

"Now, move your feet so your left toe is touching your right heel. This will put you in the Scissor position." Everyone followed the instructions, inhaling simultaneously.

"Once you have that position steady, slowly spread your legs apart." Harry felt completely off balance but struggled to keep the position as he spread his legs to form a V. "Repeat that exercise eight times."

There were the sounds of feet hitting the floor as other dancers lost their balance and fell completely flat again. Miss Miranda simply commanded them to try it again until everyone in the room completed the set of eight. She also led through the Straddle Flexors and Foot flexors, which were basically the same exercise with slight variations. Harry's leg muscles felt strained and sore by time they were allowed to relax from the positions.

"Great job! Can you feel that glorious burn already?" The groan from the class answered her question as everyone shook their legs trying to loosen up their tightening muscles. "Oh you haven't felt anything yet, I guarantee it. So get on your stomachs children, we're going to do a Quad Stretch."

Harry sighed and got down on his hands and knees before lowering himself to the ground. He turned his head to Hermione as she did the same thing.

"Hey Hermione," he whispered as he followed the teacher's instructions and grabbed his right ankle with his right hand and began pulling it towards his butt. He winced as he felt the pull on his tendons. "I talked to Draco today."

Hermione was panting as she continuously tried to pull her leg father before turning her attention to him. "Oh? I saw you with him but I wasn't sure what that was about." They both exhaled through their mouths as they let go of their legs and did the same thing with their left. "I thought you didn't want to ever see him again."

They cut off as they finished the set of stretches and Miss Miranda began to guide them through the next one. This one was known as the "Cobra", named for the position they had to hold. They lay flat on their stomachs with their hands under their shoulders; then they slowly raise themselves from the floor, leaving their hips on the ground as they straighten their arms out.

"Well remember yesterday how Draco came up to us and wanted to talk with me?" Harry winced as he back popped from holding the position. His arms were shaking a bit with the effort of holding himself up.

"Yeah," Hermione said after a large exhale of air. They lowered themselves to the ground again; entire body protesting at the treatment it was receiving. Again, they had to put a hold to the conversation as Miss Miranda was about to give them their next instructions.

"Everyone get with their partners," she told them. Harry and Hermione sat next to each other, both breathing a little harshly. "While one partner lies on their back, the other will help them stretch their legs backward. It's a standard leg stretch, we've done them before."

Harry laid down flat on his back with his feet on the ground and knees slightly bent apart. He waited for Hermione, who stood in front of him. He lifted his left leg from the ground and Hermione grabbed his foot around the ankle and knee and gently began moving it back towards his body. Harry struggled to keep his leg straight as he started feeling his muscles burn.

"Breathe Harry," Hermione said as she held his leg in position. "So what did he say yesterday?"

"He wanted to explain something to me," Harry gasped out as Hermione repeated the process with his other leg.

"Explain what?" They switched positions and Harry started doing the exercise on Hermione. Her legs were a bit more flexible than his and therefore she wasn't experiencing quite as much pain as he had.

"About something that had happened," Harry said, not really wishing to divulge exactly what happened. He didn't know how Hermione would react and if whether or not she would run to the police.

When they finished with that, they moved onto a series of sit ups. Hermione held Harry's feet down with her knees and placed her hands on his legs. He brought his abdomen up and started his set, hands behind his head.

"He wanted…" Harry went down and back up, only able to breathe and talk as he came up, "to apologize…and tell me some…things about…himself." He stopped talking for a few moments as he completed his set of thirty and switched with Hermione. Once in position, and when she started up, he continued. "I think he's actually a decent guy."

"Oh?" Hermione said through a breath she had taken. "How…so?"

"Next! This is a simple one class! Your arms are also very important to dancing. A few push ups should keep them in tip-top shape!" Harry and Hermione got into the push up position and then began lowering and raising themselves.

"Well…" Harry said as lowered himself again. "What would you say about someone who does bad things but for unselfish reasons?"

"I dunno," Hermione answered. "I'd say they need to find ways to do good things instead."

"But what if good things don't work for them?"

"21…22…23…I dunno Harry, I've never been in that kind of situation before….30." They both sighed as they finished their set and got on their knees. Harry reached up and wiped away the sweat rolling down his temples.

The next thing they did worked on stretching their legs, arms and back all at the same time. Harry and Hermione sat on the floor facing each other, with their feet touching and legs spread apart. Harry grabbed Hermione's hands as they began pulling each other back and forth. Harry winced slightly and curled his toes, trying to keep from moaning in pain.

"I guess you just gotta try and be there for him Harry," Hermione said as they worked. "I know you don't know him very well, but it sounds like he just needs some real friends; maybe someone to show him that the world isn't really a terrible place."

Harry chewed on his lip and thought that over before nodding. He released Hermione's hands once they finished with that and he leaned back on his hands. His entire body was tingling with the effort.

"Get back into the pushup position please," Miss Miranda told them. Harry and Hermione looked at each other. 'More pushups?' But instead, she had them elevate their hips in the air, keeping their hands and feet flat on the floor until they formed the letter 'A'. Harry, once in the correct position, began holding it. He turned his head from between his shoulder to Hermione.

"Well anyway, he told me some stuff about himself, and I think he's interesting. I wanted to get to know him better…" They relaxed from the position on Miss Miranda's instruction.
"Very good. Can you feel your body getting stronger already?"

"I'm feeling something alright," someone in the back of the classes muttered. There was a round of giggling from the rest of the class; but the merriment was short-lived as they were told what they were going to do next.

"Handstands!" a boy shouted incredulously.

"Correction, walking handstands," Miss Miranda said with a smile. Harry's eyes widened; his upper body strength was lacking quite a bit. He wasn't even sure if he could still do a handstand. "This is a perfect exercise for arm strength and durability. Everyone, get against the wall and then get into the handstand position. You will walk across the room on your hands; no matter how many times you fall, you must get back up and continue until you reach the end. Your partner may help you if you have trouble staying on your hands."

Harry slugged over to the wall next to Hermione and then bent down. He placed his hands on the floor and then swung his legs up until he heard and felt his feet clunk against the wall. He felt all of his blood immediately rush to his head. The chain around his neck was dangling close to the ground.

On the go signal, Harry began moving his hands, his arms shaking dangerously. Just as he suspected, his whole body overbalanced and he fell to the side. He wasn't the only one either; several other dancers went tumbling to the floor. He looked up and saw Hermione already half way across the room.

'Figures she'd have a better upper-body than me too,' Harry grumbled in his mind and got back on his hands. He made a slow, but sure, progress across the room. Hermione had been one of the first to finish and went back to help him. Whenever he started wobbling, Hermione would catch his legs in her hands and help him until he regained balance again.

When he finally reached the end, he lowered his legs to the ground and got off of his smarting hands. He rubbed them as his heart pounded against his chest. 'God she wasn't kidding when she said this was grueling.'

"Good job class, you've completed a set of exercises that will surely help you along your way to being a great dancer!" The class exhaled together, thinking their suffering was over. "But of course, it wouldn't be complete without a three mile formation run!"

"Huh?" one person said weakly, followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor. Harry turned and saw one of the girls, Katie, fainted on the floor. It seems as if she had overworked herself.

"Oh dear," Miss Miranda said as she went over to the fallen girl. "See class, this is what happens when you don't keep your body in shape." A couple of the boys helped her move Katie onto one of the benches.

"Poor Katie," Hermione and a couple of others said sympathetically. It seemed like she'd be out of it for awhile.

"I hope you all brought your running shoes! I'll give you a few moments to prepare yourselves while I check over Miss Katie." The class broke up and made their ways to their bags for their water bottles.

Harry grabbed his and took several large gulps. His body felt hot and stretched to the max. He took a few more drinks before stuffing the bottle back in his bag. He then pulled out his shoes and went through the pain of putting them on and lacing them up.

"That was some pretty heavy stuff," Ron said from behind him as Harry got up and shook his body out. He then lowered himself to the ground, performing a few splits to stretch his legs before the run. "I'm feeling all sore and stuff just watching all it."

"That's because you're sadly out of shape Ronald," Hermione said as she joined them. She was retying her hair back and drinking from her bottle as well. "Maybe you should try doing a few sometime."

"I'm good," Ron said. "I'm perfectly content just watching."

"Fine, stay fat."

"I'm not fat!"
"Yes you are!"

"Just because I'm happy with who I am doesn't make me fat!"

Harry shook his head and stood up. Miss Miranda seemed to think they had had a long enough break and gathered them around.

"Ready to go?" The class muttered unenergetically in response. "Remember, the faster we finish this run, the sooner we get to know who was chosen!" That did it. The dancers were practically pushing and shoving each other out the door. Harry and Hermione brought up the rear, leaving Ron sitting on the bench listening to his music full blast.

Once outside, the cool late-October air hit their sweaty faces and it brought instant relief.

"Everyone into formation," she said to them. They instantly formed three lines. Harry and Hermione were side by side around the middle of the group.

"So the rest about Draco then?"

"In a minute," Harry said, nodding to Miss Miranda.

"And anyone who breaks or falls out of the formation," she said with a sinister grin, "Will stay after and perform a set of bar stretches for me."

Harry suddenly felt relieved that he was an excellent runner. He didn't think he could do any more stretching that day.

Miss Miranda took her place at the front of the formation and brought her whistle to her lips. "Ready…and…" she blew on the whistle and they were off.

---

Harry bent over, panting with his hands on his knees. Saliva was dripping from his mouth as he fell to his knees and onto the floor. That run had taken whatever energy he had and squeezed every last drop of it from him. When they had trudged back up the stairs and back into the room thirty minutes later, every one had pretty much collapsed onto the floor. He noticed several dancers on their backs with their arms and legs spread out.

"Wasn't that revitalizing everyone?" Miss Miranda said; though she was panting and sweating herself, she didn't look quite as wiped out as everyone else. In fact, she looked very pleased.

"Can…we…just…know…who…you chose…now?" Hermione asked as she tried to return her breathing back to normal.

"Of course, of course!" The excitement that this would have brought from the kids in the room at any other time just wasn't there as she took her place at the front of the room.

"I'm ready when you guys are." Several kids raised their arms in the air as if signaling to her that they were listening. "The first group I have chosen…"

Harry and Hermione crossed their fingers. He could hear Hermione chanting "please, please, please." Harry did the same chant in his mind, only followed by 'so Hermione doesn't kill me.'

"Angelina and Thomas!" There was a round of unenthusiastic clapping, which died out rather quickly. Harry felt disappointment briefly before anticipation filled him once again.

"And the second group is…"

"Please, Please, Please," Hermione repeated with her eyes closed.

"Lavender and Dean." Harry felt a moment of shock before the words crashed down on him. 'We…didn't get it?' For all of his doubt, he still hadn't really thought about what would happen if they actually didn't get a spot. Hermione slumped against him in deep disappointment.

"I'm so sorry Hermione," Harry said as she rested her head on his shoulder; either for comfort or just because she had no energy left, Harry was more than happy to offer her his shoulder.

"As for the other two pairs, you all did wonderfully on your routines. Try harder next time!"

With that, the class got up and started packing their things together. As Harry was placing his bag over his shoulder, Miss Miranda walked up to him and Hermione.

"I just wanted to let you guys know that it was a very close decision; you were not far behind."

"Thanks," Harry muttered, not really feeling comforted by that. She placed a hand on his shoulder and patted it before walking off to get her own things.

"Don't look so down," Ron said to them as they walked from the room together. "You guys will totally nail one of those spot thingies next year for sure."

"Thanks Ron," Harry said as he climbed into the truck. Hermione followed and slammed the door shut a little less enthusiastically than usual. Ron backed the car up, and after switching gears (which made a disconcerting groaning noise as he did so) he headed down the street.

Before heading directly home, Ron had decided to take them out for Chinese food (and actually treat them this time). Harry wasn't feeling particularly hungry, but he also wasn't in much of a hurry to get back to Hermione's house. The Granger's would be upset that they hadn't gotten their spot. He didn't want to see the looks of pity on their faces as Hermione broke the news.

But just as he expected, Harry merely sat there poking at his congealing Broccoli Special as he stared down at it. Hermione was taking a few uninterested bites here and there, but also feeling far too down to eat. When they were finally ready to go, they got theirs in To Go containers as to not hurt Ron's feelings.

They piled back into the truck and set off for Hermione's house. It was late afternoon already and the sky was turning orange with the setting sun. There was a nice fall breeze that day so Harry decided to crank his window down and let the fresh air fall around him. He reached a hand out of the window and enjoyed the feel of the rushing wind passing his arm.

When they finally reached Hermione's home the sun was almost set and Harry was feeling exhausted. He just wanted to collapse on a bed and never wake up again. Legs and arms screaming in protest, he and Hermione waved bye to Ron before heading up to the house.

Upon entering, the first thing they noticed was that Mr. and Mrs. Granger were sitting in the living room, obviously waiting for them. They shut the door behind him, which caught the attention of the occupants of the sitting room.

"Hermione, Harry!" Mrs. Granger said as she stood up with help from Mr. Granger. "How did it go today?"

"We didn't make it mum," Hermione answered dully, shaking her head. "We didn't get one of the spots."

"Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry," Mrs. Granger said as she went and gave her daughter a hug. "Better luck next year."

"Thanks." Harry watched the exchange with sadness; Hermione was clearly distraught over not making it. He felt bad for her.

"I'll go make us some tea okay?" Mrs. Granger said to them before bustling off into the kitchen. They could hear the clanging sounds of her digging around in the cupboards as well as that of a pot being filled with water as they made their way into the living room.

"Are you guys' hungry?" Mr. Granger asked them as they sat around. Hermione shook her head.

"No, we had take-out before we came home." She pointed to the containers that they had set on the coffee table. "Ron treated."

"That was nice of him."

Silence.

"So what are you two going to do for Halloween? It's this Thursday isn't it?"

"Oh…yeah." Harry suddenly perked up upon remembering his earlier conversation with Draco. It seemed so long ago now that he thought about it. 'Was it really just this afternoon?'

"Hermione, I just remembered, I invited Draco to do something with us for Halloween. I hope that's alright." Harry turned to Mr. Granger.

"I see no problem with this. He's that nice boy from before isn't he?" Harry nodded. Hermione just shrugged.

"But I really don't know what we're going to do."

"Just nothing dangerous; you have until Thursday to decide."

"Yeah…"

The sound of the telephone ringing from inside the kitchen cut off their conversation; they heard Mrs. Granger pick up the receiver.

"Hello?"

Silence as the person on the other end spoke.

"Yes this is. Do you want to speak with Hermione? Okay, hold on a moment. Hermione!"

"Yes?"

"Telephone!" Hermione looked quizzically at Harry before standing up and disappearing into the kitchen.

"Hello?" Hermione's voice came as she picked up the phone. "Oh hi Miss Miranda." Harry's eyes shot the kitchen entryway. "What? Are you sure? Really? Oh thank you!" More silence. "Thanks so much, bye!"

Hermione ran back into the living room, her face beaming with excitement.

"Guess what Harry! Oh guess what!" Mrs. Granger followed a few moments later with a tray in hand. There were several mugs of steaming tea placed on it. She set it down on the coffee table and smiled at Hermione's sudden mood change.

"What's all this?" she asked kindly.

"We got it! We got a spot!"

"What?" Harry said, standing up suddenly. "What do you mean? How?"

"Well, Lavender and Dean got cold feet after finding out they got a spot. So they dropped out. Miss Miranda chose the next best group: Us!" Harry couldn't believe his ears as Hermione jumped on him and gave him a bone crushing hug.

"This certainly is good news," Mr. Granger commented as he smiled at them. "I'm happy for you both!"

When Harry and Hermione finally broke apart, Hermione's face was flushed with excitement and Harry's earlier fatigue seemed to have vanished. 'Talk about luck,' he thought.

They all settled down and drank their tea, chatting about what dance routine they were going to do, Halloween, how school went and just things in general. As Harry set his mug down and looked up at the clock on the wall, he realized it was getting later.

"Hermione, I think I better go home now."

"What? Why don't you just stay here?"

"Because I'm running out of clothes and I can't just wear yours forever. Besides, I want to check in on my…family."

"But, it's late!"

"It's not that late, it's only seven-thirty."

"Perhaps I should drive you," Mr. Granger offered. Harry shifted uncomfortably; he didn't want to refuse Mr. Granger's kind gesture but he also didn't want him to see his house.

"That's alright…I don't want to be a bother."

"No bother Harry," Mr. Granger said as he stood up and grabbed his keys. "I'd rather know you got home safely."

"Of course you're always welcome to just stay here," Mrs. Granger offered.

"Thanks, but I'd like to go home tonight." Harry winced at his lie. He had never wanted to go to that place he forced himself to call "home". It was true that he didn't have any clothes at Hermione's house for himself but as usual, he wanted to go home and pretend like he had a somewhat normal family. He did it to assuage the Grangers' suspicions somewhat.

"Well then let's go shall we?" Mr. Granger said as he opened the door. Harry wanted to protest some more, but he also didn't want to look rude and ungrateful; so without any more arguing, he walked out the door with Mr. Granger.

The drive was long, but it felt even longer as Harry's stomach clenched with anxiety. This would be the first time Mr. Granger would see where he lived. The man kindly made idle conversation with Harry as they drove through the night. Harry clenched and unclenched his palms on his thighs as he stared out the window.

He couldn't take it anymore as they reached the beginning of the street he lived on.

"Right here's fine Mr. Granger," Harry said as he grabbed the door handle. "Thanks for the ride." Mr. Granger pulled the car over and looked at him skeptically.

"You're welcome Harry; don't forget to come back now!" Harry nodded and bolted from the car. He waved bye as Mr. Granger drove off and sighed in relief. 'That was close.' He then made the single block walk to his house.

---

There was the creaking sound of the knobs turning as Harry filled the bathtub with hot water. Steam rose up around him and filled the tiny room. He sat on the edge of the tub and pulled his socks off, sighing in relief as he stretched his aching toes. He looked down at the; he noticed that his toes were bleeding and torn from where they had rubbed against each other and the ground too much.

Turning around he dipped them into the steaming water, wincing as it soaked his bleeding feet. It was a soothing pain however and he flung his head backward and stared up at the ceiling.

'Even after all of this time, it's still so painful to do all of this stuff,' he thought to himself as he bent down and began scrubbing his feet in the water. He washed off all of the caked blood and dirt.

When he finished, he brought his dripping feet from the tub and placed them on the towel he had laid on the ground. Standing up, even though walking still hurt, he went over to the sink. He pulled off the jumper he was wearing as well as the tank top he had under it. He rubbed his sides and back before pulling on the fresh shirt he had brought from his room. It fell around him loosely; it was one of his cousin's shirts back from when the boy was around eleven. Even so, it was about three times too large for Harry.

Harry gathered up his dirty clothes and walked back to his room. He threw them inside before deciding to head into the kitchen for some water.

He was passing his uncle's room when he heard the distinct sound of sobbing coming from within. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned to the open door. He tip-toed up to it and pushed it open a bit farther. His uncle was in there, sobbing in his hands as he sat on his bed.

"Uncle Vernon?" Harry whispered, slightly concerned about what he was seeing. He had never enjoyed seeing people cry, even if they were people like his uncle. "Are you alright?"

There was no answer, just the continuous sobbing and hiccupping from his uncle. Harry didn't know what to do or say, so he just backed out of the doorway quietly. He turned around and sighed, shaking his head. He was about to go get his water when the door flew open and the floorboards creaked from an enormous weight from behind him.

Harry spun around just in time to see his uncle's giant hand come at him and slap him across the face. Harry whirled from the impact and fell to the floor harshly.

"WHAT?" his uncle roared. "What do you want!"

Harry looked up from the floor with his hand on his cheek. "N-nothing, uncle."

"Don't you dare bother me in my room, boy," his uncle said as he grabbed Harry by the arm roughly and hauled him up. "You good for nothing punk." He shoved the boy against the wall. Harry's head banged against it painfully as he slumped against it. His uncle's hulking form advanced on him and he felt another blow to his face before the man backed off.

"Go to your room, filth," he said. He turned away and walked back into his room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Harry stood there in shock, his breath hitched from fright as he rubbed his cheek. He wiped his mouth and brought his hand down to view; it was covered it blood. His uncle must have busted his lip open again.

He shakily made his way to his room, water forgotten, and shut the door behind him. He leaned against the door and slid to the floor. He wrapped his arms around his knees and stared at the opposite wall blankly before everything that had happened caught up to him. He rested his head in his arms and cried throughout the night.


Author's Note: This was mostly just filler material. And a damn long chapter to boot.

As for chapter dedication, this one goes to mysticruby for always reviewing every chapter and being so kind and thoughtful in the reviews! Thank you!

And thanks to everyone else :) Enjoy the chapter.