I tapped my fingers on my desk as I was waiting for the lesson to be over. This tended to happen a lot; me finishing my work before some people barely got past the second page. Professor Vector then began to go into some discussion about the approaching Yule Ball, which uninterested me. As soon as the bell rung, I hopped to my feet instantly.
"Mr. Morgan?" Professor Vector suddenly said. My foot halted in the middle of taking a step and I moved to the side so that the other students could get out. "A word please?"
I nodded and walked back over to her while rolling my neck to crack it.
"Yes?" I questioned.
"As per the Headmaster's instruction, all champions are to show up with their partners..."
"One second," I interrupted politely. "Did you say partners?"
"Yes. As in your dance partners. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball. So it is your duty to find yourself a partner," Professor Vector told me, making me groan.
"I was plan on using that time to work on my clue for the next task," I told her. I hadn't spent much time on it, which was awfully reckless of me. I had spent a little too much time with Fleur and Aurore. Even though that had more than likely changed given the rant I shot at them.
"I am sorry for that, but it is in fact necessary for you to attend," Professor Vector said.
"I won't shoot the messenger. Thanks for conveying the message," I told her, walking out. Not only was I not a big fan of attending formal events like this, but the list of people I actually wanted to take was smaller than the list of people I could take. I shook my head at the fact that it was necessary for champions to attend.
"Robert!" a voice suddenly said, making me blink and actually pay better attention as to what was around me. It was Aurore. I blinked at her. They didn't often come in the castle other than for feasts and such.
"Hey. What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Warm welcome, I must say," Aurore said dryly. I only blinked at her again.
"I made the assumption that after what happened back in the carriage, that you would most likely never want to talk to me again," I told her bluntly.
"It certainly raised eyebrows, but it's not as bad as you seem to take it. People view the world a different way given their experiences," Aurore said in a logical tone.
"You got that line from Fleur, didn't you?" I questioned, fighting the smirk that played on my lips. She glared at me, which caused the grin I was trying to hold back to break free. Soon her attempt at a glare turned into a smile of her own.
"That's not the point. Just saying that we're not judging you based on how you view the world," Aurore said. I nodded in satisfaction. Looks like the 'most likely' was beaten out. I was glad for that.
"Alright, then I'll make a habit of following up next time I start ranting," I told her.
"Good. Now, I could use a favor," Aurore asked, making me raise an eyebrow. "Ask Fleur to the ball."
"Huh?" I questioned.
"I know you know about the ball. All champions do," Aurore told me.
"And I just found out like five minutes ago. Less, really. Why are you asking me that?" I asked.
"Because I think for once, Fleur needs a date that won't drool all over her," Aurore said, making me snort.
"The list of us is very short," I said dryly.
"Which is why I want you to take her," Aurore told me.
"And if I wanted to take someone else?" I asked.
"It's something you don't have to do. I just ask that you think about it," Aurore told me, making me raise an eyebrow. I had to admit. I only saw myself really wanting to go with either her or Aurore. Even though I had the idea that they thought I was a sadistic bastard. Which I was. Not the point. The point was that this favor of hers wasn't even giving me time to decide.
"I'll do it," I told her, making Aurore smile.
"Thanks. You didn't plan on asking anyone else, did you?" Aurore asked, her look somewhat hesitant.
"Don't feel bad. It was either going to be you or her. Guess the deciding didn't take very long," I told her, make her pause in her movements for a split second.
"I'm not a big fan of events like this anyway," Aurore said.
"Neither am I. It's only necessary for me to attend cause I'm a champion. I'd rather spend the time working on my egg," I told her.
"Strange. Fleur said the exact same thing," Aurore said.
"Then she has sense. But I'll ask her once I get the chance. That is, if she isn't going with anyone else. If that happens, I don't know who the hell I'm going to ask. Maybe Katie Bell. I like her a fair bit," I said, idly voicing my thoughts.
"Have fun," Aurore said with a smirk. Which means she definitely heard what I said about not enjoying these kind of events.
"Oh, shuddup," I said, trying and failing to get the smile off my face. "Was that it?"
"Not exactly. Do you know how to dance?" Aurore asked.
"Yeah," I said simply.
"Oh," Aurore said, her tone slightly subdued.
"What, you thought that I couldn't?" I asked.
"A little?" Aurore questioned, making me roll my eyes. "I expected you to be the type to be good with his arms, not his legs."
"I'm good with both. Strong and flexible. Can't get better legs than those," I told her. She looked at my legs with a raised eyebrow.
"Your legs look like painted tree trunks in cargo pants," Aurore told me.
"They're not that thick," I said, turning over my legs. "I'd say about as thick as a particularly thick tree branch. That's about it."
"Uh huh. Anyway, that was it. Um... talk to you later then," Aurore said somewhat awkwardly.
"Will do," I said, giving her a two fingered salute before walking off. I have no idea why I agreed in the first place, but I just did. Again, it kind of robbed my time to decide, which I couldn't decide whether or not it was good or bad. It made deciding a lot easier, but had I taken the time to decide, who would I really have asked? Wasn't really losing out though. Fleur was an outstanding woman.
I decided to go ahead and give the egg a proper look out while I was sitting on a patch of grass. I should've started on this thing as soon as I got the task. And I most likely would've had I not met Fleur and Aurore. Better late than never though. Would've been screwed if I never do it.
I opened the egg, and I got the same loud screeching noise as before. It might have been a magical language that is transferred through goddamn screaming. No, that couldn't have been it. Maybe if I found a way to muffle the noise...
Summoning a shovel to my hand, I dug a small hole and put the egg under there before putting the dirt over it. Very faintly, I only heard that the screaming had dimmed. Maybe not through dirt.
I pulled it out and shook the dirt off before taking a proper look at the egg while trying not to let the sound deafen me. Taking a proper look at the inside, I saw it looked like... water? Underwater maybe? Ok, to the lake then.
I went towards the edge of the lake and opened it under the water. Now it didn't sound like screaming. It sounded like... music. So I laid on my stomach before dipping my head in the water so I could hear the words.
"Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you re searching, ponder this:
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour- the prospect's black,
Too late, it's gone, it wont come back"
I stuck my head out of the water and tried to shake it free of water as I stood up and closed the egg. Now to do some thinking.
"'Come seek us where our voices sound, we cannot sing above the ground.' That definitely means merpeople. Or any type of underwater civilization," I thought.
"'And while you're searching, ponder this: We've taken what you'll surely miss.' So that means they'll take something from me that I care about. I don't know how they'll manage that because I have anything that's not living injected with nanites. But they might do that, which I can't do anything about. I know Dumbledore won't let anyone die, so that'll be fine."
"'An hour long you'll have to look, to recover what we took. But past an hour- the prospect's black. Too late, it's gone, it wont come back.' All that means is that I have an hour to get whatever I'm looking for out of there. Ok, that makes that so much easier," I finished as I continued to shake my head free of water. And I already had a solution. Time to get to building.
"Stupid..." I said, smacking my head hard to get the water out of my ear. I succeeded. "Ah. Much better."
"You go swimming?" someone behind me asked. I turned to face the person, and it was Fleur. I was kind of hoping I would run into her on the way here.
"Sort of," I said, making my egg disappear from my hand.
"'ow are you?" Fleur asked.
"Can't complain, I suppose. And about yesterday..."
"Don't 'ave to mention eet. Eet is fine. As a person 'oo 'as lost family to crime, I suppose your outlook is understandable," Fleur said.
"That's interesting to hear," I said idly.
"In any case, me and Aurore would enjoy continuing to talk wiz you," Fleur said.
"Me too. But there is a question I want to ask you," I said.
"Feel free," Fleur said.
"Will you go the ball with me?" I asked.
"Well, zat was fast," Fleur said somewhat dryly.
"I'm not one to beat around the bush. Will you?" I asked. Then she smiled at me.
"Yes. Yes I will," she said, making me smile as well.
"Alright then. I solemnly swear that I will not drool over you," I said, holding a hand out at my side.
"We'll see," Fleur said with a smirk.
"Now, have you figured out your egg out?" I asked her.
"Yes, but I'm not going to tell you what eet is," Fleur said, a small smirk on her face.
"Don't need you to," I said before an understanding look came on her face.
"Zat's why you were under ze water," Fleur said.
"Got it in one. And I already know what I want to do. I just need time," I said.
"Zen by all means, don't let me keep you from working. Zere are still a few zings I need to do as well. 'ow shall we do zis?" Fleur asked.
"How about we meet up near the entrance of the Great Hall? Cause I'm more than sure that's where the Ball is taking place," I said.
"And if eet's not?" Fleur questioned.
"Then I'll head to your carriage twenty minutes prior to the start of the Ball and I'll walk with you there," I said.
"Zat sounds suitable," Fleur said with a nod.
"Then we are in agreement. I have to say, I rather like the idea of keeping the whole thing a surprise. What about you?" I asked with a smile.
"Oh, I agree. Not exactly sure 'ow my fellow classmates will react, but ze general reaction will be amusing all ze same," Fleur said.
"Then I'll see you during the Ball then?" I asked. She nodded and I waved her goodbye for heading back towards the common room.
"Get it in your head," I drilled into my mind. "Not a date. No use getting attached." I had the strangest feeling I would try, and most likely succeed in getting myself attached to her. Granted it was kind of hard not to. I knew an amazing person when I saw them. Hard not to get attracted to people like that. It wasn't the physical beauty. It was just the beauty of the inside. A type of purity. The beauty of the simple things. The little things.
"Dad?" Harry suddenly asked when I walked in the common room, making me turn to face him. Goodness, I was distracted.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"I need advice," Harry asked, making me raise an eyebrow.
"On what? I figure you have most things down," I said.
"Well, not in this case," Harry said.
"Well, what's the..." I stopped myself and then looked at his behavior. Twisting his hands in slight nervousness and then there was the news of the Ball coming... "Ah. I understand. Is this advice about asking a certain Ms. Granger to the ball?" His cheeks went slightly red, but he nodded. I smiled.
"While I'm proud of you for getting a move on in that aspect, what makes you think I'm good for that kind of advice?" I asked.
"Given how you have the ability to make married women indirectly flirt with you, I think you're the best person to go to for advice," Harry said. I knew he was referencing Seamus' mother. Jesus, I was never going to live that down.
"Not really. But in my opinion, just ask her. Knowing Hermione, the worst she'll do is politely say no. But I wouldn't imagine she wouldn't have a reason to say no unless she's already going with someone else," I told her.
"It's simple and it'll work. That's what I get for overthinking things," Harry said, smacking his forehead.
"It's alright. That's what I'm here for. Teach you until you learn these things," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"You heard about having to ask a girl to the ball right?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. I already asked Fleur to the ball, and she said yes," I said evenly.
"Always got to shoot for the best, huh?" Harry questioned with a grin. I only smirked.
"Of course. I'll let it be a surprise for everyone else, so do me a favor and keep it under wraps," I told him.
"I'm damn good at Occlumency. No way I'm gonna let it slip to anyone," Harry said, making me smile.
"That's my boy," I said with some pride as I sat down. "Now give me a moment. I need to run over some plans."
"Finally figured out the egg, huh?" Harry asked.
"I figured it out quickly. The matter of actually trying to figure it out just took forever for me to do," I reminded him.
"That's right. Because you like hanging out with your lady friends," Harry teased.
"Are you going to be quiet and let me work or am I going to have to shank a bitch?" I said with the last words being in a sing song tone.
"Hey, I'm not judging Casanova. It's not your fault if you're into more than one woman," he said with a grin. I then put a hand around him started ruffling his already unimaginably unruly hair.
"You are unbelievable!" I exclaimed with a grin. He wiggled out of my grip and we just started laughing together.
"You two look happy," Hermione said, walking from down the steps with a smile on her face. Harry looked at her and his look got a little awkward, but he still smiled at her. I did as well.
"Yes. I suppose we are. We're able to finally be happy despite being sucked into this tournament," I said with a smile. "Where's Ron?"
"Said he's trying to go off and ask someone to the ball," Hermione said, making me snort a little.
"Lucky girl. Ron has the most immaculate manners of any person I've ever met," I said, making both Hermione and Harry snort from my comment. "Anyway, you heard about the ball?"
"Yeah, I have. Are you going?" Hermione asked me.
"Have to. Mandatory for all champions to attend... with a partner," I said.
"Like that'll stop you, Casanova," Hermione said, making Harry roar with laughter.
"You too?! I am not that bad!" I exclaimed, holding my hands.
"Need I remind you what happened with Seamus' mother? You weren't even trying. If you were, it'd be different," Hermione said, making me groan.
"Am I ever going to live that down?" I said, putting a hand on my forehead.
"Nope. You got a woman, who knew you were over ten years younger than her to indirectly flirt with you. If that's not a Casanova trait, I don't know what is," Hermione said with a wide grin, making Harry laugh harder.
"What is this we hear about dear Robert being a Casanova?" Fred said, suddenly walking into the common room.
"You have immaculate timing, you know that?" I said, looking at them in disbelief.
"It's a gift. Now what's this about you being a Casanova? The ladies on the Quidditch team are already very much attracted to you," George said, batting his eyelashes. I rolled my eyes.
"But we heard Seamus this time. Don't tell me that you're attracting more than female company?" Fred asked with a raised eyebrow. Both Hermione and Harry started laughing when I smacked Fred on the back of his head.
"No, it was something that happened right before the Quidditch Cup. We found Seamus' with his mum when we were wandering the Irish section. Don't ask me how, but this charming son of a bitch got his mother to indirectly end up flirting with him," Harry said with a grin. I sighed and put my right hand on my face once Fred and George began bursting out laughing.
"So what? You reckon you'll be Seamus' new dad?" Fred said, holding his stomach from his laughter.
"You're going to mess with him about that, aren't you," I said flatly.
"Oh, how could we not? I didn't know his mum was into nineteen year olds. I guess she likes em young," George said with a roguish wink.
"And I look like I'm in my mid twenties. Does that count for nothing?" I asked.
"Nope! She knew your age! Doesn't count!" Fred said with a wide grin.
"You are all insufferable," I said, throwing my head back to look at the ceiling.
"And we love you too. And apparently, so does Seamus' mom," Harry said.
"HARRY!" I bellowed, making everyone burst out laughing. "While I don't mind being at the butt of a joke, can you not bring it up every. Five. Fucking. Seconds?!"
"Alright, alright. We're done," Harry said, holding his hands while trying to get his laughter to subside.
"Good. Because don't forget. Just because I like you kid does not mean I won't take a belt to your ass. Remember that," I said, pointing a finger at him.
"Oh, you're old fashioned," Fred said, staring at me.
"Damn straight," I said, putting my feet up. "I can be your friend and I can be your dad too."
"Haven't forgotten. Regardless of my many, many jokes about you, I respect you more than anyone," Harry said with a sincere smile. I smiled and there it was again. That warm feeling of pride. This is what it was like to have a child to love. I didn't help conceive him, but hell, that doesn't matter to me.
"Is he legally part of your family?" George suddenly asked.
"Yup. Papers are signed and everything. And thanks to Rita Skeeter, everyone and their mothers know that he's my ward. He's a Morgan, but I don't let him drop his biological surname. No, everyone still knows what family he was born from," I said.
"Oh, but I'll make sure no one gets it twisted. I'm a Morgan too. And we Morgans are tough sons of bitches," Harry said, tightening a fist.
"You're goddamn right. This world throws whatever it can at us and we take it," I said, holding my hands out with my right leg crossed over my right knee.
"I'm sure what you two have been through would make a very interesting series," Hermione said.
"Oh, I'm sure in some dimension we're just a figment of someone's imagination," I said with a grin.
"Oxygen supply... Missile launcher... wrist mounted machine guns and blades... thrusters... electric discharges... plus there are still the regular weapons on my person..." I thought as I went over the design. "Most of it will be summoned through digistruct methods and will appear on demand, and the Dragon's Teeth molder built into the suit will create the wrist mounted blades and guns when I need them... All while keeping an awesome armor look. Sort of like Iron's Man's suit. Just with no core in the middle and it's a solid, shiny silver."
"Mask looks ridiculous in my opinion. No, how about red pupils for the AS vision when I need it and it forms to fit the head of the user perfectly. Comes apart when a certain point is hit with my fingerprint... All comes together in a full mask with a skull shape... Weaponry, check. Badass design, check. Alright. Just have to run the design into my database and have one of my factories put it together."
"Ok, that's done," I said, setting the hard drawing down.
"What are you making?" Harry asked.
"A suit," I told him. Harry stood up from where he was sitting and looked at the design before nodding in satisfaction.
"Nice. Badass look," he said.
"Thanks. It's part of the charm. Now I just have to send a digital plot of the suit through my database, and I have private factories that'll construct it for me. At the rate it builds stuff, it'll be ready before the day of the ball," I said, putting the hard drawing of the suit in my pocket before summoning a book to my hand. Some French book Fleur gave me about French wizarding history. It was in French, but like that mattered.
"Awesome. I decided on the Gillyweed. I studied a little bit of Mermish so I could be able to cast simple charms in the form," Harry said somewhat dully. I frowned as I put my hand in between the book to save my page.
"What's wrong?" I asked in a concerned tone.
"I asked Hermione. She's already going with someone," he said in the same dull tone.
"Damn. I know it took you forever to finally approach her, but I'm pretty that's why that happened. Who with?" I asked.
"Krum. Bloody. Fucking. Viktor. Krum," Harry said, gritting his teeth. "Thought she couldn't half stand him at first."
"Hermione doesn't seem like the type to go back on what she said or lie to us, so I think he might've done something to change her mind," I said.
"Dammit," Harry said, his tone low.
"Anyone else you thought about going with?" I asked.
"I did think about Katie Bell. But she's got the hots for you," Harry said before a slight smirk crossed his face. "Casanova."
"Shuddup," I said with a grin on my face. "I'm already taken. Feel free to ask her."
"Nah. She asked someone else once she found out you were taken. Then I decided on asking Cho. She's going with Cedric," Harry said.
"No luck, huh?" I asked.
"No, I have luck. Just of the shit variety," Harry said sourly.
"Just keep trying. I highly doubt anyone would say no to you if they don't have a date," I said, going back to my book.
"Come on... come sit down," a soft voice said. My brows creased as I looked up to see an ashen-faced Ron being led in by Ginny who seemed to be torn between comfort and humor.
"What happened?" Harry asked, going over to the two of them while looking at Ron with a concerned look.
"He - er - just asked Fleur Delacour to go to the ball with him," Ginny said, catching my attention. I raised my eyebrows before looking over at Ron. I wasn't exactly worried about Ron taking my date from me, but I'm glad I asked her to the ball quickly. I daresay she's got nearly every guy at her feet asking her to the ball. I've gotten my fair share of invites as well. I politely turned them down, but it was weird how some of them looked like I had just crushed their dreams.
"You did what?" Harry questioned, his face formed into one of disbelief.
"I don't know what made me do it!" Ron gasped. "What was I playing at? There were people - all around - I've gone mad - everyone watching! I was just walking past her in the entrance hall - she was standing there talking with one of her friends - and it sort of came over me - and I asked her! She looked at me like I was dancing in me underpants or something. Didn't even answer. And then - I dunno - I just sort of came to my senses and ran for it."
"She's part Veela. The allure works on most dudes and causes them to do stupid stuff. Not exactly your fault," I said calmly as I turned a page in my book.
"How does it not work on you two?" Ron said, pointing at both me and Harry.
"Besides Occlumency, we have less of a focus on looks and more about what's on a person's inside. Nothing against you. Most guys at your age have a tendency to judge a proper date based on looks. But we're not your typical run of the mill guys," I said as I continued to roam my eyes over the book.
"Have you asked anyone yet?" Ron asked.
"Yes. I asked someone from Beaubaxtons, and they said yes," I said calmly.
"Well, then I know she's a looker. Who'd you ask? That black haired girl you hang with?" Ron asked.
"Her name is Aurore, and no. I didn't ask her. I want to make it a surprise," I said.
"Bet you he did ask her," Ron fake whispered to Harry, making me raise an eyebrow. But I only smirked. Wonder what his reaction would be to the fact that I landed a date with Fleur. But unlike him, I didn't ask her because she looks stunning. I asked her because I genuinely like her. And Aurore kind of pushed my decision forward a bit. Again, still was left wondering who I would've asked if I was left to think about it.
"If you think so," I said simply, turning another page. I was reading slower than normal because I was enjoying this situation.
"So you've got a date. What about you, mate? Anyone?" Ron asked, turning to Harry.
"I asked three people. All of them had dates," Harry said dully. Any trace of humor on Ginny's face disappeared when she heard that, and I hid my smirk behind my book.
"Rough mate," Ron said in a supportive tone as he put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "This is mad. We're the only ones left who haven't got anyone. Well, except Neville. Hey, guess who he asked? Hermione!"
"What?" Harry questioned.
"Yeah, I know!" Ron said, some of the color coming back into his face as he started to laugh. "He told me after Potions! Said she's always been really nice, helping him out with work and stuff, but she told him she was already going with someone. Ha! As if! She just didn't want to go with Neville... I mean, who would?"
"I don't think you have the right to talk about anyone when you did what you did with Fleur. Just saying," I said evenly.
"Thanks mate. Means a lot," Ron said flatly. I flashed him a thumbs up without taking my eyes off my book.
"Why weren't you three at dinner?" Hermione said, coming over to join us. But I noticed that when her eyes went to Harry, her eyes kind of scurried away from him guiltily.
"Was working on something for the second task," I said, raising a hand before gesturing to Ron and Harry. "As for these two, they were trying to get dates for the ball."
"Oh. Any luck?" Hermione asked. But her gaze was mostly on Harry.
"I tried to ask Fleur Delacour. That ended badly," Ron said sourly.
"I asked three people. They all had dates," Harry said, his look lingering on Hermione.
"Well, there's bound to be someone," she said, trying to pull together her supportive tone.
"I know there is," Harry said before turning to Ginny. "Ginny, I know this isn't in the best taste or situation, but do you want to go to the ball?"
"Um... sorry. I'm going with Neville. He asked me when Hermione said no, and I kind of wouldn't have been able to go to the ball otherwise..." Ginny said, her cheeks going pink.
"I've heard that people have been going with other people for the fourth time today. I have horrible luck for dates," Harry said with a groan.
"Yeah, you do. It gets worse before it gets better," I said, patting him on his shoulder briefly before going back to my book.
"Hermione... you're a girl..." Ron suddenly trailed.
"Yes, Ron. Women also have boobs while men, well, men in shape, don't. Anything else you need to know about a woman's body? Like what's between their legs?" I questioned rhetorically, making the others snicker. Ron's cheeks went slightly red as he glared at me.
"No, that's not what I mean. I mean you can come with one of us!" he exclaimed.
"No, I can't," Hermione snapped.
"Oh come on," Ron said impatiently, "We need partners. We're going to look really stupid if we haven't got any, everyone else has..."
"I can't come with you..." Hermione said, a blush making its way onto her face. "...because I'm already going with someone."
"No, you're not!" Ron said. "You just said that to get rid of Neville!"
I looked over to Harry, and his reaction was not a very pleasant one. He was flexing his fingers, and he was trying to hold back some anger that shone in his eyes. Oh, boy. This might get messy.
"Oh, did I?" Hermione said, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Just because it's taken you three years to notice, Ron, doesn't mean no one else has spotted I'm a girl!"
"Yeah. The first to notice is sitting next to me," I thought as I saw Ron grin again.
"Okay, okay, we know you're a girl," he said. "That do? Will you come now?" I face palmed. He obviously did not get the hint.
"I've already told you!" Hermione said, pure anger in her tone. "I'm going with someone else!"
And she stormed off toward the girls' dormitories.
"She's lying," Ron said flatly, watching her go.
"She's not lying, Ron," Harry said through gritted teeth. I saw him breath through his nose, and knew he was beginning to employ Occlumency to calm himself down. But he was still as angry as he allowed himself to be.
"What? You too? How do you know?" Ron asked.
"Because she was the first person on my list to ask when she told me that she was already going with someone else. I must ask you to stop being an idiot sometimes, because it just enforces the fact that who I really wanted to go with is already taken, now doesn't it?" Harry said rhetorically before moving past him to get out of the common room.
Ron looked dumbfounded for a moment. As if he were a fish looking for water. Then he turned to me.
"Is that right? He's not just defending Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Nope. The day the ball was announced, he told me that he wanted to go with her. Even asked me for advice. Unfortunately, he was a bit slow on the uptake. I'm not shocked though. He's been making eyes at her for a couple years. Not a lot, but at times I see him just staring at her, some uncertainty there. So no. He's not just covering for Hermione," I said before I snapped my book shut. "Excuse me, but I have some designs to oversee. And listen to Harry's advice. Stop being an idiot."
Then I walked out of the common room with my book under my arm.