A/N: Hey! Here's an interesting tidbit! Have you noticed that Harry doesn't need his glasses in some of these chapters? Herp derp… Hurray for inconsistency. Go me… o_O
"Oh!" Astoria squeaked. "I… I am so sorry! I didn't know!"
Draco just blinked at her with obvious disbelief.
She got up quickly, stumbling over her feet in an uncharacteristic manner. "I'll… go now. Sorry, Draco." She hurried out of the room so she could try and drown herself in the shower.
"Oh, wait!" Draco stumbled after her, stopping her in the corridor.
"Look, I feel bad already," she mumbled. "Just… forget about it?"
"Yeah, yeah. Forgotten," Draco agreed without complaint. "It's just… um…"
"What?" Astoria asked, looking up at Draco with her chin tilted up defiantly. If Malfoy was going to roast her, she supposed she deserved it.
Draco swallowed hard and rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish stance. "Um… Do you… find me attractive?" he asked with jerks between his words.
Astoria's pretty blue eyes widened in incredulity.
"No, no, not like… I was just-I… I was just wondering," Draco cringed.
"Why are you wondering?" Astoria asked deliberately.
Draco fumbled with his fingers, staring at the floor with an air of naïve endearment around him. "Well, I mean, you are… you know… er…"
"I'm what, Malfoy?" Astoria muttered through gritted teeth.
"Really pretty," he whispered as though it were a secret.
Astoria covered up her giggle behind a cough, making sure her expression remained stoic and unimpressed. She knew she had this effect on boys, but she didn't know she could have this effect on Draco Malfoy. "So?"
"So…"
Astoria moved her eyes from the top of Draco's head to the toes of his shoes and then up again. Draco watched her anxiously, standing as still as possible as though that would somehow sway her opinion of him. "Hmm," she said with a shrug.
"What does that mean?" he asked, urging her to indulge him.
Of course Draco Malfoy was attractive. Astoria had always thought so. And now, more than ever, this boy looked amazingly delicious, with his ruffled hair and expectant expression. "I suppose you aren't bad to look at," she said with a magnanimous nod.
"You're sure?" Draco asked.
"Mhm."
Draco grinned widely, almost causing Astoria to swoon. She had never seen Draco Malfoy grin like this before. "Thanks!" he gushed. Wait until he told Theo and Blaise about this! Astoria Greengrass thought he wasn't bad to look at! The heavens had just rained gold coins over him. "Goodnight!" He practically ran back to his dorm so he could start on his letters.
And left Astoria to want to strangle the girl who had Draco for herself. "Damn it!" she whined, dragging herself away so she could pine in the privacy of a cold shower.
Luisa pouted theatrically while Pansy gawked. "Taken? Since when?" she asked, kicking Blaise's shin. "Why don't I know about this, arse?"
Now Luisa turned a stink-eye on Pansy. "You?" she asked, pointing an accusing finger at the woman.
"Oh, no. Not me," Pansy said with a vigorous shake of her head. "I have no idea who."
"LUISA!"
"Oh my," Pansy gushed in the same breath as her furious negation, her eyes traveling up and down Luca's handsome physique. "I sure hope he's not taken."
"God, Pansy," Blaise huffed.
"Non ce posso credere!" Luca exclaimed with his hands thrown about as he admonished Luisa without a care for who was listening. "Cosa diavolo ti e successo?"
"Lo amo!" Luisa gushed, hugging Blaise's arm close and then scowling up at Luca.
"Amo?" Luca choked out, hands at his mouth.
Blaise glanced at Pansy. "Um… so… what's going on here?" he asked in confusion.
"Well… I could be wrong," Pansy said with a theatric pondering expression. "But I'm pretty sure she's confessing her love for you."
Luisa then continued to prove Pansy right. She fell on her knees in front of Blaise and held up her clasped hands towards him. "Vuoi essere il mio ragazzo?" she asked with abandon in her voice.
The crowd around them burst into applause and laughter, much to Blaise's amusement.
"No, no, no," Luca groaned, trying to pull Luisa back up on her feet. "Perdonaria," he said desperately to Blaise. "E pazza."
"Hmph," Luisa huffed, getting up to her feet. "Vuoi essere il suo ragazzo?" she asked, pushing Luca towards Blaise.
"Whoa!" The two men collided and then staggered apart. A collective 'ooh' sounded from the gathered crowd. Luca looked about ready to die of mortification at that point. "No," he groaned. "Per favore no…"
Luisa clicked her tongue in exasperation before turning her wicked smile to Blaise and wiggling her brows. "My brother," she said, jabbing Luca in the ribs. "He likes you. Hmm?" She beckoned Blaise to respond.
"Oh Dio," Luca whined, wrenching his hair in distress. "No," he entreated to Blaise with a piteous look. "She is-is-bugiardo! Liar! She is a liar!"
"No," Luisa shook her head, skirting away from Luca's swatting hand. "Taken?" she asked, cocking her head at Blaise and batting her lashes.
"Yes. Still taken," Blaise laughed.
"By who?" Pansy raged, throwing her hands up in the air in defeat. Luca mirrored her before stomping back to his house, never wanting to show his face to the world again.
Harry closed his hand into a fist and dropped it to his side, the wandless magic tiring him so much so that he started swaying on his feet. Evan caught him before he could fall. "I'm fine," Harry snapped, pushing at the man again with a weaker force this time. "Don't touch me."
"I'm even more hardheaded than you," Evan said, keeping his hands on Harry's arms and moving him towards the benches. "Sit."
"Let go!" Harry snarled, attempting to wriggle out of the strong grip without letting go of his towel.
"Sit," Evan ordered, shoving Harry down on the bench. His legs gave way at that instant, causing him to plop down with a hard thud. He tried to control his anger with little success, his body shaking as he yearned to do worse things to Haworth. Evan knelt down in front of Harry and pulled the bruised wrist towards him. "Assaulting a superior officer is frowned upon, Potter," he murmured, looking up at Harry through blond lashes.
Harry merely clenched his jaw in response.
"You can do wandless magic…"
Harry felt cold flooding through his wrist, causing him to still and inhale sharply.
"How many people know?"
Harry swallowed hard while trying to pull his hand out from between Evan's.
"Answer me, Potter."
"I-I don't know." Harry blinked rapidly, trying to remember. "Four, five people, maybe? It doesn't matter."
"It doesn't matter?" Evan asked, arching a brow. "You think so?"
Now the cold ran up Harry's arm, chilling him to the point of goosebumps.
"Turns out you have some use after all," Evan smirked, letting go of Harry. "Keep some power here." He tapped Harry's shoulder. "A little more here." He pressed Harry's elbow. "Almost all of it here." He pressed Harry's wrist. "You need this for your wand, understand?"
Harry stared at him in confusion. "Y-yes, sir," he responded, staring at his wrist that looked as normal as his other one, fully healed and without pain. "How…"
Evan sat on his haunches, observing Harry with hooded, but amused eyes. "Fuck off, pervert, I'm taken?" he asked quietly.
Harry grimaced. "You-but you… And I… You startled me," he finished, unconsciously reaching up to brush his lips clean with the back of his hand.
"Really, Potter?"
Harry froze with his hand at his mouth, wondering what he had done now. Then he looked down at his hand, going cross-eyed. "Oh," he exhaled in defeat, looking back up at Evan. Everything he did was landing him in deeper shit.
"Taken," Evan muttered under his breath with a scoff, getting up onto his feet. Harry kept his gaze on the man, just in case. "One for the road, then." He jerked Harry up by the arm and kissed him forcibly.
"Mph!" Harry growled, breaking away from Evan and tripping back.
"Dropped your towel," Evan pointed out helpfully.
"Shit!" Harry whipped the towel off the ground and wrapped it around himself, still dizzy from everything that had happened to him in the span of three minutes. He could do nothing but watch Evan saunter away with his hands in his pockets and smugness in his step.
"Expect a letter from the Minister," the man said before disappearing out the door.
"Huh?"
August 6
Blaise!
ASTORIA GREENGRASS KISSED ME! ON THE MOUTH! THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE! BESIDES WHEN YOU KISSED ME ON THE MOUTH, I MEAN! OH MY GOSH! SHE KISSED ME!
It's okay, I didn't kiss her back.
BUT SHE THINKS I'M NOT BAD TO LOOK AT! MY LIFE IS COMPLETE!
I told her I already had you. Aren't I awesome? I know that if you were in my place, you'd have dumped me in a heartbeat, right? Well, I'm better than you, so I'll remain faithful. Because I'm that awesome!
OH MY GOSH, SHE KISSED ME!
I love you!
Draco
"Bastard," Blaise mumbled through his defeated smile.
"Who?" Pansy asked, appearing out of nowhere and snatching the letter out of Blaise's hands.
"Bitch!" Blaise swore while Pansy took off down the stairs. But, of course, the moment she read the name at the bottom, because that was what she had really wanted to read, she staggered to halt, causing Blaise to smack into her.
"Oh, shit…" she whispered
"Damn it, Panse," Blaise hissed, taking the letter back. "It's mine!"
"Draco?" Pansy gawked. "I love you, Draco? Wh-s-h-si-since when? SINCE WHEN?"
"I was going to tell you. I swear!" Blaise lied. "But stuff happened and… you know… stuff happened…"
"Since when, Zabini?" she asked, taking a threatening step towards him.
Blaise stepped back simultaneously. "I… uh… we… w-when school ended," he stammered.
Pansy gasped at the betrayal. "You lying sons of bitches!" she said with slow heaves of air.
Blaise knew that was a sign for him to start getting away. He sidled down the stairs, all the while keeping his eyes on Pansy's downturned face as she tried to piece it all together.
And when she did…
"I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!" she screamed, sprinting after Blaise.
August 7
Dear Theo,
Sorry I haven't written. Things have been really weird lately. Now, I know you're thinking, 'That's no surprise, Harry. Everything is weird with you.' But when I say weird, I mean weird.
Remember my combat instructor, Haworth? He gave me shit about every single thing I did.
Okay, this is really hard for me to write.
He forced himself on me. Sexual assault kind of thing. Before you get your pitchfork and come down here, I'm okay. I'm perfectly fine, okay? He didn't get past a kiss. I stopped him by then. He hasn't done anything since then. If he does, I'll go straight to Kingsley. I swear.
The thing is, I accidentally used wandless magic on him.
And today I got a letter from Kingsley. They want to run some sort of tests on me. I don't know who they are, and I don't know what kind of tests. And I don't know what to do… But I'm sure it's fine. If Kingsley wants me to go through the examination, it's okay, right? I think this is about the wandless magic I used. Haworth told me to expect a letter from the Minister and eight hours later, it's here…
I just miss you a lot. Especially the past couple days. I wanted to fill you in, but I don't want you to be worried. Shit like this happens all the time. Especially when it's me we're talking about. Haworth scared me a bit, that's all. Don't tell anyone, okay? It's embarrassing as it is…
I love you more than ever! And I miss you more than ever!
Yours,
Harry
The recruits filed into the common sleeping area, dead tired and fresh out of the shower. Less than a month in and the twenty had shrunk down to fifteen. According to the resident Aurors, that number would be ten soon, and by the end of the training, five. Those weren't very promising odds.
Ron plunked onto his bed and passed out immediately, not even bothering with the covers. Neville dug into the warm sheets with a satisfied sigh. "Haworth was nicer today, don't you think?" he asked Harry.
"If, by nicer, you mean he didn't manage to break my rib, then yes, he was loads nicer today," Harry grumbled. "Gets on my bloody nerves."
"He just likes to bully. We've seen enough of those at school," Neville said, sage advice from an underdog.
"Sock him in the gut and we'll see who gets the last laugh," Harry said fiercely, miming a punch.
Neville's gaze slipped past Harry to the door, turning from amusement to curiosity. "Um… Don't look now, but I think Theo's here."
"What?" Harry gasped, whipping around in bed.
Sure enough, Theo, in all his glory, was standing by the door and scanning the beds for a familiar face.
"Oh my gosh," Harry murmured, scrambling onto his feet and rushing at his beloved.
"Whoa," Theo grunted as he was hit but Harry's hurtling body, arms around his neck and legs around his waist. He staggered out from the momentum, before tripping over the two steps that led into the room and falling awkwardly. Harry's lips were against his an instant later, kissing the life out of them.
"I missed you," Harry panted between hungry tastes. "I missed you so much."
"Mhm," Theo murmured, hugging Harry close to comfort him. "I was so worried…"
"I'm okay," Harry whispered, tears pooling in his eyes. "You know I like to complain, right? You didn't have to come here. That's not why I-"
"Harry," Theo interrupted, gently cupping Harry's chin so he couldn't avert his gaze any longer. "I love you."
"I know…"
"Remember how much this means to you?"
"Yeah…"
"And remember how hard you worked to get here?"
"Yeah," Harry sniffed, burying his face against Theo's shoulder. "I know. I love you so much, it hurts."
"Good," Theo murmured with a soft smile. "I like that."
"A-are you allowed to stay?" Harry asked, knowing the answer.
"No…"
"Okay." Harry wiped his tears quickly. "That's okay. I'm just so glad you're here to see me." He got up onto his feet and pulled Theo up as well. "I look good, huh?"
"So fucking hot," Theo muttered, pulling Harry forward with an arm around his waist. "Didn't know you could look this hot…"
"It's what you've been missing, Nott," Harry hummed, urging Theo to kiss him again.
After a few minutes of passionate kisses, Theo pulled away for a breath and to ask, "Where's that bastard?"
Harry was disoriented for a moment. "Huh?" he asked, licking his lips and searching for Theo's at the same time.
"Where is he, Harry?"
"Who?" Harry blinked.
"Haworth," Theo clarified.
Harry's jaw dropped. "Oh no. No, no, no, no. I said it was fine, didn't I?" he stuttered desperately. Things were already bad as it was. "I'm fine, Theo. I swear. Please, d-"
"Where, Potter?" Theo snarled.
"No!"
"Um… He stays down there," Neville offered helpfully, pointing to the cabins set up along the pathway to the right. "Cottage 3."
"Thanks," Theo muttered, stalking away.
"Damn it, Neville!" Harry hissed before running after Theo. "I can look after myself! Theo!"
Theo whipped around, jerking Harry forward by the shirt. "Fine," he spat out. "You can look after yourself. But if you dare think that I won't lift a finger against someone who hurts you, then you're insulting me, Harry. Understand?" He pushed Harry back before continuing towards Evan's cabin.
Harry was dumbfounded and unresponsive for a few moments. And as much as that statement made him want to tear Theo's clothes off and ravish him on the spot, he didn't want to think about what Haworth could do to poor Theo with a mere snap of his fingers. Perhaps a broken arm here, a black eye there. That was a best-case scenario…
"Wait," he stammered, running after Theo who was now in the process of pounding down the door.
"What?" Evan barked as he opened to the door, irritated by the loud knocks that had interrupted his dinner. "What do you want?" he scowled furiously at Theo.
"Pick on someone your own fucking size," Theo growled, shoving Evan backwards and pulling out his wand.
Evan did the same without a moment's hesitation, about to cast a charm wordlessly. But his concentration faltered when Harry skidded to a halt behind Theo and pulled him back. "Stop! Just stop!" he pleaded. Evan's lips quirked up into a sardonic smile as he watched Theo whip around and mutter, "This is between him and me." It wasn't often that he saw such chauvinistic behavior these days.
He cleared his throat to stop the lover's spat before it could escalate. Now both men turned their attention to him. "Threatening a law enforcement personnel with a wand is a punishable offence, Mr…"
"Nott," Theo finished. "And assault on a citizen by a law enforcement personnel is punishable by suspension, Mr. Haworth."
Evan was visibly impressed by Theo's defiance. "Then I suppose we are even," he murmured.
"No, we are not," Theo argued with the slightest waver in his voice or his wand-arm.
"Yeah, we're even," Harry said quickly, grabbing Theo by the back of his collar and nearly choking him by dragging him out the house.
All would have been fine if Evan had just shut the fucking door.
"So you're… taken by him, I presume," Evan smirked, leaning against the doorjamb as he watched the couple. "I thought you would have higher standards, Potter."
"Oh, crap," Harry breathed as Theo wrenched out of his grasp and shot a fierce hex at Evan with a loud bang. Evan was, quite obviously, prepared as he parried it without batting an eye and sending back a curse of his own.
Harry spun into the Theo and clutched him close, the now familiar blue shield wrapping around them. Evan's magic bounced off in a tangent into the air where it dissipated harmlessly. Harry fell limp against Theo, his energy reserves drained and his mind flickering to black as he went to sleep.
"Geez," Evan muttered, casting a Rennervate on the recruit. Harry awoke with a jerk and a yelp, hugging Theo close in fright. "Does he do that often?"
"Wh-what?" Theo asked shakily, fingers bunching Harry's shirt.
"Are you okay?" Harry whispered, his panicked heart beating into Theo's chest. "Are you hurt?"
"Does he cast that shield often?" Evan clarified, moving closer to the stunned couple.
Theo shook his head in response. "I've… Well, I've seen it twice. I think he's done it more times, but I've seen it twice," he said, trying to remember.
"And he faints each time?"
"Not the first time… The second time, yes."
"Theo?" Harry exhaled before falling unconscious again.
"Hmm," Evan noted with a nod. "Very interesting…"
Theo's heart was now beating as hard as Harry's had been. The first time he had seen the shield was when Blaise had attempted to hex Harry while he was carrying Draco. And the second time was at Christmas, when Harry had pulled Draco into a frantic hug. But now… he was doing it with Theo. Why did Harry have to be so selfless?
"If you're done groping him," Evan said in a bored tone, "perhaps we should take him to the infirmary?"
"Fuck you."
August 8
Harry woke up with a pounding headache and this awful music blaring into his ear, a combination of hi-hats and bass threatening to make his head explode. "Stop," he whined, swatting his hand sluggishly.
"Auditory response seems normal."
Harry's eyes shot open and he sat up in bed with a gasp. Mediwizards and Healers, who had severe expressions on their faces as though they were thoroughly disappointed with him for not finishing his medicine, surrounded him. "Wh-where's Theo?" he stammered.
The medical professionals blinked at each other with a blank expression over their faces.
"He's not allowed in," Evan offered from his seat on the couch.
"Oh, and you are?" Harry snapped before remembering his position. "Sir," he added begrudgingly.
"Yes, I am," Evan smiled patronizingly. "Lie back down unless you want to run ten laps."
Harry considered his option and decided that he wasn't going to win either way. He lay back down carefully, keeping wary eyes on the doctors. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"It would be best if you laid still and did not talk, Mr. Potter," one of the Healers suggested, although it wasn't really a suggestion. It was more of an 'or else' statement. Harry didn't want to know what the 'or else' was.
"Didn't think it wise to tell us you got knocked up?"
Harry jerked upright and clutched his stomach in horror. "What?" he asked Evan. "What did you say?"
Evan got up after a dramatic pause. "Didn't you think it would have been worth mentioning that you had been pregnant a year ago?" he asked slowly, enjoying Harry's expressions.
"Mr. Haworth. You too," a rather stern and older looking Mediwizard said with a warning glare at the Auror.
"Mhm," Evan murmured.
"It's not… th-that's not… fuck," Harry trailed off with the hoarse swear, digging the heels of his palms into his eyes so he wouldn't start crying. Professor McGonagall had promised that no one would know about this. Yet, here he was, being studied like a specimen of some sort, a freak after having been caught in the middle of that godforsaken spell. And if these people knew, it was only a matter of time before the press got wind of this. Then… then what? "No," he muttered, frantically kicking away the blankets. "Get away from me. Now!" He pushed the Healers away as he staggered to his feet.
Evan was never one for drama. "Back in bed," he demanded, standing in Harry's way.
"No." Harry tried brushing past despite his swimming vision and the creeping nausea. If everyone was going to find out about him, then… what of Draco? What would happen to him?
Evan grabbed Harry by the back of his shirt and pulled him towards the bed again. "I'm not kidding, Potter. You will finish your examination and that's final," he said without a hint of patience in his voice.
"NO!" Harry screamed, pushing against Evan. "I DIDN'T AGREE TO THIS! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"
"If I believe this is affecting your ability to perform, then yes, you have agreed to the testing," Evan said, pushing Harry onto the bed. "I will not have unrestrained and untrained magic in my class!"
"NO MORE!" Harry shouted, the crackling blue shield forcing its way out stronger than ever as it pushed everyone away from the bed. "I WANT TO SPEAK TO MINERVA MCGONAGALL! I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE HEADMISTRESS!"
August 9
Draco, Andrew, Jatin and Astoria watched the commotion at the Head table with mild amusement. Professor McGonagall looked as though she was going to obliterate the Ministry visitors with a slash of her wand.
"Wonder what that's all about, huh?" Jatin whispered conspiringly.
"Someone's in a heap of trouble," Astoria snickered.
"Are those Aurors, you think?" Andrew asked in awe. "Because that would be so cool!"
"Anyway," Draco interrupted, "back to our plans."
"Right, right," Jatin nodded, having lost their conversation amidst the muted hubbub. "Your place, Malfoy?"
"Sure."
"Then I'll get the good stuff and you two can figure out the food stuff," Jatin concluded, quite pleased with his way with words.
"And pray tell us where you're going to get the 'good' stuff," Astoria asked with air-quotes.
"I have my sources," Jatin smirked.
"I want no part in this," Andrew quipped, shaking his head quickly. "I don't want to know anything."
"Poor, innocent little mind," Jatin sighed, patting Andrew on the head.
Come nightfall, Andrew was passed out on the couch, curled up with Dragon next to him who was purring away and having pleasant dreams. The rest of the Apprentices were sitting on the rug in front of the alit fireplace, mugs of ale in hand and plenty of laughs abound.
"Okay, okay, okay," Astoria interrupted the boys who were having a heated conversation on what 'wearing make-up' meant. "You guys are totally ganging up on me right now…"
They were playing 'Never Have I Ever' and Jatin had come up with a wonderful situation where he has never applied make-up to his face. Which meant Astoria had to take yet another drink, the same way she had to take drinks when Draco said that he had never worn dresses and Jatin assured her that he had never touched a tampon in his life.
"Well, it's your turn, anyway," Draco said in appeasement. "Go on."
Astoria tapped her chin in a show of thinking. "Never have I ever… shaved my face," she said with a triumphant smirk.
The boys complained as they drank from their mugs. "Not fair," Jatin scowled.
"Oh? Let me teach you a thing or two about not fair," Astoria threatened with a fist.
"Whoa, no need to go waving that around," Jatin laughed. "And since it's my turn, I'm getting back at you! Never have I ever kissed a boy."
Astoria took a begrudging gulp from her cup while Draco managed to not die, thankfully, from embarrassment. He took a defeat swallow of his drink, much to his friends' shock.
"Wh-wh-what?" Astoria stammered.
Draco shrugged in response, ducking his head and blushing.
"Never have I ever slept with a girl," Astoria said quickly.
"Damn it," Jatin muttered, drinking his ale.
"But it's my turn," Draco grumbled, clutching his tankard anxiously.
"Have you or have you not, Malfoy?" Astoria asked.
Draco whined incoherently.
"Never have I ever slept with a boy," Jatin offered.
Astoria huffed in indignation. "Who do you take me for?" she scowled.
"Oh, not you," Jatin snickered, watching Draco trying to shrink into himself.
Astoria gasped when she saw this. "Draco Lucius Malfoy!" she breathed.
"It's no big deal," Draco sulked as he took a gulp from his mug.
"Never have I ever been on the bottom," Astoria whispered.
Draco groaned in dismay before dropping his face in his hands. "I hate you both so much…"
"Oh my God!" Jatin crowed, laughing excitedly.
Astoria was still in shock. "I can't believe you've had more action than me," she muttered. "I don't know whether to beat you up or congratulate you!"
"Who?" Jatin urged. "Do we know him?"
"I'm going to bed," Draco mumbled, struggling to get up on his feet. Astoria and Jatin pulled him back to the floor. "Guys," he whimpered. "It's personal!"
"Too personal even for us?" Astoria pouted adorably.
"Aw, doesn't she just melt your heart?" Jatin gushed, batting his eyes at Draco.
"No," Draco said, keeping his flushed face downturned. "No one knows, so don't… you know… blab. My mother would kill me…"
"Oh, you rogue, you," Astoria laughed, clapping Draco on the back. "I love forbidden romances!"
"It's not forbidden!" Draco glared at her. "It's just… well, sex is… kind of forbidden."
"Maybe if we get him drunk enough," Jatin thought out loud.
"Yeah…" Astoria agreed with a distant look in her eyes.
"Shut up!"
Dear Blaise,
Remind me never to play drinking games ever again… I have the worst hangover and I just spilled my beans about everything.
I miss you a lot! Especially today. I really do feel like kissing you. Kiss me back?
Love,
Draco
Harry and Theo were speaking in quiet tones when Minerva walked into the room. Theo glanced at her, then at Harry before nodding imperceptibly and walking out of the room, smiling reassuringly at the Headmistress. It was unusual to see her outside Hogwarts. He closed the door behind him, leaving Harry and Minerva to their privacy.
"I assure you, Harry, that I had no knowledge of this," she said immediately to push away any misgivings Harry might be having.
"Then how did they find out?" Harry asked.
At this, Professor McGonagall looked uncomfortable. She didn't speak until she was seated in the chair beside Harry's bed, stalling the answer. "I'm… not exactly sure. At Ms. Patil's hearing, your name was not mentioned. We didn't admit you to St. Mungo's because we didn't want this to show up on your medical files. And the only people who know is your family, close friends and Draco's family." She paused there.
"Someone else knows, right?" Harry murmured. "Who?"
Minerva shifter in her seat uncomfortably. "In order to keep your name out of the court documents… I had to reveal who you were to Kingsley."
"Th-the Minister?" Harry stammered, whipping his head at the Headmistress. "You told the Minister?"
"In utmost confidence, Harry. It was the only way I could keep your name hidden," Minerva insisted. "I was assured that… But perhaps I've made a mistake in assuming this."
"Do you understand what's happening?" Harry exclaimed, clutching the bedclothes in fists. "People know! The Healers know. My instructor knows! You promised! You promised me, Professor. Don't you remember?"
"And it would have remained a secret," Minerva argued, "if it weren't for your wandless magic! You never confided in me about this! Did you think it wise to hide it from me?"
"I didn't think it mattered! It doesn't matter!" Harry insisted. "It's like regular magic!"
"No, it is not," Professor McGonagall shook her head sternly. "You must understand this. Wandless magic is very nearly illegal and, if untrained, dangerous."
Harry gaped at her, all the fight leaving his words.
Minerva took a calming breath, realizing that she was losing her temper on an innocent boy. "I'm sorry for sounding harsh, Harry," she apologized. "I am just taken aback that you never brought this matter to my attention."
"It's… I'm… it's nothing," Harry murmured, wondering if it truly was nothing. "It's not… It's just Protego without a wand. I'm not hurting anybody…"
"Now you must listen to me," the Headmistress said with authority. "I will try my level best to keep this away from public's eye. Kingsley and I will work together in that respect. Does this reassure you?"
Harry didn't speak.
"Now, the reason they require you to agree to medical testing is to ensure that you aren't harming yourself during these spurts of magic," she continued. "As I've learned, you tire yourself out quite quickly after creating a shield. We need to ensure that you aren't doing worse damage to your body." She examined Harry's stoic face for a moment longer. "It's the spell, Harry. It's not meant for men."
"I know," Harry snapped.
"Then you must let them finish your examination. If it is affecting your performance, it's affecting your health."
Harry frowned in confusion. "Affecting my performance?" he echoed, wondering what that meant. He looked up at Minerva as his eyes widened. "W-wait. I-I might get kicked out?" he stuttered. "For what? I didn't do anything wrong!" This couldn't be happening! This was where he wanted his life to go – he wanted to become an Auror. That was all he knew how to do. That was what he had been trained for. All his life was leading up to this, and now… "I'll control it, I swear," he panicked. "I-I won't do it again. Never again, Professor. Please-"
"Stop," Minerva interjected, placing a firm but comforting hand atop Harry's. "Stop and listen to your superior. No more fighting." She stood up before Harry could respond, walking to the door to let Evan in.
"Wait, Professor," Harry said quickly, stopping Minerva in her tracks.
"Yes?"
"Um… I was wondering if you knew how… Draco was doing," Harry blushed.
She laughed in response. "He is doing very well, Harry. Professor Slughorn is very impressed." she answered.
"Okay," Harry nodded, feeling slightly better now that he had heard some sort of good news.
Professor McGonagall didn't say anything else as she opened the door and cast Evan a stern look.
"I know, I know," Evan said, holding up his hands in surrender.
"There is an extent to torment, Mr. Haworth," Professor McGonagall said tersely. "I thought I had made that excessively clear to you at all of your detentions."
"Mhm," Evan tried to hide his smile. "Pardon me." He sidled past her and closed the door before she could add to her admonishment. "Sheesh," he muttered, shaking his head. "Got me into enough trouble, Potter?"
"You… you went to Hogwarts?" Harry asked in wonder. "You know Professor McGonagall?"
"I'm still your instructor."
"S-sir."
Evan took the seat Minerva had vacated, an unimpressed gaze fixed on Harry.
Harry looked at Haworth out of the corner of his eye. "You were a Slytherin, weren't you, sir?" he asked.
Evan's lips twitched up. "Perhaps. Does it really matter?" he asked in turn.
"No," Harry murmured. "It used to."
"Hmm."
There was strained silence after as Evan continued to observe Harry and Harry continued to fidget uncomfortably under the gaze. It wasn't a demure gaze either. It was rather desiring, in fact. That was what made Harry so uncomfortable.
"I'm not just an Auror," Evan confessed finally.
"Oh?" Harry asked, staying still.
"And not many can perform wandless magic."
Harry looked up at Evan now, a puzzled frown on his face. "A special force?" he asked.
"Something like that," Evan nodded. "And you… would be a perfect candidate."
"Me?" Harry blurted out. "You don't even think I'm good enough to be an Auror!"
"I don't?" Evan jerked his brows questioningly.
"You do?" Harry asked, befuddled by the turn of events.
"I do?"
Harry harrumphed, raking a frustrated hand through his hair. "Then I… I'm not getting kicked out?" he asked out of desperation. He just a needed some sort of confirmation that he wasn't going to be banned from the training camp.
"Tests, Potter. Remember?" Evan reminded him. "We'll see after the tests."
August 10
A short knock on the door interrupted Pansy's silent treatment, much to Blaise's relief. He hurried over and opened it so he wouldn't have to endure hours of glares and muttered insults.
He blinked at Luisa and Luca, the former who was beaming and the latter standing beside her sheepishly. "Er… Hello."
"Ciao, tesoro!" Luisa greeted. "Castagnaccio?" She held out the plate in her hand. On it was a dark brown cake with golden nuts scattered over top and a honey aroma diffusing into the air. "Delizioso!"
"Grazie!" Blaise exclaimed. He turned towards the dining table and said, "Lover girl's here with some cake." Pansy was by Blaise's side in the blink of an eye, smiling charmingly at Luca. "Come in," Blaise laughed, pushing Pansy out of the way so the two guests could enter. "It's kind of messy. Sorry about that."
"No problema. Permesso," Luca mumbled, making sure to put lots of distance between himself and the two foreigners.
"Where are you from?" Luisa asked, her accent thick and Mediterranean.
"London. England," Pansy answered, sidling towards Luca inconspicuously.
"Davvero?" Luisa exclaimed. "Cheerio!"
"Ugh! Taci, Lui," Luca muttered.
Blaise and Pansy merely laughed it off. "Cheerio to you too," he answered. "Please, sit down." He gestured to the seats at the table.
"Lei e molto gentile, nah, Luca?" Luisa asked, sitting down readily while Luca stayed standing beside her since there were only two chairs present. He gestured for Pansy to take the other one like the gentleman he was. Pansy seemed to contemplating on whether to swoon or to grin like a mad woman. Thankfully, she settled on sitting down at the table without a word of argument.
"I'll get some plates," Blaise offered. "You guys… chat."
He was just getting the embarrassingly scarse utensils out of the cupboards when he heard Luca behind him. "Help?"
"Oh, no. I'm fine. Grazie," Blaise answered, glancing back.
Luca gave him an faint smile as he sat down on the counter, an unconscious gesture he was most likely used to doing at his own home. "London…" he murmured. "Perche? London is nice."
"It's nicer here," Blaise said.
Luca chuckled. "Ma va. It's… so many people. Hmm?" he asked.
"So many different kinds of people," Blaise corrected.
"You like different people?"
"I suppose. Yes," Blaise nodded in ascent, handing Luca his slice of the warm dessert.
Luca shook his head, pushing the plate towards Blaise. "You eat. Then I eat," he said, looking at Blaise expectantly.
"Um… okay," Blaise murmured, slicing into the dessert and smelling the spicy aroma. He took a sweet bite, nodding in assent as he bit into the nuts and molasses-like sugariness. "Bene!"
"Grazie," Luca grinned.
"Oh?" Blaise asked in surprise. "You made it?"
"No, no." Luca held up his hands. "Luisa also. She loves to cook."
"Well, it's quite good," Blaise said politely. "I'll let Pansy try-oh!" He staggered around to face Luca. "You don't know our names!" he exclaimed. "She's Pansy and I'm Blaise."
"Blaise," Luca echoed. "I know. You tell me before."
"Right. And you are…"
"Luca."
"Right."
They smiled at each other for a moment, then moved to take the plates over to the table where the girls were busy with some sort of conspiracy. They abruptly stopped talking when the boys neared. Blaise placed the slice in front of Pansy, only to be yanked down. "Stop flirting with him, you bastard," she hissed into his ear.
"I wasn't!" Blaise hissed back.
"You're leading him on and, I swear to you, you'll wake up without balls if you even look at him the wrong way."
"Geez," Blaise huffed, jerking away from Pansy with a deep scowl. Sure, she was upset about Blaise and Draco, but that was no reason to threaten with possibilities of neutering…
A/N: Don't worry. This will all lead to somewhere awesome. I just like to torture my characters before I can lead them to somewhere awesome, that's all :D This is turning out to be so much fun to write! Also, sorry about the awful Italian! I'm mangling it so I can make it fit into the dialogue... And I'm quite certain I'm mangling it to the point of obscurity also. I love you, Italy and all you lovely Italian people!
Translation!
Luisa pouted theatrically while Pansy gawked. "Taken? Since when?" she asked, kicking Blaise's shin. "Why don't I know about this, arse?"
Now Luisa turned a stink-eye on Pansy. "You?" she asked, pointing an accusing finger at the woman.
"Oh, no. Not me," Pansy said with a vigorous shake of her head. "I have no idea who."
"LUISA!"
"Oh my," Pansy gushed in the same breath as her furious negation, her eyes traveling up and down Luca's handsome physique. "I sure hope he's not taken."
"God, Pansy," Blaise huffed.
"I don't believe this!" Luca exclaimed with his hands thrown about as he admonished Luisa without a care for who was listening. "What are you trying to accomplish here?"
"My love!" Luisa gushed, hugging Blaise's arm close and then scowling up at Luca.
"Love?" Luca choked out, hands at his mouth.
Blaise glanced at Pansy. "Um… so… what's going on here?" he asked in confusion.
"Well… I could be wrong," Pansy said with a theatric pondering expression. "But I'm pretty sure she's confessing her love for you."
Luisa then continued to prove Pansy right. She fell on her knees in front of Blaise and held up her clasped hands towards him. "Would you like to be my boyfriend?" she asked with abandon in her voice.
The crowd around them burst into applause and laughter, much to Blaise's amusement.
"No, no, no," Luca groaned, trying to pull Luisa back up on her feet. "Please excuse her," he said desperately to Blaise. "She's crazy."
"Hmph," Luisa huffed, getting up to her feet. "Would you like to be his boyfriend?" she asked, pushing Luca towards Blaise.
"Whoa!" The two men collided and then staggered apart. A collective 'ooh' sounded from the gathered crowd. Luca looked about ready to die of mortification at that point. "No," he groaned. "Please, no…"
Luisa clicked her tongue in exasperation before turning her wicked smile to Blaise and wiggling her brows. "My brother," she said, jabbing Luca in the ribs. "He likes you. Hmm?" She beckoned Blaise to respond.
"Oh God," Luca whined, wrenching his hair in distress. "No," he entreated to Blaise with a piteous look. "She is-is-liar! Liar! She is a liar!"
"No," Luisa shook her head, skirting away from Luca's swatting hand. "Taken?" she asked, cocking her head at Blaise and batting her lashes.
"Yes. Still taken," Blaise laughed.
"By who?" Pansy raged, throwing her hands up in the air in defeat. Luca mirrored her before stomping back to his house, never wanting to show his face to the world again.
A short knock on the door interrupted Pansy's silent treatment, much to Blaise's relief. He hurried over and opened it so he wouldn't have to endure hours of glares and muttered insults.
He blinked at Luisa and Luca, the former who was beaming and the latter standing beside her sheepishly. "Er… Hello."
"Hello, treasure!" Luisa greeted. "Castagnaccio?" She held out the plate in her hand. On it was a dark brown cake with golden nuts scattered over top and a honey aroma diffusing into the air. "It's delicious!"
"Thank you!" Blaise exclaimed. He turned towards the dining table and said, "Lover girl's here with some cake." Pansy was by Blaise's side in the blink of an eye, smiling charmingly at Luca. "Come in," Blaise laughed, pushing Pansy out of the way so the two guests could enter. "It's kind of messy. Sorry about that."
"No problem," Luca mumbled, making sure to put lots of distance between himself and the two foreigners.
"Where are you from?" Luisa asked, her accent thick and Mediterranean.
"London. England," Pansy answered, sidling towards Luca inconspicuously.
"Really?" Luisa exclaimed. "Cheerio!"
"Ugh! Shutp up, Lui," Luca muttered.
Blaise and Pansy merely laughed it off. "Cheerio to you too," he answered. "Please, sit down." He gestured to the seats at the table.
"He's so nice, right, Luca?" Luisa asked, sitting down readily while Luca stayed standing beside her since there were only two chairs present. He gestured for Pansy to take the other one like the gentleman he was. Pansy seemed to contemplating on whether to swoon or to grin like a mad woman. Thankfully, she settled on sitting down at the table without a word of argument.
"I'll get some plates," Blaise offered. "You guys… chat."
He was just getting the embarrassingly scarse utensils out of the cupboards when he heard Luca behind him. "Help?"
"Oh, no. I'm fine. Thank you," Blaise answered, glancing back.
Luca gave him an faint smile as he sat down on the counter, an unconscious gesture he was most likely used to doing at his own home. "London…" he murmured. "Why? London is nice."
"It's nicer here," Blaise said.
Luca chuckled. "No way! It's… so many people. Hmm?" he asked.
"So many different kinds of people," Blaise corrected.
"You like different people?"
"I suppose. Yes," Blaise nodded in ascent, handing Luca his slice of the warm dessert.
Luca shook his head, pushing the plate towards Blaise. "You eat. Then I eat," he said, looking at Blaise expectantly.
"Um… okay," Blaise murmured, slicing into the dessert and smelling the spicy aroma. He took a sweet bite, nodding in assent as he bit into the nuts and molasses-like sugariness. "Good!"
"Thank you," Luca grinned.