(a/n): Thanx for all the reviews, ladies and gentlemen. Thought I'd offer a few stats this time. Almost hit 500 reviews with the last chapter. And, broke 200K hits WOW. Major milestones worth mentioning, I thought. Thanx again!!
Fred and George shine, IMO. Of course, if they're willing to break with their mother & sister its easier to do with a fellow student (even a girlfriend) Ron, while solidly loyal too, does have a case of foot-in-mouth disease, much like Hagrid.
I promise, Harry will have a payback for Draco's remarks.
McGonagall, I feel, isn't used to students standing up to her. And it's happening more & more with Harry. But, like any #2, she's used to following #1. And since Harry has a number of Voldemort's abilities thanks to their link, a harsh look or remark might just get under her skin. I noticed in canon that despite being similar in age, she can't say his name either (the 5 year age difference is my own input, not checked for canon accuracy)
And, I do plan on giving our hero a break. We do have Christmas fast approaching. Though, I so far pushed Christmas out of this chapter and I doubt it'll make the next one either (things kept coming up)
I definitely have not forgotten about the two Hogsmeade attackers. It just isn't time for that to come out, yet. By way of comparison, there are only a few people who know of Sirius' innocence. And that didn't happen for 12 years. Up to now, the attack is only 3 months old.
Thought I'd give the DL an actual contract, so that's here.
Before I begin, relationships do have their ups and downs.
21 – A Difficult December
Harry greeted December 1st alone in the olwery. Hagrid's return, which he had welcomed enthusiastically, was spoiled by a couple of things. First, was Umbridge's ruthless 'evaluation' of Hagrid as a teacher. This was softened somewhat by Madam Bones' own visit a few days later. The second reason was more personal. Hagrid still spoke worshipfully of the Headmaster. Harry knew why that was. He even understood it. But he no longer felt the same way about Dumbledore.
"Hoooo!" Hedwig whistled sympathetically. She nuzzled Harry's knee. Owls didn't understand everything humans said, but they were smarter than humans gave them credit for.
Harry patted her head, softly "Thanks, Hedwig." He said. "You'll always be my first girl." He laughed when the owl puffed up. "Now, take this to Sirius."
"Hoo! Hooo! HoHooooHoo!" Hedwig whistled in acknowledgement. She took the letter from Harry and shot off into the sky.
Harry gave a melancholy sigh as he watched her soar. He hadn't been on a broom since the Hufflepuff/Slytherin match. On recovering, Ben Cadwallader had rushed to him and apologized profusely, promising to repay him, somehow. Harry, knowing just how rich he was, and not wanting Ben to worry, told the young Seeker that it wasn't his fault. That Draco Malfoy was to blame.
More than anything else, not being able to play Quidditch had brought Harry here today. Inquisitor Umbridge had ruled that Harry would never play Quidditch again. He was especially miserable, as today was the Gryffindor match against Hufflepuff. Early on in helping Ben learn to play Seeker, Harry realized that sooner or later, they'd be flying against each other. A memory flashed through his mind.
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"Just, y'know, don't teach him everything you know, mate." Ron had said.
Hermione scowled at her boyfriend and said "That's not very sporting."
"Dunno 'bout that." Harry replied "It'd give me an edge." Harry remembered watching very predictable reactions spread across his best friends' faces. He laughed out loud, earning the same glare from both of them.
"It isn't funny, Harry." Hermione had scolded him.
Laughing more, Harry replied "Sure it is. Way to go, Ron! Very Slytherin of you!"
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Harry's good humor faded as quickly as it had come on. He had gone on to show Ben as much as he could. Harry especially wanted to see him beat Malfoy. But, even he didn't expect it to happen on the first try. Today's match would've been brilliant. Threatened with a boycott, McGonagall had removed Angelina as captain, but hadn't named a new one. Sitting in the stands, watching Gryffindor play, was too painful for Harry. To add insult to injury, Ginny Weasley had replaced Harry as Gryffindor's Seeker. How could he be expected to watch that?
"Hoo, hoohoooohoohoo. Hoo Hoo." A newly arrived owl said as he landed near Harry. He studied Harry intently then extended his leg.
Harry blinked in surprise and asked "You have something for me?"
"Hoo hoooo, hooo! Hooooo, hoohoo!!" the owl screeched and flapped his wings.
Harry got the message "Ok…ok stupid question." He replied, feeling rather embarrassed.
"Hooooooo!" the owl said as he rolled his eyes.
"Thanks." Harry said, politely "Here's some treats for you."
We Brought Light to the Dark Ages! The seal on the back proclaimed.
Kinnison THE Butterbeer of the Emerald Isle The letterhead said.
The letter was a very kind invitation for the Christmas holidays and was signed by both of Susan's parents.
"Well, you just gonna sit there like a lump?" asked a lightly scornful voice from below.
Harry looked down and smiled. It was Susan. "Hey." He greeted her "How'd you know where to find me?"
"I followed Kinnexo, of course." She replied
Harry rolled off the beam he was sitting on and floated down to stand in front of her. With a confused look he asked "Who?"
"The owl, silly." Explained Susan with a laugh "All of Dad's company's owls are like that. Kinnexo, Kinnexa, Kinnemma, Kinnasha--"
Harry interrupted her "Ok, ok, I get the idea. So is the game over?"
"Yeah. Hufflepuff won. Ben caught the Snitch." She reported "He was on his forth victory lap when I left."
Harry's laugh was bittersweet "Heh, that's great. You're not celebrating the win?"
"Come on, Harry." She complained "I couldn't really enjoy myself knowing you were off somewhere feeling lousy. So, feel better?"
Harry stepped closer, rested his hands on her hips and said "Yeah, now that you're here."
"Harry! I'm ice cold! It's freezing out there!" she exclaimed.
He just barely brushed his lips over hers and whispered "Warm in here."
"We are not snogging in an owlery." She said firmly.
(kiss) "No?" he asked (kiss)
"Absolutely (kiss) Not!" replied Susan "I DON'T want to be crapped on." (kiiiiisss) "Mmmmmm, come on Harry." She moaned, managing to pull away. "Look, let's eat dinner, then we can sneak off."
Harry grinned and replied "Works for me. Room of Requirement, half past seven."
"What is it with you and that ruddy room?" she complained, playfully. "Broom closets are closer. What's wrong with them?"
Harry's face changed abruptly "NO!" he snapped, harshly.
"Fine!" Susan shot back. She yanked her hand away from Harry and started for the castle.
Harry heard a sob and he felt like his guts just spilled into the snow. He ran after her, calling "Susan! Stop, please!"
"Let go, Harry!" she demanded when he caught her arm.
He did so and said "Look…Sue…I'm really sorry for popping off like that. I didn't mean it the way it sounded. It's just…I…uhh…don't like small spaces."
"That's it?" she asked, coldly. "You bit my head off because you don't like small spaces? Hmpf!"
Harry's shoulders slumped as she walked around him and kept going. "F--stupid, bloody, idiot!" he berated himself.
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A couple of hours later, sitting in a corner of the Gryffindor Common room, Harry had just finished talking.
"What got into you!?" an appalled Hermione exclaimed after Harry told the story.
Harry glared at her for a moment, but knew she was right. "I know, I know." He muttered miserably.
"You're gonna hafta tell'er about those Muggles of yours, mate." Said Ron.
Hermione gazed at him in surprise. "That was…spot on…Ronald." She praised. Then back to Harry, "Ron's right, Harry."
"But it's embarrassing!" he growled at her. "I don't like even you guys knowing."
"Little late for that, mate. After the whole pensieve thing." Said Ron, reminding him of the memories he made them share.
Harry looked a little guilty.
Hermione waved it off. "We don't need you to apologize. You were right. We needed a good kick." She said.
"Ok…" Harry sighed. He stood up to go in search of Susan, bumped into someone and said "Excuse me." Then went on his way.
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Looking at her ex-boyfriend's retreating back, Ginny Weasley grumbled "Nicest thing he's said to me in months and he didn't even look at me."
"He had a bad day. Might've had something to do with Quidditch." Said Ron, gruffly. He and Ginny still hadn't come close to reconciling. "Wha'd'you want?"
Ginny sighed "Right now, to find out if there's a way we can join that thing you guys started. But, really, Ron, what's it gonna take?"
"How about you--" Ron began, angrily.
Hermione cut him off "Later, Ron. Alright Ginny. First thing, no Seamus."
"You tell that--" Ginny started.
Hermione snapped "I am not an ow-wwl! Harry refuses to even talk to you until he knows you weren't involved in the Hogsmeade attack. And as for Seamus--"
"That's obvious, he's jealous." Ginny concluded.
Hermione rolled her eyes "I'm not even going to reply to that." She said impatiently "Now, no Seamus. Take it or leave it."
"What else?" asked Ginny.
"The least illegal thing we could agree to is to question you under Veratiserum." Said Hermione.
Ginny's eyebrows nearly left her head at that "What else was suggested?" she asked.
"Never mind. But, if you fail, we'll report it to Madam Bones." Hermione said, bluntly.
Ginny flinched at the ruthlessness Hermione was displaying. She turned to Ron and said "You're my brother, Ron. You can't honestly believe I had something to do with that. Can you?"
"You just changed so much, Gin." Ron answered, not directly answering her question. "I…I…well I…wouldn't mind knowing…y'know…for sure."
Ginny sniffled a little and said "That hurts, Ron. He was the one cheating on me."
Ron, who had patted her shoulder when she sniffled, yanked it away when she finished. "That's what you got in your head, somehow!" he gritted out between clenched teeth. "Bloody stupid Prophet!"
"Ron, watch your mouth!" Hermione scolded him. "Assuming you pass, Ginny, there's one last thing."
Ginny's eyes narrowed "There's more?!" she asked, angrily.
"I solemnly swear Umbitch has delusions of god-hood" said Ron, holding his wand to a piece of parchment. You could tell by his grin he was quite happy saying that. He handed it to his sister.
Hermione rolled her eyes and complained "I'm not sure who's worse, the twins or Susan."
"Defense League Charter…" Ginny read
We, the undersigned, do hereby agree as follows
1. Acknowledge Harry Potter as the leader of the group. And, during meetings, defer to him as if he were a Professor.
- -a. As a condition to the above, Harry Potter agrees to treat ALL members of the group fairly. This is regardless of personal opinion, family or House affiliation.
2. To keep the group secret from any non-group member. This includes Professors, Ministry officials, family members, friends and Housemates.
- -a. An exception to this is the inclusion of a new member
3. A new member must be approved by majority vote, including Harry Potter; or a two-thirds vote without him.
4. All group members will be notified at least two days in advance of a meeting.
- -a. Meetings will be held in -- Unless discovered, or a better place is found.
- -b. Magic taught will be both defensive and offensive in nature.
- -c. It MAY BE used to assist in classwork and improve grades, or your skills generally.
5. It MAY NOT be used to attack another member of the group, or to commit any crime.
- -a. An exception to this is practice dueling.
6. A group-member may leave the group, if he/she wishes.
- -a. Said person will return their --
- -b. Said person agrees to maintain the secrecy of the group, as in #2.
- -c. Said person will still be bound by #5.
Authors : Hermione Granger and Xxxxxxxxx
Harry Potter Ron Weasley XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX Hermione Granger XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
There were thirty-seven signatures, but Ginny could only read three "You really thought about this didn't you?" she commented.
"Thanks." Hermione replied, brightly.
Curious, Ginny asked "Who's the other writer? And why are things blocked out?"
"Only members can see them." The bushy-haired girl replied.
Making a decision, Ginny reached for a quill, but Ron snatched the charter away from her "After the Veratiserum." He told her.
"Thought family stuck together." Ginny growled
Ron fired back "Harry is family! You and Mum have forgotten that!"
"Ron, please!" Hermione urged.
Ron gave her an angry look and said "For once, Hermione, butt out!"
"Fine! But don't blame me when McGonagall gives you both detention!" she snarled, then she gathered her books and stormed away. She ran up the Girls' stairs, leaving the siblings to their 'discussion'.
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While Hermione was abandoning the battling Weasleys, Harry had, after three attempts, finally coaxed Susan out of her dormitory. His pocket was ten Galleons lighter. Susan giggled as the out of breath Second Year took her payment and departed. "Ten Galleons, just to get me here. You probably just paid for next year's books." Susan said lightly.
Harry smiled, maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Shrugging, he replied "I'd a paid a hundred if I had to."
"Not bad, Harry. I'm flattered." She said.
"Hem! Hem!" Hannah Abbott coughed, in imitation of their least favorite witch. "Flattery's not gonna cut it, though."
"Take a walk with me…please." Harry asked.
Hannah declared "I'm coming, too."
"Err…" Harry stuttered.
Susan saved him, though "We discussed this, Hannah." She said "I'm a big girl. This is my relationship."
"But, I just--"
Susan flicked her thumb across her throat in a cutting motion and said "Nix!"
"Fine." Hannah sighed "But, I expect a full report."
Susan didn't reply to that, but said "Let's go, Harry."
"Have a seat?" Harry offered "This might take a while." They were in the castle courtyard, which displayed a cloudless night sky. The pair wasn't cold, thanks to a warming charm that covered the area during winter.
Susan nodded and sat. With anger in her voice, she asked "So, why are we here instead of off somewhere, snogging each other silly?"
"Because I'm a foul git." Harry offered.
"Not as a general rule." She said "You're a nice enough bloke. Nicer than… say… Draco."
Harry's face twisted into a grimace, he mumbled "Thanks."
"No problem." She replied. A smile graced her face for a moment then faded.
"Right." Harry said, taking the hint. "Right, I guess you saw a bit of it with Paula Polkiss." At her quizzical look, he added "Your brother's girlfriend. My Muggle relatives are some of the worst people. They're just like Malfoy and Snape with the way they call Hermione names."
Susan asked "What does that have to do with it?"
"Before I started here, I grew up getting shoved in a cupboard just like those broom closets. I just…can't…go… in one. Even thinking about them--" he broke off, shivering slightly. His face lost some of its color.
Susan got up and pushed him into her seat. Concerned, she said "Looks like it's you that needs to sit."
"Thanks." He said, ashamed of his weakness. "Right… look… Susan, you were definitely right to be mad at me. I shouldn't've taken my problems out on you. I'm sorry."
Susan shrugged one shoulder and half-smiled "I'll survive." She said, then leaning over she kissed his forehead.
"HehHeh!" he giggled, "That tingled!"
Susan gave him a curious look and said "You never reacted like that before."
"You never kissed my scar before." Harry replied "No one ever has."
Grinning, she said "Well, happy to help."
"We're okay, then?" asked Harry.
Susan got between his legs and sat in his lap. She nodded "Let's put it behind us." She said, pressing their lips together. "So, my parents invited you for Christmas, huh?"
"Yeah." he replied. "I'm staying with--" He broke that off. Harry knew Sirius was still an escaped convict. "That is, I'll be at--" Now he didn't know where Sirius' house was.
Susan recognized it and was shocked "Wow!" she exclaimed "That's a Fidelus Charm! Only seen that once!"
The hissing of an angry cat interrupted their conversation.
"Filch's cat! Almost curfew." Harry said "We can talk more in the Common Room."
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Two things that the young couple was unaware of happened during their conversation. The first was quite nearby. Much of their conversation had been spied upon by the one Gryffindor girl who was nearly as unpopular with Harry as Ginny was. Marion, dormmate of Harry's former girlfriend, had trailed them. Rude certainly, but not necessarily sinister.
Evil was definitely at work in another part of Hogwarts. Severus Snape was grading the infantile work of a Second Year Gryffindor. Why did he have to put up with such drivel?! He had just scored the paper with a D minus when his arm burned. He pulled up his sleeve to see that the Dark Mark was pulsing. He grabbed his cape and swept out of his chambers, muttering "Why can't that fool do something for himself?"
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December abruptly turned mild that year. The snow melted quickly. Harry went to the next Quidditch Match, which was Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw. The Weasley boys were with the team, now under Katie Bell, so Harry sat between Hermione and Neville. He cheered when Hufflepuff won, but sympathized with a disappointed Luna when he saw her.
The roughly weekly Defense League meetings were the highlights of Harry's nights. The first couple of meetings he had everyone dodging spells. But, when the third meeting protested, he introduced them to the Patronus Charm. Lupin's speech to him from Third Year came in really handy. "No, Colin. The motion is more of a twist than a flick." He said, sounding quite professorly.
"He's really good at this." Susan whispered to Hannah.
Harry heard the whisper, but not the words. He circled around behind her and asked "Problem, Miss Bones?"
"EEP!" she squeaked. Looking around, she gave him a disgruntled face and complained "Don't do that, Harry!"
With challenge in his voice he said "Ex-pect-o Pa-tro-num! Hop to it."
"Expecto Patronum!" Susan cast. Her wand movement was off, but it still emitted a few silver sparks.
He leaned on her shoulder and whispered in her ear "Almost as good as the first one you saw." Then, he kissed her cheek and walked away. Feeling her glare, he turned his head and winked.
"Frigia!" Susan bellowed, whipping her wand around. The blue spell chilled the air it passed through.
Harry, having purposely provoked her, simply ducked and Susan's spell shot over his head. Dean Thomas wasn't so lucky. One of the tallest in the group, the spell aimed at Harry's head, struck his neck. Which promptly froze, most of the way around. "Hey! Wha-d-i-do?!" the black boy squeaked.
"Easy, Dean." Said Harry, with a chuckle as he steadied the taller boy. "Who's good with warming spells?"
The entire group laughed. "That'd be me, Potter." Said Daphne Greengrass.
"Uhh…" Dean stammered, eyeing the Slytherin girl suspiciously.
"Stay cool." She shrugged and said. The other Slytherins laughed immediately. Others joined in more slowly.
Dean couldn't gulp because of the ice on his throat. "Please!" he said.
"All you had to do was ask." Daphne said. She melted it, but not all that well. She added "Bit chilly, there, Thomas?"
Dean shuddered as the cold water ran under his robes.
"Right, everyone, just a bit of fun." Harry said, amusedly. "Go ahead, Sue, give it another try."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully with her wand, closed her eyes and said "Picturing Harry hogtied. Expecto Patronum!" There still wasn't any real form to it, but the misty spray of silver lasted.
"Good…good." He said, not overly enthusiastic. But as a professor might. He found Hermione struggling with it and said "Right, first you need to relax. Second, when are you and Ron gonna ease off each other?" This was another thing that was making December difficult for Harry. Their relationship had been a casualty of a brother/sister argument. Hermione hadn't said a word to Ron since he'd told her to 'butt out'
Hermione's eyes narrowed, looking at Ron with open hostility. He wasn't even looking her way. He was laughing at what she was sure was some stupid comment of that Huflepuff Quidditch captain's. And, on top of that, Daphne Greengrass had joined them after thawing Dean's neck. "That boy is impossible!" she snarled.
"You've really hurt him." Said Harry.
Scowling, she accused "So, you're on his side."
"He was arguing with Ginny, Hermione." He said with a sigh "He wanted you out of the argument. I'm not saying he was right. But, you're the one who's acting like he wants you out of his life."
"I never said that!" she said, crossly.
Harry shook his head sadly and pointed out "No, Hermione. You haven't said anything to him…for two weeks."
"You're right. I think I'll go sit down for a while. I don't feel much for Patronus conjuring." She said "Oh…and Harry…there's something else… the Veratiserum is ready."
Harry nodded. Oh well…what was one more thing? He shot off a small fireworks display that got everyone's attention. "Right, let's quit a little early." He said "I'd like everyone to really think about their happy thought. It's the most important part of powering a Patronus. If you're not getting anywhere, look for another thought."
"Homework…."
"…Potter?"
"Tsktsktsk! For shame!" Fred and George exclaimed.
With a mischievous smirk, Harry said "And I think you two can stay after class." That had actually worked out well.
"Yes Professor Potter." George said. He was looking at his shoes. Fred had his thumb in his mouth.
Harry laughed. It was a relief from the seriousness of his talk with Hermione. This topic, of course, wasn't any less serious. He announced "Hermione's finished with the Veratiserum."
"When do you want to do it, then?" asked Ron. He avoided looking at Hermione.
"Now." Harry replied "Plenty of time before curfew."
Ron volunteered "I'll go get her."
"Not here." Said Harry "She doesn't see the Come'n'Go Room until she signs the charter."
All three Weasleys blinked. Ron asked "Mate, don't you trust her? Even a little?"
"Would you, if you were me? I'm only doing this much because you guys asked me to." Harry grumbled "Even so, I'm not gonna take any of her crap. And she better pass this test."
Hermione asked "Can I come with you, Ron?"
"Was someone talking?" Ron asked, bitterly. He glared at Hermione and added "Funny, I don't know the voice!"
Harry looked away. "How about the Astronomy Tower?" George suggested. Everyone found the idea agreeable, so that was where they met twenty minutes later.
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"This is where you meet?" asked Ginny. She sat in one of the stools near a telescope. Professor Sinestra's classroom was full of telescopes and starcharts. Her favorite was the Zodiac, so she always sat near it or at least where she could see it.
"That's not your business…yet." Harry replied. "You gonna take the Veratiserum or not?"
Her head snapped around and Ginny glared at Harry "Making everyone else do this?" she asked, angrily.
"No, just you." He replied in the same tone. "And I'm not forcing you. Leave if you want."
Ginny crossed her arms and grunted "This is blackmail and I'll expect an apology when its over."
"You've got plenty to apologize for, Weasley." Susan shot back. "Don't go dem--"
Hermione interrupted her "Sue, please."
"Shove it up your--"
"GINNY!" Hermione exclaimed. "Right, let's get this over with!"
Still glaring at Susan, Ginny gritted out "Fine."
"Tilt your head back and stick out your tongue." Hermione instructed. Ginny did so. Hermione opened a small bottle with a yellow tinted liquid in it and said "It's rather bitter. Now, one…two…three."
The drops hit Ginny's tongue and she quivered "Vile!" she complained, after swallowing. There was a small ripple of laughter.
"How do we know its working?" asked Harry.
"Easy." Hermione replied "Ginny, lie to me. How old are you?"
Ginny hesitated and then replied "Twenty."
"Give it a minute." The resident genius commented. They waited. "That should do it. Once again. Ginny, what color is your hair?"
"Gr…err…Blue." The redhead replied. Her face contorted into an ugly expression "Rrrr--rrrr--red" was forced out of her.
Harry patted Hermione's back and said "Brilliant!"
"Thanks." Hermione said, smiling and blushing slightly. She unrolled a scroll and asked "First question. Do you remember the Hogsmeade day that Harry and Susan were attacked?"
"Yeth." Ginny replied, slurring her speech.
Hermione checked it off and asked "What did you do that day?"
"Walked-ed round wit Shamas." The dosed girl said. "Den we ated at a inn."
Harry giggled at the way Ginny was speaking. Hermione gave him an annoyed look before continuing "Were you in any way involved in the attack?"
"Uh-uh." She replied, shaking her head. She was a little wild with it, so Fred had to hold her still.
"When did you learn about the attack?" Hermione asked.
Ginny thought before replying "Are-ours ask-kid usss."
"Think she means Aurors, mate." George offered. To which Harry nodded.
"Has anyone, at any time, told you who attacked Harry and Susan?" Hermione asked.
Ginny shook her head "No."
"Ginny, who attacked Harry and Susan?" Hermione asked.
Shrugging, she replied "Dunno, Tom, probly."
"Who the bloody hell is Tom!?" Susan shouted. In a rare fit of anger, she had yanked Ginny off her stool and was shaking the drugged girl.
Ginny swung wildly, missing "Hanz offame, Bunz!" she demanded.
"She means Voldemort, Susan!" said Harry as he pulled his girlfriend off his ex.
Susan had been frozen in shock at hearing the feared name, so she just fell back into Harry's grip.
"This ain't so bad." Harry joked as he supported Susan.
She squeezed the arm that was around her waist and said "Not in front of the twins, they're too young."
"HEY!" Fred exclaimed.
Ron, who had caught Ginny, demanded "What I want to know is why you created this whole mess. You tried to turn everyone against Harry. You almost tore us in half. And the rotten way Harry found out about Finnegan! Tell me why! WHY?"
"A--be--well I…" Ginny stammered for almost a full minute. "The truth is--"
Harry, who had been play wrestling with Susan, glared at Ron and said "Shut up Ginny! Don't answer that!"
"WHY?" shouted Ron. "It was the perfect chance!"
Ginny's head was starting to clear when Harry answered "Because it doesn't matter. What happened; happened. Sue's great and-- well--I don't want to know. It doesn't matter."
"Are you satisfied?" Ginny asked, glaring at Harry.
Not giving an inch, he replied "About the attack, yeah. You're off the hook."
"Not much of an apology for a false accusation." Ginny observed.
"This from the queen of them." Said Susan.
Ginny gave her a baleful look "Mind your own business, Bones!"
"I only agreed to this because of your brothers!" Harry snapped "So don't push it!"
Surprisingly, Ginny backed down and sighed "Fine."
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"Made it!" a breathless Susan sighed, on reaching the Hufflepuff Common Room. "That was close!"
Harry, also a little out of breath, said "We coulda hid under my cloak instead of running."
"And what happens to me every time you get me under that thing?" asked Susan.
Harry's response was a shrug and "Dunno, what?"
"Prat!" she exclaimed, teasingly. "Well, 'night."
A noise, then voices, came from the dorm stairs "Quick!" Harry whispered sharply. In one motion, he whipped out his Invisibility Cloak and whirled it around them. He pulled Susan close to him.
"We're patrolling the first and second floors tonight, Hannah." Said Ernie to his fellow prefect.
Hannah nodded and replied "Got it. -- Hey! Did you just hear something?"
"It's just us." Ernie answered.
Susan had just gotten out "Han--" when Harry silenced her with a kiss.
"See what I mean." She commented, at least ten minutes after the prefects departed, her voice a little rough.
With his hands still roaming under her uniform shirt, he replied "Didn't hear you complaining."
"Couldn't talk, there was a tongue in my mouth." She said, sexily.
Harry laughed "Well…only a few people know about my cloak. And I'd…kinda like to…y'know…keep it that way."
"Well, good night, Harry."
"Night, Sue." Harry yawned. It had been a long day. As he took care of his business before going to bed, he thought the past term had been one of the wildest rides of ups and downs he'd had at Hogwarts. Christmas, he thought, should be great. It was only a few days away.
He was, just then, thinking of Sirius and Susan's family. He wasn't, at that moment, thinking of the fact that the Weasleys; including the female ones, were staying at Grimmauld Place. Nor, as he crawled into his four-poster in Hufflepuff's boys' dorm, did Voldemort enter his thoughts.