Chapter 29 – Valentine
Draco Malfoy stormed out of the Slytherin House entrance and stalked, in a manner reminiscent of Snape, up to the Entrance Hall and out of the doors to the grass outside. He finally stops when he reaches the Lake and after checking nobody is around he spits a few choice curse words into the air. Finally calming down he pulls his Malfoy persona back into place and stands deadly silent watching some birds swoop down the to Lake looking for food.
Draco was furious. Not because his father had not written to him since he had escaped Azkaban, nor with Crabbe and Goyle for being too stupid to realise when he needed time alone away from then, he wasn't even mad at Potter for saving his life yesterday. He was absolutely furious with Pansy Parkinson.
He knew good Slytherins, especially a Malfoy, never showed any emotion or if they did, only in moderation, but this was not helping how he was feeling now. In fact it made it worse. The fact that, that witch could get under his skin so much as to destroy his carefully created persona irked him.
After sitting down on the grass, following casting of a few Drying and Water Repelling Charms, he thought back to that mornings encounter.
Draco had woken up in a good mood. It was a Sunday, he had completed all of his homework, the sun had finally come out and the rain had stopped, meaning the entire Slytherin Common Area was less damp, and a very attractive Ravenclaw fifth year had been eyeing him up all day yesterday and he had already created a Plan of Seduction to execute that day.
Breakfast was perfect too. Crabbe and Goyle had refrained from talking so he didn't have to put up with their grunts and stupid remarks, his usual bacon, toast and eggs had been cooked to perfection by the house-elves and more importantly Potter had slipped coming into the Great Hall causing great amusement at the Slytherin table. In fact it had caused amusement to everybody in the hall, which caused Potter to blush and duck down into his seat quickly.
It wasn't until he had returned to the common room afterwards that the problems started. Firstly, when he entered Zabini and Pansy were sitting in a corner looking over a fashion magazine, so Pansy completely ignored his entrance and never once looked in his direction.
Draco could admit to himself that he was quite happy that Pansy was ignoring him, that meant she could be after somebody else leaving him free to disappear after that fifth year Ravenclaw now, but it never looked good when he entered a room and his Betrothed failed to notice him. He could hear two sarcastic comments start up.
'Look, Parkinson is ignoring Malfoy.'
'I bet she caught him with that Hufflepuff the other night.'
'Not giving as good as he gives out to his other witches.' Draco firmly ignored them and wondered over to Pansy and Zabini on the pretence he was interested in what they were looking at.
'Good Morning, Pansy, Zabini. What is it you are reading?'
Pansy looked up and cooed upon seeing him. She quickly stands up and kisses him before sitting back down again.
'Forgive me Angel. I was busy deciding what to buy for our Valentine's meal on Tuesday.'
'I understand.' Draco smiles coolly.
Like hell he did, thought Draco.
'So what is it that you wanted?' Draco accio's over a chair another Slytherin was about to sit on and ignoring the loud thump as said Slytherin hit the floor and the giggles that it caused, he turned his attention to the catalogue full of twirling models in front of Pansy. Pansy flipped to the back of the catalogue only too eager to point out the ones she wanted.
Of course, thought Draco sarcastically, she had started from the back where the most expensive dresses were kept.
Immersing himself in Pansy's conversation about correct length, style, shape and colour of her new dress he nearly missed one important statement.
'Hang on a minute. What colour did you say?' Draco says abruptly once his mind has caught up with what had just been mentioned.
'Pink. Do try to pay attention Angel. Now….' Pansy is cut off by a glare from Draco
'Pink! You mean the same colour as the Yule Ball's dress!'
'Of course. It suited me, don't you think.'
'I told you then that I hated the colour. It was the most hideous thing I had ever seen! And I've seen most of that muggle-loving-fool of a Headmasters wardrobe.' Hisses Draco. Pansy looks shocked.
'Darling. You must have been wrong. Everybody said I looked wonderful.'
'But I didn't and I have to pay for the bloody dress after all!' Pansy huffs.
'Your father pays for it actually.' Draco's face turns icy. Pansy realises she has said something wrong.
'Oh Angel, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.' Draco ignores her hand wrapping around his arm and stands up. His voice hisses out.
'If my opinion isn't worth anything to you, then I will look for somebody else to take on Tuesday!' Pansy opens and shuts her mouth a few times before recovering.
'You can't. You have already put our names down. I would hate to hear what your father and my father would say to you if they found out you were throwing me over.'
'I think, that after they hear that you have no regards for my opinion they will side with me!' Draco spits out before stalking from the common room leaving a very ashen looking Pansy and a quiet house with plenty of gossip to start spreading.
After thinking about that morning's argument Draco lay back flat on the grass and stared at the sky. An envelope rustles in his robes and remembering it he pulls it out. Rolling his eyes at the seal on the back he flicks it open, and holding it up in the air above his face, he reads.
Dear Mr Malfoy
In regards to your last communication, I am willing to tell you it isn't easy to find information on Harry Potter. Everybody I can contact informs me of what a splendid young man he is. I came to you as you have given me valuable information in the past.
I have no wish to rush you but I do need any information as quickly as possible, my employer is already annoyed at the delay in my article.
In answer to your closing question, this article is one the Ministry wishes published against Harry Potter. I am sure this is a shock to you, but many officials are unsure of Mr Potter's actual position in this war and would like to see if he has any dark tendencies that might have been over looked.
Regards
Rita Skeeter
Dark tendencies, Draco snorts silently. If you put Potter and snow next to each other the snow is going to Azkaban.
Sighing Draco tried to think of anything he could use as a dark tendency or maybe a little shady. Coming up with nothing as he searched through their last year at Hogwarts, Draco concluded that Potter was as pure as freshly fallen snow and had as many evil traits as a Flobberworm does. Smiling to himself Draco imagines for a few minutes a Flobberworm with Potter's head but it soon morphs back into the real Harry Potter, nearly wiping out a fellow Slytherin in a duel last year.
Scowling at the first time in his life when he can think of no reason to hate Potter, even though he saved his life yesterday showing off his hero tendencies, Draco got up impatiently and stormed back towards the castle. He was damned if he was going to write a letter back to Ms Skeeter claiming Harry Potter was the perfect Gryffindor.
Hermione Grangers day on the other hand started out terrible and got much better. Firstly she was woken when Seamus was sneaking out of their dorm and tripped over his broomstick he had used to get past the wards stopping males into the female dorms. Then she had had to listen to a full blow by blow account of his and Parvati's night encounter, which she noticed was exactly the same as her last few encounters with him.
Knowing she wouldn't get anymore sleep she decided to get up, so went for a shower tripping over a pair of Lavender's shoes and hitting her head on the wall. Feeling her temper rise Hermione had a warm bath to help relax her but noticed her favourite bath foam, the expensive bath foam her parents only brought her for her last birthday, was all gone.
Growling at Fate, she finished her bath quickly, threw on some clothes and wondered down to the Common Room with her favourite book, Hogwarts: A History, hoping to get a few minutes of peace. It was with horror that she saw that Ron, Seamus and Dean were all sitting on the chairs by the fire discussing Seamus' night which Hermione had just heard.
Just as Hermione was about to throw the first real tantrum in her entire life, the portrait of the Fat Lady opened and Harry walked in. Seeing her standing there Harry smiled and went over to her pressing a small kiss on her cheek. Hermione felt her temper dispersing and her frayed nerves repairing themselves as Harry kissed her cheek and enveloped her in a hug.
Well, Hermione thought, perhaps today can get better.
Reluctantly Hermione pulls away from Harry but she keeps her arms around his waist. She is very pleased when Harry keeps a hold of her shoulders.
'Where have you been Harry?'
'Library.' She notices for the first time the book under his arm and frowns.
'Does Madam Pince know you have taken that book?'
'I left her a note. I wasn't waiting till 10 for her to get there.'
'You really should wait until Madam Pince know.'
'I have already discussed this with Madam Pince and she is happy for me to do this as long as I leave a note with my magical signature on it.' Hermione nods reluctantly.
'Hey Harry.' Seamus says smiling. Harry looks at Seamus closely.
'You've been with Parvati again.' Seamus smiles smugly. Harry notices the other two males sitting with him. They had obviously been discussing Seamus' night of debauchery.
'Could you take your conversation up to our dorm so Hermione and I can have some time together?' Harry asks Seamus.
'You're too innocent Harry. You need to start acting like a man, like the rest of us.' Dean smiles. Harry manages to raise an eyebrow and give the impression of Snape taking over his body.
'I do not need to share sexual experiences with you guys to act like a man, as you so pleasantly put it.'
'Mate, I really could have believed you to be Snape for a moment there.' Seamus says and Dean nods in agreement.
'Are you leaving or am I going to have to hex you all?' Harry jokes still with his eyebrow raised.
'We're going Harry. Keep your glasses on.'
'Yeah. Stop channelling Snape.' Dean mutters as Seamus and Dean head to the boys' staircase. Dean turns around when he realises Ron hadn't followed them and was having a staring contest with Harry. 'Come on Ron.' Dean says quickly. Hermione feels Harry's muscles tense beneath her hands and she silently pleads the feud going on is not going to become an all out duel. Hermione had a definite idea of who would win. Luckily for Hermione Ron breaks the gaze and follows Dean and Seamus out of the common room. Hermione breathes out, not realising she had been holding her breath.
Harry flops down on the vacated chairs and pats his lap whilst looking at Hermione. She smiles and after setting her book down on the small table nearby sits on his lap. Harry pulls her close and kisses her hair.
'Thanks Harry. I had just had to listen to Parvati telling Lavender.'
'Yuck!' Harry pulls a disgusted look and then carefully leans over and sniffs her hair again.
'Harry what are you doing?!' Hermione bats him away. Harry smiles sheepishly.
'Sorry. You don't smell of lilies today. You always do.' Hermione blushes. She never realised Harry had noticed.
'Lavender and Parvati have finished off my Lily Bath Foam and I couldn't be bothered to have a shower afterwards to use the shower gel.' Harry nods.
'I'll have to get you some then. I miss it.' Hermione reaches up and softly brushes her lips against his. Harry pulls away slightly and licks his lips.
'Mmm. I love that cinnamon lip balm too.' He leans back down and pulls her into a long passionate kiss. Hermione latches a hand in his hair and uses it to lift herself up ignoring Harry's sharp hiss.
Some time later they break apart and Harry pulls Hermione closer and tucks her head against his neck. Hermione lets herself relax to the erratic beating of Harry's heart, listening to Harry as he reaches across and after picking up her book starts to read to her from where she has bookmarked it. Harry's rendition of the book doesn't go down well.
'After the large stone monoliths had been placed position the four walls of the Great Hall were knocked down as Salazar was such a perfectionist and realised they were a millimetre out.'
'Harry. Read it properly.' Hermione demands.
'Sorry. On top of the four walls of the Great Hall the immense timber buttresses carved out of trees taken from the dangerous forest around the school were balanced to form the roof. Once in place Helga decided that a wooden ceiling was just too boring and charmed it to look like the sky outside complete with its own weather system that during the first rainfall caused a flood inside Hogwarts.' Hermione slaps Harry playfully on the chest.
'It does not say that. Helga's piece of charm work didn't go wrong and there was never a flood in Hogwarts.'
'But the book is absolutely boring. I've read Latin that kept me more awake.'
'It's a complete history of how the school was built, the enchantments used to build it and the rules and regulations still in effect today. It is a very good book.' Harry snorts. Hermione hits him on the chest again.
Harry's reply is covered by the house starting to wake up, shortly followed by Neville coming down from the boy's stairs and Ginny from the female stairs.
'Morning, Harry, Hermione. We going down to breakfast?' Asks Ginny. Harry nods as Hermione crawls off his lap and helps pull him up. Harry rubs the back of his head and frowns.
'I think you nearly pulled all of my hair out.' Harry teases just before Hermione swats him over the back of the head.
'Come on lovebirds.' Neville jokes leading them out of the common room. Hermione sighs before allowing Harry to drag her with them down the staircases. After watching Harry, and Neville hex and curse each other with prank spells she lets go of Harry's hand and drops back to walk with Ginny.
'Can they be any more pathetic?' Ginny asks rolling her eyes.
Hermione had to admit that watching her boyfriend running up and down the corridors trying not to be hit by hexes was a little annoying. She loved Harry, and whilst he was sensible most of the time sometimes he acted like a child. Sighing she watches as Neville sends out the Ice Charm Harry had taught them in DA last December. Harry who was just entering the hall slips on the ice and falls flat on his behind.
Beside her Ginny bursts out laughing and Hermione can't stop her mirth from bubbling over as she sees Harry's glasses falling limply off an ear and his flabbergasted face. Neville pulls him up laughing himself as Harry blushes. She notices that the rest of the hall is starting to laugh too causing Harry to blush more.
'I'm s…s…sorry Harry.' Stammers Neville when he realises that the entire hall saw Harry fall. Harry laughs it off and congratulates him on a Charm well done.
Well, thought Hermione fondly, he may have stupid fights with his friends and act like an idiot occasionally, but he was always there to tell people well done and congratulate them if they deserved it. Even if it made him look like a complete and utter fool.
Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape were all sitting in the Headmasters office drinking tea. The portraits on the wall for once were not pretending to be asleep and were actually contributing to the conversation.
'I've been trailing him as you told me too Albus.' An elderly Witch in golden robes and long grey hair was saying. 'His friends have seen nothing different about him. The Granger girl notices a few things but doesn't comment on them. If I wasn't here when you gave him your lessons I would assume he was just an ordinary sixth year student.'
'He keeps a low profile in class. He may get the spells mastered quickly and in DA he seems to be doing very well teaching others. But I agree with Amelia. You wouldn't notice anything strange.' Minerva says.
'The only time Potter shows any unusual abilities are in his private lessons and no students have discovered that these lessons take place.' Snape sneers.
Albus sighs.
'I was hoping Tom's new information was accidentally given by students here at school, but this only confirms that somebody in the Order is passing on information. I mentioned a few weeks ago I was training Harry, I never mentioned in what or when, and now we know Tom received this. He has instructed Severus to find out exactly what I am teaching him.'
Minerva looks shocked for a moment and then speaks.
'Who was there when you mentioned this?'
'Remus, Arthur, Alastor, Mundungus, Tonks, Shacklebolt, Fred, George, Molly, Simon, Filius and Hagrid.'
'So one of them is our spy.' Minerva says quietly.
'I know and I can give you hundreds of perfect reasons why each and everyone of them could not be it.' Albus sounds serious and upset. 'Severus I need you to keep a closer eye on Harry. Make sure he isn't accidentally using any Wandless Magic and that there are no students taking a particular interest in him. More so then usual.' Dumbledore adds the last part when Snape opens his mouth to retort. After a short pause Dumbledore puts down his empty cup.
'I believe you would both wish to go and change into something more suitable for this evening. I know I have to change into my new outfit.' Minerva and Severus leave the office.
Please spare me from that old fool, thought Snape. Why can he not 1) put Potter's welfare onto somebody else and 2) not give him nightmares thinking about what he could possibly be wearing to the Valentine's Meal this evening.
Severus wasn't very pleased when he had been told he had to attend. He made a point of missing out on these sickening performances taking immense delight instead in patrolling the corridors and rose gardens looking for strays.
Smiling thinly to himself Severus stalked back to his quarters immersed in memories of taking copious house points off half the school on previous Valentine's Days.
Carefully dressed in his usual black robes Severus stood by the doors to the Great Hall and watches as the students enter in pairs or as small groups before being led to their tables by waiting house-elves. His eyes had been mortally offended when he caught sight of the Headmasters neon pink robes with little love hearts zooming around them.
He looks around and sees the procession of his house up from the dungeons with Draco Malfoy at the front with Pansy Parkinson on his arm wearing grey silk robes that perfectly matched Draco's green ones. Severus was happy to see their small argument had been cleared up. He had been quite amused to find Draco sitting in his classroom when he had entered on Sunday morning to start marking essays.
'Draco. What are you doing in here?' Draco had sighed and replied.
'Pansy.'
'Again?'
'Yes. It's her dress robes for Tuesday.'
'Don't tell me she wishes them to be pink.' It had been amusing to watch Draco bite his tongue to stop himself from either vomiting at the thought of the pink robes, or hexing me for bringing them up. Severus imagined it was the former; Pansy did look repulsive in pink.
'Yes she does. She even had the audacity to tell me…..' Draco had trailed off and glared at Severus. 'I told her I wasn't paying for any more pink robes and she told me I never paid for them my father did!' Draco had then started pacing the room ranting about never being taken seriously, cursing all known deities for letting his father arrange his marriage to Pansy and finally against Potter for actually possessing a girlfriend who had better dress sense then his pure blooded girlfriend who really should know better. Severus sighed. It wasn't unusual for Draco to compare his life with Potters.
'Draco, I really am not interested in hearing about Granger's fashion sense. What is it you would like me to do?'
'I have no idea!' Draco had hissed before slumping down onto a stool. 'How should I get Pansy to give up the idea of pink and go for something more suitable like green or grey. I could even cope with a light yellow or blue.'
'Easy. Buy her dress and surprise her on the night with it. Insist that she wears it. That is what I have known your father to do in previous years.'
'But mother always dresses so perfectly.' Draco seemed shocked.
'Yes she does, but that doesn't always mean Lucius will let her wear what she wants. Sometimes he wants to get across a certain picture, for example, of a great family man, well then Narcissa had to wear long robes that were not revealing, but if he was showing off his beautiful wife then it was a robe showing just enough skin.'
'Okay. I can do that. I can order her around.'
'Be prepared for tears. She'll try and get her way.' Draco had nodded and left the classroom with a determined look on his face.
Back in the present Severus finishes watching Draco pull out the chair for Pansy to sit at their private table for two before he turns to the Grand Staircase at the sound of noisy students. He sees the Gryffindor House coming down from their tower altogether. He is very surprised when Potter nods to him as he passes and automatically nods back. He follows Potter taking Granger over to their table for two and pulls out her chair bowing as she sits down causing Granger to blush. Looking carefully at Granger he sees she is wearing a pale purple muggle ball gown with a darker purple over robe to comply with pureblood tradition. Her hair is loose and cascading in curls down her back with two pieces from the front of her forehead pulled back and pinned with a decorated butterfly comb.
Draco was right. Snape thought bitterly, Granger did know how to dress better then a pure blooded Slytherin who had had lessons on deportment since she was old enough to walk.
After the last few students entered the Great Hall and sat down, Snape made his way up towards the staff table eager to get this night over and done with. He purposefully kept his eyes averted from the Headmasters robes and sat down staring straight ahead.
'Welcome students to this Valentine Evening. I hope you enjoy your night with your partners and friends.' Dumbledore gazes around the room. 'Eat!' Dumbledore claps his hands and menus appear in front of everybody. Snape picks up his menu and then sneers. He reads.
Starter:
Prawn Cocktail
Chicken Salad
Main Course:
Lamb in mint sauce
Seafood Special
Desert:
For two, Heart Cake with cream
For single, chocolate cake with cream
Ice-cream – chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter.
All Sixth and Seventh Year students and staff will be provided with a single glass of wine each and crackers and cheese.
All students will receive coffee or tea with mints once they have finished eating.
One glass of wine! Snape thought. How was that supposed to get him through the evening. How was he supposed to stand simpering teenagers and this bloody meal with only one glass of wine!
Meals had started appearing before Severus ordered his Chicken Salad. He refused to eat anything that had come from the ocean. The muggles were polluting it far too much for him to feel secure eating anything that came from it.
Whilst eating he gazed around the room spotting many couples holding hands over the table or sharing small kisses. Thankfully he noticed that his House was refraining from such public displays of affection and were just conversing. Pleased by this observation he looked over at the Gryffindors who were all over each other.
Sickening, Severus thought.
Severus wasn't too surprised to see Potters sidekick leaning over his table snogging Ms Brown. It looked like only Potter and Granger, who looked oblivious to what their friends were doing, were simply talking and laughing.
Draco wasn't finding this Valentine's Evening much fun at all. Pansy was once again discussing their lives once they had finished school, how they would marry and Draco would go to work and she would stay at home with their heir and play housewife. Internally sighing and finally realising that this evening was going to be a complete waste of time he tuned Pansy out and gazed around the room.
His Head of House was looking thoroughly bored with the evening and watching the Gryffindors with a look of distaste on his face. Turning around Draco can understand why. They were all over each other, kissing and holding hands sharing meals and giggling.
Pathetic, they really were, thought Draco. Had they no self restraint.
'Draco? Draco, are you listening to me?' Pansy asks drawing Draco's attention back to her.
'Of course I am.' Pansy starts up again.
'I can come and visit over Easter. My father sent me a letter saying he had some important news to tell me. I can't wait to hear it.' Draco nods. He had received a letter too and had an idea what it was about.
'That is a brilliant idea Pansy. In my last letter from my mother she mentioned she hadn't seen you in a while.' Pansy smiles pleased.
'I'm sure my mother will allow me to stay at Malfoy Manor for a few weeks during the holidays.'
Damn, thought Draco, I don't want her around that often. I'll have to convince mother that I need time to myself to do extra studying for my N.E.W.T.S next year so she won't invite her over.
Draco smiles outwardly but is interrupted by a roar of laughter to his left. He turns and sees a group of first year Ravenclaws laughing at their friend who has fallen backwards off his chair. Draco sneers as does Pansy. Looking up Draco catches Harry's eye, Harry rolls his eyes at Draco and shrugs slightly before turning back to Hermione. Draco's eye goes back to the Ravenclaws as Snape swoops down on the offending table. He can hear Snape hissing at them.
'I understand your brains are too small to comprehend that you are not the only students trying to enjoy themselves here this evening but you will quiet down and behave or else I will be seeing you in detention tomorrow morning at 9am.' Snape snarls before stalking back to his seat at the front. Draco grins and turns back to Pansy as the lad who fell off his chair sits back down blushing.
'How pathetic!' Pansy says looking down at her menu before ordering her main course of Seafood Special. Draco not in the mood for seafood orders the lamb and is pleasantly surprised when a plate appears with three large lamb chops along with the usual vegetables and potato.
Meanwhile on the other side of the room Harry and Hermione had both ordered the lamb.
'I hate seafood.' Harry confides to Hermione.
'I know.' Hermione smiles. 'I have sat at the same table as you for nearly 6 years.'
'True.' Harry smiles back and tucks into his dinner. Hermione watches him smiling to herself. 'What are you smiling at?' Harry asks confused.
'You.'
'What about me?'
'You can pay so much attention to small things such as the Golden Snitch on match days or peoples wand movements in DA, but you fail to see large things like what you eat every day for 6 years.'
'I never needed to watch what I ate before, it's only since the summer when I was force fed potions to help me grow to my correct height.'
'Is it going to affect you in later life all those potions?'
'How do you mean?' Harry looks confused.
'I mean when you have children.'
'Oh, no. This is my natural height, how I would have been if I had been fed properly all my life and not done it through potions. My children should inherit this.'
'Good.' Harry starts to grins mischievously.
'Hermione, are you by any chance planning our future children's' lives?'
Hermione blushes and tries to glare at Harry.
'No. I was just asking.'
'Can you imagine what they would look like, with your bushy hair and my green eyes?'
Hermione grins back at Harry.
'Who's to say they won't have your unmanageable hair and my brown eyes.'
'I'd feel sorry for them if they ended up with my hair I can assure you. It still refuses to lie flat or let me do anything with it. At least yours has become tame as you have grown up.' Harry smirks.
'I suppose it has.' Hermione flicks a loose curl back over her shoulder. Harry leans forward conspiratorly.
'Can you imagine Ron and Lavenders children?' Hermione looks shocked and then bursts out laughing as Harry grins at her amusement. Trying to catch her breath Hermione says.
'Oh please don't. That's too horrifying.' Harry joins in her laughter. Neville and Luna at the table beside them lean over and Neville whispers.
'What are you two laughing about? The whole hall is watching.' Harry and Hermione look at each other again and laugh harder.
'We're just picturing Ron and Lavenders children.' Harry whispers. Neville starts to chuckle. Luna looks thoughtful.
'They would look like Snurfuls. Snurfuls have orange and brown stripy hair running all over their body and giggle inanely at everything as their brains are the size of a pea.' Harry chokes on his food and has to take a drink of water. Luna smiles and goes back to her dinner.
'I wonder how much of her creatures are just covers for her insulting us?' Harry asks smiling. Neville shrugs also grinning and goes back to his dinner. Harry and Hermione share a look before grinning at each other.
'Oh Harry. We haven't laughed so hard since…'
'Since Ernie McMillan managed to switch his arms and legs around in Transfiguration last week and he had to make his own way to the Hospital Wing.' Hermione starts laughing again.
'That was funny. The look on McGonagalls face when she realised what he had done.' Harry grins along with her. Two glasses of champagne arrive on the table. Hermione smiles and takes a sip out of her glass. Harry pushes his away slightly and ignores it causing Hermione to frown.
'Why aren't you drinking your champagne too?'
'Dumbledore told me I am not allowed to drink any alcohol. If I get too drunk my control over my magic may disappear and I would hate to think what I could do then.'
'Oh.' Hermione looks thoughtful and then places her glass back down on the table where she pushes it to the centre of the table to sit with Harry's. 'Well then, I suppose that as your girlfriend I should give you my full support and do the same.'
Harry smiles in thanks and they are both surprised when the two glasses disappear.
'The house elves must be working over time to be able to provide all of these meals and know when we are finished.' Hermione scowls.
'For one evening there is no spew.'
'It's not spew!' Harry laughs.
'Of course not, Mione.' Hermione huffs in indignation.
'There is no need to humour me.'
'I'm not humouring you, but the house elves are safe in Hogwarts.'
'I do not want to discuss it.' Harry sighs but doesn't say anything else. They finish their meal in silence.
Early the next morning Harry was the only person in the common room. He was sitting on his chair near the fireplace with a table pulled in front of him on which he was making notes out of a textbook.
'Then you carry E and minus the 7 from the total. That gives me 45.34' Harry turns over a piece of parchment next to him. 'Oh damn. Out by 0.2.' Harry flicks his quill onto the parchment in frustration rubbing his hand through his hair.
Why on earth did I decide to keep up with Arithmancy, Harry thought. I must have been mad.
Harry takes deep breath and lets it out slowly before tossing the parchment with the failed calculation into the fire and pulling out another piece. Picking up the quill he starts again. 10 minutes later Harry grins as he gets the final answer.
'Yes!' Harry hisses. 'Excellent. Now I have to remember to carry the E after I have divided it by rate of reaction.' Harry tucks the piece of parchment into a rectangular box containing other parchment with calculations on them. 'So Arithmancy done, now I have Charms.' Harry lets out a long suffering sigh and glances at the clock. He groans when he sees it is eight in the morning.
'You been up all night working on your homework?' Harry jerks his head around startled. Ron is standing at the bottom of the boys' staircase his hand still resting on the banister as though he is paused in turning and fleeing.
'Yeah. It's the holidays so I need all the free time I can sort out to be with my friends.' Harry shrugs.
'Every night you don't sleep you do homework?' Ron asks.
'Yeah. How else am I to get it done and still have time for everybody else? I don't have a time turner and the professors give me the same amount of work as everybody else.'
'That's hardly fair.' Ron is outraged. 'They can't expect you to do this much work. You'll become as mad as Hermione was in third year.'
'I did question it. I got told to give up Quidditch.'
'But… but… that's an outrage. You can't give up Quidditch.'
'That's why I do homework at night.' Ron appalled sinks down into the couch nearby Harry.
'You never get a break do you?' Ron says quietly. Harry shrugs.
'So my life isn't perfect. Whose is?' Harry realises Ron has no answer and pulls out his charms textbook and the scroll he had already started. He flicks through the book until he comes to a bookmarked page and dips his quill in some ink. It is some time later that Ron speaks up.
'I'm sorry.' Harry looks up sharply at Ron, whose ears are red. 'I'm sorry.' Ron repeats to Harry's surprised face. 'I should never have insulted the Slytherins. You were right, they were never Death Eaters.' Harry snorts. He quickly explains when he sees Ron go red.
'What I mean is that they may not be Death Eaters now but that's because they're too young and Voldemort doesn't mark them until they're 17.'
'You mean they're going to be Death Eaters?'
'Some will be. Like a few from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor will be.'
'Gryffindor!' Ron yells.
'Yes. Of course there will be some Death Eaters from every house. Whether it is by coercion or because they truly believe in the cause.' Harry explains. Ron nods.
'Well I'll never be one.' Ron says.
'Course you won't be. You can't be the best friend of the Chosen One and a Death Eater.' Harry grins as Ron processes his sentence. Rons smile forms slowly and then threatens to split Rons face in two. 'How about we go and get some breakfast and then you can drag me back, do some serious grovelling and then I can help you catch up in your four classes.' Harry says.
'Homework! But it's our week off!' Ron whines.
'Do you want to explain to your mum why you failed your exams at the end of this year or do you want to spend today, tomorrow and Friday catching up and getting everything done. You can then have the weekend off and we can have a game of Quidditch.' Ron reluctantly nods. Harry pushes the table in front of him with his charms homework to one side and stands up. 'Now breakfast.' Harry pulls a still sour Ron up off the sofa and out of the common room.
Ron and Harry had an hour together repairing their relationship before Hermione and Ginny entered the Great Hall. Harry and Ron looked at them as they sat down opposite. Harry smiles at Hermione.
'Good morning Mione. You're up late.'
'Ginny and I stayed up chatting last night.'
'Anything interesting?'
'Screw us, you two are talking again!' Ginny says. 'What happened?'
'Ron and I got talking this morning.' Harry shrugs.
'That's it?' Ginny pushes.
'Yes. That's it.' Harry repeats. Ginny turns to Ron.
'So you apologised?'
'Yes.' Ron mumbles.
'Well it's about time, I thought I was going to have to write to mum.' Ron pales as Harry winces.
'That's really harsh Gin.' Harry says. 'That should be classed as cruel and unusual punishment.' Ginny and Ron burst out laughing. Hermione just smiles and shakes her head. Harry looks over at Hermione who has her back to the Slytherins and realises Draco Malfoy is leaving the Great Hall. Harry stands up suddenly startling the other three. 'I'll see you in the common room Ron in our seats in about half an hour. Get your charms work out.' Harry waits for Rons nod before he leaves the Great Hall.
Looking around when he reaches the Entrance Hall Harry catches a glimpse of black casual robes disappearing into the dungeons and follows. Thankfully he catches up with his prey, Malfoy, before the Slytherin Common Room.
'Malfoy, I need a word.' Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle turn around and glare at Harry. 'It's about Advanced Potions.' Harry lies. Malfoy nods and waves Crabbe and Goyle away. They leave reluctantly.
'What do you want then Potter?'
'Why are you asking questions about me?'
Malfoy looks surprised.
'What makes you think I have anything to do with this?'
'I have my resources.' Harry says airily. Harry and Draco have a staring match for a few minutes before Draco breaks the lock. Draco scowls.
'Okay. I received a letter from your favourite reporter.'
'Skeeter! What on earth is she after this time?'
'Dirt.'
'I thought I was the Chosen One at the moment.' Harry says frowning.
'You are. But apparently the ministry is not all on your side.'
'Umbridge. Why am I not surprised?' Harry stands in silence for a while. 'Thank you for the information. Could you give me a copy of any correspondence she has sent you so far? I can then send my own letter.'
'What's in it for me?'
'What do you want?'
'You do know this list is getting long.'
'I saved your life the other day.' Harry points out. Malfoy shrugs.
'I never asked you too. Therefore it doesn't count.' Harry sighs.
'Okay. Just add it to the list and we'll sort out what I can give you later.'
'I'll send a school owl with the letters later today. Don't want people knowing I am helping you do we.'
'Of course not Malfoy. It might ruin your image.' Harry grins. 'I'll be waiting for the letters then.' Harry nods and walks back up out of the dungeons. Malfoy sighs and heads towards his common room.
Skeeter's day was going well. She had received a letter from Harry Potter himself that morning asking for a meeting. It was now time to get dirt from the perfect source. It was a shame that Mr Malfoy had not sent anything worth knowing in his last correspondence but arranging to meet Mr Potter that evening was worth losing her main source.
After a quick meal in her flat in London, Skeeter apparated to Hogsmeade. After landing in the designated area at the end of the main street, Skeeter checked nobody was around before ducking into an alleyway where she transforms into her animagus form. A few minutes later a small beetle reappears and heads towards the Hogwarts gates.
A long flight later she makes it to the lake and sees Harry Potter sitting on some boulders on the lakes edge with Ms Granger wading in the shallows and occasionally splashing water at Harry. Landing close by she doesn't change immediately hoping to catch part of an intimate conversation. Her hopes are dashed when Harry turns around almost immediately and stares straight at her.
'You can change back now Ms Skeeter, I have put up some privacy wards and let it be known I wanted privacy also. We shall not be disturbed.' Harry's voice is commanding.
Skeeter quickly changes back. Once she has changed back Harry stands up and Hermione wades over. Harry bows as Hermione curtsies, with Skeeter replying with a small curtsey. Harry holds out his hand indicating for Skeeter to sit on a blanket thrown over a large boulder. Harry then holds Hermione's hand as she sits down on another blanket covered boulder, before he two sits down on another boulder.
'Mr Potter. What a pleasant surprise it was when I received your letter.'
'I'm glad you replied promptly. I'm also sure you remember my girlfriend, Ms Granger.' Skeeter nods politely at Hermione clearly not impressed to see her there. Sitting in a glass jar hadn't completely faded from her mind yet.
'I almost didn't recognise you Ms Granger. Your hair is completely different.' Skeeter snipes. Harry looks at her coldly and states.
'I know you have been trying to get information about me. I know you are looking for dirt and the Ministry is behind it.' Harry keeps his voice hard with no warmth. Skeeter looks shocked for a moment but quickly recovers.
'You have good resources Mr Potter.' Skeeter's voice turns business like. Harry curtly nods. 'What exactly do you want to know?'
'Why Umbridge is after me and exactly what she has asked you to do.'
'Minister Umbridge?' Skeeter acts confused. 'Why would I be doing work for Minister Umbridge?' Harry just stares coldly at her fixedly, his gaze never wavering. Skeeter casts a glance at Hermione and sees she is straightening out her robes avoiding eye contact. After a few tense minutes Skeeter swallows nervously and shifts in her seat.
Harry is not so sweet and innocent anymore, Rita thought. I think he has finally grown up and has decided to become the Chosen One everybody wants him to be. If she didn't know better Rita would have bet galleons he was reading her mind.
To help her paranoia Harry raises an eyebrow clearly understanding her thoughts. Skeeter clears her throat and brushes non existent dirt off her robes before talking.
'The Ministry has decided that you are in the way. They intend to ruin your reputation.'
'Tell me about your meeting with the Minister.' Harry raises an eyebrow expecting more. Skeeter's eyes widen shocked.
If he knows about that! Skeeter thought. How deep are his sources?
'How do you know?' Skeeter finds herself asking. Harry cuts her short.
'Details.' Harry's voice is hard giving no room for deceit. Skeeter looks around nervously feeling trapped, like she was in that glass jar. Except this time Harry Potter was doing the trapping instead of his girlfriend. After clearing her throat several times she smiles weakly and continues.
'I received a missive from Mr Weasley, the Ministers secretary, telling me I was having lunch with the Minister that day at noon and not to be late. I had no choice but to attend. I did want information from her, my boss at the Daily Prophet has been threatening me with job loss unless I found another scandal. But I never expected her to admit she disliked you. I never knew what I was getting into.' Skeeter is pleading to Harry with her eyes to let her leave the story at that. Harry just continues to stare at her, until she gives in and continues. 'During lunch she told me she wanted you in Ministry handling locked in St. Mungo's. She wanted me to find out the contents of the Prophecy, if you were receiving any extra training and if you were mentally unstable.'
'Did you find anything?' Harry asks.
'No. I have written to all my sources asking for anything they had and they came up blank. Everybody loves you. You are a hero. There are no scandals. Even your relationship with Ms Granger is squeaky clean. All last year when you were being besmirched in the papers you stuck by your story even though you were classed as insane. Now you have been proved right nobody wants to go against you in case you are right again.'
'What do you intend to do now you have nothing to print. Lie?'
'I have no idea. After my last resource told me to go elsewhere, I was hoping this meeting would give me something.' At which Harry smiles surprising Skeeter.
'How deep is your loyalty to the Minister?' Skeeter looks at him offended. 'Or are you the reporter I remember you to be and report gossip and rumour as fact? If you are as I remember I have a proposition.'
'What is the proposition?' Skeeter asks intrigued and also flattered.
'If you accept this, you will leave all of my friends alone. This is between you and me... and the Minister.' Skeeter nods.
'I agree to that.'
'Good.' Harry smiles widely at her. 'How would you like to do a story of dirt on the Minister? A first hand account from an impeccable source and interview rights to whoever I list.' Skeeter looks shocked.
'I wouldn't be allowed to print it.'
'Not yet maybe but imagine when Umbridge is out of office.'
'There's no guarantee she will be leaving office.'
'Of course there is. You think I would allow somebody like her to ruin my life now?' Skeeter looks into Harry's eyes and shivers at the unmistakable threat in his eyes. Skeeter chews her bottom lip nervously. She glances across at Ms Granger and sees her watching them both closely. 'Would you be willing to find information on Umbridge, I am positive she is a Death Eater and as are those in her cabinet. I know she has made several promotions for heads of departments this year and wouldn't you be surprised to know I have no doubts about them being Death Eaters.'
Hermione and Skeeter look shocked at Harry.
'You follow politics?' Hermione asks in disbelief. 'You actually follow what happens at the ministry?'
Harry turns and raises a single eyebrow at Hermione and smirks.
'Of course.' Harry looks back at Skeeter. 'Are you willing to do some digging?'
'Agreed.' Skeeter says looking directly at Harry. 'I am interested in how this will turn out.'
'Thank you.' Harry shifts on his boulder and drops the smirk smiling openly now. 'I can give you a short interview now if you wish to ask any questions to help you start looking.' Skeeter quick-notes-quill and a piece of parchment appear before Harry can blink.
'You can start Ms Skeeter. No lies please.' Skeeter nods and settles herself more comfortably on the boulder.
'What was Minister Umbridge like when she was teaching here last year?'
'Horrible.'
'Would you care to elaborate?'
'Very horrible.' Harry looks innocently at Skeeter as she glares at him.
'Mr Potter. I understand you had detentions with Minister Umbridge. What happened during these detentions?' Harry holds out his right hand and pulls back the sleeve of his robe showing the words Umbridge made him carve into his skin. 'I must not tell lies.' Skeeter reads out loud.
'Umbridge forced me to do this during detentions with a blood quill. I can tell you of another six students presently at school that also had to do this.' Skeeter's quill is racing over the parchment.
'You had a club called Dumbledore's Army. What was it for?'
'It's called Defence Association actually. The Ministry are paranoid. We had the club as the Ministry appointed Defence Professor refused to let us practice any defensive spells and then expected us to be able to perform them, first time, on the O.W.L. exam.'
'Who was in this club?'
'That is not relevant.' Harry states. Skeeter nods and continues.
'Minister Umbridge became Headmistress and formed the Inquisitors. How did they affect you?'
'It was made up of just Slytherins who took delight in taking as many house points as possible off other houses. They also discovered our Defence Club and confiscated our wands when Umbridge caught us using her Floo.'
'Why were you trying to use her Floo connection?'
'I was trying to contact somebody.'
'She tried to use the Crutatius Curse on Harry.' Hermione says. Skeeter's quill stops short as Skeeter looks shocked.
'Never!'
'Yes. She did, it was only due to Hermione's quick acting that she stopped halfway through the spell.' The quick notes quill starts up again. 'You can ask one more question then I have to get back into school before they send out a search party for me.'
'Can you give me the names of the other students who had to use the blood quill? I might need to question them.'
'I can give you Lee Jordan. He has left now but I have owled him and he will let you use his name, but the others do not want to be named as Umbridge has so much power at the moment. You can contact Lee Jordan through the Weasley's shop in Diagon Alley.' Skeeter nods. 'I will leave any other information up to you now. Owl me if you have problems. I might be able to help.'
All three of them stand up and bow or curtsey.
'It was a pleasure meeting you Mr Potter. I will keep in touch.' Seconds later she turns back into a beetle before flying away over the grounds. Hermione starts to speak but Harry raises his hand for silence before she can finish her first work. After a few minutes of looking away in the distance Harry lowers his hand and turns to Hermione.
'Are you sure about this Harry.' Hermione questions.
'Yes.'
'You were very good at unnerving her.'
'I copied out most unnerving Professor.' Harry admits smiling.
'How did you know about her meeting with the Minister?'
'If Umbridge wanted her to find information on me they must have met to sort out the details. I just assumed.' Harry waves his wand and drops the privacy wards before taking Hermione's hand and walking back up to the castle.
