Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any of J.K. Rowling's characters, places, items, ect.
Comments: For those of you who are getting bored with romance, hang in there...action will be coming up after the Valentines Ball, which is one or two chapters away...haven't decided yet. Oh wait, I lied. There's going to be a bit of action before that. Right then, I've given enough away.
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Chapter 34 – What Goes Up...
"Ron," Harry said exasperatedly, "How do you sweep a girl off their feet?"
It was Saturday night, and Harry had been thinking over the question almost all day. He was still nowhere closer to finding the answer, and Hermione wouldn't give him any clues. She wanted him to think it up himself. The other hint she had given him was, "Do something to make other girls jealous." He had no idea what girls wanted in the first place, so that didn't help much.
Ron looked over with surprise. "You're asking me?" was his reply.
"Yeah, shoulda known you wouldn't be much help," Harry mused, earning himself a glare. He grinned. "What? It's only true!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Who do you have to sweep off their feet?" he asked.
"Parvati," Harry said sarcastically, "Who do you think it is?"
Ron grinned. "Sorry, mate," he replied, "No need to get so sensitive."
"Hermione told me I had to sweep her off her feet when I ask her to the Valentines Day Ball," Harry said, "And I have no idea what that means. She told me to figure it out."
"You don't have to ask her, she's your girlfriend," Ron scoffed.
"Yeah, that's what I thought, but Hermione said I had to ask her," Harry replied.
Ron groaned. "That means I have to ask Hermione!"
Harry chuckled. "Yep, so you better get thinking," he agreed.
"Sweep them off their feet..." Ron pondered, "Do you think they mean it literally?"
"Nah, they'd get mad if we tripped them with a broom," Harry answered.
Ron began laughing hysterically. "That's not what I meant, mate!" he managed in between laughs.
"It's not that funny," Harry mumbled.
Ron finally stopped laughing, although every time he looked at Harry he would chuckle.
"I reckon we should ask for help, mate," he said finally.
Harry followed Ron's gaze to Dean and Seamus.
"No way am I asking them!" Harry exclaimed, "I've half a mind to punch them in the nose, anyway!"
"Aw, come on, you can't blame em," Ron said, "The hottest girl at Hogwarts breaks up with her boyfriend just in time for the dance – people are going to ask her."
"They were taking advantage of her," Harry said, his temper beginning to rise, "The low-down, rotten, dirty little..."
"Alright, alright, we'll go talk to someone else," Ron said, scanning the room.
He groaned, and Harry immediately saw why. The only other person in the dorms was Neville. Harry chuckled.
"Ron, it can't be that hard," he said, "Not if Hermione told me to figure it out."
"True," Ron agreed.
"Sweeping them off their feet..." Harry murmured.
Visions of broomsticks began to form in his mind, and soon he was thinking of Quidditch. He groaned.
"Ron, I keep thinking of Quidditch!" he exclaimed exasperatedly.
Ron blushed. "Me, too," he admitted, "That was entirely the wrong phrase for Hermione to give us."
Suddenly Harry jumped up. "I've got it!" he exclaimed.
Ron jumped up, too. "What?" he asked excitedly.
"I'm not telling you my idea," Harry replied.
"What?" Ron said, "Yes you are!"
"No, I'm not," Harry answered smugly, "I thought of it, and you're not using it. Just buy Hermione flowers or something."
"Your idea is better than flowers?" Ron groaned.
Harry grinned. "Let's just say I'll be...making a statement," he replied.
"So when does this brilliant plan go into action?" Ron asked.
"Tomorrow at breakfast," Harry answered, happy with himself for finding a suitable plan.
"I'm going to go with the flowers," Ron announced.
Harry sniggered, and eventually that led to a rowdy pillow fight.
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The next morning, Harry snuck out of bed early. He shook Ron awake knowing full well that it could result in a broken nose.
"Go away," Ron growled.
"Ron, listen," Harry answered, "I need you to have Silver in the Great Hall, standing up, at seven o' clock. Got it?"
"Silver stands up at seven," Ron repeated, "Got it."
"In the Great Hall!" Harry hissed.
"The Great Hall stands up at seven," Ron mumbled, "Right."
Harry groaned. "Ron," he said exasperatedly, trying very hard not to scream at him.
"Silver..." Ron mumbled, "...stands up...Great Hall...seven...go away."
Harry supposed that would have to do.
"I'll kill you if you forget," he mumbled as he grabbed the Marauder's Map and left. He exited the portrait hole and looked at the map. It took him a second to find his name, but he did. But a second dot was headed his way...Severus Snape. Harry groaned out loud, and Snape's dot began to quicken it's pace.
"Mischief managed," he hissed, shoving it in his pocket and fumbling for his wand.
Snape came around the corner just as he drew it out, and for a moment the two froze. Snape looked at Harry and actually trembled with rage. Harry noted that he, too, had his wand drawn out. Think, Harry, think, he told himself, Umm...Expelliarmus, right...go! He raised his arm, but Snape was too quick.
"Expelliarmus," Snape said smugly, and Harry's wand flew into his hand.
"Going to hex me, Potter?" Snape inquired.
"It was self-defense," Harry answered, looking for an escape route.
"From what?" Snape sneered.
"Nothing. Just give me my wand back and get out of my way," Harry snapped.
He then realized that he had made a big mistake. Snape took his wand and pointed it at Harry's throat.
"You don't give orders around here, Potter," he whispered, "Why aren't you headed for the Great Hall, anyway?"
Harry sighed. "It's a surprise for Silver," he said, "I'm going to sweep her off her feet when I ask her to the Valentines Ball."
Snape eyed him suspiciously. "How are you going to do that?" he demanded.
"It's a surprise," Harry answered, hoping that Snape liked surprises.
Apparently, he didn't. He opened his mouth, looking as if he were about to curse Harry into oblivion, but then it snapped shut. He looked as if he were fighting an inner battle – Harry was pretty sure he knew what it was. Finally, Snape spoke, his voice icy.
"It had better be good, Potter."
With that, he threw Harry's wand on the ground and proceeded to the Great Hall. Harry let out a long breath as he retrieved his wand. Snape had come within an inch of causing him great injury, he was sure of it. He glanced at his watch, groaned, and headed for the Quidditch field at a run. Once there, he didn't stop for breath, but entered the locker rooms, grabbed his Firebolt, and headed back to the castle. He then walked quietly. It was six fifty-nine, according to his watch. He edged outside of the doors, and peered in. Silver, Ron, Hermione, and a large Charisma were walking to the table. Hermione was holding a bouquet of flowers and holding Ron's hand. Silver began to sit down, but stopped when Ron nearly went ballistic.
"DON'T SIT DOWN!" he bellowed.
Silver jumped up and looked at her seat as if it were going to eat her.
Harry shook his head, grinning. Ron wasn't one for subtlety. He mounted his broom and gathered his courage. You can do this, he thought, She loves you...she won't hate you if you embarrass the crap out of her. He let out a long breath. Amazing how he could face Voldemort in a duel, but had trouble with carrying out his plan to ask his girlfriend to the dance. Finally he took a breath and soared into the Great Hall. Gasps came from the students as he shot towards Silver. Silver turned around, and barely had time to register what she saw before Harry pulled her onto his broomstick with him and soared upwards, not losing speed the entire time.
"Harry," she squealed, leaning into him to keep her balance as they flew upwards, "What are you doing?"
Harry allowed the broomstick to come to a stop when they were well above the other students, his heart racing. So far, so good. He pointed his wand at his throat and muttered, "Sonorus." Then, taking a deep breath, he tried his best to sound how he imagined his father would in a similar situation.
"Morning, beautiful," he greeted Silver casually, his voice echoing through the Great Hall.
She stared at him in reply, a pink tint appearing on her cheeks.
"Morning," she finally replied, faintly.
He grinned. "I have a very important question to ask you," he informed her, "Some might call it the question."
She looked shocked.
He continued in a dramatic voice. "Silver Riddle, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Valentines Day Ball?"
A few people laughed, but most awaited Silver's response. Slowly, a smile began to spread across her face. "Of course, Harry!" she replied, throwing her arms around him and almost making him fall off the broom.
The Great Hall burst into applause. Grinning, Harry directed the broom downwards and allowed her to slip off of it amidst all the clapping and cheers. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"See you in a few," he said, "Gotta go put the broom back."
With that, he flew out of the Great Hall, grinning. He felt giddy with relief from the fact that she had said yes. He hadn't expected a no, but he definitely hadn't been expecting such an enthusiastic response. He felt very pleased with himself as he stored his broom and set off for the Great Hall. He thought he had done an excellent job of 'sweeping her off her feet' – hopefully she thought so, too. When he entered the Great Hall, the cheers began anew. Blushing, he made his way over to Silver. She threw her arms around his neck again.
"Harry, that was so sweet," she sighed happily.
He grinned. "Did I sweep you off your feet?" he inquired eagerly.
She laughed. "Literally and figuratively," she assured him.
He felt extremely pleased with himself.
"Did you come up with that idea all on your own, Harry?" Hermione inquired, sounding impressed.
"Yep," he confirmed.
She smirked at him. "Of course, your first idea was probably tripping her with a broom," she teased.
Harry blushed and Ron snorted.
"Actually, Mione, it was," Ron informed her.
Hermione and Silver burst into giggles. Harry blushed harder.
Silver leaned over and kissed him lightly. "Don't worry, honey, I think it's sweet," she assured him.
She wasn't doing anything to help his blush, but he appreciated it anyway. Suddenly Ron and Hermione stopped laughing, looking behind him.
"What are you doing here?" Ron asked pointedly.
"I just wanted to talk to Silver," a familiar voice replied.
Harry groaned inwardly. Cho's voice.
Silver turned to look at Cho, who smiled sweetly at her. "Would you mind walking with me in the halls for a few minutes?" she asked.
"Not at all," Silver replied.
She turned to Charisma, who was the size of a pony. "You stay here," she told it firmly.
The hippogriff reluctantly obeyed. As Silver got up to leave, she caught Harry's eye. Harry tried not to look guilty. He had never told Silver about Cho, and wasn't sure whether he should have or not.
"Does she know about Cho?" Hermione inquired.
Harry shook his head. "Should she?" he asked.
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know, Harry – Silver's smart and emotional. It's an interesting combination."
Harry watched as Silver and Cho exited the Great Hall. Charisma chirped loudly, demanding his attention.
"What?" he asked.
Charisma just stared at him.
"Uh, I don't know what you're trying to tell me," Harry said, feeling a bit dumb.
Charisma made an impatient noise, and Harry swore she rolled her eyes.
"Sorry," he apologized.
He looked over at Ron and Hermione, who were watching with amusement.
"Maybe Silver will give you lessons on how to communicate with hippogriffs," Ron suggested.
"Very funny," Harry answered dryly.
He looked hopefully towards the doors, hoping that Silver would walk back through them. Hermione and Ron followed his gaze.
"We'll just wait for her here," Hermione said, "She shouldn't be long."
Harry nodded. "So, did I really do a good job?" he asked.
Hermione smiled. "Yes, you did," she assured him, "I think Lavendar and Parvati almost fainted with jealously, anyhow, and I daresay Cho is jealous enough."
"I never liked Cho how I liked Silver," Harry commented.
"We can tell," Ron answered, smiling, "You're way mushier with Silver."
"And more confident," Hermione added. "Face it – you would never have pulled that broomstick stunt for Cho."
Harry grinned. "Guess not," he admitted.
"I bet Cho'll be telling a different story, though," Ron said wryly, "That girl does have a knack for exaggerating."
Harry groaned. "I can only imagine."
For a few moments they were silent, until Ron commented.
"Well, you won't have to much longer, mate, here she comes."
Harry looked over, and sure enough, Silver was making her way towards them. She sat down next to Harry gracefully, and then smiled up at them all.
"What did I miss?" she inquired.
"Nothing much," Hermione replied, "What did Cho want?"
"Nothing much," Silver mimicked pointedly.
"Oh fine," Hermione sighed, "We were just discussing the fact that Harry likes you a lot more than he ever liked Cho. So what did she want?"
Silver looked a bit surprised, but regained her poise immediately. "She just wanted to let me know her...personal...views on Harry," she replied.
"And what were they?" Harry inquired.
Silver smiled at him. "They were unimportant and irrelevant, my little heartbreaker," she replied.
He wasn't completely satisfied with the information, but didn't press the matter.
"So, what do you guys feel like doing today?" he asked, changing the subject.
"I want to go for a walk," Silver said, "Charisma needs to get outside, too."
"Well, that settles it then," he answered decidedly.
The foursome followed an extremely excited Charisma to the doors. It was a wonderful sunny day out, and Charisma had only taken a step outside when she broke into a gallop. As she ran across the field, she unfurled her wings, and in less than a second, she was rising into the air. Silver beamed and gave a little hop in the air.
"She's flying!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"She sure is," Hermione agreed. They watched as the hippogriff soared around, enjoying its newfound freedom.
In a moment, Charisma had returned to earth, and was trotting up to them. She sat down and looked at Silver, and the other three were silent as the two passed silent information. Charisma suddenly turned her gaze on Harry, and Silver followed suit.
"Are you two talking about me?" he accused.
Silver smiled. "We wouldn't dream of such a thing," she replied innocently.
She turned to Charisma. "Why don't you go fly around for a while?" she suggested, "You can meet us when we're done with our walk, if you like."
Charisma wasted no time in becoming airborne once more. Harry reached out for Silver and she immediately came into his arms as they began to walk around the lake. Ron and Hermione followed, hand-in-hand, a bit behind. Silver sighed with contentment.
"It's so pretty out today," she commented.
Harry pulled her closer in agreement and steered her towards a few large rocks. They seated themselves behind them, blissfully out of sight. Harry glanced over at her, feeling playful.
"So," Harry said mischievously, "Am I romantic or what?"
She giggled. "Of course you are, sweetie," she replied.
"Oh, come on," he insisted, "Say it like you mean it."
"Harry Potter, you are absolutely the most romantic male I have ever had the pleasure of meeting," she said dramatically.
"Now that's more like it," he told her.
"No matter what Cho Chang says," she added, her eyes sparkling.
He turned towards her. "And what might that be?" he inquired interestedly, raising his eyebrows at her.
"I'm not telling," she replied playfully.
"Oh, you're not?" he asked, getting the feeling that a game was about to ensue.
"No, I'm not," she declared.
"Well, I'm just going to have to get that information out of you," he told her.
"I'd like to see you try," she answered, sticking her chin defiantly in the air.
"Even if it means tickling you senseless?" he asked slyly, reaching for her.
"No!" she squealed, jumping up.
"Oh yes," he replied, standing up and lunging for her.
Giggling, she escaped his grasp and headed for some trees. He followed her, weaving in and out of them, and not realizing where they were headed. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks, and he nearly collided into her.
"Spider!" she shrieked, stepping back.
Harry noted a solitary, small spider scurrying in the opposite direction.
"Uh-huh," he said, "Very scary."
She gave him a patronizing look. "It most certainly is," she informed him.
They stared at each other for a second and then he grinned. Her eyes widened as she realized what he was about to do.
"Harry, no!" she cried, although she was laughing long before he reached for her and began to tickle her.
She fought to get away, but he grabbed onto her, and as she stepped backwards, he tripped over something. She gave a small scream as they fell, but she landed laughing. He looked at her concernedly.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She simply laughed. "I'm...fine..." she managed between gusts of laughter.
He was still a bit concerned, and he rolled off of her so that he was laying beside her. Finally, she seemed to have controlled her urge to giggle, and they turned to look at each other.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, still smiling amusedly, "I'm good. I can't believe you tripped."
He blushed. "Well, if you hadn't been pulling away..."
"If you hadn't been tickling me..." she reminded him.
"If you had told me what Cho said," he answered.
She sighed. "Must you be right?" she asked annoyedly.
He pulled her over to him. "Yep," he replied triumphantly.
She smiled at him. "Fine then," she replied in a mock exasperated tone, "She basically told me that you were a two-timer and had a secret relationship with Hermione, and to dump you on the spot."
Harry chuckled. "Sounds like something she would say," he admitted.
"Did you like her a lot, Harry?" Silver asked worriedly.
"I suppose," Harry replied, reaching over to pull a leaf out of her hair.
"As much as you like me?" she ventured.
"Hardly," he replied amusedly, "First of all, I don't like you, I love you. Secondly, it was hard to like somebody who kept asking you about their dead boyfriend."
Silver looked a bit confused.
"Cedric Diggory was her boyfriend; Voldemort killed him right before I dueled him," Harry explained.
"Oh," she said in a small voice.
Harry entwined the fingers of his right hand with her left, and for a moment they stared at their interlaced fingers.
"Did you kiss her, Harry?" Silver inquired suddenly.
"Yeah – well, kind of," Harry answered, "It was more like she kissed me."
He looked at her eyes and saw that she looked worried. He pulled her closer.
"But she's not half as good a kisser as you," he told her, "In fact..."
He paused and placed a kiss on her lips, "It's rather hard not to kiss you when you're this close."
He kissed her again, and felt her kissing him back, to his relief. She pulled away, though, only some of the worry gone from her eyes.
"She's really pretty, Harry," she said.
He laughed. "She doesn't even begin to compare to you," he answered.
He reached out and touched her cheek. "Listen," he said, "You're a better kisser than Cho. You're prettier than Cho. You're more fun to be around than Cho. I don't love Cho. I love you."
He might have continued, but at his last words, Silver kissed him, and he was not remotely in the mood to stop kissing anytime soon. He reached his arms around her, but she was still hesitant. She drew away slightly, and looked him in the eye.
"I love you, too," she said, looking a bit fearful.
Took her long enough, he thought amusedly as he pulled her back into a kiss. He felt one hand running through his hair, and he wasn't sure of the other one's exact location at the moment, but he had a feeling it was probably working on its second or third button. He pulled away for a moment and looked into her puzzled eyes.
"Is there a particular reason you like to unbutton my shirt?" he inquired.
She blushed profusely, and he grinned.
"One of these days, you're going to get to the last button, and then what will you do?" he asked, not really expecting an answer.
Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "If you'd just shut up and kiss me, maybe you'd find out," she replied.
He complied immediately. These were the times he appreciated her fieriness. Much to his disappointment, he never actually got to find out what would happen when she got to the last button.
"Harry!" Hermione called, "Silver!"
Silver began to pull away, but he held her for a few more seconds before letting her go.
"What do they want?" he grumbled.
"Mione, they're not going to be in the Forbidden Forest," Ron was saying.
Silver sat up, but Harry stay laying down, buttoning up his shirt. They both looked around. They were, indeed in the Forbidden Forest.
"Says who, Ron?" Silver piped up.
Harry noted that she was covered in leaves and had to hold back a snort of laughter.
"You two are in there?" Hermione exclaimed, her voice getting closer, "Where?"
"Over here!" Silver replied.
Harry heard footsteps approaching, and soon Hermione and Ron came into view. Ron sniggered when he saw them.
"Having fun?" he smirked.
"We were until you came," Harry answered irritably, sitting up and brushing some the leaves off of Silver's back.
"I'll bet," Ron answered, still smirking. Hermione mirrored his look as she observed them.
Harry glared, and Silver blushed. Harry then turned his attention to ridding her hair of leaves. He was a bit unsuccessful, seeing as most of them were in very small pieces.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed as he attempted to extract a small piece.
"Sorry," he apologized sheepishly, "I can't get them out."
She ran a hand through her hair and groaned. "Anybody have a brush?" she asked hopefully.
Nobody replied, and she sighed. She grabbed a log and held it in front of her, and then used her wand to transfigure it into a very acceptable brush.
"Nice work," Hermione complimented.
Silver beamed as she ran it through her hair. Bits of leaves fell out as she did so. She handed the brush to Harry when she was done. He gave her a questioning look.
"You need to use it," she told him, "Trust me."
He made a face at her, and she made one back. Then, smiling, he ran the brush through his untidy hair.
"You two really shouldn't go in the Forbidden Forest just to snog," Hermione told them disapprovingly.
"Firstly," Harry answered, "We didn't come in here to snog. I just wanted to tickle her, that's all."
Hermione looked disbelieving.
"And secondly, we had no clue we were in the Forbidden Forest," he finished.
"Whatever," Ron replied, "Let's just get out of here before we get in trouble."
Harry got up and helped Silver to her feet. He put his arm around her as they headed out.
"Love you," he whispered in her ear.
She smiled up at him. "I love you, too," she replied quietly.
Ron and Hermione pretended not to hear, but weren't very convincing. Harry was too content to care. He felt like everything was perfect, and he wanted it to stay that way. He tried to ignore the small voice in the back of his head that told him that whenever things seemed to be going well, something bad always happened. Not this time, he thought, Nothing is going to happen this time. He pulled her closer protectively, as if expecting a Death Eater to jump out of the trees and attack. He wasn't going to let her get taken away from him – ever. But he couldn't block out the nagging words in the back of his head, saying What goes up...must come down.