QUOTH THE RAVEN
A/N: We were not sure if the Hogsmeade weekend came before or after Hallowe'en. So forgive us for putting it afterwards as it fit into our plans better. -GF
Disclaimer: Awww... you know the drill. See chapter one. Reviews are always welcomed, flames aren't.
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Chapter 37: The Raven Still Beguiling
The week following Samhain had the gossip-mongers busy. Somehow news had gotten out about the slaughter of the spiders in the forest, and the curious students were all a-twitter. Speculation was running rampant: how was it done and, more importantly, who did it?
Several articles appeared in the Daily Prophet. Guesses ran from the Centaurs, to Dumbledore, to Death Eaters. Not one came close.
Rita Skeeter had tried her best to snoop around, but even she came up short. She tried to get an interview with Lord Potter, but failed. The unauthorised article she wrote, despite the warnings, saw the end of her dubious career. Lord Potter's solicitors had appeared the next business day in the Editor's office and put paid to Rita Skeeter, journalist. A notice in the next issue not only retracted her article, but saw the Prophet apologising profusely for their part in the defamation of Lord Potter's character. Madam Skeeter was too busy dealing with the fallout to seek any type of revenge.
0o0o0o0
"Lord Potter, a word?" squeaked Harry's diminutive Head of House.
The rest of the class filed out of the room as Hermione shot Harry a questioning glance. "Go ahead, Hermione. Wolf will escort you to our next class. I'll be along after I'm done here."
Once the room was clear, save for the two of them, Flitwick closed and locked the door. "Lord Potter, about Samhain..."
"Yes, Professor?"
The Charms Professor looked a little uneasy. "Can you tell me where you were that night? I do try to keep track of my students, even though they don't all sleep in the dorms. I am most curious, as Severus doesn't usually cancel his classes for any reason."
Harry sighed. "Professor, I believe, that with your heritage, you follow the old ways? I am assuming you heard the Cnn Anwyn abroad that night."
"Oh! I see." Flitwick looked a bit troubled. "Then I wasn't dreaming..."
"No, I can guarantee it was no dream. The forest was unbalanced, and it had to be restored. It was the will of the Lord of the Forest and my Lady."
"You suffered no ill-effects from that night? Does anyone besides Professor Snape know about your little... for want of a better term, adventure?"
"I still have a bit of trouble sleeping, but Wolf has been there for me. And as far anyone else knowing, no-one that I am aware of. Is there anything else?"
"Oh, oh no. Thank you, Lord Potter. You'd best hurry on now." The small professor shooed him gently out as he unlocked the door.
0o0o0o0
Harry and Hermione met in the hall after the last classes of that day. He'd seen the notice posted about the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend. He had, in the past, taken her on various outings in London, and various training missions as well. However, they were always under the watchful eyes of their respective parents and guardians. This time, he wanted to ask her to go with him, alone, on a real date!
He stepped forward into the crush of students as soon as he saw her approaching. "Hermione!" His voice barely reached her through the babble of the crowded hall. "Hermione, wait..."
"What is it, Harry?" She struggled against the flow of traffic until they met in the midst of the crowd. "Is something wrong?" she gasped.
"Wrong? No, I just wanted to ask you to go as my date to Hogsmeade...?"
"Of course I'll go with you... wait!" Her jaw dropped, "Do you mean on an actual date?"
There was a sudden silence as the other students became aware of the scene playing out before them.
His roguish smile was all 'John'. "Yeah, you know - you, me, on a date, together..." Then 'Harry' took over as he caught her hand, drew it to his lips and gently kissed it. "Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to Hogsmeade this week-end, my fair Hermione?"
There were gasps and murmurs all around as Hermione smiled and curtsied gracefully. "I would be pleased to, my lord."
As if someone had waved a wand to part the waters, Harry and Hermione walked hand-in-hand through the silent observers towards the Great Hall.
0o0o0o0o0
The gossip mill was going into overdrive! Many of the pure-bloods were upset. It was obvious that Potter had been raised to be aware of the culture and etiquette of the wizarding world. To even consider associating with someone below his rank, let alone a Muggle-born, was unthinkable!
Most of the female population were upset that Potter was, now at least, clearly 'off the market'. Their chances to win his affections were, if not dashed, at least temporarily on hold. Many had gotten 'the message' he had sent through his dealings with the Weasleys. It was only the few die-hard hold-outs that wanted to change the status quo. One or two of the older years were even contemplating the use of more direct and Dark methods.
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That night, the trio sat in John's common room to discuss the upcoming date.
When Hermoine heard the plans surrounding their outing, she berated him for turning their first date into a training exercise. That was until John turned his green eyes on her and calmly explained that he did want it to be just the two of them but, as things stood, they would never have any peace. He was not about to live his life in fear. He also could care less about what others thought, but there was no way he would risk her safety, and precautions had to be taken.
So he, Hermione and Wolf sat comfortably by the fire as they discussed the matter of security for the upcoming week-end.
Wolf was poring over the topographical map he had drawn of Hogsmeade. "Well, all things considered, Sgt-Major Dewhurst owes me a quid." His dark smile piqued Hermione's curiosity.
"How so, Wolf?" she asked, tracing a street with her finger.
The Sergeant-Major gave her a wolfish grin as he flashed a knowing look at John, causing her to blush.
John snorted as he ducked his head, hiding the tell-tale pink of his own cheeks. "Let's get back on track. We are quite sure by now that several notes have already left the castle. This is a perfect chance for an attack. After all, we had a fair showing at the Alley in July. They will want a rematch."
"That they will, John, and I'm planning on giving it to them in spades-Muggle style." The glint in Wolf's eyes made Hermione shudder.
0o0o0o0
Draco Malfoy clenched the letter in his hand. So his crazy aunt was dead, killed by whatever magic Potter had used on her. He hadn't really liked her - or known her, as she spent most of her time in Azkaban.
According to his father, Uncle Severus was sure the holes in his aunt's body were made by Muggle weapons, but without anything to be found in her body, it was hard to tell.
"Draco, have you heard the latest?" Pansy Parkinson asked as she leaned closer. She glanced around the Great Hall to see if anyone was listening to her. "That Half-blood Potter heir made a scene in the hallway when he asked that Mud-blood Granger to Hogsmeade this weekend! He had several Ravenclaws and a few Gryffindors swooning over how he asked with true pure-blood courtesy, even kissing her filthy hand! You would think someone of his blood status, and being an heir to an Ancient and Noble House, could do better than a Mud-blood!" She looked around again. "I imagine many will be writing home with this news."
Draco raised an eyebrow as he clenched a fist around his father's letter. Lucius had asked Draco to subtly find out just what Potter had done to Bellatrix, and if there was any counter-measure to it. Now this. "Be my guest, Pansy, but I have a different mission to perform. If you'll excuse me, I find I am not hungry."
He left the Hall, his lunch untouched.
0o0o0o0
When the headmaster found out that Harry would be leaving the castle for the day at Hogsmeade, he wanted to call off the weekend or find some way to forbid Harry from going.
The lad, in his opinion, was too free in his travels, and it wasn't safe! However, his staff informed him that there were more students attending Hogwarts than just Potter, and he would have a small riot on his hands if he cancelled the planned outing. Harry wasn't going to listen to reason. No matter how hard he argued that it wasn't safe.
The only thing he could do was to call in as many of the old crowd as were still active from the last war. Maybe they could help protect the boy from his own folly.
The news of the death of Bellatrix was disheartening. Another poor soul lost to the darkness, with no chance for redemption. According to Severus' report, it was a mixture of potions that was the ultimate cause of her death. He had been unable to identify the potions in time to stop her bleeding and heal her. The trace of lead in her blood was also especially troubling, as there was no residue of a bullet, nor any other missile.
Albus' thoughts turned to his Potions Master. Severus had been acting very strange since Harry had started this term. He would've thought he would need to be more firm with Severus about his dealings with James Potter's son but, after the first week, that wasn't the case.
Something must have happened on Hallowe'en night, something that Severus Snape wasn't talking about. The dour man was always very morose over the holiday, as he remembered it was the night of the death of his dear friend. But this, this was something different, something Albus couldn't quite put his finger on.
No, something happened that frightened him, Albus mused. Could it be this ' Lord of the Forest' foolishness that Hagrid was spouting? No, Severus is far too logical for such superstition. Still, I have yet to find any common links to make sense of everything.
His gaze turned to his window and the black dots circling on the afternoon breeze.
0o0o0o0o0
The day of the Hogsmeade visit dawned clear and crisp, a perfect late autumn day.
Harry whistled as he dressed, choosing his clothing with Hermione in mind. He decided on fitted black dress slacks with a proper crease, and a white dress shirt with cuff-links displaying the Potter crest under a rich, emerald green jumper. A dark green cloak with golden embroidery down the front and around the hem completed his wardrobe.
"Do I look all right?" he queried a grinning Wolf.
"I'd say the young lady will be hard-pressed to keep her hands off you!" Wolf smirked, teasing his charge. The bright flush that mantled Harry's cheeks was his reward.
Wolf had watched in amusement as Harry picked through his wardrobe this morning. More than half of his clothes were spread out on his bed, having been deemed either too formal, or too casual.
"Hmmph! You're no help. I want our first real date to be as perfect as Hermione... How?" Harry's plea caused Wolf to chuckle in sympathy.
"Just be yourself. You've always had fun when the two of you go somewhere together, right?" He waited for Harry's nod. "Well, this should be no different; just might be a bit noisier," Wolf consoled. "I think you should let more of 'John' show through today. Seems to me she might be missing him."
"It would be nice to drop the mask for a while." With a final glance in the mirror, Harry turned and headed for the door. "Told her I would pick her up at the entrance to her dorm at eight. We're going to get breakfast in the Great Hall and then head for Hogsmeade."
"I'll be there with the squad so that you two love-birds can have a day to yourselves. We're going in deep cover; most of the team will be Disillusioned. We'll be hard to find in the shadows, but you know our positions. Have fun, Harry, and don't worry; we've got your back."
Harry arrived at the entrance of Ravenclaw Tower just as two giggling fourth-years exited. He smiled and half-bowed to them as they drifted away. He was waiting patiently, ten minutes early for their meeting, when she slipped out of the entrance.
Hermione paused smiling. He was already here! She self-consciously adjusted her knee-length kilt skirt. He looked wonderful.
"Hermione, you look beautiful!" Harry exclaimed as his eyes lit up in delight.
The Black Watch tartan of her skirt was offset by the traditional ruffled blouse and a thick, cable-knit jumper of cream-coloured wool. Knee-high cream wool stockings, brown ghillie brogues with gold buckles, and a dark brown cloak draped over her arm finished off her ensemble.
He proudly offered his arm and they left for their first official date.
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Well, things are heating up. Please no more discussions on bullets and wounds. It's a done deal, artistic licenses and all that.
Next chapter, things will go boom!
Until next time. – GF and The Frau