Well this came much sooner than I thought it would. I thought I would wait until the end of the week but I guess that didn't happen. So, hopefully you will all be pleased to see that there is a new chapter! And, theres some fluff! I'm afraid after this chapter is the next boring blah meeting of Dumbledore and Harry. Like I told you all I wrote two of them and haven't written one since, which I might do a half a chapter on the horcruxes, but thats about it. So you will just have to suffere through one more with me! Again I appreciate all of your feedback! Please keep it up! Without further delay, I do not own Harry Potter.
Friday passed by quickly. In potions class Ron had gotten a detention for not paying a lot of attention to his potion and instead focusing on Lavender Brown. On Saturday morning Jess woke up and looked out the window to discover it was lightly snowing. It was the first snow of the season, it being November third. She quickly got out of bed and walked over to Hermione's bed. "Hermione?" Jess asked while softly shaking her.
Hermione rolled over and faced her. "Yes, Jess?"
"Its snowing! Come on get up and lets go outside!"
She sat up in her bed and looked out the window. "Just let me get dressed." They both got dressed and walked down to the common room.
Jess stopped at the foot of the stairs to the girl's dormitory. "Hold on a second."
She looked over at Jess. "What are you doing?"
"You'll see." Jess headed up the stairs of the boy's dormitory's and went to Harry's room. She walked in and noticed the raven haired boy was still in bed. Jess crept over and tapped his arm. "Harry" she whispered.
He continued to sleep on as did the other boys in the room, Ron, Neville, Dean and Seamus. Jess rolled her eyes and nudged him harder. "Harry?"
Harry rolled over but gave no other sign of response. Jess grabbed his blankets and yanked them off. He was wearing his grey t-shirt and blue plaid pajama pants. Harry opened his eyes and noticed someone standing above him. He grabbed for his glasses on his nightstand and put them on. "Jess?" He asked a little confused as to why she was there.
"Hey sleepy-head." She smiled down at him.
"What are you doing here this early in the morning?"
"Its snowing outside. Let's go before it melts."
"Its snowing already?" Harry looked over at the window and sure enough it was snowing.
"Are you going to come or not?" Jess asked him.
"I'm coming. I need to get dressed though."
"I'll leave you to that. Hermione and I will be downstairs in the Great Hall." She placed a light kiss on his cheek and left. Harry got up and got dressed. Once he was dressed he headed down to the Great Hall as well.
"I can't believe its snowing already!" Jess exclaimed as she grabbed her fork.
"It usually doesn't start snowing this early. I had to grab something warmer to wear." Hermione replied after her.
"Pretty soon we'll have to start wearing scarves and gloves. Not that I ever wear gloves."
"Jess, you really should."
"I should do a lot of things but I don't. I haven't got frost bite yet."
"But you might."
"I'll just put my hands in my pockets, problem solved."
"I could knit some for you if you like?"
"No, that's okay 'Mione. You don't have to. Thanks for the offer though!" She smiled at the bushy haired girl. Hermione shook her head and dropped it. "Harry?" Jess asked while looking over at him.
"Huh?" Harry looked up groggily.
"Just making sure you're awake."
"Oh." He smiled, "Just barely."
"I'm sure you'll wake up once we get outside."
"Probably, if not you'll keep me awake."
Jess couldn't help but laugh. "Oh you know I will."
Harry smiled at her and went back to his breakfast. They ate in silence for a while until Jess spoke again.
"I'm glad they don't make us wear uniforms all the time. I think its nice that we don't have to on the weekends or after classes, though everyone usually keeps them on unless they're doing something that would mess up their uniforms."
"That doesn't stop some people from ruining them while playing Exploding Snap." Hermione commented while looking over at her.
"True, but my point is, I'm glad I can wear my jeans on the weekend. I'm not the biggest fan of skirts you know." Jess was wearing a pair of jeans and her Gryffindor black zip-up hoodie. It was zipped up half-way so you could see the canary yellow shirt she was wearing underneath. Hermione was dressed in a lavender shirt with a light blue jean jacket over it and dark blue jeans. Harry looked the most casual in jeans, a white t-shirt and a blue zip up hoodie that wasn't zipped up at all.
Once they were finished eating the trio walked outside to the grounds that was covered with a light coat of glittery, white, powdery snow. There wasn't enough snow to do much stuff in, but that didn't matter to them as they walked around. Jess led the group as she frolicked in the snow. She found a bench and dusted off the snow before sitting down. Harry and Hermione joined her on the bench. "If this keeps up we might be able to make snow angels before lunch." Jess commented, happy as a clam.
"I'd like to make a snowman, myself." Hermione smiled, "Its been ages since I have!"
"Well we will have to if we get enough snow. You need to loosen up a bit 'Mione."
"Loosen up? Why? I'm perfectly fine just how I am."
"Sure you are. You've been cooped up in the library far too much lately. Isn't that right Harry?"
"Hey don't drag me into this!" He mock shouted and grinned. "But Jess is right. You need some more fun in your life."
"I'll have you know I have loads of fun." Hermione said defensively. Harry and Jess both laughed as Hermione looked at them sternly.
"Prove it then," Jess suggested.
"Fine I will." Hermione stood up and gathered up a small pile of snow. She then threw it at them.
"Hey now!" Jess fended off the snow as she stood. "This means war."
"We can't have much of a snow fight until there is more snow."
"We'll wait then." Jess sat back down. "Right here."
Hermione rolled her eyes and sat down next to Jess. "If you say so."
Meanwhile the Great Hall was finally filling up with people. The students were talking about everything possibly imaginable, from the grueling homework they had, to the wintry wonderland outside, to who their next targets would be. This last one was coming from the Slytherin table, from a particular three people, two bumbling idiots and the Slytherin Prince.
Draco didn't really care who they tortured today as long as they were outside. Crabbe and Goyle didn't care either, as long as they got to use some muscle. They decided that they would decide when they got outside. Finishing up breakfast the three went outside quickly as Pansy was distracted and Draco could make a break for it and not have to deal with her.
At about a quarter after eleven there was efficient enough snow to do something besides walk around in it. When Hermione wasn't looking Jess had Harry grab a handful of snow. Hermione being a sucker for talking about class was in an in-depth conversation with Jess about Anamagi. Harry snuck around on Jess' cue and put a handful of snow in Hermione's face.
She almost fell off the bench as she fended Harry off. "Harry, stop it! Stop it!" Hermione was a bit ruffled but laughed anyways. Harry retreated to the other side of Jess quickly.
"See now that wasn't so bad was it?" Jess asked with a grin firmly planted on her face. Hermione picked up some snow and threw it at her.
The trio got up and chased each other around with handfuls of snow. As they were doing this, Draco and his cronies came out. Draco surveyed the area and saw on top of a hill not that far away some vulnerable second year Ravenclaws. He pointed them out to Crabbe and Goyle. Grins broke out on their faces as they walked over. Before they ascended the hill Draco stopped to make a couple small snowballs and instructed Crabbe and Goyle to follow suit. He then began the climb up the hill. Halfway up Draco pulled out his wand and pointed it at the snow balls. "Engorgio." The snowballs grew to twice their size as they reached the top of the hill and pummeled the Ravenclaws.
Hermione held up her hands as Harry and Jess were ready to throw more snow at her. "Alright, I give up!" Even though she had just endured a lot of snow thrown at her, she still had a smile on her face. Harry dropped the snow in his hand while Jess kept a hold on the snow in her hand. "Jess I said I give up."
"Oh alright." Jess dropped the snow reluctantly. "But that was so much fun!" They all laughed as she looked over to one of the small hills and saw the Slytherin's assault. "When will they grow up?"
"Who?" Harry asked while looking off.
"Malfoy and dweedle dum and dweedle dee."
"Them?" He thought for a moment before answering. "Never."
"I say we stop them." Jess announced as she began walking over there. Hermione and Harry agreed and followed her over. Jess ran up the hill. "Would it hurt to grow up?!" She looked at the three of them as they halted fire momentarily. The second year Ravenclaws, being from the house that recognizes intelligence as one of its attributes took this chance and ran for it.
Draco sneered at her. "Look what you're done. They got away because of you."
"Serves you right you pompous prick!" Jess took this opportunity to give him a once over. Draco's parents must have not allowed jeans because even on the weekend Draco was dressed in black dress pants. He was wearing to Jess' surprise an olive green polo sweater. Green must have been the only color that Draco allowed in his wardrobe besides black, white because of dress shirts, and of course silver. Jess hated to admit it but he looked pretty sharp in his outfit.
Harry and Hermione had finally caught up with her as Draco went to speak. "What did I say about you calling me that, mudblood?" He spat out, although the word mudblood was forced and didn't slide off his tongue as it once use to.
"Like I'm ever going to listen to you. Now I suggest you pick on someone your own size for once. I believe Hagrid knows the whereabouts of some weasels." She smirked as Draco scowled at her.
Draco cocked back his arm and threw the last snowball he had at her face. Jess barely dodged it in time and lost her balance. She reached out for the closest thing, which happened to be Draco's sleeve as she continued to fall to the ground, dragging Draco down with her. But little had she noticed that he was standing towards the edge of the hill. Jess screamed as her and Draco began to tumble down the snowy hill together.
"JESS!" Harry yelled and ran down after her and Draco. Hermione was hot on his heels. Crabbe and Goyle on the other hand slowly made their descent down the hill.
The pair tumbled down the hill until they landed at the bottom with a thud. Jess had landed on her back and found she was looking up into a pair of crystal blue eyes. Draco looked back into her emerald green eyes. This was beyond awkward for all parties involved. Draco found himself on all fours. His knees were on either side of her body and his hands were pinning down her arms. Draco froze, forgetting entirely how to move.
Harry was the first to reach the bottom of the hill. He shoved Draco off while saying angrily. "Shove off Malfoy!"
Draco brushed himself off and glared at Harry as he helped Jess up. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at him while shouting. "Stupefy!" He smirked as Harry dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes and stalked off proudly with Crabbe and Goyle.
"Harry!" Both Jess and Hermione shouted as he dropped to the ground.
Hermione casted a levitating charm and Harry floated five feet above the ground. "Lets bring him back to his room. He should wake up in a couple hours." She began walking and directed Harry's unconscious body through the halls and back to the Gryffindor tower. Jess followed close behind her, worried about her boyfriend. When they got there Hermione directed Harry's body up the stairs of the boy's dormitories. Jess opened the door so Hermione wouldn't accidentally drop Harry. Once inside Hermione had Harry gently float down on his bed.
Jess stood at the door. "What should we do?"
Hermione turned her gaze from Harry to Jess. "There isn't much we can do. We could sit here and wait until he wakes up."
"Right, I'll go get some of our homework and we can do that while waiting." Hess left the room and went over to the girl's dormitories. She grabbed some textbooks, parchment and ink and headed back over.
Meanwhile, Draco was in the Slytherin common room. He was praised for stunning Wonder-Boy. Draco felt justified and smirked proudly for knowing knocking Potter off his high horse. Though he
did feel happy about that, this covered up what else Draco was feeling. Mainly the way he froze when he landed on Anderson. It was an accident yet at the same time it made Draco feel light-headed. One thing that bothered him was why Potter had wrenched him off of her. Potter had acted quite protective of the muggle-born. Was this how he always acted when it came to Anderson and Granger? Or was this just specialized for Anderson and if so, why? The wheels began to turn in Draco's mind. At the Halloween party, when Draco had made a fool of himself, she had said something to him. She told him that she was with someone else. Might that someone else be Potter? No, Draco thought, she wouldn't settle for that goody two-shoes, or would she?... Why do I care this is none of my business, he scoffed and dropped the subject for now.
Around dinner time Harry woke up and Jess and Hermione went down to dinner with him. Out of the corner of her eyes, Jess saw Draco sit down at the Slytherin table. She sent a nasty glare his way before eating.
The rest of the weekend went by very quickly. There were no more run-ins between the two groups and everything was rather peaceful. Monday's classes flew by as well until the last class of the day which was Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Professor Slughorn came into the classroom with a grin on his face. "Good afternoon class. I thought today we could cover an exciting topic. Today we will be discussing how to defend yourselves against…" He picked up a piece of chalk and began to write on the board, when he finished the word dragon was on the board. This peaked everyone's interest and you could see some people straighten up in their chairs. "Now there are ten types of dragons known in our world. Can anyone name one of them for me?" Slughorn stood at the ready at his chalkboard. Naturally, Hermione's hand was the first one up. "Yes, Miss Granger?"
"One of the ten breeds is the Norwegian Ridgeback, which is one of the rarer breeds."
This is where Slughorn cut her off. "Yes, thank you Miss Granger. So, the Norwegian Ridgeback which comes from Norway. Who has another one?" Jess was the next one to raise her hand. "Yes, Miss Anderson?"
"The Common Welsh Green."
"Ah, yes. Very good." He said while writing the name on the board. Ron raised his hand. "Yes, Mr. Weasley?"
"The Hungarian Horntail."
"Very good! Yes, Mr. Potter?"
Harry raised his hand. "The Chinese Fireball."
"Excellent! Six more!"
Seamus Finnegan rose his hand and spoke. "The Swedish Short-Snout."
After that one most people didn't know the rest. Slughorn took the liberty of writing them on the board. They were the Antipodean Opaleye, The Hebridean Black, the Peruvian Vipertooth, the Romanian Longhorn and the Ukrainian Ironbelly. "Now some basic facts, first off I'm assuming none of you have seen a dragon in person."
Everyone in the class shook their heads. They had all seen a dragon in person. The first task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament held in their fourth year had to do with dragons. Though they had all been too young to put their names in the Goblet of Fire for chance at being the Hogwarts representative, which Cedric Diggory's name was drawn, someone named Barty Crouch Jr., under disguise of ex-Auror Mad-Eye Moody, placed Harry's name in the Goblet and it was chosen. Hermione raised her hand and explained this to professor Slughorn, which left the professor dumbstruck. He looked at Harry in amazement.
"Did you really up against a dragon?" He asked in disbelief.
Harry answered him calmly. "Yes professor, I did."
"And what kind was it?"
"A Hungarian Horntail, sir."
Slughorn backed up into his desk. "Great Merlin! The Hungarian Horntail is known to be the most aggressive dragon there is! How did you do it by yourself?!"
Harry felt very uncomfortable by the way Slughorn was ogling him. "I used my broom sir, and got the golden egg as quickly as I could."
"You mean you didn't try to use any spells against it?"
"No, professor. The point of the task was to retrieve the golden egg."
"Oh I see…" Slughorn paused for a moment to recollect his thoughts. "Dragons are very fierce and aggressive beasts. They are categorized as uncontrollable. If you value your life you would do best to avoid them at all costs. There are some wizards who are in the field of Dragonry but they have many people with them. If you someone have the misfortune of coming across a dragon the best possible thing would be to have many competent wizards and witches with you. I would say no less than a group of five people should take on a dragon, if they have to. It also depends on the breed. For instance, the Common Welsh Green is known to be the least aggressive type of dragon, whereas the Hungarian Horntail is known to be the most aggressive breed. The more dangerous the breed the more wizards and witched are needed. Now what type of spell would you use on a dragon? Stunning spells such as Stupefy and Petrificus Totalus seem to work best. But it takes multiples of these spells before it in anyway affects the dragon. This is why so many people are needed when handling a dragon." The bell rang and the students began to pack up their stuff. "Alright, we'll finish this on Wednesday. I would like you to read the section on dragons and summarize if for me on twelve-inch parchment. That is all!"
Everyone walked out of the room. Harry caught up to Jess and Hermione in the hall. "I have another meeting tonight with Dumbledore." He said just so the two girls could hear him.
"When?" Jess asked while looking at him.
"Right after dinner. I have to go though. I scheduled Quidditch practice from now until dinner."
Jess grabbed his arm. "Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"I was thinking of telling Ginny tonight."
Harry smiled at her. "I wish I could be there. God luck."
"Thanks. Good luck on your meeting with Dumbledore."
"Thanks. See you both at dinner." Harry then left to go get his Firebolt and Quidditch uniform.
Jess and Hermione went back up to the Gryffindor common room to work on their Charms homework. "Do you want me to be there when you tell her?" Hermione asked as they worked.
"That would be great 'Mione. I think I need all the support I can get." Jess smiled weakly as she skimmed through their reading material.
At dinner Harry and Ginny joined both Jess and Hermione who were discussing one of their essays they had to write. Once Harry was done eating he looked to the table at the front of the Great Hall where the professors sat. Dumbledore was already gone, which signaled to Harry that he could follow suit. "Wish me luck." Harry whispered to Jess and Hermione when Ginny was distracted.
Jess smiled up at him and whispered back. "I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm the one that needs luck."
"I wish you the best of luck with Ginny. I better go." Harry stood up straight and left the girls. He walked the familiar path to Dumbledore's office. When he reached the door he knocked and Dumbledore told him to enter.
Well I hope this made everyone happy! There was a little moment there between Jess and Draco. :D You have to love it, come on I know all of you do! I'm not quite sure when the next chapter will be up. It all depends on if I have time or if I get any ideas to further the script of this story. Hopefully I will succeed in both and then you will be able to enjoy! Also, I would like to remind everyone who does read to PLEASE REVIEW! I know its a pain in the butt sometimes but it really does help. It gives that extra kick in the rear to make me update sooner. So please do review and tell me what you think. Thanks for sticking with me this far! Until next chapter, signing out.