Chapter 38

Chapter 38
Making Up And Shipping Out

Author's Note: Got a couple more answers for reviewers' questions. Someone asked about the mention of Florean Fortescue. It was never mentioned whether he was killed or not. So I am only assuming that he had taken a short vacation (in other words, got the heck out of there) during all the trouble, and he came back. Another reviewer thinks the DADA position is still cursed. No it is not. Everything that happened to Browne, happened before he had the meeting with McGonagall. Onto the next chapter. This will be in Harry's PoV.

Harry woke up on Tuesday to find that he was alone in the room. He had once again overslept and was mad at himself for not choosing to take a shower the previous night. He couldn't take one now, or he wouldn't be able to eat before class. He had been so caught up the previous night with his N.E.W.T studies that he had completely lost track of time and didn't get to bed until after midnight. He heard his dorm-mates come in at some point of the night, but didn't see them, because had the curtains around his four-poster bed lowered.

Harry sat up and when he put on his glasses, he saw that a few of the school books and a small stack of parchment was at the end of his bed. He figured he must have fallen asleep while reading one of the books. Sure enough, when he got a better look, there was the Moste Potent Potions book on the edge of the bed near the pillow.

Harry had been studying for the N.E.W.T exams not just because he would be taking them in less than two months, but because he wanted to get everything else out of his mind. He knew Ginny wanted to talk to him. Hermione had told him so. He wasn't trying to avoid Ginny either. Every time he would try to talk with her in private, something else would come into play. Like yesterday, he was going to try to talk to Ginny during dinner in the Great Hall, but Ginny had eaten and left the Great Hall in a hurry. Harry figured Ginny as trying to avoid him. But then why did Hermione say she wanted to talk to him so badly?

"Women," Harry muttered, opening the curtains around his four-poster bed, "Can't live with them. Can't live without them."

"Whatever you say, dear," the mirror said, sleepily.

Harry rolled his eyes and quickly dressed into his school robes. He packed the books and parchment hastily into his bag, then took his wand from the bedside table and put it in his pocket. He then left the room and went downstairs to the Common Room. The Common Room was almost empty except for a person with ginger-red hair sitting on the couch in front of the fire. Harry sighed and put down his bag. He walked over to the couch.

"Hi, Ginny," Harry said.

"Hi, Harry," Ginny said, without turning around.

"Why aren't you in the Great Hall?" Harry asked, even though he knew the answer already.

"Because I was waiting for you," Ginny said, "I have been trying to talk to you. But…"

"Every time you spoke up," Harry said, "Something stopped you. Yeah, I know the feeling."

Harry walked around the couch and sat next to Ginny.

"I tried to talk to you at dinner, Ginny," he said, "But you ate so fast, you made Ron look slow."

"I had to go to a meeting with McGonagall," Ginny said, "And I was already running late."

"Why did you… never mind," Harry said, "We can talk now."

"Don't you want to go to breakfast?" Ginny asked.

"No," Harry lied, "I think we should talk."

"You don't have to explain to me what happened at the Quidditch game, Harry," Ginny said, "Hermione told me it wasn't your fault."

"Please don't say it was your fault either," Harry said, "You did brilliantly. We would have definitely won if…"

"It really doesn't matter that we lost, Harry," Ginny said, "Really."

Harry was surprised at this comment.

"What is wrong, Ginny?" Harry asked, "I thought you would be mad at me."

"You're right," Ginny said, "Before yesterday, I would have been mad at you. In fact, I probably was mad at you. But that was only because I thought you ruined my chances at becoming a professional Quidditch player."

"So what changed your mind?" Harry asked.

"Last night, Professor McGonagall invited me to her office," Ginny said, smiling, "Gwenog Jones showed up after me. Well, she told me that she thought I did very well. Basically there is still a very good chance that I can make the professional Quidditch league."

"That's great!" Harry said.

"There was something else though," Ginny said.

"Uh-oh," Harry said, wincing.

"Oh, no, nothing to do with Quidditch," Ginny said, "I'm supposed to only tell this to people who I trust."

"Oh, then I don't know if I qualify in that category," Harry said, joking.

"Do you want me to tell you or not?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, go on," Harry said.

"McGonagall doesn't trust Professor Browne," Ginny said.

"Well, that is no secret!" Harry said, chortling, "You can see it in her expression whenever she and Browne are in the same room."

"She doesn't think he is fit for his job as Headmaster," Ginny said, "But she can't find a way to prove it. I mean… he isn't acting out of the ordinary, is he?"

"It is hard to say," Harry said, shrugging, "We don't know him that well."

"We don't," Ginny said, "But McGonagall does."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Professor McGonagall first met Browne shortly after she graduated from Hogwarts," Ginny said, "At a convention of some sort."

"Ah, so depending on how well she knows him," Harry said, "She could say whether or not he is acting out of the ordinary."

"I don't think they have talked that much recently," Ginny said, "She said she didn't know much about his family. He rarely mentions them, I guess."

"Yeah," Harry said, "I did think it was strange when he set the family portrait face-down."

"That is exactly what McGonagall said when I mentioned it to her," Ginny said.

Harry didn't say anything but stared into the fireplace.

"I'm glad we are talking again," Ginny said.

"I agree," Harry said, "It felt very strange not talking to you."

"What could you ever do without me?" Ginny asked.

"Well, study, for one thing," Harry said.

Ginny raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah," Harry said, "I've been doing a lot of studying for my N.E.W.T exams."

"I've been thinking about that," Ginny said, "It is going to be strange being her by myself for the remainder of the year."

"You won't be here by yourself," Harry said, "Besides, I think you will be too busy to even notice. What with finding a new Quidditch team, and devising new plans for the final game. Plus you will have to study for the N.E.W.Ts."

"Ugh," Ginny said, "Don't remind me. I don't think I could do the N.E.W.T exams in December even if I wanted to."

"Speaking of," Harry said, "I wonder if your brother has even started studying."

"That's Hermione's job to make sure he does," Ginny said.

"He'd probably be too distracted by Hermione herself," Harry said.

Ginny laughed. "Well, if he doesn't pass the exams," she said, "He will have to come back and do them again. I don't think he wants to do that."

"You're probably right," Harry said, laughing.

He stared into the fire again, and heard his stomach rumble.

"I think we need to go to the Great Hall," he said.

"Oh, can't we just wait a few more minutes," Ginny said, snuggling up beside Harry, "I've missed this. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Harry said.

Ginny smiled and leaned in to Harry and kissed him.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you too," Harry said.

Harry's stomach rumbled again.

"I don't think my stomach loves you though," he said, laughing, "Especially since you are delaying breakfast. Ow!"

Ginny had punched him playfully in the stomach.

"Fine," Ginny said, sighing, "Let's go down to the Great Hall."

Harry and Ginny both stood up. Ginny grabbed her bag which was next to the couch, and Harry grabbed his, and they started the journey to the Great Hall.

--

Harry and Ginny expected Ron and Hermione (Hermione, especially!) to be pleased that they were speaking to each other again. However, Ron and Hermione were not at breakfast. Harry and Ginny didn't see them until they walked into the dungeons toward the Potions class room. Hermione and Ron were waiting at the door.

"Ha! I told you Ron!" Hermione said, playfully slapping him in the shoulder. "You lose the bet."

"Bet?" Harry asked, while Ron scowled, "What bet? What is going on?"

"I knew that Ginny had stayed behind to wait for you, Harry," Hermione said, "And I figured you would two would finally have enough sense to talk to each other. Seeing that you two are together like this, I expect I was right."

"Yes," Ginny said, "We talked to each other, and decided that it was stupid to be mad at each other."

"So what was this bet?" Harry asked, again.

"Ron has been begging me to help him study for the N.E.W.Ts," Hermione said, "For some reason, he thought that you two still wouldn't have got the nerve to talk to each other, and that you would be avoiding each other. So I bet him that if he was wrong, he would have to study all by himself without asking me for help."

Ginny and Harry laughed while Ron scowled, and retreated into the Potion's classroom.

"You are going to end up helping him, you know?" Harry asked.

"We'll see about that," Hermione said.

"No, I think Harry is right, Hermione," Ginny said, "We all know you can't resist Ron's charm."

"I can if I want!" Hermione said, rolling her eyes and walking into the Potions classroom.

"I don't think she knows what she is up against," Ginny said.

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked.

"You never saw Ron do his patented 'puppy dog eyes' trick, have you?" Ginny asked.

"Puppy dog eyes?" Harry said, laughing, "What do you mean?"

"When Ron was younger," Ginny said, "Years before he met you. He was probably around seven or so. He would try to get Mum to do stuff for him. Well, it wasn't working until he figured out how to do the trick. Mum fell for it right away. Fred and George were jealous. They couldn't believe they hadn't thought of it first."

"Why hasn't Ron used this trick before?" Harry asked.

"Mum scolded him for it a couple years later," Ginny said, laughing at the memory, "She made his face stick like that, and then he promised he wouldn't do it ever again."

Harry laughed out loud.

"Now, now," a voice said, "What is so funny?!"

Harry turned around. Professor Browne was standing there.

"Er… nothing, sir," Harry said.

"I thought so," Browne said, "Shouldn't you be in class?"

Harry was about to respond, but another voice spoke up.

"Headmaster?" the voice said, "What brings you to this part of the castle?"

Harry looked behind Browne. Professor Slughorn was standing there.

"I was… err… looking for Mr. Filch," Browne said, "I need his advice."

"I am not sure that Argus Filch is the man for the job, Headmaster," Slughorn said.

"He is the one who does maintenance work around here, is he not?" Browne asked.

"Yes, that would be him," Slughorn said.

"Then, yes," Browne said, "I think he is certainly the man for the job."

"His office," Slughorn said, "If you could call it an office… is up on the main floor. Near a statue of a Warthog. Can't miss it, sir."

"Thank you," Browne said.

Browne took another glance at Harry, then walked off.

"Harry, m'boy!" Slughorn said, walking toward him, "Shouldn't you be in class?"

"Potions is next, sir," Harry said, "I was about to go in."

"Of course, of course!" Slughorn said, "Let's go in then!"

Slughorn walked into the room, and Harry and Ginny followed. Harry and Ginny took their usual seats near the front of the classroom. Ron and Hermione were already sitting at their table. Professor Slughorn walked up to the front of the room and waited patiently until every student had taken their seat. He then cleared his throat to make sure he had the complete attention of everyone and began.

"I don't really have a lesson planned," Slughorn said, "So this is what I want you all to do. You will partner up with the person you are sitting with, and you will be making a potion. There is no exact potion that I want you to make, just any kind of potion. But I want you to surprise me. I want you to amuse me. If you successfully do this, you will get top grades! Because I assume that your potion will take up all the time this class has to offer, you may begin whenever you are ready."

Slughorn became silent, and everyone else took this as a time to start.

"What do you think we should do?" Ginny asked Harry, as she took out her book and began sorting through the other things needed for potions.

Harry didn't have the slightest idea. He took a glance over at Ron and Hermione's table. Ron looked utterly confused, but Hermione was already searching for a potion in her book.

"Harry?" Ginny said.

"I don't know," Harry shrugged.

Ginny sighed. "Well, go get some ingredients that we don't have with us from the cupboard," she said, "and I will look for a potion."

Harry hastily stood up and walked over to the potions cupboard. Seamus Finnegan was already over there.

"What should I get?" Seamus muttered to himself, "Oh, hi, Harry."

"Hi," Harry said, taking a glance at the cupboards full of ingredients.

"I guess you and Ginny made up?" Seamus asked.

"Er.. yeah," Harry said.

"Has she talked to you about Quidditch yet?" Seamus asked.

"Sort of," Harry said.

"I just wanted to know if she heard that our next game will be in early December," Seamus said, "We will be against Slytherin. Just wanted to know when the next practice will be."

"I will ask her later," Harry said, "So I guess you are staying on the team then?"

"Yeah, I thought I should," Seamus said, "I mean, as long as the N.E.W.T exams go well, I will be leaving Hogwarts in December."

"Yeah, same here," Harry said.

"So I figured why not have a little fun before I leave," Seamus said, "Ah! Here we go."

Seamus grabbed a handful of ingredients and left the storage room. Harry resumed his search, and as he did, Ron walked over.

"I don't honestly know what ingredients to get," Ron muttered.

"Yeah," Harry said, "Me either."

"Hermione didn't tell me what potion she was thinking of making," Ron said, "How am I supposed to know what ingredients to bring over?"

"Yeah, I know," Harry said, "Ginny didn't tell me what she had planned either."

"Do you think it will be an Antidote," Ron said, eyeing the bezoars and taking a few.

"The potion is supposed to amuse Slughorn," Harry said, "Not poison him."

"Yeah," Ron muttered, "Right. Well, I am just going to grab a few things and hope it pleases Hermione."

Ron took a few ingredients from random boxes and walked back to the desk. Harry, not having the faintest idea what to get, imitated Ron and walked back over to his desk. Ginny had already taken out the cauldron as well as vials and baggies of ingredients.

"Took you long enough," Ginny muttered, "I figured out a potion. Apparently, from the effect it has, it is similar to Sleakeasy's Hair Potion."

Harry looked at Slughorn and imagined him with long hair. He laughed silently.

"Sounds brilliant!" Harry said.

"Thanks," Ginny said, "But let's get started. What did you bring over?"

Ginny rummaged through the ingredients, and Harry was relieved that she was slightly impressed.

"Well, at least we won't poison him," Ginny said, chortling.

She waved her wand in circles while pouring some clear, smoking, liquid into the cauldron. She instructed Harry to start cutting up some of the herbs.

Over the next hour, the potion's color went from clear and watery-like, to grey and thick. At one point it also started turning different colors each second, and looked similar to the colors of a rainbow. When the potion was finally done, it was a dark yellow.

"Pour your potions into a vial," Slughorn instructed, "And wait for me to come around. Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, yours will be the first to be judged!"

Ginny poured the potion into a vial, while Harry used the Cleaning Charm to clean up everything else. He took a glance over at Hermione and Ron's table. Hermione was pouring an aqua-colored substance into her vial. Ron was looking at the vial, and Harry knew he was wondering if it would explode. Slughorn walked over to Harry and Ginny's table.

"This looks marvelous," he said, "Now, do not worry about poisoning me. I have all the precautions ready."

Slughorn picked up the vial and sniffed it, then took a big gulp. He swished it around in his mouth and smiled, then gulped it down.

"Goes down the gullet quite well!" Slughorn said.

Harry, Ginny, and everyone else waited and watched for the effects. Suddenly, a puff of smoke erupted around Slughorn's head and Harry gasped as he looked at Ginny. Ginny, however, looked quite pleased. Slughorn sputtered and he became visible once more. Except he looked quite different. He had shoulder-length hair that was the color of the potion. Slughorn smiled and summoned a mirror. He took a quick glance.

"Oho!" Slughorn laughed, "I've always wanted to be a blonde! How marvelous! Full points to the both of you!"

Slughorn waved his wand, and he went back to the normal white hair and a slight bald spot. He then walked over to Ron and Hermione's desk.

"Appearance is good," Slughorn said, as he picked the vial up.

Without saying another word, he drank the potion in one gulp. Slughorn tried to talk, but suddenly, bubbles started to come out of his mouth. Whenever he tried to say something, more bubbles would come. Ron looked horrified, but Hermione smiling from ear to ear. Slughorn smiled and rummaged around his pocket for something. He took out a small corked vial and removed the cork. He then gulped the contents down.

"Wonderful!" he said, after a moment.

No bubbles escaped from his mouth.

"Very amusing!" he said, "I had never seen that before! Full marks to the both of you."

Slughorn spent the next few minutes going around to the other desks. Seamus and Lavender got an Acceptable because they had nearly poisoned Slughorn. One potion made Slughorn's voice squeak so that he sounded like a mouse, while another one gave Slughorn a very long tail and made his fingernails into long claws. Another potion exploded when Slughorn picked up the vial. When the bell rang, Slughorn was thoroughly impressed as he bid everyone farewell.

--
After Herbology, which was another successful class in which Neville had taught, it was time for lunch in the Great Hall. As Harry and the others walked back to the castle, one of the seventh year Ravenclaws pointed behind Harry. Harry turned around. A thestral-bound carriages was making its way through the gate.

"What is going on?" Ron asked.

"No idea," Harry said, "But I have a feeling we should get to the Great Hall."

By the time Harry and the others made their way to the Great Hall, it was packed with students. It was only during Beginning of Term and End of Term feasts that the hall was this packed. Every one of the professors were seated at the table. When Harry sat down at the Gryffindor Table, there was already a conversation going on.

"That is what the rumor is anyways," Dennis Creevey said.

"What rumor?" Harry asked.

"Apparently there is going to be a big announcement in a few minutes," Dennis said, "Why else do you think the Hall is packed like this."

"Dennis is right," Neville said, "I was talking to Professor Sprout, and she said that Headmaster Browne wanted everyone in the Great Hall."

"What could it be?" Ginny asked.

Before anyone could take a guess, Professor Browne had stood up from his chair. Every student became silent as if a charm had been cast over the Great Hall. Most students were already looking at the Headmaster.

"I see that there is already rumors about an apparent announcement," Browne said, "And I would like to say that those rumors are right. I do have a couple of announcements. First, for those students who are deemed 'eighth-years' by their peers, there will be a meeting on Friday after breakfast. As you probably know by now, your N.E.W.T exams will be taking place during the last week of term. For those who wish to take your N.E.W.Ts then, I want you to be present at here in the Great Hall on Friday."

Professor Browne paused, and as he did, the large oak doors opened. Argus Filch walked in and nodded to Browne, who nodded back. Argus walked out, and Browne addressed the students again.

"As you are all aware," Browne said, "Over the last few weeks, the Quidditch scouts have been guests here. Well, very recently, one of the scouts, Samuel Simmons has become ill. Unfortunately, Madam Pomfrey has said that he has become to ill to continue his work here at Hogwarts. So he is being replaced."

Some of the students began talking to each other. Browne raised his wand and the students became silent once again.

"Many of you students who have been here for a few years," he continued, "will recognize this gentleman. Those of you who are Quidditch fans will definitely know who he is. This man was a guest here four years ago during the Triwizard Tournament."

Ron groaned, and Harry knew right away who Professor Browne was talking about.

"So without further ado," Browne said, "Will our new Quidditch scout come in?"

Every student turned to look at the door. Argus Filch walked back in, followed by a man with short black hair and a slight duck-footed walk.

"I am pleased to introduce," Browne said, "Viktor Krum."

Ron's second groan was not heard over the eruption of applauding and cheering in the Great Hall.

--
What a way to end the chapter! I know this is a weird time to bring Viktor Krum in, but he will be a small part of the storyline. And you can be assured he will have something to do with Ron and Hermione.

Feedback would be great!