Chapter 16
On Saturday morning, Harry was the last in his room to rise, and he took his time to wake up. The previous night had been very pleasurable to both him and his Nym, and he was glad September 1st fell over the weekend this year. He definitely could not stand classes straight away!
Following his morning shower he passed through the Gryffindor Common Room, waving a greeting to those who acknowledged him and ignoring those who glared at him, and went to the Great Hall for some breakfast.
Harry saw his dorm mates Ron, Seamus, and Dean sitting at the Gryffindor table – Ron stuffing his mouth as usual – and he sat down next to them.
"Morning guys," Harry said. A plate appeared in front of him and he began collecting bread and meat for his breakfast.
The trio had stopped talking as Harry sat down with them, and now shared a look before Ron answered, "Errr… Morning, Harry. How did detention go?"
"Oh, Tonks is not so tough," Harry said, a grin appearing on his face. "She's much easier to deal with than detention with the greasy bat. So, what were you three talking about before I sat down?"
The trio shared another look. Ron started again, "Nothing really, just –"
"What really happened to Cedric, Potter?" Seamus interrupted in a loud tone.
Harry noticed Ron grimace, and became acutely aware everyone within hearing range of his Irish classmate now looked at them. "I told you all what happened last year, Finnegan," Harry said in a low voice. "And the Headmaster repeated it at the Closing Feast. Does that answer your question?"
Seamus scoffed. "The Prophet says you're lying, Potter. My mum almost didn't let me return, since I have to share a dorm with you."
"Yeah, well the Prophet is as trustworthy as Professor Trelawney after she's been at the cooking sherry. Only an idiot would believe that rag," Harry replied, staring Seamus down.
"Are you calling my mother an idiot?!" Seamus started to rise up from the bench, but Dean kept him down.
Harry mentally counted to ten, then pushed his plate away. "You know what? I don't care what you or your mother believe, Finnegan. I'm done with breakfast. Later."
Harry stood up and made to walk away.
"Yeah, run, you coward!" shouted Seamus behind him. Harry didn't respond and was nearly at the door when he heard Seamus shout again: "That's for insulting my mother, you lying bastard, Furnunculus!"
Harry jumped to his right to avoid the spell, and looked in horror as it passed him by and hit Hermione in the face… the brunette was walking with Ginny and just stepped through the Great Hall doors.
Hermione let out a cry of pain as great ugly boils began springing up on her face.
"Mr. Finnegan! Detention with Mr Filch, tonight!" yelled out Professor McGonagall from the dais, while Harry rushed to Hermione's side.
"Mister Potter, Miss Weasley, take her to the hospital wing would you?"
Ginny called an affirmative back even as Harry knelt down.
"Hermione? Come on… let's get you to Poppy," he suggested. Hermione cried in pain, and shook her head.
"Gin-Gin? Can you take her bag?" Harry asked the ginger girl and without waiting for a reply, scooped up Hermione in his arms. The brunette squeaked in protest but Harry was already rushing off towards the hospital wing, Ginny trailing behind with their bags.
"Poppy, are you here?" Harry called out. He kicked open the hospital wing doors, and placed Hermione on a bed. She instantly grabbed his left arm, and held him close, so he couldn't leave.
"That's Madam Pomfrey, Mr Potter. Just because you're a regular doesn't mean we're on first name basis," Poppy was heard to answer. She stepped out of her office and walked to them. "What's the problem today then?"
"It's Hermione. That git Finnegan hit her with the Pimple Jinx," said Harry. Soothingly he stroked Hermione's arm as she whimpered and held on to him. Ginny took position on Hermione's other side, watching the girl with concern.
"Oh dear girl," Madam Pomfrey was instantly focused on her patient. "Let me get the Cure for Boils Potion." She disappeared in her office, then came back out with a vial containing a blue liquid. "Could you apply it, Mr Potter? Just gently dab the affected area, and let it work for a minute."
Harry nodded and took the vial and a soft cloth. "Hermione? Will you let me?" he asked. The brunette nodded, and looked up at him. Her face was covered in painful looking boils, and her eyes filled with tears. Gently, Harry dipped the cloth in the potion, then dabbed it against the closest boil. The effect was instantaneous: the boil receded, leaving unblemished skin.
"Very good, Mr Potter! Just like that for the others," Madam Pomfrey praised him. "I'll be in my office if you need me." She walked off.
"Harry? Hermione? I'll tell Professor McGonagall that Hermione is all right, okay?" Ginny suggested. Harry just nodded, and the red-head walked off as well.
"Sorry you got hit by that arse's spell," Harry said to Hermione as he continued removing her boils, one-by-one.
"It's not your fault, Harry," Hermione said in a weak voice. "Why… why did he curse you? I thought you were friends."
Harry scowled. "That idiot believes the Prophet. I told him only idiots believed the garbage in his paper, and he got angry." He continued dabbing at her boils as they spoke.
"Honestly, Harry, you can't go around telling people they are stupid," Hermione chided him.
Harry stepped back and closed the potion bottle. "Well, I see you are all better, since you're nagging again," he said, turning his back on her.
"Harry, wait, I'm sorry," Hermione quickly said, grabbing his arm again. "All I meant was, you should try to be more diplomatic about it."
"Yeah, I guess," Harry admitted. "How are you now? Did I get them all?" he asked.
"Can you look closely, near my nose?" Hermione asked. Harry leant in to look, and then suddenly she moved her head forward, and stole a kiss on the lips. Harry froze for a moment in surprise, then Hermione moved her head away, smiling. "I'm good now, Harry. Thank you."
"Err… yeah. Don't mention it," Harry said. He quickly moved out of her grasp and went into the matron's office to get her to check his work.
Ginny returned while Madm Pomfrey was looking Hermione over. Professor McGonagall was with her and took Hermione's statement, then asked Harry for his side of the story.
"I see, Mister Potter," McGonagall said. "Mister Finnegan did say you had provoked him, defending his actions."
"What?!" Harry exclaimed angrily, "that lousy git! First he all but tells me he thinks I am a liar, and then he attacks me while my back is turned, and you blame me?"
"Calm down, Harry," McGonagall said loudly. "Keep your temper in check, this is the Hospital Wing, not the Quidditch Stadium! No, I don't blame you, although it is clear you do need to work on your temper. Mr Finnegan will serve his detentions with the caretaker for the attack, but you, Harry, do need to learn not to act so rashly."
"It's not you who's the target of slander," Harry grumbled.
"Libel, Harry," Hermione cut in. Harry looked at her, as did Professor McGonagall. Hermione gulped, and added, "Slander is spoken. The Prophet is attacking you in print, and then it's libel."
"Libel or slander, I don't give a shit, I want them to stop," Harry grumbled. Professor McGonagall and Hermione said 'Language!' at the same time, and Ginny giggled at Harry's groan.
–-
Harry avoided the Common Room for the rest of the day since he didn't want to run into Seamus, so instead he went to the Quidditch Stadium to have a bit of a flight. With the tryouts scheduled for the next weekend there was no official practice yet and he would not run into any conflicts. Hermione and Ginny came with him: Ginny took out a school broom to practice – she wanted to try for the team the next year. Hermione sat in the stands watching them (and reading one of her books).
Harry dressed in his Quidditch outfit and then came out on his Firebolt and practiced Seeker moves while Ginny worked with a practice Quaffle near the goal posts.
Being up in the air cleared his thoughts and Harry had forgotten all about Hermione's stolen kiss by the time dinner came around. He and Ginny landed their brooms and went for the lockers. Harry looked up, and saw Hermione was no longer in the stands.
"See you in the Great Hall okay, Gin? If you see her first, tell Hermione I'll just drop off my broom and then join you guys," Harry said to Ginny before they parted ways.
Harry stripped in the Gryffindor locker room and got in the shower. The hot water always did wonders for his muscles after a long flight. He stepped out and found his Quidditch jersey no longer on the bench where he had dropped it, and silently admired the efficiency of the House Elves. Harry dressed, then walked back to the Gryffindor tower.
After he left through the door, it opened again from the inside, and Hermione appeared from under Harry's Invisibility cloak. Her face was red from the 'show' she had seen in the shower, and she clutched the stolen Quidditch jersey to her as she, too, returned to the tower.
–-
"I love you, really," Harry drowsily said as he lay down next to Tonks on her bed later that night. She was spooned up against him, and he gently ran his right arm over her sweaty skin as she enjoyed their post-coital bliss.
"Love you too, hero," Tonks murmured. "I've never felt as secure as I do now, in your arms."
"Stay with me forever?" Harry asked, allowing his hand to follow the sweat trickle on her back.
Tonks giggled softly. "Always, love… but for now, I need to get you back to your dorm." She sat up a little, and stretched.
"Can't I stay here tonight?" Harry asked, trying to pull her down again.
"Wish you could, but that'll get us both in trouble." Tonks replied. "Put your clothes back on, lover. I'll still be here tomorrow."
Harry did a mature thing: he stuck out his tongue, then got up and looked for his clothes.
The other boys were asleep by the time he got into bed.
–-
When he woke up on Sunday, Ron and Seamus were still in the dorm. As he got out of bed, Ron punched Seamus none too gently in the shoulder, and Seamus coughed to get Harry's attention.
His hand ready to whip his wand out of the holster, Harry stopped, watching the Irish boy.
"Err… I am sorry for hitting Granger… I mean, I shouldn't have tried to hex you, Po– Harry," Seamus said. "It's just, with what you said about me mum…"
"I didn't mean to insult your mother Seamus," Harry cut in. "It's the Prophet I have an issue with, not its readers. So, does this mean you believe me now?"
Seamus looked pained. "Err…"
"Come on mate, he apologized didn't he? Just promise you won't bring it up, either of you, okay?" said Ron.
Harry raised an eyebrow in surprise at this sudden mature response, but agreed it had merit. He held out his hand towards Seamus. "We good mate?"
"We good," Semaus agreed and they shook hands.
The rest of Sunday was spent with late homework, chess games with Ron, and other ways to waste your time before school started.
He had been looking forward to "detention", but sadly Tonks kicked him out of her bed at nine that evening, since they both had classes the next morning. She promised to try to make it up to him during the week.
–-
Monday began with History of Magic, or catching an extra nap, as most students used the time to sleep. Harry took his customary seat near the front, but surprising all three of them, Hermione sat down next to him before Ron could, leaving Ron to sit with Seamus, and Dean with Neville. Harry looked at his bushy haired friend questioningly but she just shrugged and pretended she didn't know what he meant.
Potions and Divination (Ancient Runes for Hermione) were next but even their least-liked teachers could not bring Harry's mood down because he knew DADA would be next. In Potions class, Snape was his usually annoying self but Harry wasn't his target of the day: instead Snape spent the ninety minutes tormenting poor Neville. They had to make the Draught of Peace, and Harry was grateful to be working with Hermione as she silently corrected him when he nearly forgot to add syrup of hellebore to his potion. At the end of the class grudgingly Snape had to give him an Acceptable… Ron got a verbal assault and a Troll for the day, however.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin classes entered the DADA classroom and as usual, divided in two halves. Harry and Hermione – he had by now accepted she wanted to be his desk mate for the year – took seats near the front. Tonks was not yet in the classroom. While the other students goofed and a few laid out their books, sitting in a relaxed pose or chatting, off Harry sat in a ready pose, his wand at the ready.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione asked softly.
"Trust me," Harry said. Hermione also took out her wand and tried to copy his pose.
At the very moment the bell rang to signal the start of their class, Tonks came in from her office. She looked over everyone, then said, "All of you are dead, except for Potter and Granger here. Can anyone tell me why?"
Hermione raised her arm (of course), and so did Harry. Over on the Slytherin side, a girl with dark brown hair also raised hers.
Tonks indicated the Slytherin, "Yes, Miss…?"
"Greengrass, Professor. I assume we're all dead because you could have cast an area of effect spell, and only Potter and Granger had their wands out?"
Tonks beamed at her. "Five points to Slytherin for that answer, correct. And ten points to Gryffindor for having two students who read and understood the opening paragraph of their textbook."
Many students looked confused, and a few took it out and began to read. Tonks stepped forward and grabbed Lavender Brown's copy out of her hand, startling the girl. Then she read out loud: "The primary rule about a duel or magical fight is, be aware of your opponent's position. If you enter an unknown area, always assume you may be in danger and act accordingly."
Tonks looked triumphantly at her classroom as she handed back Lavender's book. "Almost none of you know me. Last year you had a Death Eater in disguise as your teacher. The year before that a Werewolf." Harry scowled as she said that but she continued, "Your second year you had that useless fob Lockhart, and your first year your teacher died under mysterious circumstances. So going by example you should be cautious of me," Tonks concluded.
"Professor Lupin was a great teacher!" Harry called out. Most Gryffindors voiced their support.
"Detention, Mr Potter, I think every night this week to start. If you have something to say, you can raise your hand and wait for me to call on you," Tonks said. Malfoy seemed especially pleased to hear that his nemesis got in trouble again.
Tonks stepped in front of her desk again and waited until she got the attention of the class back. "I do not doubt Professor Lupin was a good teacher, but the fact remains, he was a potential danger. And so could I be. But let me reassure you all, I am a trained Auror, so the only ones who have to fear me are Death Eaters and others who mean harm to others," she said.
Draco, Theo Nott, and a couple of other Slytherins suddenly felt less secure.
"But enough talk. Let's get started with our lesson. If you'll open Professor Flitwick's book to page twenty-five, he discusses the Shield Charm which we will be practicing this week..."
"Wow Harry, what did you do to annoy her? She is as mean as Professor Snape," Hermione whispered later, while Tonks was assisting Ron and Seamus with their wand movements.
"I may have called her by her first name a bit too often in the Summer," Harry made up on the spot. Luckily Hermione accepted that as an answer, as Harry had a hard enough time to hide his smile at the thought of a recurring nightly 'detention' with his favourite teacher.
A/N: I think this is the first time since I started writing a year ago that I missed two weeks of updates. Writer's block meant I couldn't get started on this until last week... and unfortunately I cannot promise I'm back to my normal weekly schedule now either: I had an accident last Friday and it's very difficult for me to write right now. Part of this chapter was written on pen and paper o_O
Again, thanks to stgulik for beta duties. He had a really hard job this time since I don't have access to my normal text editor (and spelling checker).