Harry Potter had terrible, rotten luck.
Particularly when it came to walking in on couples.
He should feel incredibly fortunate that in all his years he never caught anyone in the midst of that -he shuddered just thinking about it. No, he only came in while they were deep in each other's faces, making out like a couple he'd seen on the telly during a movie that Aunt Petunia was watching.
It all started way back in first year, the year that Harry regarded as the bane of his existence for this whole thing becoming a common occurrence in the first place. He'd been walking in the corridor after quidditch practice alone. It was on a Saturday so Oliver worked them hard until it was time for dinner. Being that their game day was close, with just a week left to ensure that everything was perfect, Oliver asked Harry if he would stay behind so they could discuss some things. Harry understood what that meant, unfortunately; in Oliver terms that meant he was going to repeat the same information he'd been saying to the rest of the team-quite frantically, he might add-as a way to convince himself that they were going to win because he couldn't stand the thought of those Slytherins having one over them.
Harry, of course, didn't protest. He learned that only fueled things. So he stood there, periodically nodding to the captain's words and in no way interrupting.
When his head briefly turned to look down at a vacant corner, he found it to be not so vacant. Shock filled him and he gaped rather dumbly. Perhaps he ought not to have been, but he didn't get out much back at his aunt and uncle's house and he'd yet to get used to sharing the castle with older students. It was, quite frankly, embarrassing to witness them kiss each other. Ron didn't seem to mind, but he maybe he wouldn't, seeing as he had five older brothers. Maybe he was used to it.
Harry, on the other hand, wasn't.
Not to mention, it was who was there that made it all the more astounding. There, with their arms wrapped around each other were Alicia and that one Slytherin player, Adrian Pucey.
Fred once remarked that Pucey was like the Hufflepuff of Slytherin because he didn't act like a typical snake. He was pretty fair and unlike his teammates, he didn't resort to cheating. Pucey had never really been on Harry's radar, perhaps that was partly why. He never did anything to purposely antagonize Harry or do much of anything beyond play the game. He never saw him much in the corridor either.
He didn't move or make a sound, apprehensive that if he did, they would see him. But they ended up seeing him anyway-at least, Alicia did. Her eyes widened to the size of supper plates and she yanked herself away from Pucey, who turned around to see what all the fuss was about. The three of them stared back at one another, although Pucey seemed less concerned and was rather impassive about the whole thing.
Harry felt himself turn red.
"Harry," Alicia gasped and gulped at being caught. "I...er..we were just-"
"Making out," Pucey said and smirked when she smacked him for that remark.
"Shut up!" She snapped. "You're not helping."
"Whatever you say, Darling."
Alicia blushed despite the circumstances and then remembered that Harry was still there. He wished he wasn't. "Look, Harry," she ran a hand through her sweaty hair, messing it up further. "You can't say a word to anyone. Especially Oliver. He'll go mad."
"For fraternizing with the enemy?" Pucey drawled.
Alicia ignored him. "Can you please just... not say anything? Please?"
Harry only nodded, because he really didn't know what to say.
"Thanks," Alicia said gratefully. Then, when Pucey didn't say anything, she elbowed him hard in the stomach.
"What? Oh. Fine . Thanks, Potter," Pucey said to him.
"Err, you're welcome?" It came out as a question.
"Now scram," Pucey ordered.
Alicia pursed her lips. "Didn't I tell you to be nice?"
"Actually you told me to shut up," Pucey's hands went around her waist. "But when have I ever listened?"
She giggled and Harry chose that moment to leave before he got to see anything else.
/
The next time it happened was during second year. Harry was alone again, but this time it wasn't from quidditch. He'd needed a break, just some time to be by himself without his friends. He liked Ron and Hermione, he really did, but there were times they could be a bit too much. Asking if he was alright. Asking if he'd heard any voices again and if they should go to McGonagall. Asking way too many questions for Harry's preference. He managed to convince them that he would be okay to go for a walk by himself, promising them several times that if anything happened, he'd go straight to Dumbledore.
As he made his way down the corridor he tried to ignore the glares he was sent by other students, others weren't glaring at him but rather eyeing him with complete fear. It wasn't just that either; people would stop their conversations whenever he came nearby or rush out of his way so they didn't get too close to him, since they believed he was the supposed heir.
Harry found an abandoned classroom and figured he'd go in for some privacy. At least he wouldn't have to deal with anyone there. He yelped when he entered the classroom, inwardly groaning for this being the second time this was happening.
Across the room was Percy and a curly haired girl that Harry wasn't sure if he'd seen before. He supposed she was a Ravenclaw, given that their ties were discarded on one of the desks along with their school bags. Percy had the girl's face cupped in his hands, his lips on hers, head tilted.
It was strange, seeing Percy act so human. He would have never imagined he had a girlfriend. Ron never mentioned it, maybe he didn't know. It was certainly possible. Out of all his brothers, Ron talked about Percy the least.
Harry didn't want to disturb them like he'd done to Alicia and Pucey nor did he really want them to know he was there. He attempted to back out of the room but knocked into the wall with a thud and caused the couple to tear away from each other.
"Harry!" Percy's voice up an octave and his face was as red as his hair.
The girl beside him also looked greatly embarrassed and ducked her head, creating a shadow of hair that shielded her face from view.
"I'm sorry," Harry blurted out, turning his head from the door and back to them. "I...I didn't mean. I was-"
"It's quite alright," Percy said nervously and smoothed down his uniform. "Erm, you see...Penny was just showing me how muggle CPR works."
The girl, Penny, was giving him a disbelieving look.
Harry nodded slowly. "Err...right."
"Yes, yes," Percy said brightly although Harry saw through it. He knew the older boy was thoroughly embarrassed at being caught. "It was quite an intriguing lesson. Thank you, Penny."
Penny, in Harry's opinion, looked like she was going to laugh. "You're welcome, Percy."
"Right," Harry said. "Er, I think I'll just go."
"Hang on, Harry," Percy said panicky but then recovered. "I would...I would appreciate it if you didn't mention a word of this to my brothers or Ginny. They might not understand, you see, and I don't want them jumping to conclusions."
Percy's siblings had no qualms about teasing him, especially in public. No doubt they would tease about this.
"Sure," Harry said.
Percy looked relieved.
When Harry was out of the classroom, he heard Penny say something to Percy. "CPR? Really ? You couldn't have thought of something better?"
"I'm sorry, my Dear. You know I'm not the best at coming up with things on the spot."
/
The third time, Harry made his annoyance known.
"Oh come on !" He said loudly.
Fred and Angelina were in the corner of the broom shed in what could be construed as a compromising position; Angelina was in Fred's lap, head tilted upward. They broke apart at the sound of Harry's voice but were neither ashamed at being caught or startled.
Fred laughed. "What's the matter with you? Never seen two people about to do the- ow ! Angie, that hurt."
"Good," she said good-naturedly. Then, she grinned at Harry. "I feel like we've taken away his innocence. Should I feel bad?"
"Why don't you show me exactly how bad you feel?" Fred smirked.
She rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry about it, Ang. He'll be fine. He's probably just wishing he was getting some too- ow ! Really?"
"Fred," she sighed but it sounded more fond than exasperated. "He's only thirteen."
"So?"
" So . Be appropriate."
He sighed dramatically. "Yes, Dear."
She snorted.
"Harrykins, if you'll excuse us, I need to-"
Harry held up his hands. "I'm going," he said quickly.
/
Finding out the girl he fancied didn't feel the same way by walking in on her snogging another bloke was not the way Harry would have preferred to find out.
Right before the first task, Harry got inside the tent, trying to calm his nerves. He froze when he saw Cho kissing Cedric of all people. Were they together and Harry simply hadn't noticed? This time, he didn't feel so bad about interrupting and cleared his throat.
The couple let go of each other. Cho looked surprised to see him. "Harry," she said. "Oh. How are you doing? Are you nervous? I'm...I'm really sorry you had to see us-" She looked toward Cedric to see if he could remedy the situation.
The Hufflepuff was apologetic. "I suppose I should have done this elsewhere. Terribly sorry about that, Harry."
I bet you are , Harry thought, irritatedly.
Out loud he said, "Right."
An awkward silence ensued.
Cho fiddled some with her hands, giving them both a smile. "I should probably be leaving. It's nearly time." She faced Cedric again, standing on her tip-toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Good luck."
They were doing that thing with their eyes. Where they didn't have to talk because their eyes did the talking for them. Harry didn't like it one bit and may have feigned a cough to effectively ruin the moment.
On her way out, Cho said to Harry, "Good luck to you, too." But it wasn't as sweetly said as the one to Cedric.
"Thanks," Harry muttered.
/
Harry just wanted some peace and quiet. That's all. He didn't think he was asking for much. Was he? He was in a horrid mood after one of Umbridge's detentions. She'd made him stay longer than he should have so he missed dinner, his hand was aching tremendously and on top of all that the school was at odds with him again because only some people believed that Voldemort was back. Others were siding with the Ministry and thought Harry was some loon that was covering for Dumbledore.
Which was just the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard
When he got up to the dorm, he closed his eyes when he heard giggling. Familiar giggling. He groaned softly and opened the door further. Lavender brown was on Seamus' bed. The two of them were wound up together in the sheets-thankfully fully dressed. Seamus was kissing her on the neck, unaware of their audience that was Harry.
"Really?" he hissed at them. Stomping over to his own bed. Seamus paused and peeked his head out to look at his dorm mate. "You really can't take this somewhere else?"
"Jealous?" Seamus asked slyly.
"Not in the slightest," Harry said shortly.
/
Harry supposed he really shouldn't be too shocked at seeing Gryffindors and Slytherins together. It wasn't too common of an occurrence but if anything, seeing Alicia and Pucey back in first year made him know that it could happen.
So this time, when he came into the kitchens for a late snack to calm his aching, growling stomach, he didn't stand there like an idiot and stare when he saw Katie in the arms of Marcus Flint.
Okay, he lied.
He stared a little.
Flint wasn't even a student at Hogwarts anymore. Katie would have had to secretly let him in. Have they ever talked before? They must have done some kind of talking with the way they were pressed against each other.
Why? He thought. Why me ?
When he turned his attention back onto the couple, they noticed him standing there.
"Oh!" Katie said in surprise.
Flint raised his eyebrows at Harry. "Take a picture, Potter. It'll last longer."
Katie rolled her eyes. "Ignore him, Harry. He's just grumpy because of practice. He doesn't like not being in charge."
"You don't seem to mind when I am," Flint chuckled.
Harry grimaced.
"Right. Err, I think I'll-"
But Flint wasn't giving him the option of going. "Say, Potter, how's quidditch?"
Resigned, Harry sat down on one of the stools. Reluctantly. "It's fine."
"He's Gryffindor's new captain," Katie told her boyfriend.
"Of course," Flint snorted but for once it wasn't out of malice.
"Oh, be nice," Katie said. "He's a good captain. Least he lets us sleep unlike Oliver."
Flint shrugged. "We all know Wood's a little mad when it comes to quidditch."
"Oh, like you aren't."
Flint-Harry was disturbed to notice-had a playful glint in his eyes. "Don't compare me to Wood."
"Or else what?" Katie said challengingly.
Flint grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a snog. Harry left without either of them noticing.
/
By the seventh time it happened, one day while Harry was at the Burrow and had wandered into the shed out back to retrieve some muggle thing that Mr. Weasley wanted and had caught Bill in a heated snog with Fleur, he'd had enough.
"Oh for the love of everything! "
Bill and Fleur pulled away from each other, blinking at Harry.
"Harry?" Bill frowned.
"Why does this keep happening to me? This is rubbish ! Absolute rubbish!"
"What are you-" But Fleur was cut off.
"I've had it! Had it up to here! You know what? Voldemort can come kill me for all I care. I'll go find him myself. Just as long as I never have to walk in on another couple ever again!" With that, Harry slammed the shed door shut.
It was quiet for a moment.
"What was all zat about?" Fleur looked up at Bill, questioningly.
Bill shrugged. "Hormones."