A/N: I can't say it enough how thankful I am for the support this story receives. Your feedback is the driving force for me to finishing it. Reading your reviews and seeing how many are enjoying this story and are curious/invested in wanting to know what happens keeps me going.

The Slytherin Reformation

By Spectre4hire

5: The Perils of Courtship

"I'm going to ask her."

"What?"

"Are you sure, Neville?" Harry followed up with Theo's question. The three friends were walking on the grounds of Hogwarts towards Hagrid's cabin for their class.

"I am."

"There's that famous Gryffindor courage," Theodore joked.

"I'm going to ask her," Neville repeated, losing a bit of his resolve. "I-I'm going to ask her?" The last time it came out more as a question.

Harry saw his friend's confidence waver, he clapped him on the back. "We'll be there for ya, Nev."

"We will?"

Harry sent his fellow Slytherin a look to quiet him.

"Yeah, of course we will," Theodore corrected himself.

"Really?" That seemed to bolster some of their friend's confidence.

"Absolutely," Harry assured him. Looking forward he could see the swell of students that were milling near the gamekeeper's cabin waiting for class to begin.

"There she is," Neville spotted her first. The cute Ravenclaw was smiling and looked to be having a good conversation with her fellow housemates, Lisa Turpin and Anthony Goldstein.

"Why couldn't she be alone," Neville groaned. His eyes flickering back and forth between the pair of friends accompanying Padma.

"They travel in packs to boost intimidation," Theodore supplied, sounding as if it was obvious.

"It's no different than the other day at the library," Harry reminded him, "We didn't hex or bother Zach when he asked out Tracey."

"We should've," Theo mumbled.

Harry chose to ignore it, "And there's no reason to think they'll react any differently if you go over there and ask to speak with Padma."

"You're right," Neville nodded, but still he made no effort to approach the three Ravenclaws. "It makes sense when you say it," he let out a nervous laugh, "But it can't seem to calm my stomach."

"Yep," Theodore agreed, sounding miserable.

"You don't have to ask her today, you know," Harry pointed out.

"I know," something passed over Neville's face, before he squared his shoulders, "But I want to," and with that he walked off in the direction of Padma Patil.

"Huh," Theodore said, "That was unexpected."

"Yeah," Harry was stunned at Neville's sudden reversal.

"Should we follow him?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I think he would've asked us if he wanted us to join him."

"Makes sense, but if they laugh at him…" By the way Theodore was holding his wand, it was clear he meant to follow up on the threat if they treated their friend poorly.

"They're not going to," Harry didn't think the three Ravenclaws had it in them to be spiteful especially to someone as kind as Neville, "But come on, we need to get going if we don't want to be late," He and Theodore began walking down towards the cabin.

Harry's focus however remained on Neville, watching as he approached Padma and her friends. His back was to them, so he couldn't see his friend's face, but judging by the others, it was going well.

"Did you see that?" Theodore asked suddenly.

"See what?"

"A look!"

"A look?"

"Yeah, between Lisa and Padma," Theo whispered so they wouldn't be overheard as they neared the other students. "I think that bodes well for Nev!"

"I didn't see any look."

"Because you weren't looking for it."

"I was looking for a look." Before the two Slytherins could further argue about what they saw or didn't see, their attention was pulled back to Neville, who had walked separately with Padma, a few steps away from her two friends.

"He got her alone!" Theodore sounded giddy, "That's a good sign."

Harry still couldn't see Neville's face, so had to rely on judging the conversation solely on Padma's reactions. It was no easy feat.

"What did he say?" Theo demanded, after Padma laughed. There was an edge in his question, his hand twitched.

"Wait, Theo!" Harry stopped the Slytherin from sending any jinxes, "Look!" Watching as Padma put a hand on Neville's shoulder, she was smiling.

"What is she saying?"

"I don't know," Harry grumbled feeling frustrated and helpless as he watched his friend from a distance.

"Damn," Theo cursed, "What's the eavesdropping spell?"

Before Harry had time to answer, Neville turned and left Padma and made his way towards them. Their Gryffindor friend waved back at Padma, who had rejoined her friends.

"I can't tell if that's a I'm happy I got a date wave or I'm miserable and got rejected but I still need to be polite and save face wave."

Harry didn't know how to respond to that, but thankfully he didn't have to as Neville had become within speaking distance, "Well?" He asked, while trying to gauge his friend's expression to see it how it went.

"Well, the whole time there I was trying to make sure I didn't throw up," He let out a nervous chuckle, "With each step, I thought I couldn't get sicker and I should just turn around and give up."

"But you didn't," Theodore pointed out.

"No, I didn't," Neville confirmed, his tone conveying he was a bit surprised by his own decision. "And I won't lie, I was nervous and nauseous all the way to when I reached them."

"And then it went away?"

Neville shook his head, "Not exactly, it was still there, but I could ignore it," he paused as if trying to properly explain what he went through, " The feeling didn't seem so bad in the moment especially when I was talking to them, and I could remind myself they weren't monsters, just our classmates." He was still smiling, looking amused.

"That's great, Neville," Theodore said sincerely, "but what happened? What did she say?"

"Oh," Neville looked embarrassed whether it was because he forgot to tell them or because of the answer, Harry couldn't tell.

"She declined."

"What?" Harry and Theodore chorused.

"I'm sorry, Nev," Theo patted him on the shoulder.

Neville shook his head, "It's alright,"

"Alright?" Theodore frowned. "How can you say that?"

"Look around, Theo."

"What do you mean?" Harry shared in on his fellow Slytherin's confusion.

"It sucked, but," he looked away, "But it's not the end of the world," He shrugged, "I mean it would've been great if she said yes, but she didn't."

"And you're okay?" Theodore didn't look convinced.

"I'll be fine," Neville smiled, it looked a little forced, but judging by the reason for it, Harry couldn't blame him. "Besides I learned something even more important."

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be."

"I'm sorry, Neville." Tracey was sympathetic.

"Her loss." Daphne said bluntly.

The girls offered their consolations later that day as the friends waited in the corridor before their Defense Against the Dark Arts Class. It was when all of them were together did Neville actually divulge what had transpired between him and the Ravenclaws. It was in the retelling that Harry was glad to have discovered that Padma had laughed at a joke that Neville had given instead of at his friend which had been Theodore's initial thought when they had watched the scene unfold.

"If you want I can shake a few trees and see which girls might be interested in you," Tracey offered.

"Thank you," Neville looked overwhelmed at the prospect. "But you don't have to."

"It would be a pleasure," She smirked.

"She already does it," Daphne noted dryly. "Now it'll be for a good cause instead of just her own amusement."

Tracey took it in stride. "My amusement is a good cause."

Daphne rolled her eyes, smiling as she did. Hermione chuckled, shaking her head.

"Such as Daphne did you know-"

"Don't finish that sentence, Trace," She warned her friend.

Tracey gave an innocent smile. "Only trying to help you."

"No, thank you," Daphne said stiffly.

"What sort of gossip do you get?" Theodore was trying but failing to sound indifferent.

Tracey's eyes gleamed. "Interested in who may have the hots for ya, Nott?"

"I'll spare you," Daphne interrupted, "No one."

Theo frowned. "Charming as ever, Greengrass." He then turned to Hermione, "H-How about you? Have you been asked to the Hogsmeade weekend?"

Hermione looked taken aback, "No, I haven't," She ducked her head.

"Oh, that's good."

Harry winced at his friend's obliviousness. He wasn't the only one, Neville ran a hand over his face while Daphne and Tracey exchanged looks. Hermione looked crestfallen at his unintended rudeness.

In the following seconds of awkward silence, Theodore seemed to realize the mistake he made, Panic spread across his face. "Erh, that's not what I meant," he stammered, "I-I meant-"

"Thank you for waiting," the door to the classroom opened to show Moony. Interrupting whatever it was Theodore was going to try to say to explain himself.

"Find your seat, we have an exciting lesson today," he beckoned them in.

Hermione was one of the first to go in and never looked back.

A slumping Theo soon followed with Neville at his side, talking to him. Harry wanted to say something, but before he could, Moony spoke up.

"Harry, hold on."

Harry stopped, letting the remaining classmates file into the classroom. He sent his friends an apologetic look as he waited with Moony in the entryway until the last student went in.

"I need to speak with you after class, Harry," Moony dropped his voice when he added, "It's about Padfoot."

"Thanks for staying, Harry."

"Of course," It had been difficult for him to focus on the class itself after Moony had mentioned Sirius. He caught his thoughts drifting on what possible news may have been found or what leads that were discovered that would help Harry's godfather.

The two of them were in Moony's office, he had offered Harry a butterbeer when they arrived, which he quickly and gratefully accepted. Harry looked around to see how different the office was decorated now that Remus was the Defense against the Dark Arts professor. He was relieved not to have to be looking at more than dozen portraits of Gilderoy Lockhart, each one as pompous as the one before, smiling and waving. It was an eyesore, and Harry regretted every moment he was stuck in Lockhart's office.

"Is there anything new?" Harry shifted his attention away from Moony's office and onto the man himself.

"Not exactly," Moony seemed to sense Harry's disappointment, amending, "But I have left some clues behind."

"Clues?" Harry didn't understand.

"Yes," Moony leaned back in his seat, "After you told me about what your friend, Luna saw, I decided to leave some behind in a few different places. Old haunts of ours back in our days as students," He said wistfully, "They included a message too."

"What was the message?"

"That I know the truth," Moony's jaw clenched, "I know he's innocent. And I know it was Pettigrew."

Harry knew how much this meant to his uncle. Remembering how Remus had taken to the news when he found out the truth that absolved Sirius and condemned Peter. The difficulty of trying to parse through years of memories and feelings that had been tainted by a deception. For more than a decade to believe something with such a burning conviction, and for it to proven false in an instant.

"Do you think he'll find them?"

"I don't know," Remus sighed, "with the dementors gone, I suspect that he may be bold enough." He shook his head, "But he may think it's a trap."

Harry imagined thirteen years of Azkaban could turn anyone paranoid. With the dementors leaving the grounds, Sirius may suspect this to be a new ploy to try to snare him and have the Ministry return him to that awful prison or worse sentence his godfather to the dementor's kiss.

I won't allow it to happen, Harry like Moony was determined to see this through and make sure that his godfather could be a free man once again.

"I'm sorry to have disappointed you," Moony's melancholic tone broke through Harry's thoughts, "But I thought it was important to inform you in case they proved fruitful."

"I appreciate that," Harry said sincerely, believing that still wasn't enough to properly convey how much it meant to him.

Moony smiled, a sad, but fleeting one, as his eyes betrayed he was distracted by his own thoughts.

"While I haven't heard from Padfoot, I have heard some interesting stories involving you."

"Oh?" Harry tried his best to sound surprised.

"Yes," Moony's look showing he didn't buy Harry's act for one second, "what was it again?" He rubbed his chin, "Something about snakes."

"You heard about that?" Harry asked sheepishly, before letting out a nervous chuckle.

"Yes," he answered, "I may not be a Slytherin but that doesn't mean I don't have my ways," he put his hands behind his head, "Afterall, are you forgetting who you're talking to? One of the Marauders," he boasted.

Harry bit back a laugh at Moony's over the top antics, "I had forgotten that actually."

"Such cheek," Remus shook his finger, "And quite the tongue too if the whispers out of your house's common room is to be believed. Something about siccing snakes on classmates…"

"What?" That surprised him, he looked to see Moony was watching him closely, "There were no real snakes involved," Harry clarified, unfortunately, he wanted to add.

"So what happened?"

"Nothing really, I just told some of housemates, good night," he shrugged, before adding with a grin, "In parseltongue."

Remus barked out a laugh. Moving backwards in his chair as he did, more laughter followed, "As a professor, I should scold you and warn you that sort of behavior isn't allowed." There was a twinkle in his blue eyes. "But as a Marauder, I must say, I'm very impressed. Well done, Harry."

Harry grinned, feeling a sense of pride swell within at the reaction he was able to get, "Thank you, Moony."

He then cleared his throat, "but remember what I said," trying his best to sound stern.

It was a challenge not to laugh, but Harry surprisingly was able to do it, "I will, Professor Lupin."

"Good lad," Remus looked pleased at his discretion, "The worst about being a professor," he let out a dramatic sigh, "well that and rewarding Slytherin house points."

"For something you don't like to do, you sure do it alot," Harry pointed out innocently.

Remus snorted, "I'm sensing a compliment in there, but its being directed to only a select few students of mine."

Harry smothered the guilty smile. He finished up his butterbeer and put down the empty bottle on Lupin's desk. He could see Moony was looking at him with an arched eyebrow, not fooled at all.

"On the subject of my students, I hear a Hogsmeade weekend is coming up."

"It is."

"Those were always fun trips," Moony reminciesed, "Whether it was with friends or a date."

Harry tried not to stiffen up at his uncle's last words. "It's going to be fun," he could sense Remus' eyes on him, but he wasn't eager to divulge further on the topic.

"Ah," There was an odd lilt in his voice with that simple word that Harry couldn't quite place, "Well I imagine you'll have fun." He then coughed, which got Harry to look at him to see there was no teasing glint in Moony's eyes, and when they met Harry's gaze, he offered him an encouraging smile. "You know you can come to me, Harry, right?"

"I do," Harry felt his stomach tighten. The topic itself was a delicate one that brought with it a swirl of unease to his insides.

Remus nodded, deciding not to press, "Good," he let out a breath, "Hopefully it won't be this awkward,"

Harry chuckled, "that would be great."

He smiled while looking relieved, "I shouldn't keep you anymore, Harry." He stood from his seat, "I thought it was important you know about Padfoot," he walked around the desk, "and know that I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Moony."

"You okay, Nev?" Harry noticed Neville looked particularly glum as he, Neville, and Theodore were walking together towards the library.

"You shouldn't let that Potions essay get to you," Theodore remarked, "You know we'll help."

Harry had a feeling that neither Potions nor Professor Snape were responsible for his friend's current mood.

"It's not that," Neville confirmed Harry's silent suspicions.

"Oh," Theodore's eyebrows furrowed, "Is it the Charms homework?"

"It's not homework," Neville dismissed.

"Nev?" Harry gently touched his friend's arm, "What is it?"

"It's nothing," he didn't meet Harry's eyes, "Let's get going, the others are waiting." He continued walking, not checking to see if they were following him.

Harry shared a look with his fellow Slytherin who seemed to finally figure out what it was that was bothering the Gryffindor.

"I thought he was over it."

"Would you be?" Harry challenged, noticing the look his friend gave at being confronted with that scenario before he shook his head. "Exactly," Harry knew he wouldn't if the roles were reversed. And with that he made a decision. "Hey, Nev, how about we go to the Three Broomsticks for our Hogsmeade Trip?"

"Yeah, it'll be a broomstick for each of us," Theodore joked, trying unsuccessfully to get a smile from his friend.

Neville looked back at them, before shaking his head, "You don't have to do that." He looked around the bookshelves to make sure they weren't being watched, "I know what you guys wanted to do."

Even when his friend was feeling low, Neville was still more worried about them then his own feelings. "We want to," Harry assured him, looking over to Theo, who was nodding fervently.

"Absolutely," Theodore added, "We can go to Honeydukes and Zonko's too." He frowned, "Besides I may have botched my chance," he shrugged, trying but failing to look like that bothered him.

Harry knew what it was his friend was referring to. "You don't know that, Theo."

"Yeah," Neville agreed, "You botched it long before that."

Harry couldn't help but laugh at the unexpected joke from his Gryffindor friend. Theo too smiled, a chuckle followed, and he soon was shaking his head.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence guys," He mumbled, more amused then annoyed at them.

"So the Three Broomsticks?" Harry suggested, pleased to see a rare smile from Neville before he nodded. He then turned to Theodore who agreed.

Satisfied, Harry and his friends went to go find their table. They may have lost their opportunity at dates, but in that moment, this felt like the right choice.

"Cheers!"

Three bottles of butterbeer collided with each other as the friends drank to their toast. Harry enjoyed the smooth taste of the butterbeer, nearly finishing his bottle in one large sip.

The Three Broomsticks had been their first and only stop so far for their trip to Hogsmeade. It was bustling, but the friends had been able to find a table in the corner and had been there ever since. A few times they would see classmates who'd say hello, but mostly it was just the three of them, and none of them seemed to mind.

"I don't know why Hogswarts won't serve us this every day," Theodore put his empty bottle down.

Harry nodded in agreement, while Neville nursed his still mostly filled bottle. "It's a shame," Harry voiced his thoughts. It was true there were times when it was available at the castle, but those were few and far between. The other ways of obtaining them would be frowned upon and considered contraband.

"It's the house elves," Neville pointed out, "It gets them," he cleared his throat, "drunk."

Harry couldn't help but laugh at Neville's delicate handling of that truth. He wasn't alone in his mirth as Theodore too joined in and Neville eventually smiled at their reactions, but rolled his eyes all the same.

"Thanks again," The Gryffindor said when the atmosphere sobered, "I appreciate this." He tried to emphasize it by gesturing to where they were.

"Not a problem," Harry assured his friend for the umpteenth time. "Another round, please," he asked a passing waitress, who nodded and went to retrieve them. "This one's on me," Harry told them, finishing up his bottle.

The friends nodded their thanks, as the waitress reappeared with a tray and three more bottles, handing them out before leaving after the friends gave their thanks.

Neville put his off to the side since he still had a ways to go. "Do you know what Daphne and Hermione were up to?"

"They were going to go to a few shops," Harry remembered them talking about it during one of their study sessions, "and then come by here."

"I could leave if you like," Neville offered, "When they get here."

"No way," Harry and Theodore said at once, insulted at the suggestion. "That isn't necessary, Nev," Harry added, "We're friends, and that's what this trip was about." He turned to each of them, "Friendship."

"I'll drink to that," Theodore proved his point by taking a generous sip from his butterbeer bottle. "Besides I'm not sure I'm ready," he admitted. He didn't look them in the eyes instead looking down at his bottle as he continued talking. "I keep thinking is it worth risking our friendships? If she says no." A spasm of fear flickered over his face at this scenario. "Then nothing will ever be the same," he was quiet in his observations. "It'll become awkward and even distant."

"You're right," Neville nodded, "I won't lie and say the rejection didn't sting," He sighed, "Because it did, but I'm still happy I did it." He was sincere when his eyes met theirs. "And proud. It wasn't easy, but at the same time it was easy," he shook his head as if understanding that didn't make sense. "I don't know," he shrugged and settled for drinking from his bottle as if to stop himself from talking.

"I understand," Harry added. This wasn't the first time they had this conversation. He realized it was becoming a more frequent trend between them, and one they seemed to fall into whenever it was the three of them. Theo wasn't shy about voicing his concerns and fears and he wrestled with them daily, with each time changing his stance only to switch to the other one. He talked himself out of it more times then he could talk himself into trying. The fear of so many different things hung over his best friend like a dark cloud, always lurking.

"I know I keep saying it over and over," Theo said honestly. "I just, I just," He nearly stammered as he spoke as if trying to voice why it was he couldn't handle it and he struggled with just try doing that.

"It's fine, Theo," Harry told him, "That's what friends are for," He turned to see Neville look on in agreement. "We'll support ya, you know that," He was pleased when his words seem to give his friend some confidence. "And our friendships are bound to change," Harry observed, "Sooner or later." He didn't want to admit it, but he couldn't lie to himself, so why try to lie to his friends. "I mean these feelings aren't going to go away," Harry looked to Theo, "How you feel about her, have they?"

"No," Theodore admitted, and that seemed to stick with him.

"Same," Harry didn't need to voice who it was he was referring to, as they all knew and understood. He tried his best to not change while he was around her, but it was becoming difficult. He noticed more things about her, and it colored his perspective despite his efforts of trying to think of her like he always had-his first true friend.

The friends finished their bottles in silence. If they were like Harry, he bet they were thinking about certain witches and the emotional entanglements that seemed to come with them.

"This one's on me," Neville who was still playing catch up with them. He gave the order to their waitress, "For being here for me."

"Would've done it even without the free butterbeer," Theodore smiled.

Harry chuckled, "same."

"But I'd be lying if I didn't say I don't welcome them," Theodore picked up the new bottle that the waitress had just given them. He opened his mouth to say something else, but then closed it, a frown coming to his features. "Tracey?"

Harry turned his head as Theodore had the seat that looked to see it was indeed her. She looked disheveled, and to Harry's surprise, she was alone. "Trace," He stood to help get her attention, she spotted them, but seemed to hesitate before deciding to join them. Odd, he couldn't help but think, as he watched her cross the restaurant to join their table. When she was closer, he noticed her hair was messy and her face looked a bit red. "You okay, Tracey?" He asked when she was near.

"I'm fine," She said curtly.

Theodore had gotten up to get her chair, "Thanks," she added, when she sat down. "I'm sorry," she sighed, dropping her head, "It's not your fault."

"What happened?" Theodore returned to his seat. "Where's Zach?"

"Probably on his way to the Hospital Wing."

Neville coughed up some of his butterbeer, while Theodore nearly spat his out at the unexpected answer.

"What?" Harry asked for his friends who were trying to recover.

"Nothing serious," Tracey said casually, waving off their apparent concern. She looked at them, some of her old self was returning.

"I take it the date didn't go well," Neville said the obvious.

"That would be the smart bet," Theodore chimed in, "Unless the Hospital Wing is the new go to place for couples."

Tracey smiled, "It didn't." The confirmation didn't seem to bother her as much as it apparently did when they first spotted her walk in.

"I'm sorry," Harry meant it, and the other two were quick to add their sentiments as well.

"Here," Neville offered her his freshly ordered butterbeer since he was still working on their previous round.

"Thanks," Tracey didn't try to argue. She took the bottle and nearly drained it in a single sip. "I needed that," She smacked her lips together.

"So about Smith?" Theodore carefully asked, "I assume he's not going to the Hospital Wing over a broken heart."

Tracey snorted, "His heart isn't the thing that got broke." Her eyes shimmered in the light.

"That sounds ominous," Neville deadpanned.

"I'll save you the details, since you're not the audience for those," she pointed out.

"Appreciate it," Theodore didn't try to hide his relief.

Harry knew she was referring to Hermione and Daphne. Even though he shared part of Theodore's sentiment about being overwhelmed with the details. It didn't mean they were going to ignore it. She was their friend, and she needed to know that they still cared and were there for her. "You can summarize it for us."

Tracey turned to him, looking appreciative of the gesture, "Zach is an arse."

Harry frowned. He had a sinking feeling from the beginning, that he wasn't going to like what it was she said, and the more she had revealed the less doubt remained. When it was revealed and the implications that were tied to it, Harry was half tempted to go visit the Hospital Wing himself.

"Sounds like he got what was coming to him," Neville said.

"Yeah," Theodore was staring down into his bottle, "But if he needs a reminder..." He let his words hang in the air.

"My heroes," Tracey cooed at them, each of them taking her words and tone in varying degrees of awkwardness. That only made Tracey's grin widen, "Don't worry about him," she told them, "It wasn't that serious, but I still needed to deal with it." She looked like she wanted the subject to drop and Harry was inclined to adhere to her wishes.

"To jerks and them receiving their rightful punishments," Harry raised his bottlebeer up in toast.

Tracey giggled, but mimicked his movement, Neville and Theodore were quick to follow suit as their bottles clanged against one another and they chorused their toasts.

"It appears we're toasting Nott, such a pity I missed it." Daphne appeared behind them. Smiling as she always seemed to do when it came to insulting Nott. Hermione was behind her, shaking her head, like Harry and the others, their bickering was more annoying then anything else.

"Where's Zach?" Hermione spoke up.

Neville and Theodore had gotten chairs for the new arrivals, with Hermione sitting between Theo and Harry, and Daphne across from her and between Tracey and Neville.

"I'll tell you later."

Daphne frowned, sensing there was a story that needed to be told. She eyed her friend as if trying to pry the details out with a simple look.

"Both of you," She added, looking over at Hermione, "But let's just say there won't be a second date."

"I have a feeling my opinion of Smith is only going to sink lower after hearing this," Daphne observed.

"That would be correct," Tracey agreed.

"Well, since we're all here," Harry looked around the table at his friends, "How about another round?"

That received a loud chorus of agreement and Harry couldn't help but smile as he kindly asked their waitress for some more.

"Did you stop by the Quill shop?" Theodore asked.

"No, not yet," Hermione sounded a bit disappointed, "We're suppose to go after the Three Broomsticks," she gave Daphne a pointed look.

The slytherin sighed. "Forgive me for not having an interest in going there on my Saturday."

"I-I could go with you," Theodore suggested, "If you'd like?"

Hermione's smile was bright. "That'd be great."

"Great," He replied after some hesitation as if surprised by her answer. He then seemed to sag in his seat, but no one noticed besides Harry since at that moment their waitress returned with their round of butterbeer, and was distributing them around the table. When Theodore got his from Neville, it came with a wink.

Harry smiled at his friend and nodded when he turned in his direction. He returned the gesture, looking a bit proud of himself, but also nauseous if Harry had to guess. Harry hoped that went away for his friend's sake. When they all had their bottles, Harry raised his towards his friends.

"Another toast towards friendship, Harry?" Tracey grinned, correctly guessing his intentions. A ripple of laughter followed from around the table as did murmurs of agreement.

Harry feigned a scowl while he lowered his bottle. "No," he lied, but that didn't fool anyone, "Fine," he admitted, rolling his eyes at the reaction that got from everyone else.

"There's nothing wrong with being thankful for friends," Hermione was always quick to remind them of that. She like him had grew up with little in ways of friends and their time in Hogwarts and the friendships that were forged meant as much to her as it did to Harry.

"Let's just drink them," Neville suggested, and they all agreed.

A/N:

Thank you for your patience. I won't lie and say there won't be lulls in this story's updating schedule because there will be, but I'm still focused on finishing this story.

If you have the time, please drop a review. Reading your comments is what gets me motivated and finding the time to keep this story going.

-Spectre4hire