Part III: Revelation

Chapter II: In Which Terry Becomes a Gryffindor

It took longer than usual to get their schedules in order. Corinna had to wait for a few others to get their schedules sorted as they had to confirm what classes they were taking and that they had the necessary O.W.L.s to take them. "Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts are excellent, Miss Crouch," she said, "and I am relieved to see that you were able to study enough to get into Transfigurations, Herbology, and Charms. Here is your schedule."

To Corinna, it looked very light, but she was used to taking nine classes. With it nearly cut in half, it looked as if she had all the free time in the world. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case as she knew just how difficult their sixth and seventh years would be.

She trudged back up to the Gryffindor common room, which was filled with sixth and seventh years who had a free period. Harry and Ron were among them, but they were talking with Katy Bell about Quidditch. She tucked herself into an armchair in the corner, debating whether she should send a Patronus to Dora asking her if she was alright after Snape's infuriating comments last night, but she had only just produced a corporeal Patronus last year, and not even under the threat of any dementors. She wouldn't even know where to begin with sending one as a messenger.

She walked with the other sixth years down to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, where some of the students were already queued. Looking at the large amount of books she was carrying and all the homework she needed to do, Corinna was glad to have skipped out on Ancient Runes, something she doubt she would have taken even if she had gotten the necessary O.W.L. for it.

There was a lot of chatter among the group until Snape appeared to let them into the classroom. Everyone was silent as they filed inside and started taking out their books. When he instructed otherwise, he launch into a tirade about their lack of consistency (nothing new) and how he was surprised so many people qualified for N.E.W.T.s (all thanks to Harry). He then went on about nonverbal magic and how it can give the user a split-second advantage over their opponent.

Then, without much more explaining, they were sent into pairs to practice.

Corinna ended up with Parvati. She would normally end up with Neville, but it seemed that Hermione and Neville were partnered up and Terry stuck with one of his Ravenclaw friends. Since they were both in Harry's D.A. lessons last year, they were good at the shield charms and jinxes they were supposed to be thinking instead of saying. However, it turned out to be much, much harder to use nonverbal spells. Corinna and Parvati just ended up staring at each other for a few minutes, and Corinna couldn't help but wonder if Parvati was even trying, because Corinna certainly gave up.

Snape, however, called for the students' attention for a demonstration after the fact. He had chosen Harry, of course, since he was his favorite punching bag. Things went downhill fast when Harry yelled, "Protego!" instead of using nonverbal magic.

"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells?"

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

"There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor."

Corinna choked back a snort while Parvati drew her hand to her mouth in surprise. Snape, of course, would not tolerate such behavior and awarded Harry detention on Saturday night. It made her proud as she couldn't help but think that was something she wished she would have said to Umbridge last year.

After lunch, break, and free periods, Corinna queued up in the dungeons for their first potions lesson with Slughorn. This was the subject that Corinna was most excited for. She was really hoping that Slughorn didn't play favorites like Snape had with his Slytherins so that maybe, just maybe, her work might get more recognition.

It seemed that not many students managed to get the necessary O.W.L. to continue on with potions, but Corinna was relieved to see Terry among them. He spotted Corinna and seemed to debate within himself what he should do, but he never got the chance to act as Slughorn opened the door and ushered everyone inside, especially giving Harry and Zabini, a Slytherin boy who was on the Inquisitorial Squad last year with Corinna, an enthusiastic welcome. They gathered into the classroom, almost perfectly splitting up by house as the Slytherins and Ravenclaws took their own tables. The four Gryffindors allowed the lone Hufflepuff, Ernie Macmillan, to join them, so it meant that their table would be quite crowded.

"Oh, I thought you would want to join Terry," said Ernie, looking at Corinna in confusion. "Aren't you two dating?"

Corinna wasn't sure if it was all the vapors coming from the various cauldrons—particularly one that smelled of old books, a summer breeze, and something sweet that was oddly familiar to her—or the fact that people still somehow haven't heard that Terry was gay, but she couldn't help but laugh.

"We broke up in the beginning of fifth year," said Corinna, sniffling softly. "We're just friends."

She did not look over at Harry when she said that. She didn't want to know his reaction, if he even had one.

Before Ernie could say anything else, Slughorn called for their attention and took them to prepare their scales, potion kits, and copies of Advanced Potion-Making. Harry interrupted as he and Ron did not have anything as they did not know they would qualify for the N.E.W.T. Slughorn showed them over to the cupboard where there were a couple of battered copies and some rusty scales they could borrow until they could get their own by owl-order. Once that was settled, Slughorn went about asking what various potions were, all of which Hermione knew right away. Slughorn was more than impressed, and it seemed that he had already expected to look out for Hermione. Harry must have said something to Slughorn during their luncheon on the train.

"And now," said Slughorn, "it is time to work."

"Sir, you haven't told us what's in this one," said Ernie, pointing at the small cauldron on Slughorn's desk. It was full of what looked like molten gold. Even Corinna knew what that one was, but Slughorn simply called on Hermione without asking for anyone else to get a chance to answer.

"It's liquid luck. It makes you lucky!"

"Quite right," said Slughorn, "take another ten points for Gryffindor. Yes, it's a funny little potion, Felix Felicis. Desperately tricky to make, and disastrous to get wrong. However, if brewed correctly, as this has been, you will find that all your endeavors tend to succeed. At least, until the effects wear off."

"Why don't people drink it all the time, sir?" asked Terry.

"Because if taken in excess, it causes giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence. Too much of a good thing, you know. Highly toxic in large quantities. But taken sparingly, and very occasionally, can give you a seemingly perfect day. And that is what I shall be offering as a prize in this lesson. One tiny bottle of Felix Felicis." He pulled out a small corked vial full of the golden liquid inside. "Enough for twelve hours' luck. From dawn until dusk, you will be lucky in everything you attempt." Slughorn added one last warning on how Felix Felicis is banned for certain events such as organized competitions, examinations, or elections. "So the is to use it on an ordinary day only. And watch how that ordinary day becomes extraordinary!"

In order to win the Felix Felicis, they would need to brew Draught of Living Death. A complex potion compared to what they have done in previous years, but with something on the line like liquid luck, it would need to be something that was difficult.

Corinna opened her book and turned to the right page. Her heart sank slightly as she looked over the instructions. It was definitely much more complex than what she would have expected for their first day of Potions, but she was not daunted. She was going to win that liquid luck.

Although she started off well enough with her potion starting off as the color of currant and then lilac when she added the cut up bean, chopping it up as small as possible to get the juice she would need. She stirred it counterclockwise, making it turn pink but it never seemed to lighten up as it was supposed to as she stirred. Before she could believe it, Slughorn was calling for time and telling everyone to stop stirring.

Corinna was pleased herself when she looked over at Hermione's and saw that hers was still lilac. Her chest swelled with happiness that she had actually managed to have a better potion than the girl that was best in their year.

Their table was the last to be inspected and Slughorn stood behind Corinna when he announced that there was a clear winner. "Excellent, excellent, Harry!" Corinna's jaw dropped when she heard that. "Good lord, it's clear you've inherited your mother's talent. She was a dab hand at Potions, Lily was! Here you are, then, here you are—one bottle of Felix Felicis, as promised, and use it well!"

Corinna told Terry to meet at their spot in the library after dinner on their way out of the classroom. He didn't acknowledge her, but he showed up at their table, looking surprised. He still sat down across from her as she pulled out the potions homework out of her bag.

"Harry Potter!" said Corinna almost shrilly. "How the hell did he get the liquid luck? He was rubbish at potions, and I refuse to believe that he's suddenly that good at potions as soon as Snape left."

"Yeah, I expected it to be Granger."

"I had a better potion than her!" That earned them a shush from Madame Pince. She breathed out a tense sigh and lowered her voice. "Hers was still lilac. Sure, mine wasn't pale like Harry's was, but it was at least pink!"

Terry wasn't certain if he should laugh or just agree with her. He opted for a completely different route. "So, are we just going to ignore what happened last night?"

"Sorry," said Corinna. "You're the only person I can complain about something like this." She sighed heavily. "And I'm sorry about what I said last night. I didn't mean to belittle your parents' concerns in regards to their blood status."

"And I shouldn't have used yours against you, either," said Terry. "I think we were both a bit tetchy given what's been going on. Just my parents and I had a row about it just before we went to the platform."

"Agree that we both sucked last night and that we should have a do over?"

Terry nodded. "So, does this mean you no longer fancy him?"

"Did you at least tell your parents you're gay?"

Terry made a face. "Touché, Crouch. Touché. But, if you must know, yes, I told them. There were tears, they hugged me, and now they are constantly asking me whenever I mention a bloke if we are dating. It is so annoying, and I wouldn't change it for the world."

"Bet not," Corinna agreed. "Did you know that Ernie Macmillan thought we were still dating?"

Terry snorted. "Doesn't surprise me. Macmillan doesn't really see much past his nose."

Their apologies may not have been perfect, but Corinna learned that she should no longer dwell on such things. Her friendship with Terry was much too important. Especially in the coming weeks when the amount of homework was mounting. Professors were making them study as if they had an exam every other day and it was hard to keep up when in class. Even her two best subjects—Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts—were falling behind with those that she normally had to work harder at.

In fact, it all seemed to blend into one another until Herbology a fortnight later. Terry had just escaped from the Venomous Tentacula they were working with that term when one of the Auror's stationed at Hogsmeade—Savage, maybe?—came rushing in and whispered urgently to Sprout. She immediately paled under her dirt-covered face. She went over to Hannah Abbott, who had been working at the table next to Corinna and Terry. Although Sprout intended for Hannah to be the only one who heard, they heard her whisper that her mother was found dead and immediately rushed her out as the shock settled in. It was the first time they had seen one of them leave class for something like this.

There were whispers of others being pulled, and it happening to others, and not just Hannah. Although he would not admit as much, but Terry had been sending and receiving near-daily letters from his parents to reassure the other that they were still safe. Corinna had only sent and received a few letters from Aunt Andromeda and Uncle Ted as October reared its ugly head with a sharp chill in the air. However, they knew more about what was going on than most since Dora was not only stationed in Hogsmeade, but she was also part of the Order. They only one they really had to worry about was Uncle Ted, but Aunt Andromeda reassured in her last correspondence that they were trying to make an arrangement with St. Mungo's so they would have the same shifts so they could travel back and forth together.

Corinna was surprised to see the announcement on the common room bulletin board letting third years and up know that there was going to be a Hogsmeade weekend. She was certain that those would be cancelled, but there were plenty of Aurors running around and many of the teachers chaperoned in Hogsmeade weekends past. It was probably just as safe as staying in the castle.

But, as they trudged down the lane after getting poked and prodded by Filch's secrecy sensor, they were probably better off staying in the castle. The bitter wind tore through all the layers of protection that Corinna and Terry wore. Everyone was hunched against the wind as they fought to get to Hogsmeade proper where they would be somewhat protected by the buildings.

"Where to first?" Terry asked as the looked about the lane. It was sad to see Zonko's boarded up. They were a staple and the only reason why the Weasley twins hadn't expanded into Hogsmeade even if they would make a killing. There was always Honeydukes or Madam Puddifoot's. Even the Three Broomsticks didn't seem to hold much appeal.

"Wotcher, Corinna!"

"Dora!" Corinna turned to see her cousin, who was still sporting the same brown hair and looking even more tired than she had a few weeks ago when she rescued Harry off the train. "Dora, this is Terry Boot who I've talked about. Terry, this is my cousin."

"You can call me Tonks," she said as she shook Terry's hand. "Boot, huh? By any chance related to Reece and Jessica Boot?"

"Yeah, they're my parents," he admitted. When Corinna looked confused, he continued. "They work in administration for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Which is probably how Tonks knows them."

"They are constantly complaining about how bad I am at paperwork," said Dora. "I would recommend getting inside somewhere. The wind is brutal. No point in all of us having to stand out in this."

"Do you have to?" asked Corinna.

"Gotta make sure nothing happens to these snot-nosed brats. It was nice to meet you, Terry." Dora waved them off as they continued down the lane. They ducked into the Three Broomsticks and elbowed their way to an empty table off to the side.

"The way you described your cousin," said Terry as he managed to unwind his scarf, "I imagined she would look cooler."

"She's been having a rough time," said Corinna, and she realized she hadn't even thought to ask about Lupin before they were ushered away. "Hasn't been in a colorful mood, if you know what I mean."

Terry battled his way to the bar and came back with a couple of butterbeers. "I tried to order food, but Madame Rosmerta laughed and moved to the next customer." He uncorked his bottle but made no move to drink it. He glanced over at a table tucked into the corner. There was Dean Thomas and Ginny Weasley snogging, but not to far from the table was Seamus Finnegan, scowling and kept giving the couple dirty looks. "Poor bloke," he said.

Corinna didn't have much of an opinion on Seamus, other than she had a hard time understand a word he said at the end of last year because of her ruptured ear drum. But, with the way that Terry kept glancing over at him, she had a feeling she was going to need to have more of an opinion on him.

"So," said Corinna in a slight sing-song tone, "interested in anyone?"

Terry glared at Corinna, and he knew immediately that the jig was up. "Listen, he's in your house. Do you know if he, you know, chases for the same team I do?"

"I don't know," she admitted as she toyed with her glass. "He went stag with Dean during the Yule Ball, and I haven't even heard of him being interested in anyone."

"So, there's a chance that he's into blokes," said Terry, suddenly looking very nervous.

"Just go over there and talk to him," said Corinna. "There's no harm in just talking to him."

"So, when are you going to take your own advice?"

"After you show me how it's done. How about this? You go over there and talk to Seamus, and I'll go talk to Harry." Harry, Ron, and Hermione weren't sitting too far from them. "Deal?"

Terry swallowed thickly but shook Corinna's hand all the same. "I'll show you how it's done," he promised. "And then I will go and distract Granger and Weasley for you. I'll make them start bickering or something." He drained his glass and stood up from the table. "Wish me luck, Crouch!"

"Good luck," said Corinna as Terry marched right over to Seamus. She couldn't hear over the din of the other patrons, but she saw that some of the anger on Seamus's face seemed to dissipate as Terry talked to him. Eventually, he sat down across from him and they were immediately engrossed in conversation.

She didn't know how Terry could just do something like that. He was still nervous, but he had overcame his fear and went for it, and he's in Ravenclaw. Corinna was supposed to be the brave one. Sure, if the sorting went differently, she might have ended up in cunning Slytherin. Would that have made her life any better?

There was a sharp scraping noise of a bench being moved. Corinna looked over to where the offending noise emanated from and saw that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were leaving the pub. She left a note under her half-finished butterbeer bottle telling Terry that she left on her own volition and that they would meet back up at the castle. She shot up from her table and hadn't even put all her warm clothes back on before braving back outside.

She saw the three of them going down the lane back towards Hogwarts. It seemed that others also wanted to take refuge at the castle as there were a couple of other Gryffindors just ahead of them. Corinna immediately followed after them, keeping a few paces between them so she could hear if they even said a word.

Sleet was coming down fast now and Corinna had never been more grateful for the waterproof winter gear that Dora had bought her for Christmas last year. If only she could do something about the slosh whipping at her face. She smeared it away just as she saw one of the Gryffindors ahead of Harry, Ron, and Hermione start to rise up as if greeting the sky like a friend. Her arms were outstretched and her hair was jostling around in the wind. She almost looked peaceful. Until she reached about six feet off the ground and started screaming in agony.

The other Gryffindor girl was tugging on the floating girl's ankles, and the other four jumped in to help. Harry and Ron, being the tallest, managed to get her down and catch her, but she was writhing and screaming, making it hard for them to hold on. They gently laid her down and Harry ran to get help.

Corinna gave her a cursory glance and couldn't see any sort of injury on the girl—who she now identified as Katie Bell. She just seemed to be in immense pain and would not stop shaking.

After what felt like an eternity, Harry came back with Hagrid in tow. The half-giant immediately took charge and picked Katie up to take her up to the castle. Her screams faded into the distance before Hagrid's figure had.

"It's Leanne, isn't it?" asked Hermione tentatively to Katie's friend. She nodded. "Did it just happen all of a sudden, or?"

"It was when the package tore," sobbed Leanne. She pointed to the ground where a brown package laid there with what looked like a gold chain spilling out.

When Ron went to pick it up, Harry hissed for him to not touch it. Since none of them wanted to get to close to it, Corinna brought out her wand. "Wingardium Leviosa," she said, and the necklace rose from the ground. It was an ornate opal necklace.

"I've seen that before," said Harry. "It was on display in Borgin and Burkes ages ago. The label said it was cursed. Katie must have touched it. How did Katie get a hold of this?"

"That's what we were arguing about," said Leanne, shaking uncontrollably. "She came out of the bathroom in the Three Broomsticks holding it. She said it was a surprise for somebody at Hogwarts and she had to deliver it. She looked all funny when she said it. Oh, no! I bet she'd been Imperiused and I didn't realize!" She began to sob hard now as they wracked her body, similar to how Katie had been acting. Hermione gently placed a hand on her back in comfort. After Harry's question about who had given it to her, she shook her head. "No, she wouldn't tell me. And I said she was being stupid and not take it up to school, but she just wouldn't listen. I tried to grab it from her, and…and…" She let out a wail of despair.

"We'd better get up to school," said Hermione. "We'll be able to find out how she is. Come on."

With a slight huff of annoyance, Corinna muttered a "Locomotor necklace," and the five of them made their way up to the castle.

"Malfoy knows about the necklace," said Harry, seemingly out of nowhere, at least to Corinna. Ron and Hermione, on the other hand, just looked annoyed. "It was in a case at Borgin and Burkes four years ago, I saw him having a good look at it while I was hiding from him and his dad. This is what he was buying that day when we followed him! He remembered it and he went back for it!"

"Loads of people go to Borgin and Burkes, and didn't that girl say Katie got it in the girls' bathroom?"

"She said she came back from the bathroom with it, she didn't necessarily get it in the bathroom itself—"

"McGonagall!"

McGonagall was hurrying down the stone steps to meet them. "Hagrid says you five saw what happened to Katie Bell—upstairs to my office at one, please! What's that you are levitating, Crouch?"

"It's the thing she touched, Professor."

"Good lord, said McGonagall as she magicked a handkerchief and used it to take the necklace from Corinna. "No, no, Filch, they're with me!" He was ready with the Secrecy Sensor, and Corinna felt a ghost prod near her—"Take this necklace to Professor Snape at once, but be sure not to touch it, keep it wrapped up."

They all followed McGonagall upstairs and into her office. She closed the door behind them and swept around to face the five of them. Hermione still had her arms around a still-sobbing Leanne.

"Well? What happened?"

Leanne tried to explain what happened, but she could hardly speak around her gasping sobs. She got through some of the story that she explained to the others, but at some point it seemed that her voice gave out. Eventually, McGonagall dismissed her to get a calming draught from Pomfrey. After she left the room, McGonagall turned back to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Corinna. "What happened when Katie touched the necklace?"

"She rose up in the air," said Harry quickly, "and then began to scream, and collapsed. Professor, can I see Professor Dumbledore, please?"

"The headmaster is away until Monday, Potter."

"Away?"

"Yes, Potter, away! But anything you have to say about this horrible business can be said to me, I'm sure!"

Harry seemed to hesitate a moment as he looked between McGonagall and his friends. Corinna wasn't sure about the hesitancy until he finally said, "I think Draco Malfoy gave Katie that necklace, Professor."

It was immediately evident that Ron and Hermione did not agree with such an accusation. Corinna was simply confused.

"That is a very serious accusation, Potter. Do you have any proof?"

"No, but…" Harry went on to explain that him, Ron, and Hermione had followed Malfoy to Borgin and Burkes and a conversation that they overheard between him and Borgin. Corinna realized that this was the reason why they couldn't find them during that moment of panic at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

"Malfoy took something to Borgin and Burkes for repair?"

"No, Professor, he just wanted Borgin to tell him how to mend something, he didn't have it with him. But that's not the point, the thing is that he bought something at the same time, and I think it was that necklace."

"You saw Malfoy leaving the shop with a similar package?"

"No, Professor, he told Borgin to keep it in the shop for him—"

"But, Harry," said Hermione, "Borgin asked him if he wanted to take it with him, and Malfoy said no—"

"Because he didn't want to touch it, obviously!"

"What he actually said was, 'How would I look carrying that down the street?'"

"Well, he would look a bit of a prat carrying a necklace," said Ron.

"Oh, Ron," said Hermione, "it would be all wrapped up, so he wouldn't have to touch it, and quite easy to hide inside a cloak, so nobody would see it! I think whatever he reserved at Borgin and Burkes was noisy or bulky, something he knew would draw attention to him if he carried it down the street. And in any case," she said loudly to prevent Harry from interrupting, "I asked Borgin about the necklace, don't you remember? When I went in to try and find out what Malfoy had asked him to keep, I saw it there. And Borgin just told me the price, he didn't say it was already sold or anything—"

"Well, you were being really obvious, he realized what you were up to within about five seconds, of course he wasn't going to tell you. Anyway, Malfoy could've sent off for it since—"

"That's enough!" said McGonagall, looking furious. "Potter, I appreciate you telling me this, but we cannot point the finger of blame at Mr. Malfoy purely because he visited the shop where his necklace might have been purchased. The same is probably true of hundreds of people. And in any case, we have put stringent security measures in place this year. I do not believe that necklace can possibly have entered this school without our knowledge. And what is more," she added before Harry could interrupt, "Mr. Malfoy was not in Hogsmeade today."

"How do you know, Professor?" asked Harry, gaping at McGonagall.

"Because he was doing detention with me. He has now failed to complete his Transfiguration homework twice in a row. So, thank you for telling me your suspicions, Potter, but I need to go up to the hospital wing now to check on Katie Bell. Good day to you all."

Corinna met Terry at the library that evening. As much as she wanted to know what happened to Terry and Seamus after she left the Three Broomsticks, word had gotten around what happened to Katie Bell and that she was one of the witnesses. She explained to him what they found out, but she decided to omit what Harry said about Malfoy. She didn't know yet how to interpret that one.

"All the exciting things happen to you when I'm not around," said Terry as he took in the information. "You have no idea who gave it to her?"

"Nope," said Corinna. "Her friend, Leanne, didn't even know. She went into the bathroom without the necklace and then came back out of it with it. Whatever it is has some really dark magic. It was…it was scary, actually." At the moment, they had just focused on getting Katie help and then explaining what happened.

"I just hope that Madam Pomfrey can help her," said Terry softly. "And Katie's young and healthy. She should be able to bounce back once they figure out what that necklace was cursed with."

"I hope so," Corinna agreed with a sigh. She looked up at Terry who had a slight flush to his cheeks. "Anything interesting happen once I left the Three Broomsticks?"

Terry looked conflicted as he considered what to tell Corinna. "We just talked," he admitted, but his shifty eyes said otherwise.

"About?"

"Stuff." Terry was definitely acting cagey now. "I don't have to tell you everything."

"You don't," said Corinna, needing to hear something good after what she had just witnessed. "Just throw me a bone."

"You just can't say anything, alright? It's not my place to say." Terry straightened up slightly and looked at Corinna. "He is into blokes, but he's still trying to come to terms with it. I just told him that I'm here for him if he needs to talk." He gave Corinna a look. "Don't say anything to anyone, alright? I said I wouldn't go bragging about it."

"You know your secret is safe with me," said Corinna. "Look at how many I have to keep on a daily basis and no one is the wiser? And this is Hogwarts we're talking about." She gave Terry a look. "Just…don't push Seamus, okay? He needs to come to terms with this on his own time."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm telling you that you can be a pushy git at times."

Terry scoffed. "Yeah, if I'm so damn pushy, how come you and Harry aren't together?"

"Can you say that just a little bit louder?" Corinna asked as Madam Pince gave them a warning "shh." "I don't think everyone in the library caught that."

It seemed that the enchantment was too much as word got around the next day that Katie was being sent to St. Mungo's. Hourly updates were being sent to the school on how she was doing, but it seemed that she will not be out in time for the Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch match. Harry asked Dean to replace Katie, which, according to Terry, has put Seamus in a sour mood.

As much as she was happy that Terry had found someone, she noticed how their time together seemed to be nonexistent over the next few weeks. She tried not to be jealous as she found herself studying in the common room while Terry and Seamus took over their usual table. Maybe now people will quit assuming that her and Terry were dating.

The morning of the match, Corinna gave a quick good luck to Harry as she passed by him to sit down. She honestly debated about going to the match today. She only really went before as Terry would drag her along and he would cheer on either Ravenclaw or whoever would be best (or worst, depending on how one looked at it) for Ravenclaw. It seemed that Seamus took the tiptoe-out-of-the-closet-and-hope-people-don't-notice approach as he very willingly hung out with Terry between classes and Corinna had noticed them a couple of times snogging in not-so hidden places.

But Corinna also did not want to deny herself the chance of watching Harry fly around on his broomstick. There was something about the way he flew around on the broom like he was always meant to be up there. He had an odd sort of grace about him that she enjoyed watching.

Her need to watch Harry outweighed her disinterest in the sport as she walked with the rest of the school up to the quidditch pitch. The conditions were good for quidditch as it was clear but not too sunny. As she found a spot in the top row, she found Terry and Seamus down a few rows, pressed together as was necessary for the crowds, but Corinna didn't think that holding hands was necessary. Then again, she didn't think that was necessary when she dated Terry.

Oh, Merlin, Corinna thought desperately, I'm the jealous ex-girlfriend!

She tried to focus on the match but between watching Harry, listening to Zacharias Smith's obnoxious commentary, and actively trying not to look at Terry and Seamus, she found herself at a loss as to what even was going on. It completely went over her head that Ron was actually being a good keeper from the get-go. Before she even realized it, Harry had caught the snitch and Ginny purposefully veered into the commentator's box to crash into Zacharias.

Corinna hung back as she let most of the crowd, especially the Gryffindor's, go through first. She heard that there was a party in the common room to celebrate such an amazing win, but she couldn't help but notice how Harry seemed a bit disheartened as he was walking out of the locker room.

She gave one last glance at the crowd, knowing that Terry and Seamus were among them. Deciding to finally be a Gryffindor, she went against the grain and made her way to Harry. "Hey," she said with a bright smile. "That was a great game, Harry!"

He seemed surprised that Corinna had come up to him about something like this. "Thanks," he said. "Did you here that there's a party in the common room?"

"Yeah, I did," she said with a slight shrug. "But, you don't seem so keen on going."

"It's just…it's Ron and Hermione," he muttered. "They have been at each other's throats for weeks now. I am honestly getting sick of it."

"What happened?" asked Corinna. Not exactly how she imagined the conversation going, but she went with it.

"It all started with that stupid Slug Club thing," said Harry. "Both Hermione and I were invited and I have been purposefully scheduling practices so I wouldn't have to go and Ron wouldn't be left out. But, now there's this stupid Christmas party that he's hosting where he's making it so I have to go. We can invite a guest outside the club. Hermione was going to invite Ron, but he was being a prick, and now they have been in this endless row ever since."

"I'm sorry," said Corinna with a pang of sympathy.

Harry huffed in annoyance. "I was hoping that doing this thing today would bring them back together, but instead it tore them apart."

"Can I ask what you thought would be a good idea?"

"I pretended to slip Felix Felicis into Ron's mug to make him think he was lucky and instead he was able to not focus on his insecurities and be the good keeper that he is when he gets out of his own head."

"But you actually pretended, right?" asked Corinna.

"Yes, I know it's illegal," said Harry.

"Just making sure," said Corinna. "I know how you can be with rules."

"Like I told you last year. Breaking rules kind of just happens."

"'There's no need to call me sir, Professor,'" Corinna quoted, doing her best to sound like Harry did when he said it.

Harry nudged Corinna and she couldn't help but smile. She was finding it much easier to talk to him than she would have thought. They were already at the shadow of the castle and it felt like no time had passed. The last thing she wanted to do was go to the common room party, but it seemed that they were naturally heading that way.

"You spitting in Umbridge's face was still better," said Harry, and he glanced over at Corinna. "You got to do what everyone else wanted."

"That did feel good."

A companionable silence fell over them. It was nice. Corinna wasn't scrambling to try to fill the void, but she did keep feeling Harry's eyes on her, so she felt like she needed to say something else.

"What are you planning on doing with the Felix Felicis?" asked Corinna. "Instead of pretending to put it in your friend's morning tea."

"I don't know," Harry admitted as he pulled the bottle out of his pocket. "Probably save it for something really special, I suppose." He put it back in his pocket, as if afraid of leaving out of it's hiding place for too long. "What would you have done if you got it?"

The anger Corinna had initially felt that first class dissipated as she watched Harry continue to be brilliant at potions. At least Slughorn has acknowledged her work more than Snape ever had in the last five years, and he particularly enjoyed her essay on Everlasting Elixirs.

The thing was, she knew exactly what she would have used the potion for, she just couldn't tell Harry the truth without betraying what Dora told her. How, if she had won it, she would have given it to Dora to take before she talked to Lupin. "Like you said. Probably save it for something special, whatever that ends up being."

Corinna wasn't really paying attention to where they were going, but it seemed that they were taking the long way to the dormitory, which she was perfectly okay with. Except, of course, when they heard tweeting coming from an empty classroom. Confused, Harry pushed the door open and they stepped inside. "Hermione?" he asked as the door automatically closed behind them.

Hermione was sitting there with yellow birds circling around her head. She must have just conjured them up, and Corinna tried to suppress her jealousy. She could barely conjure one and, even then, it didn't act bird-like.

"Oh, hello, Harry, Corinna. I was just practicing."

"Yeah, there's really good," Harry said hesitantly.

There was an odd silence falling over the three of them and Corinna was wondering if she should make her excuses to leave when Hermione said, "Ron seems to be enjoying the celebrations."

"Er…does he?"

"Don't pretend you didn't see him," said Hermione. "He wasn't exactly hiding it, was—"

Before they could explain that they hadn't even set foot in the common room yet, the door was yanked open. Corinna let her jaw drop when she saw Ron came in, laughing, and pulling Lavender Brown by the hand.

"Oh," he said, stopping short when he saw Harry, Hermione, and Corinna.

"Oops!" said Lavender, giggling in a way that made Corinna wonder if she had somehow known to go into this particular classroom. She slid back out from the classroom and let the door close again. Corinna wished she could have made her exit like that.

The tension was palpable as they all seemed to look at each other and not at each other.

Ron, who refused to look at Hermione who was glaring at him with enough intensity to burn him, said with a surprise amount of bravado, "Hi, Harry! Wondered where you'd got to!"

Corinna almost wished it was her place to smack him in the arm for being so thick.

Hermione slid off the desk and the birds still circled around her. "You shouldn't leave Lavender waiting outside," she said, dangerously quiet. "She'll wonder where you've gone."

The look in Hermione's eye told Corinna that Ron's relief was going to be short lived. She pointed her wand at him and yelled, "Oppungo!" The yellow birds started attack Ron, pecking and clawing whatever they could reach. Hermione wrenched open the door and Corinna heard a slight sob before the door fully closed again.

Corinna looked back over at Harry who seemed to be at a loss as to what he was going to do about his two best friends fighting.

"I'll go talk to Hermione," said Corinna gently. "I'm sure those birds will disappear soon."

Harry just mumbled his thanks as he turned his attention to Ron.

Corinna went into the common room and found Hermione in their dormitory with her curtains drawn up around her bed and crying softly. She quietly closed the door behind her and tiptoed over. "Hermione?" she called out gently.

"Go away!"

She didn't say anything as she went over to her trunk and pulled out the small tin. "I have some homemade biscuits," she said as she sat on the edge of her bed and looked over at Hermione's. "They're peanut butter. My aunt made them."

There was a loud sniffle followed by some shuffled. Hermione pulled the curtain partway open so she could see Corinna. Her eyes were already red rimmed from crying, her face blotchy. "I'd like that, thanks."

Corinna held the tin out so Hermione could grab one. Or three, as it seemed.

Hermione kept saying disjointed statements while shoving the biscuits into her mouth. "So thick—emotional range of a teaspoon—flouting around with that…that—" She said something that Corinna never would have thought Hermione would ever say.

Corinna, smartly, did not say a word. She just let Hermione go on and say whatever she thought needed to be said.

"But, fine," she finally said, "if he wants to be childish, two can play at that game!"

"Hermione?" said Corinna cautiously. "What are you talking about?"

"Thanks for the biscuits," said Hermione, closing the curtains back over her bed.

Corinna stared at the fluttering curtains. She felt like she should say something else, but she was at a loss as to what to say to her at the moment. Instead, she put the tin of biscuits on Hermione's nightstand, and made her way back down to the party. By then, someone had snuck in some fire whiskey and she gladly took a glass.