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Broke student.

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Author's notes: Yes, this is the chapter with the dreaded slashy reference – someone admits to liking members of the opposite sex. *gasp* Don't flame - if you don't like it, close your eyes for that bit :-) Or just don't read this story, although you will be missing out on some good non-slashy bits… Flames will be used to light a BBQ for my dinner in this nice weather we are having… Read on and review please.

P.S. Sorry to those people who asked that this become a Harry/Hermione. It most certainly will NOT be a H/H, (a) because I have a separate plan for both of them (wahahaha! *cackles evilly*) and (b) because I am not a fan of that pairing so if I did try to write it, it would be a half-hearted and pathetic attempt. Sorry!

P.P.S. Chapters will be posted every Saturday and Tuesday (evenings) Australian time as that is the only time that I have guaranteed Net access (my Dad watches The Bill on those nights! *LOL*). Apologies for this chapter being late – I couldn't access ffn last night, I'm not sure why….

Ok, okay… you're sick of my babbling… on to the story!



Chapter Three – Confessions and Keeping Secrets



Keeping a secret could be ridiculously hard at times Harry mused. He had been making an effort to spend time with Ron and Hermione, who kept asking him about why he was grinning like an idiot. He was doing his best to hide his happiness, but he wished that he could just tell them what was going on. All he could say was "You'll find out tomorrow!".

Ron in particular was very suspicious. "You've been grinning non-stop since last night! What on earth has gotten into you? You…. you've got a secret girlfriend, haven't you! C'mon, who is she? 'Fess up, Harry!"

"Ron! If Harry does have a secret girlfriend, he probably wants to keep her a secret!" Hermione's logic was, as always, impeccable.

"Erm… no… I don't have a secret girlfriend, actually… I…erm… actually I…um… don't really go for girls… in that way…" He fell silent. The confession that he had been worried about had just slipped out. It hadn't been as bad as he had expected.

"Oh Harry… I didn't realise…Oh…" Ron was as eloquent as ever.

"Congratulations, Harry! I was wondering when you'd tell us. I'm glad you did!" Hermione reached over and hugged him. Harry grinned – he had suspected that Hermione knew, but she hadn't said a word about it.

"Oh my god! You…you've been grinning since you and my brothers came into the common room last night! Ewwwww…. you're dating the twins!"

Harry snorted. "Not exactly, Ron. Firstly, I'm pretty sure that they are both straight. Secondly, they are my best friend's brothers, and that's just WRONG! Thirdly, BOTH twins? Ick! Besides, they're really not my type…Sorry to disappoint you!"

Ron breathed an audible sigh of relief. "Thank god for that! So who's the lucky guy?"

"There is no lucky guy. At least, not yet… There's not really anyone in particular that I am interested in… just a couple of people that I was checking out…" Harry wasn't about to tell Ron that one of these good lookers was Malfoy. He didn't think Ron would be too happy with that confession, although he was fairly sure that Hermione had noticed Harry glancing at Malfoy from time-to-time, and if he wasn't wrong Hermione had been doing some glancing herself. He would love to see Ron's face if he heard about that!



Given the difficulty that he had experienced when trying to keep his news a secret, Harry was understandably pleased when the time came for Professor Dumbledore to make the announcement. The Gryffindors all trooped down for lunch together, although both Harry and the twins had noticeably large grins on their faces, and they were the only ones who did not look surprised when Professor Dumbledore stood up grandly before everyone started eating.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, certain problems at Hogwarts have recently been brought to my attention." Dumbledore spoke slowly and carefully, with every eye in the Grand Hall transfixed on him, and students were hanging on his every word. They looked at each other, bewildered. Problems? Were they going to get into trouble? Dumbledore paused to let the students ponder these questions, and then continued, with a twinkle in his eyes.

"There has been a noticeable lack of fun around this castle. Thus, to counteract this problem, we will be staging a Valentine's Ball here at Hogwarts…" he trailed off, unable to continue as the Great Hall filled with cheering and applause. He waited until the din had died down to a dull roar before continuing.

"Unfortunately, Hogwarts is unable to afford to pay for the musical entertainment that has been requested. I believe some of you may already be fans of the… ahem… Frankston Freaks?" Again, loud patches of cheering and applause flooded the hall, although Harry could see a lot of Muggle-borns looked confused at all the fuss.

"Certain students have arranged a fundraising venture to raise money to allow the Frankston Freaks to play here. After you all return from the Christmas break, we will be holding a Slave Auction here at Hogwarts. It will be open to staff and students, and you will all be able to bid for the services of a slave. They will be your property for one consecutive twenty- four hour period. Understandably, there will be certain rules attached to this event…" As the headmaster explained the rules to the student body, Harry looked around the Great Hall to gauge the reaction. From what he could tell, everyone was already looking forward to the slave auction and ball. He grinned. Their hard work was going to be worth it! There would be some relief from the stress and worry that had been abundant since the return of Lord Voldemort, and even if it was only for a short period of time then it was worth it, in Harry's opinion.

"Only students who are willing to act as slaves will do so. If you do not wish to be a slave for whatever reason, you can turn it down, no questions asked. However, please remember that this money is going to you all, so we need volunteers. Slaves can nominate themselves or be nominated by others. We will place a Lantern in the centre of the Entrance Hall, and you have until five pm Friday to submit names. At dinner on Friday night, I will read out the names that have been submitted. If I read out your name, please nod your head to agree, and shake your head if you do not want to participate as a slave. Students, we ask that you please DO NOT harass those students who do not wish to participate – please respect their choice. All staff and students are able to put their names in the Lantern of Lurve (he blushed a little as he said this), as there will be no age limits imposed. The auction itself will take place after Christmas vacation, so please save some of your Christmas money to buy a slave!" He smiled and his eyes twinkled brightly. "Slave duties will be performed in the time up to and including the Valentine's Ball. Slaves may be taken as dates to the Ball. If you violently object to this, please think wisely before submitting your name. That is all. Enjoy your meal." Professor Dumbledore sat down and immediately the loud sounds of chatter sprang up all over the hall.

At the Gryffindor table, Ron, Hermione, Seamus, Dean and Neville were all talking loudly about the announcement, whilst Harry, Fred and George listened on in amusement. Their grins had widened even more, if that was possible. Hermione noticed this, and looked like she was about to say something, until she snapped her mouth shut dramatically. Harry knew that she would ask him about what he knew, but that she would wait until they had more privacy. Suddenly Seamus rounded on Harry.

"Oi! Harry!"

Oh no! Now I am busted! If Seamus has worked it out then it's no longer a secret! Tact and discretion aren't really words that Seamus knows the meaning of…

"Yes, Seamus?" he asked sheepishly.

"I reckon that your legion of fans," (Harry cringed. He was glad Malfoy wasn't here to hear this!) "will put your name in for sure! But I don't think you have the guts to do it! You're way too scared! I bet ya 3 galleons that you can't go through with it!"

Harry thought about this bet for a second. Seamus didn't have to know that Harry was required to be a slave. And the three galleons would help the fundraising enormously… Besides, Seamus was a bit of a cutie, and Harry didn't want a reputation of being a scaredy-cat. He shuddered to think what Malfoy would make of that rumour, especially since Malfoy was still looking for a way to get revenge over the pink teddy bear rumour.

"You're on, Seamus! That money is as good as mine!" Harry said in the most cocky, Malfoy-like drawl that he could dredge up. Because, truth be told, Seamus was dead right. Harry was terrified. He could see the events progressing in his mind: the scary sixth-year girl who had invited him to the Yule Ball buying him and making him take her to the Valentines Ball, and making him (shudder!) dance the whole time, despite the fact that she was at least a foot taller than him. He shook his head to try and clear the awful images from his mind.

Please, God, don't let that happen to me! I can handle Lord Voldemort, but not that!