Title: The Heirs of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff
Harry watched the hallway outside the Hufflepuff common room carefully. He had been able to cast the spell on Aislinn before she and Justin had gone into the dorm, but there hadn't been time to cast it on Justin before they entered the dorm.
"So that scratches Aislinn off our list." Hermione whispered, "Let's hope that Ginny and Ron got both of their targets."
"I wouldn't use the word target around Justin. Remember second year?"
"Fondly. I was one of those unfortunate stiffs, remember?"
Harry chuckled, "How could I forget? I got blamed for the whole thing."
At that moment, Ginny and Ron crept up behind Harry and Hermione. "So how did it go?" Harry asked.
"No dice." Ron answered. "Leo and Cole both had black auras. How about you guys?"
"Let's just hope that Justin has a yellow aura then." Hermione stated.
The door to the Hufflepuff door swung open to reveal Justin and Aislinn. They peeked into the corridor and then went to the left toward some of the unused classrooms. Harry pushed away from the wall near their hiding place and slowly followed them. He could feel Hermione behind him. He could hear her whisper the spell.
Instantly a pale gold light filled the hallway, visible only to Harry and Hermione. But something went wrong. Aislinn turned around and spotted them as well as the yellow light from Justin's aura.
"Justin! What are you doing?"
He turned around and tried to figure out what Aislinn was talking about. He spotted Harry and Hermione as well. "What's wrong, Aislinn?"
"You're yellow!" Aislinn whispered.
"I'm what?"
Harry raced forward and smiled at Justin. He wanted to put the two friends at ease. "Hey, Justin. Aislinn's right. You're yellow. We did it. We're sorry."
Justin looked Harry over carefully. "It was an accident?"
"Not totally. But we'll say it was for now, okay?"
Hermione glared at Harry. She tried to understand why he was scaring Justin. "Harry's joking, Justin. It was an accident. I was trying to show him a new spell I learned from Professor Binns. I must have got it wrong. It wasn't supposed to turn you yellow."
Justin sighed in relief. "Thanks. We'll see you later then."
Harry watched Justin pull Aislinn away down the hall. "So I guess we've only got one Heir left."
"How are we going to figure out who isn't supposed to be in Gryffindor?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know. Think of the virtues that Rowena Ravenclaw looked for in her students. She wanted them to be intelligent to a fault…"
Hermione continued, "Intelligent to the point of insanity… even for me. 'These belong in Ravenclaw; each has a ready mind where those of wit and learning will always find their kind.'"
"What scares me is that you know that exact quote." Harry shuddered as the two friends caught up to Ginny and Ron.
"What quote?" Ginny asked.
"The Ravenclaw section of our first Sorting Hat song." He responded.
Ron reached out and took Hermione's hand. He tried to ignore the smug looks on Harry and Ginny's faces. "Leave it to Hermione, the living encyclopedia."
"Funny." Hermione smiled. "Maybe I should reconsider our little arrangement."
Ron spun around and tried to come up with a valid retort but try as he might, nothing came to his mind. Finally he simply tweaked Hermione's nose and took off down the hall.
Hermione glared at her friend-turned-boyfriend. She excused herself and dashed off after him.
"So… do you think they'll grow up anytime soon?"
Harry snickered at Ginny's comment. "Never would be too soon."
"I agree." Ginny tucked her wand into her pocket. "What happened to make Hermione go for Ron?"
Harry suddenly was nervous. "We talked. That's all."
"Really? You told her to talk to Ron?" Ginny asked in awe.
"Yeah. We talked about a lot of stuff. I really don't want to rehash it right now."
"Oh, okay. Well, I have to go to the owlery to send Pig back home. My mum wrote the twins and told them to behave themselves this year. She's letting Ron and I fib on them."
Harry smiled at the redhead. Her eyes were lit up again. He could tell that she enjoyed getting Fred and George back for the years of torment she had to put up with. And he knew that Ron was enjoying it as well. "What did they do this time?"
"There was a rumor about Fred and Angelina."
"That's all?" Harry was confused.
"You knew about that?" Ginny gasped.
"We all did." Harry replied. "We couldn't help it. They weren't exactly into hiding it… especially after every game we won. They were horrid in the locker room."
Ginny shook her head in disbelief. "Ron swore he didn't know."
"He didn't. Only the team did." Harry looked at his friend conspiratorially. "I can give you something else, though."
"What?"
"George has been seen with… well, with a couple of girls."
"Nothing you could tell me would beat Percy and Penelope." Ginny laughed.
"How about George and Angelina?"
Ginny shrieked. The people walking around them in the hallway looked at the couple and continued on their way. "Angelina is seeing both of them?"
"Angelina is trying to scare the wits out of Fred."
"She's evil."
"I know." Harry tried not to think of how Angelina had discovered his crush on Ginny and was now trying to make him ask her out. "She should've been in Slytherin."
"No one should be in Slytherin. Nobody's ever done anything to deserve that."
Harry was surprised. "You sure?"
"Maybe Tom deserved it… and probably Draco. But that's about it."
"You're too nice for your own good, Gin."
"Thanks." Ginny quickly hugged Harry and turned away to go to the owlery. He watched her walk away and wished he had the guts to call out her name. He sighed and cursed himself. He would just have to wait and see what Professor Lupin had to say.
******
Harry,
It has been a while since we last talked, but I want you to feel like you can write me anytime. I am always here for you. Your question was NOT odd at all. It makes sense that you would wonder about P and I in reference to your parents. From my point of view, P feels like a piece of his soul is missing.
He not only lost his best friend, but he also feels the blame that so many have placed upon him (and yes, I WAS one of them). I've come across plenty of people who hate what I am, Snape included. I can't imagine being P with the ghosts of your parents hanging over him.
You've heard the expression about being a third wheel? I sometimes felt like that. But Lady Lil, as P liked to call her, was one of my closest friends. There were just some things that I felt I could only tell your mother.
Some of those things your father never knew and your godfather still does not know. I loved Lily with all of my heart. She was my intellectual equal… my sister… my saving grace. I remember her as a docile, fragile creature. But P has a different story about Lady Lil.
Whenever your father wouldn't have time for P's games, Lily was an eager substitute. There was only one person she refused to torment… Severus Snape. He was the only one to escape Lily's tricks. And I'm sure that even Snape doesn't know why.
There was only one time that Lily actually hated P. When James told Lily and I about finding Snape at the Willow, Lily hunted P out and punched him. He had a black eye for days afterward.
I've thought about how to explain P's feelings about Lily for a few days. When the Ministry read the charges against P, he was a blank slate. Even when confronted with what happened to James, P was a rock.
Harry noticed that the letter was tear-stained in this paragraph. He continued.
He sobbed when Lily's name was read. I've never seen P cry. NEVER. I have no doubt that P worshipped Lily. He once, jokingly before James had asked Lily to marry him, told James that he thought he would have to make Lily an honest woman if James didn't hurry. And after the Willow incident, P never got on Lily's bad side again.
James was a different story. He was fair game for P's jokes… especially when Lily was involved. Just to aggravate your father, there were many times that P and Lily got 'caught' snogging in the common room.
P and James were brothers in every sense of the word save for name. If your father was in need of P's unique services, P would never hesitate. And that included being your godfather.
My relationship with James was a little more complicated. I think that I was to James what Hermione is to you… a smart kid who just happens to be fun a lot of the time. No matter what, to your father, I was the smart one. He may have been Head Boy, but he always asked me questions if he didn't know the answers.
The one thing that sticks in my mind is what he did for me when he and P found out about me. P may have been the one to suggest the solution, but James was the one who convinced him that I was worth it as a friend. Lily called me the peacemaker. She claimed that I was the moderator between James and P. Maybe I was. But most often I found myself siding with James. I'll be honest with you, Harry. I cried when I found out what had happened. And for a few months I honestly believed that somehow… P had betrayed them.
Lily would have despised me for that. Especially with what she knew. But I think that the question you asked wasn't what you wanted answered. I think you want to know how we feel about you. Am I right?
Harry, it hurts P that he can't be with you. He loves you for being a part of James and Lily and for being yourself. And that is something special. If he could take you away from Lily's sister, he would in a heartbeat. And if it were legal for me to do so, I would.
So much would have been different if James and Lily were here. Maybe I would have had the courage to tell P what I've wanted to tell him for years. And maybe you wouldn't doubt the people who love you. If wishes were horses…
Harry, P and I do love you. Do NOT ever doubt that. And if I could leave you with only one piece of advice about this love of your life… it would be 'don't end up like me.' Harry, I'll make a deal with you. If you can overcome this and end up with this person, I will do what I should have done years ago. I will confess all to P. Not that it would change anything.
With love,
Moony
Harry looked at the letter and wiped at his eyes. What Professor Lupin had said about his parents… he had never known some of the stories. He knew it hurt Sirius to talk about his parents, and he had never been as comfortable talking with Professor Lupin as he was talking to Sirius.
He could see why Lupin had seemed to like Hermione so much. He was right. They were a lot alike. And he often drew parallels between Ron and Sirius. They both could be serious when it was needed, but they both liked to be at the center of attention.
He imagined that Ginny was like his mother… smart and pretty… and fun. He reread the last paragraph and was slightly confused. It made him feel better to know that Sirius and Lupin loved him. But what kind of deal was Lupin talking about. The implication… well, the way he spoke about Sirius made Harry wonder.
Could it be that Lupin had told Harry's mother that he was… gay? Harry didn't mind it at all. He just thought it was kind of cute in a 'mom- likes-dad' kind of way. You knew it went on, but that didn't mean that you needed to see it. It was enough to know it went on. And if Lupin liked Sirius, he hoped he'd have the guts to talk to Ginny if only to force Lupin to confess everything.
Harry smiled in a rather evil way. He had set himself on a course of action several hours ago before Lupin's letter had arrived. Now there was just extra incentive. He set the letter aside and took a deep breath. Ginny was downstairs in the common room. It was time. Time to do what he had dreamed of all summer. Time to beat Seamus to the punch.
******
Ginny looked over her notes. She had narrowed down some of the Gryffindors who could be the Ravenclaw Heir. It had to be someone smart. She also thought it would most likely be a female. All the other Heirs were men. "Damn sexist Founders!"
"What's wrong?" Hermione dropped down onto the couch.
"Nothing." Ginny sighed. "So what did you do to my beloved brother when you caught him?"
"I don't think you're old enough to know."
Ginny choked on the water she was drinking. "What!"
Hermione laughed, "Didn't think I had it in me?"
"To joke like that or to NOT joke like that?"
"Both."
Ginny shook her head, "No way. It was a good one though. You should try it with Harry."
"Speaking of Harry…" Hermione began.
"Don't go there, Hermione. Please." Ginny shifted uneasily on the couch.
"Ginny, what's wrong?"
Hermione watched the redhead stare at her small hands. She could tell that Ginny was uncomfortable talking about Harry. But she also could tell that it was for a different reason than in previous years.
"I just feel confused."
"Confused?" Hermione really wanted to help her friend. Last year she had discovered that Ginny was a very good friend. She had helped Hermione through some problems with her horrible roommates Lavender and Parvati. Now the three girls were at a truce thanks to Ginny.
"Over the summer Seamus wrote to me."
Hermione simply nodded. Sometimes it was best to not say anything.
Ginny continued, "Some of the things he wrote were so beautiful. He writes stories, you know."
"I didn't know that."
"They're very good. That's what we started talking about. His stories and my poems. And then somehow, he began writing in a different way. I know it seems silly to you, but I could tell something was different in how he felt. I think…"
Ginny paused for a few seconds. "I think he likes me."
"Is that such a bad thing?"
"I don't know how I feel about him. There are times that I think it would be nice to be with someone who actually likes me. Not like Harry. He'll never like me. Seamus is a wonderful person."
"Ginny, do you want my advice?"
"Sure."
Hermione took Ginny's hands in her own. "It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself to like Seamus like you think he likes you."
Ginny sighed, "What am I going to do?"
"You don't need a guy do survive. I think you should seriously think about your friendship with Seamus before you do anything. Besides, that way you can have time to think about why you're confused."
"I guess Harry will be happy."
"About what?"
"Seamus and I. He's been wanting me to get over my crush for a long time."
Hermione saw the crushed look in Ginny's eyes. It was at that moment that she knew that Ginny would never end up with Seamus. "Ginny, just take your time. Just promise me that much."
Ginny was about to answer when she looked up and smiled at someone over Hermione's shoulder. Hermione twisted in her seat and looked curiously at Harry. He seemed to be sort of energized as if he'd run into Fred and George's newest candy, Dr. Pepper-up. It was a sort of Pepper-up potion that tasted like some American soda.
"Gin, can I talk to you?" Harry spoke surprisingly clear.
"Of course you can." Ginny started to move over to give him room next to Hermione on the couch when he coughed.
"I meant in private."
Ginny blinked in surprise but nodded. She gathered up her notes and stacked them in a pile next to Hermione. Harry held out his hand and pulled her up from the couch.
The two of them left the common room and began walking aimlessly around the hallways. Ginny soon noticed that they had passed the same painting three times. She stopped in the hallway and waited for Harry to turn around.
"What's wrong, Harry?"
He shrugged and stepped closer to her. He looked down at her and smiled. "I got a letter from Moony."
"You're calling him Moony now?"
"Call it a revelation on my part. An… what's the word?"
Ginny smiled weakly, "Epiphany."
"Yeah. Anyway, I asked him some questions about my parents and somehow he knew what I was really asking him. You know, I've never felt like anyone loved me. Not my family… not my friends… not even Moony and well…"
"You can't believe that."
"I don't anymore. Moony said some stuff about how he felt about my parents. And he tried to explain how he felt about me. I thought he simply didn't want me. Did you know it was illegal for a minor to be in the custody of a werewolf?"
"No." Ginny couldn't figure out where this discussion was going.
"It is. That's all that's keeping him from taking me away from my uncle and aunt." Harry's grin was wide. "The point is that a lot of people care about me. I was just not experienced enough to recognize it. I thought about my years here and everything I've gone through. If Ron and Mione didn't care, they would never have helped me stop Quirrel. And Tom would have killed you."
Ginny flinched. She still felt a little scared when she heard Tom Riddle's name mentioned.
Harry kept going. "I would never have survived the Tri-Wizard Tournament. And the summer after that… Ron and Mione kept me from doing things I would have regretted later." He sighed. "I realized that I wasn't alone anymore. While I miss them, it doesn't matter that my parents aren't here because I've got people who love me. And that's what they would have wanted."
Ginny nodded, "So what's the problem?"
"I'm getting to that." He took a deep breath. "I realized that in return for the these people loving me, I felt the same thing for them. I consider Ron and Mione like a brother and sister. And I'm glad that they have each other now."
"It's kind of cute." Ginny smiled.
"Yeah. I don't know what I would do without Moony and Snuffles. I can't believe I went for so long without them. And it was when I thought about someone I hadn't thought about in that light that I saw that my caring for them was different. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost them. But I didn't think this person would ever care about me the way I cared about them."
Several first-year Hufflepuff students walked past at that moment. Ginny looked over the rush and noticed that Harry was looking at her differently. She gasped when she recognized the look that had been appearing in Seamus' eyes recently. "Harry?"
He smiled, "I think… no. I know I love you, Ginny."
Ginny suddenly felt sick. She looked down at her hands and noticed that they were shaking. She began to mentally beg Harry to take it back.
"Ginny," Harry stepped close enough as the students began to leave the area to touch her cheek. "I love you."
Ginny began to cry. She couldn't breath. Something was wrong. She felt light-headed. She should be happy not terrified.
"Ginny, are you okay?" Harry watched as the tears began to fall down her cheeks. He put his other hand on her arm. "Ginny, answer me."
She tried to answer him. She really did. But all she could think of was the latest story that Seamus had written. The heroine had gone mute from shock. She blinked and felt her knees turn to jelly.
Harry grabbed her and tried to comfort her. He was confused. He had expected her to slap him. He'd been prepared for her to kiss him. But he didn't ever think she would cry. He didn't know what to do.
"Ginny?"
"Why did you do this?" She squeaked.
"I wanted you to know whether or not you felt the same way. I didn't want to lose you to Seamus without you knowing how I felt."
"Seamus?"
Harry nodded. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done this. I…"
He was cut off by warm lips being pressed against his. His eyes opened wide in surprise. Ginny was kissing him! He was kissing Ginny! He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her. The kiss lasted nearly a full minute before they broke apart in need of air.
Harry stared at Ginny. Her face was tear-streaked and red. But she was smiling.
"You love me?"
Harry couldn't believe the doubt she had in her voice.
"After THAT kiss, you doubt me?"
"Not anymore."
She stepped forward into Harry's arms and pressed her face against his chest. This felt right. She wasn't confused anymore.
******
Ron threw his book at Fred. "You damn idiot!"
"What!?"
Ron couldn't believe that Fred actually believed that Angelina would be going out with George. "They're playing you!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"That's it!"
Ron sat back and watched the show.
Fred continued his rant. "George is going to get it this time. I'll show him. He won't get away with this!"
Ron chuckled, "That's right, Fred. If you're busy fighting with George, you won't be able to torment Ginny and me."
A soft voice called out from the corner, "Ginny and I!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Fred laughed, "She's good, Ron."
Hermione stuck her head out of the corner and smiled at her boyfriend's brother. "Thanks. I've been practicing."
"I can tell." Fred approved. "Practice in such a fine art as sarcasm makes perfect."
"Get out, Fred." Ron shot back.
Fred laughed and waved to Hermione who blew him a kiss as he walked out of Ron's dorm room.
"What is wrong with you?" Ron glared at Hermione.
"Nothing. Just humoring Fred and preventing World War III."
"Good idea. As cool as it would be to see them fight, it would cause Hogwarts to fall apart." Ron got up from his seat on his trunk. He walked over and sat down next to his girlfriend. "So you think he's confessing all to my sister?"
"Absolutely." Hermione nodded. "He had that look."
"And what look would that be?" Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione lightly on the lips.
"The one you have right now."
He laughed, "I think you've said enough for one afternoon, Mione."
"Oh… really?" Hermione pulled him closer and kissed him deeply.
Ron pulled back long enough to mutter, "Practice makes perfect."
Hermione's laughter filled the room as Dean and Neville once again walked into the room. Dean groaned and grabbed Neville's arm before he got to his bed. "Come on. They're making me sick."
Neville smiled and took one last look at the couple in the far corner. "Get a life, Dean. They're happy."
Dean responded, "I never would've pegged you as a romantic, Neville."
The door closed as Neville answered, "There's a few things that you don't know about me."
Hermione began to laugh and pushed Ron back lightly. "The comedic probabilities behind that last comment would last Fred and George for the rest of their lives."
Ron leaned forward again and answered before pressing his lips against Hermione's. "Get a life, Mione."
******
"So who do you think it is?" Harry asked Hermione the next morning.
"I've made a list, but I don't think any of my ideas will pan out."
Ron interrupted, "Ginny has a list, too."
"Who's on it?" Hermione asked.
"Why don't you ask her boyfriend?" Ron winked slyly at Harry who turned beet red.
"Ron…" Hermione warned. "Leave him alone."
Harry shot back at his best friend, "Yeah. You're one to talk."
Ron's hands flew to his chest and covered his heart. He began to moan as if in pain and stumbled around the common room. The other Gryffindors were laughing as he tried to 'die' gracefully. Even Harry and Hermione were laughing. Ron finally dropped to the ground and twitched a few times before ceasing all motion.
Ginny looked at her prone brother laying in front of her. "Who killed him this time?"
"Harry did." Dean called out from his chair next to the fire.
Ginny smiled, "Oh, darn. My brother or my boyfriend? What a choice."
Ron blew a raspberry from his position on the floor as Ginny stepped over him to sit next to Harry on the couch. She settled against him and put her arms around his waist. He kissed her cheek and smiled at Hermione.
Hermione looked in Ron's direction and called out, "Hey I-D-ten-T! Get up and get over here."
Ron jumped up and pushed his way past the couch to sit at Hermione's feet. "I-D-ten-T?"
Harry snickered, "Spell it out, Ron."
"I-D-1-0-T?" Ron gasped, "Hermione! I am NOT an idiot!"
"It took you awhile." Hermione smiled down at him. "I was merely suggesting a new nickname for you."
"Ha ha. Remind me to manage you for a stand-up comedy career."
Harry hugged Ginny tighter against him. "So, who's on your list?"
Ginny sighed, "A few of the Gryffindors of course. I had this silly idea that it was a female this time."
"That's not silly." Hermione responded.
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Angelina is pretty smart but so is Alicia."
Harry smiled, "You have a thing for Quidditch players, huh?"
"I also thought about Hermione."
Ron sat forward from his slumped position at Hermione's feet. "She's Muggle-born. She can't be the Ravenclaw Heir."
Ginny conceded, "I know. I only said I thought about it."
Meanwhile, Harry watched Hermione's face. He could tell that something was bothering her. "You okay?"
Ron and Ginny stopped talking to each other and looked at Hermione. She looked like she was going to cry.
Hermione waved her hands in front of her face. "I'm fine. I just got something in my eye."
"Oh." Ron slumped again. He wrapped his arms around Hermione's legs and squeezed lightly to let her know that he was there.
Ginny spotted a sullen Seamus across the common room and got up from the couch to talk to him. She didn't want him to be angry with her or with Harry. Amidst this activity, Harry continued looking at Hermione. She was staring into space and didn't seem to notice that anyone was in the common room.
Harry motioned for Ron to leave for a minute. Ron looked confused but realized that something was bothering Harry. He stood up slowly and glanced down at Hermione. "Is she okay?"
Harry shook his head, "I don't know. Let me talk to her."
Ron nodded and went to talk to Dean, Lavender, and Neville who had all gathered in front of the fire for a round of games.
"Herm, you okay?"
"I didn't think I would have to worry about myself."
"What do you mean?"
"This spell."
Harry smiled to put her at ease. "Hermione, Ron was right. You're Muggle-born. It can't be you."
"Harry, will you promise not to tell anyone?"
"Tell them what?"
Hermione leaned forward and whispered, "I was adopted. I could be a pure-blood for all I know."
Harry's mouth dropped open in shock. "Damn!"
Harry watched the hallway outside the Hufflepuff common room carefully. He had been able to cast the spell on Aislinn before she and Justin had gone into the dorm, but there hadn't been time to cast it on Justin before they entered the dorm.
"So that scratches Aislinn off our list." Hermione whispered, "Let's hope that Ginny and Ron got both of their targets."
"I wouldn't use the word target around Justin. Remember second year?"
"Fondly. I was one of those unfortunate stiffs, remember?"
Harry chuckled, "How could I forget? I got blamed for the whole thing."
At that moment, Ginny and Ron crept up behind Harry and Hermione. "So how did it go?" Harry asked.
"No dice." Ron answered. "Leo and Cole both had black auras. How about you guys?"
"Let's just hope that Justin has a yellow aura then." Hermione stated.
The door to the Hufflepuff door swung open to reveal Justin and Aislinn. They peeked into the corridor and then went to the left toward some of the unused classrooms. Harry pushed away from the wall near their hiding place and slowly followed them. He could feel Hermione behind him. He could hear her whisper the spell.
Instantly a pale gold light filled the hallway, visible only to Harry and Hermione. But something went wrong. Aislinn turned around and spotted them as well as the yellow light from Justin's aura.
"Justin! What are you doing?"
He turned around and tried to figure out what Aislinn was talking about. He spotted Harry and Hermione as well. "What's wrong, Aislinn?"
"You're yellow!" Aislinn whispered.
"I'm what?"
Harry raced forward and smiled at Justin. He wanted to put the two friends at ease. "Hey, Justin. Aislinn's right. You're yellow. We did it. We're sorry."
Justin looked Harry over carefully. "It was an accident?"
"Not totally. But we'll say it was for now, okay?"
Hermione glared at Harry. She tried to understand why he was scaring Justin. "Harry's joking, Justin. It was an accident. I was trying to show him a new spell I learned from Professor Binns. I must have got it wrong. It wasn't supposed to turn you yellow."
Justin sighed in relief. "Thanks. We'll see you later then."
Harry watched Justin pull Aislinn away down the hall. "So I guess we've only got one Heir left."
"How are we going to figure out who isn't supposed to be in Gryffindor?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know. Think of the virtues that Rowena Ravenclaw looked for in her students. She wanted them to be intelligent to a fault…"
Hermione continued, "Intelligent to the point of insanity… even for me. 'These belong in Ravenclaw; each has a ready mind where those of wit and learning will always find their kind.'"
"What scares me is that you know that exact quote." Harry shuddered as the two friends caught up to Ginny and Ron.
"What quote?" Ginny asked.
"The Ravenclaw section of our first Sorting Hat song." He responded.
Ron reached out and took Hermione's hand. He tried to ignore the smug looks on Harry and Ginny's faces. "Leave it to Hermione, the living encyclopedia."
"Funny." Hermione smiled. "Maybe I should reconsider our little arrangement."
Ron spun around and tried to come up with a valid retort but try as he might, nothing came to his mind. Finally he simply tweaked Hermione's nose and took off down the hall.
Hermione glared at her friend-turned-boyfriend. She excused herself and dashed off after him.
"So… do you think they'll grow up anytime soon?"
Harry snickered at Ginny's comment. "Never would be too soon."
"I agree." Ginny tucked her wand into her pocket. "What happened to make Hermione go for Ron?"
Harry suddenly was nervous. "We talked. That's all."
"Really? You told her to talk to Ron?" Ginny asked in awe.
"Yeah. We talked about a lot of stuff. I really don't want to rehash it right now."
"Oh, okay. Well, I have to go to the owlery to send Pig back home. My mum wrote the twins and told them to behave themselves this year. She's letting Ron and I fib on them."
Harry smiled at the redhead. Her eyes were lit up again. He could tell that she enjoyed getting Fred and George back for the years of torment she had to put up with. And he knew that Ron was enjoying it as well. "What did they do this time?"
"There was a rumor about Fred and Angelina."
"That's all?" Harry was confused.
"You knew about that?" Ginny gasped.
"We all did." Harry replied. "We couldn't help it. They weren't exactly into hiding it… especially after every game we won. They were horrid in the locker room."
Ginny shook her head in disbelief. "Ron swore he didn't know."
"He didn't. Only the team did." Harry looked at his friend conspiratorially. "I can give you something else, though."
"What?"
"George has been seen with… well, with a couple of girls."
"Nothing you could tell me would beat Percy and Penelope." Ginny laughed.
"How about George and Angelina?"
Ginny shrieked. The people walking around them in the hallway looked at the couple and continued on their way. "Angelina is seeing both of them?"
"Angelina is trying to scare the wits out of Fred."
"She's evil."
"I know." Harry tried not to think of how Angelina had discovered his crush on Ginny and was now trying to make him ask her out. "She should've been in Slytherin."
"No one should be in Slytherin. Nobody's ever done anything to deserve that."
Harry was surprised. "You sure?"
"Maybe Tom deserved it… and probably Draco. But that's about it."
"You're too nice for your own good, Gin."
"Thanks." Ginny quickly hugged Harry and turned away to go to the owlery. He watched her walk away and wished he had the guts to call out her name. He sighed and cursed himself. He would just have to wait and see what Professor Lupin had to say.
******
Harry,
It has been a while since we last talked, but I want you to feel like you can write me anytime. I am always here for you. Your question was NOT odd at all. It makes sense that you would wonder about P and I in reference to your parents. From my point of view, P feels like a piece of his soul is missing.
He not only lost his best friend, but he also feels the blame that so many have placed upon him (and yes, I WAS one of them). I've come across plenty of people who hate what I am, Snape included. I can't imagine being P with the ghosts of your parents hanging over him.
You've heard the expression about being a third wheel? I sometimes felt like that. But Lady Lil, as P liked to call her, was one of my closest friends. There were just some things that I felt I could only tell your mother.
Some of those things your father never knew and your godfather still does not know. I loved Lily with all of my heart. She was my intellectual equal… my sister… my saving grace. I remember her as a docile, fragile creature. But P has a different story about Lady Lil.
Whenever your father wouldn't have time for P's games, Lily was an eager substitute. There was only one person she refused to torment… Severus Snape. He was the only one to escape Lily's tricks. And I'm sure that even Snape doesn't know why.
There was only one time that Lily actually hated P. When James told Lily and I about finding Snape at the Willow, Lily hunted P out and punched him. He had a black eye for days afterward.
I've thought about how to explain P's feelings about Lily for a few days. When the Ministry read the charges against P, he was a blank slate. Even when confronted with what happened to James, P was a rock.
Harry noticed that the letter was tear-stained in this paragraph. He continued.
He sobbed when Lily's name was read. I've never seen P cry. NEVER. I have no doubt that P worshipped Lily. He once, jokingly before James had asked Lily to marry him, told James that he thought he would have to make Lily an honest woman if James didn't hurry. And after the Willow incident, P never got on Lily's bad side again.
James was a different story. He was fair game for P's jokes… especially when Lily was involved. Just to aggravate your father, there were many times that P and Lily got 'caught' snogging in the common room.
P and James were brothers in every sense of the word save for name. If your father was in need of P's unique services, P would never hesitate. And that included being your godfather.
My relationship with James was a little more complicated. I think that I was to James what Hermione is to you… a smart kid who just happens to be fun a lot of the time. No matter what, to your father, I was the smart one. He may have been Head Boy, but he always asked me questions if he didn't know the answers.
The one thing that sticks in my mind is what he did for me when he and P found out about me. P may have been the one to suggest the solution, but James was the one who convinced him that I was worth it as a friend. Lily called me the peacemaker. She claimed that I was the moderator between James and P. Maybe I was. But most often I found myself siding with James. I'll be honest with you, Harry. I cried when I found out what had happened. And for a few months I honestly believed that somehow… P had betrayed them.
Lily would have despised me for that. Especially with what she knew. But I think that the question you asked wasn't what you wanted answered. I think you want to know how we feel about you. Am I right?
Harry, it hurts P that he can't be with you. He loves you for being a part of James and Lily and for being yourself. And that is something special. If he could take you away from Lily's sister, he would in a heartbeat. And if it were legal for me to do so, I would.
So much would have been different if James and Lily were here. Maybe I would have had the courage to tell P what I've wanted to tell him for years. And maybe you wouldn't doubt the people who love you. If wishes were horses…
Harry, P and I do love you. Do NOT ever doubt that. And if I could leave you with only one piece of advice about this love of your life… it would be 'don't end up like me.' Harry, I'll make a deal with you. If you can overcome this and end up with this person, I will do what I should have done years ago. I will confess all to P. Not that it would change anything.
With love,
Moony
Harry looked at the letter and wiped at his eyes. What Professor Lupin had said about his parents… he had never known some of the stories. He knew it hurt Sirius to talk about his parents, and he had never been as comfortable talking with Professor Lupin as he was talking to Sirius.
He could see why Lupin had seemed to like Hermione so much. He was right. They were a lot alike. And he often drew parallels between Ron and Sirius. They both could be serious when it was needed, but they both liked to be at the center of attention.
He imagined that Ginny was like his mother… smart and pretty… and fun. He reread the last paragraph and was slightly confused. It made him feel better to know that Sirius and Lupin loved him. But what kind of deal was Lupin talking about. The implication… well, the way he spoke about Sirius made Harry wonder.
Could it be that Lupin had told Harry's mother that he was… gay? Harry didn't mind it at all. He just thought it was kind of cute in a 'mom- likes-dad' kind of way. You knew it went on, but that didn't mean that you needed to see it. It was enough to know it went on. And if Lupin liked Sirius, he hoped he'd have the guts to talk to Ginny if only to force Lupin to confess everything.
Harry smiled in a rather evil way. He had set himself on a course of action several hours ago before Lupin's letter had arrived. Now there was just extra incentive. He set the letter aside and took a deep breath. Ginny was downstairs in the common room. It was time. Time to do what he had dreamed of all summer. Time to beat Seamus to the punch.
******
Ginny looked over her notes. She had narrowed down some of the Gryffindors who could be the Ravenclaw Heir. It had to be someone smart. She also thought it would most likely be a female. All the other Heirs were men. "Damn sexist Founders!"
"What's wrong?" Hermione dropped down onto the couch.
"Nothing." Ginny sighed. "So what did you do to my beloved brother when you caught him?"
"I don't think you're old enough to know."
Ginny choked on the water she was drinking. "What!"
Hermione laughed, "Didn't think I had it in me?"
"To joke like that or to NOT joke like that?"
"Both."
Ginny shook her head, "No way. It was a good one though. You should try it with Harry."
"Speaking of Harry…" Hermione began.
"Don't go there, Hermione. Please." Ginny shifted uneasily on the couch.
"Ginny, what's wrong?"
Hermione watched the redhead stare at her small hands. She could tell that Ginny was uncomfortable talking about Harry. But she also could tell that it was for a different reason than in previous years.
"I just feel confused."
"Confused?" Hermione really wanted to help her friend. Last year she had discovered that Ginny was a very good friend. She had helped Hermione through some problems with her horrible roommates Lavender and Parvati. Now the three girls were at a truce thanks to Ginny.
"Over the summer Seamus wrote to me."
Hermione simply nodded. Sometimes it was best to not say anything.
Ginny continued, "Some of the things he wrote were so beautiful. He writes stories, you know."
"I didn't know that."
"They're very good. That's what we started talking about. His stories and my poems. And then somehow, he began writing in a different way. I know it seems silly to you, but I could tell something was different in how he felt. I think…"
Ginny paused for a few seconds. "I think he likes me."
"Is that such a bad thing?"
"I don't know how I feel about him. There are times that I think it would be nice to be with someone who actually likes me. Not like Harry. He'll never like me. Seamus is a wonderful person."
"Ginny, do you want my advice?"
"Sure."
Hermione took Ginny's hands in her own. "It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself to like Seamus like you think he likes you."
Ginny sighed, "What am I going to do?"
"You don't need a guy do survive. I think you should seriously think about your friendship with Seamus before you do anything. Besides, that way you can have time to think about why you're confused."
"I guess Harry will be happy."
"About what?"
"Seamus and I. He's been wanting me to get over my crush for a long time."
Hermione saw the crushed look in Ginny's eyes. It was at that moment that she knew that Ginny would never end up with Seamus. "Ginny, just take your time. Just promise me that much."
Ginny was about to answer when she looked up and smiled at someone over Hermione's shoulder. Hermione twisted in her seat and looked curiously at Harry. He seemed to be sort of energized as if he'd run into Fred and George's newest candy, Dr. Pepper-up. It was a sort of Pepper-up potion that tasted like some American soda.
"Gin, can I talk to you?" Harry spoke surprisingly clear.
"Of course you can." Ginny started to move over to give him room next to Hermione on the couch when he coughed.
"I meant in private."
Ginny blinked in surprise but nodded. She gathered up her notes and stacked them in a pile next to Hermione. Harry held out his hand and pulled her up from the couch.
The two of them left the common room and began walking aimlessly around the hallways. Ginny soon noticed that they had passed the same painting three times. She stopped in the hallway and waited for Harry to turn around.
"What's wrong, Harry?"
He shrugged and stepped closer to her. He looked down at her and smiled. "I got a letter from Moony."
"You're calling him Moony now?"
"Call it a revelation on my part. An… what's the word?"
Ginny smiled weakly, "Epiphany."
"Yeah. Anyway, I asked him some questions about my parents and somehow he knew what I was really asking him. You know, I've never felt like anyone loved me. Not my family… not my friends… not even Moony and well…"
"You can't believe that."
"I don't anymore. Moony said some stuff about how he felt about my parents. And he tried to explain how he felt about me. I thought he simply didn't want me. Did you know it was illegal for a minor to be in the custody of a werewolf?"
"No." Ginny couldn't figure out where this discussion was going.
"It is. That's all that's keeping him from taking me away from my uncle and aunt." Harry's grin was wide. "The point is that a lot of people care about me. I was just not experienced enough to recognize it. I thought about my years here and everything I've gone through. If Ron and Mione didn't care, they would never have helped me stop Quirrel. And Tom would have killed you."
Ginny flinched. She still felt a little scared when she heard Tom Riddle's name mentioned.
Harry kept going. "I would never have survived the Tri-Wizard Tournament. And the summer after that… Ron and Mione kept me from doing things I would have regretted later." He sighed. "I realized that I wasn't alone anymore. While I miss them, it doesn't matter that my parents aren't here because I've got people who love me. And that's what they would have wanted."
Ginny nodded, "So what's the problem?"
"I'm getting to that." He took a deep breath. "I realized that in return for the these people loving me, I felt the same thing for them. I consider Ron and Mione like a brother and sister. And I'm glad that they have each other now."
"It's kind of cute." Ginny smiled.
"Yeah. I don't know what I would do without Moony and Snuffles. I can't believe I went for so long without them. And it was when I thought about someone I hadn't thought about in that light that I saw that my caring for them was different. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost them. But I didn't think this person would ever care about me the way I cared about them."
Several first-year Hufflepuff students walked past at that moment. Ginny looked over the rush and noticed that Harry was looking at her differently. She gasped when she recognized the look that had been appearing in Seamus' eyes recently. "Harry?"
He smiled, "I think… no. I know I love you, Ginny."
Ginny suddenly felt sick. She looked down at her hands and noticed that they were shaking. She began to mentally beg Harry to take it back.
"Ginny," Harry stepped close enough as the students began to leave the area to touch her cheek. "I love you."
Ginny began to cry. She couldn't breath. Something was wrong. She felt light-headed. She should be happy not terrified.
"Ginny, are you okay?" Harry watched as the tears began to fall down her cheeks. He put his other hand on her arm. "Ginny, answer me."
She tried to answer him. She really did. But all she could think of was the latest story that Seamus had written. The heroine had gone mute from shock. She blinked and felt her knees turn to jelly.
Harry grabbed her and tried to comfort her. He was confused. He had expected her to slap him. He'd been prepared for her to kiss him. But he didn't ever think she would cry. He didn't know what to do.
"Ginny?"
"Why did you do this?" She squeaked.
"I wanted you to know whether or not you felt the same way. I didn't want to lose you to Seamus without you knowing how I felt."
"Seamus?"
Harry nodded. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done this. I…"
He was cut off by warm lips being pressed against his. His eyes opened wide in surprise. Ginny was kissing him! He was kissing Ginny! He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her. The kiss lasted nearly a full minute before they broke apart in need of air.
Harry stared at Ginny. Her face was tear-streaked and red. But she was smiling.
"You love me?"
Harry couldn't believe the doubt she had in her voice.
"After THAT kiss, you doubt me?"
"Not anymore."
She stepped forward into Harry's arms and pressed her face against his chest. This felt right. She wasn't confused anymore.
******
Ron threw his book at Fred. "You damn idiot!"
"What!?"
Ron couldn't believe that Fred actually believed that Angelina would be going out with George. "They're playing you!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"That's it!"
Ron sat back and watched the show.
Fred continued his rant. "George is going to get it this time. I'll show him. He won't get away with this!"
Ron chuckled, "That's right, Fred. If you're busy fighting with George, you won't be able to torment Ginny and me."
A soft voice called out from the corner, "Ginny and I!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Fred laughed, "She's good, Ron."
Hermione stuck her head out of the corner and smiled at her boyfriend's brother. "Thanks. I've been practicing."
"I can tell." Fred approved. "Practice in such a fine art as sarcasm makes perfect."
"Get out, Fred." Ron shot back.
Fred laughed and waved to Hermione who blew him a kiss as he walked out of Ron's dorm room.
"What is wrong with you?" Ron glared at Hermione.
"Nothing. Just humoring Fred and preventing World War III."
"Good idea. As cool as it would be to see them fight, it would cause Hogwarts to fall apart." Ron got up from his seat on his trunk. He walked over and sat down next to his girlfriend. "So you think he's confessing all to my sister?"
"Absolutely." Hermione nodded. "He had that look."
"And what look would that be?" Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione lightly on the lips.
"The one you have right now."
He laughed, "I think you've said enough for one afternoon, Mione."
"Oh… really?" Hermione pulled him closer and kissed him deeply.
Ron pulled back long enough to mutter, "Practice makes perfect."
Hermione's laughter filled the room as Dean and Neville once again walked into the room. Dean groaned and grabbed Neville's arm before he got to his bed. "Come on. They're making me sick."
Neville smiled and took one last look at the couple in the far corner. "Get a life, Dean. They're happy."
Dean responded, "I never would've pegged you as a romantic, Neville."
The door closed as Neville answered, "There's a few things that you don't know about me."
Hermione began to laugh and pushed Ron back lightly. "The comedic probabilities behind that last comment would last Fred and George for the rest of their lives."
Ron leaned forward again and answered before pressing his lips against Hermione's. "Get a life, Mione."
******
"So who do you think it is?" Harry asked Hermione the next morning.
"I've made a list, but I don't think any of my ideas will pan out."
Ron interrupted, "Ginny has a list, too."
"Who's on it?" Hermione asked.
"Why don't you ask her boyfriend?" Ron winked slyly at Harry who turned beet red.
"Ron…" Hermione warned. "Leave him alone."
Harry shot back at his best friend, "Yeah. You're one to talk."
Ron's hands flew to his chest and covered his heart. He began to moan as if in pain and stumbled around the common room. The other Gryffindors were laughing as he tried to 'die' gracefully. Even Harry and Hermione were laughing. Ron finally dropped to the ground and twitched a few times before ceasing all motion.
Ginny looked at her prone brother laying in front of her. "Who killed him this time?"
"Harry did." Dean called out from his chair next to the fire.
Ginny smiled, "Oh, darn. My brother or my boyfriend? What a choice."
Ron blew a raspberry from his position on the floor as Ginny stepped over him to sit next to Harry on the couch. She settled against him and put her arms around his waist. He kissed her cheek and smiled at Hermione.
Hermione looked in Ron's direction and called out, "Hey I-D-ten-T! Get up and get over here."
Ron jumped up and pushed his way past the couch to sit at Hermione's feet. "I-D-ten-T?"
Harry snickered, "Spell it out, Ron."
"I-D-1-0-T?" Ron gasped, "Hermione! I am NOT an idiot!"
"It took you awhile." Hermione smiled down at him. "I was merely suggesting a new nickname for you."
"Ha ha. Remind me to manage you for a stand-up comedy career."
Harry hugged Ginny tighter against him. "So, who's on your list?"
Ginny sighed, "A few of the Gryffindors of course. I had this silly idea that it was a female this time."
"That's not silly." Hermione responded.
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Angelina is pretty smart but so is Alicia."
Harry smiled, "You have a thing for Quidditch players, huh?"
"I also thought about Hermione."
Ron sat forward from his slumped position at Hermione's feet. "She's Muggle-born. She can't be the Ravenclaw Heir."
Ginny conceded, "I know. I only said I thought about it."
Meanwhile, Harry watched Hermione's face. He could tell that something was bothering her. "You okay?"
Ron and Ginny stopped talking to each other and looked at Hermione. She looked like she was going to cry.
Hermione waved her hands in front of her face. "I'm fine. I just got something in my eye."
"Oh." Ron slumped again. He wrapped his arms around Hermione's legs and squeezed lightly to let her know that he was there.
Ginny spotted a sullen Seamus across the common room and got up from the couch to talk to him. She didn't want him to be angry with her or with Harry. Amidst this activity, Harry continued looking at Hermione. She was staring into space and didn't seem to notice that anyone was in the common room.
Harry motioned for Ron to leave for a minute. Ron looked confused but realized that something was bothering Harry. He stood up slowly and glanced down at Hermione. "Is she okay?"
Harry shook his head, "I don't know. Let me talk to her."
Ron nodded and went to talk to Dean, Lavender, and Neville who had all gathered in front of the fire for a round of games.
"Herm, you okay?"
"I didn't think I would have to worry about myself."
"What do you mean?"
"This spell."
Harry smiled to put her at ease. "Hermione, Ron was right. You're Muggle-born. It can't be you."
"Harry, will you promise not to tell anyone?"
"Tell them what?"
Hermione leaned forward and whispered, "I was adopted. I could be a pure-blood for all I know."
Harry's mouth dropped open in shock. "Damn!"
