Chapter 6

The Love Grows and Disaster Draws Near

Over the course of the next few weeks, Harry and Jane became very close. They often sat together in the common room, not speaking, but saying everything with their minds. Ron had assumed that Hermione would find this irritating, but to his surprise, she seemed happier about it.

Snape was able to give Harry valuable advice about women… such as "Never let them pay for anything, boy!" or "NEVER say 'yes' if they ask if the dress makes them look fat! They'll kick you out faster than you'd notice!"

One day at lunch, Hedwig brought Harry a letter from the Dursleys.

"We hear you're in love. Don't expect us to pay for anything! Dudley says 'Go f*ck yourself'. Stay safe and don't get killed. J/K

--Vernon and Petunia"

Harry chuckled. After living with them for so long, he now found their antics quite amusing. Also, all he had to do was raise his finger, and Vernon went bright purple.

While the fun was going on at Hogwarts, trouble was brewing on the other side of the Forbidden Forest. As the light of the full moon filtered down to the forest floor, the leaves and branches on the ground stirred. And then, silent as the snow falling, a huge snake uncoiled itself from the foliage. Its tongue flicked the air hungrily, and with hunger in it's eyes, it set off for Hogwarts. If one listened closely, it sounded as if the snake was hissing "Potter... Potter... Potter..."

That afternoon, Ron and Hermione had just got done studying the Astrology information they would need for the next test.

As Hermione got up to leave, Ron said, "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." She said, sitting back down.

"Doesn't it bug you that Harry is like, completely head-over-heels for that Jane girl?"

She seemed surprised. "Not at all. Why would it bug me?"

Ron blushed a bit. "I dunno... I guess because I always assumed..."

"That I wanted to go out with Harry myself???"

For an instant, Ron expected Hermione to shoot flames at him, but then she burst out laughing.

"Puh-leeze, Harry isn't the one I'm after, trust me."

"Then who is?"

At this point, Hermione seemed to be deliberately avoiding Ron's gaze. "You don't know him." She said. "Come on, let's get out of here."

The conversation over, Ron followed Hermione out of the library.

Quidditch season arrived, and with Harry as the Seeker, they of course won their first game. We see our heroes now at the party of celebration. Being sixth-years, Professor McGongall was a bit more... lenient in how she let them celebrate.

"Here we go!" Said Harry, making his voice like a French waiter as he brought Jane a glass of Butterbeer (from a keg rented straight from the Three Broomsticks, mind.)

"Thank you, kind sir." She said with a warm smile as he sat down next to her.

"Oooooh!" said Fred and George in unison.

"So how do you think Jane is going to congratulate Harry for winning us the game tonight?" one of the first-years whispered very loudly.

Harry smiled and placed a 30-minute silence charm on the boy.

There was a twinkle in Jane's eyes, however. "Maybe some congratulations are in order." She purred. "Perhaps, after everyone's asleep?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Uh, okay..........?"

Finally, after many hours of partying, Fred and George's shenannigans, and Sir Cardogan desperately trying to grab drinks through the picture on the wall, everyone retired to their dormitories.

"We'll leave some candles out." Yawned Fred as he went upstairs. Finally, Harry and Jane were alone.

"So, Mister Potter..." Jane said, inching closer to him, "What can I do to congratulate you?"

"Hmm... a kiss will do." Harry said offhandedly. As if he hadn't gotten enough of those when he dismounted his broom after catching the Snitch.

"All right then." Jane put her arms around Harry's neck and kissed him, far different than any time they had previously kissed. It was passionate, coming straight from the desire in her heart.

"Whoa..." Harry whispered afterwards. "I feel congratulated, all right."

"Rubbish. I've just begun." Jane said with an evil look in her eyes.

Harry and Jane spent well over an hour in the common room, sharing the love that had built up since they had met. It would have gone longer, but then one of Fred's candles reached a small indent in the center, and it exploded with a brilliant flash of red and silver and a flurry of white glitter.

"Yaaah!" Jane jumped in surprise, and Harry flinched so hard that his glasses almost fell off. And then he swore he heard Fred and George snickering in their beds.

"That was amazing..." Jane whispered after she had caught her breath. "I've never been like that with a guy before."

Harry was simply at a loss for words, and stared at Jane with feelings he never knew his heart could manifest.

He and Jane embraced each other.

"I truly love you... Harry Potter." She whispered.

"And I love you, Jane Argyle."

They kissed one last time, then headed off to their beds, overwhelmed by the happiness they had found in each other.