Disclaimer: These are not my characters. I do not make any money off of them; I do not plan to make any money off of them. The plot is mine; please don't steal it.
A/N: Okie-doke, I have yet to figure out if anyone has been reading the past two chapters, so I might very well just be talking to myself; however, I do that all the time anyway. Please read and review, because although I do talk to myself, it doesn't mean that I like it. Okie? Dokie.
Weeks of classes, research and Ginny passed; Harry expended minimum effort in his classes, (except for Potions) spent countless hours studying teacher methods and research, and cherished every second with Ginny, though most of the time they had was while researching.
Ron and Hermione watched with amusement as Harry and Ginny mastered the art of debate, mostly by arguing with each other.
"You can't use that as an argument; it's very foundation is faulty! That study was not conducted scientifically, around seventy percent polled were girls- Of course they'd be more likely to appreciate a 'bad guy'!"
"You're sick, Harry! Two-thirds of this years first years are female, and the entire year is averaging higher test scores- both genders! You need to address the fact that gender is an issue in how teachers will teach classes, and this study is based on that question!"
Professor Dumbledore had, to Harry's surprise, given them a roll of credits to use in the lounge; with coffee being off-limits to students, he and Ginny were becoming Pepsi-addicts. Every possible hour was put to use, homework delegated to any free seconds- nothing was more important than beating Snape.
* * * * *
Dean and Seamus had collaborated with the paintings to form a betting pool, and the odds were not good for Harry and Ginny. There were a variety of options in terms of bets, and one of the more popular ones was on Snape's partner- if he chose to take one.
"Who on earth would want to partner with him?"
"Extra credit, maybe?"
"Not worth it- perhaps he blackmailed someone!"
"Would it be a teacher-"
"Don't be silly, everyone knows that they all despise him!"
Seamus smirked as the group of chattering Hufflepuffs walked out. He placed no bets, but had a definite opinion on the topic. After all, Malfoy would be grateful for any chance to beat Harry, especially since it seemed like they couldn't lose. Seamus wasn't so sure about that, though- Harry might not have been the smartest one, but he had luck, and certain knack that made him hard to beat in anything, and Ginny was the brightest sixth year by far.
Snape, however, was difficult to face in class when he had any number of Gryffindors to focus on; in the debate he would be determined to break Harry by any means necessary. It's going to be interesting...
* * * * *
Parvati and Lavender were having a heyday with Professor Trelawney, predicting any number of stunning defeats; luckily Harry had been using that class to get some much-needed rest, and had actually heard few of them. There was just one, one so outrageous that Ron felt it necessary to wake Harry so that he could deal with it himself.
"I think that he was lucky in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and there is no way that he'll be able to stand up to Snape! He'll probably go running out of the room, crying like a little baby! I was his partner at the ball, and he couldn't even dance!"
"Unfortunately, I believe that you will be proven correct, my dear Parvati. Look at the combination of the cards, obviously foretelling a stunning and embarrassing defeat."
"Harry!" Ron muttered. "Harry, you've got to get up! Parvati's saying that you can't dance! If that gets spread around you won't be able to buy a date to the next ball!"
Harry looked up wearily. "Ron. Shut up. No one believes what Parvati says, anymore. I will not be looking for a date to the next ball, because I have Ginny. She already knows that I can dance perfectly well. Now let me get some sleep!"
That did not prove to be the smartest thing to have said. "You two have been dancing?! I can't believe it; you two have been dancing! Let me tell you right here and now, Harry, if anything happens to my little sister, I'll-"
"I know, Ron. I will never again see the light of day. Or maybe every day an eagle will eat my spleen. Or Voldemort will look nice in comparison to the Weasley's Wrath. Or all of the above. Can I go back to sleep now?" He did not wait for a response, instead literally falling facedown into his tea. He did not sit back up.
* * * * *
Dumbledore pulled Harry aside after a very rejuvenating Transfiguration lesson, asking Ron and Hermione to go on so that they could speak privately.
"Well, Harry, how have you been?" The old wizard was entirely too enthusiastic for a boy who had slept through a class on transfiguring parchment into various broomstick parts. Seeing that he was going to get no response, Dumbledore continued. "I think that it's time to settle the rules for the event. We have to decide on a time and date, not to mention moderator, and- Harry? Harry, are you awake? Oh, blast it. I'll settle it myself, and you will get up to your dorm." He performed a simple levitating spell and walked up to the Gryffindor common room, pulling the sleeping boy behind him.
Upon reaching the Fat Lady's portrait he whispered the password and entered, hailing Hermione when he saw her sitting in one of the gigantic armchairs, working on an essay for Arithmancy. She looked up sharply as he spoke her name.
"Ms Granger- I believe I have someone for you. He fell asleep before we could talk, so if you could let him know that the debate will be held two weeks from two days ago, at two hours past the noon hour. I will moderate, and the teachers will all contribute in the judging. Also, please get Harry to get some rest outside of classes; I fear he will be too tired to compete, otherwise."
The twinkle in his eye was working overtime as he added, "Even Pepsi has it's limits. You might inform Ms Weasley of that, as well." He nodded over to the sleeping redhead lying over one of the couches. The wizard, who was often far too aware for comfort, floated Harry over to the coach and set him down next to Ginny, smiled, and left the common room too quickly for Hermione to have any comment.
She shook her head at the door and walked over to look down at Harry and Ginny. They had unconsciously grasped each other's hands, and looked to be having good dreams. "Sleep well, you two... I'll go and stop Ron from coming up and throwing another fit. Sweet dreams." Smiling at the peaceful expressions on their faces, she threw a blanket over them and left the common room.
* * * * *
Draco Malfoy was very pleased. Not only was Potter going to get in a big way, but he would be the one to deliver it to him. Potter had no chance against Snape in a battle of the wits, and here he was, Snape's partner, ready to help. The last thing that had been this amusing had been when the Chamber had been opened by the muggle-loving girl Weasel, and here she was, Potter's partner. This will be fun...
A/N: Ta-Dah. Another chapter, completed, and posted. Two weeks of school gone by. I feel very good. Hopefully you liked, please review! I really appreciate them! That's it, I think...
Tah!