Friday morning, Harry and Ron sit down to breakfast at the Gryffindor Table in the Great Hall.
"How ya' doing it?" Seamus asks Harry.
"Doing what?" replies Harry.
"Keeping up with all those girls." says Seamus.
Ron snorts and says, "Must be animal magnetism."
Hermione's eyebrows raise.
Ron whips, "I'm referring to Harry."
Hermione says with an air, "Fine. Had me worried for a moment."
"Not looking forward to Potions." moans Neville.
Harry and Ron laugh.
Neville says, "What's so funny? You two forgot your bags!"
"Since I'm skipping Potions, I don't need it." says Harry with a broad grin.
"Just promise us that you won't let your marks drop too badly. You're are only good defense against Slytherin." says Dean.
McGonagall hands the fifth years notes.
Neville's reads "Potions delayed until later this morning. What does Pomfrey want with us anyways?"
"Likely something to do with a rumor." says Ron.
Seamus shows looks of horror. He says, "Oh, no. Not that. Potions would be better."
They finish breakfast.
The fifth year Gryffindors head to the Hospital Wing.
Draco Malfoy takes note. He yells, "Hey Potter!".
Draco approaches Harry and then backs away.
Draco says, "Must be quite contagious to have all of you go to the hospital wing."
Harry turns toward Draco. He says, "It is. Has Bridget Vemmingmore found her knickers yet?"
Draco shoots a mean look at Harry.
"This ain't over yet." says Draco. He spits at Harry's feet.
The Slytherins proceed down the stairs to Potions. The Gryffindors enter the Hospital wing.
"Follow me." Pomfrey says.
The fifth year Gryffindors follow her into a cozy and small circular room with sofas and easy chairs.
Pomfrey instructs, "Have a seat." She sits on a wooden stool.
Pomfrey lectures, "Usually, this lesson is scheduled for the sixth year. It is clear that this is needed now."
Seamus moans.
Pomfrey says, "Find this funny Mr. Finnigan?"
"No madam. Just uncomfortable." admits Seamus.
Pomfrey continues, "Mr. Finnigan, it'd be more discomforting if you aren't aware of certain things."
"Like sex?" asks Dean.
Pomfrey says, "This is lecture, not a debate."
Over the next hour, Pomfrey covers the basics of anatomy, sex, and relationships.
Pomfrey adds, "School policy is clear, no dependents. Pregnancy means expulsion for both the boy and girl involved. I hope that this information will help you make wise decisions in regards to your entangled love lives." All the Gryffindors look at Ron and Hermione.
As they exit the room, Seamus says to Harry and Ron, "So this is your faults, isn't it?"
"Yeah." replies Harry.
"Where are you going? We've got Potions." Neville asks.
"Ron and I are skipping Potions." says Harry.
Neville and Seamus give them very scandalous looks.
"But with my permission." says Dumbledore from behind them. Clearly, he doesn't want some ideas to catch on. "Rest of you, get to class." Then, to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, "Follow me."
The four of them proceed to an empty classroom.
Ron says, "Professor, I assume this is a bout the Portkeys and security."
Dumbledore says, "Correct Mr Weasley. Now, with my assistance you should be able to cross this room using a Portkey."
Hermione says, "That's trivial."
Harry says, "Hermione, with a Portkey?"
Dumbledore says, "Once you learn to cross a room, the Portkey should be easy."
Dumbledore hands a book and notes to Harry. The book is entitled Portkeys: Theory and Operation.
Harry comments, "Looks useful."
Dumbledore instructs them on Portkeys and a couple of spells. He lends them a book and says, "These notes will prove useful."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione peruse the book and notes.
A half hour later, Harry says, "Let's try it."
Hermione protests, "You haven't read it all."
Ron shrugs his shoulders, "So?"
Harry grabs a Hogwarts pin from Dumbledore's pile.
Dumbledore says, "The point of this session is to get you three started. You can polish the details on your holiday."
Harry says, "Sure. I'm still going to give this example a try."
Harry picks up a pin. Harry points his wand at the pin. He mutters "porta creo ... porta locus" He walks to the other side of the room. He mutters "porta coepi."
Harry disappears and reappears where he started.
Dumbledore says, "That is a good start. It'll take a bit more to create the Portkeys you need."
Harry says, "Of course. If I can cross the room, then I should be able to make it go from Noigate to here."
Hermione says, "Harry, I haven't seen you this motivated in months."
Ron whips, "Hermione, we got Harry where it counts."
Hermione snaps, "Yes, the blond hair and blue eyes in his pants."
Ron snaps back, "Whatever appeals to Harry is his business, not ours. I support his relationship."
Harry says, "Thanks Ron."
Hermione whips, "Of course Harry likes her."
Harry snaps, "Notice I'm not making comments about your love life Hermione."
Hermione snaps, "Cause he's your best friend. Why would you?"
Dumbledore says, "Enough of this bickering! Save this argument for the holidays. Now, we need to cover security arrangements."
Dumbledore covers the basic enchantments for this. He takes the remainder of the lesson on this.
Dumbledore says, "The security measures are included in those notes. Have a nice holiday."
They exit the classroom.
After lunch, Harry and Ron catch up to with the others waiting at the platform below Divination. The trapdoor opens and the ladder descends.
When everyone except Seamus, Dean, and Ron; Seamus and Dean corner Ron.
"How'd you get out of Potions?" asks Seamus.
"Sorry, can't say." says Ron.
"Oh come on!" says Dean.
Ron says, "Drop it now. Come on, lets climb."
They climb the ladder. Ron sits at the table with Harry.
Harry and Ron exchange looks.
Trelawney says, "Fate has informed me that we will be demonstrating mind reading today. ... Miss Patil and Miss Brown are destined to go first."
Pavarti faces Lavender. They wait several moments. Pavarti says, "Hmm... You have questions about Harry Potter's possible girlfriend. You're wondering who she is." Lavender giggles in agreement.
Lavender studies Pavarti. Lavender says, "You seem to be trying to decide upon your entry in the pool. Who is Harry Potter's girlfriend. The crystal ball might improve your odds. ... Pavarti, you had better hurry up before somebody spills the beans."
Harry and Ron exchange look. Trelawney says, "Good job you two. Mr Finnigan and Mr Thomas, you are next."
Dean and Seamus face each other. They snicker a lot while reading. Neville then paired with Trelawney.
Trelawney 'reads' Neville's mind and says, "You're wondering how Harry and Ron managed to escape Potions?" Neville smiled.
Neville tries reading Trelawney and guesses, "You're worried that I won't be able to do this." Trelawney smiles.
Everyone else has finished. Trelawney says, "Our dynamic duo, Mr. Potter are Mr. Weasley." Everyone turns to to look at Harry and Ron.
Harry and Ron swap the candies they were sucking on. People snicker and chuckle at this.
Harry says, "Let's see Ron. You're angry that George and Fred would start a pool over the love life of your best friend."
Everybody else is startled by this revelation.
Ron then says, "Harry, you're thinking about a girl."
Everybody perks up in anticipation.
Ron continues, "You're also worried that snooping will get the both of you killed by Voldemort."
Nearly everyone flinches. Trelawney shrieks.
Trelawney quickly says, "Class dismissed. Ten points each for your excellent work."
The class climbs down the ladder. They proceed to their next class. Care of Magical Creatures for Harry and Ron. Everybody discusses the lesson.
Seamus says to Ron, "Blimey! Nice touch, why'd drop his name for?"
Ron replies, "Seamus, we're being dead serious. Too much snooping can kill Harry."
Harry changes the subject. He says, "Ron, mind-reading might be the only thing we can actually do in Divination."
Ron says, "Your right, Harry. It is."
Seamus asks, "Well, can you tell what I'm thinking?"
Harry says, "I wouldn't want to. Probably a disgusting fantasy of Hermione." says Harry.
Ron glares at Seamus and says, "Don't even think about it."
Seamus starts to throw a punch at Ron. Hagrid clears his throat. They were in front of Hagrid's hut.
Draco Malfoy strolls into view and yells, "POTTER!!! Professor Snape is very angry that you cut class! Famous Harry Potter thinks he can get away with anything!"
"That attitude will go over well in your Junior Death Eaters League, won't it?" says Harry.
Hagrid clears his throat. He says, "Today, we will tame the dragons out back."
Malfoy has his this-is-crazy look. Harry and Ron exchange desperate looks. Hagrid chuckles.
Hagrid says, "Just kidding, dragons are next year."
The lesson continues. At the end of it, Hagrid motions to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
The Slytherins and other Gryffindors walk out of view.
Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, and Harry step into Hagrid's Hut.
Hagrid says, "Suppose you'll be spending the holiday at Hogwarts. Harry, what's this about a girlfriend?"
Harry says, "No, we won't be here. Yes, there is a girlfriend, but we've been trying to keep *that* secret."
Hagrid says, "Good man. I'd ask who, but according to the rumors you're dating the school."
Ron chuckles and says, "Busy Harry?"
Hagrid smiles and says, "Well, I'll escort you back to the castle."
They exit the hut and proceed to the castle.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione enter the castle.
Harry says, "Interesting addition to my reputation. Womanizer extrodinare." Ron and Hermione let out a brief laugh.
They pass through the halls. Several first year Slytherin girls are disappointed when Harry turns down their offers.
